The Miracle Strain: A Genetic Thriller - Hardcover

As in Glenn Kleier's recent thriller, The Last Day , the Second Coming of Jesus is a pivotal plot point here. But in Cordy's version, the end of the world is not in sight; in fact, it's a brave new world. In Stockholm to accept the Nobel Prize for his work in genetics, Dr. Tom Carter is almost assassinated by the fanatical Nemesis, who is working for the Brotherhood, a 2,000-year-old group dedicated to finding the new messiah and wiping out those who blaspheme. When Carter learns through his ultrasophisticated genetics lab that his young daughter is in the process of developing brain cancer, he seeks to cure her by using Jesus' DNA to construct a "miracle strain" that could fight the disease. For this to happen, though, Carter must seek out the Brotherhood, who hold true relics of Jesus' body, which will need to be used to isolate the DNA. Little does he know that Nemesis, determined to complete her mission, is taking her orders from the Brotherhood. And both Carter and the Brotherhood will be shocked to learn that the lethal Nemesis is the one who carries Jesus' DNA. There's quite a bit of scientific information here, especially in the field of computers and genetics. Cordy does a good job of explaining and integrating all of it within a story that is unusually thrilling and that doesn't sacrifice its characters to the action. Cordy, making his writing debut, has hit the jackpot. The book sold at auction, and Disney has acquired the film rights. Expect high demand when the publicity machine kicks in. Ilene Cooper

In this debut genetics novel, Tom Carter, genetics genius, and his partner, computer whiz Jasmine Washington, have invented the Genescope, through which anyone's DNA can be reproduced completely and then modified from just a single cell. Genetically triggered diseases like cystic fibrosis are being cured, and cancer and AIDS are the next targets. Meanwhile, an ancient, secret cult directs their trained assassin, the Preacher, to kill Carter for meddling with nature; the bullet kills Carter's wife instead. Then Carter's daughter develops a congenital brain tumor that will kill her in months, and the scientists search DNA databanks for any matches that could heal the girl. The cult, which possesses a carefully preserved piece of Christ, calls off the Preacher, who decides to disobey and finish the job. The imaginative plot flirts with silliness, but the suspense holds, most of the twists are surprises, and the story will grip the reader to the last page. That Disney owns the movie rights might make this a hot title for public libraries.
-?Robert C. Moore, DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals Co. Information Svcs., N. Billerica, Mass.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.