Since everyone is concerned about our environment and global warming, a new subgenre in thrillers has surfaced. It’s been called environmental, enviro or eco thrillers. Michael Crichton’s “State of Fear” might fit into this category. However the recently released action filled thriller, Green Power, by Charles Vrooman truly belongs to this new subgenre. Going green and bioterrorism are at odds with each other in this novel. See synopsis below and give your input as to whether you feel this novel fits into this category. Also, what other thrillers do you feel can be classified as environmental thrillers?
Synopsis:
After the renowned Microbiologist Dr. Ray Pendleton leads a demonstration to close down Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant, Ray is assaulted by two of Dirk Hendrickson’s fellow Delta Valley Militiamen. Ray survives the beating and is motivated to set up Methane Digesters as an alternative source of electrical power for Lodi dairies.
Dirk’s continued attacks on the professor and his projects results in a death threatening epidemic pointing to one of Ray’s methane lagoons as the cause. The infected patients are admitted to UC Davis Medical Center. Linda McCord, a lab tech at the hospital and former student of Dr. Pendleton, works with Ray to prove that the methane power source is not the cause of this spreading disease. Both Ray and Linda develop a romantic relationship while working together. Linda is devastated when Ray develops a serious infection from the bacterium causing the epidemic.