Condition Black

Saving the life of a loved one comes at a horrific cost in this solid sci-fi thriller from Jones and Worthington (It Takes Death to Reach a Star). Evan Weyland is a gifted biomedical researcher who is also on the autism spectrum. His wife, Marie, a war correspondent, is the calm in the storm of life—until she contracts a mysterious and deadly illness while investigating an illegal U.S. military operation in the Middle East. Marie is quarantined by the CDC as Evan races to find a way to save her life. But Evan must contend with Billy Vick, a captain in the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command. Vick’s been investigating the research project that led to Marie’s illness, and he knows that Evan’s efforts to save his wife will only cause her illness to spread, killing millions. Though at odds, both men are fighting for what they believe is right, making for a well-balanced thrill ride. The authors’ prose is overloaded with medical jargon, but their well-shaded characters keep the pages turning. Fans of high-tech medical and military thrillers should check this out. Agent: Italia Gandolfo, Gandolfo, Helin, & Fountain Literary Management. (Apr.)