"An intelligent literary thriller…much better thn the so-called blockbusters I used to read when Head buyer at Waterstone's," Scott Pack, former publisher with The Friday Project, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Spain… Art… Intrigue… Murder…

Can two miniature paintings bring down a government?

When a young German woman, Sabine Hassell, is bequeathed two paintings presumed destroyed during the siege of Madrid in 1936 – a simple chore becomes a deadly chase.

Sabine enlists the help of an English art expert, James Howard Graham. Together they zig-zag a trail across Spain, unaware that their movements are being closely followed by Málaga police detective, Jordi Cotelo and an ambitious colleague too eager to prove his worth to his superiors.

Sabine's quest prompts the involvement of shadowy international agencies with a shared agenda. Will they aid or sabotage her efforts?

The new blood of Europe encounters the old Blood of Spain, revealing secret allegiances and ambitions of power, as an international cast of engaging characters journey to the dark soul of Spain's ignoble past.

Greed, vanity, pride, envy and lust fuel a murderous hunt for... vengeance? Supremacy? Or truth?

"Extremely impressed …Haarlson Phillipps is an excellent and accomplished writer who has that wonderful capability of convincing the reader that the characters, locations and plot are all authentic."

"This is a strong thriller. It's tautly written, has good pace, good dialogue and an intriguing plot. ... the narrative moves at a cracking pace. Characters are all well drawn — a smooth and easy read ... a gripping tale."

"I enjoyed reading this immensely. The story, right from the onset, is gripping and very well written … a superb story... The Spanish Civil War introduction sets the scene perfectly for things to come…a winner... intrigue and eccentric interesting characters ... many finely phrased metaphors — a superb thriller."

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