The Red Lotus

Reviews

An Amazon Best Book of 2020
A BookBub Best Book of 2020

"The Red Lotus is written through the alternate perspectives of a number of well-drawn characters... Those who relished the sudden shocks and well-timed twists of Mr. Bohjalian’s 2018 work, The Flight Attendant, should be well-pleased by his latest book, whose unexpected revelations extend to the final sentence."— Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

“[Bohjalian] possesses one of the best-tuned antennas in contemporary fiction for absorbing the troubles, forces, terrors, fortunes, and, yes, plagues that turn the world... Bohjalian’s plots race at the speed of a 747, but there’s no skimming in the complexity or depth of his subject matter [or] precision of his research.”—Chris Bollen, Interview

"A tense and timely thriller" —People

""Everything Bohjalian writes is addictive." — Mackenzie Dawson, New York Post

“Readers who crave suspense will get it... [W]ith a pandemic plot, The Red Lotus is both prescient and diverting. Bohjalian specializes in well-researched, topical thrillers with complex plots and flawed but principled heroes.” —Suzanne Bern, The Washington Post

“With his usual strong plotting and well-conceived characters, Bohjalian’s story unfolds slowly and with terrific pacing.” — Alan Rosenberg, The Providence Journal
 
"This gripping mystery takes all kinds of thrilling twists and turns. A great read.” — Minneapolis Star-Tribune
 
"As always, Bohjalian creates a mesmerizing tale, a timely socio-political-business story with human frailties, illusions, dis-illusions, and strengths firmly at its center.”— Daneet Steffens, Seattle Review of Books 

“You’ll keep flipping pages, discover new complex characters, see the mysterious situation from different points of view — and you’ll be surprised at each well-plotted turn.” —Katie Yee, Literary Hub

"An intricately plotted, breathless thriller. Ultimately supremely satisfying, this novel takes you on a very twisty -- and twisted -- path." — Jenny Lyons, Addison Independent

"Bohjalian creates... a nice little knot of fear in your stomach. Add to that the effective use of alternating points of view, some pretty scary speculations about biological warfare, and a compelling view of a country that has risen from the ashes like a phoenix." — Wendy Migdal, Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star

"Ominous... An edge-of-your-seat thriller... oh-so-timely." —Amanda St. Amand, St. Louis Post-Dispatch 

“The Red Lotus has Bohjalian’s characteristic suspense and turn-the-page pacing. . . It’s a cautionary bio-horror tale à la The Andromeda Strain and The Hot Zone.” — BookReporter

“Prepare to carry a sense of dread with you…This heart-pounding thriller is sensationally written.” — Zibby Owens, Whats Up Moms

“Entertaining and eye-opening.” — David Templeton, Argus Courier

“A must-read global thriller… The Red Lotus… hits Bohjalian’s trademark notes of intricate plot, in-depth research, high tension, and unexpected turns – with a very timely dose of pathogens and biological weapons – in a twisting story of love and deceit… un-put-downable… one of those thrillers that only come along once in a while.
— Mystery Tribune

"[An] intricately plotted thriller... a diabolical plot reminiscent of a Robin Cook thriller. Each character, including secondary players, is carefully drawn, and Bohjalian keeps the tension high all the way to the surprising finale."
—Publishers Weekly

"Abetted by shifting points of view, seemingly disparate elements eventually converge to create a burgeoning sense of dread... Tantalizing... Bohjalian manages to keep us guessing and turning pages until the very end."
—Kirkus Reviews

"In this tightly drawn, steadily hair-raising thriller, Bohjalian once again demonstrates his keen affinity for strong, capable female protagonists, while his masterful merging of setting and plot delivers a cerebral and dramatic dive into what happens when love turns to agony."
—Booklist Expand reviews