An unusual suspense thriller inspired by alchemy, riddles and the work of Carl Jung, The Malice Box traces the desperate race against time of Robert, an English journalist in New York, to halt the detonation of a mysterious spiritual weapon — a doomsday device of unimaginable power, hidden somewhere in Manhattan — called the Ma’rifat’, or Gnosis. Guided only by the independent-minded young psychic Terri and his troubled old college friend Adam, and under the gaze of the sinister Watchman, Robert must undergo seven ordeals in as many days, each taking him further towards danger, and deeper into the mysteries of his own past. Published in the USA by Pegasus Books, The Malice Box draws on a wide array of religious and wisdom traditions to tell a story of spiritual jeopardy and redemption. It was first published by Michael Joseph/Penguin in the UK, and will appear in 13 other languages in 2007/2008.