A midsummer night's gene - Andrew Harman

At SPLICE OF LIFE PATENTABLE BIOSCIENCE LTD the excitement of discovery is rising by the minute. Professor Crickson has seen the future - and it tastes like chicken. The Prof can unite vegetarians and carnivores by implanting the genes of said flavour into those of corn. Chicken Fed Corn. It's bound to outstrip his previous culinary inventions: Boil-in-the-Bag Gazpacho, Microwavable Steak Tartare and Oven-Bake Sushi.

But someone - or something - has other ideas. As well as problems with a chicken rustler, the Professor finds vital pieces of equipment vanishing from his lab, and essential orders never arriving. Industrial espionage?

If only it were that simple.