On a freezing winter's night, a small craft skims the Thames towards London's most exclusive riverside hotel. On board is a lone assassin, his target - Britain's most powerful new politican.

In a nation threatened by extremists, billionaire businessman Vernon Rolt's plans for a zero-tolerance crackdown have touched a popular nerve.

MI5 operative Tom Buckingham is undercover inside Rolt's organisation, from where he must neutralise the rogue assassins out to kill his boss.

All too soon, Tom gets caught up in a far more devastating plot which will change the political landscape of Europe, for ever . . .

From the day he was found in a carrier bag on the steps of Guy's Hospital in London, ANDY McNAB has lead an extraordinary life. As a teenage delinquent, Andy McNab kicked against society. As a young soldier he waged war against the IRA in the streets and fields of South Armagh. As a member of 22 SAS he was at the centre of covert operations for nine years -- on five continents. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, 'will remain in regimental history for ever'. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS. Since then Andy McNab has become one of the world's bestselling writers, drawing on his insider knowledge and experience. As well as three nonfiction bestsellers including Bravo Two Zero, the bestselling British work of military history, he is the author of the bestselling Nick Stone thrillers. He has also written a number of books for children.