MADicine

A virus intended to cure violence unleashes an epidemic of rage.

An Alban Bane Thriller.

Derek Armstrong, author of The Game, The Last Troubadour, The Last Quest, Blogertize 

Cloth hardcover 6x9” | Pages 352 | Fiction/Thriller US$ 24.95 / CDN$ 26.95 | ISBN 9781601640178

What happens when an engineered virus, meant to “cure” psychopathically violent patients, is let loose by accident on the world? And what chance does the world have when a rescue organization named WART (World Advance Response Team) is our only hope?
A virus of rage sweeps all nations with sometimes funny and sometimes scary results. Armstrong’s latest Bane thriller (after The Game) satirizes the medical virus thriller genre and zombie movies in one suspenseful but amusing sweep. Bane must “chase” the rampaging virus around the world, from Venice to Hong Kong, hunting for a cure and the cause.

STARRED Featured Review Mystery Issue American Library Association's Booklist —

"Armstrong's first two novels (The Game and The Last Troubador, both 2007) amply demonstrated his talent, but his latest, a mesmerizing satirical thriller, is the best of the lot. Alban Bane, from The Game, returns as the caustic Scottish doctor who is head of the World Advance Response Team (with the unfortunate nickname WART). This time Bane is called upon when otherwise normal, happy people seem to be going on murderous rampages across the globe. Yes, Bane learns the cause of the pandemic (a virus intending to cure violent has made its way into society), but how can WART possibly stop its spread? Bane puts together a team made up of three women—his “angels” (and you can call him Charlie . . . )—including his kung-fu expert assistant, a Harvard-trained (and gorgeous) doctor from the CDC, and a pop star; together they make a plan to save the world, which requires globetrotting from L.A. to Hong Kong to Africa as they pursue the virus and its origins. Armstrong manages the difficult proposition of satirizing the very genre in which he's writing but not settling for a simple spoof. Like Ian Fleming, he somehow combines over-the-top satire with genuinely suspenseful action. His ear for funny and believable dialogue goes a long way to making this trick possible. Celebrate the upcoming centeneary of Ian Fleming's birth by reading this book."
— Mary Frances Wilkens

• An Alban Bane Thriller!  “A cantakerous detective, Alban Bane ... a touch of the hit TV series House ... Bane adds a delightfully sarcastic tone to the action ... keeps us chuckling.” —Booklist
•  “In his follow-up to the excellent The Game, Armstrong takes on a whole new set of challenges ... brilliance in which Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways.”—Booklist
• "Detective Alban Bane's second outing takes a satirical look at genetics research companies, zombie films and more in Armstrong’s action-packed novel.”—Publisher’s Weekly
  
• “Amusing and entertaining ... recommended for all libraries.”—Libaray Journal
• “Suspenseful and rich with dark humor ... in the thriller tradition of Weisman and Connolly.”—ForeWord
• “A super sleuth.”—Kirkus
• "Brilliantly cinematic... emotionally rich... Derek is one of those rare writers who can write with economy yet pack their prose with rich content. He knows how to get the adrenalin pumping but also knows how to grab our emotions." Tony Cartledge
  

MADicine

A Bane Thriller, Derek Armstrong
ISBN 9781601640178

"In his follow-up to the excellent The Game (2007), Armstrong takes on a whole new set of challenges....Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways. An ambitious attempt from a writer of abundant talent."Booklist review of Armstrong's Fall 07 release The Last Troubadour.

"Escaping a facility in California, a virus intended to help cure the world of violence unleashes an epidemic of rage infecting every nation on earth. A relief organization with the unfortunate acronym W.A.R.T. is the world's only hope of salvation. Enter Alban Bane, an acerbic, outrageous detective, and his new partner, Dr. Ada Kenner of the Center for Disease Control, who detects a pattern in the mysterious pockets of rage. The unlikely duo chase the virus from Los Angeles to France, Hong Kong, and Africa in a global race against time in the company of a ragtag cast of allies and enemies. This robust adventure satirizes medical thrillers and zombie stories in one suspenseful sweep, delivering equal measures of satire, thrills, suspense, and comedy." IPG

What happens when an engineered virus, meant to virally "cure" psychopathically violent patients, is let loose by accident on the world? And what chance does the world have when a rescue organization named WART (World Advance Response Team) is our only hope?

A virus of rage sweeps all nations with sometimes funny and sometimes scary results. Armstrong’s latest Bane thriller (after The Game) satirizes in true “Bane-style” the medical virus thriller genre and zombie movies in one suspenseful but amusing sweep.  Fans of “brilliance in which Armstrong blends comedy, parody, and adventure in genuinely innovative ways” (Booklist) won’t want to miss this adventure!

Bane and Kenner must “chase” the rampaging virus around the world, from Venice to Hong Kong, hunting for a cure and the cause. Bane realizes the virus may be the work of an old “nemesis" and recruits a team of "angels" – a mocking salute to Charlie's angels – to rescue the world. The savvy doctor Kenner, playful pop star Panji, and the eccentric Mystere, a psychic who relies on her tarot cards for answers, are bizarre group of heroes — charming, witty, funny, and memorable.

Half the world have become "zombies of rage." Pharmaceutical giants, world leaders and regular law-enforcement agencies hamper Bane's effort to "cure the world of violence." Don't miss this round-the-world adventure that offers equal measures of satire, thrills, suspense and comedy.

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