Gregg Loomis

The Poison Secret by Gregg Loomis is a highly recommended thriller that will hold your attention from beginning to end.

The chapters alternate between the present day and the past. The story from the past goes back to 88 BC and tells the story of Prince Mithradates and his immunity to poisons.
In the present day in the Holt Foundation children’s hospital in Trabzon, Turkey, a young boy is discovered to possibly carry the genetic code for universal immunity. The folk stories about a family that carries a universal immunity go back in time:
"But the tales I had in mind were about a family who lived along the coast here a long time ago, a family who had some sort of immunity.”
“Immunity to what?” Fatima demanded.
“Just about everything or, at least, to known poisons.”
“And you think this child is one of them?”
“Fatima, I don’t know what to think. All I now is the blood of this child is as full of antidotes, anti-toxins and immunities as kuru fasuly is of beans. I do know I’ve never seen anything like it nor have any of the hematologists I know.”

Naturally, a sample of the boy's blood is sent to the Holt Foundation in the USA. The information about the boy and possible universal immunity is stolen and then the information is offered for a price to a pharmaceutical company:
“Gentlemen,” Grassley interrupted, “let’s look at a few facts: First, if this information is even close to accurate, that someone has discovered anything approaching what this man claims the correspondence says, five grand is nothing. The first company to get FDA approval of such a drug will make Viagra look like peanuts. Second, as you know, Dystra Pharmaceuticals has been limping along the last few years, producing generics once a drug’s patent expires along with half a dozen of our competitors. Mere crumbs from the big boys’ table. If we could get our hands on this serum or whatever it is . . . Well, move over Pfizer, get out of the way, Merck. Hell, this could be as big as Aspirin.”

The battle begins for possession of the blood sample and the name of the boy. Possession of both proves to be worth killing anyone who stands in the way. Paperwork is stolen and a doctor is killed over the information which sends the head of the Holt foundation, ex-CIA agent and practicing attorney Lang Reilly and his wife Gurt, a former German agent, traveling to Turkey in an attempt to find some answers.

Loomis keeps the action swiftly moving in this riveting seventh thriller featuring Lang Reilly. I know I haven't read all the Lang Reily novels but that didn't detract from the sheer enjoyment and escapism found in this latest offering. Loomis sets up the premise of the story in a credible way, and then delivers the goods. He keeps the plot moving forward, and the action rolling without lecturing the reader about greedy drug companies. That's not to say that credulity isn't stretched from time to time, but that's part of what makes for a great international thriller. This would be a good stuck all night at the airport book or a great way to pass a cold, snowy evening.


Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Turner Publishing for review purposes.… (mehr)

The First Casualty by Gregg Loomis is a Mysterious Press/ Open Road Integrated Media publication. The release date is scheduled for November 19th, 2013.

Jason Peters is retired and in hiding. He is trying to relax and focus on his art. But, the truth is: he's bored to death.

When "Momma" finds him and dangles a dangerous mission under his nose, he tries to fight the temptation, but of course loses the battle.

This is a dangerous mission indeed. Jason would like nothing more than to battle Al Qaeda, the people responsible for his wife's death. So, part business and part personal, Jason sets out with an unlikely crew to prevent a laser like "death ray" from shooting down Air Force One. The laser was already responsible for taking down France flight 447. This laser was inspired by Nikola Tesla who had corresponded with J. Edgar Hoover once upon a time.

This is a fast paced thriller, set in unique locations, based on some real life persons and events.

Jason Peters is a funny man is some ways. He has a penchant for having conversations with himself. He has a complicated relationship with a woman, and is torn between the rush of his work and a more traditional family life.

I have heard of the possibility that lasers can be used to target aircraft, causing the plane to crash. I have also heard of Nikola Tesla, who is a real person. The oscillator was real. Just a little food for thought.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those that enjoy thrillers with lots of action and not a great deal of heavy drama and dialogue.
My only issue with the book was that it might have been too rushed in places.
Overall I would give this one a B.… (mehr)