Contagious

Scott Sigler's story is contagious--the more you listen, the more you want to hear. Though Sigler's narration isn't as spectacular as his writing, he has a pleasant, logical-sounding voice. In particular, he knows what's coming and can vary his voice accordingly. However, he's not skilled at differentiating characters, and his young-sounding voice stretches credibility when performing the older characters, such as the U.S. president. Like some of Robin Cook's plots, this story is about the attempt to identify and eradicate a disease that attacks humans, turning them into psychopathic killers. Not only are they violent, but the malefactors seem to have superintelligence, anticipating every move to stop them. Along with Sigler, listeners will whisk through this thriller, with anticipation of another of this genre from the author. A.L.H. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

November 10, 2008
Alien invaders threaten humanity in Sigler’s over-the-top thriller, the sequel to Infected
. In the near future, U.S. president John Gutierrez goes straight from his inauguration to crisis management when his national security team informs him that he must focus his attention on Project Tangram, a secret government program to stave off an epidemic caused by alien parasites, which form itchy blue triangular patches on the skin. Victims eventually become paranoid and violent. As the infestation spreads, Gutierrez must decide whether the outbreak can be contained without the use of tactical nukes on American soil. Meanwhile, the creatures responsible for the parasites get a foothold in Michigan through a seven-year-old girl, who manifests possession by drawing blue triangles on her dolls. While lacking the psychological sophistication of Jack Finney’s The Body Snatchers
or David Gerrold’s War Against the Chtorr series, this page-turner builds inexorably to an explosive ending. 5-city author tour.