Con & Consequence (The Richard O'Brien Series, #1)

"'Con & Consequence' is a high-stakes thriller that catapults readers across the globe, blending razor-sharp twists, shadowy alliances, and a flawed yet compelling protagonist—perfect for fans of espionage-driven suspense." – NewInBooks
Three Russian nuclear weapons go missing during the denuclearization treaty of 1991. Thirty years later, they turn up in one of the most volatile regions: the Gaza strip. Their path is guided by a Saudi professor determined to disrupt the balance of power in the Middle East. Richard O'Brien, an FBI linguist who finds cocaine and women much more intriguing than his low-level job, stumbles upon the plot. Unbeknownst to Richard is that he becomes a pawn in the Professor's plan. By deceiving Richard, the Professor deceives the FBI, and eventually the Israeli intelligence community. In a monumental blunder during a covert operation in Jordan, the FBI captures an Israeli agent they mistook for the Professor. As multiple intelligence agencies trip over each other, Richard's passion for the hunt is ignited, and rules be damned.
In Con & Consequence, loyalties and relationships are not what they appear to be. Who is the Professor, what side is he on, and why do people around him keep getting murdered? Find out in this thriller that takes you from New York to Egypt, Israel, Kenya, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It's the first in the Richard O'Brien series.

Ian Rodney Lazarus has been publishing technical articles and opinion pieces in various magazines since 1989. "The Con" is his first novel, drawing from his international business travels across five continents. A native of Detroit and graduate from the University of Michigan, he now lives in San Diego with his wife, three children, and occasionally a cat. He is a certified sailor, advanced scuba diver, and "Six Sigma" blackbelt.