THE PONCE FACTOR

A world-changing discovery sets off a battle to save civilization in Crawford’s SF novel.

Caleb Lee, a “rather meek, quiet chemist” working for a company that makes antioxidant-fortified juice drinks, accidentally discovers a formula that stops cell damage and aging. Before the brew is made available for sale, hackers leak unpublished research on its life-prolonging powers, and soon mobs are looting stores rumored to have it. United States President Bobby Brewer summons Desert Storm vet Dr. Medgar Landros, a senior official at the World Health Organization, to the White House to forecast the potential impact of the “Ponce Factor” on society and advise on the best policies to address it (if everyone can get the juice, the world’s population will explode catastrophically—and if some are excluded, the global struggle between haves and have-nots could prove every bit as horrific). Meanwhile, Caleb’s sudden wealth causes a rift with his girlfriend, Ani. Landros’ idealistic daughter, Josie, warns him that the charismatic but ruthless preacher Angela Nero is colluding with powerful allies in Congress (and elsewhere) to pass the Limitation Law, restricting the juice to a privileged few. As Josie tries to infiltrate Nero’s inner circle despite the danger, Landros decides to stop Nero himself, at any cost; the stakes are too high to rely on fickle politics. The author’s lively writing features sharp observations, vivid descriptions, and snappy dialogue (“I sat up in my seat. ‘Are you drinking, Ms. Vice President?’ ‘Maybe a little. And you know I haven’t been home in four months.’ I took a deep breath. ‘It’s been pretty obvious, but also none of my business’ ”). The story moves seamlessly from speculative mind-bender to thriller, with heavy doses of social satire and plenty of fast-paced action; even a climactic shootout scene has touches of humor. The narrative also includes elements of romance, strong friendship, bravery, and idealism that balance all the snark.

An entertaining speculative fiction thriller with a compelling premise.