Synopsis of Nuclear Shadow Nuclear Dawn

Since May, I posted about my political thriller Nuclear Shadow Nuclear Dawn, the sequel to Nuclear Power Nuclear Game; readers and friends have often asked when they can get the new book. I will gradually post simplified content as a gratitude to all of you. (All writer's ideas, literary works and images published and unpublished are all protected under Copyright law)

Synopsis of Nuclear Shadow Nuclear Dawn

August 1989, a plane carrying John Thompson from Beijing arrives in Los Angeles under two Chinese State Security officers' escort. The CIA blames John Thompson for failing his undercover mission in China while posting as a cultural attaché at the US Shanghai Consulate. However, despite the CIA warning, he gives evidence at a US Congressional Hearing to convince the government to hold a hard line and continue sanctioning China. Then, he continues pursuing his belief in nuclear for peace, taking a significant role as the UN nuclear regulator in Vienna. He helps the CIA compile a critical report to pressure China to sign the NPT before China is accepted as a WTO member. However, during the operation of Hunting Gulf to intercept Chinese cargo, Long March stealthily transporting nuclear materials to Iran, John is almost murdered.

Meanwhile, Zoe, a nuclear scientist who designed China's first nuclear bomb and now a pioneer designer of China's nuclear power plant, recovers from the pain caused by John's sudden disappearance. The return visit to Iranian and Pakistani nuclear institutes gives her an insight into China's attitude toward nuclear proliferation. In addition, she is aware of her role in Pakistan becoming a nuclear-armed country. However, this time, she says NO to the Iranian nuclear project, although she tries to be very diplomatic.

Now Zoe's daughter, Little Red, a nuclear safety researcher, is chosen to join a Chinese nuclear delegation for a package of nuclear deals with Iran, a secret mission under China's culture exchange with the U.S. A short reunion with her newlywed husband Luke, a PhD student studying microbiology at Columbia University, opens a window for her to see China's increasing influence in the U.S.

When George, an investigative journalist for the New York Times, approaches Little Red about the mysterious death of a Russian nuclear scientist Kuczinski in a hotel near the JFK airport, she is very cautious and unwilling to give information, including the connection between her mother with Kuczinski. However, George's persistence and dedication to his profession touches her heart, and she wants to help George's investigation. Unexpectedly, when George's sensational report about Kuczinski alerts Little Red's superior, she is closely monitored and is forced to return to China earlier. Little Red's life comes to a crossroads, repeating her mother's tragic life, living unhappily under the CCP's dictatorship or risking her life, choosing freedom and remaining in America.

With George's help, Little Red miraculously runs away from the Chinese nuclear delegation at the LAX airport. To avoid damage to China's image and delay in joining the WTO and protect the Chinese spy network in America, an order from Beijing arrives at the New York Chinese Councillor's desk: Little Red must be eliminated. Little Red's journey from Los Angeles to New York to escape from the Chinese assassin leads to an unexpected meeting with John when George takes Little Red to seek shelter at John's home in Connecticut. But before settling into a peaceful life, the Chinese assassins arrive at John's home. And a bloody fight to the death unavoidably ensues.

They hardly have time to celebrate George gunning down an assassin when Luke appears with a pistol pointing at them. Little Red never thinks of her husband as a Chinese spy coming to get her. She calms down from a momentary shock and decides to use her freedom in exchange for George's life, willingly returning to China. However, Luke also wants to kill her, a traitor in his eyes, to clear his name and maintain his family's political power. Luckily, John comes back, kills Luke and saves her and George. By now, they all know there is no way to end this cat-and-mouse game with the Chinese government unless Little Red gives herself to the CIA under witness protection.

Little Red's defection causes the CCP's ruthless retaliation. Zoe is locked in a forced labour camp in China indefinitely. Only the belief of reuniting with John and Little Red one day holds Zoe together mentally and physically despite her deteriorated heart issue caused by the harsh living and working conditions.

Years later, Little Red uses her master's degree thesis to ease the tensions with the Chinese government. And then, with the US government's help, the Chinese government releases Zoe to America for the humanitarian reason of her heart medical treatment. A three-generation reunion finally happens at JFK Airport. Little Red accepts George's marriage proposal in front of Zoe. And John gives Zoe a bunch of roses freshly picked in his backyard. They hold each other tightly, knowing nothing can ever pull them apart.