The Hunters — Chris Kuzneski

The latest compelling action thriller from Chris Kuzneski, the first in a new series, has a great if not exactly original basis to work with. The Hunters are an 'A-team' of experts in heists, espionage, weaponry, technology, martial arts, history and languages, who have been assembled to undertake an improbable mission (or Mission Impossible), and yes, there's the tough female figure, the crazy joker, the smart charmer, the computer nerd and the solid reliable military veteran who make up their number. So no, not an original idea, but one that can work well if handled properly and Kuzneski is more than capable of that.

Fearing a German victory in WWI, the Romanian government signed a deal with Russia to protect the country's treasures. In 1916, two trains full of gold and the most precious possessions of the Romanian state -- paintings, jewelry, and ancient artifacts -- were sent to the underground vaults of the Kremlin. But in the turmoil of war, the Romanian treasure was scattered and lost.