Seed of Control by Lawrence Verigin, Promontory Press, 352 pages, $17.95.
The world is in grave danger because of a secret cabal who have plans to control food production through genetically modified organisms and almost no one is aware of the threat.
In his first novel, Dark Seed, author Lawrence Verigin took us on a thrilling chase as reporter Nick Barnes was enlisted to help expose the cabal and their plans. Barnes and his group of supporters managed to survive multiple attempts to eliminate them and were able to fight back, stalling the deadly plan.
Their work isn’t done though and in Seed of Control the action picks up where it left off. Some time has passed and the cabal has regrouped and is pushing their dark plan forward. Barnes is joined by some familiar characters from the first book and a number of new faces that will play key roles in the next phase of getting the truth out.
Verigin brings new readers up to speed on the story without boring anyone who had read the first book. As he introduces the new storyline we are smoothly drawn back into the lives of the main characters.
In this sequel Verigin has increased his descriptions to a new level of detail that goes beyond the basic info most authors cover and delves into the depth of the subject. Whether it’s an action scene or the moody atmosphere of fog-covered San Francisco we feel like we are right there. He does a great job at keeping Barnes authentic and not making him into a one-dimensional action hero. Verigin uses his local knowledge well by including his Vancouver roots to provide a detailed backdrop for his final confrontation.
As a work of fiction Seed of Control succeeds on multiple levels, for while we are entertained through the well-crafted story, we are also challenged on what we might believe about the impact of GMOs in the food chain and the havoc they may be creating.
Verigin will be signing copies of Seed of Control at Chapters/Indigo, Marine Dr., North Vancouver on Nov. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Chapters/Indigo, Park Royal West Van on Nov. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. –
