Suspense novelist and Washington insider Rick Robinson's award-winning political thriller "Manifest Destiny" (Headline Books, Inc.) has been acquired by Los Angeles producer Peter R.J. Deyell ("Road to Nowhere") in a six-figure agreement, with Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Quinn Redeker ("The Deer Hunter") attached to write. Deyell is in talks with other top creatives in Hollywood about developing the book into a motion picture.
"'Manifest Destiny' is so good, I read it in two sittings," Deyell said. "It's an international thriller in the truest sense. The characters are multidimensional and the story is absolutely chilling and believable."
"Manifest Destiny" centers on fictional U.S. Rep.
Richard Thompson as he investigates the kidnapping of one of his staffers by Communist rebels in Romania. In the process, he becomes embroiled in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, with the control of Eastern Europe hanging in the balance. The novel has been honored with nine national and international awards, including Best Fiction at the Paris Book Festival and Best Independent Book in America at the DIY Book Festival in Los Angeles. The Huffington Post wrote "Robinson weaves a lot of ‘inside the beltway' background into a thriller along the lines of a
Tom Clancy novel. ‘Manifest Destiny' is where ‘The West Wing' meets ‘The Bourne Identity.'"
"The part of the story that takes place in Romania includes fictionalized versions of actual events that occurred during and after the Ceausescu regime," Robinson said. "While doing research, I spent time with American election observers who were the first in Romania following the execution of Ceausescu and his wife."
Indeed, Robinson's novels are noted for their technical, political and legal accuracy. Many characters and plot details are drawn from the author's personal experiences working on Capitol Hill and on political campaigns in his native Kentucky. Robinson, an attorney, served as legislative director/press secretary for former Sen. Jim Bunning (R- KY) from 1987 through 1993. He was also the Kentucky regional director for Sen. Bob Dole's 1996 presidential bid against
Bill Clinton, and previously worked with former GOP political consultants
Roger Ailes and the late Lee Atwater. He also once ran unsuccessfully for Congress.
"The characters I write about are composites of people I have known in politics over 30 years," Robinson said. "One thing I try to convey in my books is the personal conflict that many members of Congress go through. People who stray from their ideals never start out with that intention. Sometimes people in Washington are influenced badly, while trying to do the right thing."
"Manifest Destiny" is Robinson's third novel in the
Richard Thompson series, following "The Maximum Contribution" and "Sniper Bid." He is currently writing his fourth novel in the series, "Writ of Mandamus."
No stranger to mystery,
Peter R.J. Deyell's most recent project as a producer was the award-winning 2010 film "Road to Nowhere," which was directed by Monte Hellman and written and produced by Steven Gaydos. Deyell described "Manifest Destiny" as an old-fashioned spy thriller with modern twists.
"It's not just another political thriller," Deyell said. "'Manifest Destiny' is extremely insightful and thought-provoking on many levels. It deals with external as well as internal threats America could face at any time. It's going to make a terrific movie."
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