ADAK by Keith Minnion
White Noise Press (August 2025)
Reviewed by Dave Simms
When is an apocalypse novel not an apocalypse novel? When it’s ADAK by the incredibly talented Keith Minnion. ADAK shares some ingredients with Contagion, The Thing, and the best of the action-adventure novels of the ’70s and ’80s. It’s a thriller novel at heart that marries the theme of Michael Crichton with Preston and Child — intelligent, but never slamming the reader with scientific details that make readers’ heads spin.
In the Aleutian Islands, the military base of ADAK sits, an isolated area that is far removed from the civilized world. Minnion himself was stationed there so he nails the details with ease, creating a stifling but living and breathing world that draws in the reader so well they might check for frostbite.
After a nearby volcano explodes, along with the base where Lt. Gil Lewis is headed, an archaevirus is unleashed upon the base. Was it brought to ADAK by the pair of survivors? Or has the melting permafrost the culprit?
One thing is certain: the mortality rate is nearly 100%. Gil finds himself dropped into a hellacious setting where there appears to be no escape. Bobbi McIntyre, a perfect foil and companion for him, carries much of the story, from dealing with her abusive husband to surviving the male-dominated micro-ecosystem that is northern Alaska. Spooner, Gil’s former boss, is also stationed there, which adds to the already thick tension. The man’s ultra-religious views and interactions with his family are nothing short of sociopathic, or at least cult-like in behavior.
One by one, the isolated base is stricken with victims of the virus, disposing of them with ease. This is where the Crichton influence shows — in the best way possible. Minnion, who is also a stellar artist, knows how to paint a character well. There are no wasted participants in this novel, as even the minor players who fill their role leave a mark when they pass away. His deft touch keeps the mystery of whether or not they can contain the virus before it jumps to the mainland churning. The disease is vicious and moves with the grace of a viper, destroying anyone in its path. The author plays hard, but fair, in determining who, if anyone, will survive the thriller.
With several noted works under his belt, Keith Minnion knows how to spin an intriguing story. With this work he takes a massive step up in suspense and character development, which was already a hallmark of his writing.
As a diehard fan of thrillers with an apocalyptic feel, this one comes highly recommended. Gil and Bobbi will linger in memory long after the final page is closed.
