ZERO PROTOCOL

What if the next major attack on Europe came without a bomb, a weapon - or anyone claiming responsibility?

When refrigeration systems fail across France, the incidents appear to be isolated acts of sabotage. There are no demands, no manifesto and no obvious connection between the victims.

But Marc Delacroix, an INTERPOL investigator based in Lyon, has learnt to distrust coincidences.

Working alongside analyst Nadia El-Khoury, he uncovers a trail of legitimate companies, financial interests and confidential research stretching from France and Switzerland to Brussels and Washington. Each discovery raises a more disturbing possibility: the disruption in France may not have been the real objective. It may have been a test.

As the investigation widens, journalist Lucie Fontaine follows the death of a source, a powerful network works to keep its secrets buried, and a dangerous question emerges.

What happens when artificial intelligence is used not to replace human decisions, but to manipulate them?

Behind the technology lies something more difficult to confront: people who know exactly how institutions respond to fear, uncertainty and authority - and who may be prepared to turn that knowledge against entire societies.

With time running out and another crisis approaching, the investigators must uncover who is directing the operation before Europe discovers how fragile its systems of trust have become.

ZERO PROTOCOL: THE INVISIBLE ENEMY is an international techno-thriller about artificial intelligence, political influence, covert financial networks and the terrifying consequences of surrendering human judgement.