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Genesis Plague
The horror is real. Darwin and team face off against a cult hellbent on resurrecting the world's deadliest disease.
When thieves steal holy relics from the Vatican Museums, he suspects the antiquities cartel he shut down is still operating. But something doesn’t add up.
As Darwin chases evidence of the saint’s bones from Rome to Kyrgyzstan and Warsaw, he meets an investigative reporter who links them to a series of devasting attacks on remote Siberian villages. Has someone genetically engineered a bioweapon?
With time running out and no government willing to investigate Russia, Darwin must put an end to this doomsday group before it unleashes unspeakable terror on humanity.
Genesis Plague is book six in the Darwin Lacroix Adventures archaeological thrillers with plenty of action, plausible science, and characters you’d invite to dinner.
If you enjoyed Dan Brown's Inferno and watching Contagion, then you’ll love Genesis Plague!
When thieves steal holy relics from the Vatican Museums, he suspects the antiquities cartel he shut down is still operating. But something doesn’t add up.
As Darwin chases evidence of the saint’s bones from Rome to Kyrgyzstan and Warsaw, he meets an investigative reporter who links them to a series of devasting attacks on remote Siberian villages. Has someone genetically engineered a bioweapon?
With time running out and no government willing to investigate Russia, Darwin must put an end to this doomsday group before it unleashes unspeakable terror on humanity.
Genesis Plague is book six in the Darwin Lacroix Adventures archaeological thrillers with plenty of action, plausible science, and characters you’d invite to dinner.
If you enjoyed Dan Brown's Inferno and watching Contagion, then you’ll love Genesis Plague!
- GenresFiction
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2023
About the author
Dave Bartell
18 books120 followersDave Bartell has spent his life chasing questions across mountains, deserts, laboratories, and quiet places where the universe feels close enough to touch. He climbed the highest mountain in the continental United States at ten, earned the nickname 'mountain goat' for his relentless pace on the trail, and could start a campfire with a single match before he learned algebra. As a teenager, he preserved indigenous bone beads found on a Southern California peak—his first archaeological discovery, long before he knew the word for it.
A degree in biochemistry sharpened his sense that humanity is made of stardust and story. Air Force survival training taught him how to think when options vanish. Zen meditation taught him how to listen to mysteries hiding in the quiet. He raced road bikes at more than fifty miles an hour, circled Lake Tahoe in four hours, and learned that endurance is a kind of prayer.
Today, Dave writes archaeological thrillers that blend science, history, and wonder. A member of the Archaeological Institute of America, he draws from a lifetime of adventure to craft stories of discovery, danger, and the search for meaning in a vast, ancient world. He lives in Los Gatos, California, where the hills still offer enough wilderness to spark a novel.
A degree in biochemistry sharpened his sense that humanity is made of stardust and story. Air Force survival training taught him how to think when options vanish. Zen meditation taught him how to listen to mysteries hiding in the quiet. He raced road bikes at more than fifty miles an hour, circled Lake Tahoe in four hours, and learned that endurance is a kind of prayer.
Today, Dave writes archaeological thrillers that blend science, history, and wonder. A member of the Archaeological Institute of America, he draws from a lifetime of adventure to craft stories of discovery, danger, and the search for meaning in a vast, ancient world. He lives in Los Gatos, California, where the hills still offer enough wilderness to spark a novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 5, 2025
Seeds of Death
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee. The more I have, for both are infinite.”
So, Zac quotes Shakespeare at the end of the adventures, as the Agrippa Center for Archaeology owners had just concluded. He reminds everyone that, despite the horrors they had just experienced, they all have each other and the limitless love for one another.
Dave Bartell's Genesis Plague takes us to the dark heart of the conspiracy world. One of his characters notes that, at any given time, the world's governments are watching a minimum of 8000 apocalyptic cults. A blood-chilling figure to hear from any source, I believe.
Genesis Plague begins with the theft of a sacred relic from a Basilica in Russia. Zac is called upon in his capacity as the head of the Vatican Archeology department to investigate quietly as not to anger any Russian government officials.
Zac and the ACA soon learn of several more thefts, all of sacred relics. Darwin and Eyrún are soon scratching their heads to come up with a unified reason for the incidents. It takes the insight of an Investigative reporter to point them to the time frame of each relic's death and the juxtaposition of the Black Plague in Europe.
Our team is soon enmeshed in learning DNA science, tracking an apocalyptic cult with a charismatic leader, and trying to outrun a new age/biblical plot to renew the Earth.
Chasing down the cult leaders proves to be a life-threatening ordeal, in more ways than one. Seeing how depraved people can be when doing what they believe to be right is sickening.
Despite the heaviness, Genesis Plague is a fascinating novel. It will leave you contemplating your role in Global warming and how climate change will be resolved. A challenging, thrilling, yet entertaining novel you will enjoy. I highly recommend it.
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee. The more I have, for both are infinite.”
So, Zac quotes Shakespeare at the end of the adventures, as the Agrippa Center for Archaeology owners had just concluded. He reminds everyone that, despite the horrors they had just experienced, they all have each other and the limitless love for one another.
Dave Bartell's Genesis Plague takes us to the dark heart of the conspiracy world. One of his characters notes that, at any given time, the world's governments are watching a minimum of 8000 apocalyptic cults. A blood-chilling figure to hear from any source, I believe.
Genesis Plague begins with the theft of a sacred relic from a Basilica in Russia. Zac is called upon in his capacity as the head of the Vatican Archeology department to investigate quietly as not to anger any Russian government officials.
Zac and the ACA soon learn of several more thefts, all of sacred relics. Darwin and Eyrún are soon scratching their heads to come up with a unified reason for the incidents. It takes the insight of an Investigative reporter to point them to the time frame of each relic's death and the juxtaposition of the Black Plague in Europe.
Our team is soon enmeshed in learning DNA science, tracking an apocalyptic cult with a charismatic leader, and trying to outrun a new age/biblical plot to renew the Earth.
Chasing down the cult leaders proves to be a life-threatening ordeal, in more ways than one. Seeing how depraved people can be when doing what they believe to be right is sickening.
Despite the heaviness, Genesis Plague is a fascinating novel. It will leave you contemplating your role in Global warming and how climate change will be resolved. A challenging, thrilling, yet entertaining novel you will enjoy. I highly recommend it.
December 6, 2023
Best book so far in this series of 6. Fast moving and makes the reader always want to continue on.
November 15, 2024
Chuy Valley, Kytgyz Khanate (Mongolia) 1338 CE. Years after Pope Clement V sent Cyril to the far east to search for Templar Knights, he stayed to minister to the small community villages along the Silk Road. But they are dying of a mysterious illness.
Chuy Valley, Russian Empire, 1885. Archeologist Nikolai Pantusov discovers the burial place of a minor saint: Cyril.
Paris, France. Ukrainian refugee Tatiana Belanov’s fiancé and his brother goes missing during a bombing attack in the Ukraine capital and she gets involved in a ‘Save the World’ protest.
Much as I like Darwin and Eyrun, I feel like this series is moving away from the archeological thrillers I’m interested in and moving toward more politically correct issues. It’s getting preachy and I’m losing interest. I read for escapism and the real world is intruding too much. So goodbye Darwin and Eyrun. Have a happy life and keep entertaining other readers.
Chuy Valley, Russian Empire, 1885. Archeologist Nikolai Pantusov discovers the burial place of a minor saint: Cyril.
Paris, France. Ukrainian refugee Tatiana Belanov’s fiancé and his brother goes missing during a bombing attack in the Ukraine capital and she gets involved in a ‘Save the World’ protest.
Much as I like Darwin and Eyrun, I feel like this series is moving away from the archeological thrillers I’m interested in and moving toward more politically correct issues. It’s getting preachy and I’m losing interest. I read for escapism and the real world is intruding too much. So goodbye Darwin and Eyrun. Have a happy life and keep entertaining other readers.
September 2, 2023
Darwin almost got in over his head in this adventure.
For me, some parts were beyond reasonable because of the places he got himself into. If it weren't for his really brilliant wife and Zac he would not have made it.
This book part of a series and they get better, much better, as the series rolls on.
For me, some parts were beyond reasonable because of the places he got himself into. If it weren't for his really brilliant wife and Zac he would not have made it.
This book part of a series and they get better, much better, as the series rolls on.
November 1, 2023
Okay... not much on archeology
The book was good but this is now the 2nd that has seemingly lost the archeology angle.
Dan Browns Inferno infuriates me as to why Langdon would even be involved. But THAT was way more believable than this. Simply put, this was not not an archeological thriller.
The book was good but this is now the 2nd that has seemingly lost the archeology angle.
Dan Browns Inferno infuriates me as to why Langdon would even be involved. But THAT was way more believable than this. Simply put, this was not not an archeological thriller.
February 17, 2024
What a series
What an incredible series. Non stop from start to finish, with this last book .... unbelievable. 1 much going on, you want to rush to find out what happens next and you miss something important, and have to go back and rereadwhat uou had already read, only slower.
Highly recommend this series to everyone.
Can't wait for the next adventure of Darwin Lacroix.
What an incredible series. Non stop from start to finish, with this last book .... unbelievable. 1 much going on, you want to rush to find out what happens next and you miss something important, and have to go back and rereadwhat uou had already read, only slower.
Highly recommend this series to everyone.
Can't wait for the next adventure of Darwin Lacroix.
November 16, 2023
Frightening scenarios of ancient plague and modern day villains!
Darwin Lacroix and his wife run the Agrippa Archaeological Centre on Corfu Cosica, but there are many many more facets to unlock!
Darwin Lacroix and his wife run the Agrippa Archaeological Centre on Corfu Cosica, but there are many many more facets to unlock!
December 19, 2023
Awesome Adventure
Another exciting archeological adventure that will keep you on the edge of your set. The action and intrigue are nonstop. With this amazing cast of characters, you can't go wrong, l really like this book and I highly recommend it.
Another exciting archeological adventure that will keep you on the edge of your set. The action and intrigue are nonstop. With this amazing cast of characters, you can't go wrong, l really like this book and I highly recommend it.
July 15, 2024
Corsicana archeologist's latest
Adventure turns deadly.
This book seems a bit different from the rest in series, but still as good as the others,
How easily it is in today's age of technology to manipulate people to do the bidding of others. Great read for today's world situation
Adventure turns deadly.
This book seems a bit different from the rest in series, but still as good as the others,
How easily it is in today's age of technology to manipulate people to do the bidding of others. Great read for today's world situation
December 9, 2023
Thanks for an exciting and
Fast-paced bio thriller. Scared the bejesus out out me. Going to have to backtrack and read a prequel or two
Fast-paced bio thriller. Scared the bejesus out out me. Going to have to backtrack and read a prequel or two
November 9, 2024
With all his book,you learning something new. Even thought this there was horrible and praying won't happened, I learned a lot. Love all his books.
But what happened to the gold in book 5 ?
But what happened to the gold in book 5 ?
July 7, 2023
This is an age-old story that starts with, “What if …”. What if someone does the unthinkable to solve a devastating problem. The problem is that the Earth is dying because humans are slowly killing it. Their solution is to kill mankind to save the Earth.
When thieves steal saint’s bones from Rome and Kyrgyzstan, Darwin Lacroix and his team work with the Vatican to retrieve the bones and find out why they were stolen. While in Kyrgyzstan he meets an investigative reporter who can link the thefts to several deadly attacks on Siberian villages.
I’ve enjoyed reading the Darwin Lacroix Adventures. They’re captivating and filled with pulsing energy. These books take me to places I would love to explore with mysteries I’d love to solve. Genesis Plague is terrifying, intriguing, and captivating. Humanity‘s knowledge of genetics and the ever-shrinking world we live in makes this story plausible. The process these terrorists use is both believable and realistic. This could happen!
October 3, 2023
While this scared me (lightly) as this is all too possible in today's world, I enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down! I have read the entire series and I quite enjoy the author's style and the characters draw you in. I look forward to more books in this series?!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews