Minutes to Burn

by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz

Book Overview

In the future, two scientists are accompanied by a team of Navy SEALs to position critical tectonic equipment on a deserted island in the Galapagos and find themselves immersed in a brutal war for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060188863
• ISBN13: 9780060188863
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 414 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Bio-Terror in the Galapagos

"Minutes to Burn" is a biological suspense story set in the not too far future, when ozone depletion has started to become critical, not only endangering life, but releasing tectonic upheavals that have started to spread chaos in equatorial America. The name comes from warning signs that appear in the exposed areas which inform people of the estimated time before exposure will cause serious sunburn. Throughout the book this is measured in short minutes, not in hours.When a Navy SEAL team is assigned to accompany Dr. Rex Williams to Sangre de Dios, in the Galapagos Islands, the task is considered a cakewalk. It is a simple matter of affixing six tectonic monitors and leaving. The small team is put together out of what's available. Derek Mitchell, recovering from the death of his child and the institutionalization of his wife is the Officer in Charge. Szabla is his fierce, determined second. Carmeron Kates, considering an abortion is brought in with her husband, Justin. Tucker, recovering from drug abuse, Tank, the demolitions man, and, finally, William Savage, a 50 year old ex-con and Viet Nam vet, round out the personnel.What the team doesn't know is that Sangre de Dios is in the middle of a biological crisis. The release of a DNA modifying virus has triggered the development of a nine foot tall praying mantis form that is viable and laying eggs. When the team has all its weaponry stolen in Ecuador, and they decide to proceed to the island anyway, they find themselves facing a deadly and efficient killer. In the ensuing action they quickly realize that something must be done to control the Mantid's hatchling larva as well.Back in the U.S. Dr. Samantha Everett, a viral specialist, analyzes water samples from Sangre de Dios and discovers the DNA changing virus. All involved realize that the virus must be cleared and the mantid carriers killed or Sangre de Dios must be completely destroyed. Hampered by internal dissent, the SEAL team is slow to mobilize its limited resources and the crisis worsens exponentially. A new mantid reaches adulthood and the only things left to eat on the island are the team members.I was amazed how believable this story is, especially considering it's somewhat outlandish plot. Hurwitz has taken the time to fill in all the interesting details of ozone depletion as well as biological and tectonic information. The science is fascinating. The team's military behavior is equally well drawn. Beyond this is the fine detailing of the many characters that play a part in the story. Action thrillers rarely have writing this strong. This may be the best of its kind this year."Minutes to Burn" does present the conscientious reviewer with something of a dilemma. Most of the key plot elements are borrowed. The most blatant case, the idea of a monster created by a virus that modifies DNA, is a straight take from "The Relic." But stranded SEAL teams, ozone depletion, and earthquake scenarios are all commonplace as we

Far Eclipses Crichton!

Hurwitz does it once again, but this time he does it even better. After reading his brilliantly terrifying psychological serial-killler thriller, The Tower, I didn't know what to expect with his next book; but it's clear, he's the next Crichton. Hurwitz switches gears and takes us on a terrifying trip to the Galapagos, where scientists and Navy SEALs find themselves stranded on an island, fighting to survive an evolutionary nightmare. What unfolds will leave your heart racing until the book's breathtaking end. While the book's premise may seem unlikely, even far-fetched, Hurwitz clearly did his homework; he has such a firm grasp of so many fields of study--from entomology to virology to ecology to biology--he's able to create the illusion that such a scenario could possibly happen. Hurwitz more than delivers. His brilliant plotting and deft characterizations, not to mention the language he uses place him among the very best writers today. I can't wait to see what in the world he comes up with next.

Worth it!!!

Minutes To Burn is the second book I've read by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz and I am thouroughly impressed. There are a lot of authors out there who stick to the same themes in their books, but not this one. Hurwitz's first book The Tower was a psychological thriller and he has now jumped to a science thriller involving Navy Seals and a phenomenon none of us could imagine encountering. The characters in this book are fascinating, funny and at times brutal. This book is smart and fast paced. You won't want to put this one down.

A Refined Second Effort

Gregg Andrew Hurwitz's Minutes to Burn is a fantastic sophmore effort. From the first pages, he grabs you by the seat of the pants and takes you on a thrilling ride through the Galapagos Islands. With rounder and more complex characters than his debut effort The Tower, Minutes to Burn shows the maturing of a fantastic up and coming author. Each word hits like a body blow, leaving you gasping for air, but reaching to turn the next page. Set a few years in the future, on the archipelego that Darwin made famous, Minutes to Burn details a story of hunters becoming hunted. Evoking a terror similar to The Most Dangerous Game, a crew of Navy SEALS and scientists encounter Jurassic Park type monsters caused by a runaway virus. Stripped of weapons, the teams are left to fend for themselves. The suspenseful finish proves Darwin right; only the fittest survive.If you are a suspense/thriller fan, this is a book, and author, worth burning a few minutes on.

A thrilling page-turner!

Minutes to Burn is a fast-paced, intelligent glimpse into the near future. Somtimes frightening, sometimes humorous with a biting edge, Hurwitz clearly has a gift for spinning a good scientific adventure tale. From the opening description of a cow being killed by a mysterious creature, I was hooked. The group of Navy SEALS are well developed and even the women characters are well written. The book was obvioulsy thoroughly researched and covers a broad range of topics...making it appealing for a wide range of readers. The frenetic pace, set against the altered ecosystem makes for an exciting read. This work can be compared to that of Crichton, particularly to Jurassic Park. As in his last book, Hurwitz is a very visual writer, and you can just imagine the story unfolding on the big screen.