Medical Thrillers — Dengue: A Microbial Mystery by Millicent Eidson
Author Guest Post + Book & Author Info + Author Pet Corner!
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Medical Thrillers: Dengue: A Microbial Mystery
Is dengue the next pandemic? Two veterinary medical detectives, decades apart in age and experience, battle the tropical disease on the mainland, then in Hawai‘i.
Even in paradise, people can’t escape blood-thirsty mosquitoes spurred on by a warming climate. Join these resilient women as they push through personal challenges to discover the scientific truth and stop the relentless death toll.
Praise for Dengue: A Microbial Mystery
“The mystery, the characters, the setting, and the uncanny timing of this book make it a compelling read. I would recommend it to anyone who loves medical thrillers, mysteries set in Hawaii, mysteries with diverse characters, books with a strong female protagonist, and fictional tales related to climate change.” —M. Reade, USA Today Bestselling Author
To purchase Dengue: A Microbial Mystery, click on any of the following links: Books2Read, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & Apple
Guest post on Medical Thrillers by Millicent Eidson
Science Meets Storytelling: Discovering an Invisible World Through Fictional Adventures
Scientific writing appeals to our intellect, while fiction tugs at our emotions. Scientific writing sticks to facts, ignoring character; fiction thrives on imagination and conflicted characters. Scientific writing demands succinct sentences, whereas fiction unleashes creativity. Polar opposites, right?
Fiction writers vary in their reliance on facts. Historical mysteries anchor in past events although dialogue may need some modernizing. Many sci-fi and fantasy authors create worlds far from reality.
As a veterinarian working for state and federal agencies, I research zoonoses—diseases transmitted through animals and insects to humans. Solving outbreaks means writing scientific papers for prevention and control. Teaching graduate students about zoonotic diseases has been my side gig, aiming to enhance public health communication.
When I yearned to reach a broader audience, I birthed the MayaVerse, centered on a fictional veterinary disease detective. The stories are medical thrillers with a dash of romantic suspense and women’s fiction. The real criminals are viruses, bacteria, and parasites, sometimes aided by humans in bioterrorism plots. Animals and insects that spread diseases are never villains, but part of a vivid One Health universe.
Medical thrillers have a rich tradition. Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles novels feature a police detective and a medical examiner. Robin Cook and Michael Crichton explore science and health risks in their ‘what if’ scenarios. The MayaVerse carves a unique path, with nature as a primary setting and veterinarians in public practice as central players. The goal is to entertain, educate, and enlighten about zoonotic threats, with every plot rooted firmly in scientific facts.
I believe the reality of zoonotic diseases is thrilling enough without inventing threats. Maya Maguire and other characters bring to life a hidden world of microbial terrors. Dive into the MayaVerse to experience this blend of scientific fact and creative fiction!
Author Pet Corner!
She’s my grandcat (she belongs to my daughter) and she’s my MayaVerse spokesmodel.
Many tortoiseshell color kitties like Bosco have soft fur, and most are female.
Bosco also has catcher’s mitts with her extra toes (polydactyl).
Millicent Eidson — Author of Medical Thrillers
Dr. Millicent Eidson, a master of intrigue and suspense, weaves her literary magic through the pages of the Maya Maguire microbial mystery series. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for scientific puzzles, she invites readers into a world where microbes hold secrets more treacherous than any criminal.
Millicent’s career as a public health veterinarian and epidemiologist began at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After days filled with pathogens and outbreaks, the nights belonged to whispered tales of microbes dancing in her imagination. Upon retirement, her passion for storytelling blossomed into the MayaVerse.
To learn more about Millie, click any of the following links: Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram & X
Header image from Pixabay
Thanks so much, Elena, for the opportunity to write this blog for you! It was a lot of fun. I’d love to hear from readers whether they enjoy fiction grounded in reality, and from writers whether this is something they find valuable to do.
Thank you for reaching out! It’s lovely to host you on my blog.
I like to read my fiction grounded in reality, and if I’m reading sci-fi or fantasy, I then want the story grounded in the reality of the world the author builds. Meaning, the world building works best for me if it’s complex, and full, and consistent within those rules.
I personally do a lot of research to try to get things, like police procedures, as accurate as I can. I know I’m not perfect, but I strive to keep those kinds of details “real.”
What a fascinating premise. I love fiction grounded in reality and enjoy learning new things as I read a great story. I’m writing a historical mystery with an amateur sleuth, and the research is a challenge! What did a medical examiner know and look for in the 1880’s? What sorts of science or environmental awareness did the general public have? In my story, my protagonist is interested in water pollution in her local river. How would she have been able to use a simple microscope to examine clues of a murder as well as learn about pollution? I’ve been focusing on the background and experience of a real-world chemist, the first female graduate of MIT in chemistry. I’m hoping that helps make my plot seem more true to life.
What a great first sentence, Millicent: ‘Scientific writing appeals to our intellect, while fiction tugs at our emotions.’ I think you nailed what I feel when writing about a pathologist and a science-minded detective solving crimes together. It’s encouraging to hear that the readers will likely appreciate the accuracy of the science and other facts involved in the story as the tale unfolds. Best of luck with your latest MICROBIAL MYSTERY release, DENGUE.