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Cat Zero
Artie Marshall is a scientist. She is perpetually underfunded, relegated to a damp basement, and besieged on all sides by sexist colleagues. Added to that she is immersed in a messy divorce. But she’s never been happier: she recently landed her own lab, based in an eclectic think-tank housed in the leafy suburbs of North London.
Artie spends her days studying an obscure cat virus that nobody else in the world seems to have heard of – or cares about. But her arcane little research problem suddenly becomes worryingly relevant as local cats start dropping dead overnight. Matters get worse when people start getting infected too.
Working with her right-hand man Mark, her vet friends and her street-smart technician, Artie races to get to the bottom of the ballooning epidemic. Unexpected assistance arrives in the form of two basement-dwelling mathematicians – a sociopathic recluse and his scary, otherworldly savant mentor. When their mathematical models suggest that the cat plague might actually be more sinister than it first appears, Artie gets drawn into a web of secrets and lies that threatens to blow apart her lab family, undermine her sanity – and endanger her own life.
Artie spends her days studying an obscure cat virus that nobody else in the world seems to have heard of – or cares about. But her arcane little research problem suddenly becomes worryingly relevant as local cats start dropping dead overnight. Matters get worse when people start getting infected too.
Working with her right-hand man Mark, her vet friends and her street-smart technician, Artie races to get to the bottom of the ballooning epidemic. Unexpected assistance arrives in the form of two basement-dwelling mathematicians – a sociopathic recluse and his scary, otherworldly savant mentor. When their mathematical models suggest that the cat plague might actually be more sinister than it first appears, Artie gets drawn into a web of secrets and lies that threatens to blow apart her lab family, undermine her sanity – and endanger her own life.
- GenresScience Fiction
277 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2018
2 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Rohn
4 books7 followersAn avid reader, Jenny had always wondered why there were so few scientist characters in mainstream. Jenny coined the term 'lab lit' to describe such novels and in 2005 launched the website LabLit.com to help promote the use of science and scientist characters in mainstream fiction and to illuminate the world of scientists and laboratory culture. In addition to her activities as a practicing scientist and novelist, Jenny is a part-time science writer and journalist, broadcaster and sci-lit-art pundit.
Jennifer L. Rohn was born in Stow, Ohio. She received a BA in Biology summa cum laude from Oberlin College in 1990, and a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Washington, Seattle in 1996. She moved to London for post-doctoral scientific training and then to Amsterdam, Netherlands, for a stint in a start-up biotech. She is now a group leader in the Division of Medicine at University College London.
Her writing has appeared in many places including The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times, BBC News, Nature and The Scientist, and she also appears frequently on TV, radio, in podcasts and as an expert in science films.
Her short fiction has been published in Naturliterature.
Jennifer L. Rohn was born in Stow, Ohio. She received a BA in Biology summa cum laude from Oberlin College in 1990, and a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Washington, Seattle in 1996. She moved to London for post-doctoral scientific training and then to Amsterdam, Netherlands, for a stint in a start-up biotech. She is now a group leader in the Division of Medicine at University College London.
Her writing has appeared in many places including The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times, BBC News, Nature and The Scientist, and she also appears frequently on TV, radio, in podcasts and as an expert in science films.
Her short fiction has been published in Naturliterature.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 13, 2017
+Digital Arc gently provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review+
Artemis Marshall is a promising young scientist working with viruses. If talking about VSN RNA , feline leukemia (FeLV), lentivirus, genome , and lab testing is not your thing , don't bother with this book.
Decent writting. However, the book suffers from a common flaw: try to cover too many issues at once and then rush to solving the end.
Exploiting the virus thing between looking for origin, and trying to fit theories is interesting , adding the personal factor of Artie and more human interactions and dealing with personal demons works for me. But Artie(awful nickname) is too much of a beauty and inteligent and charming and... yeah, falling dangerous in MarySue field , notwithstanding her upbringing.
She is too sensitive to gender issues, and is kind of mean over female feelings to the point of annoying, but in professional fields that is hard even now.
As I said, the end is the more weak.
Artemis Marshall is a promising young scientist working with viruses. If talking about VSN RNA , feline leukemia (FeLV), lentivirus, genome , and lab testing is not your thing , don't bother with this book.
Decent writting. However, the book suffers from a common flaw: try to cover too many issues at once and then rush to solving the end.
Exploiting the virus thing between looking for origin, and trying to fit theories is interesting , adding the personal factor of Artie and more human interactions and dealing with personal demons works for me. But Artie
She is too sensitive to gender issues, and is kind of mean over female feelings to the point of annoying, but in professional fields that is hard even now.
As I said, the end is the more weak.
December 7, 2017
Well me mateys, while this be an enjoyable read, it certainly wasn’t what I was expectin’. If ye read the blurb, ye get an idea that this is going to be a post-apocalyptic tale about a virus killin’ off both cats and humanity with a scientist racin’ to find a cure as quickly as possible. This is not the case. I kept waiting for the human death count to spiral out of control. The first confirmed human death didn’t even arrive until around the 60% mark and there was never another. And the solution to the problem was certainly not a real rush. So if ye be expectin’ that kind of tale then this is not fer ye.
This book was is what the author calls “lab-lit.” Her amazon page says that it “is a small but growing genre of mainstream fiction about scientists and science as a profession.” Her website explains more about the ramifications of the term. Amazon also says that Jennifer Rohn “leads a research lab at University College London in the United Kingdom, studying how bacteria subvert human cells during infection.” Cool!
So while this book did not end up being what I thought, I still very much enjoyed it for both the science and characters. I have no scientific background except fer some chemistry classes back in the day and a best mate who is a vet. This story takes us through a mini-crash course of virology specifically concerning VSN RNA and feline leukemia (FeLV). I could follow along fairly well. The science part of the plot involves trying to figure out what the virus is and how it is evolving. Ye spend the majority of the time in the lab hearing about the day-to-day life, experiments, and politics. Oh and there is some stuff about epidemiologists and mathematical modeling. The math stuff did go over me head.
The characterizations were where much of the tension in the book came from. All of the main characters suffering from mental illness of some kind – autism, phobias, etc. The scientists were a quirky bunch. Artemis, the main protagonist, finds herself in complication relationships with the three other male scientists that are working on the problem with her. There are so many secrets and complicated issues that she is not sure who to trust. And of course one of those men happens to be both her post-doc and odd love interest. So add sexual tension in there. Oh and Aremis is trying to go through a divorce too. More sexual tension and angst.
I would normally find all these science and relationship elements to be overwhelming but instead I found meself pondering how it would all resolve. This kept me readin’. The answers for both the epidemic and relationships where a little underwhelming but nicely wrapped up. It ended up being a pleasant read. So if ye like lots of science in detail and crazy people doing crazy things then this read might be for ye.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Biting Duck Press!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
This book was is what the author calls “lab-lit.” Her amazon page says that it “is a small but growing genre of mainstream fiction about scientists and science as a profession.” Her website explains more about the ramifications of the term. Amazon also says that Jennifer Rohn “leads a research lab at University College London in the United Kingdom, studying how bacteria subvert human cells during infection.” Cool!
So while this book did not end up being what I thought, I still very much enjoyed it for both the science and characters. I have no scientific background except fer some chemistry classes back in the day and a best mate who is a vet. This story takes us through a mini-crash course of virology specifically concerning VSN RNA and feline leukemia (FeLV). I could follow along fairly well. The science part of the plot involves trying to figure out what the virus is and how it is evolving. Ye spend the majority of the time in the lab hearing about the day-to-day life, experiments, and politics. Oh and there is some stuff about epidemiologists and mathematical modeling. The math stuff did go over me head.
The characterizations were where much of the tension in the book came from. All of the main characters suffering from mental illness of some kind – autism, phobias, etc. The scientists were a quirky bunch. Artemis, the main protagonist, finds herself in complication relationships with the three other male scientists that are working on the problem with her. There are so many secrets and complicated issues that she is not sure who to trust. And of course one of those men happens to be both her post-doc and odd love interest. So add sexual tension in there. Oh and Aremis is trying to go through a divorce too. More sexual tension and angst.
I would normally find all these science and relationship elements to be overwhelming but instead I found meself pondering how it would all resolve. This kept me readin’. The answers for both the epidemic and relationships where a little underwhelming but nicely wrapped up. It ended up being a pleasant read. So if ye like lots of science in detail and crazy people doing crazy things then this read might be for ye.
So lastly . . .
Thank you Biting Duck Press!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordp...
August 9, 2017
I found this book to be very suspenseful in its treatment of a virus outbreak, and could emotionally relate to the urgency of keeping the virus contained. The story was well-done, with characters who seemed like real people, complete with preconceptions and biases that affected the work at-hand. I foresee this book especially appealing to people who like medical thrillers.
The best parts of the story, for me, were when Artie and the other researchers attempted to piece together information and solve the mystery of the virus, and I kept waiting for the moment when someone would connect the lethal virus affecting cats, to the contagion spreading among humans. (That link was depicted in the story's opening pages, so I don't think this insight is a spoiler.)
The best parts of the story, for me, were when Artie and the other researchers attempted to piece together information and solve the mystery of the virus, and I kept waiting for the moment when someone would connect the lethal virus affecting cats, to the contagion spreading among humans. (That link was depicted in the story's opening pages, so I don't think this insight is a spoiler.)
January 28, 2018
The science in this novel really carried the story - it was engaging, clever and made me wish I'd paid more attention in high school Chemistry. I loved the constant tension as the team made discoveries and then found counter theories to their current hypotheses - the show down between natural vs man made viruses was fantastic for the plot tension and resolved itself beautifully, showing how much creative intuition along with good old fashion detective work is necessary to solve the science puzzle.
It was just a pity that I spent most of the book wanting to slap the main character, Artie. A beautiful and smart science type (plus kung fu master) she alternates between using her feminine wiles to manipulate her male colleagues while at the same time insisting people respect her for her ideas, not her gender. I understand gender politics play a huge part in awarding grants and tenure in academia, and no doubt the novel is based in some part on the current reality of being a women in science, but after reading the first few chapters, I had to check the book was written by a female author. It read more like a male trying to write a female character, because all the gender scenes were so cliche**
However, once I got over my initial distaste for Artie, and was able to watch her develop into a more nuanced character, the rest of the story became a rollicking good read, with a great pace and perfect tension between the mysterious characters of the basement lab. A very enjoyable way to while away a few hours, and come out feeling more edu-ma-cated about the sciency stuff.
** For the record, I work in the male-dominated world of IT and don't discount the gender politics of the workplace, but feel they just weren't handled in a particularly honest way in this novel. Such portrayals will not encourage young women to enter traditionally masculine industries.
***And also, Aspergers is not a mental illness and hasn't been classified as one by the DMV since 2013. Don't know how that one got past the editors as it is quite an insulting way to describe those who aren't neurotypical.
It was just a pity that I spent most of the book wanting to slap the main character, Artie. A beautiful and smart science type (plus kung fu master) she alternates between using her feminine wiles to manipulate her male colleagues while at the same time insisting people respect her for her ideas, not her gender. I understand gender politics play a huge part in awarding grants and tenure in academia, and no doubt the novel is based in some part on the current reality of being a women in science, but after reading the first few chapters, I had to check the book was written by a female author. It read more like a male trying to write a female character, because all the gender scenes were so cliche**
However, once I got over my initial distaste for Artie, and was able to watch her develop into a more nuanced character, the rest of the story became a rollicking good read, with a great pace and perfect tension between the mysterious characters of the basement lab. A very enjoyable way to while away a few hours, and come out feeling more edu-ma-cated about the sciency stuff.
** For the record, I work in the male-dominated world of IT and don't discount the gender politics of the workplace, but feel they just weren't handled in a particularly honest way in this novel. Such portrayals will not encourage young women to enter traditionally masculine industries.
***And also, Aspergers is not a mental illness and hasn't been classified as one by the DMV since 2013. Don't know how that one got past the editors as it is quite an insulting way to describe those who aren't neurotypical.
September 7, 2017
This book is not quite for the layman (or laywoman the case may be) when it comes to a viral outbreak of the cat variety. Fortunately, I'm familiar with some aspects of biology but I'm terrible at statistics so pretty much skimmed those scenes. Doughnuts and lilies mean nothing to me.
It deals a lot of issues such as are we fated to be our genes through her bipolar mother and the autistic professor. Then there is the place of women in academia or feminism in general.
The ending was a little disappointing for me as it did leave everything too neatly resolved.
It deals a lot of issues such as are we fated to be our genes through her bipolar mother and the autistic professor. Then there is the place of women in academia or feminism in general.
The ending was a little disappointing for me as it did leave everything too neatly resolved.
November 24, 2017
Princess Fuzzypants here:
With a title like Cat Zero, I was expecting a lot of cats in the story. It turns out there are very few but it did not detract from the enjoyment of reading the book. While my eyes glazed over when the scientist and mathematicians were talking details about DNA or viruses or extrapolations of findings, I was able to follow along and get deeply involved in the story.
Artie, a seemingly perfect woman on the surface, and a phobic underneath. runs a lab in North London where she studies cat viruses. Unless, you are a cat, like me, it is probably not a really glam job. However, she suspects and is proven right that there is a current virus that can leap from feline to human and if it is not identified and stopped, it could wipe out the entire cat population of the UK...not to mention a number of humans along the way.
Her staff work well with her but she needs to team up with a rather odd duo who work in a lab down the hall. The older of the two is autistic with aspergers. He is brilliant but needs his assistant to interface with the world. That is until the day he meets Artie. She turns the long standing routine these two have established on its ear. As a team, they are able to discover things that would have been impossible alone. BUt as stimulating as the collaboration might seem, there are some very real dangers involved.
The story works best when the suspense and mystery deepens and the final chapters are absolute emotional roller coasters. I could not put the book down. I had to know how it ended. But I am not telling. You will have to find out for yourself.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.
With a title like Cat Zero, I was expecting a lot of cats in the story. It turns out there are very few but it did not detract from the enjoyment of reading the book. While my eyes glazed over when the scientist and mathematicians were talking details about DNA or viruses or extrapolations of findings, I was able to follow along and get deeply involved in the story.
Artie, a seemingly perfect woman on the surface, and a phobic underneath. runs a lab in North London where she studies cat viruses. Unless, you are a cat, like me, it is probably not a really glam job. However, she suspects and is proven right that there is a current virus that can leap from feline to human and if it is not identified and stopped, it could wipe out the entire cat population of the UK...not to mention a number of humans along the way.
Her staff work well with her but she needs to team up with a rather odd duo who work in a lab down the hall. The older of the two is autistic with aspergers. He is brilliant but needs his assistant to interface with the world. That is until the day he meets Artie. She turns the long standing routine these two have established on its ear. As a team, they are able to discover things that would have been impossible alone. BUt as stimulating as the collaboration might seem, there are some very real dangers involved.
The story works best when the suspense and mystery deepens and the final chapters are absolute emotional roller coasters. I could not put the book down. I had to know how it ended. But I am not telling. You will have to find out for yourself.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.
August 12, 2017
I was expecting a thriller novel, with scientists racing to identify a pathogen that has killed several cats and may have jumped into humans. Instead, Cat Zero is slower paced, mixing lab politics with personal anguish (a messy divorce for the heroine) and sexual tension. There are elements of Gothic romance, with an unpleasant postdoc caretaker of a mysterious, possibly dangerous, professor in the basement. The search for the cat-killing virus is replete with authentic-feeling details of lab work, reminiscent of Hope Jahren's excellent memoir Lab Girl. The heroine's view of sexism in science shifts exactly as mine did, as she encounters obstacles based on gender. This was an enjoyable read, once I abandoned my expectations and read the novel on its own merit.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
October 8, 2017
It's not often that I am so into a story that I can't put it down but that quickly happened with this story. It started slowly for me with the background of our main character, Artie - a scientist researching viruses in cats. But after only a couple of chapters, I couldn't put it down. A virus is making cats sick but it doesn't match anything on record - not perfectly at least. As a cat owner myself, the idea of this potentially happening is what drew me to keep reading until the mystery of the virus was solved. I am recommending this to all my friends. Artie was a well-developed character and we learned what drove her to research and about her fears that seemed to have been partially the reason she chose her field of study. The potential romance between Artie and her post-doc mark was well done and I liked the resolution of the relationships, not only with Mark but with her colleagues as well. I particularly liked that Artie seemed to grow as a person and develop a better working relationship with other women at the male-dominated facility.
December 2, 2017
Catty lives, scientific and viral
This book purrs. It does that thing that cats do, “playing” with their toy, gently poking at it, softly lobbing it in the air, then, eventually, lunging. I’d recommend it for those who’d like the interplay of scientific lives, permeated with motives and mystery.
Jennifer Rohn’s strength is her characters, their changing foibles—sometimes more than mere foible—and their muses. Of course there are the sticky messes that can result. You might think from the cover that you’re getting a light-weight thriller. It’s more mystery with solid characters, dialogue and motivations. Definitely not the lightly sketched plot of B-grade all-action thrillers, guns blazing into the night. It’s subtly mellow, and by turns odd, slowly building up with little claws-retracted prods, before talons are drawn nearer to the end.
This is the opening portion of my review. The full review is at Sciblogs: https://sciblogs.co.nz/code-for-life/...
(My review uses an advance copy of e-book supplied by the author. )
This book purrs. It does that thing that cats do, “playing” with their toy, gently poking at it, softly lobbing it in the air, then, eventually, lunging. I’d recommend it for those who’d like the interplay of scientific lives, permeated with motives and mystery.
Jennifer Rohn’s strength is her characters, their changing foibles—sometimes more than mere foible—and their muses. Of course there are the sticky messes that can result. You might think from the cover that you’re getting a light-weight thriller. It’s more mystery with solid characters, dialogue and motivations. Definitely not the lightly sketched plot of B-grade all-action thrillers, guns blazing into the night. It’s subtly mellow, and by turns odd, slowly building up with little claws-retracted prods, before talons are drawn nearer to the end.
This is the opening portion of my review. The full review is at Sciblogs: https://sciblogs.co.nz/code-for-life/...
(My review uses an advance copy of e-book supplied by the author. )
September 12, 2017
Cat Zero by Jennifer Rohn is an exciting mystery. As an animal lover, the plot was scary. Something like this could happen anytime. I love reading stories that feature a strong female protagonist. Artie is just that. Her world seems to be sinking fast only to leave her in a more dangerous yet complicated situation. A deadly virus is found. Causing not only animals, but humans to die.
Jennifer Rohn creates suspense with ease. As the characters race to solve the problem at hand, I found myself loving the book more. Death, danger, and intrigue. All wrapped up into a great read. A lot of different elements can be found, here. From science to a bit of romance, there's a lot happening inside this, tale. However, I still found myself following along. This book, isn't for everyone...due to the lab stuff. Overall, Cat Zero was good.
I got this copy from the publisher. This, is my voluntary review.
Jennifer Rohn creates suspense with ease. As the characters race to solve the problem at hand, I found myself loving the book more. Death, danger, and intrigue. All wrapped up into a great read. A lot of different elements can be found, here. From science to a bit of romance, there's a lot happening inside this, tale. However, I still found myself following along. This book, isn't for everyone...due to the lab stuff. Overall, Cat Zero was good.
I got this copy from the publisher. This, is my voluntary review.
August 14, 2020
I heard about this book in the context of sci-fi, so what I expected was something dystopian, involving some kind of epidemic. But actually it was focused more on life in the lab, with a pretty realistic portrayal of scientific research – Granted, there were some dramatic highlights!
Quoting from a blurb on Amazon:
Quoting from a blurb on Amazon:
Accurate portrayal of contemporary science and a gripping story! This is a fun story set in an academic science institute that is populated with well-flushed out characters, laboratory intrigue, and a potentially dangerous virus on the loose.
September 7, 2018
Artie is a lovely female research professor who is studying cat viruses. She is in the process of a divorce, when a strange mutation appears in a cat virus that can also spread to humans. Her handsome post doc, Mark, is eager to help with her research and her personal life. When Artie decides to try and befriend the mysterious and creepy mathematicians who work nearby in the basement, she winds up in a situation that could be catastrophic.
July 6, 2021
A fabulous sneak peek into academia and its minions. Namely PIs, postdocs, and young research fellows.
This book drew me in and wont let go.
The story is a fantastic blend of science, thriller, and love story; well balanced with detailed insights into the life of academics. If you think the author exaggerates... Think again! This is very close to home.
An enjoyable, nailbiting, heartwrenching read, and impossible to put it down.
This book drew me in and wont let go.
The story is a fantastic blend of science, thriller, and love story; well balanced with detailed insights into the life of academics. If you think the author exaggerates... Think again! This is very close to home.
An enjoyable, nailbiting, heartwrenching read, and impossible to put it down.
October 15, 2017
I honestly tried getting to read this book.
The synopsis really looked interesting.
However i couldn't get into the story.
The story did not seem to start and i couldn't get a connection to the main character.
The story buildup is very slow and did not pull me in.
i think other people can appreciate the story but for me it wasn't possible.
thnx to netgalley for the review copy
The synopsis really looked interesting.
However i couldn't get into the story.
The story did not seem to start and i couldn't get a connection to the main character.
The story buildup is very slow and did not pull me in.
i think other people can appreciate the story but for me it wasn't possible.
thnx to netgalley for the review copy
May 28, 2018
This is an outstanding piece of lablit by the author that coined the term for the genre. Artie Marshall is a great character--a brilliant scientist, dealing with the complexities of setting up her own lab, a failed marriage with a husband who won't leave her alone, and too many sexist colleagues. An exciting read that gives an inside view of medical research.
January 16, 2021
This was a seriously clever concept! Working in the veterinary field, it had me engrossed with what it's. Unique plot, and a range of characters that really made the story. There were a few elements that seemed unnecessary, but they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. This was a book I found myself discussing with colleagues, and thinking about long after I'd finished.
December 30, 2018
Disappointing
Expected much more from this. Incredibly cliched chick lit, with some overly detailed science thrown in. Frankly insulting to the myriad researchers who are female, have an autism spectrum disorder, or both. Avoid.
Expected much more from this. Incredibly cliched chick lit, with some overly detailed science thrown in. Frankly insulting to the myriad researchers who are female, have an autism spectrum disorder, or both. Avoid.
September 3, 2018
Viral evolution! Scientific detective work! Cats! Vets! Academic politics! Bioterrorism? Great stuff!
December 3, 2018
One of my favourite reads this year. A great scientific whodunnit with love interest, intrigue and mystery. A lablit instant classic.
October 6, 2024
One of my favourite reads this year. A great scientific whodunnit with love interest, intrigue and mystery. A lablit instant classic.
June 28, 2018
Artemis "Artie" Marshall is a genius scientist studying feline viruses in a stuffy university. As she struggles to be taken seriously by many of her peers, a mysterious and virulent new virus surfaces; a virus so strong, it kills both cats and humans in a matter of days. It's a race against time to find a treatment or cure even if it risks her own life in the face of a deeper conspiracy.
The best parts of this book are when Artemis and her team are actively working on the disease. Outside of her intellectual pursuits, Artemis comes off as too perfect. She's just the prettiest, everyone wants to be her friend, no man can resist her charms, blah, blah, blah... Those scenes made me want there to be more dire circumstances around the virus so there would be no time for the side stories. I thought this would be a Contagion-like medical thriller but it all just fizzled out. More attention was paid to Artie's anxiety about being alone - good character development, yes, but it didn't play into the medical parts of the plot enough for me to feel like my time reading about it was invested wisely. In the end, I felt cheated despite how compelling the blurb and the premise are. 3 out of 5.
The best parts of this book are when Artemis and her team are actively working on the disease. Outside of her intellectual pursuits, Artemis comes off as too perfect. She's just the prettiest, everyone wants to be her friend, no man can resist her charms, blah, blah, blah... Those scenes made me want there to be more dire circumstances around the virus so there would be no time for the side stories. I thought this would be a Contagion-like medical thriller but it all just fizzled out. More attention was paid to Artie's anxiety about being alone - good character development, yes, but it didn't play into the medical parts of the plot enough for me to feel like my time reading about it was invested wisely. In the end, I felt cheated despite how compelling the blurb and the premise are. 3 out of 5.
October 6, 2025
I've read Rohn's other 'lab-lit' books, so am judging it against those.
As it was I found the characters tended to be cut from the same cloth as in the other books - they are all either cool, intelligent, witty scientists, or scientists who are utter jerks. Academic science must have a remarkably divisive personality pathology.
The main character falls into the former, of course. She is totally hot, young, effortlessly intelligent, supremely confident, dripping with charisma and good cheer, and professionally perfect. Somehow even her dark phobias, divorce and parental trauma seemed like footnotes. I didn't mind so much, this is fiction and who hasn't wanted to take a walk through a superwoman's shoes?
But the gloss came off...
Mild spoilers:
For me I was thrown by a couple of the odd twists in the plot. From the first chapter the book implies there's a big thriller-like pandemic being unfurled. The conclusion? Nope, cancel the parade - these big fish are actually red herrings. No matter how scientifically plausible the explanations, or how realistic these twists are to real life - science is, after all, about continuous attempts to create exciting conjecture and then furiously disprove such theories - there was not enough time spent addressing or reflecting on this twist to make a particularly satisfying payoff. It was an abrupt left turn for a lengthily built-up plot and left me perplexed.
I also found some late, rather last minute character 'twists' hard to swallow, especially where one main character abruptly attempts violent murder. The would-be victim takes this remarkably well and save a couple of 'shivers of fear' continues bouncing on through their life. Nothing, not even arson, a second attempted murder, nor being stalked and menacingly threatened makes much impression on them. Forget PTSD, doesn't happen. The criminal then merely vanishes and isn't even mentioned in the epilogue. Pretty much like the pandemic plot.
The main character also enters a relationship with someone who adamantly states they are incapable of being in love. I don't know why the author presents this as a happy ending.
Overall I'm not sure what I was supposed to take from this book, beyond 'things aren't always as bad as you fear, except when they are, but you probably wouldn't fear getting punched in the face and throttled by a person you know even if they are a jerk anyway'. By the time of the over-the-top megahappy ending, I was mostly indifferent and a more than a little put off.
As it was I found the characters tended to be cut from the same cloth as in the other books - they are all either cool, intelligent, witty scientists, or scientists who are utter jerks. Academic science must have a remarkably divisive personality pathology.
The main character falls into the former, of course. She is totally hot, young, effortlessly intelligent, supremely confident, dripping with charisma and good cheer, and professionally perfect. Somehow even her dark phobias, divorce and parental trauma seemed like footnotes. I didn't mind so much, this is fiction and who hasn't wanted to take a walk through a superwoman's shoes?
But the gloss came off...
Mild spoilers:
For me I was thrown by a couple of the odd twists in the plot. From the first chapter the book implies there's a big thriller-like pandemic being unfurled. The conclusion? Nope, cancel the parade - these big fish are actually red herrings. No matter how scientifically plausible the explanations, or how realistic these twists are to real life - science is, after all, about continuous attempts to create exciting conjecture and then furiously disprove such theories - there was not enough time spent addressing or reflecting on this twist to make a particularly satisfying payoff. It was an abrupt left turn for a lengthily built-up plot and left me perplexed.
I also found some late, rather last minute character 'twists' hard to swallow, especially where one main character abruptly attempts violent murder. The would-be victim takes this remarkably well and save a couple of 'shivers of fear' continues bouncing on through their life. Nothing, not even arson, a second attempted murder, nor being stalked and menacingly threatened makes much impression on them. Forget PTSD, doesn't happen. The criminal then merely vanishes and isn't even mentioned in the epilogue. Pretty much like the pandemic plot.
The main character also enters a relationship with someone who adamantly states they are incapable of being in love. I don't know why the author presents this as a happy ending.
Overall I'm not sure what I was supposed to take from this book, beyond 'things aren't always as bad as you fear, except when they are, but you probably wouldn't fear getting punched in the face and throttled by a person you know even if they are a jerk anyway'. By the time of the over-the-top megahappy ending, I was mostly indifferent and a more than a little put off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2021
Artemins Marshall (or Artis for short) is a scientist who is researching FIV. This quickly leads to an unexpected outbreak on a small island that quickly causes a few cats deaths and one owner. Could this be a natural phenomenon or is it bioterrorism? Artie decides to enlist some mathematics help so they can create a data set and create an algorithm that will estimate the chances of it spreading, where it will spread and if/when it will die out.
This novel really intrigued me as I love cats, scientific novels (fiction and nonfiction) and apocalyptic novels. However, this novel fell flat rather quickly as it was trying to be too much all at once. Cat Zero was trying to be a thriller (is the unknown virus boomerism or is it natural), an in-depth look into the scientific community, a character’s personal self-discovery (Artie is a very complex character who fears her genetic history but also has marriage issues) and a revenge story.
Artie as a character was unrelatable. She was intelligent, charming and tough (she made it far in the academic world even though she was at a disadvantage since she was a woman – she even states that herself). Yet she is constantly crying and falling apart for no reason (in my opinion). The only reason I can see for her falling apart is so the author can have Artie go through some mental issues to overcome. I also did not like how Artie was mean to other female scientists, I feel she should have stood by their sides more instead of feeling that since Artie made it on her own every other female scientist will be okay.
I also did not like the writing style. The science was well written and quite in depth (I don’t know enough about biology to comment on its authenticity). I found the writing too poetic and descriptive, what could be said in one or two sentences took two paragraphs. An example is “the black rumbling though the long tunnel underneath the Thames then, sometime later, shooting out into the light and sliding though Kent’s dreamy greenness.”
The ending was also out of the blue and to me it seemed out of character for Simon. Maybe to create more drama if a sequel was written?
I got this novel for free from NetGalley.
This novel really intrigued me as I love cats, scientific novels (fiction and nonfiction) and apocalyptic novels. However, this novel fell flat rather quickly as it was trying to be too much all at once. Cat Zero was trying to be a thriller (is the unknown virus boomerism or is it natural), an in-depth look into the scientific community, a character’s personal self-discovery (Artie is a very complex character who fears her genetic history but also has marriage issues) and a revenge story.
Artie as a character was unrelatable. She was intelligent, charming and tough (she made it far in the academic world even though she was at a disadvantage since she was a woman – she even states that herself). Yet she is constantly crying and falling apart for no reason (in my opinion). The only reason I can see for her falling apart is so the author can have Artie go through some mental issues to overcome. I also did not like how Artie was mean to other female scientists, I feel she should have stood by their sides more instead of feeling that since Artie made it on her own every other female scientist will be okay.
I also did not like the writing style. The science was well written and quite in depth (I don’t know enough about biology to comment on its authenticity). I found the writing too poetic and descriptive, what could be said in one or two sentences took two paragraphs. An example is “the black rumbling though the long tunnel underneath the Thames then, sometime later, shooting out into the light and sliding though Kent’s dreamy greenness.”
The ending was also out of the blue and to me it seemed out of character for Simon. Maybe to create more drama if a sequel was written?
I got this novel for free from NetGalley.
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