The 45th Parallel by David F. Paxton
- May 29
- 3 min read
Scientific Ambition Meets Storytelling in David F. Paxton’s Contemporary Fiction Debut, The 45th Parallel
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN — To say that Michigan author David F. Paxton’s debut novel, The 45th Parallel, was inevitable is an understatement.
In fact, he said, his “magnum opus” is nothing short of a lifetime achievement, with more than 20 years of writing behind it (and nearly 40 of lived experience).
Per Paxton, it all began with a promise he made to his mother. “She knew that I had a long story waiting inside, and I assured her that I would strive to write it someday,” he said.
That day arrived on a January hilltop in Portland, Maine, in 2003, where and when the first chapter’s people and places come alive.
As Paxton explained, his parents were assigned to New England during much of World War II; a region where he would, rather serendipitously, go on to live with his wife. This setting, combined with his lifelong interest in the interplay between science and literature, created the perfect writing storm through which The 45th Parallel and its defining characters ultimately materialized.
An Unforgettable Legacy
The first of these is reclusive artist and philanthropist Clarice Vishnekova: a former World War II intelligence officer, and Y2K founder of the cutting-edge Anilda Institute, wherein she and her team oversee visionary projects ranging from climate science and acoustic research to life-extending technologies, and beyond (many of which correlate to the most pressing social and environmental issues the 2020s, Paxton hinted). All this plays out within the scenic splendor of western Maine, upper Michigan, and Costa Rica.
Comprising a colorful and contentious cast—among them, Clarice’s grandniece, the ambitious, drama-driven Rachel; the gifted Central American naturalist, Fabiana Morales; and global scientist/physician, Taggert McQuimby—several of them with real-life roots in the early 20th century, the group charts a multigenerational course for the future, all the while probing themes of historical legacy, scientific risk, and the razor-thin line that separates shaping the future and the personal cost associated with it.
“How do we get through all of this is the eternal question,” Paxton noted. “The power of enduring love, and grief when it is taken away forcefully, is central to [the novel] just as it is today.”
Though the answer is undeniably subjective, Paxton added that seeking happiness and contentment through other people is a good place to start—in particular, those we meet in the pages of books.
“A novel is art; as such, I wanted to share it with others,” he said. “I hope it changes [readers’] lives in some way, and I hope that the characters become as real to them as they are to me.”
Advance Praise
“The captivating story of a larger-than-life older woman nearing the end of life, trying to make sense of it while she can. It’s a sprawling tale of adventure, sadness, mystery, humor, the cost of doing one’s duty, and of triumph; illustrating the importance of facing and accepting regrets – and resolving them while still alive. All this unfolds within the scenic splendor of upper Michigan, Maine, and Central America. It is a great read.”
— Paul Peppin, retired psychotherapist/health care consultant
The Author
David F. Paxton resides in coastal West Michigan. He is a former health system administrator, public school teacher, short story scribbler, wild land/Great Lakes tripper, and professional musician.
The Book
The 45th Parallel
David F. Paxton
364 pages, 6”x 9”, B/W
Adult Contemporary, Hard Science Fiction, Thrillers/Historical, Small Town & Rural
ISBN: 978-1-968761-52-3, $29.95 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-968761-53-0, $19.95 (Softcover)
Mission Point Press, July 29, 2026
Copies are available for preorder at Bookshop.org and Amazon. On its July 29, 2026, publication date, it will be available for purchase wherever books are sold. For information or to arrange for signings and events, contact the author at dfpaxtonmiwriter@gmail.com.
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