PRAISE
“Readers who crave suspense will get it…(W)ith a pandemic plot, The Red Lotus is both prescient and diverting. Bohjalian specializes in well-researched, topical thrillers with complex plots and flawed but principled heroes.” – The Washington Post
“A tense and timely thriller.” – People Magazine
“[Bohjalian] possesses one of the best-tuned antennas in contemporary fiction for absorbing troubles, forces, terrors, fortunes, and, yes, plagues that turn the world. . .Bohjalian’s plots race at the speed of a 747, but there’s no skimming in the complexity or depth of his subject matter [or] precision of his research.” – Christopher Bollen, Interview
“As always, Bohjalian creates a mesmerizing tale, a timely socio-political-business story with human frailties, illusions, disillusions, and strengths firmly at its center.” – Daneet Steffens, Seattle Review of Books
“Ominous. . .an edge-of-the-seat thriller. . .oh-so-timely.” -Amanda St. Amand, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
“This gripping mystery takes all kinds of thrilling twists and turns. A great read..” -Minneapolis Star-Tribune
“With his usual strong plotting and well-conceived characters, Bohjalian’s story unfolds slowly and with terrific pacing.” — Alan Rosenberg, The Providence Journal
“The Red Lotus has Bohjalian’s characteristic suspense and turn-the-page pacing…It’s a cautionary bio-horror tale a la The Andromeda Strain and The Hot Zone.” — Book Reporter
An “intricately plotted thriller. . .a diabolical plot reminiscent of a Robin Cook thriller. Each character, including secondary players, is carefully drawn, and Bohjalian keeps the tension high all the way to the surprising finale.” — Publishers Weekly
“Deductive reasoning can take you only so far in a thriller as full of surprises as this one. Those who relished the sudden shocks and well-timed twists of Mr. Bohjalian’s 2018 work, The Flight Attendant, should be well-pleased by his latest book, whose unexpected revelations extend to the final sentence.” — Tom Nolan, The Wall Street Journal
“Everything Bohjalian writes is addictive.” — Mackenzie Dawson, The New York Post
“Bohjalian knows how to unveil the perfect mystery. . .Lush descriptions of the landscape offer a striking contrast with the desperate search for a man who goes missing during a bike tour.” — Fiona Davis, Travel & Leisure
“Sure to send a very real chill down your spine. . .a slow burn of a novel that will keep you turning the pages.” — Ray Palen, Criminal Element
“The Red Lotus is a must-read global thriller…Hits Bohjalian’s trademark notes of intricate plot, in-depth research, high tension, and unexpected turns – with a very timely dose of pathogens and biological weapons – in a twisting story of love and deceit.” — Mystery Tribune
“A tightly written, tense, page-turning story. . .Bohjalian knows how to tell a tale — vivid characters, exotic settings, surprise plot twists, and a heart-pounding finale followed by an epilogue that ties it all together.” — Michael F. Epstein, The Bennington Banner
“You’ll keep flipping pages, discover new complex characters, see the mysterious situation from different points of view — and you’ll be surprised at each well-plotted turn.” —Katie Yee, Literary Hub
You “will shiver just a little bit at Bohjalian’s prescience. . .gripping.” —Sharyn Vane, Book and Film Globe
“In this tightly drawn, steadily hair-raising thriller, Bohjalian once again demonstrates his keen affinity for strong, capable female protagonists, while his masterful merging of setting and plot delivers a cerebral and dramatic dive into what happens when love turns to agony.” — Carol Haggas, Booklist
The Red Lotus will “create a nice little knot of fear in your stomach. Add to that the effective use of alternating points of view, some pretty scary speculations about biological warfare, and a compelling view of a country that has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. The red lotus is Vietnam’s version of that, a flower that sinks under water overnight and rises at dawn.” — Wendy Migal, Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
A “picture of pharmaceutical espionage, worldwide pandemics, and the breathtaking adaptability of the rat. Alternating action between Vietnam and New York, along with the dynamic pace, will please suspense fans.” — Amy Nolan, Library Journal
“Prepare to carry a sense of dread with you…This heart-pounding thriller is sensationally written.” — Zibby Owens, Whats Up Moms
An “intricately plotted, breathless thriller. Ultimately supremely satisfying, this novel takes you on a very twisty — and twisted — path.” — Jenny Lyons, Addison Independent
“Entertaining and eye-opening.” — David Templeton, Argus Courier
“In Bohjalian’s breathless thriller, the death of an American bicyclist in Vietnam sets off a race to avert further catastrophe. . . Bohjalian manages to keep us guessing and turning pages until the very end.” — Kirkus Reviews
