Sea Change

In a season where deadly biological epidemics seem to be the thriller topic of choice (see Gerritsen's Gravity, above), Powlik's exciting debut speculates on a pandemic with a humble origin: microscopic marine protozoa--only these minute creatures have transformed into a cataclysmically dangerous organism. Horrific deaths that liquefy the brains and flesh of victims baffle Canadian and American researchers in remote fishing hamlets of the Pacific Northwest until marine microbiologist William Brock Garner; his ex-wife, whale sonar expert Carol Harmon; and physician Ellie Bridges get on the case. Facing stiff resistance from Carol's father, Charles, a former Defense Department consultant, the trio challenge the conflicting agendas of environmentalists, scientists, the government and tourist industries to identify and stop the deadly phenomenon. A swimming microbial fish pathogen has mutated to link billions of madly reproducing cells into one huge, floating colony that pumps out lethal, airborne poisons that can stall engines as well as dissolve living tissue. Brock locates the colony--now heading toward Seattle--with a gale approaching and no way to stop it until Carol's new husband, a self-promoting eco-warrior, throws money, press clout and equipment into the battle, discreetly backed by U.S. agents who know the sinister truth connected to Carol's father. At heart this is an expert riff on the classic monster-horror novel, unoriginal in structure but as swiftly moving as a tsunami. Canadian oceanographer Powlik invests his adventure with echoes of terror tales past, fiction and nonfiction, from The Blob to The Hot Zone, as well as with authentic science, an affecting romance and a knockout climax. As sure as shark jaws, this thriller will keep readers out of the water and on the beach, reading their eyes out. $250,000 ad/promo; BDD audio; author tour. (Aug.)