The Ninth Day

Biochemist Emma Coldridge is in Arizona by the Mexican border. As a chemist for a lab that makes cosmetics, she's been looking for night blooming plants. Unexpectedly, she comes across a stash of marijuana and before she can make her escape, she's spotted and captured. Raoul La Valle is the leader of the caretel that owns the marijuana. He learns that she's a chemist and informs the that his plants are infected. People who come in contact with the plants are infected by a flesh eating toxin that is fatal within nine days. La Valle also deals with body parts and tells Emma that she must find a cure or be killed. His mistress has been infected and he believes that the U.S. caused the fungus by spraying his fields to kill the marijuana. If he doesn't find a cure, he promises to ship the next contaminated batch to the U.S. to spread disease. He will also begin selling infected body parts to further infect people in the U.S. Emma is an ultra marathon runner and believes she can escape and inform the authorities but she also wants to help the migrant workers who are forced to work in the fields and become infected. She meets Oz Kroger, a college drop out who wanted to earn some easy money by transporting the drugs into the U.S. However when he learns that they are infected, he tries to help Emma. The plight of the poor people and the idea of infection is interesting and captures the reader's imagination. The author gives enough evidence of chemistry and disease to make the story seem plausible. The drug dealers are truly villanous and the author also gives a good point about not knowing who to trust. At one point there are some soldiers who come to the town and certain events occur. Both Emma and the reader wonder, are the soldiers working for the government or a rival cartel. The plotting could have been stronger as Emma attempts her escape and a cat and mouse game begins. However, the reader becomes emotionally involved and caught up in the action.

Couldn't put it down!! Literally finished it within a week

READ!