Publisher's Synopsis
★★★★★ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BOOKLIFE PRIZE AWARD WINNER!
★★★★★ MAINCREST MEDIA AWARD WINNER!
★★★★★ CHANTICLEER INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARD SEMI-FINALIST FOR MYSTERY & MAYHEM!
"Verbeek's The Website is strikingly original in concept and scope. While the topic of sex-trafficked children is a familiar one, the author integrates fantasy elements into the story, beginning with the fictional island of Si'Empra" - Book Life Prize
Perfect for fans of crime, thriller, and fantasy alike, The Website is a fast-paced, genre-mashing mystery novel that intertwines the beloved urban fantasy world of Si'Empra with the harsh realities of a child trafficking investigation.
Saskia Van Essen is a dwarf, finance geek, and crime investigator who has seen it all, from fraudulent activities to covert work with law enforcement agencies. But nothing could prepare her for the challenge of her latest mission - uncovering the secrets of an organized crime ring and dark net site that sells images of unusual-looking children tagged in Interpol's Child Sexual Exploitation database.
In a stroke of luck, Saskia learns of a mystical, isolated island in the Antarctic called Si'Empra, and the people inhabiting this island share a remarkable resemblance to the missing children tagged in her database. Getting to the island is the least of her worries, however. Its inhabitants are wary of foreigners, and though she knows she's getting close to those at the head of the trafficking ring, they always seem to be one step ahead. Can Saskia uncover the kingpins' identities before more children fall victim to their whims?
Gripping and full of intrigue, The Website is sure to be enjoyed by fans of hits like Bruce Beckham's DI Skelgill series and Yasmin Angoe's Nena Knight trilogy.
