Stealing Thunder by Michael Mandaville

by Michael Mandaville

FBI agent, John Blaine, is launched into a web of international intrigue when his drug investigation turns up high-tech military smugglers. His legendary KGB Colonel Konev whose crack team of former Spetznaz operate as mercenaries to the highest bidder - a member of the Chinese Politburo seeking power. Konev's advantage is a miniature lie detector - Thunder - stolen from the American President and used against him during a world crisis. A rogue submarine is sinking ships in the South China Sea, drawing in China, Japan and America toward a nuclear confrontation. From America's nuclear Silent Service to her Carrier Battle Groups, the halls of the Forbidden City to the cities across America, Blaine runs against the clock to stop a plot for nuclear war and world domination. Michael Mandaville is a writer and filmmaker. His extensive interest in National Security, Geopolitics and History comes together in "Stealing Thunder" - based upon strategic assessments of an inevitable conflict with Communist China. He received his MFA in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California.

Paperback

First published August 6, 2008

About the author

Michael Mandaville has worked for 25 years as a Producer, line producer and UPM. He is also an internet entrepreneur working in the streaming and social media environments. His films include “Taken”, "Taken 2" and “Taken 3” written and produced by Luc Besson, “Above Suspicion” starring Emilia Clarke directed by Philip Noyce “Havoc” with Anne Hathaway, “The Kiss” with Terence Stamp and Billy Zane, ("American History X" (New Line Cinema) with Edward Norton and Edward Furlong, "Friends of Friends" with Bruce Davison and Sherilynn Fenn, "Blood and Wine" (Jack Nicholson, Director: Bob Rafelson), "Millenium's Child" (Disney/Miramax) with William Windom and Karen Black, "Sensation" with Eric Roberts, Ed Begley Jr., Paul Le Mat and Ron Perlman. "Hail Caesar" with Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Downey, Jr. and Judd Nelson. "Pumpkin Head II" (MPCA) with Ami Dolenz and Steve Kanaly. Michael also produced “The Almighty Fred”, an independent film. He has directed a recent feature, commercials, shorts, a documentary and industrial films. He has also worked on “Manahi” an Arabic language comedy which was the first film shown in Saudi Arabia in 35 years.
Michael also worked on numerous TV pilots including "Chunks of Life" (ABC), "Criminal Obsession with Telly Savalas and "Wet" with Arliss Howard, Cynda Williams (Directed by Bob Rafelson). "The Double O-Kid" with Corey Haim, Brigitte Nielsen. "Girlfriend from Hell" and "Spirit of the Eagle" with Dan Haggerty and Bill Smith. Michael worked on a CD-ROM Project, "Monty Python's Holy Grail CD-ROM" with Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam. As an executive with Queens Cross Productions, he worked on "Keys to Freedom" with Jane Seymour and Omar Sharif, "The Tunnel" with Jane Seymour and Peter Weller and "Tapeheads" with Tim Robbins and John Cusack.
Michael is a bondable line producer with Film Finance, etc., . He also worked as a Risk Manager at the Motion Picture Bond Company. Through Transcom Productions, Michael has done Scheduling and Budgeting for clients including Relativity, Intl. Sales Organization, Paramount Pictures, Viacom, Bob Rafelson, Kushner-Locke Company, Mark Damon Worldwide, Europacorp, etc., .
Michael follows in the film industry in the steps of his aunt, Molly Mandaville, who worked as legendary film mogul Darryl Zanuck's assistant for 35 years. He has written many scripts with options and scripts for hire to his credit. Michael published a Trilogy of technothriller novels under the “Stealing Thunder” series which won the Thrillspy Award for best novel. He also published a mystery novel, “A Cold Death". Both available on Amazon. He has three more novels and several plays in process which usually keeps him out of trouble. He wrote the non-fiction book, “Citizen Soldier Handbook: 101 Ways For Every American To Fight Terrorism” and speaks on this subject. Michael received a Master's Degree from USC in their prestigious Professional Writing Program. He attended the BA program for Columbia College and received a BA from UCSB in Philosophy.