The spellbinding story of an American lawyer who takes on a nearly impossible casethe defense of an African freedom fighter against his corrupt governments charge of murder

Damon Pierces life has just reached a defining moment: a gifted California lawyer, hes being divorced by his wife and his work often seems soulless. Then he receives a frantic e-mail from Marissa Brand Okaria woman he loved years agoand decides to risk everything to respond to her plea for help.

Marissas husband, Bobby Okari, is the charismatic leader of a freedom movement in the volatile west African nation of Luandia, which is being torn apart by the worlds craving for its vast supply of oil. Bobbys outspoken opposition to the exploitation of his homeland by PetroGlobala giant American oil company with close ties to Luandias brutal governmenthas enraged General Savior Karama, the countrys autocratic ruler. After Bobby leads a protest rally during a full eclipse of the sun, everyone in his home village is massacred by government troops. And now Bobby has been arrested and charged with the murder of three PetroGlobal workers. Still drawn to Marissa, Pierce agrees to defend Bobby, hoping to save both Bobby and Marissa from almost certain death.  But the lethal politics of Luandia may cost Pierce his life instead.

Culminating in a dramatic show trial and a desperate race against time, Eclipse combines a thrilling narrative with a vivid look at the human cost of the global lust for oil. Here is Richard North Patterson at his compelling best, confirming his place as our most provocative author of popular fiction.

Richard North Patterson is the New York Times bestselling author of Exile, The Race, and thirteen other critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, he was the SEC liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups. He lives in San Francisco and on Marthas Vineyard with his wife, Dr. Nancy Clair.