In "The Second Pearl," Mike Bentley delivers a gripping military thriller that propels readers into a terrifying near-future conflict between the United States and China. When American intelligence agent Jennifer Duncan discovers a massive secret Chinese military operation inside a mountain cavern, she sets in motion a chain of events that will reshape the global order.

As China faces dwindling resources and an environmental crisis threatening starvation for millions, its leadership launches "Operation Unity" – a daring plan to seize control of the Western Pacific using a fleet of disguised container ships carrying tanks, troops, and devastating drone technology. When these "Dragons" simultaneously attack ports across the Pacific Rim, from San Diego to Sydney, the world is caught completely unprepared.

With U.S. carriers sinking, Taiwan under assault, and Chinese forces storming ashore in Vietnam, Korea, and the Philippines, President Spencer Stilwell faces impossible choices. His only hope lies with a desperate mission led by Tim Duncan to kidnap Chinese leadership and force a ceasefire before nuclear options are considered.

Meticulously researched and terrifyingly plausible, Bentley crafts a pulse-pounding tale of espionage, sacrifice, and modern warfare that serves as both thrilling entertainment and sobering warning. "The Second Pearl" examines the fragile balance of international power and what happens when a nation crosses the line from competition to conflict.

If you enjoyed "Ghost Fleet," "Red Storm Rising," and "2034: A Novel of the Next World War," you'll love "The Second Pearl."