John Lock is back, defending the Morning Star's guests from extortion, treachery, and terrorism. Sailing near the storied coast of Monaco, the ship suffers a violent explosion that rips apart a luxury suite, killing two passengers. The cause of the blast is uncertain. But one of the victims has been exposed to a lethal dose of radiation.With perseverance and cunning, Lock tracks conspirators from Paris to Sevastopol. Always on the move, constantly in danger, he searches for the thread linking organized crime, paramilitary police, and international terrorists. Who can he trust when the agents of good mirror the forces of evil?