The End of October: A novel

Henry Parsons dances with death every time he heads into a hot zone. Viruses are enigmatic and deadly, but Henry is determined to penetrate complexity and find a solution. A virus of unknown origin has swept through an area in Indonesia, leaving scores dead. Henry transmits his findings back to the CDC and the scene appears contained until his driver disappears, his health compromised. In Washington, Matilda Nichinsky is a beltway lifer working in the upper echelons of homeland security. Nichinsky is suspicious of Russia and their global agenda and leaks stories to a disgraced reporter. Washington learns of the new virus, and they suspect it to be an act of biowarfare. Henry conveys his mission and its ramifications to his loving wife Jill. Jill loves Henry but is baffled by his obsessive nature. Henry’s mission takes on more gravitas when he learns the driver is on a spiritual pilgrimage. The path of the virus is just getting started, and no one will ever be the same.

The End of October is fiction writing at its apex. Lawrence Wright spins the tale as skillfully as he has done with his investigative reporting. The plot proves engrossing from the initial chapter, its timing now all too prescient. The emotions captured throughout will engage the reader thoroughly. A fiction book for any and all!