A death in West Virginia draws FBI agent Ellie Gardner into an international chase across Europe in order to prevent the murder of millions of innocent people. The first obscure death points her toward New York City where NYPD counterterrorism unit lieutenant Michael Stewart has his own murder to solve. To find why two unrelated victims died of radiation poisoning takes them first to France and then to Prague, retracing the steps of Lewis Sykora, mild- mannered water system engineer turned international treasure hunter in order to save his young, dying son. Lewis has heard a tragic but incredible story from his elderly father and is just desperate enough to act on it.

In Prague they meet up with their Czech police liaison and explore the sprawling mine-slash-underground munitions factory, one of Hitler’s best-kept secrets. They go to Prague Castle, the crown jewel of Czech history, the largest ancient castle in the world that still functions as a seat of government.

Ellie and Michael pursue Lewis and his allies to the port of Bordeaux, France, just one step behind. Can they catch up to the stolen nukes in time to stop the slaughter of most of the populace of New York City?