"The Death of the Admiral is a fast, entertaining read, set against a historical backdrop that isn't used often enough. I really loved the story for its quick pace and for the brilliant selection of the post-Civil War period and location in Washington, where it was possible to move from fancy parlors to taverns and back again as the story unfolded. Bravo." -Charles Fancher, author of Rad Clay Washington, D.C., 1885. A dead admiral. A missing map. A conspiracy that could reshape the world's naval balance of power. When journalist Meade Meadows discovers Admiral Ezra Radford slumped over his desk in an apparent suicide, something doesn't feel right. The note seems forced, the circumstances suspicious, and Radford's recent work on a top-secret naval intelligence project raises disturbing questions. Joined by his brilliant sister Lucinda-a discerning, quick-witted partner-Meade begins investigating what quickly proves to be murder. Their search leads them into the shadowy world of Commander Nathan Tower's intelligence network, where nothing is as it seems and trust is a luxury they can't afford. As foreign agents circle like vultures around America's emerging naval secrets, the Meadows siblings must navigate the treacherous waters of 1880s Washington society. From elegant Georgetown salons to dangerous waterfront taverns, from the halls of the Navy Department to hidden meeting rooms where conspirators plot, they pursue a truth that threatens to destroy them both. The stolen maps in Admiral Radford's possession could determine whether America takes its place among the world's great naval powers-or remains vulnerable to the European empires that still view the young republic as an upstart rival. But as Meade and Lucinda dig deeper, they discover that the greatest threats may come not from foreign shores, but from trusted allies who will kill to protect their secrets. Set against the backdrop of America's transformation from a war-torn nation into a global power, The Death of the Admiral brings to life the birth of American intelligence operations and the dangerous game of international espionage. In this world of codes and ciphers, hidden compartments and dead drops, the Meadows siblings must learn to think like spies if they hope to survive like patriots. Featuring a diverse cast of characters including Sylvester Watkins, a brilliant African American analyst whose talents challenge the prejudices of his era, and the enigmatic Parrish siblings, whose Civil War e