What an absolutely amazing book this was! I would like to thank the author, Joseph Badal, for giving me the opportunity to read this early reviewer copy in return for an unbiased and honest review of the book I was a little daunted when I saw it was book seven of a series, but I was intrigued enough to not give that another thought. After reading this one, I want to read the other six books in the Danforth series. This is a non-stop roller-coaster ride of a book that I just couldn't put down.

The book mostly takes place in Venice, Italy, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the city and surrounding country along with the exciting story that unfolded from that setting. The Danforth family consists of Bob who is a retired CIA agent, and his wife Liz, their son Michael who is a two-star general in the American army and Michael's son Robby who is military cadet. Bob and his wife Liz just happen to be vacationing in Venice where this grand conspiracy is centred, and Bob's highly attuned spy senses tell him right from the beginning that something bad is going to happen. Little does he realize that his whole family is in danger and right at the epicentre of the conspiracy.

The book unfolds from there and before a day is past, a high level amalgamation of intelligence agencies in s large number of NATO countries has been formed At the very heart of the conspiracy is a high mountain castle in a remote part of the world in a place that is called the Cloud Forest. At the helm of the huge organization is an old man who was a solder under the great Ayatollah who is known as the Old Man of the Mountain. Many years have been spent bringing his diabolical plan into fruition, and the time has almost come. Using funds received from Arab mullahs and countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, he has unleashed hundreds of secret weapons into many nations of the hated west. The Old Man of the Mountain has resurrected a 900-year old secret sect made up of skilled and trained assassins. The war of the worlds is about to blow up from the beginning, and by the end, many lives are lost and many saved in the world.

It's all here in this book—pulse-pounding action, strong characters, both good and bad, a diabolical and believable plan, and much destruction. I really enjoyed the book, and I am so glad I was given the opportunity to read this advance copy. Look for this to come out in July of this year. ( )

Bob and Liz Danforth are on vacation in Venice, Italy during Carnevale. But, then they are caught up in the actions of a secret organization, the Order of Assassins, a global assassination campaign that targets Western leaders.

I have not read the first 6 books of this series. I chose this book from Early Reviewers because the setting was Venice. The book is fast paced, interesting with easy to like/hate the characters. I liked the book enough to go back and read the first in the series and decide if I want to read the rest of them. ( )