‘Terminal Judgement: The Ultimate Encounter’, a new novel by Gozo resident and first-time author Derek Kipling, aims to blend action and supernatural suspense in the historical account of a mysterious religious artifact. Beginning with the object’s discovery during World War II, the novel follows a series of soldiers, spies and calculating religious leaders hoping to use it for their own purposes.
First discovered in sub-Saharan Africa by an Italian soldier, the artifact quickly demonstrates its otherworldly powers and becomes the coveted prize in a race between Axis and Allied forces. After a furious struggle and an ill-fated trip on board a German U-boat, the artifact goes missing once again.
More than a half-century later, United Nations specialist Daniel Hart is on the trail of the mysterious artifact and closing in fast. Relying on his extra-sensory perception and help from a visitor from another dimension, Hart must locate the object before its powers are unleashed for the last time. Author Kipling explains, “There is a deadline to meet before supernatural powers decide the planet cannot be allowed to continue on its self-destructive path.”
Seeking to add a twist on traditional storytelling, Kipling split the narrative into two parts, combining historical fiction with a conclusion set in the not-too-distant future. The book begins and ends on the islands of Gozo and Comino, with dozens of international locations featured in between.
British-born Derek Kipling served as a pharmaceutical executive for more than 20 years, a career that called for extensive global travel. Today, having retired, Mr Kipling concentrates primarily on his writing. A father of four, he now lives in Qala with his wife.
The Ultimate Encounter is available for sale online at Amazon.com [1],BookSurge.com and through additional wholesale and retail channels worldwide.