Average customer rating:
- Forensic DNA Typing, Second Edition: Biology, Technology, and STR Markers
- Great book for learning DNA
- Clearly, an outstanding piece of work!
- The Breakthrough in Forensics This Year! - A Must Have Book!
- Marvelous work!
|
Forensic DNA Typing, Second Edition: Biology, Technology, and Genetics of STR Markers
John M. Butler
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Criminology
| Crime & Criminals
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Forensic Science
| Crime & Criminals
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Genetics
| Evolution
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biology
| Biological Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Genetics
| Evolution
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Nonfiction
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Professional & Technical
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Nonfiction
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Professional
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
An Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis, Second Edition
-
Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence: Update on Evaluating DNA Evidence
-
Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques, 2nd edition
-
Forensic DNA Evidence Interpretation
-
Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, Seventh Edition
ASIN: 0121479528 |
Book Description
Since the enormously successful first edition of Forensic DNA Typing was published, the Human Genome Project has published a draft sequence of the human genome and completed the finished reference sequence. The advent of modern DNA technology has resulted in the increased ability to perform human identity testingdesirable in a number of situations including the determination of perpetrators of violent crime such as murder and rape, resolving unestablished paternity, and identifying remains of missing persons or victims of mass disasters. The technology has been utilized in identifying remains from victims of the World Trade Center twin towers collapse following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the President Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal, and the identification of the remains in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Indeed, our perceptions of history have been changed with DNA evidence that revealed Thomas Jefferson fathered a child by one of his slaves. This book examines the science of current forensic DNA typing methods by focusing on the biology, technology, and genetic interpretation of short tandem repeat (STR) markers, which encompass the most common forensic DNA analysis methods used today. Ten new chapters have been added to accommodate the explosion of new information since the turn of the century.
*The only book available that specifically covers detailed information on mitochondrial DNA and the Y chromosome
*Chapters cover the topic from introductory level right up to "cutting edge" research
*High-profile cases are addressed throughout the book, near the sections dealing with the science or issues behind these cases
*NEW TO THIS EDITION: D.N.A. Boxes--boxed "Data, Notes & Applications" sections throughout the book offer higher levels of detail on specific questions
Customer Reviews:
Forensic DNA Typing, Second Edition: Biology, Technology, and STR Markers.......2007-08-13
I would not recommend this book to someone who was completely new to the use of genetics as a tool for forensics. I did an undergraduate degree in biotechnoloy in 2000 and wanted to review and learn more about specifically how most DNA in crime labs was being processed today. This book was recommended to me by the head of a prominent DNA crime lab. It is written at a higher level than most texts but offers a wealth of detailed information, particularly if you are interested in contrasting advantages and disadvantages of different kits and equipment.
Great book for learning DNA.......2006-11-10
This book is a great book for teaching DNA. It breaks down the information pretty good in some areas but not as well in others. Overall I would say it is a good book.
Clearly, an outstanding piece of work!.......2001-03-28
While Dr. Butler's book on DNA typing is clearly based on experience and profound understanding of the subject, I was most impressed with the readability. I was thrilled to find principles illustrated by examples from current events! Students of science will find this book refreshing. Well written (and edited)!
The Breakthrough in Forensics This Year! - A Must Have Book!.......2001-03-21
Dr. Butler takes a very complex subject and makes it easy enough for the novice to understand, yet is comprehensive enough for the professional research analyst. It is full of excellent research and observations on one of the most exciting and innovative technologies in DNA research that has been discovered in recent years. This book, without a doubt, will stand the test of time as being the authoritative reference on DNA forensic research. This book is packed with research and information that will enlighten you to the technological breakthroughs that are being made in forensic science. I have heard Dr. Butler speak and read several of his papers. He is without question the expert in DNA analysis with STR markers and this book has the distinction of being the best book ever written on the subject. Get this book, study it and find out why STR markers are the groundbreaking method for DNA analysis. If you are in any way involved with DNA research, you will find this book a desktop reference you will turn to again and again.
Marvelous work!.......2001-03-21
This book has opened my eyes to the vast world of DNA analysis. It is an invaluable resource to those who want to understand how criminal justice will advance into the new millennium. Butler's text will be the keystone of DNA analysis in the future. I look forward to revised editions as new things arise.
Book Description
Discover the art of rendering with markers through:
- Profiles of top rendering pros, their techniques, and examples of their best work.
- 65 Tips, Tricks, and Techniques you can use right now to improve your next design presentation.
- Specific color combinations for rendering wood, brick, foliage, skies, chrome and other materials.
- 40 Mini-Lessons with demonstrations of solutions to everyday rendering problems.
Customer Reviews:
Helpful.......2007-03-12
This book is helpful if you are trying to find your style of marker rendering it has a lot of helpful information and examples.
Wonderful rendering tips!.......2006-02-01
This book was very helpful in showing me different rendering techniques used by varying artists. From minimalist, neutral shading to full blown, vibrant color renderings, this book covered them all.
Great tips on which marker colors to use to achieve a particular 'look'...such as glass, metal, wood, etc.
Highly recommend.
I absolutely love this book!.......2004-06-19
This book got me through architectural school. Hand renderings were never my strong point until I got this book. My rendering skills went up considerably (along with my confidence and grades) and I still reference this book today in my professional career. The book gives great examples and the tips from the professionals are very informative. This is definately one of the best books on how to make professional looking presentations.
Questions Answered Here.......2000-02-29
The question and answer format of this book is useful and allows a different kind of organization to its contents. It also incorporates the work of a broad cross-section of designers. This allows the editors to expose you to many of the best in different fields in which markers are used to increase the effectiveness of visual communication. While certainly useful for the beginner, it will also stimulate the more experienced designer.
Book Description
Greek tourism is still benefiting from the development of facilities and infrastructure that resulted from the 2004 Olympic Games.
Download Description
Greek tourism is still benefiting from the development of facilities and infrastructure that resulted from the 2004 Olympic Games.
Customer Reviews:
Am I there yet?.......2007-09-08
True to Frommer's style, you feel as though you are almost there. Also included are excellent safety tips, the roads (islands) less traveled, best ways to carry (or rather not carry) money, weblinks, passport information, political concerns and so much more. Great maps, an invaluable aid.
Detailed.......2007-02-16
I am going to Skiathos this summer and I find this book very helpful in making my plans.
Excellent.......2007-02-14
This book gives a regular person the ability to plan a wonderful trip to Greece. Frommer's shows you how to design a vacation that is exactly how you want it to be!
Helpful but a tad boring.......2006-07-26
Don't get me wrong, I read all about the places I wanted to go and noted all the things I wanted to see. I was disappointed to see that there was no information about Evvia, the second largest island.
The prices in the book were right on or a tad higher. I didn't try the restaurants mentioned in Santorini because they were very over priced.
Also, the book could have used more pictures and maps. There was not a map of the Athens metro unfortunately.
Frommers Greece Guide Book.......2006-07-20
This book was very helpful. It discusses topics regarding cruises which I thought was very helpful.
Average customer rating:
- Good guide
- Boring
- Research country, cities and important sites
- Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together
|
Frommer's Europe (Frommer's Complete)
Darwin Porter ,
Danforth Prince ,
George McDonald ,
Hana Mastrini ,
Sherry Marker ,
Andrew Princz ,
Carolyn Bánfalvy ,
Anna Kutor ,
Nóra Lakos , and
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher
Manufacturer: Frommer's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Frommer's
| Guidebook Series
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Frommer's Europe by Rail (Frommer's Complete)
-
Frommer's Europe from $85 a Day, 46th Edition
-
Rick Steves' Best of Europe 2007 (Rick Steves)
-
Europe For Dummies (Dummies Travel)
-
Fodor's Europe, 59th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides)
ASIN: 047192265X |
Book Description
Whether you're a first-time visitor doing the grand tour or a seasoned traveler planning a multi-country itinerary, Frommer's Europe is a must. Inside this concise, user-friendly volume are all the highlights of the continent. We've included a wide array of options, from grand hotels to charming and affordable guesthouses, from five-star dining rooms to simple cafes—the very best in every price range. There's something here for every taste, interest, and budget.
Just because we're covering such a wide territory doesn't mean that we've skimped on the details. You'll find an astounding depth of accurate, up-to-date information, including exact prices, open hours, metro stops, credit cards, and more.
We'll take you to the legendary cultural capitals of Europe, where we offer complete sightseeing, shopping, and nightlife coverage and review the best accommodations and dining in all price ranges, from the Ritz on down. But we don't stop there. We've designed easy-to-follow itineraries that explore the most unforgettable parts of the European countryside. Frommer's Europe takes you to the vineyards and chateaux of the Loire Valley, the lovely villages of Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, the hill towns of Tuscany, and the spectacular scenery of the Alps.
It's all accompanied by detailed maps. You'll also find the latest trip-planning advice on everything from bargain airfares to rail passes, money-saving tips, and a color fold-out rail map that makes trip-planning a snap!
Download Description
Updated for 2004, this edition contains planning chapters with special icons that point readers to great finds, excellent values, insider tips, best bets for kids, special moments, and Europe's overrated experiences.
Customer Reviews:
Good guide.......2007-05-16
A good travel guide. Read it before you go and it will save you time and money
Boring.......2007-03-08
I know it's difficult to discuss and review all of Europe in one book, but this book was boring. It was easy to read, but not very fun or interesting. It did hit the highlights of the major sights, but it acts more like a reference than an exciting guide.
Research country, cities and important sites.......2006-08-07
Good and useful maps, info on cities and must see sites as well as out of town places to visit if time permits, including how to get there. Good tips on the arts, music, food, transportation. A must read before leaving on the trip.
Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together.......2005-03-23
From all the travel books out there on Europe this one is not a compilation of mere facts, photos, phone numbers and page-fillers.
What sets Frommer's apart is the information provided and the style in which is presented. You will find lodging options for various budgets, a list of most important sites to see and even suggested ways to spend time in a city if you have only 1 day or as much as 5 days, great places to eat and great places to splurge if you can stretch your dollar. Be aware that this is not a book for the ones on a shoestring budget. Frommer provides a good introduction to Europe without being overloading you with mass amounts of information or pictures, a truly well-balanced book.
When I backpacked 4 months through Europe I had a copy of the Lonely Planet for Europe (a thick and heavy book) because it covered more cities and esoteric towns, a ripped chapters of all the international youth hostals Europe of the countries I visited, and as primary guide for nominal cities and capitals I used Frommers (ripped the book and kept only chapters of countries planning to visit - so I can keep the weight down).
Customer Reviews:
overated.......2007-03-21
I found this text very frustrating. There is no instruction in technique beyond some simple perspective lessons. If you want to know how to accurately render different materials you will have to find another book. You can tell there are many more steps he uses to achieve his renderings, possibly even the use of other materials or media with his markers, but there is no information about it in his book. It is the text our professor uses for our Intro to Color Rendering class and I think there has to be something better than this!
One of the best on the subject.......2007-02-06
An excellent reference text for both the student of design and professional. Beautifully illustrated with step-by- step instructions explaining the mediums and techniques in their use to acheive maximum results!
Ira S. Friedman
College Instructor,Interior Design/Graphic Techniques/Drafting
Pat Arnold's Review of Sketching and Rendering Interior Spaces.......2007-01-11
I really feel that the book was written in easy to use format. The instructions were very clear and concise.
Okay, but text should be formatted differently.......2005-12-22
I was disappointed with this book. I felt it needed more examples from different artists, rather than just the author's work. In addition, the book uses strange font and formatting which is sometimes difficult to read. In general, the information is easy to understand, but I have found other books present the same information in more concise terms. Okay to add to a collection, but not recommended to be the main source for any interior design project.
Great book.......2003-01-16
I am a Graphic Design student in Kansas City. Finding anyone to teach you marker rendering is impossible, yet the field demands you have this talent. This book is a great start. I've looked all over for good books on this subject and they are rare. The book is in FULL color, with plenty of exercises. He also tells you the exact marker he used in each drawing, to keep u on track. And works through all perspective problems. It's inspiring just flipping through the pages. However, it still demands practice and discipline, but with this book it will help. If you've been scared of marker rendering, start with this book, it will get u on your feet.
Book Description
Molecular markers have opened exciting new windows through which to view the natural biological world. This treatment addresses the many applications for genetic markers (from polymorphic proteins and DNA) from the perspectives of population biology, behavioral ecology, organismal evolution, and phylogeny. Opening chapters review the history and purview of molecular approaches, and compare and contrast various laboratory techniques for revealing molecular markers. Subsequent chapters review the extensive scientific literature of molecular ecology and evolution, and describe a cornucopia of captivating discoveries about nature's workings, past and present.
The book is taxonomically balanced with numerous examples from plants, animals, and microbes. It is also temporally balanced with examples ranging from assessments of genetic parentage and kinship in the most recent generations to phylogenetic assessments deep in the Tree of Life (and nearly everything in-between). This Second Edition of a seminal work (first published in 1994) brings the reader up-to-date on the many dramatic advances and insights made over the last decade. Furthermore, by retaining descriptions of many pioneering works, this book also traces the empirical and conceptual roots of each subject, and thereby provides a rich sense of the field's history.
Appropriate for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and scientists in such disciplines as ecology, genetics, population biology, ethology, molecular biology, systematics, and conservation biology, this new edition is for anyone interested in the application of molecular markers to organisms in the wild.
Customer Reviews:
Obligatory reading!.......2005-04-05
This book is a comprehensive introduction to the use of molecular markers in evolution, ecology and phylogeny. Very well written, this second edition brings important updates to a field in fast progress.
Great........1998-09-27
Excelent book, full of diverse examples. Excelent to read too. Full of very interesting informations. Everyone who is interested at the subject should read it.
Book Description
Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer. Frommer's. The best trips start here.
- Advice on choosing the best islands for your needs.
- Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.
- Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.
- Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.
Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com
Download Description
You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go- they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. This guide is specifically geared to travelers who want to go to Greece for beaches, beautiful weather, and island-hopping. Its centerpiece is a feature no other guide offers: a full chapter on cruises, written by one of the cruise industry's leading specialists and featuring candid reviews of each line and tips on how to get the best deals. We'll start you off with a quick overview of Athens, your gateway, before setting off to explore the most beautiful and appealing of Greece's many islands. If you're exploring on your own, you'll rely on us for dozens of detailed island and town maps, complete details on ferries and flights, and a wealth of information on accommodations, sightseeing, dining, and nightlife. This is the only guide you need to discover the best of the legendary Greek Isles!
Customer Reviews:
Frommer's has done it again!.......2007-09-15
Frommer's Greek Islands is just what I was looking for! The section I found most helpful was the appendix in the back of the book that gives info on Greece in depth which briefly lists the Gods & Goddesses, language, useful words & phrases, as well as some menu terms. Even though the book is very light weight I plan on cutting out that section out of the book and keeping it in my pocket for shore excursions on the Islands. I have used Frommer's books in the past with the most recent being Rome. I live in New York and keep a copy of Frommer's New York for foreign travelers who visit me and want to head out on their own. I also found alot of info. in Eyewitness Travel Guides "The Greek Islands" it has glossy color photos, and is a good guide but way too heavy to pack let alone carry on a tour!
Good info but repeats Frommer's Greece.......2007-03-23
I thought this book would give me additional info about the Greek Islands but it only repeated what was in the Frommer's Greece book,with a few extra inconsequential chapters. You really only need one or the other.
An excellent guide to "just" the islands!.......2005-08-13
The principal difference between this book and "Frommer's Greece" is that this one covers the option of selecting a cruise of the islands, and that section is very good. So, if a major concern is choosing a cruise line (or ship) for your Greek vacation, take a look at this guide. Otherwise, "Frommer's Greece" covers all the mainland (and all the islands) for the same price. Frommer's stands out for clear writing, logical indexing, and especially for running the gamut from budget tourism to the more affluent. His starred system with comments for value or attractiveness to family is understandable with good common sense. Studying Frommer's helps me make the decisions I personally want to make. It will save you many times the price of the book and make your stay much more enjoyable.
Reviewed by David Lundberg, author of Olympic Wandering: Time Travel Through Greece
Leaves much to be desired.......2005-02-16
Unfortunately this book lacks much of the detail and thoroughness that some other guides to the Greek Islands offer (such as the Eyewitness travel guide). Although the major islands are covered in some detail, this book almost entirely ignores a lot of other islands, even some that are quite large. This is a real disappointment because the true wonder of the Greek Island experience is that you can travel to all kinds of places, some very small but no less significant. A good travel guide for the Greek Islands therefore needs to include just as much detail about these less-visited islands as it does about the more well-traveled ones. This book also lacks a lot of the photograps that other books include, which I think is important because the Greek Islands are so diverse. It really does help to see pictures of the islands to help you decide which ones to visit. If you're planning a trip to the Greek Islands you can do much better than this book for a travel guide.
Great reference.......2000-05-20
I went traveling in Greece 2 years ago and found other travel books to lack info on the Greek Islands and had to struggle my way through the islands. As I am planning to return this summer, I have found this book to be a good reference to prepare, and one that I will bring with me. When most of us think of Greece, the Greek Isles are the place most of us invision. This book gave me a good reference as to where to go, where to stay and what there was to do. I would reccommend this book to others.
Average customer rating:
|
Marine Organic Matter: Biomarkers, Isotopes and DNA (Handbook of Environmental Chemistry)
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Biology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Marine Biology
| Biology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Environmental Science
| Earth Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Environmental Science
| Earth Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Professional & Technical
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Professional
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 354028401X |
Book Description
The oceans contain a great biodiversity of marine organisms. They include a rich variety of unusual genes and biochemistries and hence a diverse array of organic compounds ranging from colourful carotenoids and chlorophylls to lipids with structures ranging from the simple to the complex. This volume brings together ten chapters on the occurrence and identification of the lipid biomarkers and of pigments in marine waters. It describes how they can be used in conjunction with stable isotopes and molecular biology to ascertain the sources and fate of organic matter (both natural and pollutant) in the sea and underlying sediments. The authors are each experts in their field and the chapters provide both an overview of the state-of-the-art and knowledge gaps together with abundant detail to satisfy the needs of specialists and non-specialists alike.
Average customer rating:
- Frighteningly Prophetic!
- Contemporary topic, adequate plot
- a page turner from beginning to end!
- Jack Stapelton's Back
- A well written medical thriller
|
Marker
Robin Cook
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Medical
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Medical
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Cook, Robin
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Contemporary
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Cook, Robin
| ( C )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Medical
| Thrillers
| Mystery & Thrillers
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Contemporary
| Romance
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Romance
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Crisis
-
Convulsion
-
The Year of the Intern (Signet)
-
Fever
-
Vanish - Large Print Edition
ASIN: 042520734X |
Book Description
The master of the medical thriller returns with his most heart-pounding tale yet.
Unabridged CD - 12 CDs, 14 hours
Download Description
"The master of the medical thriller returns with his most heart-pounding tale yet. Twenty-eight-year-old Sean McGillin is the picture of health, until he fractures his leg while in-line skating in New York City's Central Park. Within twenty-four hours of his surgery, he dies. A thirty-six-year-old mother, Darlene Morgan, has knee surgery to repair a torn ligament in her knee. And within twenty-four hours, she has died. New York City medical examiners Dr. Laurie Montgomery and Dr. Jack Stapleton are back, in Robin Cook's electrifying twenty-fifth novel. Last seen in Vector, the doctors confront a series of puzzling hospital deaths of young, healthy people after successful routine surgery. Despite institutional resistance from her superiors, as well as from those at Manhattan General, Laurie doggedly pursues the investigation. Though it seems impossible to determine why and how the patients are dying, she comes to suspect that not only are the deaths related-they're intentional, suggesting the work of a remarkably clever serial killer with a very unusual motive, involving frightening ties to both developing genomic medicine and the economics of modern-day health care. Then Laurie is dealt a double blow: While coping with Jack's inability to commit to their relationship, she discovers she carries a genetic marker for a breast-cancer gene. As her personal life continues to unravel, the need for answers becomes more urgent, especially when Laurie is pulled into the nightmare as a potential victim herself. With time winding down, she and Jack race to connect the dots-and save Laurie's life. With his signature blend of suspense and science, Robin Cook delivers an electrifying page-turner as vivid as today's headlines."
Customer Reviews:
Frighteningly Prophetic!.......2007-10-08
Another medical thriller involving the Office of the City Medical Examiner (OCME) of New York. This time Dr. Laurie Montgomery & Dr. Jack Stapleton assemble the pieces left by a serial killer in a Manhattan hospital. This book also takes a rightfully critical look at managed care in America today and how managed care is nothing more than big, powerful, greedy business, not healthcare in any shape or form. The serial killer in this book is so sociopathic, he/she will rattle your nerves & your bones. An excellent thrill ride, although a bit verbose at times. This book ranks near the top of my list of favorite Robin Cook thrillers!
Contemporary topic, adequate plot.......2007-10-07
This book descends from the school of Michael Crichton and Tom Wolfe, who try to wrap contemporary issues in what would be luridly excessive plots in the hands of others. The theme of the book is how genetics is revealing what our future diseases will be, and how that not only stresses us as people but makes us potential victims at the hands of a profit-driven industry. Cook gives us two-dimensional characters, and a plot that is less mystery that a thriller as two investigators pursue a suspicious series of events that others won't recognize. It reminds me in many ways of Steven King horror novels, where characters take into their own hands the pursuit of an evil. In this case, the evil is mundane. We all fear and loathe our health plans to some degree, and the fear is amplified by the notion that health care providers might someday look over our DNA charts and cut us out of the system for having genes which give us a high chance of disease. Cook approaches it from an ethicist's point of view, and doesn't give us the grim counterargument, which is that disease could almost be eliminated by taking a look at our genetic markers, and someday a government may choose to do that. However, I don't see this as a failing, because he is addressing issues that are here and now in an entertaining fashion. Because this book has so much meat to it, it is more compelling than its text alone, and is one of my favorite recent reads.
a page turner from beginning to end!.......2007-09-19
This is one of, if not the best of the Laurie Montgomery, Jack Stapleton and Lou Soldano books.
From the very beginning, Cook sucks the reader in with what promises and ultimately delivers what he's best known for; great paced, character driven, medical mysteries.
Laurie, Jack and Lou are written superbly once again with fantastic character moments. You really get a feel for the weird dynamic of their three way friendship.
Cases comming across Laurie's desk are dying mysteriously. The deceased are all healthy, young, no history of disease, within 24 hours of routine surgery. No cause of death can be ascertained. Laurie starts to get suspicious and goes on a lone crusade to discover the true nature of these deaths and she suspects foul play.
All the while, Laurie's got some personal issues that she's got to deal with which makes for a great subplot. The story within a story of Jack and Laurie's relationship is also great reading in addition to the medical mystery brain twister that Robin Cook sets up.
With lots of twists and turns and some pretty shockign revelations, the book, the mystery and the culprits don't get revealed until the very end and it makes for a great read.
Definetly worth checking out for any Robin Cook fan without a doubt.
Jack Stapelton's Back.......2007-08-11
"Marker" is an edge-of-your seat medical thriller that's a tale of corporate conspiracy and murder. It's an engrossing mystery built upon the foundations of realistic science, sure to make anyone second-guess a trip to the ER.
Medical examiner Jack Stapleton faces his greatest challenge yet: matrimony and fatherhood. He and colleague Laurie Montgomery's relationship has blossomed over time from friendship to love, but Jack's still haunted by his first family's death. What Laurie wants most - marriage and children - he can't give, because he fears losing everything again. Their relationship grinds to a halt as their future becomes uncertain.
Meanwhile, mysterious deaths of seemingly healthy patients come to Laurie's attention. Aware she may be using the anomalies to avoid Jack's commitment issues; Laurie probes deeper and finds a disturbing trend: all the patients died of unexplained cardiac arrest and were post-operative patients at Manhattan General, the flagship of the massive healthcare company, AmeriCare. When Laurie discovers she carries a genetic marker for breast cancer, she's drawn into a deadly web as a potential victim, while an unexpected revelation changes Jack and her forever.
Though the dialogue is stilted at times, "Marker" boasts Cook's best: a detailed, realistic medical thriller as informative as it is enjoyable. Cook once again takes aim at managed health-care with the underhanded machinations of AmeriCare, and Jack Stapelton - featured in "Contagion", "Chromosome 6" and "Vector"- is an entertaining protagonist who finally grows past his insecurities. Cook also offers musings about genetic pre-screening, and what it means for health care's future.
A well written medical thriller.......2007-07-03
This is the first book I read by R. Cook. A compelling read, full of twists & turns when the two main characters, Laurie and Jack, come across a series of inexplicable deaths of healthy young people who just had successful, often minor, surgery. The search for the truth exposes them to real danger, especially Laurie whom believes a killer in on the loose right from the very start. Meanwhile, their personal life and realtionship are also at stake for a variety of reasons, mainly because Jack is hesitant to fully commit and start a family. At the same time, Laurie has a few nasty surprises regarding her health and it is at this point that she risks to become the next victim herself.....
I liked this book and think it is a page turner. Some medical language is reported in an easy to read form and, coming from the author who's a doctor himself, I believe that it carries, beyond the fiction, a message for the public to look into certain issues about the present medical private insurance in the USA and not only.
Books:
- Friends, Lovers, Chocolate: An Isabel Dalhousie Mystery
- Gangsta
- Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour
- Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame
- Hereditary Hearing Loss and Its Syndromes (Oxford Monographs on Medical Genetics, No. 50)
- Heroes and Saints and Other Plays: Giving Up the Ghost, Shadow of a Man, Heroes and Saints
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book
- Montessori Play And Learn: A Parent's Guide to Purposeful Play from Two to Six
- Great God A'Mighty! The Dixie Hummingbirds: Celebrating the Rise of Soul Gospel Music
- How to Manage Your Money
- Foundation ActionScript for Flash 8
- Proust, Marcel Remembrance Things Past
- Learn Filipino, Book One, with Discs 1 and 2
- Quicken 4 for Windows Made Easy
- Hotel Butlers: The Great Service Differentiators
- The Troublesome Offspring of Cardinal Guzman
