The Preserve: A Novel
ACTION ADVENTURE CRIME DRAMA MYSTERY SUSPENSE/THRILLER HISTORICAL FICTION WAR
1940s & '50s
Steve Anderson
Logline
The US Territory of Hawaii, 1948: A WWII veteran turned deserter seeks a cure to his combat fatigue (PTSD) at a mysterious facility called the Preserve, but his handlers aim to turn him into a vile assassin for a deadly plot that runs all the way to General MacArthur.
Genre
Action,Adventure,Crime,Drama,Mystery,Suspense/Thriller,Historical Fiction,War
Short Summary
Wendell Lett, a WWII hero turned deserter on the lam, reports to a secret base for a cure to his severe “combat fatigue” (PTSD). Lett will do anything to rid himself of his nightmares and violent episodes. And he thinks he’s cut a good deal: he won't be tried for desertion if he takes the treatment.
After narrowly fleeing the Preserve with his fellow resister Kanani, Lett finds safe haven in a remote rainforest valley on Hawaii. Here, Lett learns that Kanani and her confidante Miss Mae intend to repay his allegiance to them by funding his secret passage back to his wife and boy in Belgium.
Setting
Hawaii, The Philippines, Belgium (backstory only)
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Voyage and Return,Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Language/Profanity
Main Character Details
Name: Wendell Lett
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Complex,Desperate,Empathetic,Honorable,Underdog,Lone Wolf,Secretive,Skillful,Selfless,Modest,Faithful
Additional Character Details
Name: Kanani Alana
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Badass,Charming,Confident,Criminal,Desperate,Decisive,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Flexible,Greedy,Lone Wolf,Manipulative,Seductive,Secretive,Sarcastic,Blunt,Sexy,Underdog
Additional Character Details
Name: Lansdale
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aggressive,Skillful,Blunt,Patriotic,Aspiring,Criminal,Confident,Manipulative,Unapologetic,Seductive,Secretive,Power Hungry,Narcisstic,Villainous,Decisive,Greedy
Additional Character Details
Name: Charles Selfer
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Role: tempter
Key Traits: Aspiring,Charming,Confident,Gracious,Educated,Insecure,Narcisstic,Skillful,Secretive,Manipulative,Unapologetic,Engaging,Empathetic,Faithful,Naive,Power Hungry
Development Pitch
The US Territory of Hawaii, 1948: Troubled WWII hero turned deserter Wendell Lett is desperately seeking a cure to his severe combat trauma, and a secret facility called The Preserve seems to be his salvation. Together with Kanani Alana, a tough-minded Hawaiian also looking for a new start at The Preserve, Lett begins to feel hopeful. Lett’s illusions are soon shattered when he discovers The Preserve’s true intentions—to rebuild him into a cold-blooded assassin. The deadly conspiracy runs deep, all the way to General Douglas MacArthur, and Lett’s refusal to cooperate is met with merciless punishment. His only hope is Kanani and her dangerous escape plan—if they can survive the harsh wilderness of the Big Island. The Preserve is based on true events surrounding the “Yamashita’s Gold” conspiracy. It also exists in a world all its own. It takes place after the actual war and in a unique and exotic setting. As such, it could be shot around a single Hawaii location, including the scenes in the Philippines. The story works well as a film but also as one season of a TV series. My other book featuring main character Wendell Lett, Under False Flags, could serve as a second or first season. Wendell Lett is an intriguing character for any actor. As Publisher’s Weekly noted in their review, "Readers will root for Wendell, with his unrelenting demons, as he soldiers on, fighting for his sanity and his life."