Some things should not be messed around with
Somewhere, fools are playing with fire
Sometimes, an accident can tip the balance
Someone is about to kill us all!

Deep in the heart of the Kaiser's Reich, scientists work desperately to produce a form of germ warfare that could provide the elusive breakthrough on the Western Front, thereby bringing ultimate victory to the Central Powers. One young Englishman is willing to risk his all to prevent them from succeeding.

Seed of Satan is an examination of human identity during World War One. Spanning three decades at the turn of the twentieth century, it questions the notions of honour and betrayal, of nation and family.

Identical twins, William and Michael, are born to an English aristocratic mother and a Prussian diplomatic father. Their mother tragically dies during childbirth, leaving them to be raised in Germany by their father. However, he reluctantly agrees for the boys to visit their English relatives every summer throughout their childhood.

The twins hold a divided loyalty to their father, who clearly favours William. The onset of war in Europe causes an ever-widening rift between them and eventually they enter the conflict on opposing sides. As their family is split asunder, they are cast as modern warriors, struggling to adapt to the new, industrialized ways of waging war.

In parallel, Karl Hans Ziegler is an obsessive young scientist who hears voices in his head. They are the masters of Science, telling him secrets that will aid his progress in devising new weapons in germ warfare. From his 'angels', he learns how civilization not only provided new environments for humanity, but also the breeding grounds from which disease has plagued our species throughout the centuries. They also teach him about the evolution of microbes and how they perfected the mechanisms by which to invade their hosts.

Throughout the actual fighting, the story focuses specifically on the air campaign and the way that ordinary civilians became legitimate targets of war. It highlights the bravery of the twins through their exploits as aerial combatants. Meanwhile, it reveals how scientists and laboratory technicians made rapid progress in sinister new ways of killing: mechanical, chemical and biological.

Press:"Against the background of a war-torn and embittered Europe, Seed of Satan runs a taut journey through 20th-century history, detailing the role and rise of science as an agent of freedom and death. Laffy's prose runs at a high speed as we witness the characters come to grips with what this new power means, reaching a crucible of social and spiritual disquiet on the Western Front."
Kailas Elmer, Editor, Trebuchet Magazine

"Simon is a really natural storyteller, in that he makes you care about the characters and what happens to them. Like all excellent writers, he keeps you engrossed. And when you've finished the book, the temptation is to start reading it all over again. A sure sign of quality."
Malcolm Dome, journalist and author

"Simon successfully blurs the lines between fact and fiction while keeping within the framework of historical accuracy. At the same time making sure the reader is totally engaged. Well done, Simon."
Phil Collen, rock musician and author

"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Revaluation Books

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Seed of Satan

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Synopsis