Laurie DeWitt/The Gazette
David Brown has written "Operation Red Herring," a thriller set partly in Union Station.
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David Brown's friends tell him he has a vivid imagination. At age 82, the North Bethesda author shows no sign that his creativity is dwindling.
He has written six books and has two more in the works. His latest, "Operation Red Herring," is a thriller that focuses on an assassination attempt by two foreign mafia groups.
"Writing and researching books keeps my mind active," Brown says.
"Operation Red Herring" tells the story of a joint scheme by the Italian and Russian mafias to assassinate a top U.S. official during the 100th anniversary celebration of Union Station in the fall of 2007. The groups plan to bypass security by using a secret underground tunnel between the Government Printing Office and Union Station.
A Middle East terrorist group gets wind of the assassination plot and decides to take advantage of the situation to show they could blow up Union Station if they wanted.
"Basically, I wanted to mock what passes for homeland security these days," he says.
The book intertwines fact and fiction. Its surprise ending, Brown says, is reminiscent of the style of American short story writer O. Henry.
Brown, a World War II veteran, spent 15 years as a newspaper reporter in Ohio before becoming a public information officer for several government agencies, including the Government Printing Office. He is a retired Army Reserve officer and a former public information officer for the Federal Aviation Administration. His experience in both jobs, he says, helped him develop the plot and the characters for this book.
Brown learned of the secret underground tunnel he uses in his book while working at the Government Printing Office. Brown says the tunnel still exists, though it is sealed off.
Brown earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1950, and then a master's degree in public relations 30 years later. He has lived in Montgomery County since 1967.
Although he didn't start writing books until he was 69 and retired, Brown says he always liked to write.
"Operation Red Herring" is published on demand. He self-published because he had no luck with standard publishers and agents.
His first book, "I Would Rather Be Audited by the IRS than Give a Speech," is a non-fiction self-help piece that talks about his own successes and failures in public speaking. The idea for that book came from his annoyance with ineffective public speakers and a desire to get to the heart of what causes public speaking anxiety.
Brown has begun research on two more books, and has an idea for a third. It would seem retirement for him does not mean slowing down, or, for that matter, growing old.
"My wife says I am immature for my age," he says. "Having been an obit writer at one time, I now check out the obits each morning," he says. "If I am not listed, I will have a good day."
"Operation Red Herring" can be purchased online at www.authorhouse.com or by calling 1-888-280-7715.
