HUNT FOR THE THIRD WOE

In Powell’s thriller, Homeland Security agents race to thwart bioterrorists plotting a viral attack against the U.S.

Billionaire Aléxandros Ghoul wants the FDA to add his lab’s smallpox vaccine to the Strategic National Stockpile. When the FDA rejects it, he decides to release a “weapons grade, genetically modified smallpox variant” that is resistant to all treatments but his own vaccine. Ghoul taps German-born former French Legionnaire Bruno Rattenvanger to oversee the plan, which involves blaming the unleashed virus on someone else. Bruno, tying off loose ends as the plan rolls along, commits a murder that catches the attention of Homeland Security, which quickly realizes that a viral strike is impending. The Bioterrorism Emergency Search Team gathers evidence to determine when the attack will take place and makes plans to combat it in whatever way they can. Meanwhile, “apocalyptic televangelist” Brother John, who, convinced he’s the Witness for the Second Coming, establishes what most would call a cult in Las Vegas. (“As one of God’s witnesses, it’s my calling to prophesy about the End Times and Second Coming of Jesus Christ.”) Powell introduces a colorful assortment of villains: Ghoul, for example, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and runs a lab that, in addition to producing vaccines, distributes cocaine and launders drug money; Bruno has a distinctive gait, as an old injury necessitates that he walks with a cane (which doubles as a weapon). In contrast, none of the heroes truly stand out. There’s no real protagonist among them, and the plot doesn’t offer much for them to do; in one lengthy scene, they listen to a doctor’s presentation on the history of smallpox while occasionally asking questions. The novel’s action is nominal, though some characters keep the story popping—including a few innocents unwittingly entangled with the baddies.

A leisurely paced but absorbing story of fighting enemies on American soil.