This was a dark tale that felt all too real considering what the world recently went through with the pandemic. It felt like this wasn't too far fetched.
I loved the characters and how everything played out. Well written and well paced. I'll look for more by this author

This is the third book in an absolutely fabulous series and it's just as good as the first two. Nik Byron is a multi-faceted character who is empathetic and intriguing. I love the investigative journalism and the setting of DC. That it deals with vaccine=related crimes is timely and thought-provoking. I already can't wait for number four!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I received this book from the author, his publisher, and the fine folks at NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The story is about what could happen if, during the era of the COVID epidemic, the American government were to use the paranoia that was so rampant during this time as an excuse to develop a zoonotic bio-weapons program.

This continues as Newshound reporter, Nik Byron, begins to investigate why a group of religious fanatics in a remote compound located in Idaho and then progresses as a connection is made to the deaths of a group of prominent virologists who meet their ends in an untimely fashion. Something—or someone—is killing the religious followers and scientists, and Newshound reporter Nik Byron is determined to find out what’s behind the deaths. Could Xion Labs’ top-secret vaccine program be connected? Nik suspects so, but he’s being stonewalled at every turn.

As his investigation continues, Nik finds one last Puck Hall, a resolute, free-spirited young woman and Xion Labs researcher, who is soloing the Appalachian Trail. It’s only when Puck, barely clinging to life after eluding trained killers, crawls out of the wilderness that Nik and a rookie reporter cobble together the nightmarish facts that bring the story into focus.

This is a story that is populated with old-school journalism, double-crossing politicians, black-ops assassins, and government secrets, Black Bird follows Nik Byron on a thrilling investigative journey along the Appalachian Trail, deep into the northern Rocky Mountains, over the Pacific Ocean, and eventually right to the doorstep of the White House.

As a novel, I would easily give this story a solid three and a quarter stars out of five and would be enjoyed by readers who enjoy novels with political intrique.

As with most of my literary ramblings, this are just a few of my five cents worth.

Started this then quit. Plot is pretty ordinary - bad guy biotech company teams up with rogue government agency - to develop horrid viral disease then kills the scientists to keep it quiet. How many of these have we read recently? And the writing is turgid too.