The Sleeping Bear

When Army veteran Cassie Gale goes missing on a solo camping trip along Alaska's Yukon River in Sullivan's impressive debut, her father, former intelligence officer Jim Gale, immediately organizes a search party of friends and family to augment the state's thin law enforcement resources. Jim eventually determines that Cassie was the latest victim of a Russian kidnapping scheme. Meanwhile, on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, Cassie and several other Americans abducted from Alaska are being held in a former missile silo. Some are used for medical experimentation by a particularly despicable villain, Gen. Viktor Sokolov, while others are forced to fight Russian soldiers in televised bouts that Kremlin higher-ups use for wagered entertainment. An electrifying finale featuring a tense rescue mission by a Navy SEAL team caps off the drama. Sullivan nails it out of the gate with a story that moves with confidence and, despite a few over-the-top plot twists, never rings false. This action thriller marks the arrival of a new talent. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (July)