John Oehler

Ex Libris John Oehler

FIRST PLACE WINNER -- GOLD MEDAL AWARD. For years, rumors have circulated of secrets hidden within the "forbidden books" in a Prague monastery. This is the chilling story of Dan Lovel and partner, Martine, who discover one of those secrets - one so fundamental, it could upend western civilization. "I can't remember the last time I was so thoroughly engrossed." "Utterly gripping. The reader is plunged into breathtaking action ... led into the mysterious Gypsy culture."

Dan Lovel, a former agent with the US Diplomatic Security Service, now lives off the grid recovering stolen art and destroying counterfeits. A week before Christmas, Dan receives a cryptic request from Astrid Desmarais, a World Bank executive whose life he once saved. "Please meet me." With the note is a reservation for him at the Ritz Carlton on Grand Cayman Island.

Intrigued, Dan meets Astrid and learns that she wants him to steal four of the forbidden books locked in one of Prague's monasteries. She believes the books will identify art expropriated by Napoleon (and now housed in the Louvre), and she intends to have the art returned to its rightful owners. Dan balks, but Astrid convinces him by playing on the art thefts and atrocities his Gypsy and Jewish ancestors suffered in Nazi Germany. She then reveals that there might be a fifth book and her daughter Martine, who works in the Louvre, must accompany him.

In the monastery, after closing hours, Dan and Martine have just grabbed the books when they are discovered. They escape into the night, dodging monks in hot pursuit. Seeking refuge in a Gypsy community near the German border, they gain a few hours. But a firefight erupts, forcing them to leave. All the while a shadowy figure tracks them as they make their way to Paris. Powerful forces want that book ...

Additional Praise for EX LIBRIS: "Excellent novel! ... ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT." -Vine Voice"SUPERIOR writing ... critical acclaim." -The US Review of Books"Readers will be unable to put the book down." -BookLife Prize Critic"I LITERALLY COULD NOT STAY AWAY FROM EX LIBRIS. Intrigue, distrust, deception, technology, espionage and killings. A very engaging story ... twists and turns and interests strong enough to kill for ... and behind it all, a Sword of Damocles over world politics." --Winston J. Phillips"HOOKED FROM THE BEGINNING. Immensely enjoyed getting tugged into Dan Lovel's world ... likeable and believable characters intertwined with complex and harrowing story lines ... hard to put this book down." --Amy WilliamsEX LIBRIS has won multiple awards: GOLD MEDAL & OVERALL 1ST PRIZE WINNER - 2021 Global Book AwardsRECOMMENDED by the US Review of Books as OUTSTANDING (for novels that are compelling and lasting reads) BRAG MedallionEric Hoffer Book Award Finalist Kindle Book Award Semi-Finalist Readers love the Heart-Stopping Action and the Characters - from Dan, whose Gypsy background proves vital, to Paulette the blind painter, to Jade the female assassin who has never failed.

JOHN OEHLER is the bestselling author of APHRODESIA: Death by Passion, PAPYRUS, TEPUI: The Last Expedition, and EX LIBRIS.