De Socio Novel Named Chanticleer’s Global Thriller of the Year

By SU Public Relations

SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Mark de Socio, professor and graduate program director of geography and geosciences in Salisbury University’s Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, was recently recognized for his novel Friendship Games by Chanticleer Reviews.

The novel was named Chanticleer’s Global Thriller of the Year and is a finalist for the Clue Book Award for Suspense/Thriller of the Year. 

De Socio incorporated his two decades of teaching, academic research and interests of world geography to create more engaging fictional stories of real-world events and topics. 

The story is a modern take on the USS Maine incident that launched the Spanish-American War in 1898; this time, it is a U.S. aircraft carrier that sinks in the Persian Gulf amid tensions with Iran and a changing world order. 

The novel also earned a Kirkus starred review and consideration for the Kirkus Prize for literary excellence. It was selected by the editors of Kirkus Reviews as one of their Best Books of the Year and earned a Bronze Medal Award from the Military Writers Society of America. 

De Socio’s previous work includes Alter Road, which explores concerns about unrest in Detroit, MI, following decades of economic decline and neglect. 

To learn more about de Socio’s work visit his website.

For more information about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours, visit the SU website.