When Alexandra von Lilienthal, the youngest ambassador in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, begins her dream job in Rome, she has no idea that the Eternal City has more to offer than espresso and ancient ruins. Between the intrigues of her vengeful ex-husband at the Foreign Office and the diplomatic pitfalls of the Roman scene, she finds her only true ally in "Il Presidente," a cheeky parrot with an indecent vocabulary and more secrets than are good for her.But what begins as a bitterly satirical political story soon turns into a deadly game of life and death. When Alexandra stumbles upon a forgotten inheritance from her father, she is catapulted into a world of secret societies, betrayal, and conspiracies that reach into the highest circles of power. Suddenly, the embassy is a fortress, every friend a potential enemy, and her only compass is the quiet voice of a feathered courier.From the alleys of Rome to the deserts of Egypt and the discreet banks of Zurich, the diplomat must become a warrior. Because in a world where nothing is as it seems, the only way to survive is to write the rules yourself.