A former member of Saddam Hussein's Special Security Force arrives in Richmond, Virginia. Under the name of Ari Ciminon, he sets up house on the James River. The house was purchased for him by the U.S. Marshals Service, which is responsible for watching over him while he supplies intelligence to CENTCOM. Because he is fluent in Italian (as well as a host of other languages) he is presented to his new neighbors as an Italian of Arab descent. Ari learns on his first day that the previous occupants, Jerry and Moria Riggins and their two sons, were murdered in their home nine months ago. The...

Ari Ciminon (The 56th Man), former member of Saddam Hussein's Special Security Force, has dealt with crooked cops, drug rings and maniacal assassins. Now he is tucked away in a safe house in Richmond, Virginia, continuing his task of identifying Iraqi insurgents for American military intelligence. Protected by the U.S. Marshals Service, he still manages to get into hot water when he innocently volunteers to translate for an Arab prisoner accused of being a car thief. This leads him to a gruesome murder, an encounter with a deadly assassin and a meeting with the most reviled and despicable...