Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian Reviewed on March 24, 2020 (2.5 stars rounded up)

This is author, Chris Bohjalian book #12 for me. I was a bit nervous about all the hype for this novel. I really liked [book: The Flight Attendant] but there have been a few that were very disturbing reads. My favorites were two earlier novels [book: The Midwives] and [book: the Double Bind] and yes [book: The Flight Attendant].
I struggled with this one. Not saying it was bad ~ just saying it didn’t work for me: perhaps since we are currently dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, this was too close.

BTW: I always enjoy reading the Author Notes or Acknowledgements at the end if a novel, There is no doubt that Chris Bohjalian does his homework.

I certainly look forward to his next novel.
This is not the first novel that didn’t click for me. I believe that is one of his strong points. He appeals to many readers who have different reading genres….He can never be accused of “Formula Writing”!

Want to thank NetGalley and Publisher Doubleday Books for this early release granted to me in exchange for an honest review.

Maybe this was the wrong time to be reading a book about potential bioterrorism using an extremely deadly pathogen ;). Bohjalian tells the story of Alexis, an ER doctor whose boyfriend Austin goes missing on a bike trip to Vietnam. While processing his absence and eventual death, she finds a lot of holes in the information that he gave to her while planning the trip. What is her boyfriend involved in and what is his real reason for wanting to travel to Japan? This started out a little slowly for me but I rapidly got invested in the crime investigation part of the story. Alexis was a very smart character, albeit a little cold.
Thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the ARC in return for my honest review.

This book, with its plot delving into a potentially brewing pandemic was too uncomfortable to read since we are dealing with a very real and unprecedented situation. I'm sorry but I just could not get through it and hope to get to it when life calms down.

Thank you for the galley. I very much appreciate it.

Alexis is an ER physician. She meets Austin in the ER and they start dating. They end up on a bike tour of Vietnam. Austin disappears. This starts a whole investigation which leads to a revelation like no other!

Alexis is not to be stopped. When Austin turns up missing, she is determined to find out what happened. She hires a private investigator and he uncovers some amazing truths.

I enjoy Chris’ books. They are slow burns. Sometimes you need a change of pace. He can weave a tale and then slowly unravel it. This is one of those books.

I enjoyed the scenery and the historical perspectives about Vietnam. Plus the science…I am a science nerd and this book hit the spot! And the characters help create such a unique story..and at this day and time..it’s almost a little too real.

Need a slow burn….oh boy! You will not be disappointed with this one!

Chris Bohjalian explores the delicate nature of human survival in his latest novel The Red Lotus. A tale of antibiotic resistant contagions, epidemics and the horrors of biological weapons, this book will have you cheering exterminators as the greatest heroes of our time.

They work in the same building but it takes a shooting for Alexis and Austin to meet. When Austin, sporting a minor gunshot wound, comes into the emergency room where Alexis is a physician, she is surprised to learn that he has a job with the hospital’s chief development officer raising money. It would have seemed more likely to meet a colleague in the cafeteria than the ER but the two quickly develop a camaraderie. Before long they are dating and at the end of six months, Alexis believes they are moving towards something serious. Austin seems to think so too; he is trying to get Alexis hooked on his own obsession, biking. To that end he arranges a multi-purpose excursion for them to Vietnam with a bike tour that will be near to where his father and uncle fought in the war. He plans to take a solo jaunt to the battlefield where his uncle was killed and the location where his father was wounded while there. Alexis plans to spend that time sipping wine and catching up on her reading by the hotel pool and that’s exactly what she does when the moment arrives. But as the day slowly slips into evening, she grows increasingly worried. She isn’t able to raise Austin on the phone, it is hours past when he said he would be back and he is in a foreign county, in unfamiliar terrain and with little knowledge of the local language. After a bit of pushing she is able to convince their tour guide to take her out in the company van so they can search the roads Austin was intending to take. They find only one flimsy clue of his presence on the route: a bright yellow energy gel dropped in the middle of the road.

With only that piece of evidence to guide them, Alexis calls the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, who in turn involve the Vientamese police in the form of Captain Quang Nguyen. It doesn’t take the police long to discover Austin’s body. Alexis is numb as she goes through the motions of identifying him and arranging for transport of herself and Autistin’s remains back to America. She makes the return trip to New York in something of a fog but she doesn’t stay that way for long. She quickly learns that Austin had been lying to her and to his colleagues at the hospital about his family’s military history. Even as she tries to come to terms with that, an examination of the photos she had taken of his corpse before leaving Vietnam leads to her becoming obsessed with identifying some rather suspicious wounds on his body that wouldn’t have come from a collision with an SUV, which is the official cause of death. Determined to find answers regarding what actually happened, Alexis hires retired cop-turned private investigator Ken Sarafian and the two begin a hunt for the truth. Meanwhile, Captain Nguyen has questions of his own about the car accident that supposedly killed the young American and his continued investigation into the incident quickly turns deadly.

The reader knows what happened to Austin long before Alexis, Ken and Captain Nguyen figure it out. In the second chapter of the book, we are introduced to Douglas, an arms dealer, who snatches Austin off the street. We are also, over the course of the next few chapters, guided through just what Austin is actually up to in Vietnam and Douglas’s role in all of it. And finally, we are treated to numerous chapters – written in italics and penned by a nameless narrator – telling us how dangerous rats and the contagions they carry are. It doesn’t take more than the first hundred pages to put everything together. This isn’t so much a mystery as it is a race against the clock; the primary question of the narrative is will Alexis, Ken and Nguyen be able to counter what Austin set in motion before Douglas brings an end to their investigation.

I can’t say that I really cared and a large part of that is because I was the wrong audience for this book. I enjoy puzzling out the clues in a good thriller but while The Red Lotus’ blurb seemed to promise a mystery, the fact that the reader knows all the answers almost from the beginning kept the novel from being a genuine whodunit. As stated before, this is more of a mad scramble to save the world and given the real life dangers humanity is facing right now, I couldn’t get very invested in this artificial one. Additionally, in a world constantly battling to avert a naturally occurring pandemic I was bemused by people who would seek to manufacture one. And finally, I found all the information about rats, which took up a decent amount of page space, repulsive and a bit redundant. Everyone knows they are disease carriers; we don’t need the details on how and why.#

I spent more time baffled by Alexis than sympathetic towards her. She never really grieved Austin, but was consumed by a desire to discover why he told some rather innocuous lies. That seemed nonsensical to me, especially given how distant their relationship was. They weren’t living together, she didn’t have a key to his apartment, she didn’t know his friends, family or life history. Her investment in his death seemed to far outweigh her involvement in his life. I also felt like I never got to know Alexis; aside from a brief account of her mental history and fraught relationship with her mother, the author doesn’t give us much information about her. She felt more like a tool, a catalyst to keep the plot going, than a character.

To be fair, there are a lot of positives to the story. Captain Nguyen and Ken are charming, intriguing figures whose work unraveling the conundrum of Austin is fascinating. I couldn’t help but wish we had gotten more time with them. I was also fascinated by Alexis’s mother; we received a glimpse of her toward the end of the novel and I was intrigued by what I saw. Additionally, the author is an experienced writer whose smooth prose makes it easy to turn the pages; I might not have been riveted by the narrative but it wasn’t a chore to read it.

I think that a fan of disaster films and/or medical thrillers will probably enjoy The Red Lotus more than I did. I would recommend it to that audience.

I cannot believe I chose to read this book at this time....during the Coronavirus!!! I started reading it got totally hooked and then not quite halfway through it becomes very clear that it was about biologically spreading of a virus. How strange that book is published on March 17, 2020 - just when the Virus is really starting to spread in the US! Not because of the topic, but this isn't one of Bohjalian's best books.

All Netgalley readers, stay safe & well & enjoying catching up on your reading!

While on a bicycle trip to Vietnam, ER doctor Alexis’ boyfriend goes missing and is found days later the victim of an apparent accident. But, some things don’t make sense and soon she hires a private investigator back home in New York to look into it.

Well written, with strong character development, this thriller moves along at a good pace and had me holding my breath at times. Without giving away more of the plot, I will just say….how appropriate for our times!

Spoiler alert/Warning: If rats make you queasy, be prepared!

A very readable book, but perhaps with the current COVID-19 pandemic it is a little too frightening to read. ER Doctor Alexis and her boyfriend who works in the marketing division of her hospital go to Vietnam for a biking holiday. While there her boyfriend dies in what looks like a suspicious mountain accident. Returning to New York City, Alexis engages the help of a PI who is a retired cop. It turns out the death of her boyfriend is horribly sinister and involves the secret selling of a new strain of plague. Please remember that in my reviewing, three stars is perfectly acceptable reading. The more I read the more I save my 4 and 5 star reviews for outstanding reading.

This was a DNF for me. I had high hopes going into it with all the mystery and their intriguing beginning. But unfortunately, the first few chapters felt to chaotic and scattered. I wasn't sure what was going on and it felt a little repetitive in the writing style. So I ended up putting this one down.

"Let’s face it, in all of human history, the most effective delivery vehicle for mass death ever to exist on earth has been— wait for it— the rat."

This was a different type of deadly disease story. It's a cautionary tale of the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam and its effects on living creatures. I've read books by author Bohjalian before but have found the writing uneven - and it was in this one too.

The action alternates between Vietnam and New York City. It is also told from different points of view.

The main protagonist is Dr. Alexis Remnick, emergency room doctor in a NYC university hospital. She's been seeing her boyfriend, Austin Harper, for a few months now. She first meets him when he comes into the ER to be treated for a gunshot wound. She finds out he works in the development department of the same hospital she works for.

They head to Vietnam for a biking vacation (Austin is an avid bicyclist) and Austin disappears on a solo ride.

As Alexis starts to look into his disappearance, she finds that Austin has been lying to her during their entire relationship and has some deadly secrets.

This was an okay book. Some of it was scary (especially during this time of COVID-19), some farfetched, some tedious.

I received this book from Doubleday Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

Alexis had met her current boyfriend, Austin, when he was brought to the ER where she was an attending physician with a minor gunshot wound (if there is such a thing!). Now six months later, they are in Vietnam on a biking tour when Austin decides to go on a ride by himself. When he doesn’t return on time, Alexis alerts the authorities, but to no avail as his body is found the next day, the apparent cause being a hit-and-run driver. But Alexis does quite accept that story, as when she had gone out on her own to search for him along the biking route, she had come upon some clues that got her mind thinking about why they went to Vietnam in the first place and what might really have happened to Austin. Upon her return, she meets and hires a private detective to help her find out what really happened to Austin. The answers to her search will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I was very excited to be approved to read the ARC of Bohjalian’s latest novel and it did not disappoint in any way. I have read several of his books in the past, always rating them 4 to 5 stars, until the last one, which I did not finish (something I rarely do) so was worried that he has lost his touch. The Red Lotus dispelled any thoughts of that! Thanks to Doubleday and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book really hit on a lot of issues similar to what we are facing in today's society. I thought the part about the rats was really different and interesting. I liked Alexis, she was a strong person and really wanted to know the truth even if it soiled her memories of Austin. The book seemed like it was going the way of searching for Austin in Vietnam and then turned once Alexis returned to NY into solving a crime, instead of learning to deal with an accident. It really makes you think about rats differently in this uncertain time.

This was the first Chris Bohjalian book that I've ever read and I really enjoyed it. I liked that there was first person narration inbetween third person. It really made me think everytime I'd read it, by the end, I finally figured out who it was and how everything was tied together. Alexis and Austin dated for 6 months, which is quite a bit of time to date someone, but you really never seem to know anyone. Everything seemed so good with their relationship, but there was a lot that Austin hid. I loved the history that was thrown in but I wish some of the characters were developed a little more. It seemed kind of rushed at some points.

The Red Lotus was a good read but also slightly terrifying considering what is happening in the world right now.

I enjoyed this book more when I finished it than while I was reading it. While it was a bit predictable the ending was more like early Robin Cook. Alexis Remnick, an ER doctor, went with her boyfriend Austin Harper on a bicycling trip to Vietnam so he could visit the place where his uncle had died and his father had been shot. Only Alexis discovers he was lying. He never returns from his cycling and his body is soon discovered, a victim of a hit and run. Case closed, except Alexis can't help but feel that he was murdered. She returns to the US, hires a PI and begins to dig into the case on her own. With the help of a policeman from Vietnam they finally figure out what was going on, just in the nick of time. Like I said, a bit predictable. The author evidently did much research on Vietnam, the beautiful countryside, its people, and the war. It was well written with well developed, if slowly developed characters. Alex seemed to be a typical thriller character whom the reader can't help but think should be a little smarter. It wasn't a book that I couldn't put put down but it was enjoyable. I didn't think it was as good as The Flight Attendant. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. I suppose I'm discovering that I don't love these super-intense, high-octane thrillers that don't let up for a moment (The Last Widow, No Bad Deed, etc.) - I am discovering that I prefer more slow burn, psychological thrillers. That being said, this book is intended to be a fast-paced, intense thriller starting from the very beginning, when Alexis discovers that Austin is missing on their bike tour of Vietnam - but the execution fell a bit flat. The pacing felt very off to me: most of the book dragged and was far more about Alexis's inner conflict and thoughts - she wasn't a very likable character to begin with, and all this time spent with her didn't make me like her any more - and then certain parts sped up to a mile a minute. It was hard for me to get to the 75-80% mark where the book finally feels like it gains speed - I wish the pacing was more evenly spaced. Overall, this one was not a winner for me, but given the acclaim on many of Bohjalian's other works like The Flight Attendant, I will look forward to picking up his next work. Thanks so much to Doubleday for the advanced copy.

The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian is a modern murder mystery set in Vietnam and America. Bohjalian introduces a thrilling story about a research scientist on the verge of discovering the bridge between rats and pandemics across the country. This story takes readers through the beautiful countryside of Vietnam on a bike tour to the research labs in NYC in hope of solving the death of Austin Harper. This thrilling novel engages readers to the last page.

QUICK TAKE: went into this one with zero expectations and was pleasantly surprised. what you think is a missing person mystery quickly transitions into a global conspiracy thriller. The characters are sharp and well-written and the book moves at a quick clip. Fair warning: rats play a prominent role in the story, so if you're turned off by that, I'd avoid this one. Otherwise, definitely worth checking out!

I am absolutely astounded at how creepily timely and relevant "The red Lotus" is. This book will keep you guessing (and shivering from the heebie jeebies) the whole way through. This book has murder, international intrigue, plagues, pandemics, underhanded lab workers, nosy private detectives, and overbearing mothers!
What a time to publish this book! Ive been turning off the news to get a break from virus and germs, but here it is!
Somehow, this book makes these topics more palatable than than what's going on in the real world.

Clearly, the author followed up "The Flight Attendant" with another fantastic mystery novel. I love Alexis. The author really nailed the bedside manner, or lack thereof, of an ER doctor. Her reactions to certain things were not what you would expect, but when you think about how she's an ER doctor who's trained to suppress her emotions, it makes sense. Her constant digging into the mystery of her boyfriend really showcases her training and skills as a diagnostician. Excellent character.

I loved this book, notwithstanding how creeped out I was.

(4.5) Boy! Is this timely or what? The Red Lotus was a pretty intense read. I thought it was very well written and the plot was incredible, twisty and thrilling. It did have a slightly slow start but the pace certainly picked up about half-way. I didn't want to put it down but unfortunately had many interruptions while reading this. When I finally made it to the end, I was not disappointed. I think this book will be one of my favorites of Chris Bohjalian. Well done.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

Well, I must say, Bohjalian's newest title certainly hit the shelves at an opportune time as far as its fictional subject somewhat reflecting today's state of affairs! It reads almost like a possible prequel to the daily dramas as more and more stores join restaurants in closing for a time. In the same vein as The Flight Attendant, this is a thriller with a bit more of a literary slant with slower pacing and more emphasis on the characters. Alexis is the main character, an accomplished ER doctor at a university hospital in NYC. When she meets and starts dating a biking enthusiast, Austin, they take a trip to bike parts of Vietnam - a tour that changes both of their lives forever. With multiple narrators, and the setting split between Vietnam and NYC, there is actually a lot crammed in here - from grief, self-harm, the legacies of the Vietnam War, rats and the dangers of a plague-like pathogen.

Of course, it is this latter portion of the plot that really makes this such a timely novel. And I think readers who aren't looking for much of an escape from the news will really embrace this one - the first of I am sure many fictional representations with this sort of topic. I wish that I had felt more connected to the characters - Alexis in particular is quite isolated and never questions that her boyfriend of over six months similarly seems to do little else but work and bike. The beginning moves a bit too slowly, for me, too. The basic elements of a good story are all here though - maybe I was just looking for something a little bit more removed from the news. I never found myself disliking this one - Bohjalian remains a go-to-author me. I just wouldn't call this one of his stronger novels.