Book Jacket

 

rank 5456
word count 19949
date submitted 12.04.2009
date updated 20.04.2009
genres: Fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Horror
classification: moderate
incomplete

Uncommon Side Effects

Jon Robbin

The unbridled avarice of a giant pharmaceutical company destroys the centuries old balance between human kind and an immmortal race.

 

Temlor/Levin Pharmaceutical, known as TLP in the drug industry, is a multi-billion dollar company on the brink of failure. Its three remaining highly successful medications are coming off patent in under two years, and the company's leaders have nothing to replace them. Profits are bound to plummit.

All hopes are invested in TLP's clandestine "New Species Procurement" or NSP division.

The dangerously ambitious Carla Addison, NSP director, and the division's two cryptozoologists, Marcus Theren and Franco Barrientos establish operations in Barcelona, Spain endeavoring to capture a species from which TLP will synthesize a new super anticoagulant drug.

When the three capture two of these preternatural beings, they attract the attention of Dalziel Botham, a founding member of the Keltori – an ancient order of immortals whose doctrines have for centuries allowed their race to thrive alongside humans without provoking them into a worldwide hunting and killing of all his kind.

When trials for the new drug cause the transformation of trial participants into a plague race of rogue blood drinkers, Dalziel, and Boston Police detective Nolan O’Conner combine their skills to neutralize these accidental monsters, and trace the cause to those responsible.

 
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tags

blood drinker, cop story, corporate greed, detective story, horror, mystery, thriller, vampire

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5 comments

 

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Stephen Hilling wrote 1120 days ago

I agree with Patrick: I think the prologue has far too much information in it. A better start would be to go straight into introducing us to Angelo and Paulo because your writing switches up a gear in "Two" and interest is then stirred in your story. Is the prologue necessary? It might be possible to let readers know the important things from it during some of the later chapters because I worry it might dissuade people from giving this book a chance to get going. The vampire element clearly would appeal to a mainstream audience because the genre has produced some very big grossing films so there is definitely a keen market to tap into with your writing. I thought the end of the second chapter worked really well and the idea of the book is a good one.

Good luck with it,
Stephen

sperber1 wrote 1129 days ago

A great new take on the vampire tale. I love the modern pharmaceutical company angle -- if that is not a corporate vampire, what is? And I also like that the humans will be creating, through the pharmaceutical company, the very sorts of vampires they fear. In other words, we destroy ourselves.

Your writing is powerful in that the reader feels the anguish of Botham, feels his innate "goodness," if you will, that he is a responsible leader wanting to do the right thing. You accomplish this deftly through the use of his inner monologue.

I intend to come back later and read more. But in the meantime, I am placing your book on my shelf.

-- bob

Paul Samuel wrote 1137 days ago

Yes this is well written but on a theme that has been well worn but seldom well written. Dracula, Salems lot, interview with a vampire are obvious examples. I will back this as good wriring deserves a push but consider yr target audience. Are vampires as palatable to the masses as to you. Good luck with this

Paul (Standalone farm)

Paul Samuel wrote 1137 days ago

Jon,

I am the author of Standalone Farm (sci fi/horror). Your synopsis is interesting. Would you care to do a book swap? i.e. we critique and possibly back each others?

Paul Samuel

PATRICK BARRETT wrote 1137 days ago

This is very, very good. The main thing bothering me is the first chapter. Not everyone is a fan of vampires and many will stop reading, perhaps hint at the situation before stating vampire? Also, the information in the introduction is vital but more readers may be put off by this 'information dump.' Would it be better to split this information into paragraphs after each main event. Start with some of it, cut to the bar scene. Add more info, into the rest room, more info. perhaps in italics? The dialogue is great and it would be a shame if people were put off too soon. This has real potential and is well written. On my shelf. Patrick Barrett (Shakespeares Cuthbert)

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