In this powerful debut thriller, a fresh new voice in international suspense crafts a bold novel that crackles with a high-stakes, post-9/11 urgency and introduces maverick CIA agent Ryan Kealey. Ryan Kealey has no time to wrestle his demons. The country needs him too badly. Former U.S. soldier Jason March, one of the world''s deadliest assassins, and Ryan''s former protege--is now working with a powerful Middle East terror network whose goal is nothing less than the total annihilation of the United States. Assigned to work with beautiful and tenacious British-born agent Naomi Kharmai, Ryan puts together the pieces of a terrifying puzzle--only to discover his own unwitting role in March''s diabolical crusade. With the fate of the country resting on his shoulders, Ryan finds himself caught in a desperate game of cat-and-mouse with the most cunning opponent he''s ever faced, one who won''t be denied the ultimate act of evil--a man who is all the more deadly for being one of our own.