Lost Americans

A young woman finds herself in the crosshairs of powerful and very dangerous enemies when she travels to Cairo to uncover the truth about her brothers mysterious death in this smart, atmospheric, and propulsive literary thriller from the acclaimed author of A Beautiful Crime and OrientBollen writes expansive, psychologically probing novels in the manner of Updike, Eugenides and Franzen, but he is also an avowed disciple of Agatha Christie.'Daily Telegraph (UK)When the lifeless body of Eric Castle, a weapons technician for a major American defense contractor, is found under his hotel balcony, both his employer and the Egyptian authorities quickly declare his death a suicide. But the dead mans sister, Cate, doesnt believe Eric took his own life and is determined to get to the truth. Traveling to Egypt she begins to piece together her brothers life in Cairo with the help of a handsome, young, gay Egyptian man named Omar, who yearns to escape the brutality of his nations harsh, restrictive government.Unfortunately, Cates quest raises more questionsand problemsthan she ever imagined, as she takes on not only the arms companys top brass but the Egyptian military, secret police, and a slew of American expats with their own reasons to keep the dead buried once and for all. Soon shes in over her head, and its not clear if either she or Omar will get out alive. This riveting thriller of set in loud, boisterous Cairo ofAmericans lost and found showcases Bollens depth of characterization andhaunting descriptive powers.