A captivating yet cautionary story, despite its large ensemble cast.
By Kevin Moccia ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 10, 2022
Clarence Clay, a war veteran and widower, volunteers for a 90-day experiment in a pharmaceutical company’s biostructure on a private bird sanctuary. He is one of 10,000 new “prescribers” who will be exposed to viruses, and if he can make it to the end, he will receive a large sum of money for himself and his teenage son. Clarence quickly learns of the dangers of the biosphere, but is aided by a map given to him by a wary pawn-shop owner. Meanwhile, a group of animals, including goats and a red-tailed hawk, plan to rescue a warrior beagle’s son, Zorro, from the biosphere.
Moccia, an actor and playwright, has created a world full of characters, both human and animal, and subplots that unfold outside the biosphere. The best scenes follow Clarence and the kids as they traverse the “environmental complex,” encountering both picturesque and unsettling sights. As they journey, Clarence becomes their protector, and the final act ties an outside character to the events inside the biosphere.
The Beagle and the Hare (2019) is the first installment of Moccia’s planned trilogy, and this second installment is full of adventure and suspense. It is a delightfully bizarre story that will keep readers engaged until the very end.
Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2022
ISBN: 9781663241306
Page Count: 284
Publisher: iUniverse
Review Posted Online: July 3, 2023