Nate’s general antipathy against the CDC, other people in general, and himself in particular, has not made it easy for him to find a job or suitable living accommodations.

Out of the blue Nate gets a call from Paul Murphy, a friend (?) from medical school. Nate considers his relationship with Paul was jeopardized ten years ago when Paul declared he had to be scrupulously honest with authorities smearing Nate name more than somewhat. Paul is now married with two young children, working for a company called Tetra Biologics, and wants to meet with Nate to discuss something of utmost importance. Nate would just as soon not meet with Paul as he is still harboring a significant grudge against the man that, in essence, slandered him. But, and there is always a but, Paul sounds desperate and Nate can’t make himself turn away.

The two men meet and Paul asks for Nate’s help with a problem that has come up at HE says Nate should be ultimately qualified because it is a matter of public health. He won’t go into detail at this meeting and schedules a meeting a few days hence at his home. He promises to give Nate evidence of a serious crime that has been committed that falls within the realm of public health. Before anything else can happen however, Paul wants to give Nate a quick lesson in the use of firearms. Against his better judgment, Nate agrees.

Time passes and the evening for his second meeting with Paul arrives. Nate follows directions to Paul’s house, but something does not seem quite right when he arrives. No one answers his knock on the door and when he tries the handle, Nate realizes the door is not locked. He enters the home, calling Paul’s name. There is no response. A little investigation shows the two young children slain in their beds and Paul and his wife are in the process of dying in their bedroom. Despite his best efforts, Nate can’t save either of the adults.

Owing to avenge Paul’s death, Nate begins his own investigation. The crime is not a simple one and involves Chinese gangs and underworld relationships that are totally foreign to a public health doctor. Nate is sure that he should have refused to meet with Paul in the first place, but now there is nowhere to go but forward as the complexity of the crime increases daily.

Nathaniel McCormick is a character most readers can learn to hate within the first few chapters. He tends to feel sorry for himself and is doing precious little to correct the situation. He is a master of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and he can scarcely utter a complete sentence without including at least one profanity. Fortunately, as Nate progresses from his detective mode to his scientific one, he becomes a much more likeable guy.

There is quite a lot to be learned from this novel beyond the entertainment value of mystery that encompasses several ethnic groups and professions. The author does a creditable job explaining to a layman the technical jargon that is pertinent to the crime and uses a rather clever device for imparting that information. Nate ends up as the caretaker/babysitter for an eight-year-old Asian boy, Tim, who is smart and inquisitive, asking Nate to explain scientific methods and vocabulary. The reader gets the benefit of learning along with Tim.

Because the crime involves a search for anti-aging formulas, there is some room for commentary on what is or should be really important to people looks or “inner beauty.” What appears to be a simple issue is not. Doing business and making money provide an opportunity for education as well.

Though this novel starts unevenly with law enforcement personnel looking particularly inept (The search of the Murphy’s home is a case in point), when Mr. Spanogle gets into his area of expertise, the quality of the writing improves significantly. I still don’t know whether I like Nate McCormick, but I like him as a scientist much better than as a detective. His social skills, however, need much work.

--Andy Plonka