Derrick Daniels is on what he thinks is a routine, straightforward mission to investigate some possible criminal and terrorist activity overseas, on behalf of the Justice Department. As his team heads their separate ways overseas to investigate and interview their targets, they find that their routine mission is anything but. Danger stalks them almost immediately, as they find themselves targeted in a plot to wipe out large segments of the world's population using a hideous form of mind control.

It took me a while to figure out who the principal characters were and what they actually are doing, but once they get out in the field, the plot moves along quickly as Derrick and his team try to stay alive and find their way back to safety. It's a roller coaster ride right to the end as the plot weaves elements of doomsday scenarios and mass extinction with the horror and thriller genres to create a edge of your seat adventure. The fear and anxiety are palpable as this team of ordinary folks is pushed to the brink by some ruthless villains with a penchant for grisly torture and interrogation.

There is an unexpected turn at the book's final section, and it's not clear in the end what has happened. It is fairly jarring, considering what has come before, but as a sequel is coming(?) I imagine that will be explained. For now, it raises some existential questions about what our role is on this planet and if what we perceive is real or not. Credit to the author for weaving in some disparate elements to bring something different than the norm.

Don’t read this discussion until you have read the book. As the author, I find it interesting to see that people seem to really like The Divine Affliction or not. While that’s not such a profound finding, I do believe I understand the disparity. As one reviewer noted, the story was great until the end. The reviewer found the end of days scenario to be uncomfortable. There is a duality to much of the book. The title... Divine can mean wonderful, or it can mean, from God. What kind of affliction could be Godly... wonderful? The affliction striking mankind as portrayed in the story could be (don’t want to give away too much here). Or, the divine affliction could be a Noahic story... end of days. The reader can decide how they wish to interpret the ending... evil polluters or a divine intervention. Did Derrick lose his mind? If so, when? What is real for him? What is purely in his mind? There are some deep existential meanings throughout, along with obscure biblical references. This is not a simple read by the end. Prior to the ending, it is a globetrotting adventure. I hope this helps for those who missed the deeper meanings. Here’s a hint... Adrienne is dead... unless you want her to be alive. It is for the reader to decide their interpretation of the ending. A sequel shall explain further.

A lawyer for Justice Dept., Derrick is asked to travel overseas to investigate concern in Japan. As part of the trip he is to stop with another lawyer and investigate a national security issue covertly in Iran. The CIA becomes involved. There are plot twists until the end. Story is fast paced and well written. I enjoyed book.