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Before AI-generated deepfakes dominated headlines . . .
Before cyberattacks became daily news . . .
GRIDLOCK imagined a future where technology itself becomes the weapon.
When a devastating attack turns Southern California's intelligent transportation network into a killing machine, civil engineer Jake Bendel becomes the prime suspect.
Hunted by federal agents and vilified by the media, Jake must uncover the conspiracy beore another attack kills thousands more.
Perfect for fans of:
The future was designed to save lives.
Someone turned it into a weapon.
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THE STORY
BOOK DETAILS
THE THREAT
THE PLAN
THE MAN WHO MUST STOP IT
A coordinated drone strike throws America into chaos.
This isn't terrorism. It's strategy.
Behind it is Tracy Ciacchella, leader of New3— a shadow network accelerating the fall of U.S. Dominance with a simple plan:
1. Kill the President. 2. Cripple the power grid. 3. Plunge the nation into darkness and attack.
Civil engineer Jake Bendel helped build the grid. Now it's been weaponized.
As blackouts spread, Jake teams with FBI Agent Kristi Konnors to stop a cascading collapse, only to uncover a conspiracy that could hand America to its enemies. Then it turns personal. His wife— presumed dead— may be alive inside the very organization behind it all.
Time is running short. Because when the lights go out . . . the invasion begins.
Title: Blackout
Author: J. Luke Bennecke
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 398
ISBN: 979-8-9905273-7-9
Publisher: Jaytech Publishing
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Language: English
BOOK THREE IN THE JAKE BENDEL SERIES
At the core of each Jake Bendel book
is a real-world problem.
I've tried to weave in one possible
engineering solution to each of these
three problems, while presenting a
thrilling tale that takes my readers on
an extraordinary adventure!
J. LUKE BENNECKE
#1 AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR
J. LUKE BENNECKE
As Copyright â’¸ 2026 by J. Luke Bennecke and Jaytech Publishing
All Righs Reserved.
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The President is dead.
The grid is next.
The man who built it must stop it
before the country goes dark.
DAVID BALDACCI | TOM CLANCY | MARK GREANEY | BRAD THOR
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
"One of the most realistic techno-thrillers I've read."
As an engineer, I was blown away by how authentic the technology and scenarios felt. Terrifying because it could happen.
-Amazon Reviewer
"I couldn't put it down."
Fast-paced, suspenseful, and incredibly well researched. Jake Bendel is a character I won't forget.
- Goodreads Reviewer
"A high-stakes thriller that hits way too close to home."
-Amazon Reviewer
Brilliant transportation engineer.
Creator of a revolutionary autonomous vehicle network.
Brilliant civil engineer
Wrongfully accused
Hunted as the prime suspect
Determined to stop the next attack
America's most wanted fugitive.
The same intelligent transportation technology he helped create has been weaponized against the public. Now he must expose the truth before millions become the next target.
35-Year Civil Engineer
California Professional Engineer
Former Caltrans Engineer
Transportation Infrastructure Expert
Expert Witness
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author
For more than three decades, J. Luke Bennecke helped design transportation systems throughout California. GRIDLOCK draws upon that experience to create a terryfingly realistic thriller where the very infrastructure meant to protect society becomes its greatest threat.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J. LUKE BENNECKE
THE MAN THEY BLAME FOR EVERYTHING
READ NOW
Limited first print run
Early access before public release
AMAZON
#1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR
J. LUKE BENNECKE
OVER 100,000 COPIES SOLD
ACROSS THE JAKE BENDEL SERIES
17 AUTHOR
AWARDS RECEIVED
HUNDREDS OF
5-STAR REVIEWS
GLOBAL THRILLER SERIES
thrillers read by
readers around
the world
STILL NOT SURE?
See why more than 200 Amazon readers rated GRIDLOCK 4.3 stars.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE
HACKS AMERICA'S ROADS?
200+ Amazon Ratings
158 Goodreads Ratings
THOUSANDS
ARE DEAD
THE NATION BLAMES
THE ENGINEER
WHO BUILT IT
THE NEXT ATTACK
COULD DESTROY
THE COUNTRY
A THRILLER THAT FEELS TOO REAL
A cyberattack. A paralyzed nation.
When America's intelligent transportation network becomes a weapon, engineer Jake Bendel must stop the next attack before thousands more die.
Perfect for fans of Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney, and Brad Thor.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
MEET JAKE BENDEL
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OTHER FORMATS
America's most wanted fugitive.
America's most wanted fugitive.
Wrongfully accused terrorist
J. LUKE BENNECKE