#1: Out of the Shadow and Across Strange Lines - Synopsis
(Fiction-Thriller) the NSIU series
The early morning opening procedures at a New England ski area become very unusual when a ski patroller finds the dead body of an obviously murdered man lying frozen on the trail.
When the Vermont State Police arrive and begin their investigation, they find that the dead man was a New York State policeman, working as a United Nations security investigator, who is following the trail of a missing representative. A report of the murder soon finds its way through various local, state, and federal channels.
It coincidentally turns out the lead ski patroller at the scene, while on active duty, was a trained U.S. Navy SEAL, an elite operator whose skills remain vital, and is currently in the Navy Reserves as a civilian ski patroller. When on active duty, he was attached to a specialized Navy security investigative team, and with his experience, he will be needed again.
After being reactivated into the regular Navy, he returns to his previous station and is assigned to this case. He collaborates with a local woman Vermont State Trooper and his former SEAL team members from Washington, D.C., as they work together to uncover how the investigation into the murdered man had been compromised.
As detail after detail shows itself, it becomes obvious that there is much more to the case than originally thought. It didn’t take long to find that it was a unique group of people, one of whom worked at the United Nations and was a vicious killer, and others who were involved with a crackpot college Professor and Political advisor who had strange ideas about using socialism to enrich himself.
As the investigation progressed, it became two separate cases; the trail quickly turned from a local state murder case into a Federal international chase to rescue and save a kidnapped woman.
A detailed investigation shows the SEAL team where she is, and they travel to Italy and rescue her. She returns to the United Nations, only to find that her Kidnapper, who had been there that morning, had learned she was rescued and escaped.
When they find where he had gone, they follow him back to Vermont and learn of his various connections there.
The twists and turns that involve murder, kidnapping, international energy sources, illegal finances, international transfer of money, and political entrapments make this a case of intrigue and corruption in the highest levels of education and government.
ISBN
(International Standard Book Number)
Paperback 978-1-9845-6459-7
Hardcover 978-1-9845-6460-3
eBook 978-1-9845-6458-0
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Book Review - by: Workbook Press
Out of the Shadow and Across Strange Lines
Out of the Shadow and Across Strange Lines opens with a chilling discovery—a murdered man found frozen on a Vermont ski trail. What begins as a quiet morning at a New England ski area quickly escalates into a complex web of crime, espionage, and international intrigue.
The story captures the reader from the very first scene, blending small-town mystery with high-stakes global tension. When investigators learn that the victim was a New York State policeman working as a United Nations security investigator, the narrative takes on a deeper, more dangerous dimension. The murder’s ripple effects travel through local, state, and federal agencies, and soon, what seemed to be an isolated crime reveals itself as part of a much larger conspiracy.
At the heart of the story is a former U.S. Navy SEAL—now a ski patroller—whose quiet civilian life is interrupted when his unique background draws him back into service. Teaming up with a determined Vermont State Trooper and his former SEAL team in Washington D.C., he dives headfirst into a tangled investigation that spans continents and uncovers corruption at the highest levels.
The novel skillfully weaves together elements of murder mystery, political thriller, and international espionage. From Vermont to Italy, the action is relentless, and the stakes continually rise as the team unravels connections involving the United Nations, illicit financial networks, and a power-hungry academic with dangerous ambitions.
Mr. Christie crafts a fast-paced narrative filled with unexpected twists and layered characters. The combination of military precision and investigative depth gives the story both authenticity and intensity. Readers who enjoy political thrillers and global conspiracy dramas—especially those with strong, capable heroes—will find this book impossible to put down.
Out of the Shadow and Across Strange Lines is more than just a murder mystery—it’s a gripping exploration of loyalty, justice, and the shadowy intersections of power and morality. With its compelling blend of realism and suspense, this first installment promises an unforgettable series ahead.
