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The Seagull: A Vera Stanhope Mystery (Vera Stanhope #8)
by Ann CleevesFrom Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—comes The Seagull."I loved The Seagull — quite simply it reminds me why Ann Cleeves is one of my favorite mystery writers! -Louise PennyA visit to her local prison brings DI Vera Stanhope face to face with an old enemy: former detective superintendent, and now inmate, John Brace. Brace was convicted of corruption and involvement in the death of a gamekeeper – and Vera played a key part in his downfall.Now, Brace promises Vera information about the disappearance of Robbie Marshall, a notorious wheeler-dealer who disappeared in the mid-nineties, if she will look out for his daughter and grandchildren. He tells her that Marshall is dead, and that his body is buried close to St Mary’s Island in Whitley Bay. However, when a search team investigates, officers find not one skeleton, but two.This cold case case takes Vera back in time, and very close to home, as Brace and Marshall, along with a mysterious stranger known only as ‘the Prof’, were close friends of Hector, her father. Together, they were the 'Gang of Four’, regulars at a glamorous nightclub called The Seagull. Hector had been one of the last people to see Marshall alive. As the past begins to collide dangerously with the present, Vera confronts her prejudices and unwanted memories to dig out the truth . . .The Seagull is a searing novel by Sunday Times bestselling author Ann Cleeves, about corruption deep in the heart of a community, and fragile, and fracturing, family relationships."Definitely one of the best crime novels of 2017."—Reviewing the Evidence
The Seance
by John Harwood&“An electrifying Victorian ghost story&” from the International Horror Guild Award-winning author of The Asylum (The Seattle Times). &“Sell the Hall unseen; burn it to the ground and plow the earth with salt, if you will; but never live there . . .&” Constance Langton grows up in a household marked by death, her father distant, her mother in perpetual mourning for Constance&’s sister, the child she lost. Desperate to coax her mother back to health, Constance takes her to a séance: perhaps she will find comfort from beyond the grave. But the meeting has tragic consequences. Constance is left alone, her only legacy a mysterious bequest that will blight her life. So begins The Séance, John Harwood&’s brilliant second novel, a gripping, dark mystery set in late-Victorian England. It is a world of apparitions, of disappearances and unnatural phenomena, of betrayal and blackmail and black-hearted villains—and murder. For Constance&’s bequest comes in two parts: a house and a mystery. Years before, a family disappeared at Wraxford Hall, a decaying mansion in the English countryside with a sinister reputation. Now the Hall belongs to Constance. And she must descend into the darkness at the heart of the Wraxford Mystery to find the truth, even at the cost of her life. &“Harwood has written a true gothic, and invented a supremely creepy house to stage it in.&”—Salon &“Wilkie Collins would be proud: this is a Victorian world of mesmerism and spirits, vapours and delirium, doomed inheritances, shivery maids and spooky visitations in the night.&”—Times (UK) &“Perfect fare for a standard dark and stormy night.&”
The Search
by Nora Roberts'If you're after the perfect pick-me-up, take-me-away-from-the-world read, then she's your woman' The Guardian'Nora Roberts is, quite simply, a one-woman phenomenon'Heat'I love Nora Roberts'Stephen KingIt's been a few years since Fiona Bristow moved to Orcas Island to rebuild her life. Within the small, tight-knit island community she's built up a canine rescue centre that trains dogs to track missing persons in Washington's vast wilderness. Other than her work, Fiona wants to be left alone. Romantic entanglements are very far down on her list - and certainly not with Simon Doyle, an artist newly arrived from the mainland. Simon doesn't know that Fiona harbours a terrible secret, and that her past still puts them both in very real danger . . .
The Search (Eve Duncan #3)
by Iris JohansenHe strikes without warning....he kills without mercy....he's only just begun....Iris Johansen, the New York Times bestselling author of The Killing Game and The Face of Deception, delivers a gripping new novel of breathtaking suspense and explosive adventure. It is the story of a courageous woman who is coerced into tracking down a ruthless killer--but as she hunts out her prey with stunning accuracy, she becomes the object of his wrath....As part of an elite K-9 search and rescue team, Sarah Patrick and her golden retriever, Monty, have a gift for finding what no one else can--whether it's a survivor buried alive by an earthquake or the skeleton of a murdered child. But their latest assignment is not like the others. This time Sarah is being forced to take part in a deadly mission...by a man who knows enough about her past to ensure her cooperation. A man who won't take no for an answer. John Logan is used to getting what he wants, and what he wants now is Sarah's help. His top-secret venture has been sabotaged, its facilities destroyed, and its handpicked staff massacred. The sole survivor is being held for ransom. Logan knows that the only way to save the man--and the secrets he holds--is to find him as soon as possible.Smart, tough, and uncompromising, Sarah is furious when she is strong-armed into joining Logan on his search. And once she takes the perilous assignment, she realizes that Logan's promises that she and Monty will be safe may not be enough to protect them. Because a killer is devising a sadistic vengeance...and he may soon find use for Sarah. Racing against time to stop the bloodshed before more victims are claimed, both Sarah and Logan will look straight into the heart of true evil. And when the killer's search for revenge finally ends, no one will ever be the same again....From the Hardcover edition.
The Search For The Missing Bones (Magic School Bus Chapter Bks. #No. 2)
by Eva MooreThe Skeleton Scare takes readers through the Hugh Mann Costume Company, where they'll learn about a different bone in each room. As Ms. Frizzle and her class work their way through the factory, they keep seeing a strange skeleton. Yikes! Is it following them? Maybe, but it doesn't stop the kids from learning all about skeletons: why we need them, what different bones are for, what makes bones grow, how bones get fixed after they've been broken, and lots of other facts about our skeletons.
The Search Party
by Simon LelicA twisty, electrifying new thriller from the author of The New Neighbors and The Liar's Room... The entire town thinks sixteen-year-old Sadie Saunders is dead. Missing now for a week, they say she was murdered. And they think they know who did it. Sadie's five best friends aren&’t so sure, and they vow to find out the truth. So they pack their bags and head into the woods where Sadie was last seen. But they&’re not just friends, they&’re suspects. And each of them has a secret. As the landscape opens up, and the darkness closes in, the reality of their situation becomes clear… This was never really a search party. It&’s a witch hunt. And not everyone will make it home alive.
The Search Party: A Novel
by Hannah RichellA spellbinding locked-room mystery about a glamping trip gone horribly wrong when a powerful storm leaves the participants stranded and forced to confront long-held secrets and a shocking disappearance.Max and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race with their twelve-year-old son to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. Eager for a dry run ahead of their opening, they invite three old university friends and their families for a long-needed reunion. But the festivities soon go awry as tensions arise between the children (and subsequently their parents), explosive secrets come to light, and a sudden storm moves in, cutting them off from help as one in the group disappears. Moving between the police investigation, a hospital room, and the catastrophic weekend, The Search Party is a propulsive and twisty destination thriller about the tenuous bonds of friendship and the lengths parents will go to protect their children—perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.
The Search Party: A Novel
by Hannah RichellShortlisted for the 2024 Ned Kelly Awards, Best International Crime Fiction You are invited to: The Search Party Join six old friends for one wild weekend at Cornwall&’s newest glamping spot. The guests: The anxious hosts with everything at stake. The boho hippies concealing a private darkness. The TV celebrity with his hot new wife and an even hotter temper. The exhausted new parents with a secret to hide.The one that won&’t make it home alive . . . The tents are up. The bonfire is lit. Get ready for one hell of a party. &‘The Search Party pitches you forward from the first page, sending you rushing headlong towards its thrilling conclusion.&’Hayley Scrivenor, bestselling author of Dirt Town &‘I couldn&’t put it down.&’Mark Brandi, bestselling author of Wimmera &‘... thoroughly gripping from start to finish.&’Anna Downes, bestselling author of The Safe Place
The Search Party: A Novel
by Hannah RichellFor fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware, a destination thriller about a group of college friends and their families who reunite on a glamping weekend in Cornwall and are forced to confront long-held secrets when a powerful storm leaves them stranded.Five old friends. One glamping weekend. A storm that will change everything. Max and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race with their twelve-year-old son to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. Eager for a dry run ahead of their opening, they invite three old university friends and their families for a long-needed reunion. But the festivities soon go awry as tensions arise between the children (and subsequently their parents), explosive secrets come to light, and a sudden storm moves in, cutting them off from help as one in the group disappears. Moving between the police investigation, a hospital room, and the catastrophic weekend, The Search Party is a propulsive and twisty destination thriller about the tenuous bonds of friendship and the lengths parents will go to protect their children.
The Search Party: the most gripping and unputdownable crime thriller of 2024
by Hannah RichellPre-order ONE DARK NIGHT, the claustrophobic new thriller coming from Hannah Richell Summer 2025! &‘Hannah Richell's The Search Party is a compelling thriller told with real emotional insight and depth. An absolute page-turner!&’ Lucy Clarke Five old friends.One glamping weekend.A storm that will change everything. Max and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. They invite old university friends – TV star Dominic, doctor and new mum Kira, and free-spirited Jim and Suze – and their children for a trial weekend but the reunion quickly veers off-course. First, there&’s The Incident around the campfire on the first night. The following afternoon, a storm quickly develops off the rugged North Coast. When one of their group goes missing, all hell breaks loose. And as the winds batter the bell-tents, emotions run high and tension mounts for all the characters. Who is lying in hospital, who has gone missing and who is the body on the beach below the cliffs . . .?Gripping, cleverly structured and brimming with secrets and lies, this is a masterclass in narrative tension and a chilling exploration of the ways in which aspiration and anxiety collide. It will keep you guessing until the last page. 'In this compelling, beautifully-observed story of a Cornish glamping trip gone spectacularly wrong, Hannah Richell never lets up with the tension and suspense. This is a best-in-class family thriller you'll read in one sitting&’ Kate Riordan, author of Heatwave
The Search for Belle Prater (Belle Prater Ser.)
by Ruth WhiteThe sequel to the beloved Newbery Honor Book, Belle Prater's BoySince Belle Prater inexplicably disappeared about a year ago, her son, Woodrow, and his cousin Gypsy have been searching for answers. Then, on the stroke of midnight on Woodrow's birthday, the phone rings. No one is at the other end of the line, but Woodrow is certain it was his mama. They find out that the call was placed from nearby Bluefield, and set out to see if they can track her down. Joining them is Cassie Caulborne, the new girl in school, who is endowed with the gift of second sight. Unfortunately, they can find no trace of Belle. Once again, Woodrow realizes that perhaps even worse than not knowing where she is, is not understanding why his mama would leave him.How Woodrow, Gypsy, and Cassie come to understand the truth, and Woodrow eventually finds Belle, fills this oftrequested sequel to Belle Prater's Boy with magic and suspense.The Search for Belle Prater is a 2006 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
The Search for Cindy Austin
by Carolyn KeeneWhen a twelve-year-old prodigy child disappears, Nancy comes to the rescue. She finds Cindy once--but then the young girl is kidnapped by an enemy agent! Can Nancy track her down a second time and uncover the kidnapper's identity before it is too late?
The Search for Grandma Sparkle: A novel About the Mysterious Disappearance of a Rural Senior Citizen
by Darlene MillerWhen granddaughter Sarah learns that her grandmother Opal and niece Jessica are missing, she decides to search for her. When the car is found with two flat tires, Sarah and her boy friend from college, travel up and down the rural roads and creeks of southern Iowa to look for her missing relatives. Because of the storm that Saturday night, would they seek shelter in an abandoned barn, house or maybe even a coal mine whose opening has been uncovered? Were they abducted? Who would have a grudge against the gentle woman who only tried to help people through her church's SPARKLE Club?
The Search for Maggie Ward: A Novel
by Andrew GreeleyThe Search for Maggie Ward is a poignant tale of love, loss, and faith set in the aftermath of World War I, from acclaimed New York Times bestsellling author and theologian Andrew M. Greeley.Young Navy flier Jerry Keenan is supposed to be on his way home to Chicago, law school, and a postwar life that is socially acceptable to a well-off Irish Catholic family. Instead he is in Arizona delaying that homecoming while he wrestles with his memories of combat and the men he saw die.That may be one reason an encounter with a girl at a Tucson lunch counter seems so appealing. Another reason is that she is mysterious, hauntingly beautiful, and very sexy—the perfect antidote for a troubled heart.But just when Jerry realizes how much he needs Maggie Ward, she dramatically vanishes, or is taken, from him. And Jerry Keenan, in search of his destiny and his soul, must be willing to move heaven and earth to find the woman he loves.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
The Search for My Great-Uncle's Head (Library Of Crime Classics)
by Jonathan LatimerIn an eerie country house, a cruel old man is decapitatedWhen Peter Coffin's mysterious great-uncle Tobias summons the family to his manor in the wilds of Michigan, his aunt warns him to stay away. Peter goes anyway, arriving at the edge of the sprawling estate well after midnight. Wading through the muck in the darkness, he passes a fearsome figure on the road, and when he arrives at the front door, he is greeted by cousins bearing shotguns. An ax-murdering madman is on the loose, but just as dangerous are the creatures Peter will encounter inside the house: his family.When old Tobias is murdered, both his head and his will go missing. The police suspect the ax killer, but Peter knows better. After all, if there is one thing his aunt has taught him, it is that you should never trust a Coffin.
The Search for Othella Savage
by Foday Mannah**A Times best crime novel of 2025 so far**'Sharp, evocative' Guardian'A compelling and authentic mystery that explores faith, identity, corruption, and friendship with a deft touch. Foday's writing is vivid, thoughtful, and full of heart' Amen AlongeWhen one of their own is found unconscious in the boot of her car, Scotland's Sierra Leonean community is cast into a state of shock. And the young woman's death a few days later sparks a murder investigation.Though Hawa Barrie lives on the fringes of that community, which revolves around the Lion Mountain Church, the disappearance of a second woman - her childhood friend Othella Savage - draws her in. But as the police investigation drags on, Hawa grows increasingly suspicious of the charismatic Pastor Ronald Ranka - and increasingly fearful for her friend, Othella. Desperate, she launches her own search, which will take her from Scotland to Sierra Leone and back again, revealing the true nature of Ranka's church whilst exposing dark secrets within the fabric of both countries she calls home.A darkly compelling read inspired by a real incident, The Search for Othella Savage is an engaging and compulsive debut which examines the insidious nature of corruption - both religious and political - whilst also exploring the enduring power of friendship.READER REVIEWS'This was such a gripping read that grabbed me in its clutches and wouldn't let me go. When life got in the way and I had to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A very intriguing read with multicultural aspects. . . I would recommend picking up a copy!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I really liked this novel . . . the chapters are short and the suspense is present. The religious aspect is interesting and well written' ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Search for Othella Savage
by Foday Mannah**A Times best crime novel of 2025 so far**'Sharp, evocative' Guardian'A compelling and authentic mystery that explores faith, identity, corruption, and friendship with a deft touch. Foday's writing is vivid, thoughtful, and full of heart' Amen AlongeWhen one of their own is found unconscious in the boot of her car, Scotland's Sierra Leonean community is cast into a state of shock. And the young woman's death a few days later sparks a murder investigation.Though Hawa Barrie lives on the fringes of that community, which revolves around the Lion Mountain Church, the disappearance of a second woman - her childhood friend Othella Savage - draws her in. But as the police investigation drags on, Hawa grows increasingly suspicious of the charismatic Pastor Ronald Ranka - and increasingly fearful for her friend, Othella. Desperate, she launches her own search, which will take her from Scotland to Sierra Leone and back again, revealing the true nature of Ranka's church whilst exposing dark secrets within the fabric of both countries she calls home.A darkly compelling read inspired by a real incident, The Search for Othella Savage is an engaging and compulsive debut which examines the insidious nature of corruption - both religious and political - whilst also exploring the enduring power of friendship.READER REVIEWS'This was such a gripping read that grabbed me in its clutches and wouldn't let me go. When life got in the way and I had to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A very intriguing read with multicultural aspects. . . I would recommend picking up a copy!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I really liked this novel . . . the chapters are short and the suspense is present. The religious aspect is interesting and well written' ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Search for the Missing Twin (Vicki Barr, Book #10)
by Helen WellsVicki worries about Mary Verga and her family, who live on Fortune Island which has been devastated by a recent storm. Vicki volunteers to fly a relief plane loaded with food and clothes to the island. Vicki and Mary are shocked when Mrs. Verga faints at the sight of a little woolen dress which was brought in with the relief supplies. The girls learn that Mary had an identical twin sister named Jennifer who was lost at sea fifteen years ago. Her sister had been believed dead, but with the discovery of her dress, Mrs. Verga now hopes that Mary's sister is alive and can be found. Vicki wishes to help but must return to work. Months later, she convinces her family to vacation on the island in hope that they might help the Vergas. The Vergas tell the Barrs the story of how they lost Jennifer and how they believed that she had drowned. Now that they have found her dress, they believe that Jennifer must be alive somewhere and ask Vicki to help find her. Vicki begins a long and difficult journey in her attempt to locate Jennifer. Vicki quickly obtains proof that Jennifer did not die at sea but her every clue leading to Jennifer's whereabouts results in nothing. In an exciting climax, Vicki travels to Texas where she learns what really happened to Jennifer.
The Search for the Silver Persian (Nancy Drew #114)
by Carolyn KeeneWhen her friend's cat, Purrfect, is kidnapped after entering a River Heights cat show, Nancy Drew investigates the case of the missing feline and uncovers a devious scam.
The Search for the Snow Leopard (Hardy Boys Mystery Stories #139)
by Franklin W. DixonThe hunt is on ... and the Hardy Boys could end up being dead meat! Frank and Joe's latest case could give new meaning to the words "eat hardy"! A rare and beautiful snow leopard, a gift from Princess Salamaji of Rashipah, has disappeared from the Bayport Zoo, and the boys suspect foul play. Their suspicions are confirmed when the Princess herself vanishes ... a victim of kidnapping! Their investigation leads them into a sinister world of jaws and claws, lions and tigers and snakes. But the most dangerous animal of all is the human kind, and the Hardys are headed straight into an ambush. The only way to save the Princess -- and themselves -- is to observe the law of the jungle: beat the hunter at his own game!
The Search: The Secrets Of Crittenden County, Book Two (Secrets of Crittenden County #2)
by Shelley Shepard GrayThe New York Times–bestselling author continues her Amish series with “lovable characters and a good story, full of romance and suspense . . . a must read” (Library Journal).From bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes The Search—a page-turning romance novel that’s tinged with mystery, set in Kentucky Amish country. One of the most popular writers of Christian romantic fiction with Amish themes—a much beloved romantic storyteller who stands alongside such notable novelists as Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, and Cindy Woodsmall—Gray returns once more to a small devout community rocked by the murder of a young, black-sheep neighbor. An unforgettable tale of romance, faith, and duty, The Search tells the story of a love that blossoms between a young woman who’s guarding shocking secrets about the victim, and the dedicated “Englischer” homicide detective who has arrived from the outside world to investigate.“The second book in the acclaimed Crittenden County series is action packed, with memorable and believable characters. Gray knows what works and never disappoints.” —Romantic Times“Top notch characterization brings snappy life to this story.” —Romance Reviews Today
The Search: The outstanding new serial killer thriller
by Howard LinskeyA missing child. A terrifying killer. A gripping serial killer thriller, perfect for fans of Cara Hunter's Close to Home.Susan Verity was only ten when she went missing. For years the police tried everything in order to find her, with no luck. Until now. Convicted serial killer Adrian Wicklow has always been the prime suspect. At last, terminally ill after decades behind bars, Adrian finally says he'll tell the truth.For Detective Ian Bradshaw, this could be the breakthrough they so desperately need. But Bradshaw is suspicious:Would a murderer on death's door give up his last secret so easily?See what readers are already saying about this gripping serial killer thriller!"Not a dull moment... everything that I like about the crime genre!" *****"Absolutely loved this and couldn't leave it alone" *****"I was hooked from the first page and never put it down!" *****"What a compelling read... keeps you guessing untill the very end" *****"A gripping read with some heart stopping moments" *****
The Searcher
by Christopher Morgan JonesAn unlikely hero dives into the chaotic madness of Russia and Georgia's deadly covert conflict, in this rapid-fire tale of corporate espionage gone awry The acclaimed author of The Silent Oligarch and The Jackal's Share, Christopher Morgan Jones returns to a murky world where corporate spies and government agents battle far from the public eye. Focusing on Georgia, a mountainous republic threatened by Russia to the north, Morgan Jones carries readers deep into an ancient land of chilling compromises and foolhardy valor. Morgan Jones's novels center on a unique London corporate espionage firm spearheaded by Ike Hammer and Ben Webster, which follows criminal money anywhere it leads: be it Moscow or Dubai, Monaco or Kazakhstan, a bureaucrat's pockets or a politician's bank account. While Webster was the star of the earlier novels--investigating Russian businessmen and KGB operatives in The Silent Oligarch, Persian billionaires and Tehran terrorists in The Jackal's Share--in The Searcher the focus shifts provocatively to Hammer, making this a perfect starting point for old fans and new readers alike. Journeying to Georgia for the funeral of a friend, a journalist who inexplicably committed suicide after publishing the exposé of a lifetime, Webster mysteriously disappears. As the country rumbles ominously with civil strife and Russian aggression, Hammer rushes to Tbilisi to track down his missing friend. Once in Georgia, Hammer is forced to confront the country's tragic chaos: civilians bombed either by cruel Russian spies or by deceitful Georgian soldiers; violent riots instigated by amoral oligarchs or government saboteurs; double and even triple agents who play all sides against each other at once. Threatened by enemies he cannot name and "friends" he cannot trust, Hammer rushes north--into the lawless mountains bordering Russia itself--to discover the true fate of his friend and Georgia's future.From the Hardcover edition.
The Searcher
by Simon ToynePerfect for fans of Lee Child and Stephen King, the author of the acclaimed Sanctus trilogy conjures a haunting epic of good and evil, retribution and redemption--the first novel in the mesmerizing Solomon Creed seriesOn a windy hilltop in the town of Redemption, Arizona, people have gathered at an old cemetery to bury a local man who died in a tragic accident. But the occasion is suddenly disrupted by a thunderous explosion several miles away. A plane has crashed, pouring a pillar of black smoke into the air.As Sheriff Garth Morgan speeds toward the accident, he nearly hits a man running down the road, with no shoes on his feet and no memory of who he is or how he got there. The only clues to his identity are a label in his jacket and a book that's been inscribed to him, both giving the name Solomon Creed. Solomon knows only that he's here for a reason--to save a man he has never met . . . a man who was buried that very morning.Miles away, three men scan the skies for a plane carrying an important package. Spotting the black cloud in the distance, they suspect something has gone wrong, and that the man who has sent them will demand a heavy price if the package has been lost.To uncover his real identity, Solomon must expose Redemption's secrets and the truth behind the death of the man he is there to save. But there are those who will do anything to stop him, men prepared to call on the darkest forces to prevent Solomon from succeeding. The Searcher delves into history, murder, criminal revenge, and personal betrayal while also exploring bravery, love, sacrifice, and renewal--all underpinned by a truly frightening and deadly mystery.
The Searcher: A Novel
by Christopher Morgan JonesAn unlikely hero dives into the chaotic madness of Russia and Georgia’s deadly covert conflict, in this rapid-fire tale of corporate espionage gone awry The acclaimed author of The Silent Oligarch and The Jackal’s Share, Christopher Morgan Jones returns to a murky world where corporate spies and government agents battle far from the public eye. Focusing on Georgia, a mountainous republic threatened by Russia to the north, Morgan Jones carries readers deep into an ancient land of chilling compromises and foolhardy valor. Morgan Jones’s novels center on a unique London corporate espionage firm spearheaded by Ike Hammer and Ben Webster, which follows criminal money anywhere it leads: be it Moscow or Dubai, Monaco or Kazakhstan, a bureaucrat’s pockets or a politician’s bank account. While Webster was the star of the earlier novels—investigating Russian businessmen and KGB operatives in The Silent Oligarch, Persian billionaires and Tehran terrorists in The Jackal’s Share—in The Searcher the focus shifts provocatively to Hammer, making this a perfect starting point for old fans and new readers alike. Journeying to Georgia for the funeral of a friend, a journalist who inexplicably committed suicide after publishing the exposé of a lifetime, Webster mysteriously disappears. As the country rumbles ominously with civil strife and Russian aggression, Hammer rushes to Tbilisi to track down his missing friend. Once in Georgia, Hammer is forced to confront the country’s tragic chaos: civilians bombed either by cruel Russian spies or by deceitful Georgian soldiers; violent riots instigated by amoral oligarchs or government saboteurs; double and even triple agents who play all sides against each other at once. Threatened by enemies he cannot name and “friends” he cannot trust, Hammer rushes north—into the lawless mountains bordering Russia itself—to discover the true fate of his friend and Georgia’s future.From the Hardcover edition.