Allreaders.com

The Satan Bug Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Satan Bug


Agent Cavell must retrieve the phials of deadly 'Satan Bug' disease before the villain unleashes it on London. Special agent Pierre Cavell is given his most dangerous mission yet. There has been a break -in and robbery at Mordon, a top secret laboratory in Britain.  After eluding and murdering the guards and watchdog, the thief stole phials containing dangerous diseases.  One is the botolinus toxin, and the other is a deadly virus nicknamed the Satan Bug, which has the potential to infect and kill every person on Earth. 
Click here to see the rest of this review...


Trying to identify the villain, Cavell, who suspects that the heist was an inside job, interviews various people who worked in the lab.  Although he finds out that most of them were working for the master villain, being blackmailed or otherwise threatened, none of them know the man's true identity.  Frustrated, Cavell continues his investigation, only to be knocked out and locked in a cellar by an unknown henchman.

Having warned Cavell, the villain grows bolder and releases an ultimatum; raze Mordon to the ground or the Satan Bug will be unleashed on London.  To prove that he is in earnest, the villain releases the botolinus toxin on a small village, wiping out all its inhabitants.  Cavell, having escaped from the cellar, resumes his search, knowing that time is running out.

Cavell, utilizing his connections with Interpol, discovers the villain's identity; he is the famous bandit Enzo Scarlatti, who posed as a Dr. Gregory at the lab.  But when Cavell corners him, Scalatti threatens to release the germs, and Cavell is forced to let him go.

Finally, the game of cat-and-mouse culminates in a battle of wits and strength staged in a helicopter above London.  Scarlatti, whose henchmen are robbing all the banks as the people panic about the Satan Bug, seems to have the upper hand.  But Cavell, lulling him into a false sense of security, wrenches away the bag with the phials.  Scarlatti, knowing that he has no way out, jumps out of the helicopter.  Cavell, having retrieved the germs and disposed of the villain, has successfully completed his mission.
Best part of story, including ending: The suspense makes the book impossible to put down.

Best scene in story: Scarlatti is reveling in his triumph. He says that when he was caught many years ago, people laughed at him and said he was finished. Now Scarlatti is pulling his most brilliant heist yet, using the Satan Bug as leverage to get what he wants. We see Scarlatti as an insane genius, carelessly playing with the world's future.

Opinion about the main character: Pierre Cavell is stubborn and determined. He never gives up, even when all leads are false or when the villain has seemingly won.

The review of this Book prepared by michaela chai a Level 2 American Robin scholar

Chapter Analysis of The Satan Bug

Click on a plot link to find similar books!

Plot & Themes

Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases 40%Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 30%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 20%How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) 10% Tone of story    -   suspenseful (sophisticated fear) Time/era of story:    -   1980's-1999 Medical Thriller    -   Yes Medical Plotlets:    -   story of bio weapon/virus Kid or adult book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Gender    -   Male Profession/status:    -   government investigator Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Race    -   British

Setting

Europe    -   Yes European country:    -   England/UK City?    -   Yes City:    -   London Misc setting    -   scientific labs

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   moderately detailed references to deaths Amount of dialog    -   significantly more descript than dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Satan Bug

Alistair MacLean Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
2 Ways to Search!
Or



Our Chief Librarian