The Alaska Virus: To Kill Cocaine

With Alaskan native blood running through his veins, Matt Lynx has skills both as a bush pilot and as an adventurer. He is also a professor at Johns Hopkins University and expert on human viruses. Kiren Moore is a turbo-charged scientist studying plant viruses at Duke University and comes equipped with an attractive frame, sharp tongue and short bright red hair. To avenge the death of her brother who died smuggling cocaine, she is determined to re-engineer a plant virus called the “Gemini” virus, into a virus which will eradicate the coca plant from which cocaine is made. The glue between Matt and Kiren is provided by Roland, a bureaucrat from a lesser known agency which frequently sponsors unusual projects. He previously enlisted Matt’s help when a mix of science and skills as adventurer were required. Roland has also added Vitz, from the Delta force for added security. The story begins in Kiren’s laboratory in North Carolina but advances to the slopes of Mt. McKinley, Alaska where the long warm summer sun is ideal for growing plants. It is also far away from probing eyes. In spite of their efforts to hide traces as to their intentions and whereabouts, a high level drug cartel member, Raul, learns of the project and discovers their location. A deadly game of hide and seek follows pitting Matt, Kiren, and Vitz, against the larger cartel group and their own scientist, Brian. The story provides great detail about bush planes, as well as Alaskan geography and scenery as only a native Alaskan writer could provide. The descriptions of virus engineering are correct in every detail and are easily followed at a layperson’s level. The ethical issue of engineering plant viruses as weapons is front and center. Finally, romantic flux between Matt and his current lady friend and Kiren lead to interesting consequences.