• Contagious

  • By: Scott Sigler
  • Narrated by: Scott Sigler
  • Length: 14 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (2,029 ratings)

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Contagious  By  cover art

Contagious

By: Scott Sigler
Narrated by: Scott Sigler
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Publisher's summary

From the acclaimed author of Infected comes an epic and exhilarating story of humanity’s secret battle against a horrific enemy. Across America, a mysterious pathogen transforms ordinary people into raging killers, psychopaths driven by a terrifying, alien agenda. The human race fights back, yet after every battle the disease responds, adapts, using sophisticated strategies and brilliant ruses to fool its pursuers. The only possible explanation: The epidemic is driven not by evolution but by some malevolent intelligence.

Standing against this unimaginable threat is a small group, assembled under the strictest secrecy. Their best weapon is hulking former football star Perry Dawsey, left psychologically shattered by his own struggles with this terrible enemy, who possesses an unexplainable ability to locate the disease’s hosts. Violent and unpredictable, Perry is both the nation’s best hope and a terrifying liability.

Hardened CIA veteran Dew Phillips must somehow forge a connection with him if they’re going to stand a chance against this maddeningly adaptable opponent. Alongside them is Margaret Montoya, a brilliant epidemiologist who fights for a cure even as she reels under the weight of endless horrors. These three and their team have kept humanity in the game, but that’s not good enough anymore, not when the disease turns contagious, triggering a fast countdown to Armageddon. Meanwhile, other enemies join the battle, and a new threat - one that comes from a most unexpected source - may ultimately prove the most dangerous of all.

Catapulting the listener into a world where humanity’s life span is measured in hours and the president’s finger hovers over the nuclear button, rising star Scott Sigler takes us on a breathtaking, hyper-adrenalized ride filled with terror and jaw-dropping action. Contagious is a truly grand work of suspense, science, and horror from a new master.

©2008 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"An inventive, amped-up yarn . . . full of pressure-cooker mind games." ( Entertainment Weekly)
"Riveting . . . leads the reader from one startling detail to the next . . . a terrifying page-turner." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Contagious

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

YOUR A REGULAR COLUMBO

I REEK OF CLASS
Sigler has a very inventive mind. This whole scenario is detailed, but not complicated. Everything is explained with lots of science, but not in a dry way. The beginning and the ending are exciting.

GUYS DON'T HAVE BONDING STRATEGIES
Through RAH RAH SPEACHES and tough MALE BONDING, Sigler attempts to build character. It added about three hours in the middle of the book, I could have done without. I usually like character driven stories, but some authors we love, not for characters, but imagination, political incorrectness, shock value and appealing to our inner sophomore. Sigler, B.V. Larson and Vaughn Heppner are wasting our time with their attempts to be Literary Geniuses. I JUST GOT MY ASS KICKED BY THE POSTER CHILD FOR AARP. GUNS ARE FOR PUSS EEES. HE DIDN'T HAVE THE GRAPES FOR THAT. I also could have done without the President and his staff. I think we could have been told what they did in short and it would have been less boring. We did not have to get up close and personal.. IT'S ONLY THE TAX PAYERS MONEY.

YOU DROPPED A BOMB ON ME
One of the things that make this story more evil, is the main bad guy, who is a little girl. Little kids can really be scary, such as the kids in Ray Bradbury's Zero Hour. One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes stars the kid from Lost In Space, when he was younger. Similar to the girl in this book he can do things with his mind and his parents and all adults must be very careful, if they want to live or not be tortured in some weird child imagination way.

IF, IF'S AND BUT'S WERE CANDY AND NUTS
Sigler narrates a lot of his work. It takes a few minutes to get used to him, but he does alright. There are professionals who are better, but plenty who are worse. I see in Pandemic, he is using Paul Gigante. Sigler is a lot better known now, than he was in 2008, so he can afford the talent. Perhaps, had he not read his own stuff starting out, we would not know who he was today.

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37 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Great Set of Books

Both Infected and Contagious were great books (make sure you get Infected first.) While many complain about the author reading his own work, one needs to understand Sigler offers all his novels as free podcasts on his website. Sure, at first I wasn't thrilled with his reading style, but it grew on me as the story progressed.

The storyline is solid, and I had a hard time stopping it when my commute ended. If you're concerned about the author's reading technique then get the print edition, but don't miss this pair of books, because they're great!

Sigler has added another fan to his cult-following.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Creepy and Crazy

Must read the first book "Infected" before this book. Overall I believe that Sigler did well writing these books. I really loved the research that went into his novels. Wow! I actually enjoyed the scientific and military aspect of the story. I think that the characters were creepy, and loved the way they played off each other. I did not like the "triangles" thought he could of come up with a better and thoughtful representation of these creators. Can't wait to read more from this author.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

It is Contagious

Listened to this book in one shot. As usual Sigler weaves a thick web and keeps you holding on to every word.

Lots of effort made to keep the character voices interesting. His style of narration is a bit different than the typical audio book ... but I like it. We notice Perry has a lighter voice in this one ... hmmm I wonder why? (wink wink).

Seems like there could just be a 3rd part to the story ... I am sooo waiting for it.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Awsome...has made me a fan!

OMG! A GREAT "what if" ride! I don't care how "bad" folks thought the author read this book. (I don't like the way Stephen King reads his books either but it doesn't stop me from listening) I enjoyed this book soooo much! I drive for a living and I listen to LOTS of books and there are some I have by very popular writers that I have had to turn off because they were putting me to sleep...not this one though...I had to force myself to stop. Am posting same review on his other book cuz I feel the same...hope he writes lots more...

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Edge of your seat thriller

This may just be Scott Sigler's best book yet. As always, Sigler's reading is inspired -- he puts so much energy and effort into the reading that you can't help but get caught up in the story. The characters for this book are engaging, and the plot is tight. While the book preceding this, Infected, wasn't my favorite book ever, Contagious takes the story to a whole new level. If you like sci fi, action, or horror -- this book is for you. I stayed up long past my bedtime listening to the very end of this novel, and it was well worth it.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Could use better narration

I had a tough time listening to this book simply because of the effects (eg attempts to simulate intercom speaking in a bio-hazard suit) and female intonations from the male narrator. Just READ the BOOK!!!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Roller Coaster Ride!

This book is the equivalent of an exciting roller coaster ride. With each chapter, Sigler leaves you at the top of a huge drop, leaving you breathless with the anticipation of what comes next. I thoroughly enjoyed Infected and Contagious does not disappoint. Sigler does a better job of both character development and narration with Contagious than he did with Infected. Make sure you listen to Infected first (another great listen), then hop on this thrill ride!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

May be best of the three

Read Pandemic and knew I liked the authors style. Picked up infected to start the trilogy from the beginning and it was worth it. Contagious was a ride from beginning to end...too bad it had to end. Scott Sigler has a great writing style...maybe because I'm from the Midwest and can relate to his wordplay. Truly recommend this book and all in the series. The authors other books and series are also fun rides!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Let's first get past the cardinal rule that authors have no business reading their own material. Scott really needed to follow this rule. Voice inflections, character voices, all around speaking was badly done. Sorry Scott, but it was painful listening to you try to be a good narrator. Next, there were so many cliche's that I found myself counting them. Quite the distraction. The story did have me laugh outloud a few times, and I did find myself, at times, waiting to see what was going to happen next, but the badly written text, and bad narration made me cringe a lot more during the reading. I finished it only so I could say I finished it. Save your money, pass on this one.

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6 people found this helpful