The golden keel - Desmond Bagley

The fabled location for a hoard of looted wartime gold is revealed to a band of opportunist treasure-seekers, whose treasure hunt soon becomes a very dangerous mission

When the Allies invaded southern Italy in 1943, Mussolini's personal treasure was moved north to safety under heavily armed guard. It was never seen again - but the secret of its whereabouts did not die with its escort.

Years later, boat-builder Peter Halloran's expertise is needed on an expedition which plans to unearth the treasure and smuggle it out of Italy. But there are enemies in plenty awaiting the arrival of Halloran's group - enemies who are as powerful and as ruthless as they are deadly