DEFROSTED
Coming June 2nd
DEFROSTED raises the bar for the medical thriller genre by blending cutting-edge science with a dystopian future. The story opens in 2220, where Dr. Peter Royce, a scientist cryogenically preserved two centuries earlier, is awakened into a world where human worth is dictated by social utility.
Royce must navigate a government-controlled society to combat a devastating biological entity known as “Mitocancer”—a bio-organic menace that threatens the globe. As Midwest Book Review notes, the novel is a “captivating fusion of science, medicine, and political intrigue that redefines the boundaries of the thriller genre.”
Is Dr. Royce a hero or a criminal? It may be difficult to tell, in a world where most requirements for personal happiness have been declared illegal, and only people deemed useful to the public good are allowed to survive.
In the year 2220 the world is threatened by a mysterious biological entity made of Mitochondria. Dr. Peter Royce, the only expert who has encountered and defeated such threat in the past, has been cryogenically frozen for 200 years, after being denied life-saving treatment, due to his antisocial political views. He has left no description of the cure.
Awakened for the purpose of saving the planet, Royce tries to earn the right of survival for himself and his wife, by using his wife’s memory of a lost cure and proving that they are both indispensable to achieve the goal. As he grapples with power struggles and moral dilemmas, he must decipher clues from his past, expose devastating conspiracies, and fight for the right to individual choice, challenging the very definition of ‘useful’ in this dystopian society.
In a world dominated by threats, blackmail, power lust, and coercion, will Dr. Royce continue to uphold his principles of honesty and integrity? Will he make the right choice? But what is the right choice, when breaking the law and lying have become a necessity for life?
Will Peter Royce reveal the cure from his past life in time to save the world, or will he allow the team to rediscover it, risking massive destruction and possible deaths, in order to save his wife? Would Royce let a murderous public official take the blame for planting the entity, in face of evidence to the contrary, to avoid demise?
Or will he perhaps be the most useful man to his new society, by reinstating the right to personal choice?
Book Trailer
All Praise
“LePort delivers a medical/legal thriller that’s sure to keep readers on the edges of their seats. Drawing on philosophical debates, the author renders a deeply flawed near-future world in which politicians maintain power through deceit and manipulation, yet the work still gestures toward a path of moral clarity. The characters ground the narrative with their convictions and personal struggles, and the relationships they maintain provide the story with its emotional center, while the elaborate plotting sustains a strong sense of momentum.
The result is an ingeniously crafted thriller that raises compelling questions about governance, responsibility, and scientific power in an increasingly politicized medical landscape.
A thriller that’s part science, part politics, and completely riveting.”
—KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW
“I love books that start off with a bang and LePort hits this mark in Defrosted. The setup is smart, the research impressive and she creates crackerjack characters with appealing depth to blow through the pages of near apocalypse she has fashioned. Well done.”
—David Baldacci, Global #1 Bestselling Author with over 150 Million Copies Sold Worldwide
“Defrosted, a medical thriller that dives into technology and ethics, past, present, and future, grabs readers from page one and drags them into an innovative, clever, and thought-provoking page-turner. Highly recommended.”
—DP LYLE, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE JAKE LONGLY AND CAIN/HARPER THRILLER SERIES AND CO-CREATOR OF THE OUTLIERS WRITING UNIVERSITY
“Defrosted is impossible to put down—a high-concept techno-thriller bursting with relentless twists, sharp philosophical insights, and gripping suspense. The author masterfully immerses readers in a chilling future where nature has spiraled terrifyingly out of control. Because of a complex web of intriguing characters and political machinations, the story reflects profound relevance to our contemporary world. I found myself deeply haunted by the novel’s powerful and thought-provoking conclusion. It is like a collaboration between Ayn Rand and Michael Crichton!”
—LINDA CHAMBERLAIN, CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS, ALCOR LIFE EXTENSION FOUNDATION, A LEADING ORGANIZATION IN CRYONICS AND LIFE PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY
“In the year 2220, humanity teeters on the brink of extinction, ravaged by a lethal plague that defies all medical intervention. The only hope lies hidden within the mind of a scientist cryo-preserved two centuries earlier. But what exactly does this scientist know, and how could he possibly possess the key to salvation? Awakened in an era grappling with not only physical devastation but also a crippling moral and philosophical crisis, this reluctant savior must decide whether—and when—to reveal his secrets. As layers of intrigue unravel, the stakes escalate into a gripping courtroom drama that will determine humanity’s fate. At issue are profound questions of medicine, morality, and motive, all converging toward a climactic trial with life, truth, and the very essence of the soul hanging in the balance. Defrosted is a compelling medical and political thriller—a gripping whodunit, howdunit, and whydunit—that challenges the boundaries of science, justice, and human integrity.”
—SHOSHANA MILGRAM, SCHOLAR-TEACHER, VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY, WHERE SHE SPECIALIZES IN NARRATIVE FICTION AND FILM
“Dr. LePort raises the stakes with Defrosted, a gripping medical and political thriller that blends cutting-edge science, high-stakes legal drama, and pulse-pounding suspense. As cryogenic possibilities collide with political and medical special interests, readers are drawn into a web of manipulation, ethical dilemmas, and unforeseen consequences. With the same medical precision as Dissection and Change of Heart, Defrosted offers a bold, thought-provoking take on the future of medicine and morality. Perfect for thriller lovers and book clubs alike, it’s refreshingly original and captivating.”
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
“Defrosted is a razor-sharp fusion of frontier medicine and political subterfuge. With clinical precision and imaginative force, Dr. Cristina LePort conjures a future that feels both disturbingly possible and urgently now. This is a novel that probes the fine line between innovation and ethics, ambition and humanity—all while pulling you breathlessly through a story that refuses to slow down. Thoughtful, tense, and bracingly original, Defrosted is for readers who like their thrillers with brains, bite, and a moral pulse.”
—Kira Peikoff, Bestselling Author of BABY X, LIVING PROOF, NO TIME TO DIE, and MOTHER KNOWS BEST
“Cristina LePort’s latest, Defrosted, catapults readers into a near-future dystopia, delivering a relentless and exhilarating experience. This book is a true page-turner, reminiscent of a ‘Mission Impossible’ film with its breakneck pace and thrilling plot. What sets it apart are the deeply embedded real-world ethical questions and Dr. LePort’s meticulous, hallmark attention to medical and technological details. A fascinating and essential summer read, highly recommended!”
—Jonathan Hoenig, Fox News Contributor and investor at Capitalistpig.com