A murder at an Iowa university pulls a deputy sheriff into a global conspiracy involving biological warfare. Deputy Sheriff Clyde Banks's investigation into the death of a foreign exchange student uncovers a clandestine research department at the university using federal grants for highly dubious biological research. The scope of the conspiracy extends from his small college town to Washington D.C. and the Middle East, where his wife has been called to duty during the Gulf War. Banks must race against time to prevent the release of a deadly pathogen that threatens thousands of American lives.

The novel is presented as a classic political thriller, co-authored by Neal Stephenson and J. Frederick George. The description highlights its savagely witty and chillingly topical nature, drawing parallels to the tense atmosphere of the Gulf War. The narrative is framed as a lesson in foreign policy, suggesting a focus on geopolitical intrigue and the consequences of unchecked scientific research. The book's premise points to a fast-paced plot with high stakes, blending small-town investigation with international espionage.