Doc receives a call from his second cousin Peggy (identified incorrectly in the blurb on the jacket of the book as his niece) asking Doc to come further upstate (NY) to Fredonia, where her grandfather, Doc’s uncle Henry is dying. The two are surprised to learn they’ve been appointed co-executors of Henry’s will as well as co-heirs to his estate. The attorney, Mr. Broadbent, mentions to Doc that Henry had a sword that he found while in Bavaria with Broadbent’s father. Broadbent offers to buy the sword, but Doc demurs, saying he would like to take a look at his uncle’s collections before making any decisions about their disposition. 

At the house, Peggy and Doc find that Henry was quite a collector. Among the things they find an SS dagger and the sword, wrapped in Hitler’s battle standard, and a photograph in Henry’s office that shows Henry in Berghof, Hitler’s summer house, giving Peggy and Doc something more to consider. Later that night, the house burns to the ground and Doc tackles a man who has the sword in his possession. Doc manages to recover the sword, but the burglar/arsonist gets away. 

The next day, Doc confronts Broadbent and accuses him of setting up the fire and theft, not thinking that before the attorney ever contacted Doc he could have removed the sword and saved the trouble.  Broadbent counters by claiming Henry actually stole the sword from the older Broadbent. Doc and Peggy decide they are going to trace the history and provenance of the sword, beginning in Canada, following a trail to the Middle East, meeting people all along the way who know something about the sword. Some are even willing to kill to get their hands on the sword.

 The book is very well-researched, but everything the author learned appears to have been included. Also, the opinions that Doc gives on various conflicts over the years don’t ring true for someone in the armed forces as long as Doc was and still teaching at West Point. Peggy is adventurous with a strong feeling of wanderlust, but isn’t as well-developed as she could be. 

Once Doc and Peggy begin their search, the plot is fast-paced, though there is barely a person out in the world who doesn’t know of the sword's existence or want it. While most ends are tied up, both Doc and Peggy sense that the story is not over, setting the stage for a possible sequel.                                                  

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry