Dragon Fire
Shortly after I signed Paul Reilly's The Espionage Game, he asked
if I might be interested in a novel about China and biological
warfare. I looked at him dumfounded and asked what he knew about
either. It turns out he knows quite a bit about both. He has been
going to Asia on business for years and has been to Hong Kong more
times than he could remember, as well as several visits each to
Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, etc., etc. During this
time he learned to read over 300 Chinese characters, not to mention
developed a keen interest in China's history, art, and culture.
As for biological warfare, like most things, he is self-taught. But
he had a pretty good head start because he studied biochemistry as a
minor while at graduate school. That helped him a lot when he studied
virology, he says.
I read the manuscript and my blood ran cold. But I couldn't put it
down. In it he describes what it would take to build a proper
biological weapon of mass destruction. It is not as easy as you might
think, but it could be done. "Dragon Fire" is the code name for a
man-made virus designed to kill millions of people and then disappear
by itself. That way the victor could move in safely once the virus has
run its course. A terrifying weapon.
Although I found some of the biochemistry over my head, he never
remained with it for more than a half page or so, and instead
concentrated on the interpersonal relationships. First and foremost,
there are Glen and Jennifer, affectionately called "Big Dragon" and
"Little Dragon" by their Chinese colleagues. Both are virologists
thrown together in the mad effort to find a counter to the virus.
Sparks of all sorts fly. She decides she wants him and he runs.
Relentlessly, she pursues him trying one ploy after another. You know
from the start that she will win in their war of wills, and I found
myself cheering for her.
Then there are the relationships among the powerful.
President
Crocker of the United States, Chairman Shang Jiruo of China, and a
host of other political entities interact both for their own interests
as well as those of their countries. Perhaps the most interesting is
Dorina Lauber, long-term friend and ally of President Crocker, and the
pivotal role she plays behind the scenes.
And the technology is also there. While not as fanciful as in The
Espionage Game, it is more frightening. Can the NSA listen into
cellular telephone calls from outer space? Paul thinks so and he
explains how it could be done. And as for making the Dragon Fire
virus, all you need is a super computer - and a Ph.D. in virology.
Dragon Fire is in the tradition of techno-thrillers, but it takes
new twists not seen before.
Tom Kelly, Publisher, Poitin Press.
© Copyright 2003, 2006 Poitin Inc. All rights
reserved.
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