England doesn't want the document, fearing an exacerbation of its situation with Germany. An obsessive collector of an Austrian count would wants it as part of his collection. The Vatican wants it returned posthaste.
Cyrus Barker, however, delays getting the document to the Vatican's representative who grows ever more threatening. Barker's delay puzzles Thomas, and the situation is getting dicey.
For his own reasons, Cyrus continues to keep the document from the Vatican's emissary, angering the Prime Minister, the Police Commissioner, the Vatican representative and endangering himself and Thomas.
from description: "With secret societies, government assassins, political groups, and shadowy figures of all sorts doing everything they can—attacks, murders, counter-attacks, and even massive street battles—to acquire the satchel and its contents, this small task might be beyond even the prodigious talents of Cyrus Barker."
Of course, questioning Barker and Llewellyn's dedication is ill-advised... and underestimating the pair is reckless.
NetGalley/St. Martin's Press
Historical mystery. Nov. 12, 2019. Print length: 320 pages.
-------Interesting--------
Lisa Wingate's Before We Were Yours novel (fiction based on fact) has led to Wingate teaming up with Judy Christie and publishing Before and After: The Incredible Real Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived The Tennessee Children's Home. It is estimated that 5,000 children were part of the black market scheme.
Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Before and After. I'd love to read more about those real life orphans. I'm glad they are telling their stories!
ReplyDeleteStealing and selling children and getting away with it for so long--hard to imagine.
DeleteSounds like there's a lot going on in Lethal Pursuit.
ReplyDeleteBefore We Were Yours (likewise Before and After) sound like a heartbreaking read yet it's important those orphans' voices are heard .
Yes, all those children have stories that need to be heard. It is like the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, except Tann avoided having to feed and house the mothers by stealing the children.
DeleteThat kind of children's home was a particular problem in the forties and fifties in this country, seems like. I know there was one in central Texas during those decades that was exposed in a book four or five years ago. I remember reviewing it and even having two or three of the people who "survived" it make comments on the post. The Irish were particularly guilty of this, too, even in much more recent decades. Human beings are capable of anything - and that sometimes scares me, sometimes disgusts me.
ReplyDeleteIt is so heartbreaking to view the accounts of orphanages here, in Canada, and in Ireland that were so devastatingly cruel in so many ways. The Magdalene Laundries in Ireland operated for around 150 years. It is discouraging to realize the depths to which some people sink.
DeleteI read and reviewed Before We Were Yours and then saw in the newspaper where local author Judy Christie revealed that she was co-authoring a follow-up with Lisa Wingate to share the stories of some of the real children who survived the Tennessee Children's Home. Gut-wrenching events and we, as a society, apparently haven't learned a thing when you see what has transpired along our southern border. Tragic that some adults feel no compunction at using children as pawns.
ReplyDeleteThey are gut-wrenching events, and no, we don't seem to progressing in our care for children. The children in cages, separated from their parents, and given minimum care are another tragedy we will have to account for.
DeleteOh my, I need to go find out more about Lethal Pursuit and that seires! This one sounds soo good!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed the Barker/Llewellyn historical series for some time. :)
DeleteI've enjoyed it since the very first book, and I'm now reading Lethal Pursuit. :-)
DeleteLethal Pursuit sounds like fun. Before We Were Yours is one I would really like to read. Such a heartbreaking story, and to know it's based on actual events makes it all the more poignant.
ReplyDelete