Synopses & Reviews
An electrifying mystery that will draw one woman into a global conspiracyand into the sights of one of the most dangerous men in the world...
Maddy Blume is a survivor. Years ago, while working as an art analyst in New York, she was changed forever by an encounter with Ilya Severin, the thief and former assassin once known as the Scythian. Now, in London, she is presented with an unusual proposition: to go undercover as an art consultant to a Russian oil billionaire suspected of channeling profits to military intelligence.
As Maddy grows closer to her new boss, however, she discovers that his ambitions extend far beyond natural resources. He is out to shape the future of Russia on a massive scale, using the secret of the mythical empire of Shambhala in a quest that will lead Maddy on a violent odyssey across Europe and to the far edge of the Black Sea.
Yet her involvement has not gone unnoticed. Not by the secret police. Not by her employers rivals. And least of all by the Scythian himself...
Review
Praise for the novels of Alec Nevala-Lee
“A dazzlingly detailed and authentic world of intrigue, weaving a harrowing tale that will enthrall readers...evokes le Carré and an intricate, continent-crossing plot reminiscent of The Day of the Jackal...Nevala-Lee is clearly emerging as one of the most elegant new voices in suspense literature.”—David Heinzmann, author of Throwaway Girl
“Alec Nevala-Lee is no debut author; he must have been a thriller writer in some past life. This one has everything: great writing, great characters, great story, great bad guy, and a religious conspiracy to boot. The Icon Thief is smart, sophisticated, and has enough fast-paced action to keep anyone up past midnight. I'm jealous."—New York Times bestselling author Paul Christopher
“Twists and turns aplenty lift this thriller above the rest. From the brutal thugs of the Russian Mafia to the affected inhabitants of the American art world, this book introduces a cast of believable and intriguing characters. Add a storyline where almost nothing is as it first appears, and where the plot turns around on itself to reveal startling contradictions, and the result is a book that grips and holds the reader like a vice. I devoured it in a single sitting.”— National bestselling author James Becker
"Alec Nevala-Lee comes roaring out of the gate with a novel that's as thrilling as it is thought-provoking, as unexpected as it is erudite. The Icon Thief is a wild ride through a fascinating and morally complex world, a puzzle Duchamp himself would have applauded. Bravo."— National bestselling author Jesse Kellerman
Review
“[THE] BRONSON ADVENTURES HAVE BUILT [BECKER] A NEAR CULT FOLLOWING.”*
PRAISE FOR THE BRONSON NOVELS BY JAMES BECKER
Echo of the Reich
“Amazingly good...great action and a history steeped in shadows and mystery. If youre a fan of James Bond-style action and justice, then definitely check out James Becker.”—Fresh Fiction
“Becker blends historical accuracy with a complete and detailed course on surveillance, countersurveillance, and weaponry, throws in some amazing facts...and keeps the whole thing going at a cracking pace....It deserves the widest possible audience.”—*Reviewing the Evidence
“Once again, Becker has written a captivating novel that is chock-full of...clever and imaginative twists...highly recommended.”—Euro Crime
The First Apostle
“Fast-paced action propels the imaginative and controversial plot.”—Publishers Weekly
“This is an utterly spellbinding book...stunning and breathtaking....I was left shattered and stunned.”—Euro Crime
The Messiah Secret
“An entertaining hunt-and-chase thriller that races from the English countryside to a hidden valley in the Middle East…appealing and clever protagonists coupled with intriguing history.” —Publishers Weekly
“Exciting and gripping....[Beckers] intelligent mixture of fact with fiction really...gets your adrenaline racing.”—Euro Crime
Synopsis
In Rome, the assassination of the Pope on Christmas Day sets off a massive investigation that stretches across the globe. But behind the veil of Rex Deus-the Templar cabal that silently wields power in the twenty-first century-the plot has only just begun.
When retired Army Ranger Lt. Col. John Holliday uncovers the true motive behind the pontiff's murder, he must unravel a deadly design to extend the Templar influence to the highest levels of power.
Synopsis
A single sheet of parchment, with the power to bring down an emperor and raze an empire. For seventeen centuries the scroll lay hidden away in the vast Vatican archives, guarded by a select, ruthless few who knew of its destructive potentialand would swiftly kill to contain its secrets.
When the parchment mysteriously turns up in the stall of a murdered Cairo market trader, authorities contact the British for assistance in identifying the document. Police detective Chris Bronson and historian Angela Lewis arrive in Egypt to take on the case, but quickly find themselves as targets, pursued by assassins. Stalked across North Africa and Europe, Chris and Angela must decipher the parchments tantalizing message before their time runs out.
About the Author
James Becker spent over twenty years in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Throughout his career he has been involved in covert operations in many of the world's hotspots, including Yemen, Russia and Northern Ireland. He writes action-adventure novels under the name James Barrington and military history under the name Peter Smith in the UK. The Lost Testament is his sixth book in the Bronson Novel series which also includes Echo of the Reich, The Nosferatu Scroll, The Messiah Secret, The Moses Stone, and The First Apostle.