The Arbonox Syndrome


Fiction - Thriller - General
294 Pages
Reviewed on 04/27/2021
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Author Biography

Michael Spitzkoff, originally from Red Bank, New Jersey now resides in Mesa, Arizona. Michael's professional background consists of clinical and administrative experience in the medical field, as well as being a veteran of the United States Army. Having a true passion for storytelling, Michael became a full-time writer.

In the past thirteen years, Michael has completed one novella, ten screenplays, three short stories, two novels, and is currently working on a third and fourth novel.

Being a crime fiction enthusiast, Michael wrote his first novel entitled Culmination which has been edited and renamed Sullivan’s Crimeography. He completed his second novel, a suspense/thriller called The Arbonox Syndrome. Wanting to branch out into different genres, Michael wrote a horror/thriller novella entitled Deranged, due to be released sometime this year.

Michael enjoys spending time with his wife Tricia and his pets Sammy and Scotty. Michael’s hobbies include watching and playing sports, film, and binge-watching TV shows with his wife.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

The Arbonox Syndrome by Michael Spitzkoff centers on the SIMS pandemic that is killing millions of people with no end in sight. Lain is an investigative journalist who is trying to discover the cause of this new pandemic spreading throughout the world. Detectives Roland and Jake, along with Dr. Albertson, Dr. Martin, and others join Lain’s quest to find the truth, even if it puts them each in grave danger. The HUM facility is one they hope will give them some answers. Arbonox is an organization run by the bad guys. Lain refuses to stop until he finds the answers, going wherever necessary and meeting with both the good and bad guys. He believes that finding the truth and doing whatever it takes will reveal the answers and end this pandemic once and for all. This book has so much happening that you must read it for yourself because I do not want to ruin the suspense.

All that I can say about The Arbonox Syndrome is WOW. This book has everything - conspiracy, mystery, drama, action, and edge of your seat excitement. As I read The Arbonox Syndrome, I couldn’t help but see the reality of it in our world today. Michael Spitzkoff did an excellent job of bringing the story off the pages, creating characters that were real, likable, and amazing. The Arbonox Syndrome is both a great thriller and a mind-boggling story. I would love for this to become a made-for-TV movie and can picture who I want to star in it. The Arbonox Syndrome is a must-read, no matter what type of genre you like and usually read. This book has it all.

Tammy Ruggles

The Arbonox Syndrome by Michael Spitzkoff is a pulse-pounding thriller set against the backdrop of a pandemic. The plot involves a new pandemic that threatens millions of lives, and Lain Barker, a journalist with a past, investigates a conspiracy that may be responsible for it. Both his job and his family are on the line. But what Lain discovers is a tangle of intrigue and deceit orchestrated by those who may be behind the virus. He is faced with a decision that would rock any man: Sell his soul in order to save his family, or disclose the shadowy players in order to save mankind.

This book is perfect for those who enjoy reading conspiracy theories, especially when they can be paired with today's familiar medical issues. Spitzkoff has a good sense of plot and pace and seems to enjoy building a relatable story with suspense and intrigue for his readers. The main character Barker is a guy most can connect with--he has an ex and two children. The realistic dialogue drives the story along, getting you into the plot in the first chapter. The author's lean style moves you along without bumps or detours with the efficiency of a movie script. I like that the stakes are high in this story. Lain's father is sick, he has tough choices to make in his personal and professional life, and he has the pandemic to deal with. I also like the medical scenes that come up, and the characters of the doctors, giving readers different angles on the story that is unfolding.

Most of the chapters begin with a news briefing regarding the virus, and this is an additional way of keeping us clued in as to its progression. And, of course, the conspiracy aspect is clever and compelling. Spitzkoff has a real flair for action scenes, and there is no wasted space. Each scene builds upon the other until the unnerving conclusion, which begs for a follow-up. The Arbonox Syndrome by Michael Spitzkoff is an entertaining read to grip the imagination.

Jennifer Ibiam

The Arbonox Syndrome by Michael Spitzkoff is an interesting novel that will appeal to action lovers. Lain was a renowned investigative journalist, respected by many. If there was a story, no matter how well covered, he would unearth it. While working on exposing the corrupt senator Dalton, the SIMS pandemic broke. Dr. Karl made a breakthrough in his research when he discovered that the virus was man-made by an organization of powerful men. He was set up and poisoned, making him commit suicide in Lain’s home. Like a dog with a bone, Lain entered investigation mode along with his detective friends, Roland and Jake. But when the detectives were killed, and he was framed for their deaths, Lain knew he, along with his family, was the prime target. What is this organization, and will Lain unveil the truth?

The Arbonox Syndrome by Michael Spitzkoff is a great novel that brings to mind the current situation of the world. Action, conspiracy, murder, deception, and thrills were some themes that the book explored. The plot was unique and realistic, and I enjoyed the unpredictability. Michael has a very creative mind, which he put into this novel. There were no lapses or inconsistencies in the characters. I enjoyed the dialogues, as they were free-flowing and engaging. Lain and Roland were my most favorite characters because they thought on their feet. The book’s premise left me with few questions. How much do we covet power? Does everyone have a price? Will we do what’s right, even in the face of death? Congratulations to Michael on a superb book loaded with adrenaline.

K.C. Finn

The Arbonox Syndrome is a work of fiction in the thriller, suspense, and conspiracy sub-genres, and was penned by author Michael Spitzkoff. The work is intended for the mature adult reading audience and contains explicit language throughout and some scenes of graphic violence. Our protagonist is Lain Barker, a disgraced journalist looking for a comeback, who stumbles upon information concerning a deadly new pandemic that could kill millions across the globe. Torn between the deception of those responsible for the outbreak and duty to save his family, what results is an ordeal that Lain will surely never forget.

Author Michael Spitzkoff has crafted an intriguing and highly readable work of thriller fiction with plenty of interweaving threads and a well-crafted plot to offer readers. One of the features which I found particularly impressive about this piece was the storyboarding and uncovering of the different mystery and thriller elements. Spitzkoff leads readers on a merry dance alongside Lain, through hairy suspense moments and intense action as the events of the plot unwind during familiar-looking pandemic times. The dialogue was also highly effective, serving to display the unique traits of the characters whilst moving the intrigues and mysteries of the plot forward in a natural way. The cinematic and fast-paced styling of the work makes it much more suitable as a quick read than for those who enjoy more deeply involved scene-crafting. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Arbonox Syndrome to fans of conspiracy thriller fiction, pandemic dramas, and suspense readers everywhere.

Romuald Dzemo

The Arbonox Syndrome by Michael Spitzkoff opens in an intriguing manner, with Lain Barker receiving a confidential file on Senator Dalton. While my curiosity was aroused, I got more than I had anticipated. Lain Barker is a journalist who has had many drawbacks in his career. Investigating a conspiracy about a new deadly pandemic that can claim millions of lives is something that can potentially revive his career. Lain learns that he is enmeshed in the dirty waters of deception and misinformation, orchestrated by those responsible for the outbreak of the pandemic. When he is about to uncover the disturbing truth about the nefarious activities of greedy politicians and powerful people, he finds himself forced to make a difficult choice — become part of the conspiracy or lose his family. But will he choose to save humanity with the startling discoveries he has made while losing what is most important to him?

The first thing that struck me when I starting reading is the exquisite writing and the author’s ability to write characters that are convincing and believable. The prose is crisp and it has a fluidity that makes for an enjoyable reading experience. I love authors who don’t waste words, and Michael Spitzkoff seems to be one of those, offering descriptions that are precise and conjure up powerful images in the minds of readers. The Arbonox Syndrome has strong relevance to contemporary social and political realities as the world faces a deadly pandemic. The plot is twisty, the characters elaborately developed, and the setting is so intelligently written that it absorbs the reader completely. This novel is a thrilling read, deftly plotted and balanced; it is a page-turner.