Plum Island - Nelson DeMille

The story is set on Plum Island, a small, isolated island off the coast of Long Island, New York. The island is home to a biological research facility, where scientists study infectious diseases and other potentially deadly biological agents. The novel opens with the mysterious murder of two prominent scientists, Dr. Bill and Judy Gilbert, who had been working at the Plum Island Animal Disease Research Center. The Gilberts were pioneers in their field, studying diseases like anthrax, hoof-and-mouth disease, and other dangerous pathogens, but their deaths appear to be a botched robbery—until deeper questions emerge.

The investigation is led by John Corey, a former NYPD detective who is recovering from gunshot wounds sustained in a previous case and is now recuperating at his uncle's beach house on Long Island. Corey is not particularly interested in returning to law enforcement, but his curiosity and cynicism push him into the case. He's a sharp, irreverent, and sarcastic investigator, and his biting humor serves as a counterpoint to the often serious and grim nature of the investigation.

As Corey digs into the murders, he uncovers strange inconsistencies. The more he learns about the Gilberts' research, the more he realizes that there could be a connection to bioterrorism or the illegal trafficking of biological agents. Secrets from the Gilberts’ work on Plum Island and their mysterious pasts begin to surface, leading Corey to believe that their deaths might have been orchestrated by someone with a much darker agenda.

Corey also teams up with Kate Mayfield, an attractive and ambitious FBI agent who is assigned to assist with the investigation. The two form an uneasy partnership, and their dynamic includes both professional friction and personal attraction.

As they continue to uncover layers of deception, it becomes clear that there are powerful forces at play—individuals who are willing to go to great lengths to protect their secrets. Revenge, corporate espionage, and even international intrigue come into play as Corey and Mayfield race against time to solve the case. The deeper they go, the more dangerous the investigation becomes, and they find themselves up against enemies with far-reaching power.

The story reaches a tense and action-filled conclusion as Corey and Mayfield confront the truth behind the murders and the dark world of biological warfare.