Book Review: Adrenaline

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Adrenaline     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
John B. Olson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Science Fiction   Religious Fiction
Bethany House, 2003, $12.99, 348 pp.

Grant recipient post graduate biochemistry student James Parker is euphoric. Mouse 87, suffering from muscular dystrophy and barely able to move for several months, suddenly is running around like a marathon runner after an injection of adrenaline 355. However, when he calls his mother with the good news, he learns his sister Jenny, who suffers from the debilitating disease like James does, is back in the hospital with a very weak heart. However, something weird has occurred. The metal bars to the cage containing Mouse 87 have been bent and the test rodent escaped.

Still feeling like he is on a natural high, James, wheelchair and all, rescues graduate student Darcy Williams from glass heads. His discovery excites the campus and medical community bringing hope to muscular dystrophy sufferers while James and Darcy fall in love. However, the “Invisible Man,” leader of the glass headss wants this incredible find; he increases the assaults on the campus with the prime targets being James and Darcy.

Fans will feel they are on ADRENALINE with this action-packed medical research thriller that never slows down until the bridge forms a final surprising coupling. The story line is at its best when it concentrates on James, Darcy and his sister. Jenny is a role model as never stopped believing that God will take care of her in some fashion. When the plot switches to the Invisible Man, it loses a bit of its momentum though he is the key to much of the adversarial moments. John B. Olson deftly provides sub-genre fans with a fabulous terse tale that will excite readers who will search for his co-authored Martian works.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner