What
Lies Behind
by J. T. Ellison is a realistic, frightening novel about bio-terrorism.
Because the plot takes place in one harrowing day the action
never seems to stop. It can be seen as a warning for a terrorist
threat that seems to have fallen under the radar.
The main character, Dr. Samantha (Sam) Owens, is no longer
a medical examiner and is now teaching and working with the
FBI. Samantha is awakened by a police investigation in her
Georgetown neighborhood. Her friend, homicide detective Darren
(Fletch) Fletcher, asks her to look over the evidence and
help solve the murder/suicide case. Instead, she discovers
hidden toxic substances, which turns the case upside down.
As they try to figure out what is happening Fletch and Sam
are summoned to the State Department. In typical Washington
DC fashion, they find themselves up against red tape, smoke
and mirrors, and a one-sided discussion. Sam and Fletch must
navigate between the different agencies to thwart the terrorists
and find the killers.
Ellison noted, “After reading this story on hemorrhagic
fevers I became fascinated with the subject. I talked to a
virologist, Eric Mossel, PH.D who was instrumental in helping
me develop the story and finding the right path between fiction
and reality. Since I wanted to make the plot realistic I had
him guide me through everything I was planning. He gave me
the details on the creation of vaccines. I found out that
it is not hard to taint them. I started the story about four
months before the Ebola outbreak. I remember having to change
things because I wanted to stay away from the headlines. It
seemed every day something captured what I had written. “
The other story line involves Sam’s fiancée,
former Army Ranger, Xander Whitefield, who recently started
a personal protection company. He and his partner are protecting
a British industrialist from an assassination attempt. Ellison
skillfully merges this story line with the bio-terrorism plot
to make for a riveting and suspenseful novel.
A small sub-plot presented in the middle of the book has Sam
investigating a series of unsolved murders that have spanned
twenty years. Bringing this in during the intense main plot
presented some distraction. However, at the end of the story
line she does a good job of foreshadowing with this plot line
the next Sam book.
All the characters are very well developed, especially the
newly created Robin Souleyret. She is reminiscent of a female
Mitch Rapp, the famous Vince Flynn CIA operative. While investigating
her sister’s murder and the connection to bio-terrorism,
she must decide what moral lines to cross. Having to overcome
a severe head injury from an IED she sets out to prove she
is capable of making the correct decisions.
The author feels Robin is an “awesome, incredible character.
She completely takes over the story and resonates with readers.
After disappointing her sister in the worst way she is attempting
to redeem herself. Robin is a compelling character because
she is a moral person doing immoral things for the greater
good, killing people who need to be killed.”
What Lies Behind has an explosive story line that
is all too realistic. The plot is a compelling mystery with
a lot of action and terror.
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