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Tract
A weapon developed to conquer global food shortages is still a weapon…
John Kimberley has what it takes to be a world-class scientist—raw ambition, solid and prestigious albeit expensive education, sharp intellect and a desire to stave off the encroaching climatic disaster. Yet there is a mountain of needs and obligations hiding underneath the sterling values of a scientist. It ends up being so powerful that it drives all his career and life choices. Fifteen years after walking out on the love of his life, he is a successful corporate man. He rubs elbows with the wealthy and powerful, and enjoys the prosperity granted to him from his career. And though there is an ever-present feeling of guilt and remorse, that pricks the back of his neck and tries to reach his heart, he has learned to ignore it.
However, even his ignorance can’t push those feelings down when a string of bizarre disasters causes significant problems for his corporate employers. The proverbial last straw is a sinkhole that opened up in Arizona. It swallowed a refinery, one of his employer’s subsidiaries. It was also classified as a natural phenomenon. John not only feels but knows that the nature is not to be blamed in this instance. He looks for a pattern and finds a thread that begs to be pulled. And suddenly, the woman he tried to forget for fifteen years is back in his life. When a few days later, a new tragedy claims many lives, he knows that old wounds will have to remain hidden even as new ones open up because he is faced with so many choices, pulled in so many directions that running away is not an option. At least not this time.
He knows there is something terribly wrong with the island where the woman with whom he shared more than five years of hopes and dreams, is doing field research. He just doesn’t know how terribly wrong it is to try and find out.
John Kimberley has what it takes to be a world-class scientist—raw ambition, solid and prestigious albeit expensive education, sharp intellect and a desire to stave off the encroaching climatic disaster. Yet there is a mountain of needs and obligations hiding underneath the sterling values of a scientist. It ends up being so powerful that it drives all his career and life choices. Fifteen years after walking out on the love of his life, he is a successful corporate man. He rubs elbows with the wealthy and powerful, and enjoys the prosperity granted to him from his career. And though there is an ever-present feeling of guilt and remorse, that pricks the back of his neck and tries to reach his heart, he has learned to ignore it.
However, even his ignorance can’t push those feelings down when a string of bizarre disasters causes significant problems for his corporate employers. The proverbial last straw is a sinkhole that opened up in Arizona. It swallowed a refinery, one of his employer’s subsidiaries. It was also classified as a natural phenomenon. John not only feels but knows that the nature is not to be blamed in this instance. He looks for a pattern and finds a thread that begs to be pulled. And suddenly, the woman he tried to forget for fifteen years is back in his life. When a few days later, a new tragedy claims many lives, he knows that old wounds will have to remain hidden even as new ones open up because he is faced with so many choices, pulled in so many directions that running away is not an option. At least not this time.
He knows there is something terribly wrong with the island where the woman with whom he shared more than five years of hopes and dreams, is doing field research. He just doesn’t know how terribly wrong it is to try and find out.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2020
9 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 31, 2023
Tract by Edita A. Petrick is an uneven yet entertaining read of what happens to a scientific expedition testing the effects of a new growth agent, add to the mix corporate sabotage and double agents among the crew and you have the makings for a rousing good time. things begin to go wrong. very very wrong.
this was my first book by Petrick so I'm unfamiliar with their writing style. the idea was a solid one but the execution was a bit flawed. i can appreciate a slow burn but it took too long for the story to get moving in the right direction. but my biggest complaint was this: Dr. Sharri Flynn had to be the most unlikable lead character ever. she was one-dimensional, had one emotion throughout the book, and made the worst decisions ever for a scientist.
the good news is the premise is fascinating and once Tract gets going, it shines. the action is fast and doesn't let up, seemingly hitting the unsuspecting reader like quicksand sucking you in. even though i was rooting for Dr. Flynn to be one of the fatalities, i did really enjoy the book.
so, to sum up:
recommended
4 stars out of 5.
this was my first book by Petrick so I'm unfamiliar with their writing style. the idea was a solid one but the execution was a bit flawed. i can appreciate a slow burn but it took too long for the story to get moving in the right direction. but my biggest complaint was this: Dr. Sharri Flynn had to be the most unlikable lead character ever. she was one-dimensional, had one emotion throughout the book, and made the worst decisions ever for a scientist.
the good news is the premise is fascinating and once Tract gets going, it shines. the action is fast and doesn't let up, seemingly hitting the unsuspecting reader like quicksand sucking you in. even though i was rooting for Dr. Flynn to be one of the fatalities, i did really enjoy the book.
so, to sum up:
recommended
4 stars out of 5.
October 4, 2020
Scientists set up a test plot on a deserted island for botany research.
One of the scientists sneaks in a variant=t of the research teams fertilizer, and for some reason, the plants and most animals grow to enormous sizes overnight. the plants develop poison and begin to catch and eat the scientists. The roots of the plant dig through the soil and somehow pull the island underwater and sink it. Some of the scientists escape , and the corporation silences all information about the research.
One of the scientists sneaks in a variant=t of the research teams fertilizer, and for some reason, the plants and most animals grow to enormous sizes overnight. the plants develop poison and begin to catch and eat the scientists. The roots of the plant dig through the soil and somehow pull the island underwater and sink it. Some of the scientists escape , and the corporation silences all information about the research.
August 21, 2023
This is a really good read! I did really enjoy it! Quite a large adventure, which is great! Something to really get in to! Well written, great idea! Scary when you think about it! Good energy & pace! I found one of the main characters a little unpleasant, she came across as sullen, impatient & generally put upon! Even with her children. But if you don't mind some angst, this is a super story!
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May 11, 2021Tract, my sixth read from author Edita A. Petrick. Very different than her earlier books but every bit as enjoyable. I look forward to reading more from this author. "I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 14, 2022
Wildly imaginative! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very unique plot. Vivid descriptions. A REALLY great read!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews