Discover Portugal
Travel Portugal from south to north, from sun‑drenched cities to hidden wine country. At the station in Lagos, siblings Matilde and Rui sprint for a northbound train, chased by assassins. They make it aboard—along with Wes, an American nursing a broken heart. As the train cuts up the coast, Matilde overhears Wes’s story while Rui sulk. They must stay invisible. Prince and princess of a secret society, they’re on the run after their parents’ murder—their father once the leader of The 30, an ancient order with roots in Venice.
Matilde and Rui are thieves, school in heists of artwork and breaking into vaults. They first arrive in Lisbon-the Oriente Station. There, all is well and Rui and Matilde have to wait a bit until the next train continues onward towards Aveiro. At the last moment, Wes hops on the train. When they arrive at the Aveiro train station, Wes is confused about directions. Rui moves over to help and in the process of trying to humiliate him, pickpockets Wes. This is captured by surveillance cameras. Footage sent to Interpol in Lisbon. Landing on the desk of Division 1989 - DIV89 - where Alva nurses a theory about the existence of The 30. Are these really the children of The 30? That ancient organization - does it really exist?
She mobilizes forces to capture the siblings. Encircle Aveiro. Bring 'em down. In Aveiro, law enforcement surveils a café. Inside is Matilde, and trying to blend in, get a job using a pseudonym. Once bullets fly, she runs. To her motorcycle. Wes follows. They ride to Esgueira, near Aveiro. The safehouse. Problem is, Rui's not there. Assassins are. Matilde fights off, and kills both. Wes knows too much. He has a choice, part ways or ride with her. He chooses to ride.
They travel south-east from Aveiro. Get water at the springs of Luso. Before heading out to the Dão. A wine region. And running out of gas at a vineyard. Both are unsure about the future. But glimpse what could be theirs. For the man and woman have a baby and live a seemingly idyllic life. Is this the life for Matilde and Wes? Are they falling in love?
But Matilde doesn't present herself a bad, a thief, nor does she confide to Wes the biggest secret - She's the daughter of an ancient criminal organization.
And everybody wants her dead.
If you want to get to know Portugal in an exciting way, this story takes you from Lagos, Lisbon, Aveiro, Luso, Dão, Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Costa Nova do Prado, and Estoril. And more! With stops in the Alentejo, Guarda (the countryside, Caminho Santiago de Compostela).
The Synopsis
Present day. The sun-drenched Algarve, Portugal. Matilde Urbano and her brother, Rui, race for the train out of Lagos, fleeing The 30 — a ruthless criminal syndicate led by Tiago, the man who murdered their parents to seize power. As the train speeds northward, Matilde overhears Wes, a charming but jilted American tourist, recounting his heartbreak. Drawn to him, Matilde quickly dismisses any notion of love — it’s a luxury she can’t afford. At the station in Aveiro — a city of canals — Rui makes a dire mistake. Offering Wes directions, he pick-pockets him instead. Surveillance cameras capture it all, and soon their faces land on the desk of Alva O’Rourke, the relentless head of Interpol’s Division 89. For Alva, the siblings might be the key to exposing The 30 and fulfilling her life’s mission. Everything converges on a quiet café in Aveiro.
Published in 2025 by Atlantic Books (Primeiro Capítulo) of Lisbon.
386 pages of action, romance and fun.
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The Characters
MATILDE URBANO, 21
The protagonist. Was in hiding for ten years after the death of her parents, the father being the head of The 30.
Yet Matilde doesn't know anything other than a life of crime. This she wants to change. She wants to get a regular job and just be normal.
RUI URBANO, 23
Matilde's older brother. Driven, harboring secret plans, he dominates his little sister. Thinks because of primogeniture, he should rule The 30.
WESLEY (WES) TURNER, 25
A charming American tourist nursing a broken heart. He inadvertently becomes entangled with the Urbano siblings, soon realizing that in Portugal, some secrets are deeper than the ocean.
NUNO LEÃO, 67
Matilde’s mentor and a steadfast ally of The 30. A lifelong friend to her parents, his jovial, weathered face and softening frame reflect a deep indulgence in Portugal's finest vintages and gastronomy. Behind the pride of his vineyard and his polished veneer, he desperately masks a crumbling financial estate. Though he honors Matilde’s strength, he deeply distrusts Rui’s dark ambition.
CALIE ESTRELA, 24
A famous blond telenovela star who brings glamour and a trail of paparazzi. Diamantino’s acquaintance, she is the perfect distraction to infiltrate Casino Estoril. While Matilde envies her ease and dismisses her talent, Calie is an astute friend who speaks the hard truths and proves vital to the mission.
GONÇALO BALANÇA, 19
A humble and nerdy wine-master. The quiet outsider whose technical mastery and chemistry skills have kept Nuno’s struggling vineyard alive. A thoughtful scholar of languages and vines, he may be the unlikely key to the group’s success, quickly proving his loyalty by following and protecting Nuno.
ALVA O’ROURKE, 61
Division 89, Interpol Lisbon. A weary Irish veteran who once tracked The 30 in the USSR before a mysterious smear campaign ruined her data and standing. Obsessed with proving the ancient order exists despite global mockery, she spots Matilde and Rui on camera and realizes her decades-long hunt is finally back on.
RAMONA SEVILLA, 70
Alva’s mentor and the one who found Alva after she had quit law enforcement. She brought Alva back into the fold, trusting and propping her up through the darkest times. Seasoned and calm, Ramona sees Alva's potential and wants her to become something truly great.
TIAGO ALEXANDRE, 36
Bad guy. Or maybe not. He's the illegitimate son of Americo Urbano. Half Portuguese, half Mexican. Soccer (futebol) player until no team wanted him. Luger found him and knows his potential as a puppet. After the coup, he's the leader, taking The 30 into new, dangerous directions.
Cracking Vaults
The vault beneath Casino Estoril, accessible by the catacombs has treasure.
Something that once belonged to them, too.
Problem is, it's a very special vault.
Made by a Venetian family.
But Matilde and Rui are good - perhaps this vault has weaknesses.
One Story, Two Unforgettable Experiences
Since attaining a trademark for Villains' Reunion, we plan on offering tours based on the book. Not only in cities such as Aveiro, Porto (Vila Nova da Gaia) and Lisbon, but also to the various wine regions - an enotourism journey throughout Portugal.
Villains' Reunion Wine
Also, because we have a trademark, we plan on launching a Villains' Reunion wine label.
About the Author
Gary Smiley, a native of the United States, retired to Aveiro, Portugal, in July 2023. Armed with a doctorate in Agricultural Sciences, he built a career as a agronomic researcher, traveling and living in some of the world’s most exotic locations. A passionate enthusiast of wine and motorcycles, Gary channels his love of adventure and intrigue into his debut thriller, Villains’ Reunion.
Gary at Peterlongo Winery, Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil in 2025.