For more than two years, one book has taken over Germany's hardcover and paperback bestseller lists, reaching number one in Der Spiegel and setting off a frenzy in bookstores: The Swarm. </p>

Whales begin sinking ships. Toxic, eyeless crabs poison Long Island's water supply. The North Sea shelf collapses, killing thousands in Europe. Around the world, countries are beginning to feel the effects of the ocean's revenge as the seas and their inhabi-tants begin a violent revolution against mankind. In this riveting novel, full of twists, turns, and cliffhangers, a team of scientists discovers a strange, intelligent life force called the Yrr that takes form in marine animals, using them to wreak havoc on humanity for our ecological abuses. Soon a struggle between good and evil is in full swing, with both human and suboceanic forces battling for control of the waters. At stake is the survival of the Earth's fragile ecology -- and ultimately, the survival of the human race itself. </p> The apocalyptic catastrophes of The Day After Tomorrow meet the watery menace of The Abyss in this gripping, scientifically realistic, and utterly imaginative thriller. With 1.5 million copies sold in Germany -- where it has been on the bestseller list without fail since its debut -- and the author's skillfully executed blend of compelling story, vivid characters, and eerie locales, Frank Schatzing's The Swarm will keep you in tense anticipation until the last suspenseful page is turned.

弗兰克·施茨廷（Frank Schätzing）

1957年出生，在科隆过着多姿多彩的生活：广告公司的创意总监、作曲家、音乐制作人，同时也是热情的业余厨师和受过训练的潜水员，1990年起又多了一个身份——作家。

1995年出版了他首部小说《死亡与魔鬼》，以15世纪为背景的历史悬疑小说，25万册的销量让施茨廷不只是作家，而是畅销书作家。于2000年出版的政治惊悚小说《悄无声息》，以1999年国际经济高峰会议为背景，被媒体誉为“世纪末所能捕捉到的最精彩瞬间”。2002年获得科隆文学奖。

2004年，《群》的成功让施茨廷在德国的地位与麦克·克莱顿、丹·布朗等国际畅销作家平起平坐。

《群》始于施茨廷数年前的梦境；而《群》的男主角西谷·约翰逊——黄金单身汉、魅力中年型男、无可救药的品味狂和美食家，就算远赴海上钻井平台、也要随身带着高级红酒和搭配下酒的奶酪；这些描述，很难不让人联想到是作者自己的投射。

施茨廷为了《群》这本书花了3年阅读相关资料，包括海洋生物学、地质学、海底探勘等，并花了两年时间书写。这期间有31位科学家协助施茨廷完成了这本小说，当中有些人被施茨廷写进了《群》当中，像德国基尔大学的海洋学家们，他们以本名在书里过着英雄般的光彩生活。不过，经历最奇幻的角色莫过于SETI（搜寻地球外高等生物计划）的一位负责人吉尔·塔特教授，朱迪·福斯特刚在《接触未来》中扮演她，接下来她又被派到《群》当中与海底高等智慧生物沟通，读者会在《群》读到她的化身大显身手，目前吉尔·塔特在拯救地球的副业之余，依然在忙着聆听来自外太空的声音。

而施茨廷本人，在《群》里描写的水母毒杀游客、鲸鱼攻击船客之后，仍旧不怕死地保持着潜水的嗜好。