"Pastor Clem Dudas is a man of exquisite contradictions; a charismatic preacher who features rattlesnakes in his worship, a businessman developing fake AI "political exposâes," a schemer with clandestine Russian connections. Bud Randolpf shares Clem's politics, a quirky disposition of his own, and a far different link to Russia; Bud travels there seeking love. When Clem's wife and two favorite snakes (Maynard and Dobie) go missing, Bud (back home in CA) and his detective team take the case. They solve one mystery, only to uncover another far more deadly Russian romance heats up, just as Russia attacks Ukraine. His sweetheart, Sveti, must go underground after protesting the war, leaving Bud to smuggle precious cargo out of the country. In the end, Russian deceptions, American deep fakes, unorthodox ideas and the gentle love of a good woman turn Bud's world upside down."--Provided by publisher.