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Slatewiper
* Our chromosomes contain billions of so-called "junk DNA" sequences. Some of them are the intact genetic blueprints of ancient gene-altering pathogens.
* Bioweapons designers are developing deadly, genetically engineered, killer life-forms that are triggered by race-and ethnic-related genes.
* DNA analysis shows that the human race has come extremely close to extinction in the past. One cause of this could have been a "slatewiper"-a lethal pestilence that nearly wiped the human slate clean.
* By the end of World War II, Japan's biowarfare arsenal was the most advanced in the world thanks to its inhumane medical experiments that equaled those of the Third Reich.
The time has come for . . . Slatewiper .
Lara Blackwood, genetic engineering entrepreneur and presidential advisor, receives a call from an old college friend who asks her help in solving a ghastly epidemic in Tokyo. She agrees to help and, with a single phone call, sets in motion a chain of death and mayhem stretching from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., Amsterdam, and Japan.
To her horror, she discovers her life's work has been perverted to produce a revolutionary new genetic weapon that kills by turning people's own chromosomes against them.
Now Lara must risk assassination to expose the conspiracy behind "Slatewiper"-before a nightmarish terrorist scheme threatens the entire human race with extinction!
* Bioweapons designers are developing deadly, genetically engineered, killer life-forms that are triggered by race-and ethnic-related genes.
* DNA analysis shows that the human race has come extremely close to extinction in the past. One cause of this could have been a "slatewiper"-a lethal pestilence that nearly wiped the human slate clean.
* By the end of World War II, Japan's biowarfare arsenal was the most advanced in the world thanks to its inhumane medical experiments that equaled those of the Third Reich.
The time has come for . . . Slatewiper .
Lara Blackwood, genetic engineering entrepreneur and presidential advisor, receives a call from an old college friend who asks her help in solving a ghastly epidemic in Tokyo. She agrees to help and, with a single phone call, sets in motion a chain of death and mayhem stretching from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., Amsterdam, and Japan.
To her horror, she discovers her life's work has been perverted to produce a revolutionary new genetic weapon that kills by turning people's own chromosomes against them.
Now Lara must risk assassination to expose the conspiracy behind "Slatewiper"-before a nightmarish terrorist scheme threatens the entire human race with extinction!
- GenresFictionScience Fiction
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
5 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Lewis Perdue
28 books42 followersLewis Perdue is the author of 20 published books: 13 thrillers (some bestselling, including 3 co-authored with Lee Goldberg). Lew has also written seven non-fiction works ranging from wine to technology.
He is currently a biomedical researcher affiliated with the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, publishes Wine Industry Insight (for the trade), is an algorithm inventor at Revolution Algorithms, and consults with early stage technology companies. He lives near Sonoma, California.
Lew is an honors graduate of Cornell University where he studied organic chemistry, biology and communications. Financially self-supporting at age 18, Perdue financed his education by working full time at two Gannett daily newspapers.
He has worked as an investigative journalist in Washington DC for Jack Anderson, and has written for The Washington Post, Washington Monthly, The Nation and other publications.
He's served as a columnist for The Wall Street Journal Online, CBS Marketwatch, and TheStreet.Com.
In addition to journalism, Lew has been Chief Marketing Officer for a technology company (Transpositional Modulation Technologies), served as a top staff member for U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, and Mississippi Governor Bill Waller. He's also been a Managing Director for MSLGroup of Publicis Worldwide.
Lew is a native of the Mississippi Delta, and -- like the hero of his thrillers, Perfect Killer & Hellhound -- is the disinherited scion of a politically powerful, Faulknerian heritage.
He is currently a biomedical researcher affiliated with the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, publishes Wine Industry Insight (for the trade), is an algorithm inventor at Revolution Algorithms, and consults with early stage technology companies. He lives near Sonoma, California.
Lew is an honors graduate of Cornell University where he studied organic chemistry, biology and communications. Financially self-supporting at age 18, Perdue financed his education by working full time at two Gannett daily newspapers.
He has worked as an investigative journalist in Washington DC for Jack Anderson, and has written for The Washington Post, Washington Monthly, The Nation and other publications.
He's served as a columnist for The Wall Street Journal Online, CBS Marketwatch, and TheStreet.Com.
In addition to journalism, Lew has been Chief Marketing Officer for a technology company (Transpositional Modulation Technologies), served as a top staff member for U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, and Mississippi Governor Bill Waller. He's also been a Managing Director for MSLGroup of Publicis Worldwide.
Lew is a native of the Mississippi Delta, and -- like the hero of his thrillers, Perfect Killer & Hellhound -- is the disinherited scion of a politically powerful, Faulknerian heritage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 6, 2025
DNF -- llegué hasta la página 280 más o menos, pero me cansé de que cada vez que me sentaba a leerlo me daban ganas de dormirme.
Al principio pensé que iba a contar 3 historias en paralelo, después se centra en dos y con la única que llegué a empatizar un poco es con Lara Blackwood. El resto de personajes safan o directamente pasan desapercibidos. Supongo que Sugawara también pasa a ser semi-principal, pero no me generó nada. La única que me pareció más o menos interesante pero que está en segundo plano es Sheila Gailard.
El tema de la cultura japonesa fue de lo que más me aburrió, parecía que tenía que leer el libro con wikipedia al lado para investigar todas las palabras, historias, leyendas y sucesos históricos japoneses que menciona. El autor no te da contexto de nada, se hace engorroso y aburrido todo lo que cuenta de Japón, la guerra del pacifico, el tema religioso, etc.
Siento que el autor no llega a darle una identidad al libro, como mencioné antes lo de las historias paralelas, no sabes con que te puede salir, pero para mal. Al principio me presentó dos personajes que después los descartó como si fueran un pañuelo usado, así que me hizo fumarme todo un capítulo hablando de ellos para matarlos porque si, fueron una excusa para que el virus llegara a Lara. Y así demás asuntos que me molestaron.
Leyendo otras reseñas veo que a la gente genuinamente le gustó el libro... Perdón pero no los entiendo
Al principio pensé que iba a contar 3 historias en paralelo, después se centra en dos y con la única que llegué a empatizar un poco es con Lara Blackwood. El resto de personajes safan o directamente pasan desapercibidos. Supongo que Sugawara también pasa a ser semi-principal, pero no me generó nada. La única que me pareció más o menos interesante pero que está en segundo plano es Sheila Gailard.
El tema de la cultura japonesa fue de lo que más me aburrió, parecía que tenía que leer el libro con wikipedia al lado para investigar todas las palabras, historias, leyendas y sucesos históricos japoneses que menciona. El autor no te da contexto de nada, se hace engorroso y aburrido todo lo que cuenta de Japón, la guerra del pacifico, el tema religioso, etc.
Siento que el autor no llega a darle una identidad al libro, como mencioné antes lo de las historias paralelas, no sabes con que te puede salir, pero para mal. Al principio me presentó dos personajes que después los descartó como si fueran un pañuelo usado, así que me hizo fumarme todo un capítulo hablando de ellos para matarlos porque si, fueron una excusa para que el virus llegara a Lara. Y así demás asuntos que me molestaron.
Leyendo otras reseñas veo que a la gente genuinamente le gustó el libro... Perdón pero no los entiendo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2023
Chilling and although a "slow read" for me due to much scientific, historic, even military information, I enjoyed it tremendously. I consider this an intellectual novel that makes a very good point about racism, religious zealots and the fight for power among people of the world.
August 28, 2013
When I read the back cover of this book, I have to say I was intrigued. I thought, "Ok. This sounds interesting, but nothing special.". Boy, I was SO wrong!
The book in a nutshell is this: a virus that can zero in and "wipeout" specific cultural race genes is being produced and is about to be released on the world. IE; It will target anyone with the pre-determined gene; like the "Korean race gene" (I hope I'm phrasing that right!). So, if you're not of "pure" blood and you've got the gene the virus is looking for, you'll be "Slatewiped".
With the way the world is at the moment, the genocide, race riots, border closings to "outsiders", etc. it makes this book a really timely read.
What if this could truly be created and sent out over an unsuspecting planet? It's scary to think that something like this could be made and used in the world! I mean, Who knows what really goes on in all the chemical companys or behind Government closed doors?
This book makes you think about who you REALLY are. All the mish-mash of cultures that make us all individually unique. It's telling us that there are no more "pure" races any longer. And if we think that's not the case, we're in for a very rude awaking!
A very good book!
The book in a nutshell is this: a virus that can zero in and "wipeout" specific cultural race genes is being produced and is about to be released on the world. IE; It will target anyone with the pre-determined gene; like the "Korean race gene" (I hope I'm phrasing that right!). So, if you're not of "pure" blood and you've got the gene the virus is looking for, you'll be "Slatewiped".
With the way the world is at the moment, the genocide, race riots, border closings to "outsiders", etc. it makes this book a really timely read.
What if this could truly be created and sent out over an unsuspecting planet? It's scary to think that something like this could be made and used in the world! I mean, Who knows what really goes on in all the chemical companys or behind Government closed doors?
This book makes you think about who you REALLY are. All the mish-mash of cultures that make us all individually unique. It's telling us that there are no more "pure" races any longer. And if we think that's not the case, we're in for a very rude awaking!
A very good book!
dnf
June 19, 2017DNF- not gonna waste time reading a book I'm not enjoying.
February 8, 2017
Ya esta es la cuarta vez que lo releo si no estoy equivocada. Con este libro compruebo que cada vez que lees otra vez un libro en otra etapa de tu vida, lo analizas de otra forma.
Realmente no sé como fue que lo pude leer cuando pequeña, supongo que el hecho de desconocer ciertos aspectos ayudó bastante. Ahora que lo volví a leer, me causó un gran impacto, el hecho que toque temas tan crudos como lo son las guerras y sus distintos derivados, me hizo reflexionar bastante del modo de vida en el mundo y el como poco a poco la violencia no puede dejarse de lado.
Es una historia realmente innovadora (para la época en que el autor la publicó y aún cuando lo leí por vez primera), ya que trata sobre el bioterrorismo, la sed de poder y la influencia cultural que algunos radicalizan, algo que no se comenzó a plantearse sino muchos años después (fue escrito mucho antes de la tragedia del 11 de septiembre), y que poco a poco lamentablemente se ha ido haciendo realidad.
Desde el inicio, la historia atrapa y está llena de indicios de lo que es capaz la influencia; una trama trepidante y bien estructurada, la cual causa impacto al ser inspirada en hechos reales (las referencias de los crímenes cometidos en la Segunda Guerra Mundial por los japoneses son reales, siendo mostrada la otra cara de la crueldad que muchos asiáticos sufrieron y que muchos desconocen); el autor demuestra un gran ingenio al mostrar una radicalización de la cultura japonesa, apoyándose de la historia.
Con respecto a los personajes, me parece que todos son bastantes completos y muestran distintos matices que hacen la historia más interesante, como por ejemplo, el hecho de que algunos tienen una gran influencia debido a su pasado, otros por su cultura y que no fueran dejados de lado.
Una historia muy buena, con una profundidad que pude apreciar con mayor claridad en esta lectura y que me hizo reflexionar acerca de las realidades que se viven en el mundo.
Realmente no sé como fue que lo pude leer cuando pequeña, supongo que el hecho de desconocer ciertos aspectos ayudó bastante. Ahora que lo volví a leer, me causó un gran impacto, el hecho que toque temas tan crudos como lo son las guerras y sus distintos derivados, me hizo reflexionar bastante del modo de vida en el mundo y el como poco a poco la violencia no puede dejarse de lado.
Es una historia realmente innovadora (para la época en que el autor la publicó y aún cuando lo leí por vez primera), ya que trata sobre el bioterrorismo, la sed de poder y la influencia cultural que algunos radicalizan, algo que no se comenzó a plantearse sino muchos años después (fue escrito mucho antes de la tragedia del 11 de septiembre), y que poco a poco lamentablemente se ha ido haciendo realidad.
Desde el inicio, la historia atrapa y está llena de indicios de lo que es capaz la influencia; una trama trepidante y bien estructurada, la cual causa impacto al ser inspirada en hechos reales (las referencias de los crímenes cometidos en la Segunda Guerra Mundial por los japoneses son reales, siendo mostrada la otra cara de la crueldad que muchos asiáticos sufrieron y que muchos desconocen); el autor demuestra un gran ingenio al mostrar una radicalización de la cultura japonesa, apoyándose de la historia.
Con respecto a los personajes, me parece que todos son bastantes completos y muestran distintos matices que hacen la historia más interesante, como por ejemplo, el hecho de que algunos tienen una gran influencia debido a su pasado, otros por su cultura y que no fueran dejados de lado.
Una historia muy buena, con una profundidad que pude apreciar con mayor claridad en esta lectura y que me hizo reflexionar acerca de las realidades que se viven en el mundo.
March 14, 2025
Este thriller de bioterrorismo sigue a Lara Blackwood, una brillante ingeniera genética, que descubre que su investigación ha sido utilizada para crear un arma biológica mortal llamada ‘Ojo de Fuego’. Este virus ataca selectivamente a personas de ciertas etnias, lo que lo convierte en una herramienta de genocidio en manos de terroristas. Lara se embarca en una carrera contrarreloj para desmantelar esta conspiración y evitar una catástrofe global.”
El libro aborda temas como la manipulación genética, el fanatismo nacionalista y los peligros de la ciencia descontrolada. Algunos lectores destacan su trama intensa y llena de acción, aunque mencionan que hacia el final pierde algo de fuerza.
La verdad, que es un libro que te mantiene en vilo, y con ingentes ganas de seguir leyendo hasta acabarlo. Y he agradecido que el final, no sea un final romántico, que era lo que me temía.
Me ha encantado, me ha recordado mucho, a “ZIGZAG” de José Carlos Somoza, el cual leí hace años pero es de mis libros sin duda, favoritos .
El libro aborda temas como la manipulación genética, el fanatismo nacionalista y los peligros de la ciencia descontrolada. Algunos lectores destacan su trama intensa y llena de acción, aunque mencionan que hacia el final pierde algo de fuerza.
La verdad, que es un libro que te mantiene en vilo, y con ingentes ganas de seguir leyendo hasta acabarlo. Y he agradecido que el final, no sea un final romántico, que era lo que me temía.
Me ha encantado, me ha recordado mucho, a “ZIGZAG” de José Carlos Somoza, el cual leí hace años pero es de mis libros sin duda, favoritos .
April 24, 2024
DNF honestly couldn't get passed the absolutely absurd characteristics of the main protagonist. Apparently she's super hard-working (like the best), the most mentally cool and controlled, super fit/strong/martial arts trained, the *only* scientist in her field that thought of this particular type of genome work, CEO, chairwoman, multiple degrees, multiple Olympic medals.... uh yeah no. And the males in her proximity are somehow just *inferior* in every way. On top of the way that it just feels like this was written to be a male character but we slapped some tits on him and called him Lara instead. Plus we mentioned that it's a male-dominated industry, so it's fine. Really disappointed bc I loved Prey by Michael Crichton and was hoping this would be on the same vein.
TLDR: wanted to enjoy the bio weapon thriller, couldn't get past SuperBoobs.
TLDR: wanted to enjoy the bio weapon thriller, couldn't get past SuperBoobs.
October 25, 2022
Awesome! From start to finish this book is a race to get to the end of a killer virus that can wipe out all of mankind instead of just the certain ethnicities targeted by the evil people who have plotted this massacre! As I read it, I I felt offended on behalf of the Japanese people in this book that are portrayed as evil beings wanted to continue to keep their race pure so be aware of that, as it is hard to read about. I would recommend this book to everyone because we all need to be on the alert that evil does exist and that people are capable of creating killer viruses properly deadlier than the one we’ve all lived through: Covid-19 these past few years!
September 11, 2022
It’s an interesting and plausible idea. Reading it in the third year of a global pandemic is, well let’s just say it hits differently. It was a good blend if history and science that is accurate but not necessarily understood by the lay person. Well written and unique in the medical thriller genre.
February 27, 2018
This book makes me want to read more on the history of WWII. I wonder are the Japanese truly our allies today or is it a must relationship for the time being. The story was entertaining but also disturbing to imagine those we think are our allies are simply biding their time for retribution.
March 30, 2018
Ouch! Too close to the truth to be ignored---based on bio-weapons and hatred among people, greed, and thinking one race is better than another. Scary.
April 2, 2020
Muy bueno y esa arma genética sin palabras
December 23, 2023
Here is another read that should also be an eye opener to us all.
July 23, 2025
It starts with the terrible bigots creating a bio-weapon. Lara's first impression is of incredible arrogance.
July 25, 2009
Local Northern California author Lewis Perdue wrote the first edition of "Slatewiper" as an eBook in 1996. At that time, no one had thought of mapping the human genome, and yet that's part of what this book is about. He wrote an updated version of the book in 2002, and that's what I read.
Protagonist Lara Blackwood has done pioneering work which has allowed her to develop gene therapies for such ethnically evolved ailments as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs and sickle-cell anemia. She is ousted from her position in the company she developed by a cabal that has figured out how to use the same research to create biological weapons aimed at specific ethnic groups.
As Lara untangles all of the particulars to determine who is behind the work, her life is (of course) endangered. The action ranges from Washington, DC, to Holland and Japan, and there is rarely a dull moment.
The ideas for this book come from Perdue's historical research into World War II and also his background in molecular biology. I was entertained by this novel and reminded very much of Michael Crichton's medical technothrillers. Crichton fans are likely to enjoy Perdue's work.
Protagonist Lara Blackwood has done pioneering work which has allowed her to develop gene therapies for such ethnically evolved ailments as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs and sickle-cell anemia. She is ousted from her position in the company she developed by a cabal that has figured out how to use the same research to create biological weapons aimed at specific ethnic groups.
As Lara untangles all of the particulars to determine who is behind the work, her life is (of course) endangered. The action ranges from Washington, DC, to Holland and Japan, and there is rarely a dull moment.
The ideas for this book come from Perdue's historical research into World War II and also his background in molecular biology. I was entertained by this novel and reminded very much of Michael Crichton's medical technothrillers. Crichton fans are likely to enjoy Perdue's work.
September 7, 2007
I understand you can only have so many books with a terrorist and biochemical warfare plot, but this has a great point-of-view. A Japanese company buys an American company who is known for creating treatments to ethnicity-specific diseases. The American company had just created a chemical that , instead of saving a race, would kill them. The Japanese planned to use this chemical to destroy the Koreans, then alter the chemical for different races, and sell to the highest bidder. Pretty awesome stuff.
August 15, 2007
This book ONLY has 5 stars from me because it was pivotal in my MA project research. It is not a particularly good book...though pulp thriller novels aren't my bag so I really only have Dan Brown to compare him to (and some very vague memories combining John Grisham movies and books)...and is-to use the old adage-PROBLEMATIC for a number of reasons, the main threads (pun...intended?) of genetic subject matter were sort of fascinating. And a little terrifying.
August 11, 2015
This book is about a revolutionary genetic Bio-weapon that kills by turning people's own ethnic-related chromosomes against them. As I was reading this book I couldn't help but reflect on the fact that this scenario could in fact be plausible, ( now or in the future ). It's a terrifying thought. This is not your regular medical thriller, it was well written, fast paced and full of action and rather scary to realise that such a weapon could exist.
September 19, 2011
This book was great. I think you should really have some back ground in the biotechnology field to understand some of the information in here, however even if you don't this book still goes into enough detail so that anyone can get a fair grasp of what's going on.
December 11, 2010
Ethnic genes - to destroy a Race of people - the Japanese pure race - first to destroy the Koreans - thriller
(2010 December note- sorry about this review- it doesn't make much sense- but that's what I wrote when I read it...guess I need to read it again)
(2010 December note- sorry about this review- it doesn't make much sense- but that's what I wrote when I read it...guess I need to read it again)
August 23, 2011
1 star science thriller (for hard-core genre fans only). I can only suspend my disbelief for so long, plus, the author's attacks on Japan and Japanese culture felt over the top, even though the bad guys are evil genocidal Japanese gene splicers. For my full review, see ScienceThrillers.com
November 14, 2013
Buen libro acerca del peligro relacionado con la manipulación genética y hasta donde nos podría llevar. Aunque pierde al final un poco a mi parecer la forma de cerrar los acontecimientos, no deja de cautivar al lector. Bastante acción.
January 26, 2016
Slatewpiper is downright scary because the scenatio it presents is entirely possible: the wholesale wiping-out of entire ethnic groups with bio-engineered viruses specifically tweaked to target certain groups.
August 26, 2008
This book was disturbing on many levels.
Read
April 1, 2011biogenetic thriller?dont remember
Want to read
December 25, 2011¡He registrado un libro en BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10346618
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10346618
July 10, 2014
Excelente libro, uno se pone casi que al borde con todo lo que va pasando, a veces puede ser bastante gráfico en cuanto a la descripción de la pandemia, absolutamente recomendable
May 3, 2016
read SOMETIME in 2005
August 2, 2011
Una buena novela de suspense que te tiene enganchado hasta el final :)
February 5, 2015
OK. A little formulaic but good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews