Part of Isaac Bell, book 5
First published 2012
Isaac Bell manages to save two European scientists from kidnappers aboard the ocean liner Mauretania, but his victory proves temporary. The attackers strike again, killing one of the scientists and making off with their cargo. Bell discovers the stolen item will transform both commerce and entertainment. The theft carries darker implications as Europe edges toward war. A German espionage operative recognizes the invention's military potential and moves to secure it for the Kaiser's forces. Bell must identify this enemy agent and uncover his plans before the technology falls into the wrong hands. Time works against the Van Dorn Detective Agency's chief investigator as he pursues leads across continents. The stakes extend far beyond a simple theft case, threatening to shift the balance of global power.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, mystery, thriller, action, espionage
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, race-against-time
Setting: Europe, Mauretania
Period: World War I
408 pages · Hardcover · Putnam Adult