REDEMPTION
Redemption
Will Jordan
UK & Commonwealth rights ex Canada: Century
UK publication: June 2012
German rights: Blanvalet
All other rights available
Manuscript available now
An impeccably researched, character-led action thriller from an exciting new voice.
Iraq, 2007
An unmanned Predator drone, part of the United States’ campaign against the ongoing Iraqi insurgency, suddenly goes rogue and launches its missiles into a crowded city street. The group claiming responsibility, led by disgraced CIA agent Dominic Munro, promises further attacks unless the Agency hands over his former mentor, a veteran operative codenamed Maras. With Predator flights grounded worldwide and the US intelligence machine virtually crippled, they have little choice but to comply. The only problem? Maras is locked in a Siberian prison.
Washington DC
Ryan Drake is a man used to finding people who don’t want to be found. Once a British SAS operative, he now works for the Central Intelligence Agency as a ‘Shepherd’ – an elite investigative team formed to locate and bring home lost, kidnapped or rogue agents. Dedicated to the point of obsession, his exploits have won him considerable respect within the Agency. However, his professional successes hide a dark secret centred around a disastrous mission in Afghanistan years earlier. Driven by the demons of his past, he has pushed away most of his friends and family – the only person he still has contact with is his sister back in the UK.
Drake is given a simple order – break into the prison, find Maras and bring her home within 48 hours. If successful, his court martial will be overturned and his reputation restored. If he fails, the Agency will deny all knowledge of his existence. Seizing what may be his last chance at redemption, Drake hastily assembles a Shepherd team and launches his mission, parachuting into the remote Siberian prison where Maras is being held.
Despite grave danger, the team is able to rescue Maras and return her to the United States unharmed. Drake’s part in the story seems to be over, but a chilling phone call from Munro reveals that his sister has been taken hostage. If he ever wants to see her again, he must free Maras and use her to uncover a secret the CIA will do anything to keep hidden, and Munro will do anything to uncover.
Now forced to go on the run with a dangerous woman he doesn’t trust, and pursued by his former comrades, Drake must use every resource at his disposal to stay one step ahead of the hunt. Maras, mentally and physically scarred by years of brutal captivity, and a lifetime of fighting and killing, struggles to adapt to her new found freedom, leading to friction and conflict with Drake. However, her vast knowledge and experience prove vital to their survival, and gradually she begins to rediscover her humanity, even learning to trust her reluctant companion. Together their journey takes them from the frozen wastes of Siberia to the heart of Washington, and finally to the desert sands of Iraq where old grudges are settled, friendships betrayed, secrets revealed and loyalty tested to breaking point. And at last, a chilling conspiracy is uncovered that could destroy the US intelligence community forever.
Will Jordan is a 28 year old husband and father living in Fife, near Edinburgh. He gained an honours degree in Information Technology and currently works in web design for Sky Digital. Aside from writing, his interests include military history, mountain climbing, fitness training, boxing and, of course, reading. Will has always been drawn to books whose characters inspire him in his own life; stories of people rising above their circumstances, refusing to be beaten down and pushing themselves to do things they shouldn't be able to do; an element which he has tried to bring across in his own work.
As part of his research for this book, Will was lucky enough to have the opportunity to handle and test fire all of the weapons mentioned in the story, as well as interview several military contacts (including close friends who have served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq) about their experiences, and for information on assault tactics and unarmed combat techniques. Will's favourite authors are Andy McNab, Cormac McCarthy and Khaled Hosseini.
