Genre: Legal Thriller
Sub-genres: Crime Fiction, International Suspense, Art World Drama
Themes: Justice, deception, loyalty, friendship, memory, art and authenticity, corruption, morality
Review
Opening the Story
The novel begins in Costa Rica, not in a courtroom but on a sunlit beach where ex-Navy SEALs stumble into a crime that ties paradise to peril. The transition from surfboards to sniper rifles is immediate and jarring. Yet the real intrigue emerges later in New York, where law, art, and finance intersect.
The Heart of the Case
At its core, the book asks: what is authenticity worth—whether in art, in law, or in human loyalty? A billionaire collector, suspicious of his multimillion-dollar acquisitions, hires Chance Cormac, a Brooklyn attorney with a bruised past. As forensic science reveals flaws invisible to the human eye, the case widens into an exploration of fraud, trust, and power.
Characters that Resonate
Danzig brings together a web of figures—veterans struggling with memory, attorneys juggling loyalty and law, families fractured by past choices, and collectors obsessed with possession. Each thread forces readers to question who truly owns the truth.
A Wider Lens
Scientific asides—such as why carbon dating fails post-1950 due to nuclear fallout—anchor the story in real-world fact. Anecdotes about boxing, surfing, and even local culture make the thriller more than plot mechanics. Like a Richter canvas, it rewards lingering.
Who the Book Is (and Isn’t) For
This is for readers who enjoy John Grisham but wish his novels traveled further—into the surf towns of Central America, the art halls of New York, and the dangerous crossroads of global crime. It is not for those seeking light escapism; the moral weight is real, even when hidden behind courtroom banter or brushstrokes of paint.
Content Warning
This novel contains depictions of violent crime, references to cartel activity, and legal cases involving sensitive family issues.
Atlas of Stories Award
This book is a recipient of the Atlas of Stories Award, an accolade that celebrates works mapping the literary world with creativity and depth. Aligned with our mission of “Mapping the World Through Books,” this award honors stories that inspire, educate, and entertain while transcending cultural and imaginative borders. These remarkable narratives explore universal themes, fostering connection and understanding as they take readers on a journey through the richness of global storytelling.
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