Jack Hyland

In The Moses Virus by Jack Hyland forensic archaeologist Tom Stewart has been invited by friend and fellow American, Doc Brown, to witness the excavation of an underground passage discovered that could lead to the rooms of Emperor Nero’s fabled imperial palace, called the Domus Aurea, or the Golden House. Instead of witnessing the pinnacle of his friend's career, Tom instead is there for his death when Doc and a colleague mysteriously die a quick but torturous death. Their bodies are recovered, contorted from the pain and with a green dust on them.

As the bodies are taken away by men in full Hazmat suits to the Communicable Substances Lab, Tom suspects that what killed them was very lethal and highly contagious. Then what happened is explained as a cave-in, clearly in an attempt to cover up the truth. It soon becomes clear to Tom that what his friend Doc uncovered was a source for a mysterious virus, the Moses Virus, which is so deadly it kills almost immediately and could be lethal for the human race if it should accidentally be released again.

Because Tom had his picture taken with Doc before the excavation, suddenly he finds himself in great danger, as he is being watched and threatened by what may be several different men. So, while Tom tries to figure out what the virus is, where it came from, and where it is now, he must also evade what seem to be representatives from several sources that are tracking him, and trying to discover whatever information he uncovers. And anyone he talks to may not be safe either.

Hyland does an excellent job describing and capturing the setting as Tom tries to unravel the mystery and discover what really happened to his friend Doc in this thriller. It is a given that I will pretty much read any book about any plague you can throw at me, so The Moses Virus was an obvious choice. After a quick start, the writing becomes uneven, eventually picking up again toward the end. Because it's not a long novel, though, you can read through the uneven bits quickly to get back to more action. Hyland does have an interesting twist so the pursuers may not be who you think they are at first.

highly recommended for escapism

Disclosure: My Kindle edition was courtesy of Taylor Trade Publishing via Netgalley for review purposes.… (mais)

Tom Stewart, a trustee of the American Academy in Rome, is in Rome for the summer to attend meetings and work on his textbook on forensic anthropology. His friend, Doc Brown, also a member of the Academy, invites him to observe a dig which could lead to underground rooms of Emperor Nero's palace.

Tragically, two members of the team die when they enter the tunnel. The investigation is complicated by politics, the Vatican, and other special interest groups, who may have ulterior motives to control the deadly virus. Tom's room is broken into, and he doesn't know who to trust.

Hyland's thriller moves along at a good pace. The author did enough research to make the background story interesting. I enjoyed his descriptions of Rome and the countryside. Bottom line: Recommend.… (mais)