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M.P. McDonald

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Infection: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Novel (Sympatico Syndrome Book 1) Kindle Edition

by M.P. McDonald (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.5 4,192 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Sympatico Syndrome

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For fans of Stephen King's The Stand or William Forstchen's One Second After
They weren't ready for the apocalypse but ready or not, it was coming...
Faced with the very real possibility of extinction of the human race, Cole Evans has only one chance to save his family and survive — a safe haven on an isolated, hard to reach island. No one realizes there's a deadly illness spreading like wildfire until it's too late. With few symptoms, victims literally drop dead after a brief surge of energy. Within days, the virus tears through the population of the United States and the world. Can Cole convince his brother that the danger is real and that there's enough space for his family as well? And, can they all reach the island before the lights go out for them ... forever?
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From the Publisher

Swine Flu didn't scare former epidemiologist Cole Evans. Ebola didn't frighten him either. Sympatico Syndrome terrified him.

The deadly virus was like if Ebola and the Spanish Flu had a baby and Sympatico Syndrome was the lethal offspring. It races through the population with the contagious of measles. With an over 95% mortality rate, the only way to survive is to flee to the most isolated place you can find. Given a few days advance warning from a former colleague, Ellie, Cole knows he must find a safe haven — and find it fast!

For Cole, that's an isolated island a mile off-shore in Green Bay. His son, Hunter, is away at college halfway across the country, and what seems like an easy feat for him to get home soon turns into a harrowing nightmare of a journey.

Cole's brother and his family live nearby, but convincing them that this virus is real and they must drop everything and get to safety before the virus infects them all is easier said than done. They aren't ready to give up their jobs, or home, and pull their kids from school on a vague warning from someone they have never met. Can he get everyone to safety in time?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you like to read the work of a good storyteller, I would recommend this one." ~Michael Gallagher, HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER VINE VOICE

"This author's creativity is brilliant! The disease he has created is like no other that I have read thus far." ~Talenajean

"The characters are well developed- to the point where you see the story through their eyes." ~ Vicki M.

"Just finished reading this and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well told apocalyptic tale." ~ Robin S.

"This is a well written book with lifelike characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves apocalypse stories without the zombies!"~ Tressaa

From the Inside Flap

Yellow barricades like police used when trying to hold back mobs of demonstrators, blocked off the street. Three men with guns manned the roadblock. Cole tensed as one of the men approached his vehicle.

Sean was right behind him with the truck and Jenna and the kids following Sean. He hoped his brother wouldn't jump out and start waving his handgun around. He was grateful for Sean's forethought to bring the weapon, but it was three against one, and now Jenna and the kids were around.

Cole rolled his window down a crack, squinting at the man who was backlit by the sun and wearing a baseball cap pulled low. "What's going on? I live on this street and need to get home."

"Do you have proof of residence?"

Cole glared. "Since when do I need proof that I live in my house? My key is proof, now get those barricades out of the street and let me through." He had his license, of course, but that wasn't the point. He jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. "The two vehicles behind me are family. Let them in, too."

"Cole, is that you?"

He blinked up at the face. "Who wants to know?"

The man pulled off his cap. "It's me. Jerry Keeling."

"Doctor Keeling? The dentist?" He'd taken Hunter to the guy a few times after their regular dentist had retired. He'd also spoken to him at the annual block party, but he'd never had the impression the man would become militant in a situation like this.

"Yeah. We've had outsiders trying to seek shelter in the neighborhood. They think because we're upscale here, that we're safe."

Cole bit back a retort. Their neighborhood, while nice enough, was hardly upscale. "Look, Jerry, I just need to get home. It's only going to be for a few hours, then we're leaving." Crap. He probably shouldn't have said that.

Jerry scratched his cheek, his gaze wandering to the other two men as if seeking permission. "Okay,I guess I can let you pass, but the truck and the other car will have to stay out. Only residents allowed." He smiled as if he was doing Cole a favor.

Cole fixed Jerry with a hard stare. "Listen, Jerry, that's my brother in the truck and his family in the red Ford. Now, unless you're going to shoot me, they're coming, too."

Jerry glanced back, his grip shifting on the hunting rifle. He cast a nervous look at the other two men still on the other side of the barricade. "I don't know. We're only supposed to let residents through--"

Cole had had enough of this. He put the car in park and opened his door. He looked at the other two men, their rifles pulled closer to their bodies as if they were ready to aim them. He spread his arms, palms out. "Listen, I live here. Right over there, in fact." He pointed to his house. "We're coming through here, getting my belongings and then leaving. We're not stealing anyone's stuff, and we want to keep all contact to a minimum. I don't even want to be this close to any of you. I'd recommend that you keep back from anyone trying to approach the barricade and get yourselves some good masks."

"Who the hell are you to tell us what to do?" One of the men circled the barricade. He was taller and heavier than the short, slim, dentist,and he shouldered Jerry out of the way. "We say who comes and who goes."

Cole narrowed his eyes and straightened his shoulders. "As it happens, I know a thing or two about diseases since I'm an epidemiologist. I worked with the CDC for many years and even went to Africa to help manage the Ebola outbreak. Do you have better credentials?"

The man's mouth dropped open.

"Yes, that's what I thought."

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01FYBBC2Y
Publisher ‏ : ‎ MPMcD Publishing (August 12, 2016)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 12, 2016
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 931 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 270 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #22,462 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #239 in Dystopian Science Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #253 in Science Fiction Adventure
- #268 in Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 4,192 ratings

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M.P. McDonald

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M. P. McDonald is an author known for captivating narratives that blend magical realism, post-apocalyptic adventure, and historical fiction. Her stories leave readers on the edge of their seats, exploring new worlds and time periods with gripping intensity.

Beyond writing, M. P. McDonald cherishes moments with her grandsons, finding inspiration in the joy and wonder they bring. These connections often influences her work, infusing it with depth and authenticity.

An enthusiastic novice gardener, M. P. McDonald cultivates plants like sunchokes, sweet potatoes, watermelons, and pumpkins, drawing parallels between their growth and the development of her stories. With a growing fan base captivated by her unique storytelling, M. P. McDonald's work lingers in readers' minds and hearts long after the final page.

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maryjane

great story!

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024

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Just started this series but I already love it! Kept me interested throughout & I’m eager to start the next in the series. Good story line, you won’t be disappointed!

Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018

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Infection: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Novel by M.P. McDonald
The subtitle pretty much gives the basic plot away. Like Stephen King's "The Stand," or a myriad of others in this genre, a bio-engineered virus escapes from a government lab. In this novel, the reason for the escape seems to be carelessness or incompetence, not malice. But the end result is an infection that is 98% lethal, with an incubation period of perhaps weeks, few diagnostic symptoms prior to catastrophic hemorrhaging and death. Disease victims seem to experience euphoria and a desire for social contact. The latter effect s implied in the name, "Sympatico Syndrome."
Cole Evans, the main protagonist, is a trained epidemiologist with experience with the Ebola virus in the field. He is friends with Elly Johnson, who works with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), on temporary duty in Chicago. These two, plus Cole's son, Hunter, his brother's family, and three other survivors make up the tiny circle on which the book is focused.
What I Liked:
While the general plot is not original, to say the least, it is in the specifics that make or break a novel, since few are totally original. "Infection" handles the specifics pretty well. McDonald has crafted an interesting page-turner.
The Sympatico Syndrome hits like a sledgehammer and spreads like wildfire. Even people who understand the principles of preventing viral transmission take the needed precautions too late. Cole and Elly are exceptions and Cole's family take his advice, even though it sounds crazy to them. They survive. One girl survives without special precautions, so she is apparently one of the 2% that have natural immunity.
I liked the flow of the narrative, the dialogue, and the plot. It kept my interest throughout. Cole is a believable hero. No superman, he nevertheless has the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to ensure his own survival and save many of those close to him.
Things I did not like:
The editing was not great. Probably worse than average for a self-published book.
It seemed to me that the plague spread incredibly fast. For example, Hunter Evans left his college campus and drove toward the island retreat. But within two days, even on remote farms, everyone was already dead and rotting. I don't think that this kind of rapid spread is possible. Two months, Yes. Two weeks, maybe. Two days, no.
A great deal of space is spent itemizing the supplies Cole and his extended family packed into their rental truck. Of course, they thought they were packing for months of seclusion on an island. But tit turns out that in a couple of weeks, most people would be dead and the supplies of the nation are free for the taking. Since the author knows what will happen, I am surprised that she devoted so much space to the supplies that they packed.
In contrast, Elly has almost noting but some masks and gloves in her hotel room, but she does fine by merely waiting a couple of days for everyone to die, then taking what she needs. Sheltering in place seems to be a viable option, particularly in this case. But in a more realistic situation she would have to shelter for months, and food would have been a real problem and possibly water, if the utilities began to fail.
The novel is a rather linear plot of problems encountered, problems solved. The conclusion is merely the solution of the problem of getting the main characters to the island retreat.
I would have liked to see a bit more character growth. I did see a bit in the case of Cole and his brother. Elly seemed to be amazingly unreflective. Her main emotion seemed to be fear mixed with stoicism. She does find the fortitude to kill a man in self-defense, which is a stretch for a person trained to save lives. But even in this crisis, she seems to not reflect on what she had to do, show remorse, or be greatly affected at all. I think a sort of mental numbness would be a defense mechanism, and is not unrealistic. I saw this in the Vietnam War. But too much numbness makes for an uninteresting story.
Editing was not great. Yes, I know that professional editing is expensive. Yes, I know that even good editors miss some problems. But a thorough edit, focusing on comma rules, would help this novel greatly.
Conclusion:
I liked this book. It is not a deep, introspective study. But I have a weakness for stories of survival against impossible odds. Readers should be aware that this book is the introduction of a series, and does not resolve the root problem of how to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. It does not ask, much less try to answer, the deep questions that such a plague poses. But it does provide a diverting read, and perhaps that is enough.

12 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Excellent book!

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2024

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This book is hard to put down. It is fast paced, exciting, scary, informative and fun sad as well. Plan to start Book 2 tonight!

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024

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The entire story is good. However when Sophie Was found she was being dragged by 2 men and she was barefoot And then I think it's on page 180 something She's scraped her high top sneaker on the ground....Suddenly she was wearing shoes

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Don Wilburn

Kept me hooked all the way through!

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024

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Very well written story and characters. Great visualizations and descriptions. I very much look forward to reading more from this author!

One person found this helpful

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J. Sparks

A Novel Pandemic

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020

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I had purchased this book a couple of years ago through a list - likely Bookbub - but had forgotten about it. Recently it appeared again and with the current pandemic, I thought it might be a good read.
Wow - a good read is an understatement. Others have commented on the author's creation of a virus - I found his endnotes on how he designed the virus very interesting. From what I remember of my biology classes, everything seems to hold together.
Pros: well-written - I don't recall any grammar errors nor misuse of words or the like. Engaging characters. I really felt for the family as one of the children contracted the virus. I also liked the character growth of Hunter as he traveled across the country.
Cons: a few things seemed unrealistic - Cole having multiple ebola type Haz-Mat suits for one.
Other comments: The story arc of getting to the island was completed but a lot of threads were left hanging. I realize this was set to be a trilogy but I would have preferred to have more closure.
My personal ranking is 4.5 rounded down to 4. I recommend it.

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Brian

A tale of survival against all odds

Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2017

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Infection was an enjoyable read. It definitely tugged at my heartstrings numerous times and made me feel things for the characters. Not every book can do that, and to be honest, very few books I've read recently really make me feel something for the main characters. The last one I can think of was The Martian, but that book is easily the best book I've read in a long time.

Infection takes place during and after a pandemic level infection takes over the population of the world. The people are seemingly fine, but just want to party. Unfortunately, this incessant need to party is also the quickest and easiest way to spread the disease. These infected people party until they drop -- literally. They drop dead after a while at an alarming rate -- 98% infection/death ratio.

The narration of Infection was done by Scott Berrier who has a deep and booming voice. Sometimes I thought it was a little too deep and dark, and at other times it was perfect. I ended up really enjoying his narration and will listen to more books narrated by him.

McDonald does a great job with character building. The main characters all had their quirks, but that made the story interesting. I felt like each one of them at any time could succumb to the infection at any moment. Which really made for a wild ride.

This wasn't as much about the virus as I'd hoped it would be, but the incredible story really made it still an enjoyable book. I'm genuinely curious what will happen in the next book if/when McDonald writes one.

Overall, Infection had a little bit of everything. Bio-Thriller readers will enjoy a different virus than I've ever read. Thriller writers will enjoy the traveling and unknowns around every corner. And good fiction lovers will love the interactions and characters in Infection.

3 people found this helpful

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Shell

Great start to this series

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 27, 2024

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Really enjoyed this book and looking forward to the next instalment. It's fast paced and believable and I couldn't put it down.

Robin Hansen

Incredible fast paced book

Reviewed in Australia on May 30, 2018

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This book held me by the throat from the first page. I felt that I was with Cole, Sean and Hunter as they tried to escape and survive the horrific events unfolding around them. You can taste the fear on your tongue as the reader kept pacing and fighting with them to survive. So happy Elly met Jake and they survived also. Hunter and Sophie helping each other to make it alive. It ended with joy and a deep sadness. Must buy the next novel to continue the story, believe me, it’s that good.

One person found this helpful

Elouise

Very good read

Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2019

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Post apocalyptic tale that keeps you interested throughout. Riveting. Great descriptive prose, easy to read and picture what's going on. Liked it very much.

Robosquid

Very good post-apocalyptic read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2018

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A very good post-apocalyptic book following three sets of characters who are in different locations in the USA as the outbreak begins. We follow them as they try to get to a 'safe haven' on an island near Green Bay, Wisconsin (on the Great Lakes). Characters are normal people, mostly likeable, not superheroes, and the plot hangs together extremely well.

The disease itself is interesting - a virus which causes euphoria and extreme 'socialisation' (dancing, drinking and partying!) basically causing behaviour which spreads the disease very rapidly before victims succumb to a quick death. There is not much gore or violence in the book, but it is not a 'cosy catastrophe' because there are harrowing moments and some central characters die. This being set in America, almost everyone has a gun, or soon obtains one. There are some hints that Cole, the central character, may be resistant to the virus (he was an epidemiologist who worked in a military biohazard lab, where the virus may have been developed, and it was mentioned several times that he became sick but recovered during this time). Guess I'll have to read book 2 to find out if my theory is correct!

Only 4 stars because it could have done with a proof-read; the author has a bit of a tendency to over-explain things; and annoying wordiness on occasion:
"It was nice to not have to have to stake them out". "She fished a new pair from her pocket, having stuck them there before leaving her room". "He inspected his arrows, making sure they were all in good condition before returning them to the quiver he'd bought as well". Minor offences but annoying when repeated often - it just needs a tidy up by an editor and it will be a 5-star read.

One person found this helpful

Kindle Customer

New and interesting plot. Plausible characters. No preppers or super soldiers, just intelligent people using common sense.

Reviewed in Australia on July 26, 2018

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Though it was fortuitous that Cole had just inherited an island. Good first novel. Hope the future books in the series develop the characters and balance good experiences with the bad. And we see how they adjust to living off the land, rather than become dirge of set backs.

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From the Publisher

Swine Flu didn't scare former epidemiologist Cole Evans. Ebola didn't frighten him either. Sympatico Syndrome terrified him.

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