DAVENPORT, Fla. - Marylandian -- .Adding to his unique take on thrillers, mysteries and historical fiction, Ray Keating now ventures into science fiction with Menace: An Agent Dean Cold Novel.  Keating serves up his classic mix of intense action, deep reflection, compelling characters, unexpected twists and powerful relationships.

What is Menace about? The Cold War is about to take an unexpected turn. It's 1953, and humanity teeters on the edge. But only a handful of people are aware. Attacks on U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Soviet Union's Joseph Stalin threaten to send the world on a journey that no one could have predicted. Eisenhower turns to Secret Service Special Agent Dean Cold to lead a clandestine team. The mission? Unravel a bizarre mystery, and deal with consequences that promise to challenge politics, war, and perhaps the foundations of Western Civilization.

More on Marylandian

• AureaVault Launches U.S.-Licensed Cryptocurrency Exchange with Enhanced Security Features
• IOTAP Named to 2025 Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies
• Lineus Medical and Venture Medical Sign New Zealand Distribution Agreement
• Black Plumbing Expands to Cleburne, TX, Bringing Over 30 Years of Trusted Plumbing Service
• Maryland: PUBLIC NOTICE: Unscheduled Mosquito Control Activity in Prince George's County

Ray Keating stated, "I've enjoyed all kinds of science fiction over the years, but writing a blend of science fiction and historical fiction, while incorporating some spy thriller elements, has truly captured my imagination." The influences on this story are numerous, including a mix of 1950s sci-fi movies, C.S. Lewis, Tom Clancy, Star Trek and the Cold War.

The Author Afterword from the book – "Why Science Fiction?" – can be read at https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/faith%2C-freedom-%26-joy-blog/f/why-science-fiction.

The early reviews have been stellar. BookViral Reviews gave Menace five stars, and declared, "A gripping, genre-bending Cold War thriller that melds history, espionage, and science fiction into a fast-paced, intelligent page-turner."

And Self-Publishing Review gave the book four stars, and said, "An extraordinary adventure into the darkest halls of power, Menace is a confidently cool piece of Cold War sci-fi, coupled with top-secret action."

More on Marylandian

• Maryland: Meeting Notice: Urban Ag Advisory Committee to Meet on September 8
• Meeting Notice: Maryland Ag Commission to Meet on September 10
• Maryland: Meeting Notice: Governor's Intergovernmental Commission on Agriculture Committees to Meet September 4
• $5 - $20 Million in Sales for 2026; $25 - $40 Million for 2027 Projected with NASA Agreements; New MOU Signed to Improve Solar Tech in Space
• Maryland: PUBLIC NOTICE: Unscheduled Mosquito Control Activity in Anne Arundel County

And the first review on Good Reads said, "Keating at his best. Take his ability to write a great action story, mix in historical fiction, great character development and top it off with a layer of sci-fi and you have a read that is hard to put down."

Menace: An Agent Dean Cold Novel is available in paperback and for the Kindle at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH5JH5N6. And signed books are at https://raykeatingbooksandmore.com/shop/ols/products/menace.

Review copies available upon request.

Ray Keating also is the author of 19 Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, and two Alliance of Saint Michael historical fiction novels.