by Tisha Gramann

Created on: September 04, 2008   Last Updated: June 23, 2011

"Contagion" by Robin Cook

Plot Summary:
A series of extremely rare and powerful diseases are killing the patients and staff at Manhattan General Hospital.

We are introduced to Jack Stapleton as a forensic pathologist working for the New York City Chief Medical Examiner's office. He diagnoses a body sent from Manhattan General Hospital with the plague. Although this discovery is shocking and horrible, Jack is secretly happy. He has a deep and personal grudge against the corporation giant behind Manhattan General, AmeriCare. Nothing would give him greater pleasure then to be the bearer of news that could potentially hurt AmeriCare's trustworthiness and finances.

Next we are introduced to Terese Hagen's character. She is a focused, career-minded woman working her way up the corporate ladder at the advertising firm Willow and Heath. She holds the title of creative director but is "fighting" with the firm's executive director of accounts for the presidency. Her most profitable account is for National Health, a large health care conglomerate. But at the moment National Health is loosing the market share to their largest competitor, AmeriCare.

Jack and Terese meet thanks to a forced outing by their co-workers. Though it's not love at first sight, they do spark each other's interest. She is mainly interested in Jack because he unknowingly gives her an idea for a new marketing angle. She is quite happy to glean any information she can about AmeriCare's plight. And Jack is very willing to give this information simply because he finds it nice to have a listening ear.

The bodies begin to pile up in the city morgue. First it's the plague and then Jack makes a new diagnosis of Tularemia. It is another very rare and deadly disease. With the new disease Jack discovers an odd pattern. The final deaths from the outbreaks are employees working in the hospital's Central Supply. Strangely though, these victims have had no contact with the infected patients. Jack is consumed with the medical riddles presented to him. In his quest to find the answers, he steps on toes and angers most of the personal from Manhattan General.

By the time the third infectious disease comes on the scene, Jack has formed a theory. He believes someone is deliberately transmitting these pathogens. His theory is only strengthened when a local gang is sent to give him a "message". The message: Stay away from Manhattan General!

Jack will not heed the message. He continues to trek over to the hospital in hopes

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