'Virus Thirteen' Invades Austin

If you were feeling reasonably healthy this spring, consider the not-too-distant future Austin setting of Virus Thirteen: Texas is blisteringly hot, human genes are cancer-proof, smoking is completely illegal, and a drug habit or a body mass index over 30 will get you sent to a government-run health camp.

Yeah, most of us would be obese or criminally addicted. But the characters in this novel are a little more preoccupied with the fact that society is on the brink of a global pandemic.

It's not that far-fetched, when you get right down to it. And somehow it carries even more weight when you consider it's written by someone going into the medical profession.

You read that right. Just in case you were also feeling reasonably productive in your life, consider that this novel was written by former Austinite Joshua Alan Parry, who's currently a resident at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Parry earned his bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Texas in two years flat – and he was the captain of the ice hockey team. Still feeling good about yourself?

Close the laptop, go for a jog, and then pick up a copy of this troubling thriller.

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Joshua Alan Parry will be in town today (Saturday, April 6) signing at Costco (10401 Research) at noon and H-E-B (5800 W. Slaughter) at 7pm.