– Howard Wolinksy, formerly the medical reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times abd co-author of "The Serpent on the Staff: The Unhealthy Politics of the American Medical Association."

A mysterious illegal immigrant, only known as TWIG, may have the cure to the HIV virus locked in his blood. As information of this revolutionary discovery is leaked, several entities launch a deadly search to find and exploit TWIG's secrets. This medical thriller unfolds as the CIA enlists former agent, Penny Sears, to track down this would-be modern-day miracle. Also, in desperate pursuit is a pharmaceutical giant that will stop at nothing to get this vital information. The fascinating combination of art and science explodes in THE TWIG PAINTER as Penny is charged with finding TWIG while protecting her family from the dangerous, high-stakes game in which she finds herself immersed. The clock is ticking.