KEY WEST, Fla., March 5, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- There are no indigenous snakes in Hawaii. So, when a blood-red brown snake begins infesting the islands, they're more than just a new species. They are a real danger to both animals and people. In Slither (now available through 1stBooks), author David A. Kaufelt paints an eerie picture of what happens when stowaway snakes make a deadly entrance. He tells the story of the young scientist who tries to stop them and those who want to profit off these slithering reptiles.
By hiding in the wheel casings of airplanes, these long, thin snakes are making their way to Hawaii via airplanes and cargo ships. They wreak havoc with tourists, eat birds and interfere with the sexuality of animals. Humans are also starting to show more cases of hypospadis, a condition of irregular sexual organs in infants.
These snakes do have a positive side, and pharmaceutical companies pounce on the opportunity. It's discovered that the venom of these snakes protects against diabetes and is a wonder drug against obesity. Nick Mayer, a young, Harvard-trained scientist, knows that these snakes could cripple humanity, but his uncle and the greedy executives at a powerful pharmeceutical company want to market the venom. Can Nick convince them otherwise? Can he stop the "snakes," including those in the company boardroom?
The epitome of a thriller novel, Kaufelt's story will have readers flipping pages in anticipation and fear.
Kaufelt has published 17 novels, including the prize-winning, Silver Rose, Six Months with an Older Woman and American Tropic. He wrote the critically acclaimed "Wyn Lewis" mystery series and has written for Cosmopolitan, Travel & Leisure and Poets and Writers. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the New York University gradate school, he was the host of a weekly Key West TV and radio show. He is the founder of the Key West Literary Festival and has been elected chair of the annual Tennessee Williams in Key West Seminar. He and his wife, Lynn, live in Key West and have one son, Jackson.
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