Raymond Khoury crafts cinematic thrillers, his background in screenwriting lending a visual dynamism to his narratives. His works delve into compelling themes such as international conspiracies, the intersection of fact and faith, and the mysteries of the mind. Khoury expertly weaves contemporary plots with meticulously researched historical threads, creating stories that are both intellectually stimulating and breakneck in pace.
The narrative centers on Raymond's journey of self-reflection and fulfillment of a promise to his late wife, Belinda. Throughout their nearly 59 years together, she encouraged him to share his life experiences and the guidance he received from his angels. In his time of mourning, Raymond feels compelled to honor her memory by finally writing the book she always wanted him to create, motivated by her voice urging him to share his story.
Naples, 1750. In the dead of the night, three men with swords burst into the palazzo of a marquis. The intruders' leader, the Prince of San Severo, accuses the marquis of being an impostor, and demands to know a secret that he believes the man harbours. In the fight that ensues, the false marquis escapes over the rooftops, leaving behind a burning palazzo and a raging prince who is now obsessed with finding his quarry at any cost. Baghdad, 2003. An American army unit hunting down Saddam's inner circle makes a horrifying discovery: a state-of-the-art, concealed lab where dozens - men, women, children - have died after enduring gruesome experiments. The mysterious scientist they were after, a man believed to be working on a bioweapons program and known only as the hakeem - the doctor - escapes, taking with him the startling truth about his work. A puzzling clue is left behind, crudely carved into the wall of one of the underground prison's cells: a circular symbol of a snake feeding on its own tail. So begins Raymond Khoury's explosive new novel, placing two bold women at the centre of the action as they get caught up in a murderous trail of ancient clues.