Impossible to Put Down: Read a Review of Cold Storage by David Koepp

Pentagon operative Roberto Diaz and his partner Trini Romano were witness to the devastation caused by Cordyceps novus, a mutative fungus capable of destroying humanity. Even to extinction levels. The fungus was created in town in regional Western Australia, where all 26 residents were then killed by the fungus. The incident was kept very quiet, with all traces of the fungus, town and those who died destroyed. Except one small sample that was put in a sub-level cold storage facility. This would have been fine, had the facility not decided to shut off the power and seal off those sub-levels, pretending they didn’t exist. Leaving a highly dangerous and mutative organism to fester in ever increasing heat for decades…

Now, the fungus has found its way out, and is starting what could be a lethal feeding frenzy. It needs to be stopped before it spreads out of control. And the only person who can help them is Roberto Diaz. Nearing 70 years old, Diaz isn’t who you would regularly call for help. Along with the help of two security guards – Naomi, a single mum and Teacake, an ex-con – Roberto needs to find a way to quarantine this threat and save humanity. In just a few hours.

While dealing with the potential end of the world, David Koepp manages to treat this thriller with a sense of humour. It’s quick, witty and morbid in a way that makes you flinch. You’ll read some scenes and want to both laugh and gag – potentially at the same time! It is simultaneously both so realistic and so over-the-top that you can’t help but be amazed, enthralled and horrified. However, the over-the-top nature does make some of the scenes a little easier to read than they would’ve been had the subject matter been more realistic.

Cold Storage is pure and complete entertainment. It is an easy and quick read, the plot picking up immediately and zipping along right until the final page. You’ll be instantly hooked! There is action in every page turn and you’ll have finished the book before you even know it. Koepp, who is also the screenwriter of Jurassic Park, shows his skill as both a screenwriter and an author. This book could very easily appear on our screens in the near future, with its gripping plot and stark visuals. It combines thrills, humour and just the right amount of creepy to make it impossible to put down. Just make sure you read it with the lights on.

Buy a copy of Cold Storage here.