New Releases by Russell Blake

Treasure hunting husband-and-wife team Sam and Remi Fargo must protect a discovery that redefines Totlec history in this high-stakes adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling author Clive Cussler. Baffin Island: Sami and Remi Fargo are on a climate-control expedition in the Arctic, when to their astonishment they discover a Viking ship in the ice, perfectly preserved—and filled with pre–Columbian artifacts from Mexico. How can that be? As they plunge into their research, tantalizing clues about a link between the Vikings and the legendary Toltec feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl—and a fabled object known as the Eye of Heaven—begin to emerge. But so do many dangerous people. Soon the Fargos find themselves on the run through jungles, temples, and secret tombs, caught between treasure hunters, crime cartels, and those with a far more personal motivation for stopping them. At the end of the road will be the solution to a thousand-year-old mystery—or death.

Jet - Survival is the eighth volume in the JET series, which picks up from where Jet - Sanctuary left off. From the squalid ports of Panama to the cartel infested jungles of Colombia, Jet, Matt, and Hannah must battle the most deadly adversaries yet if they are to survive.

JET - Ops Files, Terror Alert picks up the story of Maya, the operative who would become Jet, on her first mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she must race the clock to stop a terror attack that would change the world order. Spanning the globe, from Israel to Bangladesh to Europe to the UK, Maya must risk it all to save thousands of innocents from an atrocity too horrifying to contemplate.

In order to survive in power, the rulers of political regimes must rely on armed forces for defense. In developing forces that are strong enough to protect the state, however, rulers give rise to a new type of challenger for political power that may itself threaten the government. This dilemma has long troubled political leaders and has frequently resulted in coups d''etat, to the point where these events have become the most common form of political instability in the world. Chapter 1 presents a game theoretic model that distills this fundamental dilemma to its barest essentials, and shows that the logic underlying the conventional wisdom on civil-military relations is misguided. The risk of a coup does not depend on the severity of the external threat facing the regime --- as previous research holds --- but rather on the factors that lead political and military agents to hold divergent beliefs about the nature of the threat. Chapter 2 extends this model and focuses on the "Circling of the Wagons" effect, in which elevated threats induce military loyalty. Even though larger external threats increase the military''s willingness to remain loyal, rulers are only willing to behave aggressively to exacerbate the threat environment when they are uncertain about the severity of these threats. Predictions derived from the theory find support in survival analysis of disputatious dyads from 1950 to 2001. Chapter 3 examines the claim that military performance is hurt by rulers who select personnel on the basis of their ties to the regime for fear of a coup. The argument centers around the need to consider the competing imperatives facing rulers in states at risk of a military coup. Because military agents who are more willing to remain loyal need not be constrained in their ability to act against the regime, military organizations comprised of politically-reliable personnel can be trusted with more coercive power. This proposition is evaluated through a qualitative analysis of the Iraqi armed forces during the Iran-Iraq War.

JET VII picks up where JET VI left off, with Jet, Matt and Hannah on the run in South America, trying to evade enemies from their past who are determined to exterminate them. From Chile to Rio to Argentina to Moscow, the action never lets up as Jet battles to save her loved ones.

BLACK To Reality is the fourth in the acclaimed BLACK series of noir detective fiction featuring Artemus Black, the world''s losingest Hollywood Private Investigator. In this installment he is saved from financial calamity when he takes a case that requires him to work undercover on a reality television show, posing as an over-the-hill rocker trying for one last shot at success.

The Geronimo Breach is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride that pits the world''s most unlikely protagonist against the deadliest adversaries on the planet. From the corridors of Langley to the sweltering jungles of Panama, from the hills of Pakistan to the cocaine trails of Colombia, a clandestine scheme to preserve a terrible secret goes horribly awry, plunging a reluctant hero down a deadly rabbit hole of deceit and betrayal, while raising disturbing questions about the media, the war on terror & its linkage with the war on drugs, & the nature of reality in an age of sound-bites and photo ops. Albert Ross is a boozing, chain smoking philanderer; shifty, lazy, cowardly, going to fat, & more prone to doing the wrong thing than any man alive. His purgatorial existence working for the State Department in Panama gets shattered when a routine errand becomes a race against the clock, battling adversaries for whom no price is too high to protect a secret that could topple the world order. As the body count climbs, Al must face his own demons, as well as the myriad very real ones intent upon destroying him. The unexpectedly shattering conclusion of this richly drawn thriller is both topical & chillingly plausible, making for a roller-coaster action/adventure without parallel. ** Q & A for The Geronimo Breach w/ bestselling author Russell Blake Question: The Geronimo Breach is a radical departure from your usual thrillers. In this, we follow the tribulations of arguably the most horrible protagonist on the planet. Why write this character, this story, this way? RB: It started off as a knee-jerk reaction to several books I''d read, where the heroes were, well, bland & predictable. So over a few beers, I thought, what about writing a hero who''s so despicable there''s no way anyone could like him, but by the end of the book, in spite of him or ourselves, we do? Anyone can write a hero with appeal. How about one who has no appeal, and will actually do the worst possible thing for his situation, every time? A slob who''s so low, he''s compulsively losing even when he could win? Out of that came Al, who is probably the most remarkable character I''ve ever written. Can he prevail? Can he be redeemed? Is he even worth redeeming? Al''s my favorite character out of all my books, by far. No question. Q: The Geronimo Breach''s conspiracy is a shocker, & calls into question some sacred beliefs. Have you gotten any negative feedback about it? RB: Other than the circling black helicopters, you mean? Seriously, I just took something that seemed absurd to me, & proposed an alternative possibility. If it rings true, that says a lot for my powers of invention. Will we ever know the truth? Who even knows what the truth is anymore? The truth is evasive, and in my opinion, skepticism too lacking. Q: The Geronimo Breach has drawn acclaim from other authors as being landmark & defining. What''s your take on it? RB: Geronimo is one of the books I''d recommend to readers who''ve never read one of my books, along with King of Swords and JET. If they want to know how I differ from the monosyllabic guys cranking out formulaic screeds featuring hackneyed characters in predictable situations, my response would be, read Geronimo or King or JET. I''m particularly proud of the characters & the plot twists and turns, & would argue there''s no other books quite like them. Q:Why do readers respond the way they do to Al? RB: I think it''s refreshing to read a protagonist who''s so badly flawed. We see in him bits of ourselves, or people we know, & that resonates as being true. Al is remarkable, in that even after I finished with him, he lingers in my psyche like fungus. Hard to shake him.

"Justice continues the saga of the former Mossad operative as she battles to survive in a world intent on destroying her. From the streets of Argentina to the corridors of power in Moscow, her past continues to haunt her even as she flees it with all her heart."--Back cover.

When Artemus Black is hired to investigate a series of suspicious accidents at LA''s most prestigious modeling agency, he quickly discovers that brooding pouts and mascara can be as dangerous as guns or bombs. From LA to Mexico to Tahoe to NY, the story pokes fun at the world of high fashion as Black races to discover who''s killing the models...

JET - Ops Files chronicles the early years of Maya, who would go on to become the Mossad''s deadliest operative: the assassin known as Jet. From the West Bank to Tel Aviv to Jordan to Singapore to Indonesia, Ops Files is a breakneck adrenaline rush that will leave action thriller fans gasping.

In this second installment in the acclaimed BLACK series, Artemus Black, Hollywood PI to the stars, dives into the rap music scene to stop a killer - with often disastrous and humorous results. Fans of hard-boiled detective fiction from Elmore Leonard, Michael Connelly and Lawrence Block will enjoy Black''s trials and tribulations, all delivered with a tongue-in-cheek cynicism that''s uniquely Russell Blake.

Roads end. They begin somewhere, too. In between, all manner of things happen: friendship, betrayal, horror and maybe even joy. For some, the End of the Road brings love and happiness, for others agony and suffering, and for a precious few, sorrow may lead to something revelatory. The potholes and pitfalls found in this anthology are many, but for every character, there is an end of the road. This road ends in a collection of short stories by 31 of the most gifted writers of our time, with stories from action and mystery superstars Russell Blake, Traci Tyne Hilton and Mike Meyer; romance stars Jeanette Raleigh, C A Newsome, Suzie O''Connell, Kathleen Steed and Anna J.McIntyre; and from cutting edge science fiction and fantasy authors Saxon Andrew, Stephen Arseneault, John Daulton, and JRC Salter; post-apocalyptic and dystopian authors Brandon Hale, Scott Langrel, Dale Roberts and Jess Mountifield. Intended for lovers of short fiction everywhere, the End of the Road is a must read for anyone intent on keeping current with the literary scene.Contributing authors:Brandon HaleRobert ThomasSaxon AndrewRussell BlakeJames RozoffAnna J. McIntyreDonna B. McNicolDale RobertsRandall MorrisJames RozoffAlison BlakeStephen ArseneaultJeanette RaleighL. S. BurtonJess MountifieldShirley BourgetC. A. NewsomeJ R C SalterMichael MeyerE. B. BoggsDavid A. CubanScott LangrelTraci Tyne HiltonJohn DaultonKathleen SteedChris WardJacques AntoineSuzie O''ConnellSherrie GiddensThomas JennerAngeline Perkins

Artemus Black. Perennially down-on-his-luck Hollywood PI whose Bogie fixation is as dated as his wardrobe. With an assistant who mocks him relentlessly, an obese cat that loathes him, a romantic life that''s deader than Elvis, money problems, booze, nicotine, and anger management issues, how much worse can it get? When he takes a case that''s supposed to be easy money working for a celebrity whose colleagues and surrounding paparazzi are dropping faster than interest in the star''s big comeback, the cakewalk turns ugly and Black finds himself in a web of deceit, betrayal, and murder - and bad hair days. The first in a new series from bestselling author Russell Blake, Black is a detective mystery with a difference that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy.

"Vengeance finds Jet settled down, trying to return to a somewhat normal life of stability and safety. But fate has other plans for her when she becomes embroiled in a terrifying terrorism plot involving figures from her past, whose thirst for revenge forces her back into the kill-or-be-killed world she''d hoped to have put behind her forever"--Page 4 of cover.

A controversial, frightening bio-thriller that blurs the line between truth and fiction, Upon A Pale Horse raises disturbing questions about the man-made origin of nightmare epidemics, and posits a conspiracy so plausible that it will linger long after the novel''s shocking conclusion. When young attorney Jeffrey Rutherford''s brother is killed in a plane crash minutes after takeoff from JFK, his life is turned upside down - especially when he discovers that his brother''s career wasn''t what it seemed. Jeffrey''s staid existence is upended as he races to unravel a Gordian knot of deceit and betrayal, and ultimately must battle an unstoppable adversary bent on systematic global genocide.

"Legacy is the fifth installment in the bestselling Jet series, which follows the saga of the Mossad''s deadliest ex-operative, who faked her own death to escape her past. In this novel, Jet is called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to keep the ones she loves, and the world, safe" -- back cover.

A German hit man has targeted a world leader for execution. In a high octane race against the clock, an unlikely alliance must track and stop the assassin before he can carry out his unthinkable scheme. The fifth of the bestselling Assassin novels, Blood of the Assassin can be read as a stand-alone novel or as the continuation of the series. +++ Q&A with bestselling author Russell Blake Q: How is Blood of the Assassin different than the other Assassin books? RB: I wrote it so that it could be read by a someone who is new to my work, and unfamiliar with the prior books. In much the same way Da Vinci Code was the second in that series but was a satisfying read on its own, I wanted to try the same thing with Blood - a sequel that someone could start with knowing little or nothing about its predecessors. Having said that, it''s also consistent with the prior Assassin novels, so those who have read the series will find that it fits snugly in place. Q: So would you suggest new readers start here? RB: Sure. That''s the whole idea. I think that this book is a perfect example of my storytelling, pacing, character development, and plotting, and I''m confident that new readers will find it engaging and satisfying. Q: This volume features a lot more of Captain Cruz than the last ones. RB: Yes, I wanted him to have a central role, and explore his character more. Just as I wanted to flesh out El Rey in greater detail, and create a more nuanced story. It''s also by far the longest of the Assassin books, even after rigorous and ruthless editing. Q: So El Rey, the Mexican super-assassin, also features prominently. RB: For the same reason. I wanted to let him grow - give him a broader range. I''m particularly satisfied with how this effort turned out. El Rey fans will find everything they''ve grown to love or hate about him here, but with an evolving perspective on life. And I thought it would be fascinating to have one super-assassin hunting another. I think it wound up working well. But readers will be the ultimate judges...

Present Day Wall Street. Where intelligence agencies and the financial industry are strange bedfellows, and the two worlds are often intertwined in disturbing ways. In this chillingly plausible, controversial scenario of a military/industrial/financial complex run amok, Zero Sum pits Dr. Steven Archer Cross against powerful financier Nicholas Griffen in a conflict that raises troubling questions about our markets and our government. Racing against the clock in a chase that spans continents, one man''s battle to expose the Machiavellian machinations of a ruthless Wall Street marauder forces him into a financial jungle populated by every variety of unscrupulous sociopath - rogue intelligence agencies, Russian mafia oligarchs, drug cartels and terrorist networks. As a white-collar game of chess transitions into a lethal real world cage-fight, Steven finds himself in a deadly showdown, where hunters can quickly become the hunted and blood is the ultimate currency.

When a sacred relic is stolen from its subterranean guarded vault, Dr. Steven Cross, amateur cryptographer, becomes embroiled in a deadly quest to decipher one of history''s most enigmatic documents - a 15th century parchment written entirely in unbreakable code; The Voynich Manuscript. Stalked by secret societies, and aided by the daughter of a murdered colleague, a trail of riddles catapults Cross from England to Italy to the Middle East, where a Byzantine web of ancient secrets leads him to a revelation so profound it will change the world order.

Includes an excerpt from Book two in the Fatal series: Fatal deception.

An Angel With Fur is the heartwarming true story of Lobo the miracle dog. Rescued as a puppy from an animal shelter in Mexico, Lobo''s saga is a life-affirming romp chronicling his growth, adventures and challenges. Featuring forty photos from throughout his life, An Angel With Fur is a must read for pet owners and animal lovers everywhere, and invites you to celebrate and share in the journey of a remarkable spirit who touched everyone he encountered. At times hilarious and heartbreaking, it is a unique biography of an incredible dog, unlike anything you''ve ever read.

"The delphi chronicle follows the saga of NY private eye Michael Derrigan, as he unwittingly comes into possession of a manuscript that will change the world order if its secrets are aired. Clandestine factions of the U.S. government will do anything to keep the story buried, & a trail of butchery follows Derrigan as he races for his life in a chase that spans from New York, to Mexico, to Havana."--Back cover.

When El Rey, the super assassin responsible for Latin America''s most spectaclar hits, returns to Mexico for one final sanction, the race is on for Captain Romero Cruz of the Federales to stop him before he can fulfill his contract to kill the president.

Twenty-eight year old Jet, the former Mossad operative from the eponymous novel JET, must battle insurmountable odds to protect those she loves in a deadly race that stretches from the heartland of Nebraska to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., from the lurid streets of Bangkok to the deadly jungles of Laos and Myanmar. Fans of Kill Bill, the Bourne trilogy, and 24 will be delighted by this roller-coaster of action, intrigue and suspense.

"Manhattan. A ruthless serial killer is butchering financial industry high rollers. FBI Special Agent Silver Cassidy, the head of a task force that''s on a collision course with disaster, finds herself fighting impossible odds to stop the murderer before he can kill again. Struggling to balance the hunt for a savage predator with the challenges of being a single parent, Silver finds herself thrust into a nightmare of brutality that will demand every ounce of determination she possesses to survive"--Back cover.

The third in the series of novels chronicling the saga of El Rey, the King of Swords - the legendary, cold-blooded Mexican cartel assassin whose exploits have branded him as the most dangerous hired killer in the world.