The Magdalene Cipher

The ritualistic slaughter of a college professor right under the nose of CIA agent Jack Dunphy has damned the disgraced operative to a living hell of paper-pushing obscurity. But Dunphy's not ready to surrender his career until he uncovers the truth behind his demotion -- embarking on a covert investigation that's leading him into a world he never dreamed existed. And following a twisted trail of lies, Jack's about to become ensnared in a monstrous international web spun by a secret society as old as civilization.

Escape is impossible -- because the players are too powerful, the consequences are too deadly . . . and what's at stake is no less than the destiny of the human race.

Jim Hougan won awards for investigative journalism. He is the author of three nonfiction books, is an Alicia Patterson and Rockefeller Foundation fellow, and is the former Washington editor of Harper's magazine. He has reported for NPR's "All Things Considered" and has produced documentary films for "Frontline," "60 Minutes," A&E, and the Discovery Channel. With his wife, Carolyn, he has co-written a series of books under the pseudonym John Case, including the New York Times bestseller The Genesis Code. They live in Afton, Virginia.