To Kill an Eidolon [Paperback]

Winifred Halsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1999

This speculative fiction novel postulates an additional aspect to the disease process. Susan Danville is returning to Chicago to begin her post-doctoral research appointment at a prestigious university. She is worried about the insanity that runs in her family. But it isn't insanity, it is something much worse--something that threatens all mankind. If Susan survives the year, mankind may not.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I spent fifteen years doing disease research at academic centers and pharmaceutical companies. I am an X-Files fan and a science fiction fan. I wanted to write a book that was a little of both--a biotechno-conspiracy book that has real characters with real world problems.

From the Inside Flap

A Different Type of Hunting "Another one bites the dust!" Maurice Parker quoted, very off-key, as a large, blue eidolon exploded against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline. Nisin Chatterjee wasn't entirely sure of Maurice's flat-toned musical reference, but he understood the point. "God, I love killing these bastards," Maurice added. "Lab work, clinical work-they're all fine, mind you, but nothing beats being out here in the street." "It is good," Nisin agreed softly. He had a hell of a headache, but that wasn't unusual for a night like tonight. "We are doing well." "True, true," Maurice agreed. "Let's head uptown and see what we can scare up there." "I think they know when we are hunting," Nisin suggested, rubbing his forehead a little. "Not at first, but after we kill a few, I think they know." "I wouldn't put anything past them," Maurice agreed coldly. "But we should still be able to kill a few more tonight." "I hope so," Nisin said as they walked up the street to where Nisin's car was parked. As they approached the BMW, they saw another eidolon, off in the distance. Young and weak, obviously newly budded. "Come to me, baby," Maurice said softly. Do you want the kill? He asked Nisin telepathically. Yes, Nisin replied in the same way. It took little more than a strong flick of his mind to send a brilliant spray of red iridescent sparks exploding outward. Nisin smiled. It was a good night.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 243 pages
• Publisher: Speculation Pr (August 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967197910
• ISBN-13: 978-0967197913
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,203,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and enthralling, September 9, 2001

By 

Jennifer Dunne (Upstate NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Kill an Eidolon (Paperback)

Why do some people shrug off a sickness, while the same illness can kill another person? In this contemporary science fiction novel, the answer is Eidolons, parasitic energy creatures tuned to various human diseases that feed off of the emanations produced by sick and dying humans. Humans with at least one of the two Mer genes can be trained to see and slaughter the Eidolons. Unfortunately, human women with a third Mer gene can give birth to new Eidolons, corresponding to mutated versions of existing diseases (like the difference between Chicken Pox and Smallpox), or human versions of non-human illnesses.

Susan Danville, the heroine of the book, knows none of this when she shows up in Chicago to start her post- doctoral research in biomedicine, relating Feline Leukemia Virus to AIDS. The university's research is a cover for a society of Eidolon hunters, including David, the postdoctoral student who insists their relationship remain purely non-physical. When Susan becomes friends with Joe, a hunk who is more than willing to provide a physical relationship, David's reaction borders on irrational jealousy. He's trying to protect Susan, since the society will kill her rather than allow her to become pregnant and create a new Eidolon. But he's sworn to secrecy, and his lame excuses only drive Susan into Joe's arms.

This exciting and enthralling story had a flawless and well-reasoned premise, complete with all of the natural correlations, without ever invalidating what we believe to be true about the world we live in. The characters were engaging and easy to care about, even the host of unpleasant society leaders. Since the reader knew what was truly at stake long before the characters, seemingly ordinary actions became filled with suspense. Yet the heart of this book was the love story, as Susan had to choose between David and Joe.
-- Reviewed for the Science Fiction Romance newsletter

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great page-turner with spectacular finish, September 10, 1999

By 

Edward S. Tonry (DeKalb, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Kill an Eidolon (Paperback)

To Kill an Eidolon introduces a new type of "monster" preying on seriously ill people. Eidolons aren't spirits or fairies or illusions, even though most people can't see them. They are visible to those whose genes let them see the right part of the spectrum. And they are very deadly.

The story starts quietly and builds to a fantastic climax. The characters are all well-defined and believeable. The tension they are all under increases steadily from chapter to chapter. The characters are all stressed for different reasons, and all have individual reactions to that stress. The anguish of the character David is especially well depicted.

The ending is very exciting. I'd love to tell you about it, but it would give away too much. All I can say is that it is a wonderful verbal description of what would be a wild special effect in a movie.

This book would make a great movie, with strong characters and great effects. In the meantime, I can't wait for the sequel.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific reading!, March 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Kill an Eidolon (Paperback)

Speculation Press is a new publisher specializing in what they call "cross-genre books, combining elements of science fiction and fantasy with romance, thrillers, crime fiction, and political satire." Geared towards science fiction readers who have grown tired of repetitive plots, Speculation Press offers a brand new look at an already intriguing genre.

The word eidolon has a number of definitions, ranging from a dripping mass to an image of an ideal. But in Susan Danville's brand new post-doctorate position in her native Chicago, the eidolons are parasites who feed off of sick humans. The scientists Susan is to work with have branded together, calling themselves "Insiders" to telepathically destroy as many eidolons as possible.

The scientists believe that eidolons are hatched when females who carry the correct genetic code to hatch them get pregnant. Susan Danville possesses two of the necessary genes, and perhaps the third. She can either join their ranks and fight the eidolons, or if she gets pregnant, she will be killed as one of the enemy. The trouble is, Susan has an overpowering urge to get pregnant, and she has at least one willing suitor, Joe, who would be willing to oblige. Then there is David, an insider himself, who is fighting to save Susan's life:

"David ran his hand through his hair again. `All right. Well. To begin with, people need at least one of the two Sight genes to be able to see eidolons. These Sight genes are designated Mer1 and Mer2. All cats have the Mer1 gene, by the way, which is kinda neat. But that's not important just now. Getting back to humans, it is theorized that there is a third Mer gene which is very, very rare. It is thought to be on the female sex chromosome. If a woman has this gene as well as the other two Mer genes, then she can incubate a new breed of eidolons along with the fetus."

W.F. Halsey has no trouble maintaining reader interest, as she pits character against character, humans against eidolons, and mixes the brew with some good old fashioned family secrets and tragedies in this "race against time" story. No less than the future of mankind is at stake, and the reader turns pages in a frenzy to keep up with the action.

Shelly Glodowski, Reviewer