New Novel Explores Implications of a Drought Catastrophe

Arnprior, Ontario, June 4, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​​​After reading Marq de Villiers' book, "Water," author Neil Hamilton decided to create a scenario about the dangerous possibilities of declining water resources in the American Southwest. From that beginning, the story evolved into a "sinister plot by a ruthless international mogul."

Born in Cornwall, Ontario, now living in McNab-Braeside in the Ottawa Valley, Hamilton served in the RCAF in the early 1960's, taught physics at Algonquin College in Ottawa and remains an active private pilot. In the early 1990's, he collaborated with the Honorable Virgil P. Moshansky (Commissary of Inquirer of the Dryden Air Ontario Aircraft Crash), to institute a number of Aviation Human Factor courses for Canadian Airline and Military aircrews.

"A real page turner: fast-paced and timely story."

Norma, Wheeler

"Watershed" is a tale of intrigue, greed and revenge set against the looming water shortage in the American Southwest. The story is international in scope, framed against events foreshadowing a potentially vast drought catastrophe. Watershed makes it clear how easily such a calamity could happen.  The novel draws the reader into a furious, shadowy duel between a dedicated group of private citizens and a cunning, vengeful, international mogul.  A hydrology engineer is killed in an airplane crash. Officially an accident. Unofficially it's murder. Matt MacLeod, a friend of the victim, is summoned to assist in a secret investigation of his murder. He uncovers a ruthless international industrialist to hold the continent's water resources to ransom and trigger a perilous clash between the US and Canada.

The author says that it took him (on and off) five to six years to complete the novel, but he especially enjoyed the research involved.  "A sequel is in the works. It starts where Watershed ended," says Hamilton.

One of the book's many settings is Canada's capital, so local readers may find that intriguing as the author uses downtown Ottawa landmarks in his descriptions.

Reviews for "Watershed" have been overwhelmingly positive. Amazon reviewer Ted Smethurst writes that Watershed is "a real page turner, bursting with intrigue. I can't wait to read Mr. Hamilton's next novel. A master of suspense and intrigue."

Reviewers have called the book "provocative," and "timely."

Hamilton will be selling and signing copies of his book at the Arnprior Public Library, 21 Madawaska St, Arnprior, Ontario on Saturday, June 13 from one p.m. to three p.m.  The book is available online via Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

Contact Information:

Neil Hamilton
1198 Robertson Line
Arnprior, Ontario
K7S 3G9
[email protected]
613-701-3742