Replicator Run

By: Rainer Rey

Narrated by: John McLain

Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

A deadly virus has broken out in Washington State. The standard procedures of quarantine and prescribed medical therapies have no effect. Victims are dying in only a few days. And 12 cases today will be 30,000 tomorrow - a replicator run that will put the entire United States at risk for destruction.

Devin Parks is a reporter on the edge. Since his marriage crashed, chasing news seems pointless...until he realizes the devastating consequence of the outbreak. Devin soon uncovers a conspiracy that reaches from a luxurious corporate boardroom to the Sudan, from the mysteries of microbiology to an assassin’s brutal expertise. But nothing Devin finds prepares him for the roller-coaster horror that is revealed when hopes of an antidote are dashed as nationwide vaccinations begin - the Replicator is more cunning than imagined because in its nanotechnological genius, its cure is worse than the disease....

©1997 Rainer Rey (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Suspension of disbelief DIFFICULT

This book has a gripping, heart-wrenching start, but a medical sci-fi novelist should know a bit more about the medical field than this person apparently does if a book's to make a real impact. I'm not saying you've got to be completely scientifically accurate to the molecular level for me to buy into a story. In this book, however, nurses are just secretaries/personal assistants for doctors, 8-12 medics man an ambulance, and 911 operators ask 'what is it??'

I'm not picky. It's just that a little more realism in basic professional interaction would make this story much more enjoyable. Portraying doctors as domineering, pretentious assholes, nurses as subservient, call-fielding lackeys, and ambulances as clown cars just makes this feel like a second rate 80's B movie.

In other words, meh.

JamesBond complete wit villain

If you want a distorted view of pre-911, and you’re into revisiting casual sexism and that ol male gaze, this is for you.
The villain even gets to have the Bond villain speech and everything!

Enjoyed the listen and storyline

Picked this from the “included in membership” section and was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the story line and look forward to seeing more from Rainer Rey!

Did this book predict COVID

This book from 2014 pretty much laid out the playbook they’re using with COVID.
They even predicted the variance virus’.
And the vaccines not working or making the next round worse…

Written about pandemic in 2015

This is pre-Covid-19 pandemic story. He got a lot right - scary. Be prepared to be shocked. But a good read.

Would recommend this to everyone

Keeps you on the seat of your seat. Wonderfully written. The narrator was outstanding had you thinking different people were speaking. Wasn’t thinking I would enjoy but was surprised.

Good story, but the narrating....

I enjoyed the story, but the reader wasn't right for the book, in my opinion.

Too many notes!

A deadly virus is loose in the United States, revealing itself in multiple locations, spreading like wildfire. Devin Parks is a reporter down on his luck after a traumatic divorce. News of the spreading virus gives Devon the needed spark to get his investigative juices flowing once again. Suspicion into the origin of the virus leads medical science to determine that the virus is manmade. In his search for answers, Devon discovers the identity of the creator of the virus, called the replicator, and that a vaccine exists. At the same time, Devon uncovers a conspiracy involving the creation and purpose of the replicator, and knowledge of its existence can have fatal results. The trail Devon follows is fraught with danger and it will lead him from Washington to northeastern Africa. The quest for an antidote has a story of its own. The story surrounding a potential antidote, and the conspiracy involving the replicator’s creator(s) and its purpose, was a long-drawn-out account of speculations, accusations, threats, and melodramatic character introspection. Come to think of it, I might characterize much of the book in that manner. The tale poses a decent premise but its length could have been shorter IMO. As Emperor Joseph II said, “And there are simply too many notes, that's all.”

Was good not great

This was a free book so I can’t complain about the quality of the book. It was a good idea, but a little rushed at the end.

Interesting story -- quick wrap up

Where does Replicator Run rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Replicator Run is one of the better stories I have listened to recently.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Replicator Run?

His decision to change - revert or evolve into a responsible individual. One can only wonder if a individual with his seemingly strong personality would actually take such a leap into the negative side of life?

Have you listened to any of John McLain’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. But will look for others in the future.

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

I was left pondering the possibilities. Could that many opposing groups actually work together toward a common purpose? What power struggles would be likely to arise once the initial power control was established. Seems like the "holes" in the story. But then it is only a story -- hopefully - not a prediction of future possibilities.