Brief

A disillusioned journalist and the daughter of deceased scientist join forces and risk their lives to uncover the immoral actions of a magnate controlling a pharmaceutical and agrochemical conglomerate.

What We Liked

This is a compelling and modern ecological thriller led by a charismatic narrator and protagonists. Nick is a journalist who appears to have hit a career dead-end at the age of 30, but finds new motivation when approached by Dr. Carl Elles, a scientist looking to uncover immoral actions taken by a magnate controlling both a pharmaceutical conglomerate and an agrochemical company. Along with Dr. Elles' daughter, the stunning Morgan, Nick will risk his life and escape from thrilling chases while he attempts to write and publish his findings about this scandalous scheme.

Film: Dark Seed would make up for a great Film adaptation as its action scenes and stunning scenarios won't let the audience have a single dull moment. There is also a romance slowly building up between the two protagonists along the storyline; that would surely keep audience hooked as, despite all the favorable conditions, it only unfolds in the end.

TV: Dark Seed would make up for a great TV adaptation as it is divided in many chapters, in which moments of tension are built and quickly solved in different scenarios - but never with a definitive chance of relief. It also brings along trendy subjects of interest such as GMO's, organic food, meditation and healthy habits.

Key points: Its main theme is highly trendy; Its action and suspense scenes are thrilling; Scenarios and locations are charming; The narrator and protagonist is vulnerable and charismatic; The development of the main character throughout the story is outstanding.

Synopsis

Nick Barnes is a journalist unhappy with the path of his career so far and with no high hopes for the future. He is approached by a scientist - Dr. Elles - to help him expose the dirty works of a big agrochemical company, which is run by a magnate, Dr. Schmidt, who also controls a big pharmaceutical conglomerate. However, the scientist is assassinated before providing more details about the task. The journalist is then approached by a group of people during Dr. Elles' funeral, including Morgan Elles - the scientist's daughter who also lost her mom in suspicious circumstances - and two men, Dr. Bill Clancy and Dr. Ivan Popov, who used to work with the deceased man, to carry on with the assignment.

Soon, the smart and stunning Morgan and the witty journalist unite with the goal of exposing the truth about genetically engineered seeds. As they proceed with their investigation and compilation of findings, they will risk their lives trying to escape from the hands of the powerful magnate and his men - who are not hesitant to kill.

As Morgan's house in Seattle is first invaded by Dr. Schmidt's violent henchmen, they find out how dangerous the situation is and come up, along with Ivan, with a plan to disappear - hiding in his lake house in Canada. Unused to being chased, the two are easily tracked and decide to go to Vancouver, where they find an important witness that reveals that Morgan's mom was also assassinated by the same men.

As they get caught in Vancouver, the couple finds out they've been receiving mysterious help, and manage to escape and find new incriminating proof against the companies thanks to it. Returning to Seattle, the two decide to fly to Maui with different identities and rely on the help of Nick's longtime friend, Sue, to get new passports. In Maui they meet a man named Jack Carter, owner of a bible camp by the beach that looks like a good place to hide. Sue decides to join them in Maui realizing she is also in danger, and the three get caught as soon as she arrives. About to be murdered, the trio is saved by Jack.

Between coincidences, visions during meditations and quests for self-development, the protagonists are surprised to find that all along they relied on the help of Jack, an oil zillionaire, to save their lives. They will be able publish their work and get proper protection.

The protagonists finally kiss after almost all their pursuers are dead, and even though there is a risk of still being followed - which shall be explored in part two of this trilogy - they allow themselves to let the romance that was building up in-between the action to finally unfold.

About The Author

Lawrence Verigin is the author of the multiple award winning Dark Seed trilogy - DARK SEED, SEED of CONTROL and BEYOND CONTROL.