Cobalt — Chris Bauer

A high-stakes battle erupts over a game-changing cobalt deposit in small-town America.A cinematic globe-trotting roller coaster of a tale… —Raymond Benson, New York Times bestselling authorWhen billionaire Max Fend and his hacker girlfriend Renee LeFrancois are enlisted by the FBI and CIA to search for a cobalt deposit in rural Pennsylvania, they're plunged into a race against time and international forces. Cobalt, the precious metal powering lithium-ion batteries, has the tech world scrambling for control, and the discovery of a new source ignites a frenzy. But as domestic and international stakeholders mobilize, the local community finds itself caught in the crossfire.As adversaries close in, a deadly contract killer, a former Philly cop, a single mom reclaiming her identity, and a band of vigilante townspeople join the fight. With secrets unraveling and danger mounting, Max and Renee must risk it all to protect a community and their nation from unbridled greed.In Cobalt, the quest for power and control collides with the will to protect, resulting in a thrilling, explosive showdown._________________Praise for Chris Bauer and Cobalt:2024 Winning Author of Thrillerfest Best First Sentence AwardWith COBALT, Chris Bauer delivers a masterclass in thriller writing, weaving a complex tapestry of intrigue and action that's both sharp and compelling. —Andrew Watts, USA TODAY bestselling authorI was hooked from the first page. Take a look inside the world of Max Fend and how the need for precious resources sets up for a gripping thriller. —Mel Taylor, Emmy Award-winning reporterChris Bauer is in full Tom Clancy mode. Bauer has become a master of the classic international thriller. —Don Swaim, former host of CBS Radio’s Book Beat_________________What readers are saying:★★★★★ A MUST READ!!!★★★★★ ...high intrigue level.★★★★★ ...gripping and timely...★★★★★ ...Masterfully woven together.★★★★★ ...a story laced with hard facts and wild fiction.