Our Price: AUD$29.95 (USD$)* ISBN: 978-1-921456-24-4 Subject: Fiction/Crime Publication Date: August 2009

Synopsis
Whilst Globalisation might provide conditional business opportunities for some, it has also given unrighteous providence to an elite group of transnational corporations to control a country's economic, financial and political interests by skilfully manipulating nations through a co-ordinated smokescreen network of companies-within-companies.

This Matroska Effect has an adverse influence on the lives of many throughout the world, and its mechanism often generates corruption and financial fraud within corporations and governments - ignoring the citizens' plight of social injustice.

While investigating the Razkom Corporation, Alistair Allobrogicus - the Manx Deemster - uncovers a powerful, international clandestine organisation controlled by a nefarious group of egocentric, white-collar criminals who eliminate anyone who opposes their plans.

Although fictional, The Matroska Effect was inspired by actual criminal events and illicit acts, many of which are still occurring within our societies today.

About The Author
Robert Bartlett was born in Sydney, Australia. In his early career he was a member of the Royal Australian Air Force.

After resigning from military service, he was then employed in the business and commercial market where he held senior management positions with a number of multi-national organisations.

Over the years and in his spare time, Robert wrote regular articles for various community newspapers. Then, in 2005, he concentrated full time on developing his writing skills and completed his first book, Róisin, in 2007. This was followed in 2008 by The Manx Deemster, which first introduced the character of Alistair Allobrogicus.

Vist the author's official Web Site.

From The Book
After landing at Lehenstein airport, Alistair made his way to the international customs barriers and, while waiting in the long queue, noticed a small group of travellers being ushered through one of the checkpoints at the far end of the arrivals section, without having to open their bags for inspection.

Once he had passed through, Alistair saw the same group being greeted by three other men while their bags were brought to them and, as he walked by, he overheard two in the group having a conversation about the plane trip. One of the new arrivals had a Russian accent. However, what concerned Alistair more was when he noticed one of the two men standing close behind the group reaching inside his coat and pulling at something around his shoulder.

Alistair guessed it was the elastic straps of a concealed shoulder holster - the man was armed.