by Ann Maxwell
First published 2010
Emma Cross believed her days of blood and betrayal ended when she left the CIA for St. Kilda, an elite security consulting firm. She traded espionage for yacht theft investigations, but the danger followed her. Now those same survival instincts that made her a liability at the agency might save her life. St. Kilda assigns Emma to locate the Blackbird, a yacht that matches another vessel that vanished between Vladivostok and Portland twelve months ago. Emma knows the ship carries lethal cargo but must determine whether the threat is biological, chemical, or nuclear. She has one week to crack the case. If she fails, a major American city faces destruction. The clock counts down as Emma races against time, drawing on her intelligence training to prevent catastrophe. Her paranoia becomes an asset as she navigates deadly waters where her past and present collide.
Genres: adventure, suspense, mystery, thriller, action, espionage
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, paranoia, race-against-time
Setting: Portland, St. Kilda, Vladivostok
392 pages · Hardcover · Avon