International terrorism is the subject of a Summerland writer’s latest novel.
Ron Hepner’s novel, Protect, Then Defend, is the second in a trilogy featuring Art Dodek, a Canadian counter-terrorism expert.
Hepner’s first novel, The Brave One Strikes Back, was released last spring.
Protect, Then Defend is set in Vancouver as Dodek and Keith Dawson, a former police officer, work to thwart the efforts of two Syrian assassins who are in Canada to assassinate the Israeli and Canadian Prime Ministers at a synagogue.
“This is a story that involves bribery, bigotry and cover-up,” Hepner said.
The assassination plot is uncovered by an Egyptian-born Canadian friend of Dodek’s.
“All hell breaks loose,” Hepner said of the story. “It’s a tragic turn of events that Dodek is unable to stop.”
Hepner said Dodek will appear later, in Radical Measures, the third book in the trilogy. It has not yet been published.
Protect, Then Defend is published by World Castle Publishing.
The e-book edition can be pre-ordered through Amazon.com. The printed version will be on the shelves on Feb. 1.
In the coming weeks, Hepner will have readings at Hooked on Books and Coles in Penticton and at Indigo and Chapters in Kelowna, Surrey and Port Coquitlam.
Further information about the book can be found at worldcastlepublishing.com.
