cover image The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending

The Seven Sins: The Tyrant Ascending

Jon Land, . . Forge, $24.95 (364pp) ISBN 978-0-7653-1534-2

This breathless, violent first in a new thriller series from Land (The Last Prophecy ) introduces Michael “The Tyrant” Tiranno, who’s modeled on real-life Italian entrepreneur Fabrizio Boccardi. Raised by one of the last Sicilian Mafia dons after the murder of the immediate members of his family, Michael grows up to become a real estate mogul, who builds the Seven Sins, a Las Vegas casino catering to its customers’ wildest fantasies. When suicide bombers explode their cars at the Seven Sins and three other Las Vegas casinos, people blame Islamic terrorists, but Michael suspects he’s been personally targeted. With the help of Naomi Burns, his lawyer and confidante, Michael pursues the diabolical mastermind who threatens future attacks. During his investigation, Michael discovers the secret of his father’s treasured antique gold medallion. Nonstop action and a dizzying array of exotic locales make this great fun to read, despite lack of subtlety, cartoonish characters, preposterous plot twists and coincidences. (June)