by David Weber
First published 2009
Anton Zilwicki and the Havenite secret agent Victor Cachat embark on a perilous investigation into a series of mysterious killings. The assassins have targeted both the Star Empire of Manticore and the recently freed slave world of Torch. Most observers blame the Republic of Haven for the attacks, but Zilwicki and Cachat believe someone else pulls the strings. Queen Berry of Torch narrowly escaped becoming another victim. Jeremy X, the former Ballroom terrorist leader turned government official, calls in old debts to protect the young queen. A Beowulf security officer arrives to guard Berry, but faces two problems: the queen despises bodyguards, and he finds himself drawn to her personally. As the investigation deepens, the slavemasters of Mesa continue their schemes against Manticore and Torch. Meanwhile, competing factions within the Solarian League position themselves for an expected crisis that could destroy the League entirely. The mystery threatens to ignite conflicts across multiple star systems.
Genres: science-fiction, military-fiction, adventure, action, espionage, alternate-history
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, investigation
Setting: Beowulf, Manticore, Mesa, Solarian League, Torch
Period: Future
602 pages · Hardcover · Baen