ATLANTYX

In this inspirational fantasy thriller, Denver University psychology graduate student Valerie Russell researches the addictive properties of computer gaming, with terrifying results. In the process of her investigation, she finds that 71 gamers who play the Mainline Company's Atlantyx game are missing across the nation, leaving behind masses of computer gear and mountains of debt. Hot on the trail of something big, Valerie goes to a computer show, and at Mainline's Atlantyx exhibit she charms the wealthy Daniel LaCroix into letting her attend a party at a swanky mansion in Aspen. Here she discovers a darker side to the Atlantyx addiction that has enslaved participants. Her department vice-director, Dr. Garland King, is intent upon helping Valerie uncover the truth about gaming addictions. Not surprisingly, romantic sparks fly between the two, and the agnostic Valerie becomes interested in his Christian faith. Both will be challenged, however, when sleuthing takes Valerie into the game's fantasy world and she finds herself sucked in by a powerful force she hadn't anticipated. Although the focus of the book is squarely on the addiction potential of computer games, Dalton laudably points out that it's not the games that are inherently wrong, rather their misuse. The plot features a predictable shoot-out, but Dalton carefully avoids a pat ending. With the popularity of computer gaming, and the rising concerns of Christian parents about possible addictions, this novel should find a receptive audience in the CBA market. (Oct.)