And what if that secret formula was discovered by two professional luthiers (guitar makers) who stumbled on it while they were handling an unrelated restoration?

When the first part of the hidden formula comes to light, they become the target of groups determined to keep the secret quiet, while another group fights to steal the formula and use it for their creation of counterfeit "authentic" Stradivarius violins.

Events take our protagonists from Toronto to museums and restorers in London, Paris, Sardinia, Arizona and Ottawa as they try to uncover the mystery of Stradivari's techniques and formula. When the Art and Antiquities Fraud Division of MI6 becomes involved, with Russian hackers and crime bosses-turned-collectors, the luthiers seem to be overwhelmed by far more than they can handle.

For three centuries musical instrument makers and players have tried to reverse-engineer Stradivari violins. What was it that made them so exceptional, even among the other superb craftsmen of his era? To this day there have only been theories... until now.