Menace from the deep

- Killer Species #1: Menace from the deep. Michael P. Spradlin.

Emmet Doyle, the son of a famous wildlife expert, has just moved against his will to the Florida Everglades swamps. But the reason his father has been summoned is nothing ordinary. There is a new predator species it seems —something that looks alarming man-made. Something that is preying on snakes and boas... and might well soon hunger for something else... When Emmet and and another scientist’s son, Calvin Geaux, run afoul of one of the new beasts, they will learn just how dangerous a new invasive species can be. Particularly when driven by human arrogance…

Very entertaining 2013 sci-fi yarn for children, the first in a four-book series about genetically engineered monsters. Drawing cues from famous sci-fi thrillers a la Michael Crichton or Arthur Herzog, it quite surpasses Crichton and about matches Herzog —with bonus point for this being a book for children that in many ways is far better written than too many thrillers for adults. The good handling of influences results in both convincing scientific mumbo-jargon and fairly believable characters. 

While the suspense and creature attack scenes can be somewhat lacking it’s nevertheless a breezy, entertaining read. Recommended overall. 

*