In the forests of the world, the mighty tiger is disappearing. A symbol of virility and power, its bones are a principal ingredient in traditional homeopathic medicines-and worth hundreds of dollars per pound on the Asian black market. The latest threat to these magnificent creatures is a well-organized profiteering ring that is trying to corner the market on tiger parts by systematically exterminating all wild tigers.

Western diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions have failed laughably against simple human greed and indifference. Bribery and corruption are rampant, leaving CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) desperately fighting for a lost cause.

But when the law falls short of justice, there are men like James Burlane, of Mixed Enterprises, a former CIA agent who specializes in delicate international cases. Following leads from Germany all the way to the Philippines, Burlane finds he is not just up against poachers. A killer of women stalks the night, with a twisted fire in his eyes, sensuously painting his naked victims in the buff-orange and luscious black stripes of the tiger before his dread hand seizes the knife.