I'm excited to introduce a title that will add a burst of excitement to your summer reading list. Under Cover of Chaos is a debut thriller by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic that delivers gripping suspense, a strong female lead, exotic locales and a brutal question: What happens when one of the world’s most powerful institutions is the perfect place to hide a killer? Join us as we celebrate the launch with an author interview and book giveaway.
But first, more about the book:
“… a fast-paced thriller that plunges the reader into the morally complex world of a UN humanitarian mission in Bangui...a must-read for fans of thrillers with high-stakes political undertones.”
–Kim McCollum, author of What Happens in Montana and Harriet Hates Lemonade
A serial killer hides behind an untouchable global institution. A broken system fails the victims. One woman vows to uncover the truth.
When young women are found dead in the capital of the Central African Republic, United Nations official Stella Fairmont is reminded of the unsolved disappearance of a friend. As she investigates, she uncovers what may be a chilling pattern: similar deaths in another UN location.
The deeper she digs, the more twisted the view becomes and Stella finds herself up against a system built on compromise, in which accountability is often an illusion. When the truth gets blurred and personal histories can be hidden, the only way to survive is to trust her instincts. But as friendships run thin and time runs out, she must navigate a minefield of lies, moral complexity, and buried secrets — all while trying to stay ahead of someone who would kill to keep the truth hidden.
Publisher: Black Rose Writing (June 18, 2026)
AISN: B0GSWB8XR7
AISN: B0GSWB8XR7
ISBN-10: 1685137598
ISBN-13: 978-1685137595
Print length: 262 pages
Purchase your copy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop. You'll also want to add it to your Goodreads reading list.
About the Sisters behind Under Cover of Chaos
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| Liz Wanic |
Liz Wanic worked for the United Nations for almost a decade in New York and in multiple field missions, including Syria, Mali and the Central African Republic before moving into cybersecurity. Her experiences have given her a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of the inner workings of power in complex situations.
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| Rebekah Wanic |
Rebekah Wanic, Liz's twin sister, is a social psychologist, university professor and mindset coach. She focuses on the intricacies of the human condition and the complications of balancing competing demands.
Find the author at:
Website: www.lizwanicauthor.com and www.sistersliterature.com
Instagram: @lizwanicauthor
--Interview by Jodi M. Webb
WOW: What made you decide to write Under Cover of Chaos? Have you always been a writer?
Liz: I’ve been starting and stopping stories since as far back as I can remember. I always wanted to be an author, but until Under Cover of Chaos, I never felt strongly enough about a story to pull it across the finish line.
Don’t get me wrong, it was still a slog to get this book from inception to completion, but a large part of the difficulty was trying to learn the industry while working on the writing and doing my regular day job. I guess in this case, I just liked Stella and her story enough to stick with it – and working with my sister was a huge help as well.
WOW: What roles did you and your sister play in bringing Under Cover of Chaos to life? Were you both writers, one writer and one editor, or something in between?
Liz: I was the main writer and my sister was a fantastic editor. And in the planning phases, she helped me think through the plot and characters.
WOW: What is the biggest advantage (or disadvantage) to having someone you have literally known your entire life as your writing partner?
Liz: Biggest advantage – she gets things quickly without me having to over-explain. Biggest disadvantage – sometimes we both get things that don’t make sense to anyone else.
WOW: How do you feel that collaboration can improve writing?
Liz: I think most writers have experienced the benefits of working with their editors, beta readers, writing groups, and the like. I remember reading about how Harper Lee went back and forth with her editor for years before we got To Kill A Mockingbird, and I’d expect that collaboration played a huge role in most, if not all, of the books we love.
WOW: P.D. James said the “all fiction is largely autobiographical.” So tell us, does Under Cover of Chaos have a thread of autobiography in it?
Liz: Under Cover of Chaos draws hugely from my life and experiences. Without working for the UN or living in Bangui, there is no way I would have been able to create this story. But it’s definitely a fictionalized account with invented characters, and, as far as I know, there is no real life King.
WOW: That's a relief! I hate to think of a serial killer hiding behind diplomacy in nations around the world. Now, let's head back home. If we were to walk into your writing space what would we see?
Liz: Things I need when writing: a window; some tea, water or coffee depending on the time of day; a comfy place to sit. Things I prefer to have as well: classical music; sunlight; no one around.
WOW: Are you a planner or a pantser? I imagine with a thriller there has to be some major planning involved to make all the pieces fit as well as keep up the suspense.
Liz: I’m definitely a planner, but the plans often change as I go. Sometimes I’ll realize that the reader needs to know something earlier or that they are learning it too soon and that requires moving events around or changing when and how clues show up. Sometimes part of the plan happens more quickly or takes longer once it’s on paper than when I first imagined it. Then I have to rearrange chapters or add scenes to grow the tension. There are also times when a character gets more or less page time than originally planned, or they might get eliminated altogether. So I guess my process is, start with a plan and fix it as I write.
WOW: You’ve admitted that you aren’t very active on social media. Do you find that a challenge in today’s world? Have you decided to avoid the lure of social media or are you ramping up your online presence?
Liz: I cringe when agents and editors ask, “how active are you on social media?” I’m not at all active on social media, and I’d rather keep it that way. However, I understand how it’s a great way to connect with readers, so I’m trying to make a go of it with Instagram and I have a Facebook author page. I doubt I’ll ever put out an excess of content, but I’m very open to doing in-person or virtual events as I love direct connections.
WOW: And thanks for the direct connection you're making with all our WOW readers today. What’s up next for you? Another adventure for Stella or something new?
Liz: Next up – I have a short story, The Assembly, coming out in November 2026 as part of an anthology from Blackstone Publishing called Shadow Labs, Vol III. I’m really excited about the story and am working on turning it into a full length novel. My sister and I are also working on the second book in the Stella series. Hopefully, we can get it ready to go soon!
WOW: And we'll be here anxiously awaiting the release. Thanks for sharing a bit about your writing life today.
--Blog Tour Calendar
July 27th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic. Read an interview with the author and enter to win!
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.comJuly 28th @ A Wonderful World of Words
The writing life can be complicated. Liz Wanic shares what it's like when your writing partner is also your twin.
July 29th @ Chapter Break
Novelist Liz Wanic shares the books every thriller lover should read.
https://chapterbreak.net/July 31st @ Silver's Reviews
Want a new author for a new month? Check out Under Cover of Chaos, a debut thriller by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.
August 3rd @ What Is That Book About
Today's spotlight is on Under Cover of Chaos, an international thriller by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.
August 4th @ Words by Webb
Jodi reviews a summer read packed with action: Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.
August 6th @ The Faerie Review
Ready to discover a new author? Learn more about Liz Wanic and her thriller Under Cover of Chaos.
August 8th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Don't miss today's interview with Liz Wanic, author of the exotic thriller Under Cover of Chaos.
August 11th @ Words by Webb
Celebrate the thriller Under Cover of Chaos with a post about living off the beaten path.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blogAugust 13th @ Knotty Needle
Read a review of the global thriller Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.
August 14th @ A Storybook World
Ready to navigate lies and secrets to uncover a serial killer? Read more about Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.
August 16th @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
Avid Reader shares her opinion of a new novel: Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.
August 17th @ StoreyBook Reviews
In today's guest post, novelist Liz Wanic answers the question: When Did My Life Become Fiction?
August 20th @ Knotty Needle
Novelist Liz Wanic is sharing stories of her Life as a Ex-Pat, an experience that helped when writing her debut thriller Under Cover of Chaos.
August 21st @ Boys' Mom Reads!
We've got another must read for your TBR list. Check out Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.
***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****
Enter to win Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic. Fill out the form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends August 9th at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day and follow up via email. Good luck!
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