St. Augustine resident, Andrew “Andy” Stack, has published his debut book, a military thriller titled The Black Hand. The novel weaves history throughout a story set in the very near future. Starting with a single assassination that leads to the outbreak of World War I to the book’s present-day set on August 9th, 2021, The Black Hand is masterfully crafted to introduce a cast of characters as diverse as American itself.
The narrative is told through the lens of a presidential briefing before Congress and the American people known informally as the 8/9 Commission. In the end, this is a book about language. Its interpretations, misinterpretations, titles, honorifics, code names, nicknames, and slurs. Even a single solitary word and that word’s legacy and currency are vital in determining the future of America.
“After enlisting in the United States Air Force and graduating with Honors from the Defense Language Institute in California, I worked for years as an Arabic linguist,” Stack explained. “I was assigned overseas and took part in combat missions in theaters of operation in North Africa, the Middle East, Central America, and the Far East. It was these experiences, and those of my career in the private sector, that inspired my writing of The Black Hand.”
Stack moved to St. Augustine in 2008. He was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, but has spent most of his life traveling and living around the world. After his time in the Air Force, he graduated from the University of Maryland and began a career working for Fortune 500 companies, taking him abroad to five different continents. He currently works with the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the National Guard Bureau on a project called Building Health Military Communities.
“The Black Hand is predominantly set in three iconic American cities; St. Augustine, Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, Missouri,” Stack explained. “I’ve lived here in the nation’s oldest city for twelve years, have raised my kids here, and have no plans to go anywhere, anytime soon. St. Augustine is home. Even the main protagonist of The Black Hand is indicative of my love for this city. Major General Orlando Quinn was born and raised in St. Augustine. I’m honored to help pay homage to this city I’ve grown to love. This book is the perfect summer read for anyone who enjoys military thrillers rooted deeply in history, but with an edgy, contemporary flare.”
An official launch of the book is set for mid-June and copies will be available at many retail and online outlets. Signed copies and eBook versions of “The Black Hand” are currently available for purchase at www.AndrewStackAuthor.com as well as select excerpts, character descriptions, and a full synopsis.
