Review: Fatal Dose

Fatal Dose by Russell Atkinson

We think someone’s been tampering with our machines. We just can’t figure out how.”
“Sabotage, then. So these machines don’t work any more?”
“Oh they work all right,” Vogel sighed.
“Then what’s the problem?
“They work too well. They’ve been killing patients. They’ve been beaming 100 times the radiation they’re supposed to.

PI Cliff Knowles, a former FBI special agent, is hired by Xlectrix to investigate several incidents with their latest cancer radiation machine, the Lilac 4. After several patients receive an overdose of radiation, including two who later died, the company is concerned that someone has done the impossible and figured out how to hack the machines – which were engineered to be tamper-proof. When his investigation leads to threats on his life, Cliff finds himself in a race against time to track down a vindictive and sadistic man bent on revenge.

Fatal Dose is a great read, with a chilling plot that touches on a primal fear everyone can relate to; being very sick, very scared, and the vulnerability of being at the mercy of a machine – or, even more frightening, having your child at the mercy of a machine. Eek!

The exciting plot had several cases seemingly unconnected to each other that were woven seamlessly in the story; the shooting of a police officer, a bank robbery, a Jewish center bombing, and the x-ray machine sabotage. I love watching the cases unfold; although there’s a lot going on, it’s very easy to follow and the quick pace keeps the story moving right up to the  exciting and grimly satisfying ending.

Having already read Behead Me, a later book in this series, I liked seeing how Cliff and future wife Ellen first met, and their geocaching adventure with Ellen’s niece, Ashley added a fun and heartwarming moment lightened the book considerably. Very cute!

Overall, Fatal Dose is a chilling and terrifyingly realistic thriller that will stay with you for a very long time. This is a must read series for fans of thrillers and procedurals, and especially geo-cachers.

Fatal Dose is available at book retailers or online at Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

Series:Cliff Knowles #3 Rating:★★★★★ 5 stars Publication Date: Sept 13, 2013 Language: English

Formats: Kindle/Paperback ISBN: 9781492723080 ASIN:B00F70SZXW Genre:Thriller/Procedural Reviewer:Tam (Mystereity Reviews)