Title: The Secret Billionaire
Author: Teymour Shahabi
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
His will leaves the entirety of his wealth—one of the largest fortunes in history—to his “dear friend Lucian Baker.” Only there is no trace of anyone by that name. And the fortune itself is nowhere to be found.
Andrew Day knows nothing of wealth and privilege, but he won a scholarship to study at the most exclusive school in the country, in the town where the mystery, decades later, remains unsolved. There he discovers friendship and danger with the aristocratic Cameron and the beautiful Olivia. But watchful eyes follow him everywhere... Until, one night, he comes across a secret that will change his life. As he begins to unravel what really happened to the Surway fortune, the question remains: who is Lucian Baker?
Winner: Northern California Book Festival, Best Young Adult Book, 2016
Winner: Great Midwest Book Festival, Best Young Adult Book, 2016
Winner: Great Midwest Book Festival, Best Young Adult Book, 2016
June 24, 196…
At
nine o’clock yesterday morning, following ninety days of fruitless
searching, billionaire industrialist and businessman Lyndon Surway was
officially pronounced dead. Mr. Surway was last seen by members of his
staff departing from the main airplane hangar of his estate a few
minutes past eight in the morning, flying alone aboard one of his
aircraft. His last recorded words to the command center crew of his
hangar were: “Clear skies and mild winds. Perfect visibility, or as
perfect as I could hope, for as long as I can tell. Gentlemen, I wish
you a thorough enjoyment of this fine day.” Nothing unusual was noted in
his language or behavior.
The
late Mr. Surway often took his plane out with no stated destination.
But this time, he failed to return at the customary hour of six in the
evening. As no word had been received from him, the kitchens were
advised that he would likely dine outside. At ten o’clock on the
following morning, when there was still no news of Mr. Surway or his
aircraft, the Steward of the House alerted the municipal, state, and
federal authorities, and a search began for the missing magnate. But no
airport, hotel, hospital or inn within fuel’s range of the estate could
provide any information. Dozens of interviews bore no result. Countless
journalists and detectives rushed in from every corner of the country,
but none of them could unearth a single clue regarding Mr. Surway’s
whereabouts. Not even the Steward could guess where Mr. Surway had gone.
On the morning of his disappearance, Mr. Surway had only told him: “My
day is free and so am I.”
Fifteen
infantry troops were dispatched, with over a hundred hound dogs, across
more than two hundred miles of hills and valleys surrounding the town
of Spring Forge, where Mr. Surway lived. The infantry and the dogs found
nothing. The Air Force then loaned eighteen jet-powered aircraft to
continue the search. The Navy joined the effort with five ships, sixteen
helicopters, and four submarines to scour the coastal regions, islands,
and ocean floor within flying range of the Eastern Seaboard. Again
nothing was found. Finally then, a large-scale search was conducted
through the grounds and the buildings of Surway House itself, led by
seven hundred volunteers from Spring Forge and other towns throughout
the valley. Still they found nothing. Yesterday marked three months
since Mr. Surway’s disappearance. The aircraft was legally declared
lost, and its owner deceased. Mr. Surway, estimated for each of the past
twelve years to be the wealthiest man in the Western Hemisphere, leaves
behind no known relatives.
Teymour Shahabi was born in Paris in 1985 of Persian parents. He moved to the United States to study Comparative Literature and Mathematics at Harvard University. He currently lives in New York City, where he's spent the last few years among serious professionals who probably have no idea he’s doing this. The Secret Billionaire is his first published book.
You can watch (and help) him try to figure out writing and life at www.youtube.com/PageWingChannel.
Thanks so much ogitchida! I'm delighted to be on this beautiful site... In the company of Superman! Hard to live up to, but I'm honored :) - Teymour
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Teymour for stopping in today! We loved the colors of your book and wanted to participate in this awesome tour. Thank you again!
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