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Description
When a brilliant pre-World War I battleship gun designer is ruled a suicide, the Van Dorn Detective Agency assigns chief investigator Isaac Bell to determine whether it was actually murder. Bell soon uncovers an elusive spy linked to a secret project who is systematically killing America's leading technologists, turning the case into a high-stakes chase across the country. The novel blends historical detail with fast-paced action as Bell races to stop the assassin before more minds are silenced.
Quick Summary
Isaac Bell, the dashing detective from the Van Dorn agency, jumps into a case that feels like a puzzle from the past when a brilliant American battleship gun designer appears to have taken his own life. The investigation quickly twists into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, with assassins, shady industrial spies, and a looming naval showdown that keeps the pages turning. The story is set in the early 20th century, so you get a vivid sense of old-timey steamers, clattering printing presses, and the tension of a nation on the brink of war. Violence and profanity pop up in some scenes, so it's a good heads-up for parents who want to know what's coming, but the action never feels gratuitous; it drives the plot forward. If you've ever enjoyed the mix of historical detail and pulse-pounding adventure in books like The Lost City of Z or the earlier Isaac Bell titles, you'll find plenty to love here, especially if you like a mystery that also teaches you a bit about shipbuilding and early 20th-century engineering. The mystery itself is clever enough to keep you guessing without needing to know all the series history, making it a solid standalone for anyone ready for a high-stakes thrill ride.