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The Scallop Plot: A Cape Cod Thriller
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26In this thriller, star investigative reporter Samantha Fuller joins a feisty Cape Cod fisherwoman to foil a wind farm developer’s evil plot to poison precious ocean scallop beds—and finds herself facing off against right-wing climate deniers.
In Provincetown, MA, feisty scallop fisherwoman Isabella Ferreira goes up against a sleazy wind farm developer, Olaf Svensson, who wants to install wind turbines in the ocean right off the coast of Cape Cod.
At a nearby scallop hatchery, marine biologists Leif and Astrid Borgen are already using the new gene editing technique CRISPR to insert a growth hormone gene into scallop embryos to make them bigger and thus more profitable—all of which is legal. But unbeknownst to the hatchery owner, Svensson is also paying the pair to insert another gene—one that causes PSP, paralytic shellfish poisoning. If this works, no one will ever eat scallops from this site again, thus freeing it up for Svensson’s turbines.
Enter Pulitzer Prize–winning Boston Times reporter Samantha Fuller. Together with Isabella, she slowly uncovers Svensson’s deadly plot—but not before hundreds of people die. Along the way, love blossoms, tragedies occur, and the subtleties of the pro- and anti-wind power groups are exposed.
In Provincetown, MA, feisty scallop fisherwoman Isabella Ferreira goes up against a sleazy wind farm developer, Olaf Svensson, who wants to install wind turbines in the ocean right off the coast of Cape Cod.
At a nearby scallop hatchery, marine biologists Leif and Astrid Borgen are already using the new gene editing technique CRISPR to insert a growth hormone gene into scallop embryos to make them bigger and thus more profitable—all of which is legal. But unbeknownst to the hatchery owner, Svensson is also paying the pair to insert another gene—one that causes PSP, paralytic shellfish poisoning. If this works, no one will ever eat scallops from this site again, thus freeing it up for Svensson’s turbines.
Enter Pulitzer Prize–winning Boston Times reporter Samantha Fuller. Together with Isabella, she slowly uncovers Svensson’s deadly plot—but not before hundreds of people die. Along the way, love blossoms, tragedies occur, and the subtleties of the pro- and anti-wind power groups are exposed.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy
What stayed with me most after reading The Scallop Plot is how Judy Foreman builds a thriller around competing visions of environmental progress rather than presenting a simple battle between heroes and villains. The novel takes debates about renewable energy, marine ecosystems, and scientific innovation and turns them into the engine of a high stakes investigation.
I was particularly drawn to the partnership between investigative reporter Samantha Fuller and fisherwoman Isabella Ferreira. Their collaboration grounds the story in both journalism and community knowledge, allowing the mystery to unfold from multiple perspectives. The use of CRISPR technology adds another layer of tension because the threat emerges not from science itself but from its manipulation for personal gain. The Cape Cod setting is also more than a backdrop. The scallop beds, fishing industry, and coastal communities become central to the conflict, giving the stakes a tangible sense of place. What makes the novel especially interesting is its willingness to engage with the complexities surrounding wind power and environmental politics without losing momentum as a thriller.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy suspense rooted in contemporary issues and scientific intrigue. By the end, the story becomes as much about protecting public trust as it is about exposing a dangerous conspiracy.
I was particularly drawn to the partnership between investigative reporter Samantha Fuller and fisherwoman Isabella Ferreira. Their collaboration grounds the story in both journalism and community knowledge, allowing the mystery to unfold from multiple perspectives. The use of CRISPR technology adds another layer of tension because the threat emerges not from science itself but from its manipulation for personal gain. The Cape Cod setting is also more than a backdrop. The scallop beds, fishing industry, and coastal communities become central to the conflict, giving the stakes a tangible sense of place. What makes the novel especially interesting is its willingness to engage with the complexities surrounding wind power and environmental politics without losing momentum as a thriller.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy suspense rooted in contemporary issues and scientific intrigue. By the end, the story becomes as much about protecting public trust as it is about exposing a dangerous conspiracy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Scallop Plot is a compelling and thought provoking read that explores the clash between technological progress, environmental conservation, and the livelihoods of a close knit coastal fishing community.
Told through the eyes of an investigative reporter, the story raises timely questions about growth, tradition, and the difficult choices communities face when change comes knocking. The mystery and social issues blend together seamlessly, making for an engaging and meaningful read.
I really enjoyed The Scallop Plot and would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy stories that combine mystery with real world issues.
Thank you to Booksparks and Judy Foreman for my complimentary finished copy. All opinions are my own.
Told through the eyes of an investigative reporter, the story raises timely questions about growth, tradition, and the difficult choices communities face when change comes knocking. The mystery and social issues blend together seamlessly, making for an engaging and meaningful read.
I really enjoyed The Scallop Plot and would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy stories that combine mystery with real world issues.
Thank you to Booksparks and Judy Foreman for my complimentary finished copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to BookSparks and Judy Foreman for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The Scallop Plot is a fun, cozy thriller with a great sense of place. I loved the large cast of characters and how much time we got to spend getting to know the whole town, which made the mystery feel layered and lived-in. The thriller elements kept things tense and engaging, but never lost that cozy, comforting feel throughout.
A great pick for anyone who wants mystery with warmth. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Judy Foreman.
The Scallop Plot is a fun, cozy thriller with a great sense of place. I loved the large cast of characters and how much time we got to spend getting to know the whole town, which made the mystery feel layered and lived-in. The thriller elements kept things tense and engaging, but never lost that cozy, comforting feel throughout.
A great pick for anyone who wants mystery with warmth. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from Judy Foreman.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews