NASA's Hubbell space telescope operational computer has been hacked and the scientist in control of it is missing. A cryptic "end of days" message is left on the computer, as well as a disturbing countdown clock. Then another closely guarded space-probing satellite program is sabotaged and its head scientist has also disappeared. With a scant amount of clues, FBI agents Franklin and Shepherd are faced with a daunting task. But FBI recruit Shepherd is an educated cosmologist, which gives him a big advantage working the investigation. With unusual events occurring throughout the world, will Shepherd and Franklin be able to discern what it all means and put an end to it before the "end of days" occurs?

Flashback to eight months earlier and we see that a horrific disease is killing legions of people in Ruin, the Turkish village sitting at the base of the Citadel, an ancient monastery. The viral blight took hold following an explosion within the Citadel. Journalist Liv Adamson and humanitarian worker/ex-special forces operative Gabriel Mann were present, at the time, but both of them are missing. Gabe is sure he's been infected, so he flees from his lover Liv before he can pass the disease on to her. She's devastated not knowing where Gabe is -- or if he's alive. As Liv tries to decipher the prophecy encrypted on the Starmap stone in early language symbols, she searches for Gabe, who's returned to Ruin and the source of the blight. Neither Gabe nor Liv can imagine what fate has in store for them as the "end of days" nears.

Simon Toyne's THE TOWER is the final entry in his incomparable Sanctus trilogy, which includes SANCTUS and THE KEY. Filled with riveting intrigue, relentless action, multifaceted plotting and vibrant narrative, this extraordinary arcane thriller will keep readers enthralled for all of its nearly 600 pages. The flashback sections are easy to follow by the utilization of italicized font for those events occurring eight months prior. Simon Toyne's skillful writing expertise is evident in THE TOWER, as it was in the first two books, ranking him right up there with the best.