Sword of the Empire

Claude Brickell is an author of international mystery suspense. His Art Sleuth Mysteries series follows young, likable and accomplished art historian Michael Bennington as he searches the world for lost or stolen art and artifacts that, more often than not, land him in thrilling and provocative, and even erotic encounters, that only Bennington's quirky escapades can do. The following is one such installment: This modern-day adventure has art historian Michael Bennington this time off to Florence. There, he views the famed, recently-rediscovered Florentine Diamond but soon finds himself in yet another thrilling pursuit of a missing or possibly stolen artifact, a sword purported to have once belonged to the Emperor Charlemagne. This curious assignment leads Bennington first to Heidelberg, Germany, and along with a vivacious young accomplice Sabina Könnigsmann, the two then search the artifact's whereabouts, first to Munich and Berlin, then on to Amsterdam on behalf of a 600-year-old secret organization with its roots in the Holy Roman Empire. The two then arrive at the Louvre in Paris for a life-and-death finale sure to thrill mystery buffs everywhere and satisfy the thirsts of art enthusiasts, as well, as only Bennington's escapades can do.