BOOK GIVEAWAY: Howard Gordon's debut novel, 'Gideon's War'

Today is the release date of Howard Gordon's debut novel, the thriller "Gideon's War" (Touchstone Hardcover/Simon & Schuster, $24.99, 320 pp.).

In honor of the author's first published novel, and the fact that his publicist sent me a fresh copy, I'm giving away a free brand-new hardcover copy to the first person who comments on this blog.

Gordon is the executive producer of television's "24" as well as upcoming TV thrillers "Homeland," on Showtime, and "Legends" set for NBC.

According to his publicist, Gordon has more than 20 years of experience in successful franchises like "24," "The X-Files," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," and "Angel." Incidentally, Gordon's first television work included ABC's "Spenser for Hire" and "Beauty and the Beast."

Actor Kiefer Sutherland, with whom Gordon worked on "24" says “True to form of my eight-year experience with Howard Gordon on 24, 'Gideon's War' is a rip-roaring thriller.”

The plot of the book is described as such:

Gideon Davis, an American peacemaker, knows more about hush-hush discussions in Capitol corridors than hand-to-hand combat. But his more practical, tactical skills come into play when he’s called on by family friend and government bigwig Earl Parker to chaperone a rogue agent from Southeast Asia to Washington, D.C. The agent, Tillman Davis, has promised to turn himself in — but only to his estranged brother, Gideon.

Unexpected twists and turns send the mission awry, leaving Gideon, with the help of the attractive, cunning Kate Murphy, to evade hostile local insurgents led by Tillman in this page-turner that will surely keep you guessing.

Alex Berenson, New York Times bestselling author of "The Midnight House", said in promotional materials, “Howard Gordon, the man behind '24,' makes the transition from screen writer to novelist look easy with his ahead-of-the-curve thriller.”

Click here to read a Jan. 7 article, "Howard Gordon inks alter ego to Jack Bauer" on Newsday.com

According to a Jan. 7 posting on the blog 24 Spoilers:

Gordon, 49, began writing this thriller during the 2007 writers’ strike. "Gordon had time on his hands, and had dreamed of writing novels since graduating Princeton," states the blog.

The blog continues that the "particularly well-written page-turner about two brothers – one supremely good, the other not – whose lives were forged by the horror of their parents’ murder-suicide. And here’s the kicker: Gideon Davis is the anti-Jack Bauer, a pacifist who can’t even look at guns. A sequel, 'Allegiance,' is due to come out next year."

Here's an excerpt.