The novel “Enhancement” by Anthony J. Melchiorri was published for the first time in 2014. It’s the first book in the Black Market DNA series.
When Chris Morgan is stabbed during a prison riot, he thinks it’s the end for him. Instead, another inmate protects him until the guards intervene and stop the riot. Chris is even more surprised when he’s told he’ll be released early.
As soon as Chris Morgan is released from prison, a stranger offers him a job in genetic engineering, the same field that got him into trouble when he started selling illegal modifications. Suspicious, he tries to stall, but only one biotech company is willing to hire him. Chris tries to approach the new job honestly and even begins a relationship with his colleague Tracy, but when his boss is killed, he realizes that things are still complicated for him.
“Enhancement” is set shortly after the mid-21st century. It’s a future in which biotechnology has advanced to the point of allowing various genetic modifications in humans. These include gene therapies for various diseases, but they go beyond that. The market is strictly regulated, but there are people willing to sell illegal modifications.
Chris Morgan is far from a saint, but he’s not a ruthless criminal either. Anthony J. Melchiorri starts giving the protagonist a backstory and a personality that explain the reasons behind certain choices that in the end, landed him in prison. He’s good at his job, but he’s far from the stereotype of a scientist devoted to cold logic. On the contrary, his choices are often influenced by his emotions, which leads him into trouble. In short, he displays very human flaws.
After paying for some of those choices, Chris Morgan tries to rebuild his life, but it seems he can’t completely stay out of trouble. The novel’s plot centers on biotechnology, but in many ways it’s a thriller, as the protagonist finds himself embroiled in criminal events that have causes he initially doesn’t understand. Because of his past, Chris is reluctant to involve the police and investigates the events on his own.
The science fiction element surrounding biotechnology developments is significant, but it’s not too heavy, so you don’t need a great deal of genetics knowledge to understand it. Anthony J. Melchiorri holds a degree in biomedical engineering, which means he writes about topics he knows professionally. The author describes developments that could actually happen in the coming decades in a plausible way, exploring possible consequences. One of his strengths is his ability to address complex topics while keeping technical and scientific jargon to a minimum.
The plot centers on Chris Morgan, who is by far the most developed character. The other characters are developed mainly through their interactions with Chris. In a novel where there isn’t always a clear division between good and bad people, it can take a while before the roles of some characters in the story are clarified, and sometimes this happens with a twist. If you’re used to reading mysteries and thrillers, honestly, at least some events that are supposed to be surprising are predictable.
In my opinion, “Enhancement” is especially good in its development of a complex plot that shows a plausible future, encompassing important opportunities for people’s health and ethical and moral issues, some of which are tied to economic interests. It’s the first book in a series, but it has its own ending, so you can read it and then decide if you want to continue with its sequels. It’s available on Amazon USA, UK, and Canada (French edition available as well).
