Zoo (Patterson novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | September 2012 |
| Founder | James Patterson, Michael Ledwidge |
| Products | Science fiction thriller novel |
Zoo is a science fiction thriller authored by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, first published in September 2012. The novel achieved placement on the New York Times bestseller list. A follow-up novella titled Zoo 2, co-written by Patterson and Max DiLallo, was published on June 7, 2016.
Plot
The story centers on Jackson Oz, a marginalized figure among ecologists and biologists, who has long sounded alarms about increasing mammalian assaults on humans. Driven by his investigations, he abandons graduate studies to dedicate himself entirely to gathering data. While in Botswana, Oz survives an attack by lions that claims approximately 100 lives and saves ecologist Chloe Tousignant. Upon returning to the United States, he finds his girlfriend dead and partially consumed by his pet chimpanzee.
Five years later, Oz is married to Chloe and they have a son named Eli. His theory gains wider acceptance as animal groups worldwide begin invading urban areas and killing humans in large numbers. The U.S. president enlists Oz to lead an investigation, but after the president’s daughter is killed by their family dog, military responses escalate the crisis. Oz discovers that animal aggression is linked to altered pheromone signals caused by radio waves and petroleum-based products, which enlarge animals’ amygdalas. The president imposes a two-week ban on electricity, cellphones, and vehicles, temporarily reducing attacks. However, once normal activities resume after one week, attacks surge again. To continue their research aimed at reversing these changes, Oz and his team are relocated to Thule Air Base in Greenland.
Reviews
Zoo has garnered varied critical responses. The Hutchinson Leader describes it as "a page turner," though it critiques the conclusion as somewhat unsatisfying. Bookreporter.com commends the novel’s credibility and its capacity to maintain reader engagement throughout.
Adaptation
In 2015, CBS transformed the novel into a television series titled Zoo, developed by Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Scott Rosenberg. James Wolk was the first actor cast in November 2014, with Nora Arnezeder and Nonso Anozie joining later that month. Kristen Connolly and Billy Burke were added in January 2015. Geoff Stults and Carl Lumbly appeared in recurring roles early in 2015. During season two, Josh Salatin and Alyssa Diaz were promoted to series regulars while Joanne Kelly joined as a recurring character. CBS renewed the show for a third season in August 2016 but canceled it in October 2017.
Sequel
The novella Zoo 2, co-authored by James Patterson and Max DiLallo, was issued on June 7, 2016. This sequel explores themes of human infection and hints at possible evolutionary changes within species.