Anthracis is the debut novel in an alphabetical series featuring Maya Maguire, medical detective, in her journey as an Asian American veterinarian solving microbial mysteries.
The spectacular southwestern desert is alive with Bacillus anthracis spores, and the summer is the hottest on record. As a new veterinary epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Maya Maguire confronts the largest, most complex anthrax outbreak in U.S. history.
Infections in persons of color and immigration activists resonate with Maya's search, as a Chinese American adoptee, for a place in her American home. Younger than her fellow trainees and battling panic disorder from a horrific childhood accident, she struggles to solve an epidemic mystery in a physician-dominated public health world. From her home base in New Mexico, CDC sends her to join a federal team in Arizona, including provocative physician Dr. Manolo Miranda and tightlipped veterinarian Dr. Dave Schwartz.
The epidemic is linked to climate change-that's the party line. But Homeland Security agents and the FBI are suspicious. Dave's an anthrax expert and spores match his home Texas Triangle of Death.
An invisible enemy, team secrets, and romantic missteps may derail Maya's confidence. If she can't find the source, thousands could perish from anthrax-laced heroin and tainted milk. Anthracis takes us to the front lines with scientists betting their lives and relationships on the investigation outcome.
Interview with the Author
Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A: Yes. As a veterinarian, I'm focused on creative writing as a way to entertain, educate, and enlighten.
Q: Why do you write your MayaVerse series of microbial mysteries?
A: Disease from animals-zoonoses-make up most emerging disease threats. As we've experienced in recent years, there's been one scary disease after another. Bird flu, Ebola, Zika, SARS, COVID, and monkeypox. By focusing on a young veterinary epidemiologist named Maya Maguire, readers can enjoy her worldwide travels, scientific discoveries, and relationships as she matures over several decades of her lifetime. Each new disease is a puzzle to solve caused by a microscopic criminal.
Q: What genre of books do you enjoy?
A: I'm drawn to upmarket stories with complex themes and happy for now (HFN) endings. I want passionate, engaging characters dealing with difficult life issues. Some of the MayaVerse mysteries are thrillers and many are romantic suspense. With a female medical detective, the novels are women's fiction.
Q: What authors do you read or admire?
A: Having grown up in the Southwest, I worship Tony Hillerman and his daughter Anne Hillerman who's carrying on his legacy. For medical thrillers, Tess Gerritsen is my goddess, although Robin Cook and Michael Crichton have great stories with more of a sci/fi leaning than the MayaVerse, which is strongly anchored in reality. I love the romantic suspense of Nora Roberts and the intense relationships of Nicholas Sparks.
Q: Which of your interests appear in your books?
A: Travel, animals, and music. Family and friendships. Hiking, photography, and old movies.