The 18th Element

by David W. Cowles

Las Vegas attorney Marshall Blair arrives home to find the drop-dead-gorgeous corpse of Mercedes Wilson stretched out on his bed in a pool of blood—her throat slashed and multiple stab wounds in her chest. Marshall doesn’t want to become personally involved in helping Las Vegas Metro police solve the crime, but he feels a strong obligation to help find his almost-client’s killer. He innocently volunteers to notify Mercedes’ employer, Argent Mining, of her murder.BIG MISTAKE!Marshall soon finds himself caught in the middle of a vast international conspiracy centered around a newly-discovered Rare Earth Element mined by Argent.The only people who know the secret power of the 18th element have been brutally slain. Marshall realizes that he and his friends are next on the assassin’s hit list—but he doesn’t know why, or who is responsible for their peril.THE 18th ELEMENT is filled with suspense and surprises. It captures the essence of Las Vegas and its environs—complete with fine and not-so-fine dining, gambling, prostitutes, lovers, losers, and romance.Nevadium, the new rare earth element, has a tremendous potential—but its value to humanity is not revealed until the very end of this intense thriller! Until you find out … be very careful. You never know who might be listening or watching.

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 30, 2012

About the author

David W. Cowles was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in California’s San Fernando Valley. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976.
Cowles is a member of the State Bar of California (inactive) and is admitted and qualified as an attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States. He’s served as a board member and president of numerous nonprofit organizations, and was awarded Congressional and other commendations for his efforts.

Cowles founded and was CEO of companies in the photographic and financial communities. He’s flown his own airplanes; traveled extensively; and spent a month as a volunteer with the Israeli Defense Forces.

For over eight years, Cowles published and edited Keno Newsletter, a monthly publication read by keno players and casino executives. For six years, he wrote a weekly column for Gaming Today. For three years, Cowles wrote op-ed columns and a weekly cooking column for the Peninsula Gateway newspaper in Gig Harbor, Washington. His articles have been published in the Las Vegas Sun and Newsweek magazine.

Cowles draws on his background and experiences to write in a wide variety of genres including mystery, adventure, thriller, comedy, fantasy, romance, erotica, how-to, children’s, novellas, treatises and expositions, short stories, and cookbooks. Often he’ll combine several genres in one book.