Black Sun [Paperback]

Those hoping for a more original plot than that found in Twining's first book, The Double Eagle, will be disappointed with this thriller again featuring Tom Kirk, a London-based ex-CIA agent and former professional art thief. Kirk is trying to go straight when he's recruited for a British MI6 operation to thwart a group of neo-Nazi extremists known as Kristall Blade. Tom wants no part of it until shown that his longtime enemy, Harry Renwick, is one of the conspirators. Soon Tom and partners Archie Connolly and the lovely Dominique de Lecourt are off on a Da Vinci Code–like treasure hunt complete with maps, codes, secret safety deposit boxes, car chases, gun fights and those favorite WWII staples, Eichmann's "gold train" and the lost Russian Amber Room. Veteran thriller readers, especially those who specialize in the Nazi subgenre, will find few surprises. Kirk, a muted, low-key character, spends far too much time brooding about his complicated backstory; the man could use a strong dose of caffeine and less shopworn material to break him out of his lethargy. (Dec.)
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The author follows The Double Eagle (2005) with this equally entertaining sequel. Around the world, thieves are committing strange robberies and bizarre murders, all of them apparently connected to World War II and Nazi Germany. To solve the crimes, art thief turned investigator Tom Kirk and his partner (and former fence), Archie Connolly, must navigate their way through a labyrinth of devious clues left behind by a supersecret Nazi group more than half a century ago. At the end of the trail: a world-shattering secret and a showdown with Tom's archnemesis. As he did in The Double Eagle, Twining plunges into the story on page 1 and rarely slows down until the finale. Fast paced and exciting, with a -bigger-than-life villain, a conflicted hero, and a solid payoff: What more does a thriller need? David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

PRAISE FOR JAMES TWINING'S THE DOUBLE EAGLE 'A carefully constructed tale straight out of the Dan Brown mould of thriller writing' Sunday Sun 'The Double Eagle will leave you breathless, but never dizzy. Solid debut work' Ladsmag 'This would make the perfect Tom Cruise movie' The Independent on Sunday 'A captivating, engrossing debut,...a fast-paced tale of international crime and skullduggery written with style and panache. Twining is a worthy successor to Forsyth, Follett, and Higgins. Highly recommended.' Christoper Reich 'This is an auspicious beginning for a fledgling series' Publishers Weekly 'Twining's obvious research pays off as we are treated to a compelling fusion of real historical events and modern thrills. His references to notable art and artifacts, especially pieces lost to art thieves, lend an air of veracity to the entire novel' Library Journal 'Brilliantly written with numerous double crosses taking place, James Twining has created a delightful and thought-provoking protagonist. Along with deceit, shattered promises, and murder all going hand in hand The Double Eagle is certainly a pacy novel' Shots

James Twining was born in London but spent much of his childhood in Paris. After graduating from Christ Church, Oxford, with a first-class degree in French Literature, he joined the investment bank UBS, working in their corporate finance division. In 1999 he left to set up his own company and in 2001 was named as one of the eight 'Best of Young British' entrepreneurs in The New Statesman. James lives in London with his wife, Victoria, and is now a full-time writer. The Double Eagle is his first novel and he is currently completing the second Tom Kirk adventure, The Gold Train.