Part of Paul Madriani, book 10
First published 2009
A woman creeps through a darkened San Diego beach house, waiting for the perfect moment to escape unnoticed. Outside, a man watches the same mansion, planning his violent entry. Defense attorney Paul Madriani takes on what seems like a simple case when he agrees to represent Katia, accused of an improbable crime. The trial quickly reveals something far more dangerous than a failed robbery. Madriani's investigation pulls him from Southern California to Costa Rica as he uncovers a conspiracy decades in the making. Gold coins, an elderly American operative, a bitter Russian soldier, and a forgotten weapon from the Cuban Missile Crisis all connect to his client's case. Working alongside partner Harry Hinds, Madriani follows each thread of the plot back to its source. His search leads him to a figure known as "The Guardian of Lies," the one person who can unlock the truth. Madriani faces his most perilous case yet as Cold War secrets threaten to destroy everyone involved.
Genres: crime, action, mystery-thriller, legal-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, investigation
Setting: San Diego, Costa Rica
Period: Cold War
438 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow