The Antidote

by A.W. Baldwin

Can genetically modified seeds provide the antidote for climate change?A geneticist has developed plants that could stem the tide of climate change, but when grad student Lila finds him murdered, she flees the scene with the seeds. To escape the killer, she hitches a ride with an eccentric duo and a secret payload that could land them all in prison. Chased by ruthless thieves, the three must rely on their wits, uncover the mystery of these potent plants, and deliver the future of the planet to an unknown scientist a thousand miles away… But the cross-hairs on those million-dollar seeds are on them, too…

Genres: Thriller

252 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

A.W. Baldwin has written seven novels featuring “Relic,” a moonshining hermit living deep in the remote canyons of Utah. The Antidote features a botany student, a couple of "old-timers," and genetically modified seeds that could provide the antidote for climate change. Against the Wind features a teenage pilot with a stolen airplane and a physicist who has developed a breakthrough in quantum computing.

His first novel, Desert Guardian (2017), received a five-star Readers’ Favorite rating. His second novel, Raptor Canyon (2018), received the Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award and was a finalist in the 2019-2020 Screencraft Cinematic Book Contest. His third novel, Wings Over Ghost Creek (2019), received the Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award and the Global Book Awards Silver Medal. His fourth novel, Diamonds of Devil’s Tail (2020), received a five-star Readers’ Favorite rating. His fifth novel, Broken Inn (2021), received the Grand Master Adventure Writers’ Finalist Award, the Global Book Awards Silver Medal, and the New York City Big Book Award Featured Favorite Award. His sixth "Relic" novel, Moonshine Mesa, won a gold medal in the Reader's Favorite international writing competition and a gold medal from Global Book Awards. Three of his novels have received rave reviews from New York Times Bestselling author Dirk Cussler. His latest release is The Antidote (2022), which Readers' Favorite calls "a gripping novel" and onlinebookclub calls "phenomenal." You can learn more about the author and his novels at awbaldwin.com.

An avid backcountry hiker, canoer, and whitewater enthusiast, the author takes his readers on adventures in ancient lands that shape the motives and spirits of his characters.

A graduate of Wright State University and the University of Idaho School of Law, Baldwin has practiced law for more than 35 years. He began his career with a poverty law fellowship award on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, where he later became a staff attorney and then Executive Director of Wind River Legal Services, a legal aid program serving the Reservation and southeastern Wyoming. After successful civil rights and class action lawsuits, the Northern Arapaho Tribe hired him as in-house counsel from late 1988 to 1992, when he established a private firm that continues to represent the Tribe as well as individuals and other tribes in the Rocky Mountain West. He has appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and other Federal, Tribal, and State Courts. He won the right of the Northern Arapaho Tribe to operate (and self-regulate) the full gamut of casino-style gaming without state control. He has successfully litigated First Amendment religious liberties, voting rights, Tribal sovereignty, and for environmental justice. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1997.

Reviews

[Landon Beach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This harrowing techno-thriller is an impressive achievement - timely, and rich with research, intrigue, and a main character you will be rooting for from the beginning all the way to the exhilarating climax. Highly recommended!

[Maranda Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person with a background in science, I appreciated the accuracy and detail in this technothriller. I also enjoyed the pacing and the clever way the author weaves in multiple aspects of the storyline.

I loved the interaction between Lila, Harry, and Keaton. By the end of the book, I even viewed the 1960 Chevrolet Bel Air as a character, and found myself rooting for it!

The Antidote is a timely story that emphasizes the importance of environmental responsibility and the dangers of corporate greed. The twists and turns will keep you engaged from the beginning to the end!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite an adventure. The characters are great--likable and they get along, except for some friction between the two older guys. I'm ambivalent about the pacing. There was a lot of detail about where they were, where they ate, where they stayed, etc., but at the same time, it can't all be fast-paced action or the book would have too much tension. I seemed to like it better as it went along for whatever reason.

I especially liked reading the last part of the book. Hopefully that doesn't give anything away. There was quite a satisfying feeling and admiration for the creativity. I'll just leave it at that.

I give it somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars, so I have to round it down to 4.

[Stefan Vucak · Rating 4 out of 5]

With ‘The Antidote’, A.W. Baldwin distills all the elements of an intricate book into a succinct and eminently entertaining novella. The pace will keep readers interested, and the plot twists don’t reveal anything until the final encounter between Lila and the bad guys. The work necessarily relies on action to keep it moving, but A.W. Baldwin injects sufficient personality into the main characters for readers to connect and sympathize with their plight. However, the bad guys are not so well rounded, which leaves them somewhat bland. Because ‘The Antidote’ is a novella, the work lacks depth and scope otherwise present in a full-length novel. Although a satisfying work, readers are left wishing for much more. Very well written with crisp dialogue and prose, this book will find an appreciative audience.

[Nate Granzow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baldwin is one of the preeminent authors in the adventure-thriller genre and he showcases that talent in spades with his latest novel, The Antidote. A unique premise, richly drawn characters, and constantly escalating risk makes this science-gone-wrong, Crichton-esque thriller a slam dunk. Readers will delight in the protagonists deftly navigating a tangle of intrigue and mortal threats, surviving assassins and gunfights to ensure a brilliant discovery—one that could impact the future of the planet—isn’t lost to corrupt special interests and greed.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila, an exceptional student at the University of Indiana, has been bestowed with a prestigious botany scholarship, elevating her summer experience to unprecedented heights. Her current endeavors involve active participation in a groundbreaking project at the esteemed U.S. Department of Agriculture, led by the highly respected Dr. Blackstone. Together, their unwavering dedication revolves around the ambitious goal of mutating mustard seeds to combat the ever-increasing impact of climate change. Amid the routine task of dispatching a package of seeds to a colleague, Lila stumbles upon the lifeless body of Dr. Blackstone, the victim of a heinous crime. Compelled to escape the scene, she finds herself embarking on a thrilling chase through the dense woods, relentlessly pursued by an unknown assailant. Just when all hope seems lost, a fortuitous twist of fate leads her to a nearby highway, where she is rescued by two compassionate gentlemen on a cross-country road trip. Little do they realize that their act of kindness will thrust them into the perilous crosshairs of those intent on pilfering Dr. Blackstone’s groundbreaking work.

The Antidote by A.W. Baldwin is a riveting and meticulously crafted novel that delves into the captivating realms of botany and climate change. The author’s evident dedication to research and profound comprehension of scientific concepts shines brilliantly, rendering this book a captivating read for science enthusiasts. As the story gracefully unfolds, Baldwin skillfully employs captivating dialogue as a driving force, relying on the characters’ conversations rather than excessive descriptions. The author’s engaging writing style swiftly became a personal favorite, effortlessly immersing me in the intricate narrative. While some readers may encounter challenges in comprehending the scientific intricacies intricately woven into the plot, it serves as a testament to the author’s unwavering commitment to authenticity. While the initial chapters skillfully establish the foundation of Dr. Blackstone’s murder, the abrupt transition to Harry’s drug deal in chapter two leaves readers yearning for more, eagerly awaiting the continuation of Lila’s compelling journey. By channeling the narrative through Lila’s experiences and perspectives, the author could maximize the thrilling aspects of the plot, keeping readers fully engaged and on the edge of their seats. This strategic approach would undoubtedly contribute to the overall enjoyment and excitement of the novel.

I highly recommend The Antidote to thriller enthusiasts who crave an exhilarating literary adventure. Its pages promise an enthralling journey, taking readers on a captivating and heart-pounding ride.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Antidote
Author: A W Baldwin

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 5/5

Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
14 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
14 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“With a solid plot and excellent pacing, this is a riveting thriller. I’m happy to recommend this book, and I’d very much enjoy reading other books by this author in the future. Keep writing!” Male reader, aged 76
“I enjoyed this well-written thriller. The plot is excellent, based on a common premise - a new discovery which will help the planet, but the ‘bad guys’ want to destroy it. The author offers the reader plenty of unpredictable twists and turns and, for the most part, well-developed MCs.” Female reader, aged 52
“Good pacing with a technothriller feel to it. If you happen to be on the hunt for a gripping thriller with an underlying ‘environmental’ message, you’ll probably enjoy this.” Male reader, aged 55
“Not particularly long, but the author fits a lot in! Fun read, perfect for a cold night in front of a log fire.” Female reader, aged 35

To Sum It Up:
‘A fast paced, thrill-a-page thriller with a strong cast of characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Christine Choptovy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book from Voracious Readers Only. This is an environmental thriller and was an enjoyable romp. Lila is a Canadian student who has a summer job working with Professor Blackstone. He genetically modifies plants and studies the effects of doing so. He makes a huge discovery that could make a dramatic difference with respect to climate change. Lila shows up for work, only to find that Blackstone has been murdered. He’s entrusted her with delivering a package to Texas. A government agent is also at the crime scene and he tells her to run. With someone chasing her and wanting her dead, she runs into Harry and Keaton. They pick her up from the side of the road and they drive away in Keaton’s antique Chevy Bel Air. Keaton is taking it to Texas in order to sell it. Harry has an ulterior motive for riding to Texas with Keaton. It’s a thrilling drive, with lots of action along the way. I would of given a 5* but we don’t get to find out what ultimately happens with Blackstone’s discovery.

[Felina Pittman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Antidote was an uncomplicated thriller that was written in a straightforward and comfortable style. The idea of the book was distinctive-it touched upon the genetic engineering and modification of plants. A botanist who developed a plant that could absorb carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas in the atmosphere at an exhilarating rate was murdered. The female student assistant who carried the miracle seeds that could counteract the poison in the air was being chased by a corporate Agri-economist who was interested in it for an enormous company profit. This is the premise upon which the story unfolds and where the plot thickens.
Although the concept was unique, I felt the leading characters lacked depth and were not fully developed. It could have been a runaway hit if the protagonists had a solid back story. Some of the gun battle scenes needed more detail and description so the readers can feel the rising action.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gave me “The Chemist” vibes by Stephenie Meyers vibes; in a good way because I really enjoyed “The Chemist”. Pacing varied from slow to medium paced, but the important scenes were really emphasized and filled with action. Suspense is present, with adequate foreshadowing. Science was realistically written and makes us think about the future of scientific development in global warming. As we all know sometimes those writing science make it very unbelievable. I would recommend this book to fans of science fiction, thriller and action.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book via VoraciousReadersOnly. All my thoughts are my personal opinions

[Just another reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a super relevant theme for today's world, and a pacy plot, The Antidote proves to be a brilliant read. The book weaves in multiple elements and genres, and turns out to be a combination of an ethical pondering, a biotech thriller, and an environmental lesson. The characterization is done remarkably well, and dilemma between saving the planet and corporate greed is brought out well. Quite an engaging book, and I had a great time reading this. My thanks to Baldwin and VR for gifting me with a copy of this book.

[Anita Kalkbrenner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read

This would be great read for those who are truly interest in saving the planet. While the story of three people being chased by the bad guys across the country is far fetched., I did enjoy the story. I kept thinking this would made a good TV movie, but not an academy award winner.

[Martin Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy from Voracious Readers. Can a vintage car enthusiast and a pot smuggler save the illegal foreign student and as a result, the world? Great characters and a believable chase across the country dodging the bad guys in the most obvious, stick out like a sore thumb, car possible!

I loved it!

[Hmya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a review copy from Voracious Readers!!

With an interesting plot, well-developed characters, and a mysterious main character, this novel is an exciting, current, and captivating read. The story revolves around finding the ideal solution to climate change, and in preventing future disasters. Highly recommend!!

[Steven Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun casual read

A well-written, clever, compelling adventure. Really solid and immensely readable. Very short chapters make it a good fit for someone, like me, with a short attention span brought on by social media. I think you’ll like the characters and the message of friendship and looking out for each other. Really warm story.

[Steven Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

a interesting tale,couldn’t put it down,
i really enjoyed it
recommended