Praise for the novels of Andy McDermott Raises the bar to please adventure junkies who prefer to mainline their action.Publishers Weekly (starred review), on The Hunt for Atlantis A fun, action-filled James Bond/Indiana Jonesesque story.Geek Speak Magazine, on Return to Atlantis Adventure stories dont get much more epic than this.Daily Mirror (U.K.)Praise for Kingdom of Darkness When it comes to archaeological adventure thrillers, Im not sure that theres anyone writing in the genre today who is stronger, smarter, or more consistent than Andy McDermott. His Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase series is like a mixture of Indiana Jones, James Bond, Dirk Pitt, and Jack Bauer. . . . Kingdom of Darkness is smart, clever, and exciting stuff. . . . If youre looking for a solid archaeological adventure that is as committed to the history as to the thrills, then this is definitely worth a read.Beauty in Ruins Nonstop, relentless extreme action . . . [McDermotts] thrillers have become increasingly accomplished, confident and rounded. The characters of Nina and Eddie are so well developed they appear almost to have a life of their own and their story has become arguably the most important aspect of the books. The plots are always exciting, pacey and gobsmacking [and] the runaway train action is matched by heart, with many laugh-out-loud lines as well as other scenes of devastating sadness or cruelty. What a fantastic series!For Winter Nights As ever, Andy McDermott mixes high-action car chases, gun battles and mysterious quests, then shakes them well to provide an explosive cocktail. A breakneck running battle on a speeding train is an absolute classic, reminiscent of Bond films at their best.Crime An excellent thriller, exhausting, laugh-out-loud funny and gobsmackingly heartbreaking. If you like high octane thrillers then you cannot miss this book.Parmenion BooksAbout the AuthorAndy McDermott is a former journalist and movie critic who now writes novels full-time following the international success of his debut thriller, The Hunt for Atlantis, which has been sold around the world in more than twenty languages. He is also the author of The Tomb of Hercules, The Secret of Excalibur, The Covenant of Genesis, The Pyramid of Doom, The Sacred Vault, Empire of Gold, Return to Atlantis, The Valhalla Prophecy, and The Shadow Protocol. He lives in Bournemouth, England.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.1Los Angeles71 Years LaterThe Lamborghini Aventador Roadster tore through the intersection, the bright-orange supercars tires screaming. In its wake, two gleaming black Mercedes SLS AMG sports cars skidded around the corner, their V8 engines snarling like enraged beasts.The gull-wing passenger door of the lead SLS swung upward. A man, face hidden behind a bandanna, leaned out. The malevolent little MAC-11 machine pistol in his hand barked, vivid spurts of flame longer than the weapon itself gouting from the barrel as he unleashed a spray of automatic fire at the Lamborghini.The Aventadors driver jerked the steering wheel to the left. The convertible whipped into a lane of oncoming traffic as sparks and dust spat up from the asphalt alongside it. An SUV rushed straight at itThe driver swept up onto the sidewalk. Pedestrians screamed and leapt for safety. The Mercs continued their pursuit, the second cars gull-wing opening to reveal another masked man...Holding an RPG-7 rocket launcher.Danger behindand ahead. The street was blocked by a tanker truck.No way around it...But there was a way over it.A panel van with a lowered rear ramp was parked at the curb, its interior empty save for some cardboard boxes. The driver swerved back onto the road, aiming his car directly at itAnd... cut!The Aventador came to a rapid stop. Behind it, both AMGs also slowed, wheeling around ready for the next take.Nina Wilde, standing beside a camera crane, responded to the action with a dismissive shrug. Yknow, I dont think they ever got above thirty miles per hour, the redhead complained.Her husband was rather more impressed. Oh, come on, said Eddie Chase, eyeing the Lamborghini with distinct automotive lust. Youve got to admit, being on a movie set is pretty cool.Yeah, when somethings actually happening. They had been on the imitation New York street for over an hour, and this was the first time the cameras had rolled.Macy Sharif nodded in agreement. Thank God for trailers, said the younger woman, indicating a large and luxurious mobile home parked at the end of the back lot. Grants is kitted out better than his own apartment. And hes got a really nice apartment.So you like life in Hollywood, then? Eddie asked with a grin. Being a models better than being an archaeologist? The Englishman glanced sidelong at his wife, the grin becoming more cheeky. Always thought it must be. She jabbed him with her elbow in response.I still am an archaeologist, Macy insisted. I got my degreeyay!and Im starting on my masters soon. But... yeah, she admitted, smiling, being a model was cool. Ill show you the magazine later. I think youll like it.Im sure I will, said Eddie.Nina gave him a teasing look. Youd better not like it too much. Youre wearing clothes in it, arent you, Macy?Of course I am! she replied.Nina looked her friend up and down. The dark-haired young Floridian was in cutoff denim shorts and a midriff-baring T-shirt, both garments tight enough to show off her toned figure. More than you are now?A moments consideration. Maybe...The Lamborghini pulled up in front of them and its door scissored open. Grant Thorn climbed out and called to a man in a baseball cap. How was that, Mikey?The director was reviewing various camera angles on a bank of monitors. Lookin good, lookin good... yeah, print it.And you can see its really me driving?Yeah, Grant, we can tell its you.Awesome. The tanned actor gave the director a thumbs-up, then embraced Macy, lifting her off her feet and spinning around with a Hey, babe! before turning to his guests. So? What dyou think?That was... cool, said Nina politely.Eddie snorted. Dont listen to her, she doesnt appreciate action movies.Hey! I like good action movies, she objected.Like mine, huh? said Grant.ErSo what happens next? Eddie cut in before Nina could offer any film criticism. He gestured at the van. Hit the ramp, jump over the truck?Grant nodded. You got it, man. And one of the bad guys shoots a rocket, which hits the tanker, and the whole thing blows up while the Lambos going over it. Boom! Obviously theyre not using the real car for that, and the stunt guys gonna be driving, but Id totally do it if theyd let me.Nina looked unconvinced. Yeah, totally.Cant wait to see it, said Eddie.Afraid youll have to, dude, Grant told him, with a slightly condescending chuckle. Itll take them, like, four hours to set everything up. Im actually done for the daythe second unit takes over from here.Wait, thats your whole days work? said Nina. Driving a car down a fake street for thirty seconds?No, man, I did more than that! Grant replied, slightly affronted. I did my in-car close-ups before you guys got here. Mikey wanted the right light so Id look my best. He turned his head to show off his blandly handsome profile.Well, yeah, you definitely need a break after working your arse off like that, said Eddie.As always, the sarcasm went clean over Grants perfectly gelled hair. I know, dude, I know. So, anyway, how are you guys? Macy tells me youre on a big vacationlike a world tour or something?You could say that, Nina replied.Cool! Whereve you been?Eddie started counting off places on his fingers. So far? Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, Italy, France, Spain, saw my family in England... We just started a bit of a West Coast tour here in the States. Did the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, and after LA were going on to San Francisco and up to Seattle.Thats a lot of travel, dude, said Grant, impressed. So what made you decide to do it? You two are usually total workaholics. Well, you are, Nina, he added with a laugh.She didnt return it. We just wanted a break, she said quietly. The faint sigh underlying her words attracted a curious look from Macy.The actor didnt notice, though. And when did you kick all this off?Two months ago, Eddie told him.Two months! Hope you remembered to get all your frequent flier miles! Grant laughed again. But while youre in LA, everythings on me, okay? How do you like the limo?The movie star had arranged for a stretch limousine to transport the couple around the citythough its styling was not what Nina would have chosen. Its, ah, fine, she said. Thanks for organizing it for us. It beats taking cabs everywhere. Or having a rental car.Eddie huffed. We could have been cruising around California in a Mustang GT500 convertible, but nooo...Yeah, I remember how much you like your fast cars, man! Grant said. You know, that time you drove me through New York at, like, two hundred miles an hour? It actually helped my acting. When I did Nitrous2, whenever I was driving I just remembered how it felt, Method-style! I got some great reviews for that, so thanks, dude.Even the stars best reviews tended to feature the word wooden, so Eddie didnt want to imagine what his bad ones were like. Dont you mean Ni-two-rous? he asked, grinning. The predecessor of the movie currently shooting had been given the rather awkward moniker Ni2rous.Grant waved a hand. Dont get me started, man. Leno and Letterman both gave me crap for that when I was promoting it. I dont pick the titles.You cant pronounce them either.Dude, enough!At least you wont have any problems with this one, said Nina. She indicated a stack of equipment cases, which were labeled simply nitrous3.Nah, thats just the working title, said Grant. Were getting a focus group to decide on the coolest option. Oh, hey, what do you think? The two titles weve got are... He paused for dramatic effect. Nitrous3: Overdrive Or alternatively... Nitrous3: Maximum Boost Which ones best?I dont think either of them fully captures the subtle nuances of the series, said Nina, arching an eyebrow.Yeah, Eddie agreed. It should be something more like Nitrous3: Tits and Explosions! With an exclamation mark.Its a PG-13, so no boobies, man, Grant said with regret. Macy gave her boyfriend a huffy pout. I like the exclamation thing, though. Ill suggest that.Nitrous3: Balderdash, Nina added under her breath. Nitrous3: Physics, Schmysics...Anyway, said the actor, give me five minutes to get changed and well go have lunch. Theres something I want to talk to you both about.Husband and wife exchanged looks. What is it? Nina asked.Spoilers, man, Grant said with a cocky grin as he headed for his trailer. Youll find out soon.It was nearer ten minutes than five, but Grant eventually emerged, having changed from his characters costume of ultratight jeans and white T-shirt into a blue Italian suit and a pair of sunglasses. Very stylish, said Nina approvingly. As much as she loved Eddie, his usual outfit of considerably cheaper and looser T-shirt and jeans, allied with a scuffed black leather jacket, was not exactly high fashion.Thanks, Grant replied, beaming. Thought I oughta look smart if were talking business.Another exchange of puzzled glances. What business? demanded Eddie.Ill tell you soon. Come on, lets take a ride. Walking arm in arm with Macy, Grant led the couple to a golf cart. The actor at the wheel, they drove off.Nina looked up at the building faades as they cruised past. Its amazing. They look so real.They are real, Eddie said with a mocking smile. They dont do everything with CGI yet.You know what I mean. Theyve done a really good job of distilling New York. I know its just painted plaster, but its still quite impressive how realistic it is.Hey, if you want to see something from New York thats really impressive, Grant piped up, check this out. He turned at the next intersection, the freestanding four- and five-story mock-up buildings giving way to flatter frontages wrapped around the exterior of a soundstage.Macy looked over her shoulder at Nina. Youll love this, she said. I couldnt believe it when I saw it. Its kinda freaky.What is? Nina asked.Youll see, said Grant. The golf cart pulled up at a ramp leading to the soundstage door, outside which was stationed a uniformed security guard. Hey, my man! called the actor as he climbed out. Showing my friends the set. That cool with you?The guards expression suggested that it wasnt, but within the walls of a film studio, nobody dared challenge the wanderlust of an A-list star. No problem, Mr.Thorn, he said through his teeth as he proffered a clipboard. If theyll sign in here, please?Come on, come on, Grant said excitedly. Macy, Nina, and Eddie scribbled their names, then followed him inside.A strong scent of paint and fresh sawdust greeted them, the thwack of someone hammering nails echoing through the cavernous chamber. Before them was a huge wall, a mass of wooden panels supported by metal scaffolding and beams of rough raw pine that stretched almost to the lighting gantry high above. Nina had to tip her head back to take in its whole height. What is it?Youll know when you see it. Come on, around here. Grant led them along the stages side, passing several workmen. He waved to them in greeting. My man! How you doing? Dude, good to see you. You too, guy. Hey, dude.You know them all? Nina asked when they were past.Not a one, replied Grant with a shrug. I do two or three movies a year, and there are, like, six hundred new people working on each of them. Keeps em all happy if I say hi, though. He paused at a set of double doors in the great wall. Okay, this is it. Go on in, Nina.Intrigued, Nina advanced through the doors, walking intoOh, wow, she gasped.For a moment, she felt a bizarre sense of dislocation, as if she had traveled over two thousand miles in a single step. The room she had entered was very familiar: the lobby of the General Assembly building at the United Nations in New York. Three floors of elegantly curved white balconies overlooked the checkerboard floor of the public space, light through the tall ranks of windows opposite reflecting off the gleaming replica of Sputnik suspended overhead.Only... it wasnt quite right. Everything was compacted, squeezed down in scale, and the view of Manhattan outside was frozen in two dimensions. The corridor behind the reception desk that should have led deeper into the building was abruptly truncated by a green curtain. Even the light from outside was subtly wrong, the harsh glare of studio lamps instead of the warmer, more diffuse tones of sunlight.She looked back at her companions. Eddie appeared impressed by the replica, while Grant and Macy were grinning with anticipation. So? said Grant. You like it?Isnt it cool? added Macy. Its just like being in the actual UN!Yeah, its pretty amazing, Nina replied, turning to take it all in. Its smaller than the real thing, though.Grant nodded. Yeah, they had to squish everything to fit it into the stage. Itll look fine on camera, though. Put the right lens on, and they can make a broom closet look like a ballroom.So what happens in here? asked Eddie. If its for Nitrous3: Shit Explodes, I dont suppose youll be delivering any long speeches about world peace.Nah, nothing boring like that, dude, said Grant cheerfully. He pointed toward the main entrance. Im gonna smash through there in a Ferrari, then do a drift to knock down the North Koreans shooting at me. Then I run up the stairs after the mad general with the suitcase nuke. We have a big fight, he uses all these darts and guns and crazy shit built into his bionic arm, and I end up hanging from that thing up there.That thing is the Foucault pendulum, said Nina icily, glancing at the gold-plated sphere dangling on a long wire above one end of the lobby.What, its part of a clock?No, itsThought it was just some cool swinging ball dealie. Anyway, theres a big electromagnet inside it, so I use it to deflect a bullet he shoots at meEddie normally let his disbelief be suspended very high when it came to action movies, but the former Special Air Service soldier couldnt let that go unchallenged. Dont think so, mate. Magnets dont affect bullets.Grant regarded him uncertainly. You sure?Ive got some experience in that area, so yeah.Huh. Wouldnt have thought the writers would get that wrong. Id better tell emdont want people to think the storys stupid!God forbid, sighed Nina.Still, its a movie, so the rule of cool applies, right? Anyhow, he misses and I swing across and use the magnet to grab his bionic arm so that hes trapped, then I shove the detonator I took out of the nuke inside his arm, and just before I jump to safety I tell him, wait for it... Know what my favorite book is? AA Farewell to Arms? Eddie predicted.Yeah, thats right, good guess! And then his arm explodes. Awesome, huh?Its certainly incredible, said Nina, struggling to restrain an eye roll that would have snapped her head back with its sheer momentum. Although dont take this the wrong way, Grant, but it all sounds kinda... far-fetched.Nah, itll be great. The writers know what theyre doing.The same writers who think bullets are magnetic? said Eddie, smirking.Grant considered that, then dismissed the thought. Anyway, its cool, huh? Itll look totally like the real thing on film. Hey, maybe we could have the premiere at the real United Nations. You could put in a word, Nina!Ill think about it, she said, having already done just that for the millisecond the suggestion deserved. She walked deeper into the set, looking up at the tiered balconies. The resemblance to the real United Nations building was indeed uncanny... enough to trigger an unexpected pang of emotion within her.A mixture almost of homesicknessthe feeling that this was where she should beand sadness. Loss. Until two months earlier, the UN complex had been the focus of her work, her base of operations as an archaeologist with the International Heritage Agency. Now she knew it was unlikely she would ever return. She gazed at the facsimile, lost in reverie.Footsteps behind brought her back to the present. Im going to miss this place, she said quietly, thinking it was Eddie.It wasnt. What do you mean? asked Macy, stopping beside her. Another curious look, this time with concern behind it. Youre just taking a break from work, like a sabbatical... arent you?Nina didnt reply, but the silence was broken by Grant. Okay, dudes. Lets go have lunch. And talk.His expectant grin told the couple that he had more in mind than social chitchat. Talk about what? said Eddie.Nina glanced at Macy. Do you know what hes on about?She tried to contain a smile. Some of it. Trust me, youll be interested.Still beaming, Grant gestured for the others to follow him back to the golf cart, and they resumed their drive through the lot. All right, Grant, come on, said Eddie. Whats the big thing you want to talk to us about?The actor appeared briefly conflicted. I kinda wanted to wait until you met my business partner, but... ah, okay, whatever. Ive started my own production company!Really? Congratulations, said Nina.Its called Every Rose Productions, Macy added.Eddie and Nina exchanged puzzled glances, before getting it. Because Every Rose has its Thorn, right? she said.You got it! Grant replied, extremely pleased with himself.Eddie groaned. Jesus, I thought my puns were bad.Grant ignored him. Ive done well as an actor, but I want more control, you know? More of a stake in the success. So I teamed up with this guy Ive worked with beforeyoull meet him at lunchand weve got some projects up and running.What sort of projects? Eddie asked.You ever heard of the Gabriel Payne books?No, said Nina.Yeah, Eddie said simultaneously. Ive read some of em. Thrillers. Theyre not bad. Sort of Jack Reacher knockoffs.We bought the rights to the series, Grant told them. Im gonna play Gabriel Payne. Former Navy SEAL, tormented loner with a dark past whos irresistible to womenits perfect for me.Eddie gave the blue-eyed, fair-haired actor a skeptical look. In the books... isnt he black?This is Hollywood, man! Things change. If Brits can play Americans, why not this?Its not quite the same thing, said Nina in disbelief.Grant wasnt listening. So besides that, weve also got Rev Limit, which is like Nitrous but on bikesGrant says I can be in it! said Macy happily.Then theres Taking Liberty, kind of a Die Hard in the Statue of Liberty. And a great comedy called First Baby, dunno if Ill be in it or just producing, but its such an awesome concept. Get this: The wife of the president of the USA dies in childbirth, but her last words to him are that he has to promise to raise their kid just like a normal dad. So he takes the baby to cabinet meetings, changes its diapers on Air Force One, that sort of thing. The scripts a scream!Nina had no comment, her mouth frozen open. Fortunately, Grant couldnt see her. Im sure itll make a fortune, Eddie said sarcastically on her behalf.Yeah, we think so too, Grant went on blithely. Anyway, here we are.He brought the cart to a stop outside the art deco commissary building. A line of people, some studio workers and others extras in an assortment of costumes, were waiting at the entrance, but he breezed straight past them, signaling for his guests to follow. Weve got a table in the dining room, he told the matre d at the doors to one side.The man nodded obsequiously. Of course, Mr.Thorn. This way, please.Eddie glanced at the large, busy cafeteria into which the queue was heading, then said, How the other half lives, as he, Nina, and Macy followed Grant into a more tranquil and expensively decorated space. Large framed posters of the studios past successes adorned the walls between the potted palms.Seated beneath one of the pictures was a heavily tanned little man in his fifties, gray hair cut in a sharp, bristling style that made his head resemble a mahogany-handled shaving brush. He looked up at the new arrivals from behind a pair of oversized sunglasses, then stood to greet them. Hey, Marv! said Grant. This is Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase. And you know Macy already. Nina, Eddie, this is my business partner, Marvin Bronze.Good to meetcha, said Marvin with a broad Chicago accent. He extended a walnut-brown hand to Eddie and Nina in turn. Come on, siddown. Lets eat. And talk.The five took their places. A waiter was summoned and orders taken, then conversation began in earnest. So, Mr.Bronze Nina started.Marvin, Marvin! Were all friends here. Hopefully very good ones by the time were done.So, Marvin... what do you want to talk to us about?Marvin and Grant swapped glances, Grant grinning with barely contained anticipation. I want to talk to you about you! said the older man.Us? said Eddie. What about us?Youre big properties! Marvin proclaimed. You, Nina, I know a publisher in New York offered you six figures to write a book about all those incredible things youve discovered. Like Atlantis and the vault of whatsisname, the Indian guy.Nina was startled. How did you know about that? They havent announced it publicly, because I dont know how long itll take to writeand they definitely havent gone public about the money side of it.He chuckled. If theres a deal being made that could lead to a movie, Hollywood knows about it. Theres only one thing theyre short of out here, and thats ideas. They need a constant flow of new ideas for movies. And the best are the ones that come from real life. He leaned toward the couple. Let me lay it out for you. Your lives would make fantastic movies. A whole series of movies, even. You two have got the potential to become a billion-dollar franchise!Yeah, but whod play me? Eddie asked while his wife was temporarily dumbstruck. Grants smile widened. What? No! You cant bloody play me!Nothings set yet, dudebut Ive been practicing the accent. Check this out. The actor cleared his throat. Looook art, thurrs a lurd o turrorists cooomin oer that ill. Boogeration an foockry!Nina let out an involuntary yelp of laughter. Her husband was less amused. Thats nothing like me! And its not even close to a Yorkshire accent. Its more like... I dunno what the fuck its like. A Welsh South African Pakistani Martian, maybe.To be fair, honey, said Nina, you cant do accents either. By the time Grant had realized the implied criticism of his efforts, she had already turned back to Marvin. Soyou want to buy the movie rights to our lives?No, no, he replied, shaking his head. I want to buy the movie rights to the book of your lives. Someone wanted to make a biopic about you, they wouldnt have to pay you a penny. Youre both public figures.Im not a public figure, Eddie objected.Your wife is, Marvin told him, so you are too. Thats how it works, like it or not. But my way makes it official. Gives the movie the seal of authenticity.But like I said, I dont know when the book will be finished, said Nina. Or even if. Again Macy picked up on the resignation in her tone; the younger womans expression became questioning, but she didnt interrupt. And to be honest, Im not entirely comfortable with Hollywood turning what I do into mass entertainment. I mean, its my workits my life! And real people have died on my archaeological expeditions, friends of ours. I dont like the idea of moments like that being re-created for people to watch while theyre eating popcorn.I understand, believe me, said Marvin. But heres the thing: Like it or not, you are famous, and this is the time to capitalize on it... before someone else does. You know how many scripts with the word Atlantis in the title are going around the studios? A dozen at leastand theyre all riding on your back. Ancient myths and legends are big right now, and its entirely because of the stuff youve dug up over the past few years.I think they were already big without me. I mean, theyve been in the collective consciousness for thousands of years.Thats just it, though. Theyve been there in the background, with nobody really paying any attention until you came along. He leaned forward again, hands spread wide. You know what movies are? Theyre our modern-day myths and legends. The difference is that they dont evolve over time, theyre manufactured, fully formed, like Athena born from the forehead of Zeus. Noticing Ninas surprise, he added with a sly smile: What, just cause Im a Hollywood producer I cant know my classics? You should see my art collection. I can bore for my country about Dutch Renaissance paintings.Oh, he can, man, said Grant, pressing fingers to his temple to suppress a headache-inducing memory.People believe in movies, Marvin went on. And even if whats up on screen is total bullshit, it still gets taken in. His gaze became more intense behind his tinted glasses. Nina, this is your chance to make sure that the story being told on that screenyour storyis true. What do you say?Feeling uncomfortably as though she was being bamboozled by an expert, Nina looked to Eddie for advice, but he could only manage an uncertain shrug. Ill... think about it, she eventually said.This seemed to satisfy Marvin for the moment; she was sure he would follow up with more persistence before long. Good, great, he said as the waiter approached with their first courses. Okay, now lets eat. what is the most read book ever Kingdom of Darkness: A Novel (Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase)
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Nina's last adventure...?By ChickenVikingEddie and Nina are back again! Fresh from the adventures of the last book, things are not looking good. Nina is dying, so she quit the IHA and decided to spend her remaining time (however short it might be) with her husband, and they plan on just enjoying themselves. But, of course, did anyone think that would last? So when opportunity find them, Nina decides that fine, whatever, just one last adventure. One last discovery. How difficult can it be? Oh, Nina, my dear... haven't you learned anything from your last adventures? Did you really expect this one to go smoothly and peacefully? So young, so naive... and so much fun for the rest of us!Kingdom of Darkness is a pretty awesome book, as usual. Even better, the story focuses on Eddie and Nina together for most of the book, so we won't have to deal with Eddie and someone else through half the book anymore. The villains are more badass than ever, and the stakes higher than ever. Which is pretty impressive, all things considered. The explosions are louder, the car-chases faster and the bullets keeps on flying. Just the way we want it. :)This isn't my favorite Nina/Eddie-book, but it's close. If this is to be Nina's last adventure, she sure knows how to go out with style!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Sad loss of an innocent (no spoilers) but I'm hopeful ...By anonymousAlways a wild ride with Andy McDermott. Death, destruction, mayhem ... you know, the usual. Sad loss of an innocent (no spoilers) but I'm hopeful that the story picks up and things even out (only half-way through it so far). Grammatically awkward to read at times (not exactly Shrunk White conforming) but the play is the thing and Andy keeps the story line moving - or rather, rushing along violently. Can't wait to see what multi-thousand year old artifact, building, site Nina and Eddie will destroy next!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Just once I wish Andy would change the formula!By T. PerryLoved the book. As always Andy does an excellent job of placing you in the story. After 10 books he's formula with Nina and Eddie is getting old. Start Nina/Eddie having a nice day bad guys comes Eddie destroys a city, next the set off to find the object, next Nina/Eddie fight, Nina get capture Eddie goes for the save the bad guy gets away, finds the object and Nina/Eddie kill the save the world. In this book (spoiler) I was really hoping they'd kill the Nazis in Argentina. Nina/Eddie and crew have a happier ending.