Fiction or Prophecy?

The Troop by Nick Cutter can be read in two ways. It can be read as a work of fiction, as advertised, and reviewed as a good read with well-developed characters and a good plot line. If it is read this way the reader can finish the book, put it down and say, “That was a good read”.

Or it can be read as a prophecy—a look into a possible future—in which an amoral scientist experiments with a simple worm that is genetically altered and the face of the earth is changed forever.

The Troop is so gripping because it could happen.  That is why it is a good thriller.

The story opens with Scoutmaster Tim Riggs taking his scout troop to a deserted island for their annual camping trip. This is usually the time when the scouts have an opportunity to earn some badges in orienteering and survival skills.  The arrival of an emaciated stranger on the island during the night changes the camping trip into a battle for survival where the last thing on their minds is a badge

As the story unfolds we are given details about the stranger, the experiment and a mini- biography of each one of the boys on the trip.  We are left to ask who will survive and at the same time hoping that one of the scouts will not survive. 

In this book published by Simon and Schuster Nick Cutter succeeds in writing a story that will change the way we view camping trips.

I received a galley of this book through Net galley.com with the understanding that I would read and review it. This was no explicit or implicit demand that I write a favorable review. In this case there was no need to ask that. I truly like the book.