Nothing is as it seems in Steven Lancaster's gripping debut novel, The Red Dust. This white knuckle thriller will leave readers breathless as it takes them on a frantic journey around the World to save what could be humanity's last hope. Dr Jacob Hunter, a brilliant marine biologist, is called on by the Australian Government to investigate the site for an upcoming French nuclear test. The concerns expressed by the countries near the test site are confirmed by his report. His scathing report is supressed and friends from his University days set out from New Zealand to protest near the test site. The French are determined to proceed and with the help of Dr Isman Zucker, one of the leading Israeli nuclear and bacteriological scientists they feel assured of success. What follows is beyond anyone's imagination. The nuclear test goes horribly wrong and unleashes a deadly cloud blown by weather patterns towards the coast of Queensland. The suspected radiation sickness doesn't eventuate but something totally unexpected and far more deadly appears to threaten the whole country. In an effort to control the contagion Australia submits to a period of total isolation. No one can enter or leave the country. No trade or any contact, other than electronic, is allowed between Australia and the rest of World for what is hoped to be a short time, but as the time extends, pressures start to build and eventually the country tries to stop civil war from breaking out. The vaccine so desperately needed to save the Australian population from starvation; if they remained isolated, has not yet been developed. It is a race against time. Save Australia or risk the release of the virus to the rest of the World. This epic thriller will keep readers glued to the edge of their seats from the opening paragraph to the very last page. Lancaster's The Red Dust expertly blends political, social, and economic fears to contrast a masterpiece of suspense, one that cleverly demonstrates the destruction and mayhem that humans often unwittingly unleash on themselves.