When Jacob Hanley discovers that the withered old man who died in his arms is really only thirty years old, the mystery of how he aged so quickly draws Jacob into the heart of a sinister plot. The founder of Symbios Innovations, Hans Streisser, has dedicated his life to the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Known by his followers as the Great Elder, he walks a blurred line between genius and madness and has graced his subjects with the most extraordinary discovery in the history of science. But he'll do anything to keep his discovery a secret, including the use of murderous henchmen like Vic Cappetti. As Jacob's curiosity lures him deeper into a dangerous web, he learns the truth behind the Great Elder's plans and finds himself caught in a life or death struggle that could very well lead to the extinction of mankind. "A gleefully hard-boiled urban fantasy that lights up Boston's mean streets." --Kirkus Reviews