invasiveBy Chuck Wendig

HarperCollins, out now

How can there possibly be over a thousand dead bodies at a small crime scene…?

Chuck Wendig’s semi-sequel to last year’s Zer0es (the story shares one key character in common, with cameos by others from that book) deals with some of the same themes as that, in terms of the hubris of man with regard to his abilities, but is far more a work of horror. It’s the sort of book that will appeal to all those who enjoy the science fiction of Michael Crichton or Canadian author Robert J. Sawyer – taking areas of modern day research and extrapolating them forward into a nightmare scenario – but it also reminded me strongly of Leslie Charteris’ Saint short story from 1937, The Man Who Liked Ants (adapted as The House on Dragon Rock for the Roger Moore TV series). I’m quite relieved I was reading this in electronic form that didn’t have the little pictures of ants on the pages that populate the printed editions!

As in Zer0es, Wendig’s writing is very focused, retaining the present tense that characterises his work. His key figure is Hannah Stander, an FBI consultant who has been brought up by survivalist parents, which stands her in good stead for the events of the second half of the book, as everything that you start to fear as you read the opening pages begins to come to pass. She’s investigating the work of a group of scientists, and their charismatic leader who may or may not be responsible for creating a new strain of ant that isn’t going to be easily dealt with. Exactly who’s done what is a key part of the novel and Wendig constantly throws curveballs at the reader, with one in particular making me want to kick myself for overlooking something that was obvious in retrospect!

Wendig’s style is always punchy, providing just enough information about characters and situations for the reader to be able both to understand what’s happening and to get inside the heads of the people in the scene. It’s a skill he’s honed over the last few years and puts to good use here. If you don’t find your skin crawling at certain times then I’ll be very surprised.

Verdict: A fast-paced thriller that feels all too plausible. 9/10

Paul Simpson