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The very real threat of bioterrorism is a springboard to a gripping tale of action and adventure

BANNERMAN’S GHOSTS

JOHN R. MAXIM

New York Times bestselling author of Haven and Whistler’s Angel

“John Maxim is superb. And Bannerman is dynamite.”

--IRIS JOHANSEN, author of Dead Aim

“There is no defense—none—against a chimera virus such as Marburg or Ebola spliced with smallpox. Nearly all who are exposed will die and quite horribly.”

—Virologist at the Centers for Disease Control, speaking on condition of anonymity on BANNERMAN’S GHOSTS

New York Times bestselling author John R. Maxim, whom the Los Angeles Times has lauded as “…a pro, with an engaging, readable style,” is renowned for his ability to write explosive thrillers that seamlessly blend danger and intrigue with events that could be ripped from today’s news headlines. His latest novel, BANNERMAN’S GHOSTS (William Morrow; March 18, 2003; $24.95/hardcover) is no exception.

Since the tragic events of September 11^th 2001, the entire world has been focused on the possibility of biological warfare. Just a few short months ago, the popular perception was that no one had smallpox contagions except for the CDC in Atlanta and a similar facility in Russia. In reality, this story is incontestable fiction. The United States Defense Department is aware of at least six other countries that have it.

In BANNERMAN’S GHOSTS, Maxim uses the very real threat of bioterrorism as a springboard to weave a tale of action and adventure that not only offers his trademark social commentary, but also unites the popular characters from his Bannerman series and his widely acclaimed novels Haven and Whistler’s Angel.

In BANNERMAN’S GHOSTS, megalomaniacal entrepreneur Artemus Bourne dreams of controlling the world’s diamond trade—at the expense of innocent people. He already owns several countries and a good part of the United States government. His money has helped to elect, or reelect, at least fifteen key senators and congressmen, and in the last election, he helped put a president in office who echoes many of his views. Bourne also owns several biotech firms that specialize in tropical virology. One of these facilities, Vaalchem, is responsible for developing vaccines in preparation for a potential biological attack. But much more than vaccines are being created at Vaalchem. In fact, one of the most deadly viruses in the world has just been stolen from one of its labs—weapons-grade Marburg grafted with smallpox.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Stride just wants to live a normal life. A former assassin known as the Black Angel, she was once a key member of Paul Bannerman’s loose network of international operatives, living on the fringes of society, a mercenary, an out-law. But after the death of her lover, Martin Kessler, Elizabeth shuns her former life and fakes her own death to become, in essence, invisible--one of "Bannerman’s Ghosts." She wants, for a change, to be able to walk into a restaurant and not have to scan every face in the room and check out the exits in advance.

But Elizabeth’s dream of a quiet life is torn to pieces as she’s caught up in a whirlwind of death and danger. Someone from her past is determined to exact revenge on Artemus Bourne for his reprehensible actions against innocent people. But Bourne is a formidable opponent. He finds out that Elizabeth is alive and comes up with a diabolical scheme to use her as a pawn in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. There is more at stake than mere retribution, however, for Bourne is not above using his deadly biotechnology against his adversaries. One way or another, it’s up to Elizabeth and Paul Bannerman to stop Bourne before it’s too late.

With non-stop action, intriguing characters, and incredibly accurate technology, BANNERMAN’S GHOSTS by John R. Maxim is not only a thriller of extraordinary caliber, but also a cautionary tale of our nation’s current vulnerability to bioterrorism.

John R. Maxim is the author of the critically acclaimed thrillers Mosaic, Haven, and The Shadow Box, and other highly praised novels, including Time Out of Mind, Abel Baker Charley, and the New York Times bestselling Bannerman series. Maxim currently lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina and is working on his next novel, The Bannerman Prophecy.