by Joe Battaglia
Set in Doha in the year 2040, Beneath the Rings unfolds against the global spectacle of the Summer Olympics, an event meant to unite the world but instead plunged into crisis when twelve Israeli and Lebanese athletes disappear without warning. The situation escalates rapidly after a terrorist organization known as The Obsidian Hand issues a staggering ransom demand, sending shockwaves through governments, media, and international security forces.
Veteran journalist Nova Mendelsohn is drawn into the investigation, following a trail of cryptic clues that winds through futuristic Olympic venues, centuries-old marketplaces, and the unforgiving desert beyond the city. What begins as a reporting assignment evolves into a relentless pursuit of truth and survival, where buried histories and political fault lines collide. Beneath the Rings is a high-stakes thriller that explores the cost of vengeance and the fragile line between justice and chaos on the world’s largest stage.
Franklin Publishers is proud to celebrate Joe Battaglia and his acclaimed title, Beneath the Rings, for its recent award-winning success.
In 2026, the book received a Gold Win in the Manhattan Book Awards, marking a major milestone for both the author and the title.
The recognition continued at The BookFest Spring 2026, where Beneath the Rings earned:
This outstanding achievement highlights Joe Battaglia’s strength as a storyteller and reinforces Franklin Publishers’ commitment to bringing exceptional, award-worthy books to readers everywhere.
About the Author
Joe Battaglia is an award-winning journalist and producer with more than thirty years of experience covering elite athletics and the human stories behind global competition. His work has earned two Sports Emmy Awards, along with recognition from the International Sports Press Association and the Track and Field Writers of America.
Renowned for turning moments of intense competition into compelling narrative, Battaglia brings his storytelling expertise to fiction with Beneath the Rings. The novel marks his debut as a fiction writer, blending his deep knowledge of international sport with a sharp understanding of geopolitics and historical tension.
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