First published 2009
Naples, 1749. The Marquis de Montferrat flees through dark streets clutching a book adorned with a serpent. His pursuers will kill for this tome that brings death yet holds life's ultimate secret. The Marquis escapes, and his treasure vanishes for centuries. Beirut, 2006. A mysterious codex surfaces, triggering worldwide intelligence alerts. CIA agent Corben knows this discovery could reshape human existence. Genetic researcher Mia joins the hunt as competing forces converge on the ancient manuscript. They race against time and ruthless adversaries who will stop at nothing to claim the book's power. The serpent-marked volume contains knowledge that could grant immortality itself. But such power in hostile hands threatens catastrophe on a global scale. Corben and Mia must decode centuries-old secrets while staying one step ahead of enemies who view human life as expendable. The fate of humanity hangs on whether they can secure the book before it falls into the wrong grasp.
Genres: science-fiction, historical-fiction, adventure, mystery, thriller, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, global-stakes, race-against-time
Setting: Beirut, Naples
Period: 1749, 2006
592 pages · Paperback · Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag