NY, UNITED STATES, January 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Author C.J. Heston announces the release of his debut novel, “Flashpoint Protocol.” This gripping, 265-page techno-thriller offers a harrowing glimpse into a near future where artificial intelligence is weaponized, corruption runs rampant, and lives hang in the balance.
Set in the sprawling metropolis of Empire City in 2035, “Flashpoint Protocol” reveals the dark underbelly of a world where technology holds terrifying power. At the center of the story is VANGUARD, an advanced AI firefighting system designed to predict and prevent disasters. In the wrong hands, however, VANGUARD becomes a weapon of destruction. Streets burn under a chilling conspiracy, as fires are engineered to erase neighborhoods and reshape the cityscape for sinister motives. Legendary firefighter and VANGUARD architect Captain Jack Allen must confront the system he created, now turned against the people he swore to protect. Joined by Amber Quinn, a fiercely determined data analyst, Allen ventures beyond the flames to uncover a twisted web of political corruption, profit-driven tech elites, and mercenaries who mask power grabs as progress.
C.J. Heston brings unparalleled authenticity to his debut novel, drawing from 28 years of experience serving in one of America’s busiest fire departments and an additional nine years in the volunteer ranks. Having experienced some of the fire service’s toughest challenges, Heston offers an up-close perspective into the courage, sacrifice, and moral dilemmas faced by first responders every day. These real-life experiences underpin “Flashpoint Protocol,” adding a layer of grit and emotional depth that sets this novel apart.
“What excites me most is the unsettling sense of plausibility readers feel,” says Heston. “The book’s technology and AI systems aren’t far-fetched. They make you question how close we are to letting greed and unchecked power manipulate us on a massive scale.”
Crossing genres between techno-thriller and political suspense, “Flashpoint Protocol” will appeal to fans of Tom Clancy, “Backdraft,” and “The Wire.” Fast-paced, intelligent, and disturbingly plausible, the novel serves as both a page-turning action story and a cautionary tale about unchecked advancements in AI, including its catastrophic potential when combined with political greed.
“Flashpoint Protocol” is the first in a planned five-book series, delivering cinematic storytelling poised to translate seamlessly to television or film. With its complex characters, relentless pace, and shocking revelations, the novel promises readers a thrilling ride while spotlighting the dangerous intersection of technology and human ambition.
For more about C.J. Heston and his upcoming releases, visit the author’s Instagram.
“Flashpoint Protocol” (ISBN: 9781969572333) can be purchased through retailers worldwide, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The paperback retails for $17.99, and the ebook retails for $5.99. Review copies and interviews with the author are available upon request.
From the Back Cover:
In 2035, Empire City stands as the largest metropolis on Earth, a city of glass towers and digital firewalls. But beneath its skyline of progress, corruption burns hotter than any blaze.
When a series of devastating fires occurs, the smoke carries more than chaos; it whispers of calculation. At the heart of the conspiracy is VANGUARD, an AI-driven firefighting system designed to predict and prevent catastrophe. Instead, it has become a weapon. Manipulated by powerful interests to ignite chaos, erase neighborhoods, and reshape the city for profit.
Caught in the inferno is Captain Jack Allen, a decorated Fire Department veteran and designer of the very system now turned against the city he swore an oath to protect. Haunted by loss and bound by duty, Jack must lead his team and the brilliant data analyst Amber Quinn into the flames of conspiracy. From fire scenes to boardrooms, Jack uncovers a sinister web of politicians, technocrats, and mercenaries willing to sacrifice the people for control.
As AI drones darken the skies and predictive algorithms dictate life or death, Jack faces the ultimate question: what happens when the very technology meant to save humanity becomes the spark of its destruction?
About the Author:
C.J. Heston is the pen name of a veteran firefighter who spent almost three decades on the front lines of America’s busiest fire department. His journey began in the volunteer ranks, where he spent nine years learning the craft, the culture, and the brotherhood of firefighting. He later served for 28 years as a professional firefighter, rising through the ranks while battling fires, responding to emergencies, and carrying the weight of leadership in moments when every second mattered.
His career was defined by people: the ones he served with, the ones he watched over, and the ones he couldn’t save. Those relationships form the backbone of his writing: the courage and sacrifice of public servants, the human cost of disaster, and the relentless resilience required to face danger day after day.
C.J. Heston lives in New York with his wife and two children.
About Manhattan Book Group:
Manhattan Book Group (“MBG”), located on Broadway in New York City, is a registered trade name of Mindstir Media LLC. MBG is widely known as a premier hybrid book publisher. We have combined the best of traditional publishing with the best of self-publishing to provide authors with the “best of both worlds” in a sense. To learn more about MBG, visit https://www.manhattanbookgroup.com/
Michelle VanSledright
Manhattan Book Group
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