The Hydra

Human slavery and trafficking are rampant worldwide in the first decade of the 21st Century and the Balkans is a pivotal region in the trade: a region where endemic criminality, corruption and gross injustice stalk panther-like the lives of many. The power and the reach of the ‘mafia’ clans is unbroken and has even been enhanced by events during recent wars. Overt hostilities are over but ethnic hatred and conflict still simmer. Human trafficking, especially for enslavement and body part harvesting, as well as drug and arms smuggling and other felonious activities, are rife.

The UN and the rest of the international community make increasing efforts to tackle the problem of in-house malpractice. A few of their own members are venal and thus part of the problem rather than the solution. Set against the background of the turmoil in the post-war Balkans, this book tells the remarkable story of the mortal struggle between two men. One man’s battle is to tackle the corrupt activities of some UN staff in the Balkans and to bring them to account. Jack Beaumont leads an international mission from the UN Headquarters in New York in support of ‘Operation Houseclean'.

Among the most powerful and expansive of the mafia clans is that headed by the other man, the infamous Afrim Bushadijnaj. Known as ‘The Eagle’ for his prowess, success and ability to stay alive, he is executive head, or ‘krye i klanit’, of a major regional clan. This organisation is the notorious ‘Hydra’ of the book’s title. The UN mission begins to achieve its purpose but Afrim, angered by the losses that implies for his clan, issues instructions for a contract to be put out on Jack Beaumont’s life. The destinies of the two men move towards a potentially lethal conflict.