Backbite

by Adrienne Jones

RJ Wyatt never had much ambition, and certainly no interest in entering the medical field like his brilliant father. But when his father dies, he learns he’s inherited more than the family jewels.
Forced to take over a secret lab conducting genetic experiments on the terminally ill, RJ muddles through with the help of his late father’s science team. But he also inherits some dangerous enemies from the old man, and they’re willing to kill to steal his secrets.
What follows is an unfolding mystery of conspiracy, murder and mutants.

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2011

About the author

http://www.adriennejones.me

Reviews

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WoW!! Loved it! A book about a young man made to take over his father's business of a potion that cures all. But, mutations are coming out of the closet at the same time drug companies are vying to the magic stuff. But, the mutations were not of early mistakes, but of a man gone mad with science. Definitely a must read!!

[Patricia Esposito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adrienne Jones's Backbite didn't give me nightmares because there was someone waiting in the dark or a horrific demon lurking around every corner, though Backbite has enough mutants to chill the body before bed. No, I think in this case it was the novel's 312 pages of unrelenting action, rapid-fire dialogue, and page-by-page upheaval. As RJ and his deceased father's medical team try to combat pharmaceuticals taking over their company, international thugs seeking revenge, throngs of terminal patients seeking RJ's miracle cure, and psychologically damaged mutant mishaps, one crisis nearly solved is only compounded by another. And I mean immediately into another, as in RJ can't open a door in his home without a new catastrophe befalling him.

Backbite tackles a fascinating topic--our quest to regain our youth, and Jones comes up with some interesting theories on how this might work, with a combination of biology, psychology, and mysterious herbs. The author has done her DNA research to make it all intriguing to think about, and also covers the ramifications of limited miracle cures, decisions on life or death, and even family relations as parents might one day be younger than their children. But it's all done via an ensemble of flippant and sarcastic characters, and you can tell Jones is having fun with her creations, particularly the ever-increasing run of mutants.

For fans of fast-paced suspense mingled with a good dose of sci-fi weirdness, Backbite will be a pleasure to read. But be prepared to have to put it down now and then to breathe.

[Lianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh man, if anyone ever offers me an immortality treatment I will throw sand in their face and run away screaming.

[Samantha Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. Like a really good episode of your favorite science/speculative fiction series. Such good entertainment value I immediately let my Kindle buy another of Ms. Jones' books.