Title: Olduvai Countdown: A Jack Cann Medical Thriller
Author: Michael Woods, MD
Publisher: ‎‎ IngramSpark
ISBN: 978-0-578-36835-1
Pages: 331
Genre: Adult Thriller
Reviewed by: Michaela Gordoni

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Kansas native Jack Cann is one of America’s best virologists, and when masses of adults in the Olduvai Gorge region of Africa suddenly and inexplicably start dropping dead, Jack volunteers to help investigate. But he never imagined just how much his country, and more importantly, the world, would come to depend on his skills. He and a team of CDC experts soon realize the disease, or whatever it is, seems to be taking out adults in different people groups, one by one, leaving children all over the world orphaned. From analysing the pattern of deaths, Jack’s anthropologist wife, Marla, predicts where the disease will strike next. When Asian-American people like Marla become next in line to this sudden throne of death, Jack and the team pick up the pace, desperate to discover a cure for whatever this mysterious thing is before all of humankind is rapidly destroyed.

This thriller may not be for the everyday fiction reader. Michael Woods does his utmost to appeal to intellectual readers by explaining the complexity of the imaginary medical issue that he has created. But for the average reader, it can be a lot to follow. That said, it is very well written; in fact, uncommonly so. Fans of Michael Crichton will instantly be comparing the two authors as they read it, as Crichton without a doubt has mastered the balance between complexity and entertainment. But Woods has his own tangent on intellectual thrillers in most other regards, which, naturally, makes for a great, entertaining novel that leaves readers thinking, “What if this event could really happen?”

It is a superb medical thriller that fully absorbs its readers’ attention.  Michael Woods has created a unique and captivating piece of fiction that sets it apart from typical thrillers. One should not pick up this book thinking it’s like any average thriller – it is not even close to ordinary – in a good way. Although the book is certainly not restricted to science and medicine enthusiasts, it would be of particular interest to those who have an understanding of biology, virology, medicine, or anyone who loves intellectual thrillers that challenge their thinking and provide abundant mental stimulation.