Brian Dickinson has a long list of accomplishments: U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, Everest solo summiteer and bestselling author, to name a few.

Now, he’s adding novelist to that list.

Dickinson’s most recent work, “Bloodline of Redemption,” published Sept. 17. He describes the book as a “military thriller,” a novel that he says is somewhat reminiscent of a Jack Carr or Tom Clancy piece, but also stands alone.

“It completely blends military special operations on a unique level, beyond SEAL teams and different things, but like anti-submarine warfare and Russian operatives attacking on American soil and just defending on our own ground, on a very individual level,” he said. “But there’s also a very family focus of protecting a daughter and a daughter protecting a dad in the most traumatic environment in the woods in extreme conditions.”

Dickinson’s first book, “Blind Descent,” detailed his experience climbing down Mount Everest alone while experiencing snow blindness, a temporary condition that causes pain and blurry vision from too much exposure to ultraviolet light.

His second book, co-written by his wife, JoAnna Dickinson, details stories from Dickinson’s time as a U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, an experience that he credits for giving him the tools to successfully descend Mount Everest.

“I never planned to be a writer,” Dickinson said. “I just had a unique life experience and then wanted to journal it and share it … And one of the questions I get asked the most is how didn’t I panic on the summit … A lot of it came down to my military experience.”

While “Bloodline of Redemption” is a fiction piece, Dickinson said his experiences still largely influenced his writing. Packed with military realism, he says the book “borders on historical fiction, without breaching any military confidentiality.”

Despite his knowledge, Dickinson said the transition from nonfiction to fiction writing was more difficult than he predicted.

“In nonfiction, the story exists and it’s retelling it,” he said. “[Fiction] is fun because you can basically do anything you want, but to make it entertaining and readable and realistic, it’s difficult.”

Several realistic details of the book are names and places Snoqualmie Valley locals will recognize. Dickinson, who lives in Snoqualmie Ridge, mentions things like Snoqualmie Falls, Huxdotter Coffee and Burke Street (located in Snoqualmie) in his writing.

A large chunk of the book takes place at Snow Lake, Dickson said, which is located near Snoqualmie Pass.

Dickinson was inspired by his Cascade adventures when writing the book. With decades of climbing experience all over the world, he maintains that the Cascades are special.

“I’ve climbed on all the seven continents … and I can honestly say that the best mountains and the environment are right here,” he said. “It’s just the perfect backdrop for a military thriller.”

Dickinson will sign copies of “Bloodline of Redemption” and his other books at Snoqualmie Trading Company from 12-2 p.m. Sept. 20.

Image courtesy of Brian Dickinson