What do you think?
Rate this book
Mosquito Song: Dreams in Old San Juan
A New York City scientist flies to Puerto Rico to investigate genes linked to an unborn baby's death. Fears of Zika virus and mosquito hosts haunt her preparations and her dreams. Her DNA experiments reveal a future she is not ready to accept.
- GenresFiction
47 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2018
3 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Brown
12 books260 followersJennifer J. Brown is an independent author, scientist and publisher with a passion for nature and family. Publications include science communications, health news, narrative nonfiction, and fiction including novels, short stories and poems as J.J.Brown. Genres include memoir, literary and contemporary noir fiction and suspense. When the Baby Is Not OK: Hopes & Genes, is her newest book publishing in February, 2025.
An incorrigible storyteller originally from the Catskill Mountain region of New York, Brown continued creative writing during a career as a molecular biologist, science writer and director, editor and public health advocate in Philadelphia, Miami and NYC.
Brown completed a PhD in Genetics from her research with Nobel Prize winner Barbara McClintock at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and her genetics, medical education, and public health studies are published in leading scientific journals.
When not writing, Brown enjoys time with her daughters and her companion house rabbits, Belinda and Maxi in New York City.
Discover inspirations behind Brown's work at her blog https://jjbrownauthor.com/ and author page.
An incorrigible storyteller originally from the Catskill Mountain region of New York, Brown continued creative writing during a career as a molecular biologist, science writer and director, editor and public health advocate in Philadelphia, Miami and NYC.
Brown completed a PhD in Genetics from her research with Nobel Prize winner Barbara McClintock at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and her genetics, medical education, and public health studies are published in leading scientific journals.
When not writing, Brown enjoys time with her daughters and her companion house rabbits, Belinda and Maxi in New York City.
Discover inspirations behind Brown's work at her blog https://jjbrownauthor.com/ and author page.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 4, 2020
I won this short story in a goodreads drawing.
A medical doctor who studies mosquito borne diseases travels to Puerto Rico where she has nightmares about mosquitoes.
Could have been an effective horror piece had it gone in that direction.
A medical doctor who studies mosquito borne diseases travels to Puerto Rico where she has nightmares about mosquitoes.
Could have been an effective horror piece had it gone in that direction.
August 13, 2019
A short novella length story about our relationship with others, humans, insect, viral. This one is called "Dreams in Old San Juan." Approach it as if it is a dream.
Is it speculative fiction?
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.
Is it speculative fiction?
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads.
September 22, 2018
Mosquito Song: Dreams in Old San Juan
J.J. Brown
When I learned recently that author J.J. Brown released a new book I immediately took interest. I’ve been a fan of the author for years and have read most of her books. This book is an outgrowth of the author’s professional expertise. J.J. Brown is a research scientist specializing in genetics and conducted scientific lab research for more than 17 years. She lives and works in New York City.
The story opens right after the protagonist, Antonia, has been notified by her lab director Phoebe she needs to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico to retrieve brain tissue samples from an unborn baby. It would be a grim task but presented Antonio an opportunity to solve a mystery that would unfold as she methodically worked through tools at her disposal.
Antonia suspected a mosquito born virus especially since the Zika virus had been active in the United States in recent years and was currently a problem in Puerto Rico. It was also the first virus known to cause birth defects. That said, Antonia couldn’t make assumptions. It could be anyone of numerous pathogens that could be revealed by decoding the DNA sequence. The process was always challenging but exciting.
While walking the streets of San Juan Antonia can’t help but notice conditions favorable to mosquitos. She noticed standing water everywhere. During one such walk she crossed paths with young children and their present mother. Antonia knew the risks and felt compassion for the mother and her family.
As Antonia approached the lab to pick up brain tissue samples she expected to find them ready immediately. Instead she was told she would need to dissect the baby to obtain the samples she needed. The fetus had been kept in a cryogenic freezer. She was giving a dissecting kit and went about the task ahead.
Antonia had a flashback from the recent past when she had been so drunk she couldn’t remember how she’d gotten back home. A friend reminded her of a young Brazilian guy. Brazil had been experienced more than a million Zika virus cases. Now, Antonia has doubts about her possible risk.
J.J. Brown consistently delivers a good read. This is the first I’ve read that is tied so closely to her profession. Her writing is a pleasure to read, always detailed and descriptive with often poetic and lyrical phrasing. She brings a superb balance of scientific expertise with artistic sensitivities along with genuine compassion with those impacted by her work. I strongly endorse and recommend, Mosquito Song: Dreams in Old San Juan.
J.J. Brown
When I learned recently that author J.J. Brown released a new book I immediately took interest. I’ve been a fan of the author for years and have read most of her books. This book is an outgrowth of the author’s professional expertise. J.J. Brown is a research scientist specializing in genetics and conducted scientific lab research for more than 17 years. She lives and works in New York City.
The story opens right after the protagonist, Antonia, has been notified by her lab director Phoebe she needs to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico to retrieve brain tissue samples from an unborn baby. It would be a grim task but presented Antonio an opportunity to solve a mystery that would unfold as she methodically worked through tools at her disposal.
Antonia suspected a mosquito born virus especially since the Zika virus had been active in the United States in recent years and was currently a problem in Puerto Rico. It was also the first virus known to cause birth defects. That said, Antonia couldn’t make assumptions. It could be anyone of numerous pathogens that could be revealed by decoding the DNA sequence. The process was always challenging but exciting.
While walking the streets of San Juan Antonia can’t help but notice conditions favorable to mosquitos. She noticed standing water everywhere. During one such walk she crossed paths with young children and their present mother. Antonia knew the risks and felt compassion for the mother and her family.
As Antonia approached the lab to pick up brain tissue samples she expected to find them ready immediately. Instead she was told she would need to dissect the baby to obtain the samples she needed. The fetus had been kept in a cryogenic freezer. She was giving a dissecting kit and went about the task ahead.
Antonia had a flashback from the recent past when she had been so drunk she couldn’t remember how she’d gotten back home. A friend reminded her of a young Brazilian guy. Brazil had been experienced more than a million Zika virus cases. Now, Antonia has doubts about her possible risk.
J.J. Brown consistently delivers a good read. This is the first I’ve read that is tied so closely to her profession. Her writing is a pleasure to read, always detailed and descriptive with often poetic and lyrical phrasing. She brings a superb balance of scientific expertise with artistic sensitivities along with genuine compassion with those impacted by her work. I strongly endorse and recommend, Mosquito Song: Dreams in Old San Juan.
September 13, 2018
The author is one of my “Comrades of the Keyboard,” whom I met at a writing conference several years ago. She is a scientist and writes scientific thrillers. In this novella, she has once again woven a dark, magical story that pulls and twists the true thread of DNA research on deadly viruses into the fictional story of a flawed young geneticist named Antonia who, while recovering from a night of toxic drinking and promiscuous sex, flies to San Juan to pick up a fetal human brain sample to try to determine what killed an unborn baby. Zika is one of the potential suspects.
The reader is taken on a bizarre and mystical journey through Antonia’s thoughts and dreams, where she is haunted by spirits and deadly disease-carrying mosquitoes. When she returns from Puerto Rico, she faces not only the results of her lab tests but the consequences of her own actions. The author’s deft and vivid handling of the details of both physical and psychological place are impressive and haunting. Well done.
The reader is taken on a bizarre and mystical journey through Antonia’s thoughts and dreams, where she is haunted by spirits and deadly disease-carrying mosquitoes. When she returns from Puerto Rico, she faces not only the results of her lab tests but the consequences of her own actions. The author’s deft and vivid handling of the details of both physical and psychological place are impressive and haunting. Well done.
February 27, 2019
Mosquito Song by J.J. Brown is a twisted tale of science, a hangover, and mystery. The story of a scientist, Antonia, who is trying to unravel what killed a baby enters a supernatural, mystical adventure right away. If you're looking for a quick, trippy novella, this might fit.
December 10, 2018
I read this ebook version of the story, since I won it in a Goodreads contest. I really liked this story but I was noticing at parts where I was getting a little bored by the story itself. Like the dreaming part of this story when Antonia was in San Juan, I definitely did not care for the mosquitoes "talking" to her. I thought that was not very interesting. I really liked the whole rest of the story overall though. I am not one for gruesome or gore in a story, but the worst parts of this book didn't even go in to gory detail so I liked that. I like that Antonia is a scientist and she traveled for her work to get the job figured out come to find out she has this virus and is pregnant on top of it. I can't believe the ending turned out the way it had! I wanna read more to this story and see what is actually in store for Antonia's future. This story needs to continue on in my opinion! So maybe a second story to this?
September 20, 2018
I Learned Something.
A disclaimer though: I do not react to mosquito bites. I guess they bite me, but I never have bumps or itches.
Having read biographies of Alexander The Great, I was of the noble history telling that he had died of an infected arrow wound in Babylon in 323BCE. Much of human history was shaped by biology, contrary to the great man theory. You have to read Mosquito Song to find out the current thinking on Alexander III.
There are few books with scientist protagonists, let alone female scientists. Even Michael Crichton had women scientists as only secondary characters. And, the character of Antonia in Mosquito Song is flawed, human. She drinks herself unconscious and has indiscriminate sex in the process. Ah, the scientist stereotype, another one gone.
All the science in the book is accurate in melds right along with the story, like all of Ms. Brown's books. This is a science, fiction book that is current and fun to read. Give it a shot.
A disclaimer though: I do not react to mosquito bites. I guess they bite me, but I never have bumps or itches.
Having read biographies of Alexander The Great, I was of the noble history telling that he had died of an infected arrow wound in Babylon in 323BCE. Much of human history was shaped by biology, contrary to the great man theory. You have to read Mosquito Song to find out the current thinking on Alexander III.
There are few books with scientist protagonists, let alone female scientists. Even Michael Crichton had women scientists as only secondary characters. And, the character of Antonia in Mosquito Song is flawed, human. She drinks herself unconscious and has indiscriminate sex in the process. Ah, the scientist stereotype, another one gone.
All the science in the book is accurate in melds right along with the story, like all of Ms. Brown's books. This is a science, fiction book that is current and fun to read. Give it a shot.
May 25, 2021
I won this novella in a Goodreads giveaway and wish I read it sooner. Having a medical background myself she immediately tweeked my interest. Additionally, knowing too much, brings our fears into our lives. She accomplished that. I am now looking into her further works. This woman knows how to write!
April 14, 2023
I received this audiobook in exchange for a review.
I didn’t really get this story. If the Zika virus was running rampant in Puerto Rico, why couldn’t a scientist/doctor THERE determine the baby’s cause of death? It’s like I assumed it was going to be something different. So the MC travels to Puerto Rico, and all she talks about is the Zika virus and mosquitos, only for the baby’s samples to come back with the Zika virus. Huh? How was testing normally done there? With the number of cases, I can’t imagine a scientist/doctor from somewhere else constantly traveling back and forth to confirm the virus.
As for the pregnancy part. That wasn’t a surprise at all. Why else was it brought up so much throughout this short story? The twist could have been that she was going to become a parent to a mosquito. LOL
The mosquito song bored me and I found myself skipping through most of it.
I honestly am not sure how it got so many 5-star reviews. There were no twists or turns. No surprises. Parts came across more like a lesson in science that just went on and on, especially since there wasn’t much dialogue.
The narrator did an okay job.
I didn’t really get this story. If the Zika virus was running rampant in Puerto Rico, why couldn’t a scientist/doctor THERE determine the baby’s cause of death? It’s like I assumed it was going to be something different. So the MC travels to Puerto Rico, and all she talks about is the Zika virus and mosquitos, only for the baby’s samples to come back with the Zika virus. Huh? How was testing normally done there? With the number of cases, I can’t imagine a scientist/doctor from somewhere else constantly traveling back and forth to confirm the virus.
As for the pregnancy part. That wasn’t a surprise at all. Why else was it brought up so much throughout this short story? The twist could have been that she was going to become a parent to a mosquito. LOL
The mosquito song bored me and I found myself skipping through most of it.
I honestly am not sure how it got so many 5-star reviews. There were no twists or turns. No surprises. Parts came across more like a lesson in science that just went on and on, especially since there wasn’t much dialogue.
The narrator did an okay job.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2018
What a great short story with a female character who is strong yet flawed, intelligent yet makes some bad choices while she follows her research job on DNA and viruses, particularly from insects like mosquitos. Her research leads her to Puerto Rico, where she delves into myths and fears of mosquitos and their deadly bite. She learns first hand the dangers of insect infections. A good character-driven story within the beautiful setting of Puerto Rico and interspersed with fascinating scientific information.
November 23, 2019
24 hours in the life of a scientist. Though the story is brief, it exposed a number of issues; about illnesses, morality, relationships, self-confidence. Unfortunately, I found the story rather schizophrenic and depressing. I prefer stories with a resolution, although it was interesting to reflect after finishing this one. I would have rated this higher if it piqued my interest more.
December 25, 2018
Won in a goodreads giveaway. It was nice. I wasn't expecting a short story which sort of threw me. It was well written and fairly poetical, but the main character didn't reach a point I was happy with by the conclusion of the story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews