Dr Alex Hoffman is a legend. An American physicist once employed on the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, he now uses a revolutionary and highly secret system of computer algorithms to trade on the world's financial markets. None of his rivals is sure how he does it, but somehow Hoffman's hedge fund built around the standard measure of market volatility: the VIX or 'Fear Index' - generates astonishing returns for his investors. Then, late one night, in his house beside Lake Geneva, an intruder disturbs Hoffman and his wife while they are asleep.

Robert Harris
Robert Harris is a bestselling British author known for his historical fiction and thrillers. Born on March 7, 1957, in Nottingham, England, Harris began his career as a journalist before turning to fiction. His acclaimed works include Fatherland, Pompeii, and the Cicero Trilogy, blending meticulous research with gripping storytelling. Many of his novels explore political intrigue, history, and power dynamics. Harris’s books have been translated into multiple languages and adapted for film and television, establishing him as a master of historical and political fiction.