Immortal Red, by author Keith Hummel ventures into the life of Dr. Karen Spencer. Through her research, she has identified ‘The Immortality Code.’ This astonishing discovery could alter humanity’s destiny forever. Spencer, a distinguished biologist, explores the intriguing realm of Turritopsis dohrnii, a species of jellyfish capable of seemingly supernatural rejuvenation. As she probes further into this potential evolutionary leap, she finds herself ensnared in a labyrinth of treachery and peril.

Behind the façade of the agency where Spencer and her husband Ted, an operative of the CIA, operate, the sinister octogenarian mastermind Basil Orlov hides in plain sight. Karen’s pursuit of research funding draws her into an unsuspecting collision with Basil. He offers assistance, masking his nefarious intentions of exploiting the jellyfish’s neurotoxin to achieve humanity’s long-sought dream of immortality. Karen, transformed into an unwilling target, becomes an obstacle Basil is resolved to remove, using his far-reaching arsenal of resources, including monetary influence and professional killers.

Fearing for the sanctity of her groundbreaking work, Karen entrusts her daughter Chloe with crucial information clandestinely embedded in her research journal. Finding herself in the crucible of a world shrouded in subterfuge, conspiracies, and mortal threats, Chloe must stay one step ahead of her adversaries. Her journey intertwines with that of Nick, a CIA agent tasked with her recovery. Nick’s life unravels along the way, challenging his loyalties and thrusting him into a daunting moral quagmire.

The novel seamlessly intertwines threads of treachery, camaraderie, fidelity, romance, humor, and adrenaline-fueled action. The narrative, rich in character variety, develops at a leisurely pace that may challenge some readers. Interwoven plotlines can occasionally give rise to confusion, and the seemingly extended storytelling hints at future installments to tie up the unresolved loose ends.

An outstanding feature of the narrative is the inclusion of Karen’s journal entries. These provide an intimate portal into her mind, and as a connoisseur of meticulous record-keeping, I found her attention to detail enthralling. Among the ensemble of characters, the courage, wit, and daring of CIA agent Nick resonate, rendering him a standout figure in the narrative.

Immortal Red is an engaging exploration that technothriller enthusiasts are certain to appreciate, offering a narrative as captivating as the scientific phenomena it explores.

Pages: 530 | ASIN : B0C34FR7KC