“Ebola: A Microbial Mystery” weaves together an intricate tapestry of global public‐health crises, wildlife conservation, and a deeply personal journey of grief and redemption. Set against the backdrop of disease outbreaks across West Africa and beyond, the story follows veterinarians, physicians, and conservationists who must navigate treacherous field expeditions, steep cultural divides, and ethical dilemmas. As each character strives to uncover the origin of the deadly virus while reconciling past losses and strained relationships, they confront the limits of modern science and the unpredictable power of nature.
At its core, the novel explores the intersection between human vulnerability and the environment's relentless power. It examines how global public‐health crises force us to confront our own mortality, ethical responsibilities, and the limits of scientific control. Characters are set against the grandeur and brutality of the natural world, including lush, dangerous jungles and teaming cityscapes, highlighting a constant tension between progress and ethical compromise.
The novel overall fits best as a medical thriller with strong elements of adventure fiction and contemporary literary drama. It combines high-stakes global public-health investigations with intense personal, cultural, and wildlife conflicts. This blend anchors its pulse-pounding suspense alongside in-depth character exploration, setting it apart as both an edge-of-your-seat thriller and a thoughtful meditation on human and natural vulnerability.
My primary scientific consultant for “Ebola: A Microbial Mystery” is nurse epidemiologist Susan Schoenfeld who shared numerous materials from her Ebola rotation in West Africa. Paige Rudin Kinzie, Purdue University DVM-MPH student (class of 2026) provided a photo of West Africa from her research in 2024, which was modified for the book cover. Dr. Laura Rothfeldt, Arkansas State Public Health Veterinarian, shared photos from her Ebola work in West Africa which provided inspiration for the text.
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