The Genesis Key is an action packed thriller with a very thoughtful insight into the advances of modern science. A mysterious archaeologist dig in Iraq, biblical passages regarding the Nephilim, the hidden secrets of our own human DNA, ancient history of the Mesopotamian region including a great flood as portrayed by Noah in the bible, the covert Washington DARPA agency, a secret conglomerate of billionaires and cutting edge science that may extend human life to two or three hundred years, all intersect with a bang in James Barney’s debut novel. Barney’s novel is both entertaining and thought provoking; the pages nearly turn themselves.

Dr. Kathleen Sainsbury has been raised by her grandparents since the age of 7. In 1979, her parents, while on an archaeological dig in Tell-Fara, Iraq, are killed during Saddam Hussein’s take over of the country. Now at the age of 39, Dr. Kathleen Sainsbury is a brilliant biologist working to discover the hidden secrets of human DNA to offset the damaging effects of aging by Alzheimer’s and dementia in her small start up company, Quantum life Sciences, in Washington. Her own grandfather is suffering from Alzheimer’s and no longer recognizes his own grandchild. The stress of finding a cure for her beloved grandfather is compounded by the pressure of her investors who impatiently demand results from their investment. However, science takes time. Burning fast through the initial funding, Kathleen agrees to a newspaper interview highlighting new bio-companies in Washington. The resulting interview shakes the crazies out of the trees, as attention is drawn to both Kathleen and her research. And, unfortunately, Kathleen attracts the attention of unscrupulous persons with hidden agendas willing to do violence to achieve their ends.

Kathleen has few memories of her parents and no knowledge of their research. This changes when she is called out in the night to meet with an old Iraqi friend of her parents who has read about her research in the newspaper. He urgently needs to explain the deaths of her parents, which she had been led to believe was accidental, as well as, to discuss the amazing discovery that they made at Tell-Fara. Kathleen, a scientist to the core, is put off by the elderly gentleman’s repeated reference to God’s will and unwilling accepts an ancient artifact that was discovered at her parents dig. When this artifact is found to contain very special ancient DNA, it becomes apparent to Kathleen that what her parents discovered in Iraq will advance her own research by years. Kathleen soon finds herself involved in a life or death hunt for truth and an amazing scientific discovery that predates the biblical flood of Noah.

Old friends and new acquaintances come along to Kathleen’s aid, but when you have the medical cure for aging, and all that this entails, it is difficult to know friend from foe. And, Kathleen soon finds out that there are many who would wish her harm, and will stop at nothing to steal her research.

The Genesis Key is an excellent thriller that combines action, new science and ancient history in a well written story. A good fun read that also examines the ethics of scientific

What if you could live for an extra forty, fifty, maybe even one hundred years? What if science could manipulate your DNA to allow you an extended life? That’s the premise of “The Genesis Key.” Chock full of science, conspiracy, and ethical dilemma, Barney’s novel takes you back to the beginning of history and explores man’s desire for immortality.
Back in 1979, two archaeologists in Iraq are killed during the government takeover by Saddam Hussein. However, Hakeem Sargon, a museum curator fleeing his own murder, comes upon the scene and discovers what the couple’s death has uncovered. Jump to the present where the couple’s daughter, Dr. Kathleen Sainsbury, is conducting experiments to find an elusive ‘longevity gene.’
When Sargon contacts her and tells her the story behind her parent’s murder, he also presents her with a gift, an artifact he took from the site back in 1979. This sets Sainsbury off on a trail to discover the truth about her parents. A friend of Sargon’s opens up a new world of thought for Kathleen, one involving the ancient Sumerians, Biblical history, and possible explanations for why man once lived for hundreds of years until after the Great Flood. When a reporter breaks the story Kathleen may have discovered the longevity gene in Sargon’s artifact, Kathleen finds herself running from those who would destroy her to keep the treasure for themselves.
This novel brings in a touch of philosophy, ethics, history, and a plethora of science. Although there are some scenes set in Iraq, most of the action is centered on the Washington, D.C. and Maryland area. Interesting characters, the obligatory/secret organization, and government black ops keep this novel moving. It raises some very legitimate questions about how science affects human life and debates how, as one scientist declares, “Sometimes science can be its own worst enemy.”
Reviewed by Stephen L. Brayton, author of “Beta” for Suspense Magazine ( )