"THE LOST THRONE," by Chris Kuzneski, Putnam, 512 pages, $25.95

A brutal murder, long-lost treasure and buried secrets are the perfect formula for a summer thriller.

This is the case with Chris Kuzneski's "The Lost Throne," a fast-paced read that takes readers from Florida to Russia and Greece.

Seven monks are beheaded at a hilltop monastery in Greece. Not only are the murders gruesome, but there seems to be no reason for their deaths. At least that's what investigators think until Interpol homicide director Nick Dial arrives on the scene.

Dial has an eye for detail and not many clues escape his careful surveillance. With the help of a young NCB agent named Marcus Andropoulos, Dial learns that the monks were guarding an ancient secret — one that they were willing to die for.

In St. Petersburg, Russia, treasure hunter Richard Byrd is in serious trouble. An assassin is hot on his tale, and his only hope is two ex-Special Forces operatives. Jonathan Payne and D.J. Jones have the skills to save Byrd, but they get the message too late.

Byrd's death leaves his assistant, Allison Taylor, alone in a country she entered illegally. Unsure of what to do, Taylor must put her trust in two soldiers she's never met.

While Payne, Taylor and Jones are uncovering clues in Russia, Dial is doing the same in Greece. As secrets of ancient artifacts and brotherhood come to light, their paths cross in an exciting and unexpected climax.

In "The Lost Throne," Kuzneski starts off running and never slows down. His mix of action-packed crime fighting with historical features serves well to capture the imagination.

This is not the first time Payne and Jones have made an appearance, though a reader doesn't have to read any of their other adventures to follow the plot.

"The Lost Throne" is far from high literature, but in this case, that's a plus. This is one book readers won't want to put down.

Sensitivity rating: sword and gun violence, a few instances of strong language

e-mail: jharrison@desnews.com