Only Wrong Once: A Suspense Thriller

Watch out Nelson DeMille-you have a serious contender for the title of suspense/intrigue author!! Ruff, with descriptive prose, creates complex characters and weaves a captivating plot that will keep you mesmerized.

Fabulous book! Unable to put down! Suspenseful! Makes you really think about bio-terrorism and how our FBI, CDC, etc, are keeping us safe . I highly recommend this book to anyone! Great book for your book club!!

This book takes a all too familiar plot ( bio- terrorism) and freshens it up with great character development and intriguing twists. Unlike all too many of this genre , Jenifer Ruff creates nuanced characters that really have to deal with messy relationships. There are good guys and bad guys for sure but they are all three dimensional and really interesting. A really good read.

A well woven storyline that brings the elements of human nature clashing to an almost unexpected crescendo. The character development of the spoiled, needy, self justifying wife combined with the workaholic, deducted and self absorbed husband works well with the storyline.

This is a thought provoking book dealing with cultural and family differences. There are seemingly naive and conniving members in the same family. Some approaches of American foreign policy towards Muslim controlled areas are informative. Writing style leaves the reader knowing at times outcomes before the protagonists. These moments are sadly predictable but still highly exciting. Discussion of government agency cooperation against bioteorismis absolutely fascinating. This novel is a winner about contemporary issues. The title is indeed appropriate. A movie or TV series could likely be made from the story but reading it challenges ones imagination making it even more enjoyable.

Only wrong once is a suspense thriller written about a very powerful ISIS leader plotting to kill innocent lives by hiring a microbiologist. He has this graduate to create a weapon, a virus, and to spread it across the American citizens.

FBI agent Quinn Traynor is adamant to stop his massacre from happening. With the help of Madeline Hamilton, he only has a few days to prevent this horrific incident from happening.

When I began reading this book, I felt that it just sounded too close to home. With everything that is currently happening in the world, this book is a good reminder of what we really are dealing with. The author displays a very realistic suspenseful feel in her writing. The principal characters grow on you and the feeling of wanting to simply demolish the bad guys runs through your veins, as you read the book.

The literature is outstanding and the descriptive nature of the storyline is strong, creating the ability for the reader to easily dive into the action scenes and imagine them as real as you want them to be. I also enjoyed the double dimensional approach the story took. It wasn’t just all about Quinn or Madeline trying to save the world. The reader also gets a glimpse of the other side. How a lonely banker ends up losing his job, and flies to Syria, getting mixed in, with ISIS.

I believe anyone looking to read on an exciting journey filled with delicious action scenes will enjoy this book.

Rating 4.5 stars

Upon reading the blurb for Only Wrong Once, I was reminded of a book that I read last year called Phage. While the story is different in many ways, there's the common thread of bio-terrorism.

Only Wrong Once feels relevant in today's society. Jenifer Ruff expertly weaves a tale of religious men corrupted by hate with the personal tales of the story's characters.

It took a few chapters for the story to find its momentum, in my opinion, but when it did it certainly took off. The desire to know what happens next kept me glued to this book. From beginning to end, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Just like Phage, I definitely recommend Only Wrong Once if you're looking for a realistic thriller.

* This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review. *

Only Wrong Once

Only Wrong Once is a suspenseful, intelligently sequenced, thought provoking novel whose storyline enlightens it’s reader of the impacts of modern day terrorism. It allows the reader to realize terrorism is elaborate, dangerous, and can occur anywhere to anyone.

The modern day terrorism is Biological Terrorism. The main characters are Muslim cousins.
The cousins, although raised by their parents in close proximity of one another, have differing views on the subject of finding meaning to life. Both want to serve their God, however, it is unclear to one of the cousins, what is pleasing to his God. Does this sound familiar? Does this sound human? Two members of the same family seeing the scope of fulfillment entirely different? Of course it does. Political and Religeous matters have divided people and families from all walks of life since before there were record of such. Reading this novel through the eyes of an American, I see so much common ground between our past wars and current affairs. Sadly, as I read through each cousins thoughts, daily life, aspirations, and reactions to serious events, I was reminded of the American Civil War in which families were divided and killed one another. Although sad, it is indeed necessary to examine. It gives us a greater understanding of why people choose to follow the paths they do.

This novel is an examination of relationships, and how they all impact one another in the face of Biological Terrorism. It is all so deep. This Author excels in character development. With a layered plot, there are many more characters lives explored and how they are affected by this sinister plot. I am humbly reminded of just how hard the FBI agents work, and how the nature of this type of work takes it’s toll on their lives. No spoiler allowed, but I will simply say, I was happy for the outcome concerning “Quinn” and his wife. A MUST READ!!

Can you keep your promise this time? Quinn knows that things have been bad at home lately but his job will always come first and Holly can't understand. If only Quinn could let her know what is happening in the world then she would understand how important his job is at the FBI. Quinn is the assistant special agent in charge of counterterrorism for LA and a new threat is about to change everything. Somewhere in Syria a scientist is about to release a virus that could kill millions and it has just been tested on many and killed them all. Kareem knows that he is doing what is right no matter the cost he believes that America needs to pay for everything that is happening the world and his resolve has only gotten stronger now that his parents have been killed. He needs to find more recruits in America and he knows that his cousin Amin will be perfect for the job.
Amin is very lonely the only thing he has is his job and that has just come to an end and the girl that he likes is engaged so when Kareem invites him to visit he decides to go hoping that he can talk his cousin around. But what he finds scares him and he decides to go back home and try to forget what he has since. But Kareem is coming to visit and everything will never be the same again. Can Quinn & his team stop this madman from killing millions or will they be too late? Holly is angry that Quinn has broken his promise she can't keep on going with this life and no matter what happens now there will be no going back. Quinn is so wrapped up in what is happening that he has to cancel he never thought for a minute that his life is going to change and he left her all alone. A great read full of action.

Only Wrong Once is a hair-raising race against time - and against something as simple as a human sneeze.
Like an episode of '24', FBI agent Quinn Traynor races against the clock to find the one needle-in-a-haystack human who has the power to unleash a scourge. That one person is a study in what increased isolation & obsession can do to a vulnerable, lonely person, no matter how brilliant.
The good news is that this is a compelling celebration of the human will to overcome. The bad news is that you will be up til the wee hours to find out if & how they do it!

My usual book choices in the genre of apocalyptic fiction are more hard core, however, as a medical professional this story captivated my attention from the beginning. There were many moving parts to the storyline that could have become confusing or disjointed. They didn't. Easily followed, yet suspensefully complex, it was the kind of story that grabs you early and rides to a successful completion.

"Only Wrong Once" weaves a mesmerizing tale of an all-too-possible bio terrorism scenario, but one of the reasons this book stands out is that it provides the reader with more than one perspective of an impending disaster. Yes, we see the counterterrorism agent, Traynor, fighting against the clock to bring down a cell of terrorists before they can strike, but we also meet another man torn between his past, his family, and his own instincts, and it's his struggle that could make all the difference and save lives.
Great story - the characters will stick with you!

A good read! It is rather scary how things could go if we didn’t have people protecting our six. I at first thought she started introducing too many characters as the book started, but it wasn’t as bad as Clancy. Things started to take shape and move along. I didn’t think she needed to add that flash back (filler). Overall a good book and an author I will read more of.

I really enjoyed Jenifer Ruff's new book Only Wrong Once. It's a total departure from her previous books. The subject is so relevant to terrorist issues that we face and fear. I was not so sure I would enjoy a book of the subject of bio-terrorism, but Ruff pulled me in right from the first chapter. I found myself a little wound up with an adrenaline rush after reading it, so if you are having trouble sleeping -- do not read it before bed! I really enjoyed the way Ruff developed the characters. My favorite was Amin. I felt his loneliness and his longing to fit in. I loved that parts of the story take place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jenifer Ruff did her research which is evident in this all too real novel!
This book gives me additional reason to appreciate what our law enforcement is doing behind the scenes to protect us everyday and makes me wonder how much goes on that I don't hear about. If you haven't read any of Jenifer Ruff's books yet, start with Only Wrong Once and then read the others -- you won't be disappointed.

WOW! Do yourself a favor and READ. THIS. BOOK. Once you grab this one, you will not want to put it down! I have been following this author since Rothaker and Everett, which were very good reads, but this one is GREAT! I feel like I have been following a really good local musician for a few years and suddenly seeing her plucked up from playing local music halls to selling out Foxborough Stadium with Train as her opening act! Jenifer's latest effort is a combination of Tom Clancy with Robin Cook and John Grisham peppered in to keep you hooked.

One of my favorite authors of all time! Love this book, very timely subject of terrorism. This is a book I did not want to put down until I got to the end. I could visualize every character and see how this could evolve. True words - that the terrorists are trying every day, our security catches so much more than we want to know. Looking forward to more books by Jenifer Ruff!

Only Wrong Once is an exciting "ripped from the headlines" suspense novel. The plot is well researched and oh so scarily plausible! The characters were well defined - I would like to see more of Quinn. Loved reading a novel that partially takes place in my town.

Great Read. Whirlwind plot action across 3 continents, dealing with many of society's current major issues. A page turner, with a premise that is contemporary, scary and unfortunately, very plausible. I particularly enjoyed the character development of the young Muslim protagonist (?). The action continues at break neck speed to the conclusion.

A timely page turner that grabs your attention and doesn't let go! Jenifer Ruff does a fabulous job in her latest book, much different that her previous writing, but she has you cheering for Amir, the quiet man who has more changes in his life in two months than most of us have in decades. This author has come into her own and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

This book was terrifying but I could not stop reading it! Knowing this type of attack is entirely plausible, and someday even likely, this story will grip you and not turn loose. Told from the perspective of all players involved, this book is well written, and a fast, easy read.

Deadly bio agents in the hands of terrorists. It’s a fear we all share, and wisely so. Ruff’s Only Wrong Once is a riveting cat and mouse thriller that could arguably be ripped from tomorrow’s headlines. Ruff delivers an authentic and disturbing glimpse into modern-day counterterrorism. A must read.

I was captivated from page 1! So many thrillers are dumbed down; this one is not! Written by an author with an obvious understanding of microbiology and its potential in terrorism, Only Wrong Once held me spell bound from beginning to end.

Stunning, terrifying, and unforgettable.And as alive as today's news. This novel looks into the dark world of international terrorism, into the challenges faced by those combating it, and into the soul of a young man struggling with a profound moral dilemma.

Dennis Carrigan, author of Memphis 1873

Great book! The subject of bioterrorism is all too real and scary to think about, but kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. That storyline intertwined with others about a troubled marriage, immigration and cultural differences made for great discussions at book club.