"Alpertol! Finally, an unbelievably inexpensive substitute for petrol has been perfected! The oil-rich Middle East becomes a hotbed of international intrigues as the oil prices start plummeting the oil producers and consumers gather in Beirut for a grand auction of the world oil supplies at ridiculously low prices. And as the gravel begins to bang at the oil auction in Beirut, Mark Ray is racing against time to unravel the mystery of Alpertol in a dead-heat climax."