Yemen-set political thriller draws on author’s years of US Navy service in the Middle East; publication scheduled for spring 2027 under the Histria Fiction imprint.
NEW YORK — Histria Books, an independent US publisher distributed by Simon & Schuster, has signed former US Navy Commander Ron Terrell for his debut novel, The Last Cocktail in Yemen. The book is the first installment in a planned trilogy and will publish in spring 2027 under the Histria Fiction imprint.
Set in Yemen during the rise of the Houthi movement, the novel follows Jack Marshall, a US Navy officer stationed in Sana’a, and Nur al-Sayed, an Egyptian journalist, whose relationship unfolds amid political turmoil and personal danger. Terrell draws on years of firsthand experience in Yemen and the Middle East region.
“Ron Terrell brings to the thriller shelf what most novelists have to research from a distance: actual experience on the ground in the country the book is set in. That shows on every page.” — Dr. Kurt Brackob, Director, Histria Books
A Foreign Area Officer specializing in the Middle East and Arabic language, Terrell retired from the Navy at the rank of commander. Originally trained as a civil engineer at Purdue University, he later earned a master’s degree in security studies from the US Naval War College, pursued advanced Middle East regional studies at the US Naval Postgraduate School, and studied Arabic at the Defense Language Institute.
He served across the Middle East, including an assignment with US Naval Forces Central Command, where he led maritime engagement with Yemeni and Omani naval forces. He lived in Bahrain during the Arab Spring and traveled frequently to Yemen during the rise of the Houthi movement, working alongside local naval forces and, at times, US special forces.
“I wanted to write the Yemen I knew, not the Yemen of the headlines. Everything Jack and Nur live through was inspired by something I saw or someone I met.”
— Ron Terrell
Now living in Puerto Rico, Terrell spends his time writing, diving, and enjoying family and coastal life. He is currently writing the second volume of the trilogy.
Firehouse Communications & Partners is the originating agency and publicist for Ron Terrell and The Last Cocktail in Yemen.
About Histria Books
Histria Books is an independent US publisher with twelve imprints spanning literary and commercial fiction, children’s, academic, romance, science fiction and fantasy, young adult, Christian, classics, and nonfiction, including the Center for Romanian Studies. Histria Books is distributed by Simon & Schuster. Learn more at histriabooks.com.
About Firehouse Communications & Partners
Firehouse is a leading independent reputation management and publicity firm with a track record of bringing first time authors to market.
Its principal, Simon Fowler is also a leading adviser to governments and global corporates.
Author website: ronterrell.com
MEDIA CONTACTS
Histria Books
Diana Livesay
Publicity
diana@histriabooks.com
Firehouse Communications & Partners
Simon Fowler
Publicist
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+44 7717 393772
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