Part of NUMA Files, book 3
First published 2003
Kurt Austin faces his deadliest mission yet when a Russian mining billionaire declares himself the new czar. The tycoon claims descent from the Romanov dynasty and commands vast wealth to fuel his ambitions. He plans to topple Russia's unstable government and seize absolute power. American interference threatens his scheme, so he devises a catastrophic distraction to cripple the United States. Austin must navigate the treacherous politics of the former Soviet Union while racing to prevent an attack on American soil. The self-proclaimed czar's resources seem limitless, his determination absolute. Austin discovers that stopping a man who believes destiny chose him for the throne requires more than skill and courage. The fate of two nations hangs in the balance as Austin confronts an enemy who will sacrifice anything to claim his imperial birthright.
Genres: adventure, action, espionage, political-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, political-intrigue
Setting: Russia, United States
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
560 pages · Paperback · G.P. Putnam's Sons