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Rising author Jake Thoene explores the possibility of a
nuclear meltdown in Shaiton's Fire (Tyndale House
Publishers, August 2002, $12.99) a story of suspense and
intrigue, action and adventure. Written before September
11th, Thoene takes readers into the minds of a terrorist
cell working to destroy the lives of millions of Americans
by attacking a California nuclear power plant. And he takes
readers into the dangerous and exciting world of a newly
formed US internal terrorism-fighting team, "Chapter 16."
When a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway station is
bombed one day after the anniversaries of Waco and Ruby
Ridge, "Chapter 16" is called in to help. Members Teresa
Bouche (political liaison), Steve Alstead (FBI -- tactical
commander), Anton Brown (FBI agent), Charles Downing
(profiler and intelligence analyst), Miles Miller (computer
hacker extraordinaire), and Dr. Timothy Turnow (expert on
weapons of mass destruction) -- all chosen for this elite
team because of their unique backgrounds, training, and
experience -- meet with former Senator James Morrison
(executive director) for their first assignment.
Woven in with their investigations--including the bomb site,
the mysterious man carrying the briefcase on the train (who
seemingly exited with it too), a druggie who claims to know
about the bombing, an undercover mission investigating the
American Militia Compound in Boise, Idaho, an explosion at a
natural gas storage facility, a body found floating in the
Bay -- with a finger cut off -- and a kidnapping -- are also
the stories and life of Steve's estranged wife, Cindy, and
their two boys, and Paul Salim, the assistant director of
the nuclear power plant, who is threatened by a
Middle-Eastern man while enjoying Disneyland with his
family.
The reader is additionally pulled into the parallel life and
thoughts of the real bombers -- Shaiton's Fire -- a small,
radical wing of the Middle-Eastern group, Hezbollah,
determined to destroy millions of Americans. Members Shadir
and Rhamad and leader, Khalili, have a much bigger plan in
mind -- to blow up the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in
California, thus making their stance against America and
their hate for the American ways and people known. And they
have the ability and resources to do it.
As the terrorists plot their next move, the "Chapter 16"
team works to discover the truth behind the BART bombing and
the events that follow. But will they be too late?
Jake Thoene, son of best-selling authors Brock and Bodie
Thoene, has co-authored numerous adult and young adult
novels. Currently he teaches English in California, where he
resides with his wife and three sons.
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