Double or Nothing: Double Helix #5

Peter David

Sep 2000 · Star Trek: The Next Generation Book 55 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

An electrifying novel set in the Star Trek: The Next Generation universe from New York Times bestselling author Peter David.

Like a lethal bacillus coursing through the bloodstream of the galaxy, a fiendish master plan has spread death and terror across the 24th century—until two heroic captains risk everything to stamp out the evil at its source!

For more than a decade, since the very beginning of the Starship Enterprise's™ mission, unknown enemies have unleashed a string of deadly biological weapons throughout the Alpha Quadrant, inflicting ghastly epidemics upon the Romulans, the Cardassians, the Bajorans, and even the Federation. Now, at long last, Captain Jean-Luc Picard joins forces with Captain Mackenzie Calhoun of the Starship Excalibur to track down and confront the hidden architects of the plagues -- and avenge the deaths of thousands!

Ratings and reviews

PLOT OR PREMISE: This is the fifth in the series about a vengeful attack on the universe by an "unknown" assailant who uses biological weapons to wipe out races in the Federation. This book puts Riker on the Excalibur, dealing with Shelby et al; Mackenzie on a secret undercover mission to infiltrate the assailant's lair; and, Picard undercover to do the same thing, eventually linking up with Mackenzie. . WHAT I LIKED: There are a series of one-liners with Shelby and Riker that are occasionally funny, Mackenzie's infiltration is really interesting at the start and his character is great, and there is an interesting interplay between Admirals at one point. . WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The Riker and Shelby section is not very well-written, Mackenzie's infiltration becomes repetitive at the end, and when Picard and he link up, it makes little to no sense for most of it. However, my real problem with this story is the sequencing...up until now in the series, you haven't known why the assailant is doing what he is doing, or even who it is. This one reveals all, and the motives are kind of a cliché. The New Frontier portion stays true to form while the rest of the interactions with The Next Generation universe is more of a caricature than reality. . BOTTOM-LINE: Readable . DISCLOSURE: I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, but I do follow him on social media.

About the author

Peter David is a prolific writer whose career, and continued popularity, spans more than twenty-five years. He has worked in every conceivable media—television, film, books (fiction, nonfiction, and audio), short stories, and comic books—and acquired followings in all of them.