Guardian of Lies: A Paul Madriani Novel

“The sort of compulsive page-turner that keeps readers up at night….Both timely and scary….Guardian of Lies more than satisfies.”

—Washington Times

Defense attorney Paul Madriani is caught in a web of deceit and murder involving Cold War secrets, a rare coin dealer who once worked for the CIA, and a furious assassin in Guardian of Lies, the most entertaining novel yet in the New York Times bestselling series. Steve Martini, #1 bestselling author of Shadow of Power, Double Tap, and other acclaimed Madriani thrillers, demonstrates once again why he’s one of the genre’s masters, along with John Grisham, David Baldacci, James Patterson, John Lescroart, Brad Meltzer, and Scott Turow.

A woman is looking for a way to flee a darkened San Diego beach house where she has been held a virtual prisoner by a wealthy man . . . just as a killer enters the mansion on a terrifying mission of blood and carnage.

Fate has bound attorney Paul Madriani to a young Costa Rican woman accused of a horrific crime, ensnaring them both in a frightening conspiracy that ranges beyond U.S. borders. A Cold War nightmare is being reshaped for a new century—a threat too terrible to imagine yet too real to be ignored—leading Madriani, his partner Harry Hinds, and the fugitive Katia directly into the path of an unstoppable, very angry assassin. From the halls of American justice to the jungles of South America and a dark secret buried since the days of Castro’s ascendance, the race is on to prevent the unthinkable—by unveiling the hidden truth protected by the "Guardian of Lies."

“Entertaining. . . . Intriguing premise. . . . Compelling courtroom scenes display a sophisticated knowledge of legal trench warfare.” - Publishers Weekly on Shadow of Power

“Steve Martini is an expert at good old-fashioned, gimmick-free storytelling. Shadow of Power is an intelligent and intriguing thriller with crisply drawn, believable characters and breathless, cross-cutting suspense. Fans, including me, have been waiting for this one. Paul Madriani has aged like a fine wine. He’s a wary, battle-scarred hero with a decency that rings true. This installment in a terrific series will not disappoint.” - Steve Berry, author of The Charlemagne Pursuit, on Shadow of Power

“One thing—among many—that I love about Shadow of Power is the sense that what you think is inevitable, isn’t. You think the defendant must be guilty. You think there’s no way Madriani can save this guy. And you’ll never guess where this twisting tale is really going—for the ending is a shocking piece of hard, unassailable logic put into motion by the mind of a very cold killer. I never saw it coming. Ingenious.” - John Sandford, author of Heat Lightning, on Shadow of Power

“Take it from a prosecutor—Steve Martini has created one of the most charismatic defense attorneys in thriller fiction. Madriani is a guy who won’t quit until he works every angle, finds every chink in the D.A.’s armor, and picks at the evidence until he tears the thread to unravel his opponent’s case. Best of all, he’s got the heart of a lion—protective, humane, courageous—that makes him such great fun to watch.” - Linda Fairstein, author of Killer Heat, on Shadow of Power

“[A] gripping legal thriller. . . . The mix of racial tension and courtroom drama combines for a suspenseful thriller.” - Booklist on Shadow of Power

“Paul Madriani, defense lawyer extraordinaire, is back . . . [and] the courtroom show is riveting.” - Richmond Times-Dispatch on Double Tap

“Expertly paced and sure-footed.” - Seattle Times on Double Tap

“Speeds to a breathless climax.” - Entertainment Weekly on Double Tap

“Exciting. . . . The compelling plot builds to a conclusion that should surprise even longtime fans.” - Publishers Weekly on Double Tap

“Madriani shines in the courtroom.” - Kirkus Reviews on Double Tap

“Steve Martini writes first-rate legal thrillers. His plotting is expert, his characters vivid and alive. His courtroom scenes are rich and credible, and so are his villains. . . . His hero, Paul Madriani, makes a likable and convincing David among the goliaths of crime, corporations and government. . . . Martini is a very fine writer, period.” - Associated Press on Double Tap