A US ambassador with a deadly secret is held hostage in Central America by Cuban-backed guerillas. The President must face up to the toughest choice of all: mount a rescue operation against terrible odds, or kill his own ambassador to make sure his secret doesn't fall into the wrong hands. While the CIA counsels assassination, one man — maverick special-operations officer Silas Slocum — believes he can pull off the rescue of the century...

'An exceptional thriller... you cannot wait to turn the page'
DAILY TELEGRAPH

'The best damned action yarn I've read in years'
TOM CLANCY

‘Take a very deep breath when you start. It will have to last until you’re finished. This novel is nothing less than brilliant’.
TOM CLANCY JNR – AUTHOR OF THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER

‘It starts with a bang and goes off like a rocket! The tension continues to mount all the way to the violent climax of the book. I was glued to it from start to finish. A real rip-snorter!’
KEN FOLLETT

‘Catapults Quinnell into the ranks of such masters as Ludlum (at his best), Trevanian and Le Carre…compelling…more than just another thriller…you can’t put it down!’
THE LOS ANGELES HERALD EXAMINER

‘Exceptional! A story of impact and dimension. It takes off from the first page with an urgency that never quits’.
THE HOUSTON POST