Off Target

by Eve Smith

When a one-night stand leads to a long-desired pregnancy, Susan will do anything to ensure her husband won't find out ... including the unthinkable. But when something horrendous is unleashed around the globe, her secret isn't the only thing that is no longer safe...

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A longed-for baby
An unthinkable decision
A deadly mistake

In an all-too-possible near future, when genetic engineering has become the norm for humans, not just crops, parents are prepared to take incalculable risks to ensure that their babies are perfect ... altering genes that may cause illness, and more...

Susan has been trying for a baby for years, and when an impulsive one-night stand makes her dream come true, she'll do anything to keep her daughter and ensure her husband doesn't find out ... including the unthinkable. She believes her secret is safe. For now.

But as governments embark on a perilous genetic arms race and children around the globe start experiencing a host of distressing symptoms – even taking their own lives – something truly horrendous is unleashed. Because those children have only one thing in common, and people are starting to ask questions...

Bestselling author of The Waiting Rooms, Eve Smith returns with an authentic, startlingly thought-provoking, disturbing blockbuster of a thriller that provides a chilling glimpse of a future that's just one modification away...
Because those children have only one thing in common, and people are starting to ask questions…

Bestselling author of The Waiting Rooms, Eve Smith returns with an authentic, startlingly thought-provoking, nail-biting blockbuster of a thriller that provides a chilling glimpse of a future that’s just one manipulation away…

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Thriller, Speculative Fiction, Audiobook, Book Club, Fiction

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2022

About the author

Eve writes speculative fiction, mainly about the things that scare her.
Longlisted for the Guardian's Not the Booker Prize and described by Waterstones as "an exciting new voice in crime fiction", Eve Smith’s debut novel The Waiting Rooms, set during a global antibiotic crisis was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize First Novel Award and was a Guardian book of the month.
Her second thriller, Off Target, about a world where genetic engineering of children has become routine, was a pick of the month in The Times, who described it as: "an astute, well-researched and convincing novel of ideas".
Her third thriller, ONE, set in a one-child policy Britain ravaged by the climate crisis was longlisted for Best Novel in the British Science Fiction Association Awards and was a New Scientist and SciFiNow pick.
Her latest novel, THE CURE, out in April, explores the catastrophic consequences of a cure for ageing which is hijacked by immortalist obsessives.
Eve attributes her love of all things dark and dystopian to a childhood watching Tales of the Unexpected and black-and-white Edgar Allen Poe double bills. In this world of questionable facts and news, she believes storytelling is more important than ever to engage people in real life issues.
Eve’s previous job as COO of an environmental charity took her to research projects across Asia, Africa and the Americas, and she has an ongoing passion for wild creatures, wild science and far-flung places.
When she’s not writing, she’s racing across fields after her dog, attempting to organise herself and her family or off exploring somewhere new.
Follow Eve: @evecsmith on X www.evesmithauthor.com
evesmithauthor on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Facebook

Reviews

[Awais Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Eve Smith's debut "The Waiting Rooms" in 2020 and it became my favorite book of the year. I didn't think anything could top that, but Eve Smith has managed to surprise me. OFF TARGET is a literary thriller of epic proportions. It grabs you from the get go and then refuses to let go. With jaw-dropping twists, high stakes and so much heart, this is a book that everyone will be talking about. Smith creates a spectacular main character in Susan, one you will find yourself rooting for at every turn. It is not always easy to infuse depth and emotion into a high stakes thriller, but Smith manages to achieve the impossible (as always). Fans of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook will love this book. Destined to become a Bestseller!

[Catherine McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up.
I have to say, Orenda Books are one of the best indie publishers out there. I’ve read several books from them now and enjoyed each and every one.
Off-Target was my first read from Eve Smith, and I’ll start by saying that futuristic/dystopian fiction is not my go-to genre choice. I tend to prefer historical, dark fiction or magical realism. I must say, that is the only reason I rate this book 4.5 instead of 5 stars – purely down to genre preference.
The research on eugenics and what that could hold for the future in this novel is admirable and thought-provoking. I read it over just a few sessions because it really is a page-turner.
To sum up: fast-paced, emotional, disturbing.
Lovers of cleverly plotted speculative fiction should jump on this.
Thank you, Orenda Books, for providing such an entertaining ARC.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Eve Smith's debut novel, The Waiting Rooms in May of last year and was totally astounded by the concept. Not only does she write about science with such authenticity, she also creates characters and plot that are both chilling and compelling.

And so, to the 'difficult second novel' .. Off Target. How would the author follow her wonderful first book? What's in store for the reader?

Once again, this is a story that deals with science. I am in no way at all a science expert, I am always utterly amazed by the new developments, especially in health care that these incredible brains deliver. However, Eve Smith's writing is so accessible and descriptive that even a science ignorant like me can follow it. Saying that, it never ever reads like a text book. Quite often, her descriptions are so matter of fact, just part of the new normal that there were times that I actually believed these things were happening.

And, this is one of the joys of this book. Set in the very near future, there is no doubt that these things really could be possible one day. Already, in my lifetime, medical advances have soared and the author cleverly incorporates existing procedures into the story.

So, we are in a world of designer babies in this novel. Most parents are getting screened, to enable them to identify any potential illnesses that any as yet, unborn child may have. This is a massive, money-making business, and like most things, there are some clinics and some countries who will cut corners to increase profit.

Susan desperately wants a child with her husband Steve. Steve has been married before, his relationship broke down due to infertility issues and he is determined that they will only conceive naturally. It's not happening though. One mistake on Susan's part creates just what she wants. A pregnancy. However, she needs to be sure that Steve is the father. When she discovers that there is no possibility that he could be the biological father of her unborn child, she takes drastic action.

Fast forward and Susan and Steve's daughter Zurel is pre-teen. She's also elective mute, she used to speak but has stopped and Susan's fear is that her actions before the girl was born has created this condition. Susan and her family now have to face up to the consequences of those decisions that she made many years ago and it's going to tear them to shreds.

This is a story that raises so many questions of the reader. We constantly question the morals and ethics of what Susan has done, and the fact that these procedures are so easily available. We can recognise the protestors who regularly campaign against the what the scientists are doing. Imagine the scenes during the Abortion Referendum in Ireland, or the images of heckling crowds outside of abortion clinics and you get some idea of what is happening.

This is complex, chilling and very frightening story. Eve Smith writes with a compassion for both sides of the arguments, enabling the reader to hear many voices, not least that of Zurel who is central to the story, yet whose own opinions are rarely considered by the adults.

The fact that this story of fiction is so close to reality is both disturbing and haunting. It's science-fiction with heart and soul and a book that will stay in my mind for a long time to come.

[Kim Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if:
🤍You’re a fan of Black Mirror
🤍You regularly ask ‘but what if…’
🤍You’re looking for a page turner

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 💫

Do not judge this book by its cover!! It’s a hidden gem & I’m so very glad we picked it to read for bookclub in March!

Things I loved:
🔹Despite the topic it was easy to read
🔹It was very well researched!
🔹The news clippings throughout made it so real
🔹This book doesn’t have a date set but it honestly felt like it could be set in the very near future
🔹loved that it challenged you to think what you’d do
🔹Written from two perspective. One being a child & it was executed perfectly!
🔹At times, especially towards the end it was tense!!
🔹Appreciated the ending

Things I struggled with:
🔹I didn’t really like any of the characters except the friend & the kid 🥲
🔹The ending wrapped up quickly & whilst I’ve put that I appreciated the ending, I would have gone darker 😇🤣

Overall, a fantastic find that I need you all to buy & read immediately! On the back of the book the author eve is described as the Jodi Picoult of her genre & we all know how much I love JP… I couldn’t agree more!

I’ve already got Eve’s other book The Waiting Rooms to read & her new book The One on pre-order, so what are you waiting for! Catch up now 🖤

[Monica Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book packed quite a punch. Like the authors first book, it is set in the near future and it reveals a world that makes you feel uncomfortable - and yet, it all seems so real as well!

Susan has been struggling for years to have a baby and when a one-night-stand gives her that gift, she thinks she can make it work. And then her best friend introduces her to a doctor, a specialist in his field, and that is when things take a turn for a surreal......

Fast forward to the pre-teens of Susan's child, Zurel, and the chickens have come home to roost!

I swear I did not take a full breath the whole time I was reading this book and there were times when I just couldn't read it e.g. just before bed, because I knew that I would be too wound-up to sleep!

Terrific and frightening premise. With all the advancements in science, it isn't too much a stretch of the imagination to think that Susan's world is OUR world.

5 stars from me.

[Zelda FeatzReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you reach for this book you open the cover the find a not so distant future that will leave you asking yourself some rather important questions. How far will you go for the perfect child? If you can, will you allow doctors to make changes to your unborn child? Off Target takes a closer look at a world where that option is available to parents and what the consequences of that option would be. Get ready for a gripping read that will change your way of thinking.
Eve Smith digs into a topic that will undoubtedly remain a topic of debate for many years to come. How far should scientists go? Is genetic engineering a good thing or will people take it too far? As a mother, you always want what is best for your child and it is easy to imagine that nothing will prevent you from doing whatever you can to ensure your child’s future health and success. The author explores the options of taking that desire a little too far and the consequences they could lead to. She creates characters to show both sides of the agreement and leaves you understanding where they are coming from. Her story is engrossing, it draws you in and makes it very difficult to put this book down.
Susan, a primary school teacher, is desperate for a family of her own. She has been battling for years to fall pregnant, and her husband will not turn to a fertility clinic for assistance. When Susan has a one-night stand that leaves her pregnant she will do anything to keep the baby. But her husband can never know, so she turns to a foreign doctor for assistance and decides to do the unthinkable.
Years later, with the world embarking on a generic arms race, children around the world start showing symptoms, some even committing suicide. This forces a worldwide media frenzy and an investigation into the increased health issue of young people. All these children have one thing in common. When questions start being asked, Susan finds her world falling apart.
Reading this book leaves you questioning how far you would go. It is easy to say you would never go down that road, but what if you are pregnant and find out your child is going to suffer from a serious disease. As a mother, faced with that decision, how can you choose not to prevent your child from suffering? This is not an easy decision; one I would never want to make. The author shows both sides of the argument and leaves you to decide for yourself.
Susan steals your heart early in the book as you experience her desire for a child and you go through her month after month negative pregnancy test. You feel sorry for her – you cannot help it. However, the choices she makes when she discovers that she is pregnant is selfish. I could not believe the lengths she went to, to hide her infidelity from her husband.
Meeting eleven-year-old Zurel, the child simply steals your heart. She is a thinker with something on her mind. This little girl is at the centre of the story and as you join her in her search for the truth, you are left sharing her emotions. My heart broke for this child.
This story is a moving, engrossing read that will leave you with questions and eager to enter a debate on genetic engineering. This book cemented its place on my loved list for 2022.
Literary thriller fans will enjoy every page of this book, especially if you are a mother. While the author digs into the future of genetic engineering, you never find yourself drowning in scientific jargon and the futuristic element is not very strong. If, like me, you are not keen on futuristic stories, do not allow that to keep you from this book.

[Karen Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiction is written about all sorts of horrors but Eve Smith explores perhaps the most terrifying concepts of all in her books. These speculative fiction thrillers aren't about brutal murders by serial killers or bloody revenge plots; they're a chilling look at what advances we may initially welcome in the future – until we realise the consequences...
Her excellent debut, The Waiting Rooms was concerned with what happened to people nearing the end of their lives but she goes right back to the start in Off Target with a plot that questions the moral and health implications of genetically modifying embryos or even babies in-utero. The term 'designer babies' has been widely used for some time and the ability to select or alter embryos in order to prevent devastating conditions such as Huntington's Disease seems to be an important and welcome advancement. However, as this near-future thriller reveals, the natural inclination of parents to want the best for their children, in conjunction with scientists who are willing to push the boundaries in the name of research could potentially produce catastrophic results.
After a dramatic prologue, readers are taken back a few years to discover that Susan is desperate for a baby but like many other couples, she and her husband have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility. As a teacher, she spends her days surrounded by children and the soul-destroying anguish of being constantly aware of her cycle and the crushing disappointment each month her pregnancy test is negative again is described with empathetic honesty. When she conceives through a one-night stand, she faces a heartbreaking dilemma, until her friend, Carmel presents her with an extraordinary solution. It's to Eve Smith's credit that despite the mistakes Susan makes during the course of the novel, she is always a sympathetic character. This proves to be vital as the storyline progresses because the emotional impact of her choices would have been lessened significantly if I'd merely regarded her as a selfish cheat.
The second part of the book is set about eleven years later when the first children to have undergone alterations to their genes – whether to prevent various conditions or to enhance their abilities – begin to display worrying signs that something is terribly wrong, and I was reminded of the Dr Malcolm quote in Jurassic Park, "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." Susan has kept her secrets for years but although her daughter, Zurel appears to be healthy, it quickly becomes apparent that she is not a happy child. As the mother of a daughter with low-profile (mild) selective mutism, I really appreciated the very obvious care that went into portraying the condition accurately and although Zurel's circumstances are different, I was touched by some of the scenes involving her and her SEND teacher, Mr Thomson.
The earlier part of the novel is written from Susan's perspective but these later chapters are divided between her and Zurel and are a poignantly emotional look at their breakdown in communication amidst lies, fear and guilt. It's never clear just what the outcome will be and the book becomes increasingly tense, as we know from the prologue that there will be some sort of terrible reckoning. Eve Smith kept me guessing almost to the end as to what would eventually happen to these flawed but very real characters. There are some people whose actions are indefensible in Off Target but the main characters are far more nuanced and I was able to empathise with them all.
As with the anti-abortion movement, there are those who take their beliefs to the extreme . However, there is balance here too, and just as there has been justifiable criticism over the way in which parents who opted for screening and discovered their baby had Down's Syndrome were pushed towards termination, so the very real concerns regarding genetically-modified babies are reflected fairly too. This sensitive, perceptive and obviously well-researched novel understands that this subject involves numerous, important ethical and medical considerations on both sides of the debate.
That's perhaps what makes Off Target such a gripping, thought-provoking thriller; it's not a far-fetched dystopia that's portrayed here, it's a moving, objective exploration of what our innate desire to protect our children may soon lead to. Complex, frightening and almost certainly eerily prescient, I thoroughly recommend it.

[Tamsynsbookreviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Eve Smith
Page Count: 352 pages
Published Date: 17th February 2022
Genre: Thriller, Science Fiction
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
SYNOPSIS:
When a one-night stand leads to a long-desired pregnancy, Susan will do anything to ensure her husband won't find out ... including the unthinkable. But when something horrendous is unleashed around the globe, her secret isn't the only thing that is no longer safe... A longed-for baby An unthinkable decision A deadly mistake In an all-too-possible near future, when genetic engineering has become the norm for humans, not just crops, parents are prepared to take incalculable risks to ensure that their babies are perfect ... altering genes that may cause illness, and more... Susan has been trying for a baby for years, and when an impulsive one-night stand makes her dream come true, she'll do anything to keep her daughter and ensure her husband doesn't find out ... including the unthinkable. She believes her secret is safe. For now. But as governments embark on a perilous genetic arms race and children around the globe start experiencing a host of distressing symptoms – even taking their own lives – something truly horrendous is unleashed. Because those children have only one thing in common, and people are starting to ask questions...
MY THOUGHTS:
This book did not disappoint one bit I really enjoyed this book, it wasn't my normal read but I loved it got me hooked from the beginning very fast paced and made me want to read on. Although this book is a thriller I didn't find it like a thriller but still loved it. I liked how she's written about IVF as not many books do. Also keeps you thinking on what is going to happen next and my God did some of the things shock me that I didn't suspect. I have rated this book 5 stars AMAZING.

[Tex · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Off-Target” (OT) is the second novel by British author Eve Smith. A dystopian thriller which focuses in on the morally and ethically dirty waters of genetic engineering.

This book is so good in so many ways and had me gripped from the first few pages right through to the last. The things that really stood out for me were:
- it’s a book that can be enjoyed on multiple levels; as a straight forward futuristic domestic thriller or a dystopian medical thriller that will question medical advancement
- It is a book that will challenge the reader and their own personal beliefs
- It humanises the very real question of “how far is too far?” and the concept of “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should”
- It will have a nagging voice in your head asking you “what would I do in that situation”
- the serious of the issues discussed had some genuine lighter moments such as the development of hangover free wine, modified passange juice (cross between passion fruit and oranges), and being able to identify the owner who didn’t clean up after his dog from doing a DNA check on the dog’s poo!

In a world where IVF is the norm and genetic modifications are allowable to remove certain hereditary diseases (such as Huntington’s) OT explores the thin line between prevention and enhancement; between an healthy baby and a designer baby; between treatment and eugenics.

Further OT then looks at the potential and future consequences of gene modification - the Off-Target consequence where changing one genetic marker has an unknown and future (possibly worse) effect on another…let’s stop your child from being a haemophiliac but it might possibly make them suicidal fifteen years after they are born.

The first part of OT deals with the “choice”. The main character Susan finds herself in an impossible situation. Give up a child she so desperately wants resulting from an impulsive one night stand or do something inexplicable to also save her marriage and keep her baby. Smith’s storytelling allows you to see the agonising choices that Susan makes. You may not agree with them but you can understand why she made them.

The second half, set eleven years later, deals with the consequences of those choices. It explores the impact of those choices, especially when they come to light, on the people most directly affected including most poignantly Susan’s daughter Zurel.

There was, however, one scene in the story which, while providing some background information on one of the key characters, didn’t really go anywhere and left me feeling disappointed it didn’t. Though this is a very minor gripe on my part and didn’t detract from the rest of the book.

The themes touched upon in OT are multi-level too. From the philosophical questions such and ethical and moral decisions, how far is too far for medical advancements, tomorrow’s consequences for today’s actions, faith vs science, and “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” in addition to human behavioural themes human traits of manipulation, betrayal, secrets, bullying, and PTSD.

OT is a highly thought provoking tale of what could be and potentially what should never be and gets 4.5 altered genomic sequences out of 5.

[Melanie’s reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Waiting Rooms Eve Smith tackled drug resistance, this time round it’s genetics that get the wonderfully fictional but all too realistic Smith spin. Her books always give me pause for thought and I come away with my own moral perspective on them. Playing God has definitely been at the heart of both books and while science has come on leaps and bounds it is not always without consequence.

Altering genes to prevent illnesses sounds like a pro but are the cons worth it? The scope this book gives is immense, it is a thinking reader’s thriller. Throwing everything at your brain including the kitchen sink, religion plays a part, science, medicine, ethics and at the heart of it all is Susan a woman desperate to be a mother at all cost. After trying for years the natural way when everyone else she knows has gone down the IVF route, they now have either a rapidly swelling bump or a bundle of joy while all she has is tears every month.

So when a one night stand gives her what she longs for and with her husband kept unaware she will have to go to great lengths to cover up what she has done. This is definitely a book of two parts with the narrative switching from Susan to her daughter years later. Showing the true reality of her decisions and a very different perspective that divided my loyalty.

I am normally very opinionated and find it easy to choose a moral side. This book however put me in a real moral quandary. As I have a progressive and life limiting disease if the science had been available to my mum would I have been flagged and aborted in the so called strive for perfection and designer babies? If I had the choice to see if my children would develop my rare disease would I have taken it? The truth is, to me perfection is overrated and I like the Japanese way of looking at imperfection, mend the cracks with gold to make them more beautiful. My disability has taken things from me but it has also given me so much, compassion (which I was probably lacking before) a wicked sense of humour and an indefeasible spirit.

I may not be perfect but does that make me any less?

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good 4.5 star book it really gets you thinking about genetics.
A fast paced book, hard to put down.
Certainly leaves you pondering how far humans could go in the pursuit of the ‘perfect’ child, kind of scary too could science really advance this far and should it?
Would be a great book club read I can see loads of discussions over this book.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literary thriller, speculative fiction, medical drama – whatever label you’d like to put on this book (and there are many others you could choose from), I thought it was simply wonderful. On the surface, it might be at a considerable remove from the books I usually choose to read, but at its heart is a moral dilemma of the kind that certainly wouldn’t be out of place in the world of women’s fiction.

Desperate to become a mother, Susan makes a very human mistake – a baby on the way, the result of a one night stand, and should the truth ever emerge it would blow her life apart. Genetic engineering is already possible to eliminate hereditary conditions – suppose it was possible to do more, to put everything right by making the child a genetic match with her husband, and no-one need ever know? And there aren’t likely to be any consequences, are there – she’s not the first to follow this route, and the doctors are reassuring and convincing. But as Susan’s troubled daughter approaches adulthood, things are changing – there’s a worldwide clamour of opposition to the whole idea of designer babies, a tide of anger and violence, coupled with increasing reports of mental illness and suicide among the children who were engineered to be perfect.

Set in the near future – in a world where technology has become more advanced and part of people’s everyday lives – the science is scarily recognisable, much of it already feasible if not necessarily freely available because of the moral and ethical issues involved. It’s what makes this book particularly chilling – the world the author creates is wholly real, the key players rounded individuals with the concerns and emotions you’d expect of them, but presented with choices that constantly make you question what you would do if such options were available. Susan herself is a sympathetic character – in a marriage not without its problems, supported by a friend who is always there for her, finding herself in an impossible situation where the perfect solution is one she only needs to grasp.

The story is told as a before and after. At first, the focus is on Susan’s dilemma and the solution she eventually chooses – and you really can’t help approving of her decision, whatever your reservations and however much you might wrestle with the rights and wrongs. But the second half of the book introduces the perspective of Zurel, her daughter – attempting to come to terms with a situation not of her making, caught up in the mounting anger and confusion of a world that fails to see her as a victim.

While the moral and ethical issues might drive the story and challenge the reader, it’s the human dimension of the story that makes it so exceptionally engaging. The emotional content is exceptionally well handled, with real depth and authenticity – I felt at my core Zurel’s fear and confusion, Susan’s impotence and inability to put things right. The writing is simply superb – despite the growing threat, at times there’s a rather lovely lightness about it, moments of humour, glimpses of normal day-to-day life that lull you into a belief that everything will be sorted out and all will be well. The story is interspersed with worldwide media reports as the opposition and issues escalate – a device that works exceptionally well. And the tension steadily and inexorably escalates – I read this book in a single sitting, breathless in anticipation of the approaching explosion, entirely unable to look away.

This really was an exceptional read – well outside my usual reading comfort zone, but one of the most involving and compelling books I’ve read in a long time. It’s wholly unforgettable, and the moral issues and human consequences will stay with me for some considerable time to come. I really can’t wait to see what Eve Smith does next…

[Rebekah Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a few days behind in posting this because I somehow got my dates messed up (last week was just one of those weeks!), but here is my review of Eve Smith’s novel, OFF TARGET.

When a one-night stand leads to a long-desired pregnancy, Susan will do anything to ensure her husband won't find out ... including the unthinkable. But when something horrendous is unleashed around the globe, her secret isn't the only thing that is no longer safe...

𝐀 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝-𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲. 𝐀𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐀 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞.

My oh my, OFF TARGET was a fun but very different type of read for me. I don’t normally gravitate towards futuristic or dystopian-type fiction, but this thriller is the perfect blend of dystopian and medical thriller fiction. It’s a fast-paced book set in the not-so-distant future, filled with twisty short chapters and newspaper excerpts, that explores the ethical and scientific concepts of eugenics, and essentially, designer babies. It’s horrifying and thought-provoking, but also extremely entertaining at the same time.

Susan is an interesting main character. As a mother, I can understand longing to be a mother, her pain, and even the lengths she would go to in order to become one, but what I can’t understand is how far she would go in order to cover up the mistake she made. Her actions (without giving anything away) are extremely thought-provoking, though, and they do make you question whether or not things like this could ever be a possibility.

Overall, I enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the genre, the story, and just how much the story sucked me in.

Special thanks to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours, Orends Books and Eve Smith for gifting me a digital copy of this book.

[For The Love of books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Set in a future where we can genetically engineer and change DNA traits. Susan struggles to become pregnant naturally. After an adulterous night with her colleague she discovers she is pregnant. Susan not willing to destroy her chance of being a mother seeks out the assistance of fertility Drs to change the DNA of her baby to her husbands. Zurel the resulting child suffers in childhood due to the interference. This book included so many concepts. From infertility, affairs, pregnancy and the implications of genetic engineering. Smith intelligently wove these into the story telling. Definitely a good summer read.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another chilling novel from Eve Smith. I'm becoming a huge fan. Her books always have a novel subject that, as you get further into the story, scares the crap out of you. In this case, it's genetics and how science can improve but also overstep their role.
You'll find yourself googling some of what she's presenting in the book and find out to your horror; it's a reality, or could become so in the future. Her research is absolutely impeccable. If you haven't read her first book, The Waiting Rooms, do so now. It's equally good as Off Target.

But I warn you, her books are malignant, and they metastasize in your brain.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really hits the spot. With this future set tale based heavily in the ethical and moral arguments surrounding genetic engineering, Eve Smith has created a book which is not only packed full of tension and intrigue, but that also forces the reader to confront some very important and very relevant questions head on. She challenges us to think about the whole idea of the 'designer baby', something that is probably out of the financial reach, or even desires of most of us, but something that has certainly been increasing in press coverage over recent years as scientific discoveries draw us ever closer to being able to pick the 'perfect' child. This is a very clever and enthralling book, written by someone who impresses with every page turn, and is now firmly in my must read list.

In Off Target, the author introduces us to Susan, a woman whose situation many women can probably empathise with. It is certainly far from unique - the long wanted child who is seemingly always just out of reach - and the fact she falls pregnant after a very drunken and ill advised one night stand with a colleague is definitely not a new premise, in life or in literature. But ... Eve Smith has taken this 'wrong father' concept one step further, as story is set in the not too distant future, where the concept of natural conception is becoming more and more rare and where genetic screening, to iron out any kinks in an unborn babies genetic profile that may lead to less than desirable hereditary medical conditions, is commonplace. Susan is delighted to fall pregnant, but beset with worry that the father may well not be her husband, the only man she wants to have a child with. Her dilemma forces her to take drastic and unthinkable action, the consequences of which are far reaching and potentially devastating, for her marriage and her unborn child as they face a future in which there is increasing unrest with regards to the whole culture of genetically engineered children, and the impact that scientific manipulation has on the ongoing health and welfare of the new generation.

This book is laced with moments of real tension, an undulating sense of the threat against Susan and her daughter, Zurel. We don't initially know why, what possible reason could anyone have for wanting to hurt them, but the further we journey into Susan's past, the more we understand. This is a dual timeline story, exploring the 'then' and the 'now', the events leading up to Susan's pregnancy and her decision to take such a drastic step that potentially risks her daughter's life, and the present day, as she struggles with the relationship with Zurel who is becoming increasingly withdrawn and no longer speaks. It is uncertain if this is an 'after-effect' of her pre-natal treatment or something else, but. although she will not speak to anyone, we are far from ignorant of Zurel's thoughts as Eve Smith drip feeds them into the narrative to perfect effect. It is truly enlightening, and the more we learn, the more my heart broke for Zurel. She is caught in the middle of a situation not of her making, and which she doesn't fully understand and it adds a real emotional layer to an already divisive, moral dilemma. I felt a real emotional pull towards Zurel. I could sense her fear, her confusion, and each of the scenes in which she appear were so simple and yet so impactful, it drew me deeper into the story, into her story.

Susan is a woman I struggled to entirely bond with. I could appreciate her situation, her absolute desire to become a mother and her frustration that, month after month, she failed to conceive naturally. IVF would be the natural next step, but one her husband, Steve, is dead set against for seemingly honest and personal reasons. I can also understand her confusion as she gets the one thing she wants, but with potentially entirely the wrong man. But her actions, the decisions she came to make her slightly more troubling to me for reasons that are are the heart of the whole novel. I struggled to accept the choices she made, keeping me just one step removed from really liking her, but no less invested in her story, and in discovering the root cause of the threat against her. There were redeeming qualities, her absolute dedication to her daughter and her willingness to sacrifice everything for Zurel showing that her actions, even if misguided, did come from the heart. She is, above all else, a fiercely dedicated mother.

It is not unusual, even now, for parents to screen for certain genetic conditions, so use that information to decide if they should keep the child they are carrying. Go a certain degree I fully understand that. But in Eve Smith's dystopian future, there is genetic screening for every condition, even showing genetic markers for things like depression and obesity, as well as life limiting conditions and, through IVF, they have the ability to 'erase' these defective genetic markers and essentially create the perfect child. But is it impossible to tell what this genetic manipulation will do to the child, and this is territory the author explores to startling and worrying effect. We are faced with a world that essentially says that anything less than perfect is wrong, worthless. That all disability should be erased.

It creates some great ethical questions for us to ponder as we read, and ponder I did, forcing myself to consider what actions I might take if faced with the same situation. How would I feel if part of my personality, of the person I was to become, had been genetically reprogrammed before I was even born. That division, that debate if you well, manifests itself in the novel by the actions of the protestors, those who challenge over the impact of the genetic manipulation, protests which become increasingly violent and disturbing. It's a future I could picture all too easily, an air of authenticity permeating every page.

There is so much I want to say about this book, about the moral, ethical and political divide over the ethics of genetic manipulation, of the very nature of those who prey upon a parents desire to do the best by their children for personal gain. There is no doubt that this endeavour, this. concept, has started with. the very best of intention, but just how far should science be allowed to go in terms of deciding the future of human evolution. And if you erase one part of a person's personality, just what else might grow in its place ... Tense, intriguing, morally and ethically challenging, and perfectly paced, I know my review has not done the book justice, but it is most definitely recommended.

[Mailiis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique and interesting premise and great execution. One small thing I wasn't very keen on throughout the book was the vilification of China, Ukraine and Russia in this entire game and emphasising the idea that UK has had higher standards and regulations from the get go. Whether intended or not, it came off xenophobic and/or chauvinistic.

The ending was also a little too 'and then they lived happily ever after' for me. I think the story would have benefited from Susan dying tbh.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5, rounded up

The book raises really interesting questions around gene editing and 'designer babies'. The main character's actions motivations are understandable even though her actions are inexcusable. Zurel and her therapy sessions are very well written.

Pacing was off. I would have liked the book better if the last 40ish pages were not so crammed with new stuff. Things like the reveal about Steve's first marriage or AHW terrorism should have come a bit earlier to allow them to be explored more. Also, the dialogue in the first third of the book seems stilted.

[mesal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting premise with a decent execution as well. However, there were several sections of the novel which felt like they were nothing more than worldbuilding and infodumping under a thin veneer of character and plot. The infodumping in question was related to research; all of the research the author had done in order to be able to write a book about prenatal genetic modifications seemed to have been thrown into the book, and a lot of it wasn't strictly needed by the storyline.

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading: April 12th 2025

"Babies can save marriages. As well as wreck them."

REVIEW

I loved my first two experiences with Eve Smith's speculative/dystopian thrillers, and I'm still not sure why it has taken me this long to finally pick up Off Target. I mean, my instincts told me it was going to be another fantastic story and the blurb sounded absolutely fascinating... I'm definitely kicking myself now, because I loved every single minute I spent reading this book. What a powerful, scarily plausible and simply mindblowing story! Off Target dives into a near-future dystopian world of genetic engineering and unintended consequences, and things get pretty gritty along the way. Infertility, toxic relationships, cheating, addiction, suicide, politics... There is a lot incorporated into Off Target, but done so in a way that works really well in this dystopian world. It's a future that is scarily plausible, that's for sure! Susan makes for an intriguing main character... I can't say that I condone what she did, but somehow you end up warming up to her flawed character anyway. Her daughter's POV is likewise interesting, and it helped adding even more dept to the plot. Genetic engineering is a fascinating topic, and I could really appreciate how the author incorporated the opinions of both sides in a thought provoking way. Regardless of what you think about people meddling with the genetics of their own children, can those children really be blamed/punished for something they never had a choice in? I have no doubt that this story will stay with me for quite some time, and I already know it will end up on my list of 2025 favorites.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan longs for a child, but after years of trying for a baby with her husband Steve the hoped for pregnancy seems an impossible dream. Frustrated that Steve refuses to consider investigating the possibility of medical intervention, even though IVF is a common solution for the increasing number of couples facing fertility problems, Susan has a drunken one night stand with a work colleague - a sexual encounter that results in her getting pregnant.

Susan cannot bring herself to end this pregnancy, especially since this may be her only chance of having a child, but she also cannot allow her husband to find out that he is not the father of this baby. Caught in a dilemma, Susan agrees to the suggestion from her best friend to undergo a pioneering genetic treatment at an unregulated clinic in Ukraine that promises to solve all her problems. It's vital that no one ever finds out about what she has done.

Years later, Susan and Steve are the parents of a ten-year-old daughter called Zurel, who seems healthy, despite recently choosing to become a selective mute for reasons they have been unable to fathom. Susan is concerned that the treatment she received when she was carrying her may be responsible, but she cannot admit this to Steve as he remains blissfully unaware of the circumstances of Zurel's conception and the procedure she underwent.

But world events are about to expose Susan's desperate deception. The consequences of the widespread abuse of genetic tinkering in the last ten years are now having an impact on the children who have had their genes altered. A host of unexpected side effects, otherwise known as off-target effects, are being exhibited in these children, including a range of serious illnesses, and some of them have taken their own lives.

People are asking questions about gene therapy, and the explosion of non-medical interventions for those who can afford the price tag to ensure their children are born 'perfect'. The tide is turning, and world-wide protests are just the start of a menacing movement against those who have received genetic interventions. Susan's secret is no longer safe, and her family is in danger...

Eve Smith has the knack for taking a contemporary issue and speculating just how perilous this could become in the near future if events go unchecked. This time, instead of turning her attention to the antibiotic crisis as she did so well in her chilling debut novel The Waiting Rooms, she opens up a whole new Pandora's Box of terrifying themes by exploring the world of gene therapy in Off Target.

Off Target is a cautionary tale, delving into a wealth of dystopian themes around how misguided genetic tinkering can lead to catastrophe. Much of this reminds me of the manner in which Michael Crichton explored how gene splicing could be abused for ill-considered ends in his books, as Smith plays with the 'standing on the shoulders of giants' theme like in Jurassic Park and the controversy surrounding the ownership of genetic material in Next. She asks the same sort of ethical questions - a case of never mind the 'Could we do this?', but rather 'Should we do this?' - weaving these threads into an unsettling thriller that grips your heart with icy fingers.

I think it's fair to say that the majority of characters here are generally unlikeable, and Susan's motives are especially unpalatable, even though she is convinced she is doing the right thing at the time, but Smith uses them all to great effect in this story provoking feelings of anger and loss as you get involved in the nitty gritty of their lives - and my goodness, does she make you examine the blacks, whites and all the shades of grey about gene therapy. I enjoyed how Smith brings in much wider issues in the telling of this tale, touching on aspects such as infertility, the right to parenthood, science vs religion, money, politics, control, and how AI can isolate us from each other. She offers an added thought-provoking dimension by examining how the children affected by genetic treatments might actually think about what has been done to them - something I have not really considered before. The references to Kubrik/Spielberg's movie AI are also cleverly used to enhance the poignancy of Zural's part in the story.

This book is a clear-your-schedule, read in one single sitting affair, because you will not be able to put it down once you begin, and it will leave you with a lot to think about once it spits you out at the end. I cannot wait to see what dystopian nightmare Smith chooses to dissect in her next book!

[Julie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a massive fan of speculative fiction so, as soon as I saw Karen Sullivan talking about this book on Twitter, I was excited about it. As someone who has been through reproductive trauma myself, I knew that the story of a woman struggling to have the baby she so desperately wants would resonate deeply with me, and the combination of the two was irresistible.

This book delivered everything I was hoping for and more. It is such a thoughtful and thought-provoking novel which explores complex and controversial ideas in a scenario that is futuristic but plausible enough to make it urgently terrifying. Anyone who walks away from this book with a brain that isn’t mulling over their thoughts on what they would do if faced with these choices, coupled with an underlying sense of unease, wasn’t paying proper attention to the story.

When I was in the third year of my law degree, one of the optional modules I studied was Law and Medical Ethics. Given my advanced age, you can see this is an issue which has fascinated me for many years. Even back then, the ethics of using advances in reproductive technology to help parents have healthy babies was one of the topics under debate and, as new discoveries are made and possibilities expand, the topic becomes only more difficult and contentious. This is the world that Eve Smith is exploring in Off Target and she really cuts to the core of the matter. Just because medicine CAN do something, does that mean that it should? At what point do the rights of the foetus separate from the rights of the parent? What actually makes us the people we are and how much can we change and still be the person we were meant to be? Where is the line to be drawn between treatment that spares children pain and suffering and treatment that edges into eugenics?

These are dilemmas that have troubled society since medicine was first able to intervene to prevent unwanted pregnancies, resolve medical issues in the womb and help infertile couples conceive. You will get many different answers to what is right and wrong in these scenarios, depending on what is important to the individual you are talking to and, bringing up these topics in assured to result in heated debate. It’s an issue people feel strongly about, and reading this book is sure to provoke a visceral response in many. For this reason, it would make an excellent book club read. The fact that these questions are looming on the near horizon will serve only to make any debate more heated. These are scenarios that we may have to deal with in the not-too-distant future and, given some of the reactions we have seen over the past year to the roll out of the Covid vaccine, the extreme responses to genetic modification that Eve explores in this novel are scarily probable.

This book felt prescient to me, as someone who has some small experience and interest in this area, and I found it hugely compelling, deeply unsettling and utterly engrossing. One of the most provocative and stimulating books I have read in a good long while, I can’t rate it highly enough. Orenda continue to have a keen eye for publishing the highest quality and most interesting books and authors in their chosen genres.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off Target is a near-future dystopian thriller that had me hooked. This is a story that is so thought-provoking and in some ways, there are basics of this book that do actually happen. If you could have therapy to remove a gene to prevent your child from developing a serious, fatal or debilitating disease would you go through with it? This is a very basic premise of this book, the route the author took is one that had me hooked as she weaves some serious effects, opinions, outcomes and points of view in this book.

After trying for years to fall pregnant, it turns out a one-night stand was all it would take for Susan to finally conceive. She knows her husband Steve is not going to be supportive of this, well who would be! But changing the DNA so that all the tests come back as the baby is Steve's is something that is an option in the world that the author has created.

This is a book that absolutely hit me from the first few pages. Changing something is good but changing something that is fundamentally a part of who you are is an entirely different matter. This futuristic world has many advancements, some of these are legal, but with all things legal there are also illegal processes.

For me, the author sets up this story so well, introducing you to the characters, their problems and how things are for those desperate to have a child. The author gives differing opinions, perspectives and viewpoints. She also deals with moral dilemmas as well as ethical ones. All this was incorporated into an absolutely riveting read.

Once the author has her hooks into me, she then turned up the pressure taking a darker and more serious line. It felt like a butterfly effect, where if you change one thing it will affect something else along the way somewhere.

This is a story that is a WOW! story, it isn't that far fetched as you think as some things are already occurring and a quick look on the internet will soon give examples. I must admit I didn't stray too far on the net because there are many conspiracy theories out there. But, it is an eye-opener all the same.

WHat the author has achieved with this book is to give an insight into a moral and ethical dilemma between her characters. Right or wrong is going to be something the reader will decide on as they read. It certainly makes for some interesting thoughts as I finished the book.

Brilliant story, addictive, insightful, balanced and just so damned good to read and I would absolutely recommend it.

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Off Target’ is a highly sophisticated look into the not so distant future - part psychological thriller, part medical drama and in part a philosophical look at modern eugenics. It’s definitely not a book I have read before and it captivated me from the start. It is a piece of writing that will make you evaluate your internal moral compass, question your opinions and make you reflect for days after you finish the last page. You might think that this is science fiction but the reality is that this is all conceivably achievable very shortly. This is not pie in the sky science but real and tangible and that is what makes the chills appear and makes for uncomfortable reading at times. But it is presented in a way that lets the scientifically uninformed grasp the salient points with ease and that mainly comes down to Eve’s phenomenal storytelling. She has created a world that allows the reader to delve into a thriller that has real depth to it.

As someone who suffers from a chronic illness, I inevitably read ‘Off Target’ with a confused standing point. Would I have wanted a life that didn’t involve daily pain and mental struggle? Would I as a mother want to remove the chance of passing this on? I know the answer is yes. But I choose not to have children for partly this reason… but if there were options to remove that factor? Gosh, I don't know. All I know is that I fundamentally believe that eugenics is not a positive movement and like in this book all actions have consequences. Maybe I have read too much into the historical basis of eugenics and the Eugenics Society in the UK, the forced sterilisation of the black and Native American communities in the US and Canada to name but a few instances in history.

It is an emotive topic and one that Eve handles with care and empathy. Her writing has a subtly to it, she presents the facts, the emotions of both the parents and children are carefully constructed so it is left to the reader to decide what is wrong and what is right. For example, should IVF be classed as being right or should nature be allowed to develop on its own? She deals with how the discussion moves on over time - what once was radical is now commonplace. Will we in the future accept genetic tinkering? Medical advice will change and evolve and we as communities will evolve with it. But to what extent and will our humanity be put to the test?

This is a brilliant book and I urge you to read it.

[Monika Armet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is split into two parts: ‘The Wish’ and ‘The Consequence’. In the first part, the reader meets Susan who is desperate for a baby. She and her husband, Steve, have unexplained infertility, however, Steve doesn’t want to hear a word about IVF. He thinks that ‘it will happen’ if they keep on trying naturally.

One evening, after another failed attempt to conceive, Susan accepts her male co-worker’s invitation to a gig. They end up sleeping together and four weeks later, Susan is pregnant. As she suspects that the baby isn’t Steve’s, she goes to a clinic which can screen for parenthood before a baby is born. Soon, her fears are confirmed: Steve is not the biological father of her child. Susan is desperate to keep her baby. How far will she go?

Steve and Susan live in the near future, where having a baby via IVF is the norm and a preferable option, as the embryo’s DNA can be screened and altered to parents’ wishes. However, no one can be 100% sure what side effects, or ‘off targets’, these procedures will have… It’s those genetically altered children that will bear the consequences.

This book is truly amazing – I have never read anything like it. It’s a mind blowing (and scary) concept, where parents can change their child’s DNA. I really enjoyed reading the second part, ‘The Consequence’, as we meet Susan’s daughter, who has social anxiety and selective mutism. Are these the consequences of Susan’s actions?

I loved everything about this book. I found the idea alluring, as parents want the best for their child, but also frightening and unethical. This story will really make you think and it will stay with you for a good while.

This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. I’ve already purchased ‘The Waiting Rooms’ and it will be my next read.

[Anneliese · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
The planning and thought process behind this book was great. I loved the concept and I enjoyed the authors writing style. However, I think the storyline could have gone even further. The concept is an excellent foundation for a fantastic thriller which I don’t think the author fully explored to its potential. I felt disappointed with the ending and was expecting for something a bit more shocking. However, the plot was still well thought out and it was well written and edited.

[LJ (ljwritesandreviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Eve Smith's debut novel, The Waiting Rooms, so I immediately wanted to read her next book.

Off Target is a realistic psychological thriller with a sci-fi twist, much like her first novel, but this one it centres around pregnancy, IVF and the risks of messing with our genetic makeup.

In the not too distant future, deadly diseases are being eradicated with the help of 'editing'. I mean, who wouldn't want to make sure their child is happy and healthy? Sadly, people take things too far with consequences for everyone.

I really felt for Susan. She so much wants a child and watching her suffer through unexplained infertility was tough to read, her longing and desperate reading comes through in the writing. A one stand leads to a baby, but in order to protect her marriage, she goes to great lengths to stop her secret from coming out. The story fast forwards eleven years and we watch Susan struggle to be a good mother and bond with her daughter Zurel, carrying around her guilt.

This is the kind of book that will make you think. It covers the tough subject of infertility and IVF but also the moral dilemmas around gene editing and whether that sort of thing is ever right.

I feel like this book was a bit of a slow burn, with pretty much all the action happening near the end of the book, which made the ending feel a bit rushed, but of course that's my opinion.

If you're looking for a character driven novel about moral dilemmas that will give you plenty to think about afterwards, then I would highly recommend Off Target to you.

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of a possible future of editing the human genome in vitro and in utero is sensitively and enthrallingly told. The various characters and their diverse motivations are well explored to offer a fairly dispassionate view though I believe the author's views eventually emerge.

A classic form of sience fiction, this novel presents a potential scientific advance applied without sufficient attention to all possible ethical arguments, financial implications and medical hazards. The impact upon individuals and society is demonstrated well. The scope is across a decade or so, the pace is page-turningly driven, the characters and dialogue are believable and likable. The story really got me thinking and I'd like to read an even more detailed exposition which includes the international scope which was barely (and tantalisingly) touched upon.

This is such a good read as both human interest and science fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Tam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a compelling read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Suspenseful and thrilling. I felt every emotion. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Simply a 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.

[Alfred Nobile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. Set in the new year when genetic editing is not as controlled as it is in the present day. Could this really happen? Well never say never. But there are rules in place, but rules are meant to be bent if not broken. Part SciFi, crime and dystopian thriller. A great debut novel written before the present pandemic. Highly recommended.