Nova Mendelsohn has covered Olympic dreams for over two decades. But in Doha, beneath the glittering towers and televised glory of the 2040 Summer Games, she uncovers a nightmare.
When twelve athletes vanish without a trace, Nova's instincts scream louder than protocol. A bloodied ransom note. A forbidden script. A countdown no one wants to admit exists.
As the International Olympic Committee spins silence into PR gold, Nova races through alleys, archives, and lies-tracking a shadowy force determined to hijack the world's greatest spectacle for revenge.
But some truths weren't meant to be broadcast. And in this game, exposure can kill.




Joe Battaglia is a storytelling virtuoso whose 30-year journalism odyssey breathes life into the raw, beating heart of sports. With an uncanny knack for unearthing tales that resonate, Joe transforms the grit, passion, and victories of athletes—from scrappy high school underdogs to global icons—into electrifying narratives that grip and uplift. As a masterful journalist, writer, and producer, he dives deep, revealing the indomitable human spirit behind every leap, sprint, and score.
His boundless creativity doesn’t stop at the page, earning him a dazzling haul of accolades, including two Sports Emmys, and honors from the International Sports Press Association and the Track & Field Writers of America. Joe doesn’t just tell stories—he ignites them.

2025 American Writing Awards Finalist in the Fiction - Thriller/Adventure category

2025 Readers Choice Book Awards: Adult Fiction Gold Medal winner

2025 Literary Global Book Awards: Fiction-Thriller Finalist

2026 International Impact Book Awards Outstanding Literary Achievement in the Mystery/Thriller and Suspense & Action


