Rating: 
Summary: Be afraid....be very afraid.....
Review: I loved 'the genesis code,' and looked forward to this new offering from the mysterious john case. I guess what struck me about this book is that its premise is so possible. It frightens me to think what is going to happen to this planet when fanatics like case's villan...and the like perfect biological warfare. There will be no safe place...not even the woods of east Texas! case has done a good job telling a story with tragic consequences for all of us. I look forward to more case! I just wish he had a kinder, gentler planet to write about.
Rating: 
Summary: This book was not nearly as fun and intersting as Genesis Co
Review: I thought this book was a big let down after reading his first book. It started out with an interesting premise, but degenerated quickly into a cliche. I don't read many books where I cringe after reading a passage (which is often the case with suspense movies). Often times I wondered why entire chapters were included at all. Perhaps to extend this already short book. Although I was disappointed, the book was entertaining enough to warrant reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Great
Review: I loved this book. I'm a big fan of thrillers that move from continent to continent, with time running out for the good guys, and this one delivers like THE SHAPE by Craig Furnas or Ira Levin's THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL (my favorites). After reading this book, though, you'll be paranoid about anybody sneezing on you, lest you catch a deadly disease!
Rating:
Summary: It's good.....and it's very scary!
Review: I'm a bona fide john case fan. My review of "the genesis code" sparked debate in my small hometown and I eageraly awaited case's next tale. This book should scare the beejeezus out of all of us. Case's story of biological warfare was much more plausible than, say, "The Cobra Event," which I enjoyed, but it didn't really make me sit up and take notice because it's demented villan operated alone. The bad guy in "the first horseman" has an army of devoted followers and a seemingly endless treasury that will allow him to set "The Spanish Lady" (a particulary virulent strain of influenza) out into the world. I'm glad to be living in a small town with no strategic importance in the scheme of world politics. Otherwise, I'd be afraid...I'd be very afraid. Congratulations to john case! He's done it again! Terry Mathews
Rating:
Summary: A suspenseful thriller you will not want to put down!
Review: John Case has written another exciting novel. Centered around the threat of an outbreak of a deadly strain of the flu virus, Case delivers and intricate and meticulously detailed plot. With several twists and turns along the way, you will not want to put this book down.
Rating:
Summary: First Horseman even better than Genesis Code
Review: Author John Case has created a more exciting and realistic suspense novel than his first! Even the hero, Frank Daly, seems more "genuine" than the orderly yuppie, Joe Lassiter, of Genesis Code. Besides, I learned everything I ever wanted to know about epidemiology and then some, while having an exciting adventure at the same time. For any lover of cold weather, like myself, and after the "summer from hell" in my own area, Case's descriptions of ice, snow, cold, etc. are heavenly! Also, the humor is quicker and full of tart cultural references, especially the part in Russia. This book is pure fun but still an eye opener to more aspects of the perilous times we live in.
Rating:
Summary: A 6! Outstanding
Review: Tasi-ko, a small North Korean town, is under siege by what the visiting doctor called the "Spanish Lady." Soon afterward, a plane destroys everyone in the town except Kang, who happened to be outside the area seeking help. Kang escapes to South Korea and explains to the authorities what happened to his town. Eighty years ago, the "Spanish Lady" killed thirty million people and now it is back. Washington Post reporter Frank Daley is looking forward to joining the scientific expedition heading to the remote Arctic island of Spitsbergen for what could be a major part of the story of the year. The team will try to recover strains of the "Spanish Lady" from some deceased minors, allegedly preserved by the frozen tundra. Frank misses the trip north due to a storm, but catches up with the ship and crew on their return. However, everyone seems frightened and no one will talk about what they found on the island. The obstinate Frank keeps digging in hope of finding a deep throat, but instead he learns that Armageddon may be just around the corner. THE FIRST HORSEMAN is a first rate biomedical thriller that will become one of the top novels of the year. With our shrinking world, the story line could have come off of yesterday's headlines. The novel highlights the return of a pandemic outbreak that shook the planet eight decades ago and could come back even deadlier than before. With this book and THE GENESIS CODE, John Case makes a case that he might just be the leader of modern day biomedical thrillers. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Incredible, believable marvelous thriller
Review: I thought the first book, Gensis Code, by Case was good, but this one is excellent!! It is a real page turner and very enjoyable. I think anyone who likes thrillers with a touch of Le Carre and others will enjoy this one. John Case gets better and better. Can hardly wait for the next release.
Rating:
Summary: Mind Candy
Review: This is not a book that is part of the genres I generally favor. Therefore, I have little else to compare it to, and read this one based on its own merit.
I found this book highly suspenseful, well paced and concise, full of fascinating scientific ideas and therefore, even somewhat educational (although I would have to scrutinize the science from second sources before taking it too seriously). Definitely worth losing some sleep while compelled by the plot to read this one in one sitting.
While the book covers a lot of ground (environmentalism, foreign policy, bioterror threat domestic and third world, ecoterror, cults, science, responsible journalism...) it neither delves into substantive social observation nor devotes any more space to character development than necessary--this one's 100% plot driven. Expect to be entertained and (thankfully) not lectured!
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as Genesis Code - but worthy.
Review: It is not nearly as revolutionary in its thinking as The Genesis Code, but it is still well worthy of your time. Good writer who makes the story interesting. You can do far worse than this book.
| 
