Thrilling Locations: Part 2
Tracking down Thomas Caine:
Work has been progressing well on the next Thomas Caine thriller. I felt like it was time to share some new and interesting locations readers can expect to visit in the next book. So without further ado, let’s jet off to the The People’s Republic of China!
Although most of the story is set in mainland China, I couldn’t resist a quick action scene at the Kwun Tong Promenade, on the outskirts of Hong Kong.
The glowing cube sculpture represents stacks of paper and heavy machinery, reflecting the area’s history as an industrial site. I thought it would also makes a great location for a spy’s live drop, until things go wrong…
A good chunk of action is set around Beijing, the nation’s capitol. Beijing is an amazing city, and is a showcase of the rapid economic, technological, and cultural growth the country is undergoing.
On his way into the city, Caine drives past one the city’s most notable landmarks, the stunning National Stadium. The stadium was designed for the 2008 Olympic Games. The bands of metal that surround the structure are meant to resemble a bird’s nest. Hence, the building’s nickname of “The Nest.”
Later, Caine and a friend make stop in the beautiful Yindingqiao Hutong. China’s Hutongs (which means “old lanes”) are a fascinating glimpse into the dynasties of China’s past.
Walking through one now is like stepping into a time machine. Many of these beautiful old neighborhoods were destroyed after the founding of the People’s Republic. Today, some of the remaining Hutong’s have been designated as protected areas.
Finally, while Caine fights to accomplish his mission in China, Rebecca, his superior at the CIA, must battle against internal politics and corruption. Her investigation takes her to the secretive NSA headquarters in Maryland, home of TAO, the Tailored Access Operations group. This team of cyber-warriors is tasked with hacking enemy computer networks and hardware.
That’s all for now… next time, we’ll take a look at the final leg of Caine’s journey across China.
In the meantime, you can check out the first two books in the series, Devil’s Due, andTokyo Black. They’re both in Kindle Unlimited, and Devil’s Due is available on Audible as well.
Stay tuned for more exciting news from the world of Thomas Caine…
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Good move in utilizing the Hutongs. A narrow environment with a lot of potential for gun play and hunters hunting each other.
There's less of them these days due to the "08" Olympic building blowout targeting them for demolition in order to make way for the Bird's Nest and the water cube. So, I like how in your own little way, you'll be raising awareness about these slowly disappearing landmarks.
And Rebecca's heading off on a day trip to Fort Meade! Splendid. I wonder what she'll get up to in the black box (my personal nickname for the NSA building proper due to the glass panels and all the secrets they store). I know for a fact this year someone tried to breach the perimeter in an SUV. Reality ensured and the perimeter security took the driver down with extreme prejudice.
I wish I could tell you where the offices of the Ministry of State Security are located but annoyingly, they prefer to put out a
PO Box for inquires and informers, and keep their actual address hidden.
However, I do know of three theories. The first is that the MSS is based in a complex located South East of the Summer Palace. The second is that they've moved from their summer palace location and now have a new base of operations in Beijing.
The third and final theory is that they share the same building as the Ministry Of Public security who have a rather grand, modern office just outside Tiananmen Square.
Here's a link to a photo of the MPS building. Quite big and if it turns out the MSS also work out of here, a pretty respectable HQ for an intelligence service. Not as flashy as the UK SIS Vauxhall Cross building (the architecture which I love), but suitably imposing nonetheless.
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2015...