First published 2008
Mathew Pender runs a secretive firm that handles impossible problems for powerful clients. His services sometimes include orchestrating armed conflicts between nations. When the world's biggest defense contractor approaches him with an unusual request, Pender faces his most dangerous assignment yet. The client wants him to pit two countries against each other through careful manipulation. Pender accepts the job, but the operation spirals beyond anyone's control. What begins as a calculated scheme to generate profit from conflict threatens to ignite a third world war. As events cascade across multiple continents, Pender must navigate a web of international intrigue where every move could tip the balance toward global catastrophe. The stakes climb higher with each decision, forcing him to confront the true cost of his chosen profession.
Genres: thriller, action, espionage, political-thriller
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, high-stakes
Setting: Multiple Continents
Period: Contemporary
406 pages · Hardcover · Grand Central Publishing
Content warnings: violence