Review: Panacea by F. Paul Wilson

Author: F. Paul Wilson
Pulisher: Tor Books
Date of publication: July 2016

Two secret societies vie for control of the ultimate medical miracle--Panacea--in the latest novel by New York Times bestselling author F. Paul Wilson. 

Medical examiner Laura Hanning has two charred corpses and no answers. Both bear a mysterious tattoo but exhibit no known cause of death. Their only connection to one another is a string of puzzling miracle cures. Her preliminary investigation points to a cult that possesses the fabled panacea--the substance that can cure all ills--but that's impossible.

Laura finds herself enmeshed in an ancient conflict between the secretive keepers of the panacea and the equally secretive and far more deadly group known only as 536, a brotherhood that fervently believes God intended for humanity to suffer, not be cured. Laura doesn't believe in the panacea, but that doesn't prevent the agents of 536 from trying to kill her.

A reclusive, terminally ill billionaire hires Laura to research the possibility that such a cure exists. The billionaire's own body guard, Rick Hayden, a mercenary who isn't who he pretends to be, has to keep her alive as they race to find the legendary panacea before the agents of 536 can destroy it. 

Panacea recently popped up on my library's Overdrive site.  After finishing the book, I am really glad I gave it a chance. Panacea is the first in a trilogy, with the third book having been recently released. Naturally. I wanted to start at the beginning. The story follows Laura, a medical examiner, who gets swept up in the hunt for a miracle drug that cures any illness.  A rich terminally ill recluse hires Laura to team up with a secretive body guard, Rick to find the cure.  

I really enjoyed the book.  It was a little confusing in the beginning, because I wasn't too sure what was going on.  However by about 25% in, things began to come together to make more sense.  So definitely stick with it.  I loved Laura and Rick as a team. They had great chemistry and fun banter.  This is a  well laid out and really fast paced adventure.  I was engaged through the entire book.  I will have a review of the second and third books, The God Gene and The Void Protocol, in the coming weeks.  If you are a fan of mysterious adventures, I definitely recommend this one!