Though his books are marketed as thrillers, Brad Thor essentially writes horror novels. Instead of supernatural creatures or paranormal evil, though, Thor scares the hell out of folks with queasily plausible Real World political situation often based on actual events.

His latest bestseller, "Act of War," is about a disturbing plot by a desperate Chinese government to take down America through a multiple-platform of no-rules terrorist activity. Fortunately, Thor's series hero, ex-Navy SEAL/Secret Service Scot Harvath, is around to keep the U.S. safe.

As part of the Winning Authors series at Mohegan Sun, Thor appears tonight in a Q&A session at the Cabaret Theater. Very cool: conducting the interview is none other than Mitchell Etess, CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (and thriller fan extraordinaire). A book signing follows in the Shops at Mohegan Sun.

- RICK KOSTER

Brad Thor, 7:30 tonight, Cabaret Theater, followed by book signing in The Shops at Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun; free on first come/first serve basis; Thor only signs copies of "Act of War" available for sale on-site at Spin Street; mohegansun.com.