Catherine Coulter has found the key to writing gripping crime thrillers—collaboration with author J. T. Ellison! THE LOST KEY is the second book in A Brit in the FBI series, but I hope it's not the last. Don't sit down thinking you'll just read a bit and then go on about your life, because the non-stop action never gives you a good place to stop.

Nicholas Drummond is British, but because he has an American mother, he is eligible to join the FBI. He has previously worked with the Metropolitan Police in London and before that he was in the military. He's a bit of a rule stretcher and a talented hacker. THE LOST KEY begins with his first day as an FBI agent. And what a day! With his partner, Michaela (Mike) Caine, he starts out first thing to investigate a stabbing on Wall Street. So begins the trail of bodies and clues that will lead to a criminal who is close to finding THE LOST KEY to a horrifying weapon that will put humankind in grave peril.

A secret society that has its beginnings since before World War I, is also working to stop the madman who is trying to acquire a weapon that will make him the undisputed dictator of the world. But The Order is in danger of being taken over by the madness too. Nicholas and Mike work against the clock to get to the "key" first. The historical subplot is engrossing and believable as well.

The relationship between Nicholas and Mike is still new and fresh. They treat each other with an easygoing, teasing manner but they are learning to trust each other with their lives and the lives of others. They work together almost intuitively. Any forthcoming books will be built on this oh-so-solid foundation in THE LOST KEY. Readers of Catherine Coulter's previous FBI thrillers will enjoy this branch-out series featuring the multi-faceted and surprising Nicholas Drummond.