State of Matter (An Estes & Marsh Thriller Book 1)

A brilliant Russian engineer disappears into the irradiated Polygon, the Soviet Union's former nuclear testing ground, following the Soviet collapse. Decades later, CIA operative Bill Estes and FBI agent Michelle Marsh discover evidence of stolen nuclear material and the missing engineer who may have resurfaced. When a U.S. warship is destroyed in a nuclear blast, Washington demands answers. As Estes pursues leads globally, he uncovers signs of a far-reaching conspiracy extending beyond Iran. Simultaneously, Marsh investigates the Russian's background and reaches a troubling realization: the man they are hunting might be the only person capable of preventing the next attack—one targeting American soil. This thriller spans decades and multiple locations, from Moscow to Kazakhstan to the White House, combining espionage, nuclear technology, and geopolitical tension.