Vigilante Virus

R. Leland Waldrip

Average Rating 9/10 (1 Review)

A Virus that attacks more than your computer, more than your nose!

Eminent micro-biologist Marcus Peterson invented an organism to stop cold the activities of rapists, wife-beaters, child abusers and other sexual outlaws, became a vigilante to implement his project, and set off a chain of events which he never dreamed possible. Reporter Janet Lowrey would sacrifice anything, resort to sex, play any games to find and expose the Vigilante. Sharon Peterson’s obsession to clear and honor her father’s name would bring her face to face with horror and death.

Not your ordinary medical thriller! It weaves the lives of many characters into a story of a man who stalks stalkers and those who stalk him, of victims, of flawed principles and twisted agendas, of good intentions and unintended consequences.

Review by Molly Martin (300904) Rating (9/10)

Review by Molly Martin
Rating 9/10
First it is sexual deviates, rapists, child molesters and the like who begin to become diseased with a particularly virulent strain of the mumps. Bill Etelmeyer, investigative officer with the US Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta, has his work cut out for him with this mysterious case. As they each recover the afflicted men find they have been effectively castrated and are not particularly interested in sexual liaisons with anyone.

Hard on the heels of that outbreak comes a horrifying worldwide epidemic of a peculiar flu mumps that leaves most of the world unable to bear children.

Dr. Marcus Peterson, whose wife was killed by rapists’ years earlier, has perfected the virus used to effectively sterilize rapists and others having warped sexual tastes. Peterson is a meticulous scientist, however, when the police begin to home in on him as the Vigilante infecting sexual deviates and Dr Peterson realizes the officials are suspicious that the same person is behind both the mumps and the flu mumps outbreaks he takes his own life.

Dr Stephen Montgomery, co worker of Dr Peterson, is fired from the National Institute of Health during the fallout following Dr Peterson’s death. Following her graduation from University of Virginia Sharon Peterson, a scientist in her own right is determined to clear her father’s name when she sets up a laboratory in the basement of her childhood home.

Vigilante Virus is one of this storyteller’s best in the opinion of this reviewer. Author Waldrip proves his versatility as a novelist with Vigilante Virus. From the opening paragraphs of the prologue when young Marcus Peterson sees first hand just how powerful hormones can shape behaviour to the last paragraphs when his daughter Sharon dedicates herself to becoming the best scientist she can, Vigilante Virus is a reader grabber. Interest is maintained on a breathtaking rush throughout the work.

Waldrip’s characters are all well thought out individuals. From the silly peeping tom to child molesters and stalkers and finally the fearsome serial rapist murderer, each of the sexual deviates is believable, frightening and worrisome. Dr. Marcus Peterson and his solution to the predicaments police cannot control is fathomable, and maybe more than applauded by some as they read the stories of lives ruined, or listen to television news accounts relating how serial rapists and others continue their hurtful activities following incarceration, attempts at counselling and other methods employed today.

As in his previous two works Waldrip’s settings are well thought out, dialogue is hard-hitting and at times downright gritty. Many descriptions of particular activity are just plain disturbing, however Waldrip does not toss in titillating activity, conversation or scenes only to stimulate the reader. A skilfully interwoven suspense filled plot is the basis for the work.

This powerful, well written tale is one you will want to finish in one setting so choose a time when you can read from beginning to end. Keep the lights on. This is not a fluffy little tale for a dark and stormy night, or when you are home alone.

Powerful read, happy to recommend.
Molly Martin (30th September 2004)