The Doppelganger Protocol by Patrick P. Astre

About the book

In 1969, the CIA began a project to use animals for military purposes in the jungles of Vietnam. Unlike successful experiences by the Navy using dolphins, the CIA project would use genetically engineered creatures to talk and kill enemy fighters on land. These covert projects began in the desert of Nevada and the mountains of Puerto Rico. Early attempts failed and the project supposedly ended, but instead was taken over by a group of agents acting on their own.

Forty years later an undercover agent is murdered in San Jose, Puerto Rico, torn apart by an unseen beast. The agent had made a terrifying discovery, and just before his death had mailed a CD titled Doppelganger Protocol to his sister in Florida. Unable to get answers, his sister asks her friend, retired Special Forces officer Richard Daniels for help and gives him the CD.

Daniels has stumbled onto a monstrous plot by a rogue intelligence agent code named Aztec. His shadowy company, Gen Dyne, plans to use the now-completed, covert genetic engineering project to bend the government to their purposes. Daniels enlists the help of his friends and former soldiers from his command, NYPD detective Johnny Rivera and a crippled computer genius, Chantal Latour. They are pitted against a ruthless organization reaching deep within the highest levels of power and having access to all aspects of US intelligence.

As the deadly creatures carry out assassinations, they also sow a virus, a GMO ( Genetically Modified Organism.) Diabolically contagious, the virus spreads faster than any other diseases, and kills rapidly without exception. There is only one cure and it is contained within the CD that Daniels holds, without understanding its contents.

Aztec's organization will stop at nothing to get the CD from Daniels. When they fail to capture Daniels or Rivera, they kidnap Chantal and her four-year old daughter. Daniels has fallen in love with Chantal and Aztec proposes to return them to Daniels in exchange for the CD. Daniels agrees even though he knows Aztec will try to kill him.

As the clock ticks, and the death toll mounts, Daniels must enter the lion's den alone to save the woman he loves. Aztec has chosen the last deserted section of the old Brooklyn Navy Yard for the exchange. He plans on having Daniels murdered by his hired killers, then releasing one of the deadly beasts to kill any survivors.

But Daniels uses a martial art surprise from his Special Forces days. He manages to neutralize the killers and the beast with Johnny Rivera's backing. Aztec is the only one who escapes, but without the CD that Daniels will release to authorities now that it's value is understood.

The epilogue finds Daniels and Chantal together. Aztec's organization has been destroyed and all the beasts killed, except one, who is missing along with Aztec, setting the stage for a sequel.

About the author

Patrick P. Astre, CFP, EA, RFC is a recognized tax and financial expert specializing on the economic issues of longevity. Patrick is independent and has been advising individuals and corporations since 1969.

Patrick's second financial book was released in mid-August 2005 by Entrepreneur Publishing and will be Entrepreneur's cornerstone retirement book. This is Not Your Parents' Retirement is all ready one of the top sellers in its field, addressing the convergence of the longevity revolution and the aging baby-boomers, woefully unprepared for retirement.

In addition to his financial books, he is the author of numerous articles as well as fiction thrillers. His latest novel "The Last Operation" is currently being published by Echelon Press while another thriller, The Artifact won the Salvo Press Mystery Thriller of the year Award for 2004 and was released in July 2005. Blackstone audio has purchased the audio rights and release is anticipated for later this year.

Patrick is a professional public speaker and member of the National Speakers Association. His seminars, speeches and keynotes are a lively, enthusiastic mix of entertainment, motivation, humor and unique insights. He uses energy and laughter on the stage, and elicits participation to delight his audiences.

Some of his clients include Celebrity Cruises, John Hancock, Princess Cruises, LIBOR (Long Island Board of Realtors), F&T Life and many others. For more information on available programs, please visit his website at

Patrick lives in Long Island, New York with his wife Lynn. The couple has two children and two grandchildren.