Virals

Virals is the first novel in Kathy Reichs' series of the same name, a young-adult spin-off of the Temperance Brennan books that inspired the TV show Bones. It follows Temperance Brennan's niece, Tory, as she moves to Charleston, SC, and explores a local mystery with her science-loving friends.

Teaser
"Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends. They're a pack. They are Virals ."

(source: Goodreads)

Characters

 * Tory Brennan, 14-year-old science lover
 * Ben Blue, one of Tory's best friends
 * Hiram Stolowitski, one of Tory's best friends
 * Shelton Devers, one of Tory's best friends
 * Kit Brennan, Tory's father
 * Marcus Karsten, one of Kit's coworkers
 * Chance Claybourne, a popular boy from school
 * Jason Taylor, a popular boy from school
 * Hannah, Chance's girlfriend