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High school seniors and friends Wally, Dalton, and Ed live in a rural county in central Virginia. Wally's mother is a devout Christian, but Wally himself dislikes attending church, believing the people there are crazy. Despite his reluctance, his parents insist he goes with them, and he complies. He is eagerly looking forward to starting at Virginia Tech, where he has been accepted into the biology department. Suddenly, there are reports of people lying lifeless across the Southeast in churches, with no clear cause identified. Many small children have survived, but nearly all the adults are deceased. They have succumbed to an unknown agent, and all the victims are Christians. Now, scientists are racing against time to determine what is causing these deaths before it leads to more casualties.
In his novel, Chaney explores the concept of an invisible enemy, specifically an unknown agent that attacks individuals without them understanding what it is. This situation leads to panic, uncertainty, and fear as people fight against something they cannot identify, ultimately resulting in frustration. They are blindsided and left unsure of what to expect next. The author addresses these feelings, as the presence of an unknown agent causing harm creates a palpable atmosphere of terror. Furthermore, Chaney takes readers on a journey to uncover the identity of the responsible party. By deftly placing readers in the shoes of the scientists in the story, he allows them to join in the investigation of these mysterious deaths. Readers will appreciate this book for its many twists and turns, which keep them on the edge of their seats.
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