The Thanatos Syndrome extends the themes found in Walker Percy’s earlier novel, Love in the Ruins. Tom More, the protagonist, uncovers a conspiracy to lace the local drinking water with heavy sodium, inducing childlike behavior but reducing crime. As he delves into the ethical dilemmas of this social experiment, the novel explores broader issues of control set against the backdrop of a hospice tale.

Return to Feliciana

As the story opens, Tom More has just returned to his hometown of Feliciana, Louisiana, after serving two years in federal prison for illegally selling prescription drugs. A psychiatrist by profession, More is immediately approached by Bob Comeaux, his parole officer and a member of the medical ethics committee, who requests his expertise on a peculiar case. More finds that Mickey LaFaye, a former patient, has changed drastically: her previous symptoms of agoraphobia and anxiety have vanished, and she now communicates in terse, childlike sentences, flitting from one subject to another. Alongside these behavioral quirks, she exhibits an unexpected assertive sexuality and an astonishing recall of obscure information.

The Unfolding Mystery

As Tom More encounters more of his former patients and acquaintances, he notices a similar pattern of behavior: an absence of prior psychiatric issues coupled with newfound peculiarities. Even his wife, Ellen, is affected; her improved memory has turned her into a bridge champion. Her success in tournaments with her partner, John Van Dorn, only deepens More's suspicion that something strange is afoot. Despite his growing concern, More receives no support from Comeaux, who instead attempts to placate him with a lucrative government consulting position, subtly threatening his parole conditions should he refuse the offer.

Uncovering the Truth

Lucy Lipscomb, an epidemiologist and More’s cousin, shares his suspicions. She hacks into government databases and discovers that individuals exhibiting these behavioral changes have elevated levels of heavy sodium in their systems. More theorizes that the chemical is causing cortical deficits, resulting in these alterations. Together, they trace the source of the contaminant to a water intake valve linked to the local power plant.

Resistance and Revelation

More, along with Lipscomb’s uncle and a friend, attempts to investigate the intake valve further but is promptly arrested for trespassing. Bob Comeaux intervenes, arranging their release and privately divulges that the heavy sodium is part of a covert government initiative to curtail crime. He reiterates his job offer to More, promising him oversight of the program should he accept. Meanwhile, Lipscomb discovers that no official government agency acknowledges the existence of this sodium program.

Connections at the Academy

John Van Dorn, Ellen’s bridge partner, works at the power plant and is connected to the Belle Ame Academy, where More’s children are enrolled. Through his investigations, More learns that Van Dorn is aware of the heavy sodium diversion and supports its objectives. Lipscomb inspects some students at the academy and is alarmed to find evidence of sexual abuse, as well as a disturbing expectation of sexual conduct from the children.

Father Smith’s Confession

The narrative takes a pause for a chapter entitled “Father Smith’s Confession.” More had previously crossed paths with Father Simon Rinaldo Smith during his time in prison, where Father Smith was enrolled in a counseling program for alcoholism. Following the loss of funding for his hospice, Father Smith retreated to a fire tower, refusing to come down. Comeaux had plans to convert the hospice into a euthanasia center. In his confession, Father Smith recalls his time in Germany and admits he might have joined the Nazi SS if he were German, underscoring the moral complexity surrounding the use of medical science for social...