The Afflicted

Dr John Simmons, a world leading genetic engineer is a genius. Beset by personal tragedies, he created the ultimate drug, a miracle cure for many. Hidden behind his shadow were ruthless men, waiting, calculating, scheming, and desperate. Tucked away in the Swiftgene research facility, John worked tirelessly, expectations high on his success - or maybe not. Richard Jennings, Managing Director of Swiftgene wanted a life devoid of work and was determined to get it. Gwen Taylor is bright, beautiful, and ambitious. Unknowingly, she was a catalyst, used in the game of death by an elusive but powerful cabal, cowering under the cover of darkness. Can a miracle turn into blight as humans devour each other, tearing and killing? Can anyone stop the faceless murderers driven by greed, intent on wiping out generations of humans...?

About the Author :
Andy Strutt was a former scientist whose love of the written word propelled him towards writing 'The Afflicted' within twenty-six days. He entered the novel in a competition and was shortlisted and which encouraged him to take writing as a full-time profession. Andy lives in Worthing, West Sussex, with his wife and children.

Review :
The story centred around the efforts of Dr John Simmons to create the miraculous wonder-drug Methuselah, ' The Afflicted' documents the resultant epidemic as it turns perfectly ordinary people into violent, mindless and bloodthirsty creatures and the race to find a cure. - Certain to be a hit with sci-fi and horror fans, ' The Afflicted' manages to spark questions of morals and ethics, leaving the reader with more than just an enthralling plot. Chloe Pilsbury ** Thrilling, Educating and Humorous! A gripping read, Andy Strutt combines technical knowledge and experience of the pharmaceutical industry, with warmth and flashes of humour, as an outbreak of a frightening illness takes prosperous and laid-back Sussex to its knees. The author's style matches that of the book's hero: sharp and intelligent, yet generous enough to keep you in the picture - motivated by love and enthusiasm for the subject matter: biology, epidemiology - and as any self-respecting novelist subtexts in sociology and psychology... The withering contempt expressed for the villains will make you chuckle. This book is like an evening at the pub with the most interesting person you know: the story moves fast, and the devastation is total, but you'll remember the thrills and spills long after the ravages are over! ** If, like me, your guilty pleasure is curling up with a juicy novel containing enough gore to tease your dark side and a clever plot to keep you guessing, then 'The Afflicted' should be top of your wish list. As the foundations of the plot build, John's character becomes clear from the past that haunts him, and his passion for his scientific work creates both interest and curiosity for the reader. I found it refreshing that the plot grew alongside blossoming relationships and that scheming Richard grew more jealous and greedy as destruction spread. The vivid scenes of brutality provide the perfect dose of entertainment every horror reader craves. With suspense lingering like a bursting black cloud, the storyline becomes stale at no point. As more characters were introduced, I found myself enticed to read on to find out what happened to each one, with the vital question of 'who done it?' lingering like a carrot dangling just inches from reach. With scientific experimental processes to keep you thinking, gruesome deaths and likeable characters, The Afflicted is a thrilling rollercoaster of a read, with something for everyone (well, almost everyone!) I loved it! Erika Sanger ** This novel has the style and feel of the classic British horror stories of the 1980s. A genetic experiment is sabotaged, and a deadly viral strain is released, turning animals and humans into savage blood-craving mutants. An easy read; I got through it in a single evening-nevertheless a promising debut novel of the genre. I shall look out for more by this new author. Black Brigand