Pandemic: Beginnings

The Pandemic Series, Book 1

By: Bobby Akart

Narrated by: John David Farrell, Kris Adams

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

They attack with impunity, and without prejudice.

Their goal - to destroy you, from within.

A merciless enemy, just one-billionth our size.

Welcome to the next global war.

A new dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction series from author Bobby Akart (the Blackout Series, the Boston Brahmin series, and the Prepping for Tomorrow series). The events depicted in the Pandemic Series are fictional. They are, however, based upon historical fact.

Beginnings:

Terrorists kidnap and blackmail a young French scientist in Western Africa. The outbreak of an ancient disease kills everyone in a village located in a remote jungle of Guatemala. US government operatives uncover a secret biological laboratory in Trinidad. An isolated death at the hands of this killer virus is discovered in Greece.

Is there a connection, or are these simply a string of coincidences?

Dr. Mackenzie Hagan, a highly-educated, well-respected epidemiologist at the CDC-Atlanta, is called to Guatemala. As the daughter of a retired commanding general of the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Mac often says infectious disease is in her blood. While no infectious disease outbreak is routine, this particular hot zone in Guatemala has its own set of complications - including a mysterious operative sent there by the Department of Defense. Events unfold and Mac is sent around the world investigating new cases involving this same, rare disease.

Nathan Hunter, a covert operative within an off-the-books project for the DOD, tracks down terrorists before they strike. As Hunter unravels a villainous plot with tentacles spanning the globe, his investigative path crosses with Mac's. Was it fate, or something else? Mac and Hunter work together to analyze the disease and to identify the source. But they soon learn that the biggest challenge they'll face is right at home.

©2017 Bobby Akart Inc. (P)2017 Bobby Akart Inc.

Horrible narrator

good story but had to stop audio and read myself. Disappointed, hope author doesn't use in next one or I probably won't bother.

Not a bad plot but pretty terrible writing and performance

The use of two narrators was just weird. I couldn't stop visualizing a live action video game where lines are read off during some unskippable dialogue. It was just weird. Plus the writing itself was pretty bad. I think my favorite line was this ridiculous simile that went like "Hunter moved to mac's side of the table faster than a vampire on True Blood " ???? What? What IS that? Also was the romance even necessary as a sub plot. It was so cringey I physically grimaced listening to it.

The overall idea of a bioterroist attack is good, the plot had potential, but the dual narrators was awkward and strange and God the writing was terrible.

another great Bobby Akart series

if you have never had the chance to read a Bobby Akart story you do not know the Great Joy a fantastic well-written intellectual series can be

another great story

An excellent and timely story. Recommended reading for all. Best to read it now instead of waiting for later.

almost too realistic

wonderful book. just enough technical verbiage to be informative... a real page turner as it were

what a series this going

Book one is great, I getting the whole series & I recommend this series just after the first book.

Love this series!

Where does Pandemic: Beginnings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes it did! With the realistic writing, the author makes you feel as if you are part of the story.

Have you listened to any of John David Farrell and Kris Adams ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have heard John David Farrell's narrations prior to this one and he does an amazing job with this story. I haven't heard Kris Adams narrate before but feel she did doing a wonderful job with this story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had so many emotional moments. From yelling out loud to crying. This story is very realistic.

Any additional comments?

I have read and listened to many of this author's books and have loved each one. The Pandemic series is one that scares me the most with it being more of a possibility of coming to fruition with all of the terrorism in today's world.

Wow, that's pretty close to home.

I enjoyed the first book and am starting the second. I'm not sure if it's humorous or frightening as I listen to this while in the middle of a pandemic. Masks, social distancing, shortages, overwhelmed medical systems and of course, politics. Hmmmm.

Excellent

What a wild believable story. This an ever present danger to humanity. I learned a great deal more about biological warfare that is all too real in this era of idiots bent on destroying our world. I recommend this book to anyone who has a desire to see possibilities.

Reads like a textbook

Fact, statistics, explanations, and then a lady gushing over her crush in the middle of figuring out the end of humankind may be in view. Just weird and mildly annoying.