"A covert CIA mission gone sideways, a harrowing post-WWI transatlantic flight, and a research facility with 'remote viewing' capabilities: three seemingly separate stories woven across time and locations bring us to the brink of an attack that would annihilate North America in this entertaining and suspenseful novel titled Raven's Run.
John D Trudel researched actual historical archives to tell the escapades of his uncle, George O. Noville, a Navy officer who made historical flights, explored Antarctica, became an oil executive, and eventually settled in Mexico to retire. It is through his voice that the reader 'hears' the story of forgotten U.S. history.
Josie is a gentle soul with an incredible psychic ability (as well as a penchant for marijuana and going braless). All she has to do is have physical contact with an item to see its history, location, and actions occurring around it. The government, needless to say, sees her as a valuable asset and has her working in secrecy. Her viewings have sometimes left her comatose - she is especially sensitive to violence, and sees her own future in a mental institution if she doesn't change the path she's on. Wayne, who has been given the boot from the CIA, is given a second chance along with a new identity as Raven.
He is tasked to protect Josie. While on his failed yet explosive mission in Iran, Raven had uncovered a diary belonging to Noville, with the title "Operation High Jump," a major Antarctic expedition that occurred right after World War II. All evidence from the mission was destroyed, but the significance of the notebook is unclear.
Josie is tasked with viewing the events surrounding the notebook, but the vastness of the great white ice continent makes finding any worthwhile data a huge challenge. While her talents are great, they are not unlimited. Meanwhile, Islamic extremists are racing toward a mission of their own in Antarctica, allowing nothing to stop their quest to rid the world of the "Great Satan" and infidels. With ties to oil executives, high level U.S. government officials, and a nuclear-powered icebreaking vessel, not much can stop them, not even one of their own.
The suspense builds at a breakneck pace. Josie and Raven form an unlikely bond, breaking down the walls that he has had to build around himself out of necessity. Raven gains Josie's trust, and she his. They start envisioning their own future together, but first they must complete this last, dangerous mission: solving the mysteries surrounding Noville, his death, and his diary.
Will their love give them the strength to survive the ordeal, or add to their vulnerability? Mechanical techies will enjoy Raven's Run's detailing of weaponry and engine mechanics on airplanes and ships, in both military and private use. Trudel challenges some widely held positions on climate change, Islam, the JFK assassination, Vietnam, and international incidents occurring between WWII and today."
Trudel, John D.: - John D Trudel has authored two nonfiction books and five Thriller novels: God's House, Privacy Wars, Soft Target, Raven's Run, and Raven's Redemption. He graduated from Georgia Tech and Kansas State, had a long career in high-technology, wrote columns for several national magazines, and lives in Oregon and Arizona. John Trudel maintains an author's site and blog. You can find them under his name "johntrudel" As an inventor and an instrument rated multiengine pilot, he has long loved aviation and technology. John had a pilot's license before he had a driver's license. He built and flew his own radio-controlled aircraft before they were called "drones" and programmed computers before PCs existed. His popular blog was selected by a Radio Host as one of the "top 8 in the Northwest." It has a mix of information about both real world events and novels. John's first four novels all won awards. Two were finalists for the prestigious Eric Hoffer award. Privacy Wars predicted the NSA and IRS scandals, winning three Awards in the process and gleaning many media interviews. Details, links, interviews, and video trailers are posted on John's website. The first chapters of his novels are there too, free.
