In “White King and the Battle of America,” the third and final novel of her trilogy, author Lee Kessler aims to teach her readers the difference between danger and fear in a world dominated by the war on terror.
“The goal is that readers see what the real danger is, not the propaganda one, and realize that they have the capability within themselves to solve these problems,” said Kessler, who lives in Eureka.
The problem is the “undermining of America from within” by international terrorism, according to the author.
Kessler uses fiction to address terrorism in a post–9/11 world, weaving a complex story that addresses modern-day issues such as the downfall of the economy, human trafficking and global terrorism.
“We’ve all been scratching our heads – why the recession? Well there is a reason for it,” said Kessler.
Kessler, who has a background in acting, is well practiced at the study and imitation of people and she proclaims herself a student of human behavior. In order to prepare for a part, Kessler makes it her mission to discover a person’s driving motivation, or the purpose within them that prompts their actions.
“If you get the right driving motivation you can explain everything [someone] has ever done and forecast what they’ll do in the future,” explained Kessler.
Using this technique, Kessler studied Al Qaeda mastermind Ayman Al-Zawahiri, doing research as if to play him in a film. Finally, she felt she knew him well enough that she understood his motives and could predict his next acts of terror. The author then incorporated these predictions into the plots of her books “White King and the Doctor,” “White King Rising” and, the most recent, “White King and the Battle of America.”
“I’ve been able to unlock stories in such a way that people think they’re prophetic,” said Kessler.
Some readers speculate that the author is privy to classified information and is being fed by a source in the intelligence community. She denies this, however, asserting that her predictions stem from nothing more than logical thinking and insight.
The heroes in Kessler’s latest novel include characters from her previous books, Brian Washington Carver and chess champion Andy Weir. At the conclusion of “White King Rising” Carver and Weir foil an enemy plan with a brilliantly designed computer game. The duo reunites again in Kessler’s newest book with retired CIA agent James Mikolas and media tycoon Bud Walker. Together, the group of vigilantes saves the United States from the brink of destruction.
Kessler plans to incorporate several of her characters into new books and will begin working on an autobiographical novel now that she has completed her trilogy.
The author is also currently in negotiations to make the “White King and the Doctor” into a feature film.
“These will all go to film or become a major television series,” said Kessler.