The Santaroga Barrier
This one of three titles by Frank Herbert I own, besides the Dune series. The other two (Whipping Star, and the Jesus Incident, both fun reads) are out of print but somehow this one has been republished. Santaroga, a small agricultural town somewhere in the US takes care of itself. No products from outside are sold within the town and inhabitants seem immune to the marketing strategies of Big Corp America. So much so the marketing people call it the Santaroga Barrier. Two people were sent to investigate but had fatal accidents. Now it is the turn of Dr. Gilbert Dasein (German for 'existence'). Is this a small town minding its own business or is something more sinister going on? Jaspers knows! Fun to read, quick as well.