The Satan Bug by Alistair MacLean

Another old friend that I got reacquainted with this last week and it was such a pleasure reading this book. While this is a thriller, it has not been set during any war time as such. The plot starts with Cavell, a private detective, being contacted by someone who wants him to courier a package to Europe. This package supposedly had a vaccine to the most virulent bug created by a research lab, which could protect people should this bug be used as a weapon for bio warfare.

This bug that has the potential to wipe out all life on earth has been created by the Mordon Laboratories under the auspices of the defence department. This would be the ultimate lever for peace in the cold war. Cavell used to be the head of security there, before he had to resign. As the story progresses we find that Cavell has to return to the research lab to investigate the murder of his friend and successor at the lab. The head researcher is also missing and getting into the lab where the most dangerous of bugs, the botulism and Satan bug, are being researched on had become imperative. What if this is a communist plot to steal the Satan bug and thus change the balance of power?

If it is not the communist then who could be mad enough to steal it? What is the gain from holding the government at ransom of complete destruction of the lab? Cavell is working with the government to thwart this plot but can he work fast enough, as the deadlines to release the Satan bug are very tight? He is convinced that this is an inside job and that the supposed break in through the perimeter defence was just a red herring. The pool of suspect surely lies within those working in that specific lab? It is a matter of meticulous interviewing and background plus financial checks of each individual to get to the villain of the story but all this takes time. Cavell works round the clock without sleep and in adverse conditions to get to the bottom of this mystery.

It is quite interesting the number of times you think that you have got to grips with the crux of the plot only to have it turn into something else. It was hard to put the book down and I read it as fast as I could to get to the resolution of the problem. I shall read it again in a few weeks to get the fine details of the plot. I would certainly hope others read this good story.