Plum Island (novel)
Encyclopedia
Plum Island is a 1997 novel by American author Nelson DeMille
. It introduces NYPD detective John Corey
, convalescing on the North Fork
of Long Island
from gunshot wounds sustained in the line of duty. The local chief of police Sylvester Maxwell asks Corey to act as consultant in a local murder
investigation, the two victims Tom and Judy Gordon being personally known to Corey and, worryingly, employees on the Plum Island Animal Disease Center
, a facility suspected of carrying out biological warfare
research. The other parties involved in the investigation are Beth Penrose, a Suffolk County
detective, George Foster, an FBI agent and Ted Nash, who claims to represent the Department of Agriculture, but is immediately recognised by Corey as a CIA "spook".
While the others pursue the "popular" theory (that the murder had to do with the potential theft of biological weapons) or persist in perpetuating the government's concocted tale (that the scientists stole a secretly developed vaccine), Corey develops his own theory. He continues the investigation, despite being officially released from his duties.
During the course of his investigation he develops a relationship with the president of the local historic society, unearths clues to a centuries old mystery, risks his life on the high seas, and battles modern day pirates. The conclusion is typical of the real world, where things are not wrapped up in 47 minutes, like on TV. Some mysteries are never solved, sometimes the Good Guy does not win completely.
Nelson DeMille
Nelson Richard DeMille is an American author of thriller novels. His works include Word of Honor , The Charm School, The Gold Coast, Plum Island, and The General's Daughter .DeMille has also written under the pen names Jack Cannon, Kurt...
. It introduces NYPD detective John Corey
John Corey
John Aloysius Corey is a fictitious recurring character in Nelson DeMille novels. He is quick-witted and cocky, but would be considered by most to be a brilliant detective.-Fictitious character biography:...
, convalescing on the North Fork
North Fork, Suffolk County, New York
The North Fork is a 30-mile-long peninsula in the northeast part of Suffolk County, New York, roughly parallel with an even longer peninsula known as the South Fork...
of Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
from gunshot wounds sustained in the line of duty. The local chief of police Sylvester Maxwell asks Corey to act as consultant in a local murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
investigation, the two victims Tom and Judy Gordon being personally known to Corey and, worryingly, employees on the Plum Island Animal Disease Center
Plum Island Animal Disease Center
Plum Island Animal Disease Center is a United States federal research facility dedicated to the study of animal diseases. It is part of the DHS Directorate for Science and Technology....
, a facility suspected of carrying out biological warfare
Biological warfare
Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...
research. The other parties involved in the investigation are Beth Penrose, a Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
detective, George Foster, an FBI agent and Ted Nash, who claims to represent the Department of Agriculture, but is immediately recognised by Corey as a CIA "spook".
While the others pursue the "popular" theory (that the murder had to do with the potential theft of biological weapons) or persist in perpetuating the government's concocted tale (that the scientists stole a secretly developed vaccine), Corey develops his own theory. He continues the investigation, despite being officially released from his duties.
During the course of his investigation he develops a relationship with the president of the local historic society, unearths clues to a centuries old mystery, risks his life on the high seas, and battles modern day pirates. The conclusion is typical of the real world, where things are not wrapped up in 47 minutes, like on TV. Some mysteries are never solved, sometimes the Good Guy does not win completely.