Contagious

*Starred Review* In Infected (2008), Sigler crafted an intense thriller in which an alien species infects humans, inflicts them with nasty triangular growths, and turns them into murderous creatures. Apparently that was just the beginning. In this sequel, which, thanks to some nifty backfilling can be read as a stand-alone, the aliens are changing their attack plans, sending down to Earth a new version of the infection, one that can be transmitted by humans from host to host. The heroes of the first novel return: epidemiologist Margaret Montoya, gung-ho CIA man Dew Phillips, and Perry Dawsey, who, in the previous novel, dealt with his alien infection in a unique and somewhat grisly manner. Now Perry is attuned to the aliens, able to overhear their chatter and lead pursuers to their centers of activity, where the aliens appear to be building portals designed to let the first wave of invaders come to our planet. This is a gutsy, ambitious, and completely seductive novel, B-movie horror of the highest order, told with conviction and gusto. The characters are appropriately larger than life (but still recognizable as real people), and the author is clearly a talented storyteller who knows how to write scenes that are graphic, frightening, and memorable. Many veteran horror writers will be grinding their teeth in envy. A definite must-read, whether you've read Infected or not.--Pitt, David Copyright 2008 Booklist

Alien invaders threaten humanity in Sigler's over-the-top thriller, the sequel to Infected. In the near future, U.S. president John Gutierrez goes straight from his inauguration to crisis management when his national security team informs him that he must focus his attention on Project Tangram, a secret government program to stave off an epidemic caused by alien parasites, which form itchy blue triangular patches on the skin. Victims eventually become paranoid and violent. As the infestation spreads, Gutierrez must decide whether the outbreak can be contained without the use of tactical nukes on American soil. Meanwhile, the creatures responsible for the parasites get a foothold in Michigan through a seven-year-old girl, who manifests possession by drawing blue triangles on her dolls. While lacking the psychological sophistication of Jack Finney's The Body Snatchers or David Gerrold's War Against the Chtorr series, this page-turner builds inexorably to an explosive ending. 5-city author tour. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved