Part of Gideon Oliver, book 1
First published 1989
Professor Gideon Oliver arrives at Heidelberg University as the new visiting fellow, ready to focus on his anthropological research. The fact that his two predecessors died under suspicious circumstances doesn't dampen his enthusiasm for the position. Oliver expects a peaceful academic sabbatical in Germany, but his scholarly retreat quickly transforms into a deadly pursuit across Europe. He finds himself thrust into a dangerous world of espionage and murder, where he becomes the primary target in a lethal game he never signed up to play. Oliver must rely on his sharp intellect and academic training to navigate threats he barely understands. The rules remain unclear, the enemies invisible, and the consequences severe. As the chase intensifies, Oliver realizes the stakes extend far beyond his personal survival. The security of Western Europe hangs in the balance, and somehow this mild-mannered professor holds the key to preventing disaster.
Genres: adventure, mystery, crime, thriller, espionage, academic
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, reluctant-hero
Setting: Europe, Germany, Heidelberg University
Period: 20th-century
211 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Warner Books