The Thanatos Syndrome by Walker Percy

The novel is a gripping psychological thriller set in a small Louisiana town, where a psychiatrist named Dr. Tom More notices strange behavioral changes in the local population. As he investigates, he uncovers a sinister conspiracy involving a chemical being added to the water supply, intended to control and pacify the community. The story delves into themes of ethics, free will, and the consequences of scientific manipulation, as Dr. More races against time to expose the truth and restore autonomy to the affected individuals.