What a week it’s been! My book launch for “A Degree of Betrayal” in now finally underway!
I am delighted to report that “A Degree of Betrayal” is now officially on sale! This story, part mystery, part literary fiction and part “LabLit” features a strong female protagonist graduate student who appears to ‘have it all.’ Maya Golan is a stellar biomedical science student, with a promising career, supportive husband and even a beautiful new baby in tow. When friction with her graduate mentor, Dr. Alberto Tartulo, threatens to derail her career and that of her partner, an unexpected murder plunges her into desperate straits.
Published by small-but up-and-coming Big Table Publishing, I am certain that “A Degree of Betrayal” is my best novel to date. I have a lot in the course of writing my 3 novels. As a scientist and like a scientist, I believe that I can keep learning and keep improving–and this applies to my fiction writing as well as my science. Standing still and treading water is the equivalent of failure to me, and I am confident that those of you who have read my earlier novels–as much as I think they are great stories–will find that the new novel is on a different plane. At least as for as the actual writing is concerned. I suspect my colleague and friend Dr. H. G. of Cromer may agree with that statement, having read electronic versions of my 3 volumes.
Although the story is, obviously, fiction, my inspiration came in part from the experience of someone very close to me–my spouse. The total control that a graduate mentor has on a student–the enormous influence coupled with the power to make or break a student’s career–leaves huge potential for abuse. Either willful abuse, or simply abuse by negligence or mismanagement. Such abuse could result from anything: pure chauvinism, sexual harassment, a midlife crisis for the mentor, lack of interest in the student’s fate. In any case, I suspect that most students will have encountered such complex relationships–if not with their own mentors, at least through the eyes of fellow students. Part of my goal was to portray this type of highly complicated relationship, between mentor and student.
I would highly recommended “A Degree of Betrayal” for anyone interested in an insiders look at academia and today’s biomedical science. I also recommend it for those who love mysteries and courtroom dramas, and for those of us who are concerned about the treatment of women in science—and in society as a whole.
“A Degree of Betrayal” makes a great holiday gift for your students, professors, instructors, technicians, mystery lovers and feminists.
And just for good measure, here’s what a few authors have said about “A Degree of Betrayal:”
“Steve Caplan’s A Degree of Betrayal is a superbly written and crafted story. He takes the lives of five individuals throws them together and then, interweaves them in this story about love, trust, and ultimately betrayal. A Degree of Betrayal is a fascinating and compelling read.”
~ Jeffrey Miller, Ice Cream Headache and When A Hard Rain Falls“As a scientist, Steve Caplan brings unmistakable authority to this lablit tale, drawing the reader into the complex and fascinating world of biological research. Part mystery, part insider’s view of the research life, A Degree of Betrayal is an entertaining and compelling read.”
~ Tom Mahony, Imperfect Solitude and Pacific Offering
“A Degree of Betrayal” is available from the author at: www.stevecaplan.net or
as an e-book on Kindle:
As for me, I already have plans and an outline for the next one, although I suspect it will take me a couple years to see it in print.
W00t!