A murder in a quiet English village, long-buried secrets and a manâs search for answers about his traumatic past entangle FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan in the latest edge-of-your-seat Sharpe & Donovan novel
As a young boy, Oliver York witnessed the murder of his wealthy parents in their London apartment. The killers kidnapped him and held him in an isolated Scottish ruin, but he escaped, thwarting their plans for ransom. Now, after thirty years on the run, one of the two men Oliver identified as his tormentors may have surfaced.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan are enjoying the final day of their Irish honeymoon when a break-in at the home of Emmaâs grandfather, private art detective Wendell Sharpe, points to Oliver. The Sharpes have a complicated relationship with the likable, reclusive Englishman, an expert in Celtic mythology and international art thief who taunted Wendell for years. Emma and Colin postpone meetings in London with their elite FBI team and head straight to Oliver. But when they arrive at Yorkâs country home, a man is dead and Oliver has vanished.
As the danger mounts, new questions arise about Oliverâs account of his boyhood trauma. Do Emma and Colin dare trust him? With the trail leading beyond Oliverâs small village to Ireland, Scotland and their own turf in the United States, the stakes are high, and Emma and Colin must unravel the decades-old tangle of secrets and lies before a killer strikes again.
New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers delivers the gripping, suspense-filled tale readers have been waiting for.
1
Dublin, Ireland
Colin Donovan eyed his wife of almost two weeks, a glass of champagne in front of her on their low table at the crowded, upscale bar at the landmark Shelbourne Hotel in the heart of Dublin. Since he knew Emma Sharpe as well as he did, he noticed the slight pull in her eyes that indicated tension. âLast night of our honeymoon,â he said, leaning back in his comfortable stuffed chair.
She smiled. âWeâll make the most of it.â
He returned her smile. âWe will. You look good, Emma. Rested, happy and rosy-cheeked.â
âThe rosy cheeks are due to the champagne.â
âAnd the tension I see in those green eyes of yours?â
She picked up her champagne. âIâm in reentry mode.â
Colin got that. They would be back at their offices on the Boston waterfront in a few days. Right now, they could enjoy the views out the tall Shelbourne windows across to St. Stephenâs Green as the long June day slowly wound down. Every seat at the polished bar and the tables was occupied with laughing shoppers with their Brown Thomas bags, tourists in sensible shoes and young office workers with loosened ties.
âThen thereâs Granddad,â Emma added. âHeâs up to something.â
Wendell Sharpe was always up to something but Colin knew he didnât need to tell Emma. âSpeak of the devil,â he said, nodding to the entrance off the lobby.
She followed his gaze, sipping her champagne as she watched her octogenarian grandfather, who lived in Dublin, make his way toward them in his rumpled khakis, sport coat and bow tie. He was semiretired, but no one believed he would ever fully give up his work as a private art detective. Not willingly, anyway. Meeting for drinks at the Shelbourne had been his idea.
He shuddered as he arrived at their table. âCould you two at least try to look less like FBI agents?â
âWe are FBI agents, Granddad.â Emma set down her glass and rose, smiling as she and her grandfather embraced. âItâs great to see you.â
Colin got to his feet and he and Wendell shook hands. âGood to see you, Wendell.â
âWelcome to Dublin. How was the honeymoon?â He grinned. âDonât answer.â He pulled out a chair and sat with a heavy sigh. âI walked from my place. Beautiful day. When did you get in?â
âAbout an hour ago,â Emma said. âWe walked in the park and got here about twenty minutes ago. Itâs the last day of a perfect honeymoon.â
âYour secret Irish honeymoon didnât stay secret for long, did it?â
Emma laughed. âIt didnât stay secret at all.â
âEveryone knows weâre here,â Colin added, glad to see some of Emmaâs earlier strain ease.
âYou chose Ireland for Emma,â Wendell said. âTough to think of you as romantic.â
âNot going there, Wendell.â
âAre you making a stop in Dublin on FBI business?â
Emma shook her head, strands of her fair hair falling onto her forehead. She reached for her champagne and sat back with it. âWeâre here to see you, Granddad.â
Colin picked up his Smithwickâs. âWhatâre you drinking, Wendell?â
âSparkling water. I like to keep my head about me with you two.â