John Buchan
The Power-House
"The Power-House" by John Buchan is a thriller novel published in 1916. When barrister Edward Leithen investigates his friend's mysterious disappearance, he uncovers a sinister international criminal organization led by wealthy art connoisseur Andrew Lumley. As Leithen digs deeper, he becomes a target himself, trapped in a deadly game where civilization's facade proves dangerously thin. Racing against time across London and Central Asia, Leithen must outsmart a network of watchers and assassins to save his friends and expose the truth.