Now that they are in power, there are no more checks and balances. The Conglomerates, and their mysterious party chairman, have taken over everything and everyone. There is no one left to stop them.

Forty years in the future, in a world where Big Brother runs amok, a powerful political party known as the Conglomerates has emerged, vowing to enforce economic martial law at any cost. Dr. Christine Salter, director of genetic development at a New York medical center, is in charge of “genetic contouring,” the much-in-demand science of producing the ideal child. But Christine is increasingly troubled by odd events, including the strange disappearance of Gabriel Cruz, a co-worker for whom she has a developing affection, and the fact that her latest assignment–making the Conglomerate chairman more youthful through genetic engineering–is an especially dangerous task.

As mandated by the Family Relief Act, Christine’s grandparents are relocated to a government-designed community in the American Southwest, along with other Coots (the official term given to the elderly), who are considered an economic and social burden to family and society. But even in this cold, cruel age, the Conglomerates can only control so much.

In his enthralling debut, Thomas Nevins thrillingly chronicles a brave new world where one family struggles to survive by keeping alive feelings of mercy, loyalty, and love.

Praise for The Age of the Conglomerates:

“Smart and exhilarating . . . a highly original debut novel, told in an exciting voice, that casts shades of Asimov.”

–Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Charlemagne Pursuit

"Nevins's debut reads like the novelization of a film adaptation of a Philip K. Dick novel. It's 2048, and the U.S. government is run by the Conglomerates, a political party controlled by 'the chairman,' whose regime has transformed the demographics of the country: 'Coots,' or those over 80, have been relocated to retirement communities, while problematic youth, or 'Dyscards,' live in city subways. Christine Salter is the director of genetic development at the New York Medical Center, where she helps people 'create, or re-create' their children and themselves through genetic manipulation. When her best employee and potential love interest disappears after being suspected of subversive activities, Christine cozies up with the chairman in order to find out what has happened to him. Meanwhile, her grandparents are deported to 'Cootsland,' and Christine's estranged sister becomes a Dyscard. As Christine uncovers a sinister plot, she abruptly reconsiders the moral implications of her work and puts her own life at risk to save those whom society has forsaken. Readers willing to pardon the oversimplification of good versus evil may enjoy the slick presentation and Hollywood-like setup." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

In a world where Big Brother runs amok, a powerful political party known as the Conglomerates has emerged, vowing to enforce economic martial law at any cost. In his enthralling debut, Nevins thrillingly chronicles a brave new world where one family struggles to survive.

Thomas Nevins has been involved in the book business for most of his life, and is currently employed as a sales representative for Random House. He lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.