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.
