Fifteen targets, the finest warriors in the world - commandos, spies, terrorists. They must all be dead by 12 noon, today. Among the names on the target list, one stands out. A Marine named Shane Schofield, call-sign: Scarecrow. And so Schofield is plunged into a race for survival, pursued by a fearsome collection of international bounty hunters.

There are 15 targets, the finest warriors in the world - commandos, spies, terrorists. And they must all be dead by 12 noon, today. The price on their heads: almost $20 million each. Among the names on the target list, one stands out. An enigmatic Marine named Shane Schofield, call-sign: Scarecrow. And so Schofield is plunged into a headlong race around the world, pursued by a fearsome collection of international bounty hunters - including the Black Knight, a notoriously ruthless hunter who seems intent on eliminating only Schofield.

Matthew Reilly is the bestselling author of Contest, Ice Station, Temple, Area 7, Scarecrow, Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, the children's book Hover Car Racer and one novella, Hell Island.