Microbial Mysteries: A Story Collection

Bats and bearded dragons, raccoons and baby goats—animals are our fellow Earth creatures. But they pose a threat. Each species harbors invisible microbes, ready to leap into human bodies. In the ten short medical thrillers and one graphic poem of "Microbial Mysteries," public health disease detectives are challenged by mysterious outbreaks from zoonotic viruses, bacteria, and parasites. The story collection includes MayaVerse prequels over four decades of disease investigations with veterinary epidemiologists like Maya Maguire and other public health specialists.

"El Chinche" (1993) introduces Maya's mentors, Nancy Bingham and Fred Grinwold, at the start of their public health careers along the Mexican border. The story received an award from the Arizona Mystery Writers.

"SARS" (2003). Nancy Bingham takes the lead in investigating Arizona's first coronavirus infection while struggling to maintain her long-distance relationship with Fred Grinwold.

"Firenze" (2019). A hard-driving immigrant from El Salvador juggles his acclaimed Tucson restaurant, a new relationship with a county epidemiologist, and his pet bearded dragon.

"What's Within" (1983-1984). At the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in New York City, the public health career is launched for Faye Simpson, future veterinary mentor for series protagonist, Dr. Maya Maguire.

"MERS" (2013). Faye Simpson hops the pond to London and Saudi Arabia for the emergence of coronavirus in camels and spillover to humans.

"Pérdida" (2014-2019). In this reverse narrative story, a young mother in New York City struggles with the mysterious hospitalization of her five-year-old daughter; Faye Simpson finds the answer.

"Cruel, Cruel, Cruel" (1992-1993) is a prequel for Chinese characters in the MayaVerse.

"Ringer" (2023). This graphic poem provides a snapshot of the COVID pandemic.

"Bandit" (2018-2019). Class differences in Washington, DC influence the outcome of infection with a dangerous neurologic parasite.

"Eruption" (2019). A teenager visiting Santa Fe joins a young man on an ill-fated trip to a New Mexico hot spring.

"Road Not Taken" (2020). In this alternative history story, a mother attempts to find Christmas Eve joy during an ice storm and the COVID pandemic. But her world has been altered from ours because Pope John Paul II did not survive the May 13, 1981 assassination attempt.



Interview with the Author

Q: How do the shorter works in this volume relate to the alphabetical novels?

A: "Microbial Mysteries" is Book Zero in the microbial mystery series. Through prequels and side stories, it introduces readers to many compelling characters in the alphabetical novels. It also expands the universe of microbial challenges and how disease detectives tackle them.

Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?

A: During my career as a public health veterinarian, my writing was scientific. In recent years, I've focused on creative writing as a way to entertain, educate, and enlighten.

Q: Why do you write your MayaVerse series of microbial mysteries?

A: Disease from animals—zoonoses—make up most emerging disease threats. As we've experienced in recent years, there's been one scary disease after another.

Q: What is One Health?

A: One Health is an important MayaVerse theme. The concept integrates the health of people, other life forms, and the environment, to maximize the benefit for all.

Q: What authors do you read or admire?

A: Standouts are Tony Hillerman for his southwest-based mysteries and Tess Gerritsen for medical thrillers.