The Apocalypse Strain

by Jason Parent

Overview

A multi-national research team, led by a medical genomics expert suffering from MS, study an ancient pandoravirus at a remote Siberian research facility. Called "Molli" by the research team, the organic substance reveals some unique but troublesome characteristics, qualities that, in the wrong hands, could lead to human extinction.

The researchers soon learn that even in the right hands, Molli is a force too dangerous to escape their compound. But the virus has a mind of its own, and it wants out.

FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787583535
Publisher:	Flame Tree Publishing
Publication date:	08/11/2020
Series:	Fiction Without Frontiers
Edition description:	New
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	835,558
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Jason is an author of horror, thrillers, and science fiction, though his novels tend to blur the boundaries between genres. From his award-winning first horror/mystery novel, What Hides Within, to his widely applauded supernatural thriller, Seeing Evil, Jason’s work has earned him praise from both critics and avid readers alike.

Interviews

What is the book about?
The story is above. Essentially, it is a sci-fi/horror thriller. Without sounding pretentious (I hope), I guess it is somewhat a cautionary tale concerning scientists playing with things they don’t really understand and the (perhaps overstated) dangers of doing so. But it is likely that scientists will find other pandoraviruses that could be harmful or even deadly to humans if not handled with every precaution.

What are the underlying themes?
Dangers of scientific advancement; global terrorism; bigotry based on race or national origin.

Did you base your characters on anyone you knew?
No.

Who influenced you most in the writing of the book?
John Carpenter movies and fast-paced horror books like Savage Species by Jonathan Janz.

Is there any advice you can give someone starting to write?
Read extensively in your genre. Write often. Edit even more often and consult unbiased editors and beta-readers for impartial critiques.

Where did you write?
I write in a quiet, unadorned room. I let my mind imagine the scene as I write it and get lost in the story.

Did you write in silence, or to any particular music?
I need silence. I am easily distracted. I can write with light background noise, like in a coffee shop with indistinct chatter.

Did you find it hard to write? Or harder to edit your own work?
Editing is harder. It’s easier to see the mistakes of others than your own. So I go through each work several times, then send it out to editors.

What was it like to be edited by someone else?
I enjoy being edited. I learn so much from a good editor, and those I have used in the past have definitely advanced my craft. Someone once said, “A writer is only as good as his editor.” I believe that whole-heartedly.

What are you writing now?
I am writing a couple of different pieces. I just finished up several short stories. The primary wok on my plate is a sort of crime-legal-light-supernatural thriller.

Editorial Reviews

This book is like The Thing and Resident Evil got together, had an illicit love child, and then presented it in an enjoyable and action packed novel for my personal enjoyment.

The Most Sublime

What I like best about Jason Parent's writing is that every book he writes is different from the last. This creativity is on full display in his latest novel. THE APOCALYPSE STRAIN is a thrill ride. I had an absolute blast!

Jonathan Janz