The Clone Conspiracy [Anglais] [Broché]

Grade 4-7–On the night before his birthday, Patrick disappears. Three months later, his friend Luke sees him outside the gym where the boys used to take karate classes together, only now Patrick acts like a complete stranger, and he has a threatening bodyguard. Luke figures out that a local drug company called LennoxGen is somehow involved, and he and Patrick's sister, Emma, present themselves at the headquarters, disguised as student reporters. They meet Lisa MacKenzie from the company's PR department. Luke and Emily discover that Patrick is the clone of Rupert Lennox, the company's recently deceased president, and that his memories are being implanted into Patrick, using an experimental drug. Moreover, Luke and Emma are also clones, and (surprise!) their progenitors just happen to die just as the kids are giving their information to the police. With Lisa's help, Luke is able to destroy the corporation and save them all. The book reads more like the outline of a story then a finished work–it has a fast-moving plot, superficial characterizations, wild improbabilities (and even wilder coincidences), and far too much left unexplained at the end. And just how old are these boys supposed to be, anyway? Readers are told that 12-year-old Emma is Patrick's younger sister, but the cover art makes Luke look like he's about 6. This is a quick but nonessential read.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

'... a must-read dedicated to unravelling the mystery surrounding human cloning, brain transplants and clandestine laboratories.'

Luke's best friend, Patrick, has disappeared on the eve of his birthday. Has he run away? Has he committed suicide? Patrick's sister, Emma, doesn't think so, and neither does Luke. Together Luke and Emma set out to unravel the mystery of Patrick's disappearance, but soon learn that their own lives are at risk.

Readers won't be able to put this book down until they discover the truth behind The Clone Conspiracy.

Simon Rose was born in Derbyshire, England. He graduated from university with a degree in history and has lived in Canada since 1990. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature of West Redding, CT. Simon and his two children, dog and cat live in Calgary, Alberta.

Simon’s first novel for young readers, The Alchemist’s Portrait, was published in 2003 and The Sorcerer’s Letterbox followed in 2004. A third novel, The Clone Conspiracy, was published in June 2005 and The Emerald Curse will be released in spring 2006.

Simon offers a wide variety of presentations, workshops and author in residence programs for schools and libraries, full details of which can be found at his website.