Ken Follett

The frenzy surrounding the rumored discovery of an unknown Modigliani canvas increases when another rumor suggests that there are actually two "lost" paintings, and that one is an undetectably perfect fake.

In one suspenseful, action-packed day, fortunes change hands as an ambitious young reporter scrambles to crack the story. A suicidal Junior Minister, an avaricious tycoon, and a seasoned criminal with his team of tough guys all play their parts in a scheme that moves "paper money" around at a dizzying pace.

One enemy spy knows the secret of the Allies' greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin--code name: "The Needle"--who holds the key to the ultimate Nazi victory. Only one person stands in his way: a lonely English woman on an isolated island, who is coming to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.

Set in England as it emerges from the Dark Ages, an idealistic mason makes it his life's work to build a cathedral in Kingsbridge, but political turmoil and intrigue threaten to destroy his plans.