The Murder Plague: A Dystopian Novel

Published Feb. 8, 2024, it is available through Black Rose Writing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble:

An engineered virus that attacks the brain leaks from a research lab and spreads quickly, causing infected people to go into psychotic rage. Before almost anyone knows what is happening, a well-armed America is terrorized by a pandemic of violence.

Kanetha Wilson—friend of the first victim—is first to recognize that something is not as it seems. She inspires a small cadre of scientists and others into a breakneck, lonely, and lawless mission to identify and stop the murder plague. They must rebel against scientific and political establishments and public opinion hardened against taking pandemics seriously. More importantly, they must stay alive themselves, when crazed murderers might appear anywhere, and when madness might be only a breath away.

Reviews:

“If you thought living through the Covid pandemic was like a years-long fever dream, get ready to feel that anxiety multiplied tenfold in The Murder Plague. A setting familiar to most readers and a cast of relatable characters give this dramatic novel a disturbingly intimate feel. … The Murder Plague is a chilling bloodbath that you’ll binge from the edge of your seat.”—IndiesToday.com.

“Powers delivers the suspenseful goods in a much too possible tale of viral apocalypse, supported by science and research, and populated by fully-realized characters. Scarcely a page goes by without a keen observation, a clever use of language, and big things to think about. I loved this book!”—Kenneth Pelham, author of Gumshoes, Fangs, Rockets, & Spies—How Literary Genres Evolve and Change Our World.

“The Murder Plague is a high stakes dystopian thriller with well developed characters and heart pounding action that will keep you turning the pages. Shocking twists and turns keep you at the edge of your seat until the end. The ‘what if’ in this book scared me in the best possible way! You will remember it long after you read the last page.”—Christy Cooper-Burnett, author of Passport to Terror.

“From the very beginning, The Murder Plague conjures a world where no one is safe and even the strong may not survive. Scott Michael Powers tells a frightening and realistic story of how easily life can deteriorate with a careless act. Compelling, three-dimensional characters give substance to a world that has changed beyond recognition. I couldn’t put it down. Excellent read!”—Carla D. Seyler, author of A Place Unmade.

“Ripped-from-the-headlines thriller goes straight for the jugular. This is a frighteningly believable story that elevates pandemic fears into a sweat-inducing reading experience.”—David Buzan, author of In the Lair of Legends.

“The Murder Plague is an interesting twist on the zombie genre. … The plague is traced from patient zero, a microbiologist working in a contaminated lab, to her contacts and to the contacts of her contacts—each with his or her own story—spelling the silent spread of the virus among the novel’s fully-rounded characters.”—Carolyn Geduld, author of The Struggle.

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Excerpt:

That did not stop police, the media, and every psychologist and criminologist who had fifteen minutes available for a live interview from offering theories based on little bits here and there. Her supervisor at work, a Dr. Tim Crosby, and a handful of others who knew her offered that she had been erratic and moody during her last few days. Very troubled, very troubling, very unlike the Mae Louise they knew, Crosby told NBC’s Today Show. Mostly baseless reports circulated that she had exhibited signs of delusions, maybe even paranoia. Rumors arose she lived a secret, double life. No one really knew anything about it, which only made it more suspicious. Her social media accounts were mined for every glitch in character expression. False speculations went unchallenged and became the foundations for deeper false speculations.
A computer animation that more easily fit society’s need quickly replaced Mae Louise Vicar’s life story.

Her parents went into hiding.

Her priest offered incomprehensible wisdom and guidance.

The medical institute provided no comment.

Authorities at His Children issued a statement decrying the tragedy and offering prayers for all. They said nothing about Mae Louise, except privately to the police

Mae’s neighbors stopped answering their doors and phones. Margaret Seitzer suddenly barely even knew her. Danielle Jones, as always, kept to herself.

All the world responded with shock, anguish, and anger toward Mae Louise Vicar.

All the world, that is, except for Kanetha Wilson.

Kanetha reacted with shock, anguish, and anger for Mae Louise Vicar.

“That’s not my girl!” Kanetha said to anyone and everyone. “That’s not my Mae-Lu.”