Espionage, deception, and death … words not usually associated with obtaining a PhD in physics from MIT.

Italian scientist Sara Ricci moves to America to begin her PhD journey. Two years later, her course work is complete, and she prepares to enter the research phase when one week later, Sara’s perfect world collapses. Chinese researchers disprove her thesis and days later, her beloved mother passes. Her future in doubt, she returns to Italy for the funeral. There, Sara discovers hidden research papers from her great-great-grandfather. Secret papers once coveted by the Nazi war machine.

These hidden theories offer Sara a new beginning and a new thesis, but others are watching. The CIA and DARPA want these secrets for themselves. So does a wealthy industrialist from Scotland. It doesn’t take long before these powerful forces collide. When they do, they pull Sara into their web of deception. But Sara proves to be more than they thought as she fights to complete her research and not get killed trying.

Deadly Dissertation is a scientific thriller set in exotic locations around a world. Can Sara stay one step ahead of her pursuers and complete her research? Can she survive the ultimate confrontation? Find out in this first installment of the Sara Ricci suspense book series.