Rabid

"When a New England woman discovers her research scientist husband is cheating, she appeals to the clergy for guidance and unleashes high drama that pits religion against science in Kenyon's overheated debut novel. After finding pink panties in husband Conroy's suitcase, Bev Sloan seeks spiritual guidance from young replacement clergyman Dante (parish priest Father Nicolai has disappeared after allegations of sexual misconduct). Heavy-handed marriage counseling sessions and a few innocent dinners with Bev lead Dante, smitten with lust for Bev and battling a drinking problem, into a crisis of faith. Meanwhile, Conroy takes a mad scientist turn in his campaign for a promotion. Bev and Dante's courtship unleashes some serious bodice-ripping, and when Conroy remains unrepentant about his dalliances, jealousy and anger erupt in a murder, a tense jury trial and the discovery of a lethal, lab-cultivated aerosol rabies virus. Kenyon shows promise even while jumbling her busy narrative with incomprehensible science-speak ('Rhabdoviridae is an RNA virus family that includes haematopoietic necrosis virus, hemorrhagic septicemia virus'). A few more swipes with the editing pencil could help, but to her credit, Kenyon manages to rein her characters in nicely at the conclusion of this overwritten yet impressive medical thriller." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)