The Philosopher's Stone
When nuclear physicist Vincent Carbone approaches Atlantic City casino owner Johnny Sands with a bold claim that he can make gold, skepticism turns to interest fast. But there's a catch: it's not real gold. It's an isotope, chemically identical, but with a secret half-life that guarantees it won't last. As Carbone and Sands build a shadow operation to produce and sell this unstable fortune, they draw the attention of mobsters, investors, and the FBI.
From the gleaming casinos of the East Coast to the high-stakes halls of federal law enforcement, The Philosopher's Stone weaves a sharp and fast-moving tale of science, greed, and deception. But when fake gold starts to quietly vanish from safes across the country, and the evidence turns into something even more dangerous, the game becomes harder to control-and impossible to walk away from.
A twist-filled crime thriller with a brilliant speculative edge, The Philosopher's Stone explores the true cost of turning lead into gold.
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larrybarthurst.com
168 pages
English edition · First published 2025 by Atmosphere Press · ISBN 9798891328402
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