I Read Books: Quantico

Quantico by Greg Bear is a near future bio-terror technothriller from an author perhaps better known for his hard science fiction. It is unrelated to the TV show of the same name, other than the fact the FBI academy is within the Marine Training base of Quantico.

It starts with some unlikely clues, and some FBI trainees, and some long hidden terrorists. It becomes about anthrax, and then something stranger, and an attack on the world’s major religions.

Bear’s plotting is sparse for a techno thriller, requiring you to pay attention to keep up; hints about the political situation in Washington and around the world come into sharp focus to frame the final confrontation.

Read This: For clever and interesting near future thrills.
Don’t Read This: If you prefer things clear rather than the murky, shades of grey, hidden clues and hints this book prefers.
While Writing This Review: I discovered that there is a sequel, Mariposa, that links to his not-near-future thriller Queen of Angels.