Purr, the novel

What if 4 out of 10 people in the world carried, deep in their brains, a cat-borne microbe that had developed the power of mind control? What if animals on all continents except Antarctica were infected with this microbe?
What if the mind-control power of this microbe was so strong that it could force an infected rat to seek out a cat—and be eaten by it?
What if this microbe could affect the behavior of infected humans, also? What if it could cause women to be amorous and desirable and men to be anxious and unattractive?
What if the microbe could be deliberately used to alter human behavior—for noble or contemptible purposes—on a worldwide basis?
If this microbe were real, what would people—health authorities, governments or research institutions—do about it?
The microbe is real. Fictional characters set about to do something about it in Purr, the novel…
When Trent Schmitt, an assistant professor of biology with a well-earned reputation as a womanizer, is embarrassed into taking his university research job seriously, he launches a study of Toxoplasma gondii, a potentially deadly cat-borne parasite that apparently causes infected women to become more amorous. It's a study that could make Schmitt's reputation or ruin it, and ironically, it sets Trent on a quest to win the woman of his dreams-or perhaps create her by spreading parasite-infected cats across four continents. Opposing him is a rival professor who has ample reason to want Trent to fail. On Schmitt's side is his loyal "lab rat," Jacob, an ardent ballroom dancer, who deploys skills ranging from surveillance to behind-the-scenes deal making to protect his boss's back.

Purr, the novel–a work of fiction-is based on real science.