CONTROL

by Sandra Sperling

Sonny's husband dies shortly after inheriting his wealthy grandmother's large farmhouse and entire estate, so she, in turn, gets it. The young widow now has the means to support herself while she launches her career as a watercolor artist. Besides the hours she spends painting, she begins to make some changes in the peculiarly decorated house, searches for a key to open a locked door in the basement, and hires a ruggedly handsome man, Clark, to repair some damages on the building. She meets her two nearest neighbors---Justine, a cheerful middle-aged woman and Rolf, a handsome author who requires solitude in which to write. In spite of a few nasty glitches, Sonny's life is moving peacefully along, with romance possible in the near future.
A mile away, however, is a top-secret laboratory, located on three lower levels of an old, underground mine, where microbiologists are putting the final touches on a malignant virus they call CONTROL, which they plan to first release on two European countries, eventually infecting the population of the entire world.
This dangerous information becomes known to the four acquaintances and puts their lives in jeopardy in this contemporary tale of romance and suspense, lightened up with humor.

287 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2024

About the author

Sandra Sperling was born in Nevada and began her creative life in Minnesosta, where, as a child, she wrote a play and a short story. Eventually, she attempted a horror novel, but it didn't horrify. Her mother, while reading the manuscript, began to laugh helplessly and leaned against a door for support, sliding to the floor like a piece of cooked spaghetti. Deciding she was a failure as a writer, Sandy switched to painting drybrush watercolors. The pull to write, however, was too strong to resist, so while still in Minnesota, she again began to write, publishing some short stories and advancing to novels. She currently lives in Kentucky with her husband, She enjoys taking nature walks, refinishing old furniture and reading.

Reviews

[Susan Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prizewinning novelist, Sandra Sperling’s latest novel, CONTROL, sizzles with suspense and a pinch of satire. Sonny, an artist and attractive young widow has inherited a house in an ostensibly peaceful and remote area. She plans on re-doing the dark and dismal rooms, make paintings of cats, and lead a quiet life. Her biggest dilemna—at first—seems to be which of two attractive men she will choose to date. There’s ruggedly handsome Clark, who becomes Sonny’s handyman. But then, Rolf, a mysterious novelist, enters Sonny’s life. Like Sonny, he too, has lost a spouse.

And then we learn about DR GEM, the society of a few powerful and wealthy men who believe they hold the key to altering human behavior to their liking. The CONTROL virus is “so devestating, it made COVID look like a pimple,” and the Society has plans to first infect liberal politicians, followed by intellectuals and artists. The virus is especially dreadful because it lobotomizes its victims. Once infected, they become passive and obedient. No doubt a parallel with an issue plaguing part of today’s electorate!

Suspense builds when Sonny begins wondering about the trapdoor in her house...Her friend Lee will need to be kept quiet in the cellar until things can be explained to Sonny...Lee thinks Rolf is a madman. Is he? Will the novel he’s writing help to save the world? Or will the world become obedient workers for DR GEM?

Sperling’s satiric wit and humor serve as an anodyne to this tension-filled story. Not to mention the romantic entanglements. This is a must-read! A riveting page-turner.

[Mary Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh love terror espionage

This book made me laugh out loud mutiple times, the sci-fi aspects were cool in a unique manner, the romance slowly blossomed into hormonal rip-the-clothes-off but sexually explicit at all. This book has a bit of everything mixed into the story, woven tightly, and I loved this book.

[M Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this story was a lot of fun! It had some thrills and a few scary moments. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the characters and they came across as quite real.
I laughed quite a few times and was surprised by more than one plot twist.
I promise no spoilers so I can't say more, except read this book! You will love it.