A strong follow up to Webb's first novel, Trigger. Kate, and ER doctor and Andy, RCMP officer, are back - and still dealing with some of the emotional fallout from the events of Trigger. In this novel, there's a viral outbreak in a wealthy community outside of Vancouver and Kate and Andy investigate the cause and how to stop it from spreading into a pandemic. Nicely paced and full of suspense, Pathogen isn't as heart stopping as Trigger, but it definitely ratchets up the thrills. Webb continues to develop Kate and Andy's characters as they deal with both the external threats as well as their relationship and they feel more real and engaging in this one. A good read. PS: Big shout out to the Canadian setting - true patriot love and all that. :)

*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is recommended 18+

In this second entry into the Kate Morrison Mystery Series, Dr. Morrison is tapped to solve a mystery surrounding a deadly viral outbreak in a rich little town called Hidden Valley. Working with her girlfriend; Sargent Andy Wyles, Kate scrambles to simultaneously treat her patients, find out how to stop the virus, deal with demanding rich people, and navigate her new relationship with Andy.

This is not the type of book I usually pick up as medical thrillers just aren't my thing but this time I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I found the collection of smart, capable people to be a relief. There are ill meaning characters and a pretty annoying bully but nobody working to solve this problem is grossly incompetent. Sometimes a stupid character will be used for plot purposes but not here.

Andy and Kate are a true power couple; quick thinking, intuitive, and well-developed but I do feel I would have needed to read the first book to get the full impact of what happens between them. This is especially evident in the ending (which I will not spoil) where the combined events and stresses of both books impact the ending. And as this is an LGBT novel, there is a little smut but the soul of this book is the medical mystery. It may not be my usual fare but I enjoyed it nonetheless. 3.5 out of 5.

Great continuation from Trigger and in a totally different setting. Almost everything that happened in Pathogen set place in a rather secluded community, yet the author managed to create an equally gripping thriller. You were just reading the book and wondering at every moment "who did this". The ending was a bit unexpected as well after a few twist and turns. Great to see more of Kate and Andy as they are developing their relationship after the events of Trigger. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Where did Jessica Webb come from? This is the second Dr. Kate Morrison book, the first is Trigger and it was amazing. A reader should really read them in order, because they are both fantastic. I would sign up today to read the next 10 books Webb writes. If you read the first two books and are not a little bit in love with Dr. Kate you may not be a lesbian. Webb writes a crazy story. I think about them long after I have finished reading the book. Trigger was one of my favorite reads last year, and this one isn’t far behind it. Little bit of warning though, once you start her books it is really difficult to put them down. Willing to give up sleep, must find out what happens, can’t take a break to load the dishwasher kind of book. The ending in this book! Wow! I really can’t wait until the next book is released. If you haven’t read her books, you are really missing out.