WILLIAMSBURG — Local author Richard Timberlake will be at two upcoming book signing events for his new novel “Opposite of Collision,” a tale of espionage, resilience, and unlikely bonds.
Informed by 35 years of CIA experience, Timberlake’s book follows Randall Betts, a former Marine-turned-CIA operative who is driven by a haunting past event as he navigates a treacherous path of loyalty and deceit, and Munir Afridi, a young man from a remote Pakistani village thrust into the turbulent world of Islamic militancy. Together, each sees the lines blur between ideals, beliefs, allies, and enemies through their individual journeys — all taking place in the world of 1990s counter-terrorism.
“The thing that I’ve woven into [the story] is actual facts and dates about terrorist attacks that had taken place in that period,” Timberlake explained. Examples include the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, and the 1996 Khobar Tower housing complex bombing in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
“I’ve woven those [events] in the story so that it helps make the story that much more believable about what this terrorist group is plotting,” he continued.
Timberlake says a fascination with movies and a desire to be a director motivated him to write a screenplay after his time with the CIA. After considering the story and its intricacies, he decided to make it into a novel instead. He is currently working on a sequel.
A signing for the book will take place on May 5 at Barnes & Noble, followed by another at Turn the Page Bookshop on June 16 for Father’s Day. Both signings will be from noon to 4 p.m. In addition, Timberlake donated a signed copy of the novel to the Williamsburg Regional Library.
The book can be purchased online.
