Science fiction · Thriller
The Andromeda Strain
A military satellite crashes near a small Arizona town and nearly everyone there is found dead. A team of scientists is locked inside an underground laboratory to work out what it brought back, and how to stop it.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1969
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 331
- Format
- Book 1 of 2 in The Andromeda Strain
Read this if you like cool, procedural thrillers with a documentary feel and a ticking clock.
Skip this if you want rounded characters, since the people are mostly vehicles for the investigation.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Andromeda Strain
- What is The Andromeda Strain about?
- A military satellite crashes near a small Arizona town and nearly everyone there is found dead. A team of scientists is locked inside an underground laboratory to work out what it brought back, and how to stop it.
- Who should read The Andromeda Strain?
- Read it if you like cool, procedural thrillers with a documentary feel and a ticking clock. Skip it if you want rounded characters, since the people are mostly vehicles for the investigation.
- How long and how fast is The Andromeda Strain?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 331 pages, first published in 1969.
- Does The Andromeda Strain have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Pandemic, Death.
- Can I borrow The Andromeda Strain for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Andromeda Strain; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Andromeda Strain?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Jurassic Park, The Stand, Station Eleven.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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