Successful mystery novelist Marty Stillwater discovers his life is being usurped by a genetically engineered assassin who shares his physical appearance and DNA. This double, created by a secretive government project, believes he is the real Marty and attempts to reclaim his "family" by eliminating the original. The narrative follows the Stillwater family as they flee across California, hunted by a killer who possesses Marty’s memories and instincts. The conflict focuses on the biological and psychological nature of identity versus artificial conditioning.
Readers of fast-paced techno-thrillers find this book useful for its examination of the ethical risks inherent in clandestine biotechnological advancement. It appeals to those interested in the concept of the doppelgänger and the fragility of a quiet suburban existence when confronted by institutional corruption. The reader gains a perspective on how personal history and emotional bonds distinguish a human being from a programmed replica, even when their physical chemistry is identical.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1993
- Language
- EN
