"History is a compilation of events that cannot happen." -- Anonymous
THE THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE: America After the Deal is a must-read, a gripping thriller rooted not only in fantasy but in contemporary American and international events. The book's fast-paced action and bold conspiracies span the globe but, unlike most military and political suspense novels, its epicenter is not Washington, Moscow or London. Rather it is a small town in middle America, a town with a long colorful history that has become a refuge of the rich and famous: Aspen, Colorado. The narrative accelerates irresistibly toward a shocking conclusion, but the underlying mystery gives no hint what that conclusion might be. The epic battle between good and evil features cyberwarfare, assassinations and other military techniques found in most thrillers. There is an element of international crime, a fiery romance, psychological manipulation, murder and undercover operations by spies not suspected of espionage. And there is, of course, a role for law enforcement, especially for the FBI and other government agents. But it is the unlikely cast of characters and the way in which their lives become intertwined that make this novel unique. The reader follows the Russian President, US Special Forces, the American President, intelligence operations by the CIA and FSB, successor to the KGB. All of this is not surprising in a military and political thriller; not surprising until one adds the 74-year-old director of the Aspen Historical Society, her sexy if naive assistant, a slow-talking Southerner from Louisiana and the aunt who raised him - adds these characters and elevates them to the same level of importance as that of "the usual suspects." For readers who have tired of series heroes mired in tough situations they will obviously escape, for readers looking for a new and possibly predictive type of story, a story that loses none of its nail-biting suspense by deviating from traditional themes, THE THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE is for you.
Editorial Reviews of Kirkwood's previous work:
"Solid tension, sudden danger, fierce action . . . catches fire." -- Kirkus Reviews
"A moving love story as well as a novel filled with action and suspense ... strong sympathetic characters ... Thomas Kirkwood is a writer to get excited about." -- Rocky Mountain News
"Nail-biting . . . Perfect!!" -- Norfolk Virginian Pilot
"Powerful ... Truly riveting!" -- Chattanooga News-Free Press
"A bubbling thriller . . . The tension builds." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Suspense and intrigue ... A classic adventure." -- Mobile Press Register
"Wryly drawn characters...absorbing."-- Kirkus Reviews
"Tense drama...spectacular."-- St. Louis Post Dispatch
"Riveting and fascinating."-- Lerner Newspapers
"An absorbing tale...the stuff of which movies are made."-- Rocky Mountain News
"Crackles ... a rousing good job." -- Akron Beacon-Journal
