The Paris Betrayal, James Hannibal [book club recommendations .TXT] 📗
- Author: James Hannibal
Book online «The Paris Betrayal, James Hannibal [book club recommendations .TXT] 📗». Author James Hannibal
The Director turned down a ramp toward an underground parking garage, and the tinted barrier started rolling up again. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
Author Note
I am not a spy.
Early in my Air Force student pilot days, an intelligence officer sat us down in a secure room and told us we were all spies because combat pilots fill out intelligence reports after every mission, reporting anything observed during flights over enemy territory. At the time, I considered the term spy in that context a stretch, and I still do. But little did I know in that moment how far beyond the flight deck my career and God would take me. I’m not a spy, but I’ve worked with a few and learned a lot.
In this story, for some fun, I wanted to give you a look behind the curtain at the reasons Ben does what he does or knows what he knows. Some of what I wrote is pure fiction fun, like Ben’s cleaning system. Some is extrapolation through research and old friends. And some is founded upon experiences, training, and conversations in a long career. “Pick up the trash” is my favorite among the latter, based on hockey, just as I said, offered by a man very much like Hale.
My other favorite is the frozen lake scene. As a former combat survival instructor, I feel this one is something more people should know. Yes, most lakes have a temperature inversion that can make a difference. More importantly, having the presence of mind to pause and find your escape route will likely mean the difference between life and death. Once you’re out, get a fire going, because hypothermia is sure to follow—although, to critique Ben, lighting a fire in a shed full of fertilizer was a less than optimum solution.
A COVID-19 disclaimer: The traditional publishing timeline from manuscript to bookshelf is a long one. The Paris Betrayal was 85 percent complete before COVID-19 struck. Imagine having an almost-completed manuscript about the threat of a global pandemic when you’re suddenly struck with an actual global pandemic.
Ben Calix is based upon the biblical Job, who experienced great physical suffering through a disease covering his whole body, so I didn’t feel I could drop the bioweapon portion of the megabomb/bioweapon combo I had developed. But I did my utmost to make changes that would prevent the story from hitting anyone too close to home. In this process, DiAnn Mills, Lynette Eason, and Edie Melson all offered excellent advice, and I am grateful. DiAnn Mills, as a mentor and teacher, also deserves a great deal of thanks as an ear and voice during the project as a whole.
Finally, a word about Job.
In preparation for the writing of this story, Dr. Gary Huckabay created a detailed analysis of the book of Job and all its characters—no easy task. Then he advised me throughout the writing process. Upon the foundation of his analysis, I built the characters of the Director, Ben, Giselle, Tess, Sensen, Hale, Dylan, and Jupiter. On this, I also built the story’s implied theological conclusions regarding God’s sovereignty. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to Dr. Huckabay for his hard work and insight.
For more on Ben and Job, including a comparative Bible study and book club resource, visit my website at www.jamesrhannibal.com.
James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. A former stealth pilot from Houston, Texas, he has been shot at, locked up with surface-to-air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion Award winner for his Section 13 mysteries for kids and a Thriller Award nominee for his Nick Baron covert ops series for adults. James is a rare multisense synesthete, meaning all of his senses intersect. He sees and feels sounds, and smells and hears flashes of light. If he tells you the chocolate cake you offered smells blue and sticky, take it as a compliment.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
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Author Note
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
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