Cirrus@Austlit

'The story covers the criminal activities of a British/Italian corporation that uses a Masonic-Type operational front to carry out corrupt financial practices to undermine the European financial operations of Banks that will affect the political framework of Italy.' (Publication summary)

'Centuries ago, espionage and clandestine activities played significant roles in many countries’ quests to rule over others.

'Over more recent times, Clandestine Missions have helped shape intelligence agencies into well-organised covert organisations; maintained by substantial amounts of unaccountable funds.

'After uncovering a secret message, Phillip Braose, an Executive Operations Officer from the British Foreign Office, inadvertently becomes involved in a puzzling murder case with links to a secretive Whitehall security organisation and its illicit activities.

'Phillip Braose, chief protagonist of The Secret Salamancan novel, once again confronts another perilous situation.' (Publication summary)

'This tale of extraordinary events was written to rouse the adventurous spirit within children. But perhaps older readers will also find it interesting, with the story stirring some to reminisce and recollect how they once were.

Although fictional, the story was inspired by three children who lived and played around Half Moon Bay in Drummoyne, a Sydney suburb. Set in the 1950s, a more innocent time, it was also an era when children created their own activities to pass away the hours.

However, one year, during the Christmas school holidays, Benjamin Beech and his two companions' lives are affected forever by a strange series of events and a lifelong secret promise.' (Publisher's blurb)

'Communications are an important component in any Government, with the Spin Factor becoming a probable element - an irreducible constituent in many verbal or written messages. However, often there are more sinister reasons for tapping into the dark pit of disinformation to shape public opinion and to hide the truth.

'Phillip Braose, an Information Analyst from the British Foreign Office, while ever mindful of the power of political propaganda, is surprised when given an unusual assignment to assist in a clandestine intelligence operation.

'When deadly inexplicable events occur, Phillip's quest for the truth forces him to confront startling evidence that not only proves how political expediency determines the motives of many, but the unusual circumstances also compel him to rethink the real purpose of his own life.' (Publisher's blurb)

'In recent decades, there has been much emphasis placed on the rights of individuals, yet there are still over 200 million people in the world - representing 60 stateless nations - who are poor, marginalised and denied basic human rights under International Law. They are unable to choose their own social, political or cultural futures, and are either confined within First, Second or Third World Countries. They are the people of the Fourth World.

'Researching information concerning the misuse of human aid to a Fourth World country, a freelance journalist dies in New York under suspicious circumstances after discovering secret plans for the illegal supply of military weapons. When Alistair Allobrogicus - the Manx Deemster - becomes involved and delves into the mire of murky military and political subterfuge, more disturbing facts emerge that point to the existence of secret shadow governments controlled by a cartel of covert puppeteers and provocateurs.'

Source: Equilibrium Books (http://www.equilibriumbooks.com/puppeteers.htm). Sighted: 13/7/2011

'Whilst Globalisation might provide conditional business opportunities for some, it has also given unrighteous providence to an elite group of transnational corporations to control a country's economic, financial and political interests by skilfully manipulating nations through a co-ordinated smokescreen network of companies-within-companies.

'This Matroska Effect has an adverse influence on the lives of many throughout the world, and its mechanism often generates corruption and financial fraud within corporations and governments - ignoring the citizens' plight of social injustice.

'While investigating the Razkom Corporation, Alistair Allobrogicus - the Manx Deemster - uncovers a powerful, international clandestine organisation controlled by a nefarious group of egocentric, white-collar criminals who eliminate anyone who opposes their plans.

'Although fictional, The Matroska Effect was inspired by actual criminal events and illicit acts, many of which are still occurring within our societies today.'

'The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Secretariat has estimated that 60% of the world's wealth is held in offshore shell companies, with many of them involved with sophisticated money-laundering networks.

'An international information bureau was established to track the millions of unseen and untouchable funds as they streamed through a constantly shifting, twisting, turning web of electronic media.

'To fight this financial fraud, a corporate lawyer joins forces with a mysterious person from the Isle of Man called The Manx Deemster, who is head of The Caine League - a unique group of altruists.

'The Manx Deemster is a fictional account of the unconventional detection methods undertaken to uncover the identities of criminals and their illegal activities, which remain hidden behind a carefully orchestrated veil of deceit.'

Source: Equilibrium Books (http://www.equilibriumbooks.com/manx_deemster.htm). Sighted: 13/7/2011