This is a work of fiction. The characters, scenes, and plot are invented. Truth may be stranger than fiction, but fiction can be more illuminating. What is not invented are the rapidly escalating threats around the world to journalists and other truth seekers; the dangers of privatized defense and intelligence services, of divisive entertainment masquerading as journalism, and of the rising surveillance state.

I would like to acknowledge the many rangers, conservationists, journalists, scientists, diplomats, soldiers, and more who work tirelessly in the field to conserve and protect life around us. I owe a special debt of gratitude to National Geographic, which for years was my home as an investigative journalist.

I am grateful to my publisher, Mark Tavani, at Putnam and my agent, Jennifer Joel, at ICM for their support and expertise.

My uncle, FBI Special Agent Kevin Flannery, retired, took me under his wing years ago and taught me investigation.

Most of all, my wife, Jennifer, saw this book from one “What is the opposite of that?” moment to the next, editing countless drafts with both her lawyer’s pen and her artist’s brush, making this novel better than it ever would have been without her. The same can be said of me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bryan Christy is the former head of Special Investigations at National Geographic and the 2014 National Geographic Society "Rolex Explorer of the Year."His criminal investigations have been the subject of two award-winning National Geographic documentaries and his crime writing has been anthologized in The Best American Science and Nature Writing. He is author of the non-fiction book The Lizard King. His education includes Penn State, Cornell's FALCON Program, University of Michigan Law School, Tokyo University Law School, and time at the Iowa Writers' Workshop.

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