Blending high-stakes intelligence operations with a deeply human story, the novel explores the complex geopolitical tensions between the U.S., North Korea, and South Korea, while also raising a provocative question: Should the United States withdraw its military presence from the peninsula?
The story follows Jesse Cullen, a seasoned American intelligence officer, sent to South Korea to investigate rising anti-Americanism and prevent a looming conflict with North Korea. As he uncovers a dangerous North Korean plot to destabilize the region, Jesse must navigate the treacherous world of espionage, military secrets, and political power plays. His mission grows even more complicated by his relationship with Hope Park, a North Korean spy posing as a South Korean University professor.
The novel combines the pulse-pounding action and intrigue of a classic spy thriller with a deep exploration of global diplomacy and the personal costs of leadership. Summer of the Dragons has immense potential for a cinematic adaptation, particularly with its timely themes and many multifaceted characters who confront issues of loyalty, power, betrayal, and survival in one of the world’s most volatile regions. The novel raises critical questions about diplomacy, and whether peace on the Korean Peninsula can ever be more than a fragile illusion.