Invasive

Wendig (the Miriam Black series) pits a government agent with a survivalist background against killer ants in Hawaii in his latest novel, expanding the setting of his previous thriller, Zer0es. Futurist Hannah Stander is an FBI consultant whose job is to identify security threats likely to rise from new technology. After her boss summons her to investigate a mysterious death caused by a genetically modified species of ant in a cabin in central New York State, the investigation swiftly switches to a laboratory in Hawaii run by a charismatic yet mysterious billionaire. Hannah and the lab’s staff are soon fighting for their lives, caught up in an ecoterrorist plot to save Earth by destroying humankind with the voracious ants. Given the entomological focus, it’s surprising that Hawaii’s numerous insects—and their natural predators—don’t play more of a role. With this cinematic thriller’s unusual setting, cinematic horror imagery, twisty plot, and grittily determined protagonist, fans of Michael Crichton will feel right at home. Agent: Stacia Decker, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. (Aug.)