Book Review-Older Books 25

Review—Whiteout by ken Follett

Whiteout, by Ken Follett.  Published by Dutton, Penguin Group, Inc., December 2004, 374 pgs. 

The story begins in Scotland, at Oxenford Medical, a drug research company.  They try to find cures for deadly viruses, and now one of the containers of their most deadly virus is missing.  Toni Gallo is the head of security, and she tracks it down to an employee, who is found with the virus and a missing animal.

Toni had once been a police officer, who had been forced to resign.  She was living with her partner at the time and he left her abruptly without any support.  She now has to deal with him again, to protect the public and control the media frenzy if this gets out.  So far it is contained.

Stanley Oxenford if the head of this company and though Toni fears the loss of her job, he assures her it is safe, as they determine how through all of the security measures in place this event occurred.  They handle the media, after a leak occurred, and the resultant demonstrator’s camp on the lawn.  The situation seems to be taken care of, new and strengthened security in place.  They all head off to a Christmas weekend, hoping that the situation is resolved.

Toni and Stanley or on the fringes of beginning a relationship and his grown children make their feelings known.  Stanley’s son has gotten involved with some unsavory people who want a sample of the virus and his anger at his father over several issues lead him to help them, regardless of the consequences.  The worst storm to hit the area has occurred and they get snowed in at his father’s house, with the deadly virus in their grasp.  A family matter keeps Toni away from her trip for the holidays, and in the area.  She is notified of the theft and pulls strings to get help, and hopefully contain the situation.  She heads to Stanley’s unaware of the danger and knows that help from the local police may not be in time, if needed.

Ken Follett makes Whiteout an intriguing mix of relationships, danger and excitement.  His characters have the usual emotions combined with the threats of what such extreme situations can show in each person’s character. Several of them weather it quite well, while others falter.