Cure

Francis is a mid-list author with a faltering career. Then one day, sick in bed, he dreams up a thriller. THE CURE sells millions of copies. But now what can Francis do next to solidify his hold on the bestseller list? And what are the consequences if he writes too well?

"Talbot Jensen was a precise little man with soft hands and a winning smile, a spacious home in the Hamptons and a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park. Botox and synthetic hair helped him look fifty, and his classic dark suit gave the impression of comfortable, effortless wealth. It was hard to believe that the man sitting beside Francis, eating salad greens and sipping mineral water, had come from Indiana and began his professional life in the mailroom at POPULAR MECHANICS. But that was the story, and even half a century later, the warhorse retained something of the old hunger and hard practicalities that had made him into a major player in the relatively tiny world of publishing."

Robert Reed is an aging mid-list author responsible for hundreds of titles. "The Cure" was a small professional effort when it was first published. But now, in this difficult age, it deserves a fresh look.