Paralysis

by Jeff D. Copeland

How many people must die before an ancient prophecy is fulfilled? From the dark heart of the Amazonian jungle to the shadowy laboratories and boardrooms of San Francisco’s biotech industry, no one is safe. intrigue, mystery, romance, science, a biotech thriller with the power to invade more than just your mind. . . . Tealoc, an Amazonian Indian on his sacred vision quest, struggles along a jungle trail as an unnatural sickness consumes his body. He senses the spiritual presence of his ancestors, but his thoughts cloud. He loses his balance, falls to the ground and sinks beneath the decaying foliage littering the jungle floor. An eerie sound permeates the thick overhead canopy and he fights to remain conscious, knowing it is too late. His final image is the proud face of his oldest son standing alone. Tealoc dies, the unwitting victim of an evil experiment. On the Central Coast of California, far from the Amazon, Matt Wells watches the renowned Professor Ruhpor deliver a chilling lecture on viruses, a most persistent and deadly predator plaguing humanity. Although Matt welcomes the challenge of his new studies, and the romantic possibilities that come from a fresh crop of female students, he wonders if he has done the right thing by following the good doctor to this university. How well does he really know the professor? When Dr. Ruhpor disappears, Matt initially hesitates to go after him, knowing full well he'd be in over his head. Inevitably, the intoxicating beauty of Allyx Katero draws him into a deadly conspiracy and the hunt for Dr. Ruhpor. She makes any risk seem worthwhile. In San Francisco, Dr. Ben Singular enters the boardroom of Jameston Pharmaceuticals, dreading the meeting with his client Jolon Steele, a master of control with no tolerance for human imperfection. Their relationship is changing the direction of modern genetics, but Steele’s demands are taking a heavy toll on Ben’s conscience. Is the financial security of his company worth the lives of so many innocent people? How much more will he be forced to sacrifice? Ben realizes the depth of his mistake, and the true evil he has aligned himself with, when he learns Steele has gone deep into Ben’s personal life. A secret that only two people in the world knew is uncovered. What game is Steele playing? Nothing is sacred to him, especially not the life of Ben’s only son. . . . "Strange that science, which in the old days seemed harmless, should have evolved into a nightmare that causes everyone to tremble. One should always question." –Albert Einstein

461 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Jeff earned a Master’s of Science degree and has spent his life challenging the status quo. He has trained World Champions and nationally ranked contenders in Judo, softball, baseball, basketball, figure skating, hockey, golf, and tennis. Moving to the beat of his own heart, he has been a pioneer of change and an adventurer fulfilling his passions while traveling through numerous countries and nearly all of the U.S. fifty states and territories. Along with being a great father and husband, he has been a pilot, college professor, environmental consultant, expert witness, martial artist, personal protection specialist, SCUBA diver, and technical writer. He cites Michael Crichton, Jacques Cousteau, Tesla, Bruce Lee, and Albert Einstein as his inspirations. These inspirations, experiences, and trials are what weave life and texture into his novels … It has taken me a long time to find my fit within the Universe. Writing is like breathing: do it well, do it often, or don’t do it at all—JDC.

Reviews

[Tani]

When book sits in a drawer for about 5 months, it's about time to acknowledge that you're not going to be reading said book. Time to move on.

[Kirsti S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

MCL.
For a first novel it could have been much worse.
Two things that struck me:
1)He named a major character after one of his daughters and the other daughter had a very minor character as a namesake.
2)It was silly that he quoted himself as Dr. JD Copeland "respected peer" of a professor at Yale.