Maria Quinn presents some scary possibilities in her book The Gene Thieves

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Imagine an Australian society where there is no marriage or divorce, only conjugal contracts drawn up by lawyers which may or may not be renewed after five years.  Now imagine a world where designer babies carried by surrogates is the norm and one lone scientist working in his laboratory in Sydney has discovered the fountain of youth.

At first glimpse, all this may appear to be outside the realm of possibility. But I guarantee that Maria Quinn’s debut novel, The Gene Thieves which is set in the near future, will make you think again.

As Maria Quinn (pictured) said in a recent telephone interview with Australian Women Online, “A lot of the science in the book is no longer fiction – and that’s what’s scary.”

“The technology is there, but the legislation is way behind the technology. It’s as if the legislators don’t necessarily think that just because the technology’s out there that people will use it. And of course, our laws vary from state to state in all kinds of reproductive issues – particularly surrogacy. In Queensland, a surrogacy can carry a prison sentence,” she said.

Although the book has been classified by the publishers as ’science fiction’, The Gene Thieves will appeal every bit as much to fans of crime fiction, mystery, family drama and the political thriller.

Quinn will only say that the novel is set in the ‘near future’ but the observant reader will have no problem picking up on the clues that lead this book reviewer to conclude the events are taking place towards the middle of this century. Most of the action takes place in Sydney, where technology has changed the city but not enough to make it unrecognisable.

When the fictitious United Nations Ethical Science Council (UNESC) learns that Sydney based genetic scientist, Dr Mitchell ‘Piggy’ Brown has discovered the fountain of youth, it’s up to their top investigator, Jack Lee, to stop it from falling into the wrong hands.

On the other side of the world, Dr Mitchell ‘Piggy’ Brown becomes increasingly nervous as he waits in the reception lounge of the Sydney law firm Tebrett, Paige & Goldspink. Piggy may hold the key to lasting youth and vitality, but this means little to the genetic scientist who wants nothing more out of life than to be a father.

Peter ‘Dancer’ Tebrett and Aaron Goldspink have made their fortune creating legally binding conjugal contracts. In the society of the future these five year contracts between couples have replaced the institution of marriage, which has become a rather antiquated notion in the mostly secular world of tomorrow.

In reference to the idea of conjugal contracts, Maria Quinn said, “The blokes seem to love it, let me tell you. The other people who have really latched on to it are the lawyers. There was an early book review in the Lawyer’s Weekly – a very interesting and very witty review. And I thought well this would certainly create a lot of work for lawyers, if every five years you were renewing or not renewing a contract.”

Maria added, “The fact that people live together for some considerable time before marriage and the increasing popularity of pre-nuptial agreements, are indicating that we are already moving in this direction and I can certainly see something like conjugal contracts happening.”

As previously mentioned, surrogacy and the concept of designer babies are two of the major issues explored by Quinn in The Gene Thieves. In the author’s vision of the future, natural pregnancies are almost exclusively seen in poor communities, as those who can afford it hire out the womb of a paid surrogate to incubate their genetic offspring. Surrogates are housed in comfort in well equipped and professionally staffed facilities such as the one referred to as ‘The Nest’. One of the rare exceptions is Angela, the surrogate chosen to carry the child of the genetic scientist, Piggy Brown.

For legal reasons that are explained in the book, Angela must enter into a conjugal contract with the little genetic scientist whom despite having a tragic history, has a heart of gold. The relationship between Piggy and the little girl Molly, provides some tender moments as the story unfolds to reveal a plot where violence, greed and deceit threaten to steer humanity towards it’s own destruction.

Although The Gene Thieves does has a very compelling story to tell, for me the book’s greatest strength is the cast of memorable characters that made me want to delay finishing the book for as long as possible, for I knew I would miss them all when I turned the last page – and this has certainly been the case.

I suggested to Maria Quinn she might want to consider writing a spin-off series of novels starring Jack Lee. I could imagine the doggedly determined investigator of UNESC, saving the world one case at a time in much the same way as Jack Ryan did in the popular novels of the late Tom Clancy.

“The characterisation is probably the key to what makes a good story,” said Quinn. “You could write a series of books with Jack Lee. And Dancer’s involvement in the legal aspects in the book could be an ongoing series as well.”

But any thoughts of a spin-off series will have to be set aside for the moment, as Maria Quinn prepares to delve even deeper into the crime fiction genre for her next novel.

The Gene Thieves by Maria Quinn is published by Harper Voyager (an imprint of Harper Collins Australia) and is available now at book retailers for AU$24.99 (recommended retail price).

CHAT LIVE WITH MARIA QUINN
The live chat with Maria Quinn scheduled for 8pm (AEST) on Friday, 1 May 2009 has been postponed. We will send out an email to all our subscribers with the new date and all the details soon. If you would like to be notified of the new live chat date please sign up to our email list (sign up box located in the top right hand corner of this web page).

For more information about the author Maria Quinn visit her website www.storyworldonline.com

BUY THE BOOK ONLINE
Australian retailers:
Fishpond.com.au for $21.97.
The Nile – Australia’s Largest Online Bookstore for $22.49.
Seek Books for $22.49.
QBD The Bookshop for $24.95.