Small candles nestled in a silver candelabrum are ceremoniously lit to announce the start of a medieval auction. Sadly, however, we are not in the middle ages but in the first decade of this century. On the block are scantily-clad teenage girls . . . Although the story is a novel, these future sex slaves - casualties of the global flesh market - are not fictional. "Natasha girls" number in the millions, and the international crime syndicates who sell them into prostitution are now active in the US.This fast-paced novel features a strong female protagonist who fights back against evil. Her resistance transforms what could have been an account of unmitigated horror into a suspenseful and uplifting thriller. Kristýna Sondheim was among the early victims of THE TRADE. Years after being sold and put to work, she manages to break free of her captors and build a new life in the States. That life turns ugly when she is found, separated from her child and sentenced to 25 years for murders she did not commit.The action-packed narrative begins with Kristýna's prison break. She must avoid capture but also find her young daughter. She must avoid assassination by the international crime syndicate that framed her, but she cannot hide. The chase moves to Europe. The FBI, the police and intelligence services of several nations and the ubiquitous tabloid press mount a frenzied search. They are unaware that kingpins of the trade share their objective. A novel of suspense becomes a psychological thriller when Kristýna receives an ultimatum from the man she fears above all others. The chase becomes a sprint; nail-biting by the reader ceases to be a cliché. Still to come: Rasputin, a fake Russian Orthodox priest; Vesh, the leader of an East European Gypsy tribe; and Teresa, estranged daughter and bargaining chip. We are swept up in the action and do not realize we are being led into the heart of the world's most unsavory business. But we have arrived here and, like so many, have fallen in love with a stunning beauty of unimaginable courage. We cannot help but ask ourselves the question we wish to avoid: can a woman so perfect yet so traumatized ever find romance. The mystery spills over into Book Five of the Villains from Hell Crime Thriller Series.Editorial Reviews of Kirkwood's previous work: "Solid tension, sudden danger, fierce action . . . catches fire." -- Kirkus Reviews"A moving love story as well as a novel filled with action and suspense ... strong sympathetic characters ... Thomas Kirkwood is a writer to get excited about." -- Rocky Mountain News "Nail-biting . . . Perfect!!" -- Norfolk Virginian Pilot"Powerful ... Truly riveting!" -- Chattanooga News-Free Press"A bubbling thriller . . . The tension builds." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer"Suspense and intrigue ... A classic adventure." -- Mobile Press Register"Wryly drawn characters...absorbing."-- Kirkus Reviews "Tense drama...spectacular."-- St. Louis Post Dispatch "Riveting and fascinating."-- Lerner Newspapers "An absorbing tale...the stuff of which movies are made."-- Rocky Mountain News "Crackles ... a rousing good job." -- Akron Beacon-Journal
