The thrilling sequel to Monstrous Devices–Alex and his grandfather hold the fate of history itself in their hands in a Rick Riordan meets Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure of epic proportions!

A few months ago, Alex's world changed…forever. Now, just when it seems life is almost getting back to normal, Alex's grandfather crashes back into the picture with grave news: their friend Harry has fallen into the clutches of a familiar foe, and the old man needs Alex's help to rescue him.

This time, the duo's desperate dash across Europe leads from Paris deep into Germany's foreboding Black Forest, as they chase down the mystery Harry had been investigating when he disappeared. A series of art thefts has made headlines across the continent, but the thieves are after more than priceless paintings. In the wrong hands, these stolen artefacts could unlock an ancient secret bigger than anything Alex ever dreamed of. If they can't solve the riddle in time, innocent lives – and even history itself – could be at stake.

‘A dark, mysterious, adrenaline-pumping, rollercoaster of a story.” Kieran Larwood, author of The Five Realms

‘It's taken everything I loved from the first book and turned it up to eleven. Clever, funny, exciting and occasionally downright nasty – terrific stuff!' Alastair Chisholm, author of Orion Lost

'Car chases and wrecks, sudden attacks, desperate battles, weird visions…Breathlessly paced adventure with rousingly eerie and icky notes.' Kirkus