The Human Disguise

I usually don't enjoy science fiction, but really enjoyed this book. Set in the realistic future, I could visualize the world as James O'Neal set in his book. Fast moving, easy read, very highly recommend.

Try Infected: A Novel and, Patient Zero: A Joe Ledger Novel. These are the best sci-fi action thrillers of late, with "Patient Zero" probably being #1. If you have that"X-Files" mentallity, you'll like these books.

In a not too distant future, Florida is a bankrupt entity, except for the Orlando entertainment district. But this book is not set in Orlando, it is set in a gritty, struggling, infested shadow of what is today South Florida. Oneal's hero, Tom Wilner, is a career cop, part of the now statewide police agency, that tries to keep its head above water. He is forced to cross ethical lines and investigate a crime that occurs in his presence, and involves his estranged wife. To his agency, acceptable, just clear it and move to the next problem. But what he encounters digs him deeper than he ever expected,into secrets that have remained hidden for thousands of years. The secrets he encounters change his entire life, and his views of life. But in this life changing trip, he also must be the good cop, putting together the details of a hidden threat to south Florida, even as he and his partner watch other events, in other parts of the world, possibly threaten cataclysmic events they can have no impact on. The police procedural is good, basic cop 101. The science fiction is not over the top - indeed, the aliens Wilner deals with may not be so alien. The future Oneal draws is dark and depressing, an economically diminished US, fighting wars in various theaters, and fearing the resurgence of Germany. Damn, sounds like tonight's CNN feed... The Human Disguise entertains and gives one thought...or perhaps a variety of thoughts...

Having been out of the Sci Fi genre for some time and spoiled by the likes of Heinlen, Clarke et al, I was skeptical about picking this up to read. My concerns were not only unfounded, but I am hooked on this author! The setting is the "near future" and with current events, the plausibility is all frightenly real. The hero, Tom Wilner, is a strong police officer, the only one capable of fighting these aliens (the Simolits and Hallenbecks). Wait, did I say aliens? Hmmm, well, I don't want to be a spoiler. He partners up with an equally strong woman Homeland Security agent. Really strong. In any event, Wilner takes on a new case that he is personally involved in from the get go. With the attrition of police officers, conflict of interest is a thing of the past. The story is about personal loss, and personal gain. Good guys, bad guys galore. This could well be a standard day mystery in the "near future". O'Neal's writing style is fast pace, flowing and full of twists and turns. He should write the standard mystery fare also. Hmm, did I say that too? Well, pick this up. You will not be disappointed. I can well see this adapted to the big screen. As I said, I am hooked. You will be too.

In just a few decades from now, the world is teetering on the brink of annihilation. The United States has become Fortress America closing its borders to keep out people who are carriers of the bio-plague, a man made disease that has killed millions across the globe. Carriers already inside the country are placed on reservations or dumped inside the quarantine zone that has become what was once Miami; NYC is a nuclear wasteland. Iran has been nuked back to the Stone Age and Germany is marching towards Poland. Unified Police Officer Tom Wilner is spying on his soon to be ex-wife Svala and her lover Tiget Nadonich when he observes guns being fired. A man is injured and not expected to survive; evidence is taken to the station. The man recovers and walks out of the hospital the next day and the evidence vanishes. Tom ends up with it, but to extended family groups, the Hallecks and the Simolits want what he has for radically differing reasons. Tom distrusts both families who seem more than human to him. Each has an agenda with the Simolits wanting to expand the Miami Quarantine zone so that his people can roam free of persecution. Tiget kidnaps Tom's children to force him to hand over the evidence. Now it is personal as Tom must stop both sides while rescuing his kids. James O'Neal describes a near future that is bleak and civil rights have become extinct except in fairy tales. Central government is weak and corrupt while convicts are sent to labor camps or front line military fodder. The world is excited about the coming of the Uralian aliens who have made contact and are coming to earth. The premise is riveting and the story line lives up to that theme with a deep mystery, plenty of intrigue, and action starring a former hero beaten down by the human collapse but not out as proven by his reactions. THE HUMAN DISGUISE is on a par with the works of Whitney Strieber. Harriet Klausner