An elite secret society of killers has controlled the world’s treasures for hundreds of years…until one member tears himself free to salvage his soul and protect his daughter’s life in this “astoundingly original, relentlessly paced, and purely authentic” (Jack Carr) debut.
The single greatest work of art in the world is not in the Louvre or The Met, or in any private collection. In fact, its whereabouts are unknown.
Once in a long while, a child is born possessing the rarest of gifts, the innate ability to feel impossible beauty, to recognize priceless works of art. When such a child is discovered, a 250-year-old secret organization called Our World trains them to acquire the greatest works of art through theft, bribery, forgery, and even murder. Once found, the masterpiece will disappear again without anyone ever knowing it surfaced and sold for billions of dollars of profit at a secret auction attended by only the wealthiest of the art world’s patrons.
One of Our World’s rare geniuses is Zhivago. He is also a psychopathic killer. On his trail is Hunter, a man who will stop at nothing to destroy the organization and save his daughter from suffering the same fate her mother did at its hands.
Jim Shockey is a Canadian writer, worldwide adventurer, wilderness outfitter, television producer, and host. He is an expert in folk and tribal art and founded the Hand of Man Museum in British Columbia. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @JimShockey_. Find out more at JimShockey.com.
Read an Excerpt
Chapter 1 Zhivago is dead.
I hunted him down and I killed him.
The police are gone and the street is dark now. Quiet. I stood right here and watched them carry him away. No. Watched isn’t the right word; I enjoyed them carrying him away. He will never say “exquisite” again. He will never hurt you.
Zhivago is only the first. Before this is done, they will all know me as fear.
You knew me a long time ago by another name. Know me now as Tsau-z.
