DA VINCI CODE meets TOMB RAIDER in the first striking installment of the rare ten-time-award-winning and #1 international bestselling VanOps global thriller series. #1 NYT bestselling author James Rollins called THE LOST POWER, "A book that defines 'page-turner.'"Spain 1057: During a thunderous battle, the first King of Aragon wrestles Alexander the Great's priceless Egyptian weapon from the Moors, but finds it holds a terrifying and mysterious power.Nearly a thousand years later, gunshots and the clatter of breaking glass rip through a fog-shrouded Napa Valley morning. Maddy Marshall, an app designer who studies martial arts, and her twin brother, engineer Will Argones, quickly run toward the sound. Horrified, they discover a sniper has cut down two members of their family.Before the pool of blood on the living room floor is dry, their father sends the twins on a dangerous quest to recover Alexander's ancient relic. Joined by a broad-shouldered marine who harbors a secret alliance with VanOps, an ultra-black covert agency, they soon discover the global stakes involved in uncovering the past.The trio follow time-worn clues from a medieval Spanish castle to a lost warren under the streets of Jerusalem, racing against time to unlock the puzzle that will lead them to an arcane power--before a hostile state seizes that power and cripples the United States.To survive, they must go undercover and off-grid. No place is safe, a wrong move means death, and even a simple phone call is off-limits. Because now, the sniper has his sights set on them.Fans of Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, Steve Berry, and James Rollins will devour the pages of this instant #1 Barnes and Noble bestseller.THE LOST POWER is the first book in the fast-paced, ten-time-award-winning VanOps thriller series. It's told from multiple viewpoints, with short, punchy chapters. If you enjoy extraordinary edge-of-your-seat suspense, you'll stay up late turning the pages of Avanti Centrae's memorable high-stakes novel.-Genre Grand Prize blue ribbon winner at the Chanticleer International Book Awards-Honorable Mention winner at the Hollywood Book Festival-Bronze Medal winner at the Wishing Shelf Book AwardsProfessional Reviews:"Avanti Centrae's VanOps: The Lost Power opens a tantalizing new series that combines historical mystery and cutting-edge science into a masterwork of international intrigue--with the promise of more to follow. Don't miss this riveting debut!" ~ James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestselling author"...a good ole' fashioned rip-roaring adventure from start to finish. Enjoy the ride." ~ Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author"VanOps: The Lost Power takes readers on a fast-paced roller coaster of a ride across the globe in a top-notch thriller with high-stakes and plenty of edge-of-seat action." ~ Robin Burcell, NYT bestselling author of The Last Good Place and (co-written with Clive Cussler) The Oracle.

"The best book of its kind. . . . An exciting omnibus volume. . . . delivering memorable revelations about the mystery genre and its different incarnations." —Janet Maslin, New York TimesA great recurring character in a series you love becomes an old friend. You learn about their strange quirks and their haunted pasts and root for them every time they face danger. But where do some of the most fascinating sleuths in the mystery and thriller world really come from?What was the real-life location that inspired Michael Connelly to make Harry Bosch a Vietnam vet tunnel rat? Why is Jack Reacher a drifter? How did a brief encounter in Botswana inspire Alexander McCall Smith to create Precious Ramotswe? In The Lineup, some of the top mystery writers in the world tell about the genesis of their most beloved characters — or, in some cases, let their creations do the talking."This book will delight any mystery lover." ?Cleveland Plain Dealer"Who are more equipped to discourse on the origins, the motivations, the foibles, and the triumphs of their life's work than some of the best-known and most successful mystery and thriller writers on the planet?" —Los Angeles Times"Tremendous fun—clever, wide-ranging, revealing, even surprising. Bet you can't read just one." —Raleigh News and Observer"Fiery. . . . The authors take different approaches, but all offer an opportunity to see a familiar character in a new way. . . . It's also a great way to get a taste of some of the series you haven't read yet." —Maureen Corrigan, NPR.org

Review "The best book of its kind.... An exciting omnibus volume that has widespread appeal and adds up to much, much more than the sum of its parts....delivering memorable revelations about the mystery genre and its different incarnations....Candor is no small part of this collection's great value. Time and again these crime writers return to the same questions: Is your character like you? Where did the character's name come from? How did you get published? The answers are always interesting."?Janet Maslin, New York Times"This book will delight any mystery lover....[and] make readers return to favorite books with a fresh eye."?Michele Ross, Cleveland Plain Dealer"The natural bridge between authorial intention and reader demand. After all, who are more equipped to discourse on the origins, the motivations, the foibles, and the triumphs of their life's work than some of the best-known and most successful mystery and thriller writers on the planet?"?Sarah Weinman, Los Angeles Times"The ultimate How-dunit."?Janet Maslin, The New York Times"Tremendous fun--clever, wide-ranging, revealing, even surprising. Bet you can't read just one."?Raleigh News and Observer"Fiery....The authors take different approaches, but all offer an opportunity to see a familiar character in a new way....It's also a great way to get a taste of some of the series you haven't read yet."?Maureen Corrigan, NPR.org About the Author Otto Penzler is the proprietor of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, and the editor of many mystery anthologies, including The Encyclopedia of Mystery and Detection, for which he won an Edgar Award. He lives in New York. From AudioFile Male English, Irish, and Scottish writers have their essays read in the rich, liquid tones of John Lee, while Justine Eyre impersonates female scribes from both sides of the Atlantic. Blessedly, she's a talented mimic, so her Anne Perry sounds like a cheery Brit, while her Carol O'Connell is definitely from New York. Eyre's husband, John Nelson, is stuck with standard-issue Americans, which is another way of saying English with the music washed out. It's still a thrill, though, to get behind the curtain. We learn that Michael Connelly is afraid of tunnels. And that hero Jack Reacher got his name after Lee Child's wife suggested that if writing didn't pan out, the author's height might win him a job in a supermarket, reaching for boxes on high shelves. B.H.C. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

A FAMILY BUILT ON LIES.Looking out at my dead wife’s family in the pews, I know I’m meant to read the eulogy that’s tucked into my pocket. The one that tells a story of the life I built with my wonderful wife before she was tragically killed in a hit-and-run.But I decide to tell the truth. ‘I was married to two women. One I knew. And one I didn’t.’ Shocked murmurs echo around the church.‘My wife left me a letter. She told me to destroy it once I’d read it and not reveal its contents to anyone.’I grip the pulpit, my knuckles white. I see our two beautiful children sitting with their grandparents. ‘You might think me disloyal for going against Tara’s wishes, but I’ve decided to share this letter anyway.’‘Starting with lie number one.’EVERYTHING YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS FAMILY IS ABOUT TO BE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.AN EXHILARATING PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE WITH TWISTS THAT WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHLESS.This shocking story about the lies we tell those closest to us is perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden, Daniel Hurst, Patricia MacDonald, Shalini Boland, T.M. Logan and Clare Mackintosh.READERS LOVE NOT MY CHILD:????? ‘I was completely shocked and floored by the twist in this book. Absolutely took me by surprise . . . Your mind will be blown!’ Melissa S.????? ‘I could NOT put this down. This book was incredible and so suspenseful. So many secrets!’ Kim W.????? ‘Some great twists and turns which had me gripped to my Kindle from start to finish . . . Fantastic!’ Robert B.????? ‘Kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was gonna happen . . . I devoured this book in one sitting!’ Ree Reads????? ‘Keeps you guessing right until the end. Lots of twists and turns and shocks . . . Brilliant!’ Emma B.????? ‘The twists kept coming . . . A breathtaking thriller.’ Lauryn Y.????? ‘Wowzers! I loved this book and could not put it down . . . Twists and turns throughout.’ Hayley S.????? ‘Wow, what a book! I could not put it down.’ Nauld D.????? ‘Wow, the twist! This book had me questioning everything from the first page.’ Amanda P.????? ‘Wow! This was an absolute page-turner from the very start.’ Brent J.ALSO BY JANE E. JAMESHER SECOND HUSBANDNOT MY CHILD

About the Author Jane E. James is a bestselling author who likes to create chilling reads that appeal to fans of psychological suspense thrillers, mysteries, and dark fiction. Her novels are packed with plot twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. All of them are standalone novels. Jane is an animal lover and lives with her cat, Hero, in a small country village near Stamford, Lincolnshire in the UK, which is known for its quirky tea shops and cobbled streets. Rebecca, Carrie, The Woman in Black and Wuthering Heights are among some of Jane's favourite reads.

?????"The story was captivating, dark and full of twists, creating a delicious desire to read as much as possible." -@booksandacrochethook?????"My jaw was on the floor for the final quarter as I quit all my plans to devour and uncover what happened." -@bookstarreviews_?????"The Forgotten Bride is a gripping thriller packed with cunning characters, a mystery that kept me guessing, and dialogue so camp I couldn’t stop laughing." -@richsreadsTen years ago, Olivia Lakewell disappeared on her wedding day—vanishing without a trace outside a sun-drenched Californian chapel. For a decade, she was held captive in a dark underground bunker, subjected to chilling psychologicalmanipulation and psychological terror by a faceless monster who refused to reveal why.Now, Olivia has escaped.But freedom isn't what she imagined. Her fiancé has moved on, her daughter barely remembers her, and her life—once filled with hope—is a haunting shell of what it was. As she tries to reclaim what’s hers, she’s thrust into a maze of secrets, betrayal, and lingering danger. Who took her? Why was she kept alive? And is the nightmare truly over?This gripping mystery thriller is a masterclass in psychological suspense, abduction horror, and emotional drama. The Forgotten Bride is a tense psychological crime story that pulls you into the chilling mind games of a captor and the fight of a forgotten woman who refuses to stay buried.Part of The Forgotten Bride psychological thriller series by Philip Anthony Smith. A must-read for lovers of:twisty, unputdownable psychological thrillersgripping dark crime thrillerschilling kidnapping suspense thrillerssuspenseful psychological dramas with a twisthostage thrillers filled with dark secretspsychological thriller series with twisted charactersPerfect for readers who crave the addictive twists of Freida McFadden, the emotional complexity of Jodi Picoult, and the dark suspense of Gillian Flynn, The Forgotten Bride delivers a nerve-shredding psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page. Fans of Lisa Jewell’s domestic secrets, Ruth Ware’s claustrophobic tension, and Karin Slaughter’s unflinching crime drama will find themselves hooked by Philip Anthony Smith’s sharp prose, haunting atmosphere, and unforgettable heroine.

THE STANDALONE SEQUEL TO IF SHE DIES2023 Reader Ready Awards Top Pick2022 Best-Thrillers Book Awards FinalistTess is picking up the pieces of a devastating car crash that rendered her sister-in-law, Torrie, comatose—and left her responsible for Torrie’s infant son, Levi. Shortly after, a woman appears on Tess’s doorstep claiming to be Torrie’s estranged sister and Levi’s rightful guardian. But then a second stranger arrives with the same story…PROLOGUEThe first thing I see when I open my eyes is blood; running down my left forearm, glazing the backside of my hand and dripping from my fingers. My father cursed me with thin blood, and my first emergency room visit was at age seven after crashing my bicycle and cutting my ankle on a broken spoke. It had been a gusher, painting the sidewalk red within seconds. Genetics, the friendly ER doctor with the overbite told my mother. My bone marrow didn’t produce enough platelets to properly clot.Pain flares through my neck as I turn my head. I’m in the driver’s seat of my car, and something white and soft dangles from the steering wheel. It looks like a crumpled pillowcase, and it only takes me a moment longer to realize it’s a deflated airbag. Through the cracked windshield, I can see the giant wooden utility pole that’s taken a large bite out of my hood. The Malibu’s left headlamp is flickering, and the right headlamp is pointed crazily toward the sky.A deer, I tell myself. We swerved to avoid hitting a deer.We.My heart leaps inside my chest as I look to the passenger seat for Josh. The seat’s empty, but the airbag there has also deployed, and the door is open. Someone was in the seat, but not my husband. Josh is home babysitting, because I went out to dinner with—“Torrie,” I rasp.Everything comes rushing back.What readers are saying about If She Wakes“Fast-paced thriller that will keep you guessing.”—Bonnie Reads & Writes“Each chapter left me wanting more.”—Blue Moon Blogger“Took me less than a day to read.”—Bookworm Blogger“Hooks you from the very start.”—Whispering Stories“The suspense pours off the page.”—Page Ladies“This book gave me chills.”—Books With Gina

Nicholas “Deke”Deketomis Returns to Face His Darkest Case Yet—And His Own Haunted PastWhen fifteen-year-old Trayvon Clapper is murdered by a guard at Camp B in Florida, his fringe-living mother and boyfriend come to Bergman-Deketomis to file a lawsuit against the facility. Details of the case trigger in Deke memories of his own troubled childhood. As a boy, Deke had no stable parents around him, so he lived with several different families over the years as he grew up, avoiding the foster care system. However, his best friend, Bucky, was not so fortunate. He, too, was killed in a similar facility… and Deke has carried within him a powerful guilt that he has never talked about to anyone, including his wife and children.Cara Deketomis, Deke’s daughter, is a young lawyer at the firm also working on the case. She comes to recognize the pain her father is feeling but she does not have the ability to break through to the truth. An opportunity in Cara’s personal life also hammers a wedge between father and daughter, adding more stress to the situation.Meanwhile, investigation into the case uncovers a hidden threat that could endanger everyone at the law firm. A corrupt Congressman, Bob Minds, and his shady colleague, Skyler Bannock, are “fixers” for Phoenix Industries, the parent company of Camp B and other child “protective” services facilities that do anything but that. Minds and Bannock resort to nefarious crimes to make Phoenix’s problems go away,i ncluding bribery, intimidation, and even murder. And then there’s Skyler’s brother, Midas, a killer straight out of a nightmare, who does the team’s dirtiest work.Will the ugly forces behind the scenes wreak lethal havoc on Deke and his team? Will the echo of Deke’s guilt get in the way of a successful legal action against Phoenix? In the tradition of The Middleman, Suspicious Activity,and Inhuman Trafficking, Mike Papantonio takes Deke and his cohorts on a new and different kind of legal gamble, but full of the action and thrills for which he is known.