In Containment, the electrifying first installment of the Robert Cook Spy Thriller series, Dr. Robert Cook—a brilliant microbiologist turned covert operative—battles a bioterrorism crisis threatening global catastrophe. A deadly, engineered bacterium unleashes chaos in France and Russia, pulling Cook into a desperate race against time. The trail leads to Josef Karashvili, a gifted yet tormented Georgian scientist, forcing Cook to untangle a web of international espionage and political intrigue.
From the rugged Caucasus Mountains to Istanbul’s vibrant streets and Moscow’s shadowy corridors, Cook’s mission blends personal stakes with professional duty. As he probes Josef’s motives amid Georgia’s fight for independence, he uncovers alliances, betrayals, and ethical quandaries. Containment fuses cutting-edge science with relentless action, exploring bioterrorism’s moral weight and humanity’s resilience.
With vivid settings, complex characters, and a breakneck pace, the thriller immerses readers in the murky world of science and spies. Cook’s uneasy alliance with Josef builds toward a tense showdown with Russian agents, criminal syndicates, and his own principles. Can he halt the outbreak, or will it spiral beyond control? Ideal for fans of Michael Crichton and Daniel Silva, Containment delivers suspense and intrigue that demand a sequel. You won’t sleep until it’s over!
In Containment, the electrifying first installment of the Robert Cook Spy Thriller series, Dr. Robert Cook—a brilliant microbiologist turned covert operative—battles a bioterrorism crisis threatening global catastrophe. A deadly, engineered bacterium unleashes chaos in France and Russia, pulling Cook into a desperate race against time. The trail leads to Josef Karashvili, a gifted yet tormented Georgian scientist, forcing Cook to untangle a web of international espionage and political intrigue.
From the rugged Caucasus Mountains to Istanbul’s vibrant streets and Moscow’s shadowy corridors, Cook’s mission blends personal stakes with professional duty. As he probes Josef’s motives amid Georgia’s fight for independence, he uncovers alliances, betrayals, and ethical quandaries. Containment fuses cutting-edge science with relentless action, exploring bioterrorism’s moral weight and humanity’s resilience.
With vivid settings, complex characters, and a breakneck pace, the thriller immerses readers in the murky world of science and spies. Cook’s uneasy alliance with Josef builds toward a tense showdown with Russian agents, criminal syndicates, and his own principles. Can he halt the outbreak, or will it spiral beyond control? Ideal for fans of Michael Crichton and Daniel Silva, Containment delivers suspense and intrigue that demand a sequel. You won’t sleep until it’s over!
Josef Karashvili stirred at sunrise, the soft orange glow seeping through the cabin’s narrow window. Beyond the meadow and shadowed treetops, the Caucasus mountain peak blazed with light, a stark reminder of the home he had yearned for—and the secrets he dared not share.
“Food,” Josef murmured, glancing over his shoulder at Mariana. She stirred slowly, stretching like a cat, her dark hair spilling across the pillow. “Food yourself,” she teased, her smile playful, yet her voice held a softness that spoke of trust Josef wasn’t sure he deserved. He chuckled, the intimacy of the moment a fleeting balm to the shadow that hung over his return.
Josef sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples as fragments of the past night clawed at his thoughts. He had made it home—if this fractured, uneasy reunion could still be called that. The word “home” echoed hollowly in his mind, a sanctuary laced with ghosts.
The journey had been grueling, a haze of mechanical delays and cramped flights. By the time Josef landed in Tbilisi, the warmth of his family’s hugs barely thawed the exhaustion—and the dread—that clung to him.
They had crammed into Father’s battered Lada station wagon, the air thick with laughter and the scent of tangerines from Ilona’s bag. The four-lane highway unraveled into a narrow, twisting road that climbed endlessly, the sharp tang of pine trees mingling with the fading hum of the engine. As they descended into his valley, Akhmeta’s familiar silhouette rose in the distance—unchanged and yet weighed down with the memories he’d carried with him.
Father swung the Lada into the driveway, the car groaning as it released Josef, his sisters, his mother Irina, the luggage—and Mariana. His sixteen year-old sister, Ilona, filled the air with her chatter, her words tumbling over one another as she raved about life in Tbilisi: new friends, new clothes, boys. Josef smiled at her exuberance, but his thoughts lingered elsewhere. At sixteen, he too had been intoxicated by the promise of the future—before it had splintered into secrets and sacrifices.
Mariana, his woman of many years, said little. Her hand rested on his hair in a gesture as familiar as it was comforting. “Josef, Josef,” she murmured, her voice soft but weighted. “It’s good to have you back.” Her eyes lingered on him a moment longer than they should have, as though she could see the weight he carried, even if he refused to speak of it.
Josef talked to his mother, his father, his sisters. His eyes, however, stayed on Mariana.
The air brimmed with the rich scent of Georgian spices—garlic, cilantro, mint, and peppers—intertwined with laughter and the clatter of dishes. Josef closed his eyes, letting the chaos wrap around him like a familiar blanket, soothing the edges of years spent in sterile labs and lonely nights. But even as he tried to savor the moment, unease coiled tight in his chest, an uninvited guest he couldn’t dismiss.
The dining room pulsed with life, its air thick with the aroma of garlic, cilantro, mint, and peppers. Patterns clashed on the walls, lace doilies covered the furniture, and every surface held a piece of bric-a-brac—a crucifix here, a portrait of Stalin there, all jostling for space. Bottles of water, wine, Chacha, and homemade pear schnapps crowded the table. Josef’s father poured another glass, his warm insistence keeping Josef talking about his life in Ukraine, even as Josef’s gaze flicked now and then to Mariana’s thoughtful silence.
When the clock struck midnight, Josef pushed back his chair, kissed his mother’s cheek, and embraced his father. “I’ll take Mariana back home now,” he said, his voice low to avoid drawing attention. Leaning close to her, he whispered, “Let’s not come back until morning.” He winked, and she stifled a laugh, nodding.
The drive to the hunting cabin wound through dark, twisting roads, the headlights carving narrow paths in the dense pine forest. By the time they reached the cabin, the world was silent, save for the occasional rustle of wind. They collapsed into bed as the first faint light of dawn began to creep over the horizon.
“I see the women in Ukraine have kept you in shape, Josef,” Mariana said, her voice light but with a hint of challenge as she watched him move about the cabin.
“They were nothing but diversions,” Josef replied, turning to her with a teasing grin. “I had to return to Georgia to find a real woman.” He brushed his hand against her cheek, the gesture tender despite the banter.
Mariana arched an eyebrow, her smile playful but sharp. “And yet, with so many Aleksandras and Natalyas, I worried you might forget us Georgian women.” There was laughter in her voice, but her gaze lingered, as though searching for unspoken truths in his face.
Josef took Mariana’s face in both hands and kissed her passionately and long. The sun rose higher before they emerged from the bed.
“Food, woman,” Josef teased.
Mariana had packed the Lada’s trunk with pears, fresh farmer’s cheese, and a local, thick-crusted peasant bread. She rummaged around the primitive kitchen, and produced a kettle to heat water, and some tea. The simple table was set within a few minutes.
As they sipped tea, Josef spoke of Ukraine—its harsh winters, the sterile glow of the lab, and the colleagues he’d worked with. His voice was steady, but Mariana caught the pauses, the slight hesitation when she pressed for more. He glossed over his plans, his words carefully chosen to conceal as much as they revealed. Mariana listened in silence, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup, her eyes sharp with unspoken questions.
I will never pass up a thriller about a deadly disease, especially with an across-the-world chase. Though this novel was not the epitome of unique, I still enjoyed this edge of your seat read and was able to find aspects that felt to be one of a kind and very much surprising.
This had a very science forward tone to the plot, but it never felt too over your head which I really liked. As someone who wasn't strong in science as a kid it was refreshing to read and pretty much grasp the concept without having to go back and re-read it or take the time to register what I just read. Honestly this read as a pretty realistic situation that could occur anywhere in our world today which is a terrifying thought, but also helps make for a top-notch thriller and sends a message (wether intentional or not) about working through borders and having empathy. The use of international agencies was a nice touch that added realism and depth to the story, and allowed readers to feel the whole scope of the novel. I found that the technology played a much bigger and much more intricate role in this book compared to anything I have read, and I think it truly opens the door for more opportunities in the series to explore how technology not only aids us but could potentially cause an issue.
With the plot having so much depth and realism, the characters unfortunately were not included. Their personalities felt robotic and any conversation that took place felt strained and out of place, which was a shame. Though it didn't ruin the book it remained a stark difference to the plot and setting and had me wishing that readers got more of an emotional insight into the characters.