NEW: Genetic World (inspiration for the story; 12 minutes)

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Todd Easterling is an author and businessperson, discovered by the Pinder Lane Garon-Brooke Agency of John Grisham fame. He has worked with leading entertainment and technology companies—a highlight being the reception of a group Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Most recently, wanting to make the best use of the quarantine/lockdown, Todd completed Genetic World—a sweeping epic novel of 444,000 words encompassing real history, real science, and a narrative arc that balances interesting facts with high concept suspense.  Since publication, Genetic World has been in the top 1% of sales on Amazon in the USA, and #1 in Medical Thrillers in France  (digital/Kindle edition).  And on June 17th, Genetic World landed as #1 on three Best Seller lists in Canada, surpassing ten Stephen King novels, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones, and other books. 

Todd's personal interests include environmental concerns, animal rights and de-extinction, technology, history, and the arts. He is an adoption advocate and "daughter expert," with seventeen-year-old twins and a twenty-two-year-old daughter who came to America from Novorossiysk Russia when she was two. 

Todd's last two books appeared on multiple bestseller lists and in the top 1% of sales on Amazon for over five years (*ebook editions/USA site). The Miracle Man surpassed sales of some of Nicholas Sparks' ebooks, and The First Witness surpassed sales of several of Tom Clancy's ebooks in the first months of release.

His novels have been influenced by experts who kindly provided technical input, such as Sir Ian Wilmut (first scientist to clone a mammal/Dolly the sheep), and Dr. Raul Cano, the scientist who extracted dinosaur DNA from ancient amber—which helped encourage the late great Michael Crichton to write Jurassic Park. Nobel Prize (2020) winning geneticist Jennifer Doudna also kindly provided input on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing—biotechnology featured in Genetic World, and the focus of acclaimed writer Walter Isaacson’s The Code Breaker (Simon & Schuster New York Times Bestseller released March 9, 2021).

Todd has a special interest in the ways a novel can change the way we think and ultimately the world we live in. Genetic World is such a novel, and the goal was to combine the imaginative "wow factor" of Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park and West World) with the intrigue of historical information of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Origin, Inferno).

Todd is interested in environmental causes and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, DNA/CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, cloning, and animal de-extinction efforts. He is the proud father of genetically created twin “test-tube babies” (17-year-old daughters) and an adopted daughter from an orphanage in Russia (now 22). His personal experience with biotechnology helped fuel his interest and knowledge of genetics.

About Genetic World (recently completed):

Genetic World is intended as a "big swing" . . . created from the ground up as a mass-market commercial fiction story capable of attracting a broad audience.  With a sophisticated narrative arc / story arc, the novel balances suspense/action scenes with a meticulous progression of real-life facts and history which educate, entertain, and support the climax and conclusion. 

Although he did not set out to write an “epic” novel (444,000 words), Genetic World required extreme attention to real-world facts and history to support the high concept climax and conclusion. Genetic World is a high-concept suspense story based on years of research on great people from history and their contributions in several sectors (Scientists & Discoverers, Entertainers, Artists, Writers, Athletes, Leaders & Politicians, and Spiritual Leaders).

Genetic World combines real history and locations with a high concept premise encompassing new technologies, an exciting climax, and a surprising conclusion with global impact. Research for the story involved genetics/biotechnologies (CRISPR-Cas9/gene editing), issues facing Earth's species, and the evolution of the world's  deities and religions. There was also a review of scholarly research on archeological sites/tombs, and historic sites such as the Pantheon, Saint Peter's Basilica, and its necropolis.

Todd's vision for the project was to create a story that is exciting, supported by science, includes incredible real locations and accurate history, is capable of being marketed to worldwide audiences, and can support broad publishing, motion picture, and merchandise business models. Research for the story included trips to Rome, Florence, Venice, and Pisa Italy, as well as London and Paris. 

Additional information about Todd Easterling and his family's business and entertainment interests can be found at  www.EasterlingGroup.com .

Emmy award winner Todd Easterling’s latest novel is a sweeping epic at over 440,000 words, four to five times the length of the average novel. Easterling, who has worked with HBO and was originally discovered by the Pinder Lane Garon-Brooke Literary Agency of John Grisham fame, takes a big swing with Genetic World—clearly aiming at the religious intrigue reminiscent of Dan Brown’s Robert Langdon series (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Inferno) while looping in the suspenseful science-driven storytelling that was the hallmark of the late great Michael Crichton’s work in 1990s Jurassic Park and his 1973 film Westworld.

When Oxford professor Francesca Ferrari is invited to a press conference and VIP presentation by the world’s two richest individuals—billionaire brothers Winston McCarthy and Ethan McCarthy—she is soon swept into the bizarre world surrounding their creation of Genetic World, the most innovative theme park and science R&D center in the world. Francesca is a renowned expert in ancient religions, iconography, soteriology—the study of salvation—and eschatology, the study of the “end of times.” She and her longtime friend and acclaimed New York Times reporter, Sawyer Clemens, are asked by one of the brothers to investigate a highly sensitive recent archeological discovery—a discovery which acclaimed real-life Oscar-winning film director James Cameron executive produced a documentary on.

Francesca and Sawyer sort through a series of clues that lead them to Jerusalem, Rome, Vatican City, Florence, Paris, and other locations. Eventually, they uncover a discovery that will change history.

They soon determine that Genetic World’s billionaire founders have conflicting objectives for the theme park and R&D center, all of which is located on four real-world islands off the coast of San Diego and northern Mexico . . . essentially sovereign territory not under the control or laws of any country. One brother is intent on creating an educational and entertainment park that rivals Disney World and all other amusement parks—including fictional theme parks such as Jurassic Park and Westworld. The other brother has been up to illegal activities that push the boundaries of ethics and science.
As with stories by Dan Brown and Michael Crichton, Genetic World was made for the reader who likes learning about real-life history, events, and technological advances while being entertained—a balance of thorough research and ‘made for the big screen’ spectacular scenes all combined in an intricately created narrative arc that connects to real-world history, ancient prophecies, and very recent technological advances that were not even possible just a few years ago. From robotics to artificial intelligence, to biotechnologies, Genetic World will expose you to amazing real-life advances which weave in and out of historical events surrounding the lives and legends of the world’s greatest people to have ever lived—scientists, discoverers, artists, writers, entertainers, athletes, leaders, and other influential people.

The history is real. The locations are real. The discoveries are real.

Welcome to Genetic World . . . where nothing can go wrong. Enjoy your visit. 

• Appearing on 8 Best Seller lists, as high as #1.
• Top 1% in sales of all/4.4 million books on Amazon for over four years.
• The latest novel from the author of The First Witness (Top 1% over 3 years).

When her fourteen-year-old daughter's life is threatened, the mother, Katie, takes matters into her own hands to try and protect her and inadvertently finds herself swept into an exotic, far from home breathtaking adventure. David Stein, as Senior Editor at Simon and Schuster said, "Strong writing, strong characters, solidly researched, exciting novel. Great love scenes, powerful imagery. A very strong novel."

San Diego, California author Todd Easterling, originally discovered by the Jay Garon-Brooke Literary Agency of John Grisham fame, paints vivid atmospheric settings, real world dilemmas, and sympathetic characters who leave an indelible impact on the reader in this sweeping story made for the big screen.  The author's last novel, The First Witness, was in the top 1% in sales of all/4.4 million books for over three years and on 8 Best Seller lists, as high as #1. 

On a mission to take control of what has threatened to destroy everything that's important to her, Katie leaves behind her life in Kentucky horse country, where she works for a thoroughbred breeding and genetics facility, and finds herself on an unexpected dangerous adventure in Africa pursuing the world's most renowned expert on genetics, a doctor devoted to saving and bringing back endangered species in the amazing new field known as de-extinction and resurrection biology. 

To ensure accuracy with technical aspects of the story, the author enlisted the help of celebrated experts including Nobel Prize nominee Sir Ian Wilmut, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his astonishing breakthrough in cloning a mammal (Dolly the sheep), and Dr. Hal Broxmeyer, who pioneered work in a revolutionary new procedure.

Reviews:

USA/September 18: ***** A defiantly great read! I loved the characters. I didn't want to say goodbye to them.

USA/July 28: "***** Best novel I have ever read. I am usually a follower of Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Jude Devereaux, but this novel was "FANTASTIC' . . . I could not put it down. Romance, adventure, danger, excitement, travels through Africa as though I was right there, African animals described like I was watching them, in the jungles, unbelievable medical information about cloning and how far was have come in that direction...Not a dull moment in the book . . . What a blessing to be born a true writer who captures every single moment that grabs the reader right in and doesn't let go." 

Australia/May 9: ". . . reminded me of the best of Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult...and I loved how the story paid homage to Ernest Hemingway's The Snows of Kilimanjaro, and the novel Out of Africa . . . stunning descriptive writing combined with solid research, and a romantic backdrop leaps beyond today's category romance and adventure stories . . . very impressive, potentially ground-breaking novel . . . for the serious, discriminating reader who wants more than a quick fix run of the mill story."

Canada/April 8: ". . . Beautiful sensory writing. A sweeping story . . ."

UK/March 23: "I was enthralled by this book & I couldn't stop reading it . . ."

USA/March 25: "It's truly an enchanting story written in such a manner as to keep the reader looking for what will happen next . . . compelling characters reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks & Nicholas Evans (The Horse Whisperer) . . . mingled with the excellent technical, genetics, & adventure aspects of Dan Brown and Michael Crichton."   

Highest rankings to date:

• #1 Best Seller: Hot New Releases
• #1 Best Seller: Literary Fiction > Action & Adventure
• #1 Best Seller: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Medical
• #2 Best Seller: Literary Fiction > Romance
• #8 Best Seller: Action & Adventure > Travel
• #10 Best Seller: Literary Fiction > Sagas
• #39 Best Seller: Genre Fiction > Movie Tie-Ins  
• #47 Best Seller: Genetic Engineering

• The First Witness has appeared on 8 Best Seller lists. Top 1% in sales of all/4.4 million books on Amazon for over four years.
• From the author of The Miracle Man (Top 1% Best Seller).

When a top Washington Post reporter discovers what he believes is an unauthorized CIA and military mission to destroy Iran's nuclear development sites, he finds himself caught in the middle of a global crisis, international intrigue, and a beautiful and exotic woman he desperately wants to trust. San Diego California author Todd Easterling, originally discovered by the Jay Garon-Brooke Literary Agency of John Grisham fame, weaves a well-written, character-rich, high concept/big story with cinematic potential and a balance of suspense and supporting romantic backdrop.

Shawn Coyne, as Senior Editor at Doubleday/Random  House, said of Todd's writing, "This is certainly a thriller that builds to global dimensions and I liked the way Mr. Easterling tackled the plot by having his journalist piece together the clues. The final revelation is also believable and consistent with the pervading paranoia in DC."

The story follows Tom Lassiter in a fast paced race to separate facts from propaganda, and ends in a heart stopping glimpse of the new world we live in and threats posed by rogue states, or leaders, set on nuclear weapons development. Walking a razor-thin line between being seen as either a criminal, if he's wrong, or a hero if he's right, Lassiter takes matters into his own hands and stops at nothing to uncover the truth and try to stop a catastrophe of historic proportions.

 The climax of the story is vividly written, quickly paced, and lends itself to motion picture-like uncertainty and twists, with the fate of millions of people on the line, if not the survival of the entire planet.

Best Seller lists/highest ranking to date, out of 4.4 million Amazon books:

• 8 Best Seller lists, as high as #1 
• #1 Best Seller on Hot New Releases
• #1 Best Seller in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Techno-Thrillers
• #1 Best Seller in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Political
• #2 Best Seller in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Conspiracies
• #4 Best Seller in Action & Adventure > Travel
• #9 Best Seller in Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Political
• #19 Best Seller in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Military
• #39 Best Seller in Mystery, Thriller & Suspense >Assassinations 

Also available by author Todd Easterling, the #1 best selling adventure novel: The Miracle Man. A mother tries to save the life of her daughter and finds romance and adventure in the process. Advisers: Sir Ian Wilmut, the brilliant scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and Dr. Hal Broxmeyer, acclaimed doctor.