What lies beneath? Haunted by the brutal murder of his sister on a luxury cruise liner, Max Cutler established MIDAS (Marine Investigations at Sea), an elite team of law enforcement and military specialists, to investigate maritime crimes and terrorism. Midas pursues three separate investigations, which gradually intertwine in a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and a sinister plot that threatens global stability. Arms dealer Conrad Ford will supply any willing buyer, including terrorist factions. When his son is killed by Indonesian pirates aboard their yacht, Ford's life unravels. The yacht he once owned now serves as a pawn in a treacherous plan to finance an arms deal for Al Qaeda. Thousands of miles away, Gareth Cummings, a communications officer on the luxury cruise ship Reef Explorer, is abducted by Aziz, a converted Al Qaeda operative. Aziz's mission involves hijacking the cruise ship to stage a financial hijacking, masking a major terror attack that will reshape the Middle East. US President Shelby learns of a covert CIA project codenamed 'Muddy Waters'. With limited options, he relies on the British authorities to handle the situation. But when Russian and Israeli military forces enter the fray, the stakes reach unprecedented heights. As the Midas team investigate the murder of Ford's son, their investigation leads them to Bali. Over high-octane chases through treacherous terrain, they confront a dangerous gang, unearthing shocking revelations that point to a more extensive, global conspiracy. In a heart-pounding race against time, Cutler and his team must navigate the murky waters, where even heroes can be villains, and the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred.