V.1 - The Hardy Agency

Unsolved cases come home to roost in Edith Hardy's latest caper, rounding off the first trilogy of the detective's adventures. When secret services in France and America start pulling strings—not to mention the machinations of a certain pharmaceutical industrialist—Edith winds up behind the Iron Curtain, in Moscow! But is she there to recover the legacy of state painter Alexis Limonovich... or save naive young chemist Antoine Dubreuil from being manipulated? Meanwhile, just what skullduggery is Edith's enterprising assistant Victor up to with an art forger, a carnival performer, his bear, and a midnight break-in? One thing's for sure: it all adds up to classy intrigue!

A meeting of elite diplomats. A snowy resort in an undisclosed location. A secure communications room staffed by private security. Lena's latest adventure finds her ostensibly heading a small hospitality staff that caters to the needs of VIPs attending a top-secret summit. What better way to suss out secrets than by blending into the woodwork? In this locked-room atmosphere, egos clash and history outs its old grudges. For the issue at stake is none other than the fate of the Middle East, again to be divided by meddling powers. And these days of routine, ennui, luxury, and leisure may hide a more insidious threat...