When Alfred Rydell, a noted journalist, is murdered in Istanbul, his wealthy family has questions and they demand answers. Jason Ender is ordered by the State Department to find them. And he's just the man to negotiate the huge labyrinthine city that gave Byzantine its name.

What secret had the journalist uncovered that cost him his life? Why does the shadow of the Turkish Mafia cling so closely to every move Ender makes? More important, is this man capable of dealing with the pending chaos that threatens to rearrange the map of the Middle East in a single night?

This heart-pounding tale concludes on an autumn night when the entire city rocks to the beat of Armageddon.