Walking Dead: A Novel of Suspense

In this explosive new thriller, Greg Rucka, the acclaimed author of Shooting at Midnight and Patriot Acts, sets bodyguard-turned-international-fugitive Atticus Kodiak on a one-man crusade where being willing to die for your ideals isnt enough. You have to be willing to do much worse.…

I will take your place in times of danger.

As an ex-bodyguard, Atticus Kodiak knew the sentiment well. Hed once based his career on it. Now it could cost him more than just his livelihoodmore than even his life. For as he wakes to the sound of gunfire, the nightmare is about to begin again.

Atticus knew very well that people came to a place like Kobuleti to hide. After all, thats why he and Alena Cizkova had come to the secluded Georgian town in the former U.S.S.R. But Atticus never asked his friend and neighbor Bakhar Lagidze why he was in Kobuleti or what he might be hiding from. Now its too late. Bakhar and his family have been brutally murdered, and the thuggish local police chief has declared it a murder-suicide. Everyoneeven Alenaseems satisfied to leave it at that.

Except for Atticus.

He knows what the police wont acknowledge: that one person survived the bloodbath in the Lagidze householdtheir fourteen-year-old daughter. And the nightmare shes about to experience will make her wish shed died with the rest.

To rescue her Atticus must enter a web that takes him from Russia to Istanbul, that stretches from Dubai to Las Vegas. But what troubles Atticus the most is that Alenaonce one of the worlds most dangerous assassins and a woman who fears nothingis clearly terrified of what hes uncovered. And as Atticus gets closer to learning why, the closer he gets to destroying the life they have made, and each other.

From the Hardcover edition.

Atticus Kodiak knows where people go to hide. That's why he and Alena Cizkova have come to a secluded Georgian town in the former U.S.S.R. What he doesn't know is what his friend and neighbor Bakhar Lagidze was hiding from. Bakhar and his entire family have been viciously murdered--all except for Lagidze's fourteen-year-old daughter, whose nightmare is just beginning. To rescue her, Atticus must enter a lethal web that stretches from Russia to Istanbul, from Dubai to Las Vegas, and into the very heart of evil. But what troubles Atticus the most is that Alena, once one of the world's most fearless assassins, is clearly terrified of what Atticus will uncover--and what he'll become when he does.

Atticus Kodiak knows where people go to hide. That’s why he and Alena Cizkova have come to a secluded Georgian town in the former U.S.S.R. What he doesn’t know is what his friend and neighbor Bakhar Lagidze was hiding from. Bakhar and his entire family have been viciously murdered—all except for Lagidze’s fourteen-year-old daughter, whose nightmare is just beginning. To rescue her, Atticus must enter a lethal web that stretches from Russia to Istanbul, from Dubai to Las Vegas, and into the very heart of evil. But what troubles Atticus the most is that Alena, once one of the world’s most fearless assassins, is clearly terrified of what Atticus will uncover—and what he’ll become when he does.

Greg Rucka resides with his wife and two children in Portland, Oregon, where he is at work on his next thriller, which Bantam will publish in 2010. He is the author of nine previous novels as well as numerous graphic novels, including the Eisner Award-winning Whiteout series, soon to be a motion picture starring Kate Beckinsale.

From the Hardcover edition.