The Devil's Bible

Cotton Malone, a former Justice Department operative, is summoned to Sweden after the younger sister of King Wilhelm I is kidnapped. The kidnappers want one thing in exchange for her: the Codex Gigas, an 800-year-old manuscript and the largest illuminated medieval manuscript in the world.

Sweden has held the codex in Stockholm for nearly 400 years, since it was taken from Bohemia as war loot in 1648. Its other name is the Devil's Bible. The Czech Republic now wants it back, and Sweden has agreed to hand it over.

Some forces are working to wreck that deal, and Russia is the likeliest culprit. Russia also heads the list of suspects for the kidnapping. Cotton and Cassiopeia Vitt have to find the king's sister, secure the codex and block the Russians.

Allies turn hostile and old enemies become partners. Figures from Cotton's past return, which makes a tense international crisis personal and dangerous.

This Cotton Malone adventure moves from the streets and waterways of Stockholm to the skies over the Baltic Sea and then to a 16th century Swedish warship. Cotton and Cassiopeia meet something that will alter both their lives.