Part of Paul Madriani, book 11
First published 2010
Paul Madriani barely survived a nuclear threat at the Coronado naval base, but federal authorities demand his silence about the California incident. The San Diego defense attorney now confronts weapons expert Joselyn Cole, who insists they must expose the truth to prevent future attacks. Their situation worsens when Madriani becomes linked to a murdered political staffer in Washington, D.C. The killer appears to be Liquida, a professional assassin known as "the Mexicutioner," who may harbor a personal vendetta against Madriani as the sole survivor from San Diego. Meanwhile, an aging radical called the Old Weatherman plans his final strike against the right-wing establishment. He has secured funding, acquired the perfect weapon, and hired a skilled operative to execute an attack at the center of the U.S. government in Washington. Madriani and Cole suspect the Old Weatherman has allied with the vengeful Liquida, threatening to plunge the nation into chaos. They race to decode "the rule of nine" before this deadly partnership can unleash terror on the capital and the country.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller, action, political-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, investigation
Setting: California, Coronado, San Diego, Washington D.C.
Period: 21st-century
400 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow
Content warnings: violence