Disappointing, 02 Dec 2008
This book is advertised at an intense investigation thriller. I did not find it much of an investigation or thrilling.

If you like books that are more about political games then you may like this book. The first 60 pages are mainly meetings with politicians and army officials which is supposed to outline the main story.


007 with Brains.... that's Dr Steven Dunbar, 05 Nov 2004
I was lucky I was on vacation, because I got this book Wednesday and just couldn't put it down. The Gulf Conspiracy is just one of those books that you dont know what bit is true and what's fiction. I know some guys that were in the Gulf and I've heard some interesting stories from them. I've read some other books by the author Ken McClure : Wildcard, etc and this character in the books, Steven Dunbar, is some sort of scientific ex-Special Forces action hero like Jack Ryan/ James Bond. He doesn't hang about.

A gripping medical thriller which I guess is the best book I've read for a long long time. Highly recommended, even if you're not on vacation !

McClure`s Best Book To Date, 16 Sep 2004
I`ve read all of Ken McClure`s books, and this is my favourite. Its a slight departure from his usual medical thrillers, as it combines the medical background with political conspiracy, and does this very effectively. It features Dr Steven Dunbar, who has appeared in some of McClure`s previous works. His investigation leads him to the death of a scientist involved in developing a vaccine used on British troops prior to the Gulf War, and also a Gulf veteran, claiming the vaccine has left him with a "Gulf War Syndrome". Dr Dunbar tries to get to the truth of what really went into that vaccine, and why people are prepared to kill to keep it secret.

Although, as with all McClure books, this does have a strong medical background, his easy style of writing ensures that this isn`t overwhelming, and the story flows along nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from begining to end.

The Gulf Conspiracy, 06 Aug 2004
This was the first Ken McClure novel I have read, and I have to record how good a read it was. The subject of Gulf Syndrome is very topical, and the storyline is very believable. It was very difficult separating what is fact, from what is fiction. The last fifty or sixty pages of the book were great, and I could not put the book down till I had finished it. Should be made into a mini series/ TV film. Well worth a read.

Disappointing, 02 Dec 2008
This book is advertised at an intense investigation thriller. I did not find it much of an investigation or thrilling.

If you like books that are more about political games then you may like this book. The first 60 pages are mainly meetings with politicians and army officials which is supposed to outline the main story.


007 with Brains.... that's Dr Steven Dunbar, 05 Nov 2004
I was lucky I was on vacation, because I got this book Wednesday and just couldn't put it down. The Gulf Conspiracy is just one of those books that you dont know what bit is true and what's fiction. I know some guys that were in the Gulf and I've heard some interesting stories from them. I've read some other books by the author Ken McClure : Wildcard, etc and this character in the books, Steven Dunbar, is some sort of scientific ex-Special Forces action hero like Jack Ryan/ James Bond. He doesn't hang about.

A gripping medical thriller which I guess is the best book I've read for a long long time. Highly recommended, even if you're not on vacation !

McClure`s Best Book To Date, 16 Sep 2004
I`ve read all of Ken McClure`s books, and this is my favourite. Its a slight departure from his usual medical thrillers, as it combines the medical background with political conspiracy, and does this very effectively. It features Dr Steven Dunbar, who has appeared in some of McClure`s previous works. His investigation leads him to the death of a scientist involved in developing a vaccine used on British troops prior to the Gulf War, and also a Gulf veteran, claiming the vaccine has left him with a "Gulf War Syndrome". Dr Dunbar tries to get to the truth of what really went into that vaccine, and why people are prepared to kill to keep it secret.

Although, as with all McClure books, this does have a strong medical background, his easy style of writing ensures that this isn`t overwhelming, and the story flows along nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from begining to end.

The Gulf Conspiracy, 06 Aug 2004
This was the first Ken McClure novel I have read, and I have to record how good a read it was. The subject of Gulf Syndrome is very topical, and the storyline is very believable. It was very difficult separating what is fact, from what is fiction. The last fifty or sixty pages of the book were great, and I could not put the book down till I had finished it. Should be made into a mini series/ TV film. Well worth a read.

A Modern Novelist, 30 Aug 2005
What I found exceptional and plausible about this book was that it debunked conclusively cosy notions about Jane Austen as a proto-Romantic and "Persuasion" as a turning point in her moral thinking. Marilyn Butler sees her for what she was: a political and moral conservative. But what Butler exposes so clearly is her radical and original approach to narrative and the novel. The changing lens of her narrative perspective - from totally detached to infiltrated into one character - is streets ahead of her time. We begin to see how decades later someone can write "Madame Bovary" or "To the Lighthouse".

See Austen in a very different light., 17 Jan 2003
If you love Jane Austen, you should read this. It's a rather polemical presentation of her as a politically motivated writer, but don't let that put you off: even if you don't agree with the idea, it will add so much richness, context and depth to your enjoyment of the novels that it's definitely worth it.

Disappointing, 02 Dec 2008
This book is advertised at an intense investigation thriller. I did not find it much of an investigation or thrilling.

If you like books that are more about political games then you may like this book. The first 60 pages are mainly meetings with politicians and army officials which is supposed to outline the main story.


007 with Brains.... that's Dr Steven Dunbar, 05 Nov 2004
I was lucky I was on vacation, because I got this book Wednesday and just couldn't put it down. The Gulf Conspiracy is just one of those books that you dont know what bit is true and what's fiction. I know some guys that were in the Gulf and I've heard some interesting stories from them. I've read some other books by the author Ken McClure : Wildcard, etc and this character in the books, Steven Dunbar, is some sort of scientific ex-Special Forces action hero like Jack Ryan/ James Bond. He doesn't hang about.

A gripping medical thriller which I guess is the best book I've read for a long long time. Highly recommended, even if you're not on vacation !

McClure`s Best Book To Date, 16 Sep 2004
I`ve read all of Ken McClure`s books, and this is my favourite. Its a slight departure from his usual medical thrillers, as it combines the medical background with political conspiracy, and does this very effectively. It features Dr Steven Dunbar, who has appeared in some of McClure`s previous works. His investigation leads him to the death of a scientist involved in developing a vaccine used on British troops prior to the Gulf War, and also a Gulf veteran, claiming the vaccine has left him with a "Gulf War Syndrome". Dr Dunbar tries to get to the truth of what really went into that vaccine, and why people are prepared to kill to keep it secret.

Although, as with all McClure books, this does have a strong medical background, his easy style of writing ensures that this isn`t overwhelming, and the story flows along nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from begining to end.

The Gulf Conspiracy, 06 Aug 2004
This was the first Ken McClure novel I have read, and I have to record how good a read it was. The subject of Gulf Syndrome is very topical, and the storyline is very believable. It was very difficult separating what is fact, from what is fiction. The last fifty or sixty pages of the book were great, and I could not put the book down till I had finished it. Should be made into a mini series/ TV film. Well worth a read.

A Modern Novelist, 30 Aug 2005
What I found exceptional and plausible about this book was that it debunked conclusively cosy notions about Jane Austen as a proto-Romantic and "Persuasion" as a turning point in her moral thinking. Marilyn Butler sees her for what she was: a political and moral conservative. But what Butler exposes so clearly is her radical and original approach to narrative and the novel. The changing lens of her narrative perspective - from totally detached to infiltrated into one character - is streets ahead of her time. We begin to see how decades later someone can write "Madame Bovary" or "To the Lighthouse".

See Austen in a very different light., 17 Jan 2003
If you love Jane Austen, you should read this. It's a rather polemical presentation of her as a politically motivated writer, but don't let that put you off: even if you don't agree with the idea, it will add so much richness, context and depth to your enjoyment of the novels that it's definitely worth it.

Resonant stories that stay with you, 18 Mar 2006
Although this is a collection of short stories, the voice remains constant and so it feels like glimpses into the life of one person. Although some of the stories have terrible and haunting tragedies at their core, the narrator brings her wit, her kindness and her questioning nature into the stories so that you become completely drawn in, and care very much about the characters. This is a lovely book, easily read but not easily forgotten.

Indefinite Nights, 25 Jun 2004
Sharply observed, blackly comic stories of hospital life, described with a mordant humour that underlies their horror.

superb stories - read them, 09 Jun 2004
Patricia Ferguson has a new novel out, It So Happens (Solidus Press)which prompted me to look up her backlist. Shockingly, this is the only book featured. It contains some of the best shrot-stories ever written around a theme of medicine - the author is a nurse - and the title story about nursing a terminally ill pop-singer is one Susan Hill included in her Best Short Stories by Women.
This author is a superb writer, a little reminscent of Muriel Spark, and more so in It So Happens (set in a nursing home). Funny, disquieting, humane she deserves a place on every literate person's shelves.

Disappointing, 02 Dec 2008
This book is advertised at an intense investigation thriller. I did not find it much of an investigation or thrilling.

If you like books that are more about political games then you may like this book. The first 60 pages are mainly meetings with politicians and army officials which is supposed to outline the main story.


007 with Brains.... that's Dr Steven Dunbar, 05 Nov 2004
I was lucky I was on vacation, because I got this book Wednesday and just couldn't put it down. The Gulf Conspiracy is just one of those books that you dont know what bit is true and what's fiction. I know some guys that were in the Gulf and I've heard some interesting stories from them. I've read some other books by the author Ken McClure : Wildcard, etc and this character in the books, Steven Dunbar, is some sort of scientific ex-Special Forces action hero like Jack Ryan/ James Bond. He doesn't hang about.

A gripping medical thriller which I guess is the best book I've read for a long long time. Highly recommended, even if you're not on vacation !

McClure`s Best Book To Date, 16 Sep 2004
I`ve read all of Ken McClure`s books, and this is my favourite. Its a slight departure from his usual medical thrillers, as it combines the medical background with political conspiracy, and does this very effectively. It features Dr Steven Dunbar, who has appeared in some of McClure`s previous works. His investigation leads him to the death of a scientist involved in developing a vaccine used on British troops prior to the Gulf War, and also a Gulf veteran, claiming the vaccine has left him with a "Gulf War Syndrome". Dr Dunbar tries to get to the truth of what really went into that vaccine, and why people are prepared to kill to keep it secret.

Although, as with all McClure books, this does have a strong medical background, his easy style of writing ensures that this isn`t overwhelming, and the story flows along nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from begining to end.

The Gulf Conspiracy, 06 Aug 2004
This was the first Ken McClure novel I have read, and I have to record how good a read it was. The subject of Gulf Syndrome is very topical, and the storyline is very believable. It was very difficult separating what is fact, from what is fiction. The last fifty or sixty pages of the book were great, and I could not put the book down till I had finished it. Should be made into a mini series/ TV film. Well worth a read.

A Modern Novelist, 30 Aug 2005
What I found exceptional and plausible about this book was that it debunked conclusively cosy notions about Jane Austen as a proto-Romantic and "Persuasion" as a turning point in her moral thinking. Marilyn Butler sees her for what she was: a political and moral conservative. But what Butler exposes so clearly is her radical and original approach to narrative and the novel. The changing lens of her narrative perspective - from totally detached to infiltrated into one character - is streets ahead of her time. We begin to see how decades later someone can write "Madame Bovary" or "To the Lighthouse".

See Austen in a very different light., 17 Jan 2003
If you love Jane Austen, you should read this. It's a rather polemical presentation of her as a politically motivated writer, but don't let that put you off: even if you don't agree with the idea, it will add so much richness, context and depth to your enjoyment of the novels that it's definitely worth it.

Resonant stories that stay with you, 18 Mar 2006
Although this is a collection of short stories, the voice remains constant and so it feels like glimpses into the life of one person. Although some of the stories have terrible and haunting tragedies at their core, the narrator brings her wit, her kindness and her questioning nature into the stories so that you become completely drawn in, and care very much about the characters. This is a lovely book, easily read but not easily forgotten.

Indefinite Nights, 25 Jun 2004
Sharply observed, blackly comic stories of hospital life, described with a mordant humour that underlies their horror.

superb stories - read them, 09 Jun 2004
Patricia Ferguson has a new novel out, It So Happens (Solidus Press)which prompted me to look up her backlist. Shockingly, this is the only book featured. It contains some of the best shrot-stories ever written around a theme of medicine - the author is a nurse - and the title story about nursing a terminally ill pop-singer is one Susan Hill included in her Best Short Stories by Women.
This author is a superb writer, a little reminscent of Muriel Spark, and more so in It So Happens (set in a nursing home). Funny, disquieting, humane she deserves a place on every literate person's shelves.

Something Wicked!, 24 Mar 2008
Very enjoyable. The authors introduction about the book was spot on! I found it very interesting and educational and at the same time it drew me in to each story. The title story about a pandemic was chilling.
Don't read if you are easily frightened, i mean it.

Disappointing, 02 Dec 2008
This book is advertised at an intense investigation thriller. I did not find it much of an investigation or thrilling.

If you like books that are more about political games then you may like this book. The first 60 pages are mainly meetings with politicians and army officials which is supposed to outline the main story.


007 with Brains.... that's Dr Steven Dunbar, 05 Nov 2004
I was lucky I was on vacation, because I got this book Wednesday and just couldn't put it down. The Gulf Conspiracy is just one of those books that you dont know what bit is true and what's fiction. I know some guys that were in the Gulf and I've heard some interesting stories from them. I've read some other books by the author Ken McClure : Wildcard, etc and this character in the books, Steven Dunbar, is some sort of scientific ex-Special Forces action hero like Jack Ryan/ James Bond. He doesn't hang about.

A gripping medical thriller which I guess is the best book I've read for a long long time. Highly recommended, even if you're not on vacation !

McClure`s Best Book To Date, 16 Sep 2004
I`ve read all of Ken McClure`s books, and this is my favourite. Its a slight departure from his usual medical thrillers, as it combines the medical background with political conspiracy, and does this very effectively. It features Dr Steven Dunbar, who has appeared in some of McClure`s previous works. His investigation leads him to the death of a scientist involved in developing a vaccine used on British troops prior to the Gulf War, and also a Gulf veteran, claiming the vaccine has left him with a "Gulf War Syndrome". Dr Dunbar tries to get to the truth of what really went into that vaccine, and why people are prepared to kill to keep it secret.

Although, as with all McClure books, this does have a strong medical background, his easy style of writing ensures that this isn`t overwhelming, and the story flows along nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from begining to end.

The Gulf Conspiracy, 06 Aug 2004
This was the first Ken McClure novel I have read, and I have to record how good a read it was. The subject of Gulf Syndrome is very topical, and the storyline is very believable. It was very difficult separating what is fact, from what is fiction. The last fifty or sixty pages of the book were great, and I could not put the book down till I had finished it. Should be made into a mini series/ TV film. Well worth a read.

A Modern Novelist, 30 Aug 2005
What I found exceptional and plausible about this book was that it debunked conclusively cosy notions about Jane Austen as a proto-Romantic and "Persuasion" as a turning point in her moral thinking. Marilyn Butler sees her for what she was: a political and moral conservative. But what Butler exposes so clearly is her radical and original approach to narrative and the novel. The changing lens of her narrative perspective - from totally detached to infiltrated into one character - is streets ahead of her time. We begin to see how decades later someone can write "Madame Bovary" or "To the Lighthouse".

See Austen in a very different light., 17 Jan 2003
If you love Jane Austen, you should read this. It's a rather polemical presentation of her as a politically motivated writer, but don't let that put you off: even if you don't agree with the idea, it will add so much richness, context and depth to your enjoyment of the novels that it's definitely worth it.

Resonant stories that stay with you, 18 Mar 2006
Although this is a collection of short stories, the voice remains constant and so it feels like glimpses into the life of one person. Although some of the stories have terrible and haunting tragedies at their core, the narrator brings her wit, her kindness and her questioning nature into the stories so that you become completely drawn in, and care very much about the characters. This is a lovely book, easily read but not easily forgotten.

Indefinite Nights, 25 Jun 2004
Sharply observed, blackly comic stories of hospital life, described with a mordant humour that underlies their horror.

superb stories - read them, 09 Jun 2004
Patricia Ferguson has a new novel out, It So Happens (Solidus Press)which prompted me to look up her backlist. Shockingly, this is the only book featured. It contains some of the best shrot-stories ever written around a theme of medicine - the author is a nurse - and the title story about nursing a terminally ill pop-singer is one Susan Hill included in her Best Short Stories by Women.
This author is a superb writer, a little reminscent of Muriel Spark, and more so in It So Happens (set in a nursing home). Funny, disquieting, humane she deserves a place on every literate person's shelves.

Something Wicked!, 24 Mar 2008
Very enjoyable. The authors introduction about the book was spot on! I found it very interesting and educational and at the same time it drew me in to each story. The title story about a pandemic was chilling.
Don't read if you are easily frightened, i mean it.

Almost funny, 21 Oct 2008
A young intern is sent by a surgeon to spy on his brother, the painter. The Painter has chosen to live in a pestilential town, in an inn where the landlady serves food supplied by the town knacker. It's winter but rather than beautiful snowfields and mountains there's a cold that freezes animals grotesquely. Summer would have been no better because then it's a malarial swamp. The children who survive disease are backward and ugly while the child graves are neglected by their parents.

The Intern records the complaints and judgments of the Painter which reveal that everything in a dreadful place is getting worse. The exaggeration is almost comical. Even when the Painter describes another town he says: "The place was bland and claustrophobic like all mountain towns. It was near the source of a river that turns north, where it's a little less bleak". The story is written with humour, but in the end the effect of place and the characters, who are in some way archetypal -- The Surgeon, the Painter, the Engineer, the Knacker, the Landlady -- is overwhelming but quite brilliant.