Bad Blood

by Lorna Sage, John Carreyrou
Bad Blood cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Investigative Journalism
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 663
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781509868094
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2018-05-31
  • Formats: 26
  • Reviews: 4

Bad Blood is the gripping account of the rise and fall of Theranos, a startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes that was once valued at over $9 billion. Holmes, seen as the next Steve Jobs, promised a revolutionary blood-testing machine, but the technology never worked. The book reveals a culture of intimidation and secrecy, with whistleblowers exposing the company's fraudulent practices and the devastating consequences for patients who received incorrect test results. Investigative journalist John Carreyrou, who first broke the story, delves into the biggest corporate fraud since Enron. The book is a tale of ambition and scandal set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley's bold promises, offering a riveting look at the dark side of innovation and the pursuit of success at any cost.

Reviews
Girly Microbiologist · 2024-04-01
captivating 4.00

The book highlights the charisma and vision that drove investment and rapid growth, but also the underlying fraud and deception that led to the company's downfall. The narrative is engaging and well-paced, making it a compelling read.

This reviewer found the book to be a captivating exploration of the Theranos scandal, focusing on the charismatic leadership of Elizabeth Holmes and the vision that initially attracted significant investment. The narrative is well-paced and engaging, drawing readers into the story of ambition and deceit. The reviewer appreciates the detailed account of the company's rise and fall, making it a compelling read for those interested in corporate fraud and Silicon Valley culture. However, they also note that the sheer number of characters introduced can sometimes be overwhelming.

Quick quotes

    The book covers how investment was attracted and rapid growth attained because of the strength of this vision and the charisma of the woman.

    The narrative is well-paced and engaging, drawing readers into the story of ambition and deceit.

    The detailed account of the company's rise and fall makes it a compelling read for those interested in corporate fraud and Silicon Valley culture.

Sam Still Reading · 2022-12-09
captivating 4.00

The story is described as dazzling with many turns that are hard to believe. The reviewer appreciates the straight-shooting style of the author, making the narrative engaging and informative.

This reviewer is captivated by the dazzling story of 'Bad Blood', filled with so many twists and turns that it's hard to believe it's real. They appreciate John Carreyrou's straight-shooting style, which makes the narrative both engaging and informative. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling read, offering a detailed account of the Theranos scandal and the corporate fraud that unfolded. They also note the importance of the book in exposing the truth behind the scandal, making it a significant contribution to the genre.

Quick quotes

    This is a dazzling story that is full of so many turns that it's hard to believe it's real at times.

    Carreyrou's straight-shooting style offers a detailed and engaging narrative.

    This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the darker side of Silicon Valley.

Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2019-10-23
thrilling 4.50

The book reads like a fiction thriller due to its crystalline writing and the absurdity of the plot. The reviewer appreciates the engaging narrative and the detailed account of the Theranos scandal.

Kara Babcock finds the book to be a thrilling read, comparing it to a fiction thriller. They highlight the crystalline writing of John Carreyrou and the absurdity of the plot, which makes the book highly engaging. The reviewer appreciates the detailed account of the Theranos scandal and the way the narrative draws readers in. They also note that the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding Theranos, making it a must-read for those interested in corporate fraud.

Quick quotes

    Bad Blood reads like a fiction thriller at times, thanks in part to John Carreyrou's crystalline writing and in part to the absurdity of the plot.

    The book provides a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding Theranos.

    The narrative is highly engaging and draws readers into the story of corporate fraud and deception.

The New York Times · 2018-05-21
informative 3.50

The book is meticulously researched and provides a detailed chronological account of Theranos' history. The reviewer notes a few minor flaws in the presentation, such as the difficulty in keeping track of the numerous characters introduced.

The reviewer from The New York Times praises the book for its meticulous research and detailed chronological account of Theranos' history. They highlight the extensive investigation that went into the book, making it a thorough and informative read. However, they also point out that the presentation has a few minor flaws, particularly the introduction of too many characters, which can make it challenging to keep track of the narrative. Despite this, the book is seen as a significant contribution to understanding the Theranos scandal.

Quick quotes

    Carreyrou's presentation has a few minor flaws. He introduces scores of characters and, after a while, it becomes hard to keep track of them.

    The book is marvelously written and meticulously researched.

    John Carreyrou provides a detailed chronological account of the company's history from multiple perspectives.

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