Author Matthew B.J. Delaney’s latest novel, near-future sci-fi thriller Black Rain, arrives on September 1st, 2016. And what better way to head into fall than with an exploration of a seemingly bright future bought by high-value trading of disease cures and synthesized slavery?

What is Sci-Fi Novel Black Rain About?

Sounds pretty interesting, right? Well, here’s the official synopsis to give you a little more of a taste of what to expect:

“In a darkly warped near future, lucrative disease cures are brokered on Wall Street’s Genetic Stock Exchange. And the hottest consumer products are artificially synthesized humans that serve as everything from domestic slaves to combatants in savage gladiatorial games. For Jack Saxton, the young heir to genetic design powerhouse Genico Inc., these Synthates are just a fact of life…until the murder of a high-profile genetic scientist leads a pair of seasoned NYPD detectives to Genico’s door.

As a small band of Synthate rebels steps up its attack on the status quo, Jack encounters a pleasure-parlor girl who opens his eyes to their cause. When he dares to sympathize with the rebels, Jack is hunted down and arrested for the murder. Sentenced to die in the brutal games on Bloomberg Island, Jack will be forced to fight—for his life, for the future of all Synthates, and for a chance to uncover the mind-bending secret buried in his past.”

A Little More About Author Matthew B.J. Delaney

The editor for the book, Jason Kirk, said that immediately after reading Black Rain for the first time, he did something he rarely does: he read it again. In his note about why, he notes this, which I found interesting, “…author Matthew Delaney is a decorated member of the NYPD and writes the law-enforcement perspective really well.”

Now, there are many authors that come from a different field and then arrive at writing through other means, and transition into writing on a more full-time basis. But I was interested in the use of “is” vs “was” a member of the NYPD.

Turns out, Delaney started with a career in finance, then after the 9/11 attacks, left Boston for New York City and finance for a career with the NYPD. And he’s been with them for 12 years, currently serving as a Special Operations Lieutenant in a Brooklyn-based violent crime suppression unit. Oh, and he writes in his “spare time.” That’s some impressive multi-tasking.

How Would You Describe Sci-Fi Novel Black Rain in 15 Seconds?

Here’s the author trying his best to do just that:

Where Can I Get a Copy of Black Rain?

Sci-fi novel Black Rain arrives on September 1st, and you can pre-order a digital or physical copy over at Amazon. I’ve got a pair of books to finish first, but this one caught my attention, and I’m definitely adding to my list.

If anyone has a chance to read it, let us know what you think.