Rivers of the Black Moon

A NOVEL

Andrew Goliszek

The Wild Rose Press

Softcover

ISBN (print): 978-1-5092-5389-0

ISBN (digital): 978-1-5092-5390-6

Page Count: 402 pages

Release Date: March, 2024

Price: $19.99 print; $5.99 digital

https://wildrosepress.com

A heart-stopping thriller of DEADLY MEDICAL OUTBREAK!

Richard Zarnoff, the world's leading AIDS researcher, has been brutally murdered in Edinburgh, Scotland on the eve of making a world-shattering announcement. Speculation runs rampant - what did Zarnoff know that made him a target?

Somehow, it all tied in with an unannounced trip Zarnoff made to the Congo six months ago. He found something there in Africa - something that radically changed the direction of his work and his personal life. He shared what he brought back from the jungle with no one, not even his lover and an anthropology professor, Margaret Kreiser. But if anyone holds the key to unlocking the secret Zarnoff carried to his grave, it is she.

When Kreiser meets James Macfadden, the Scotland Yard Inspector assigned to Zarnoff's murder, they quickly become targets - of the CIA, of corporate hitmen, drug cartel operatives, and others who want to keep Zarnoff's AIDS discovery from ever reaching the public.

What Zarnoff found deep in the heart of the African jungle will affect millions of lives, but whether for good or evil, no one will ever know . . . unless Macfadden and Kreiser can stay alive long enough to piece together this shocking and deadly puzzle, and unlock the secrets of the Rivers of the Black Moon.

About the Author

Andrew Goliszek, a former university professor, has taught a wide range of courses such as Biology, Zoology, Anatomy & Physiology, Endocrinology, and Writing for Biology Majors. He has won numerous awards as a teacher and writer, including the College of Arts & Sciences Faculty of the Year Award. In addition to teaching, he has received several NIH biomedical research grants in which he studied the effects of stress and aging on neuroendocrine function.

Besides his doctorate in Physiology, he holds an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of West Florida in Pensacola and has published numerous fiction and nonfiction books, as well as articles related to stress, stress management, and mind-body health and self-healing.

Andrew lives on the coast of North Carolina with his wife, Kathy, where they enjoy the incredible beach sunsets and spending time with friends playing golf and pickleball.

Reviews

"Rivers of the Black Moon is a novel to be savored, an explosively brilliant tale that hooked me with its hardhitting opening and kept me turning the pages at a furious pace."

- R.J. Pineiro, author of Ultimatum and Retribution

"From a president whose position is unraveling to struggles with insurmountable odds and threats to international relationships and special interests, Rivers of the Black Moon melds the high-octane passion of a thriller with the problem-solving detective work of a mystery, combines these flavors with political intrigue, and evolves a work that embraces medical and ethical dilemmas on many different levels. Libraries and readers seeking stories steeped in medical conundrums, romantic possibilities, and political strife will find Rivers of the Black Moon a compelling tale filled with satisfying intrigue and twists right up to the end."

-Midwest Book Review

"Rivers of the Black Moon" by Andrew Goliszek is a gripping mystery thriller that digs deep into the shady business in the drug industry and the fight against one of the worst diseases known to humans: AIDS. Inspector Macfadden is at the center of the story, tasked with uncovering the truth behind the brutal killing of Dr. Zarnoff, a top AIDS scientist on the brink of a breakthrough. The investigation turns into a tense adventure, intertwining Macfadden's fate with Maggie, a close aide of Zarnoff, whose skills and courage are crucial to the unraveling plot. Together, they navigate a world where friends can be foes, and the next breakthrough could either save countless lives or bring more danger. The author's skillful blend of medical research and thrilling conspiracy makes the book captivating. I'm usually attracted to conspiracy stories, so it's not surprising I was drawn to this book. Luckily, it didn't disappoint, and I had a great reading experience. The tale was well-written, with unexpected discoveries throughout the story. I think "Rivers of the Black Moon" is more than a mere story based around conspiracy. It is a tale that reflects the challenges faced by those on the frontier of science and the impact of corporate greed and malice in real life. I always believe there's some sliver of truth in fictional stories and movies, and this book is no different. It exposes how corporations prioritize profits over human lives and the lengths they go to protect their secrets through a nerve-wracking tale that will keep you hooked throughout. For readers seeking a really exciting thriller, "Rivers of the Black Moon" promises a compelling, thought-provoking story.

-Online Book Club

"Worth Reading. Rivers of the Black Moon makes AIDS the disease du jour, but including recent history regarding other diseases helps firmly cement the relevance of the novel . . . Goliszek's background in medicine shows tremendously throughout. When the disease or research being conducted on it are the focus, the story operated at its best. The author also has a knack for descriptive details, from the crime scene of the first chapter and excerpt on through. I don't want to spoil where the novel gets its title from, but I always enjoy when an author makes an effort to tie it into the plot. That happens majorly here, holding not only clues for the characters, but offering a great tie in for the reader . . . The premise for Rivers of the Black Moon is incredibly sound. Even those not often drawn toward conspiracy theories don't feel it's a stretch to believe the powers-that-be withhold valuable information from the public. Or to believe that corporations will do anything to make money, even at the expense of public health and safety . . ."

-Reedsy Discovery Book Review