Award-winning Spalding author Russell Dumper’s second sci-fi thriller The Hero Virus will be released today

Award-winning author Russell Dumper’s second fiction novel The Hero Virus will be published today.

This gripping sci-fi action thriller is about a virus that produces mysterious powers in those infected, and is being described by reviewers as Contagion meets The Boys.

The release of The Hero Virus comes little more than a year after Spalding-based Russell’s debut novel Britannia Rises - the first part of an eight-book series - hit shelves.

“I finished writing this book in 2012, but we decided to release it, rather than the second book of the Britannia Series, to appeal to readers who did not wish to commit to an entire series of eight books,” he explained.

The Hero Virus follows the story of Chris Taylor, a man who is struggling to find a reason to keep going.

Life has a different plan for him, though, when he gets very ill and strange things begin to happen to him.

“The virus sweeps across the world, having a unique effect on everyone it touches…those that survive it, at least,” Russell continued.

“The world has a very different type of pandemic to navigate. One where people want the virus. One where people will kill for it.

“I had the idea for this story many years ago and had a final version ready back in 2012, but the recent Covid-19 pandemic made it seem like a good idea to get it out, dust it off and give it a re-write to modernise it.

“So far, I’m delighted at how well it’s being received by reviewers.

“I thought it was a good story, but am overwhelmed by how positive the response has been.”

The Hero Virus tells the thrilling story of Chris, who is hanging on to life by a thread.

Recently widowed, his only reason to carry on is his faithful Labrador, but even that doesn’t stop his willingness to gamble with death every day.

When his companion suffers a violent demise, Taylor thinks he has nothing left to live for, until he discovers he has chanced upon a precious gift… when he gets very ill.

The sickness gives him powers and, fairly soon, the authorities are swooping on to the ever-increasing list of cases.

The Hero Virus might be different to other illnesses, but it’s no less dangerous. The effect it has on the world, though, is wildly different to any other virus that has come before.

The unique reaction of the human body to infection means that everyone wants it.

Russell, a husband and father of two young children, will now turn his attention back to the remainder of the highly-acclaimed Britannia Series - set in a not-too-distant dystopian future where a teacher witnesses a murder and is dragged into the murky world of the British Empire and its powerful rulers, desperate to hold on to power - with the next instalment due later this year.

Britannia Rises, won three Bookstagram awards last year.

The Hero Virus (RRP £10.99), published by The Conrad Press, will be today (February 6), and can be ordered online and from all good bookshops (ISBN: 978-1-916966-79-6).