Of all the weaponized animals at BioWonder Labs, Vernon holds the biggest grudge

Vernon is a mistake. Part human, part canine, he’s meant to be a loyal assassin, but a mix-up in the lab has given him coyote DNA instead of Doberman. He doesn’t fit in with his peers, rarely follows orders, and has a deeply ingrained lack of respect for authority. Vernon hates everyone who made him, especially his owner, Charles Bellwether. When Vernon learns he’ll be destroyed at the Bellwether’s holiday party, he escapes the lab and crashes that party, intent on killing everyone responsible for his miserable existence. He doesn’t know that Charles is planning a global nuclear coup, or that his own son hates him too.

Hayden Bellwether is ashamed of his father’s dirty business dealings, and wants nothing more than to escape his toxic family. When his domineering father and bullying brother force him to stay, Hayden sets out on his own path to revenge. If he wants to succeed, he must accept his darker nature, with all the power and shame that comes with it. Meanwhile, Vernon’s quest will challenge him to move beyond murder and maybe even find love. Before the party’s over, both must choose between vengeance or forgiveness-with humanity’s future riding on their choice.

Jo Swanson is a retired teacher who honed her storytelling skills by entertaining preschool children on the playground. Her volunteer résumé includes street performance, puppeteering, pirate radio, and progressive activism. She currently lives in Vermont, minutes from the Canadian border.