The Judas Strain

A Sigma Force Novel, Book 4

By: James Rollins

Narrated by: Peter J. Fernandez

Length: 18 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

ju-das strain, n. A scientific term for an organism that drives an entire species to extinction

New York Times best-selling author James Rollins returns with a terrifying story of an ancient menace reborn to plague the modern world...and of an impossible hope that lies hidden in the most shocking place imaginable: within the language of angels.

From the depths of the Indian Ocean, a horrific plague has arisen to devastate humankind - a disease that's unknown, unstoppable, and deadly. But it is merely a harbinger of the doom that is to follow. Aboard a cruise liner transformed into a makeshift hospital, Dr. Lisa Cummings and Monk Kokkalis, operatives of SIGMA Force, search for answers to the bizarre affliction. But there are others with far less altruistic intentions. In a savage and sudden coup, terrorists hijack the vessel, turning a mercy ship into a floating bio-weapons lab.

A world away, SIGMA's commander, Gray Pierce, thwarts the murderous schemes of a beautiful would-be killer who holds the first clue to the discovery of a possible cure. Pierce joins forces with the woman who wanted him dead, and together they embark upon an astonishing quest following the trail of the most fabled explorer in history: Marco Polo. But time is an enemy as a worldwide pandemic grows rapidly out of control. As a relentless madman dogs their every step, Gray and his unlikely ally are being pulled into an astonishing mystery buried deep in antiquity and in humanity's genetic code. And as the seconds tick closer to doomsday, Gray Pierce will realize he can truly trust no one, for any one of them could be...a Judas.

©2007 Jim Czajkowski (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Action abounds...as the characters from the previous novel range over the globe. There are murders, disfiguring diseases, pirates, cannibals, and, oh yes, people who glow in the dark....this book is great good fun, if readers suspend their disbelief." ( Library Journal)

Like Da Vinci Code

Travel all over the globe. The suspense makes you want to continue listening so you don't miss the flow. The good guys vs bad guys complex plot.

Amazing

Here we have a cross between The DaVinci Code and The Andromedra Strain. Very exciting, fast-paced book with interesting characters. The plot jumps from setting to setting, character to character to kee the reader always wanting more.

Good narration..so-so plot

Listening to the excellent narration was a pleasure. (However, I kept thinking I was following Alex Cross, not Agent Pierce.)

The story is interesting, but not compelling. The bad-guys are bad, but not interesting. The good-guys are predictable, but not too bright.

All in all it is a good time. I suggest you stop listening before the Epilogue.

the action movie feel was crazy

very slow beginnings but then it just turned into a mission impossible movie with some crazy twist and explosions

Warning, new narrator...

I didn't notice that this was a new narrator because I know the name didn't realize he was new. I have been finishing another series and was taking breaks with these. I started the book and Alex Cross and Mama and all of James Paterson's characters came back. I read all of his books until I got tired of bad things happening to the Cross family and seemed to predictable. It took awhile so Peter J. is the voice of the Alex Cross. I have a hard time getting out of DC PD and switch to DC sigma. I am on the second book with him and I am still struggling. That said -> Great BOOK. Lots of different parts coming together and very well written. I will get over the change, but man. It is hard to hear Alex and not Gray.

A fun book

This is a great book - 24 meets The DaVinci code with a good dose of Gilligan's Island. Of course, the whole overall idea is preposterous but you enjoy listening to it.

Not What I Expected

I had read reviews for this book and thought it would be one that I would like. It was an ok book but I think it was way too long. The author's knowledge on disease is commendable. The outbreak storyline is plausible but the historic storyline was kind of farfetched for me. The narrator was very good. The book struck me as a knock off of The DaVinci Code. I just wish it would of held my attention more.

Very Good

This was a very good good book. It was not as good as the other two that I have read in this series but still it was entertaining and the characters are work.

Great Book

I completely enjoyed this book, it was filled with interesting events and possiblities. The bad guys get it in the end and there's a number of fun twists. These books are SciFi and meant to entertain and this is one of many of this authors books that have done just that for me. I recommend it if you want to just have fun with SciFi and not necessarily true science and the interpersonal relationships that are created and built upon.

Another Sigma Force Thriller

James Rollins has another hit with the Judas Strain. The Sigma Force series successfully melds technology, archaeology, spies, fiction and a touch of religious history in to an exciting, action packed tale.

This particular story is based on the travels of Marco Polo and a mysterious disease that appears on Christmas Island. The Guild operatives and Sigma Force race to solve the mysteries that have been undiscovered for centuries, find the cure and save the world.