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The Pawn (The Patrick Bowers Files #1)

by Steven James (Goodreads Author)

4.07 of 5 stars 4.07 · rating details · 3,201 ratings · 443 reviews

Special Agent Patrick Bowers had only met one man who made him truly afraid. Until now. When he's called to North Carolina to consult on the case of an area serial killer, he finds himself in a deadly game.
Cunning and lethal, the killer is always one step ahead of the law, and he's about to strike again. It will take all of Bowers's instincts and training to stop this man...more

Paperback, 427 pages

Published September 1st 2007 by Fleming H. Revell Company (first published 2007)

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Christian Mystery/Suspense Books

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The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Christian Fiction Books That Would Make Great Movies!!!

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Aug 03, 2012 I, Curmudgeon rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Any Adult

Recommended to I, Curmudgeon by: Found Randomly in the Kindle Book Store.

Shelves: suspense, thriller, crime-action-adventure, kindle-book, really-good-read, inspiration, horror, group-read

The Bower's files are all fun reads. The first one is every bit as creepy as it should be. As much as Patrick Bowers comes across as a sad-sack and a proprietary thinker, he becomes endearing and likeable. The most interesting character is his daughter! Reads like a movie. The plot is involved and twisted and spills into the sequels. James's sense or romance could be tightened up a bit, but he manages to make that fun too. Bower's big "theory" of how to catch serial killers and his disdain of pr...more

14 likes · like · see review

Oct 21, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 4 of 5 stars

First let me say this is a good book, I recommend it. I say that first because there is one thing that kept tapping me on the shoulder and saying, "hey, look a me!" So when I list a negative or a few instances of the same negative don't get the idea that it's a deal breaker. This is a good novel, I like it.

First of all the writer does a great job of pulling you in and getting you involved in the protagonist's life and situation. I am not a fan of seeing things from the psychopathic point of vie...more First let me say this is a good book, I recommend it. I say that first because there is one thing that kept tapping me on the shoulder and saying, "hey, look a me!" So when I list a negative or a few instances of the same negative don't get the idea that it's a deal breaker. This is a good novel, I like it.

First of all the writer does a great job of pulling you in and getting you involved in the protagonist's life and situation. I am not a fan of seeing things from the psychopathic point of view but the author (Steven James) does a good job of walking the edge and telling us what's going on in a broken mind without giving long loving descriptions of torture and sadism.

Now the next thing I say will be a bit mixed. The one thing I couldn't get away from is that this novel is rife with cliches. NOW THAT SAID this is not in itself a fatal flaw. I've noted before that there are very few (if any) actually brand new unique plots and/or situations. It can depend very much on how it's handled and the book as a whole.

So...if you haven't read the book, don't read the spoiler. There are big spoilers here and I don't want to ruin the book for you. (view spoiler)

Now again I say, all that said this is a good novel. I believe you'll get drawn in, the mystery will and plot will hold your attention. For those of you like me who aren't really into angst and the personal problems of the character they don't overpower the plot. For people who like that type of story it's here.

So I recommend this one. While I don't plan to run right out and get the next I probably will follow the series. (less)

7 likes · like · see review

Jan 10, 2012 Eve Victorie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-library, mystery-thriller, kindle-books-i-own

So this was my first thriller, EVER (well maybe if you exclude all those Nancy Drew books I used to read). It had a pretty intense and past-paced plot, kept me on the edge on more than one occasion! I loved it! I think though, since it's supposed to be Christian fiction, it should have been more Christ-centered. There was hardly any mention of God in this book, except maybe in the end, and even that was little considering the events that were taking place. It seems to me the author wanted to wri...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 19, 2012 The Book Blogger (inside and in between) rated it 4 of 5 stars

as first posted on my blog
Wow. This was a reeeaaaly creepy book. Gave me nightmares:P
But seriously...Steven James is an amazing author. His descriptions are vivid and his plot is really intricate and intense. At times I was overwhelmed by what was going on, especially in trying to grasp some of the background details .But I reckon the writing was still top-notch.

The book is a crime-thriller novel. Special Agent Patrick Bowers is called in to help catch a mysterious serial killer known as 'The Il...more

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Nov 25, 2010 Rose rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: serial-killers

Apparently this is considered "christian-fiction" which explains some of the heavy-handed question of God and faith in the book. I was looking for a clever serial-killer book with a clever detective using chess as a way of playing cat and mouse. This was not clever and chess was just a "pawn" in my opinion to get you interested in this book.

It was pretty fast paced, highly unbelievable, too many mistakes and I didn't really care for the "hero" of this book at all, Patrick Bowers. Needless to say...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Harry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: great-antagonists, detective-mystery, favorites

Imagine my surprise after reading all the Patrick Bower series by Steven James and in wanting to write a review of the books, to discover that this series is labeled as being published by a Christian publisher, as well as authored by a Christian...ergo, the Patrick Bowers series is labeled Christian Fiction. I'll tell you this, as an atheist, I didn't have a clue (not even a suspicion) of this throughout my reading of these novels.

Now, now, I am not implying that good Christian fiction doesn't...more Imagine my surprise after reading all the Patrick Bower series by Steven James and in wanting to write a review of the books, to discover that this series is labeled as being published by a Christian publisher, as well as authored by a Christian...ergo, the Patrick Bowers series is labeled Christian Fiction. I'll tell you this, as an atheist, I didn't have a clue (not even a suspicion) of this throughout my reading of these novels.

Now, now, I am not implying that good Christian fiction doesn't exist! I have read a few good ones in my time. Having said that, however, I do not like novels with an ulterior motive, novels written to spread the word, so to speak. I stay away from them: period. No such problem with this series. In fact; there's nothing in these books that even hints at the above. So, do read on!

Suffice it to say that morality is not the exclusive province of religion. If that were the case, no fiction, no protagonists, antagonists, or plots could ever be written. Steven James, the author, understands that. And you gotta know something about this series...it's all about morality, about choices made and not made, volitional experiences and their consequences made and perpetrated by protagonist and antogonists (this series has some of the best and most evil antogonists to be found anywhere!). Steven James - whether or not because of his religious affiliation - does understand the nature of evil. In fact, it's almost uncanny at how the author creeps into the minds of some of the most colorful, if not horrendous minds of his fictional villains. So, a word of caution, these novels have the propensity to creep you out.

From my perspective, this series is about a war between intellect and demons (personal and real), between mental and scientific strategy and unrelenting impulses, between Criminology and the worst of the worst criminals, with Patrick Bowers at the helm of this singular intellect. Both cerebral and emotive, Patrick battles evil with an unerroring eye for detail, with near photographic memory, and with plenty of physical volatility all aimed at heart-pounding suspense and boy! Does S. James know how to deliver stunning endings!

In regards to Criminology, the readers of this psychological thriller series will be exposed to the latest in scientific analysis: Environmental Criminology. Patrick Bowers focuses on criminal patterns within built environments (cities, landscapes, etc.) and analyzes the impacts of these variables on people's cognitive behavior. This places him in somewhat of a conflict with the FBI's profilers who tend to dismiss Bower's expertise. Here as in other places, Bowers is aided by powerful allies, notably by his friend Calvin, a professor as well as the originator of Environmental Ciminology.

The characters are extremely well developed, very believable, and often help carry the weight of the protagonists role as powerful allies in themselves, such as is the case with Tessa...Patrick's step-daughter. This is a character with whom the reader sympathizes as much as they do with our hero. Wild, dark-haired, often an unwilling ally, and deeply compassionate, Tessa is at the core of Bower's universe, if not the series. She is his island which he protects at all costs and needless to say, she suffers the consequences of her father's aim to destroy evil. She is also the last testament towards his capacity for love.

Note: one of the things I love about Goodreads is their categorization of series into numbered series. In this case, please note that #6 (recently published), is actually the pre-quel to the remaining Patrick Bower series. So, read it first!

As with my other reviews that involve series, this review is the same for all the Bower's series, so if you've read this one, you've read them all.
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Aug 13, 2012 Solim Civoreb rated it 4 of 5 stars

So this is the first in the series for me from Steven James. I gotta say that this book would have gotten 5 stars if it was not for one thing. But before I get to that, let me talk about my thoughts on the book. Steven James is a great writer, had me on edge on most chapters and this book even contained some factual information from actual serial killers and their quotes. I really like the character development with the main character and his step-daughter. Very believable to say the least and I...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Dipanjan rated it 4 of 5 stars

"The Pawn" is the first in the series of riveting thrillers by Steven James. In "The Pawn" we are introduced to Dr. Patrick Bowers, an FBI agent who specializes in tracking down serial offenders through geo-spatial techniques. That ideally means he tracks by connecting the dots of locations and timing of the crimes committed.

Dr. Bowers has lost his wife to cancer and throughout the book we experience him struggling to come to terms with the loss. This has also estranged him with his step daughte...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Rebekah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-drama, fiction, grief, mystery-thriller, owned-by-me-or-someone-i-know, series, suspense

The Pawn was published in 2008, so I'm a bit late to the game. I'm actually grateful for that, because now I don't have to wait for the next book in the Patrick Bowers series. This is the first in a proposed 8-part series from "The Patrick Bowers Files." Bowers is an environmental criminologist--he uses geography and environment to help build a profile of the killer he is pursuing. In The Pawn, we are introduced to Bowers and his unique line of work, and James weaves his back story in to a fast-...more

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Aug 31, 2011 Jodie22 rated it 4 of 5 stars

The cover photo of a chess pawn is a little deceiving. The book really isn't about chess. The killer leaves a pawn with each body.

I learned about this author from CraftFest, which is part of the annual ThrillerFest writers conference. Mr. James was a speaker at there. I was impressed with his workshop, so I checked out his books.

In The Pawn, Special Agent Patrick Bowers tracks a serial killer in North Carolina. Like most readers, I read carefully, trying to learn the identity of the killer befor...more

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Aug 27, 2011 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-novel, mystery, serial-killers, thriller

The first book in a planned trilogy involving protagonist Patrick Bowers, PhD, simmers but never overcooks. Bowers is not a typical FBI profiler in the mold of Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs"; his interest lies in finding the killer, not assessing his motive. Bowers specializes in geospacial intelligence; he looks for patterns of where and when the killer strikes in an effort to head him off before he kills again. In this novel, we have two antagonists: a serial killer who leaves ches...more The first book in a planned trilogy involving protagonist Patrick Bowers, PhD, simmers but never overcooks. Bowers is not a typical FBI profiler in the mold of Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs"; his interest lies in finding the killer, not assessing his motive. Bowers specializes in geospacial intelligence; he looks for patterns of where and when the killer strikes in an effort to head him off before he kills again. In this novel, we have two antagonists: a serial killer who leaves chess pieces at the scenes of his crimes (Sevren, a thoroughly dislikable villain) and a self-righteous survivor (Aaron Jeffrey Kincaid) of the Jonestown massacre who might have ties to a current North Carolina governor who's planning a run for the White House in 2012. That Bowers dovetails these two killers' stories into one fast-moving plot is a testament to his writing skills.

The book delves into the heads of killers, so there are a few unpleasant scenes, such as the opening scene where a teenage girl dies in Kincaid's arms, as well as scenes of animal torture and cruelty. This latter condition is one of three that make up a "triangle" that most serial killers have in common. While they're not pleasant to read about, they're also not gratuitous and are necessary in understanding the characters in the novel. James balances this out with some applications of Christian thinking; Bowers is mourning the death of his wife, Christie, and can't understand a loving God in a universe filled with evil. To his credit, James doesn't preach but rather lets the situations and actions of his characters do the talking for him. There's also a great scene where Bowers attempts to explain evil to his stepdaughter Tessa (who really needed a smack or two in parts of this novel) that makes you think about the similarities between "normal" people and true sociopaths like Sevren.

This book stands with other thrillers like "Silence of the Lambs" or any Kathy Reichs or Patricia Cornwell novel. Bowers is a very interesting character, and seeing how his relationship with both Agent Lien-Hua Juang and emo stepdaughter Tessa should make for good reading for the next installment. Highly recommended for fans of thrillers.
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Aug 20, 2011 Tamara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: steven-james

Wow! THE PAWN by Steven James started off like a walk in the park, progressed to a race against time, and climaxed with an all out sprint to the end.

I am a little bit late in reading this suspense/thriller that was released in 2007. But, as I prepare to read his latest, THE QUEEN, I am back peddling to read the previous installments in the Patrick Bowers Thrillers to make sure I am in the right frame of mind when THE QUEEN is released next month.

Dr. Patrick Bowers, has a PhD in Environmental Cri...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Author: Steven James

Title: The Pawn (Book 1 of the Patrick Bowers files)

Description (source): As an environmental criminologist, Patrick Bowers uses 21st-century geospatial technology to analyze the time and space in which a crime takes place. Using an array of factors, Bowers can pinpoint clues to solve the toughest of cases. Bowers's skills have made him one of the FBI's top agents-until now.

Called to the mountains of North Carolina to consult on a gruesome murder, Bowers finds himself in a d...more Author: Steven James

Title: The Pawn (Book 1 of the Patrick Bowers files)

Description (source): As an environmental criminologist, Patrick Bowers uses 21st-century geospatial technology to analyze the time and space in which a crime takes place. Using an array of factors, Bowers can pinpoint clues to solve the toughest of cases. Bowers's skills have made him one of the FBI's top agents-until now.

Called to the mountains of North Carolina to consult on a gruesome murder, Bowers finds himself in a deadly duel with a serial killer who seems to transcend Patrick's analytical powers. Forced to track the killer's horrific murders one by one, Bowers finds his techniques and instincts are put to the ultimate test... (Amazon)

Review source: not a review copy; free on kindle

Plot: The book definitely held my interest and there were several plot twists that caught me by surprise (which is hard to do). The aspect that sets this book apart from other mysteries would be the detective's specialty as an environmental detective; the book introduces the specialty and its methods over the course of solving the case.

Characters: A book like this has two main characters that matter: the detective and the villain. Both are well-done in this novel. The detective (Bowers) is really smart, but not infallible, and his personal issues affect, but don’t overwhelm, the thriller plot. The (suspected) villains are well-written (i.e. chilling!) as well. There are several good supporting characters: Bowers’ stepdaughter is especially affecting, and the team of investigators has several individuals with distinct personalities.

Writing style: Bowers has a quick-paced writing style that alternates points of view. Lots of short chapters—typical of the thriller genre. This book had way more character development than the thrillers I usually read, and that’s a good thing.

Audience: People who like thrillers, serial killer mysteries, detective stories.

Wrap-up: This isn’t the type of book I usually read, but it was free on kindle, so I picked it up. It surprised me with its depth, and I raced to get it finished. I would read the next in the series. 4/5*(less)

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Sep 17, 2010 Keiki Hendrix rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-christian

Patrick Bowers is an FBI agent in the new field of environmental criminology who finds himself tracking a serial killer in the mountains of North Carolina. A good plot with many twists and turns.

The book begins with a spin tingling teen suicide scene. this is not a book for the squeamish. But for those who can accept the gore knowing that is the reality in this world, what follows is a thriller that propels the reader to turn the page.

Most of the book is set in or near Asheville, North Carolina...more

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Sep 12, 2009 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: thriller, mystery, christian

"The Pawn" is a well-written, heart-pounding, fast-paced forensic/detective thriller. The novel had a somewhat bleak tone. The crimes and crime scenes were very chilling, though not particularly graphic (i.e. he gives you just enough to let your imagination fill in all the gory, horrifying details). Combined with the high tension level, I'd strongly suggest you think twice about reading this novel right before going to bed.

The characters were interesting and complex, and I especially loved Bower...more

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Sep 08, 2009 Tony rated it 5 of 5 stars

Steven James- The Pawn (Revell 2007) 4.75 Stars

Bowers has been called to North Carolina to assist the police in hunting down a serial killer. Little does he know that the killer, the Illusionist, has suddenly taken a keen interest in the man sent in to find him. As Bowers investigates, he discovers that the Illusionist always seems to be just a few steps ahead of them, and that there may be more to the killings than had been originally apparent.

I was very impressed with The Pawn. The book grabbe...more

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Oct 20, 2009 Carolyn C. rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Adults who can handle muder situations

Recommended to Carolyn by: Stumbled onto it:)

The dark side of me has always had a curious fascination with forensics and wonder about the thought processes of a serial killer. However...after trying out a well known and highly recommended author for this genre of writing I found after a chapter or two "my" line was being crossed so far as language and deviant sexual behavior - **gag** hence that book hit my dumpster at a very high velocity!!:(

I recently ran across this Christian author, Steven James, who happens to write investigative for...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Kat rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I bought this Kindle book a while ago but only decided to read it recently (bad, bad decision. Should have read it right after I bought it!) I was originally a little wary of thie crime/mystery factor (I had a not-so-pleasant experience with another book previously) but it turned out that I liked this very much. There were some cliches, yes, but well, overall it was a really good read.

A few points which I really doubt, though, are... well, obviously, Patrick is still mourning for his wife's deat...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Emilee (Fantastical Paper Realm) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Reviewed for: http://fantasticalpaperrealm.blogspot...

The Story:
Patrick Bowers is on his first case since his wife died. He’s thrown straight into the middle of the action which doesn't stop until the last page. The search for the killer inadvertently makes him look at himself and his life, which adds questions about God, humanities basic motives, and a wayward step daughter to an already very full mix!

My Thoughts:
This book reminded why I love to read. It made my heart pound, my palms sweat, a...more

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Sep 13, 2010 Charity rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who like crime novels

Recommended to Charity by: Barnes & Noble

Shelves: own-in-ebook, mystery-thriller

I don't read too many murder mysteries/thrillers, but every once in a while I pick up one just to give my brain something new to ponder. This book was a debut novel offered free one week to Nook owners, and I downloaded it because I remembered hearing a lot about it when the third book came out. It seemed interesting enough, so into the Nook it went!

I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say that the prologue was jarring for me (in a good way; great writing, but I made the mistake of s...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Kerry Nietz rated it 5 of 5 stars

“The Pawn” is one of the most gripping thrillers I have ever read. Though it clocks in at just over 400 pages, it reads like a novel that is half the size. The plotting is tight and original, the characters are well-drawn, the investigative process is excellent, the many twists and turns of the story…there is just a lot to love here. The villain is about as evil as the come, and the hero is conflicted and brilliant. I also liked the slices of history—they were an unexpected treat.

Be warned, tho...more

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Sep 20, 2009 Chris Schaeffer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very few times has an author jumped to the top of my reading list in only one book, but Steven James did just that with his thriller called The Pawn. Literally the very first chapter of The Pawn broke new ground in my reading history because it takes the reader beyond the PG-13 filter by which many books frame their story lines. Steven James spares no detail as he introduces his serial killer antagonist.

Further on, as the story begins to take shape, it feels as though you are walking into a narr...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Julie Graves rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads, kindle-reads

The first book in The Patrick Bowers Thriller series did not disappoint at all! If you like stories about serial killers and murder mysteries then you definitely have to pick this book up.

Patrick Bowers is called in when several girls have been found dead, the work of a serial killer with a signature of a chess pawn left behind. Patrick's wife has recently passed away from breast cancer and his 17 year old step-daughter Tessa is staying with his parents while Pat tries to help find the killer.

"T...more The first book in The Patrick Bowers Thriller series did not disappoint at all! If you like stories about serial killers and murder mysteries then you definitely have to pick this book up.

Patrick Bowers is called in when several girls have been found dead, the work of a serial killer with a signature of a chess pawn left behind. Patrick's wife has recently passed away from breast cancer and his 17 year old step-daughter Tessa is staying with his parents while Pat tries to help find the killer.

"The Illusionist" is what this serial killer calls himself. He prides himself on being one step ahead of the law. Part of the thrill he gets from the kill is the game. He's not interested in sexually assaulting the women he kills. The pain that he inflicts on them before they die is what he is interested in. When Patrick joins the team to find him the game becomes even more interesting.

Feeling guilty about his relationship with Tessa, Patrick insists that the FBI bring her to him so that he can make things "right" with her. Unfortunately this puts Tessa right in the sights of The Illusionist.

There are so many twists and turns in this book that it kept me on the edge of my seat! From government cover-ups, to the happenings in Jonestown(Jim Jones and the People's Temple Cult), to The Illusionists background, each story is interwoven together to make for an exciting read. There are definitely some graphic death scenes that would probably make some people cringe so I would recommend this book for a more mature audience. Tessa's character really got on my nerves. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her. I found she acted more like a 12 year old than a 17 year old. My daughter had to remind me that after all Tessa had lost her mother recently and never had a father so therefore she wouldn't act like a "normal" 17 year old, bit I still found her character annoying. As dysfunctional as Tessa and Pat's relationship is though, I found myself cheering for them when they did connect. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see that relationship develop.(less)

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Dec 01, 2012 Cl rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was the first book of Steven James I have read & I found I enjoyed it very much. There were 2 mysteries neatly tied into together & it was woven together so well it actually made me want to go back & research the past cult history of the Jim Jones massacre as if there was more to the story than I remember as a child. The serial killer the "Illusionist" leaves clues he is sure no one will be able to figure out because he is smarter than the FBI or any law enforcement agency he ha...more

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May 10, 2011 Pattyrflg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dr. Patrick Bowers is dealing with the death of his wife, trying to connect with his teenage step-daughter and trying to solve a series of gruesome murders of young women. Patrick is not the typical FBI agent. His expertise is taking the crime locations and other factors to determine where the perpetrator resides and where his next crime will occur. The Illusionist is the allusive criminal and because of some redirection and twists I did not know who it was until the big revelation.

I enjoyed the...more

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Sep 27, 2012 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just discovered this author and this is the first book I have read by him. Something very unique happened that I have never really experienced before. I knew from the very first page that I would not only like the book but like the author as well. That never happens. Sometimes it can take pages or even chapters for me to warm up to a new author. Not here.

The plot is quite complex and there are real surprises along the way. Just when you begin to think you have a grasp on everything, you realiz...more

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Sep 05, 2009 Bridget rated it 5 of 5 stars

The opening chapter resembles Romeo & Juliet. Two young teens are about to take their own lives because "It's a cruel world" and they believe "our love with unite us forever". It's very easy for Aaron to convince his girlfriend, Jessie, that it's necessary they take their own lives. Jessie is head over heels in love but ignorant to the fact that Aaron doesn't even know if he has feelings for her. Little does she know that he has no intention of taking his own life.

Now Patrick Bowers has been...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Angela Bycroft rated it 5 of 5 stars

The first in a series of books, Pawn introduces us to the wonderful FBI Agent Patrick Bower. Facing a string of serial killings, this agent has his own demons to struggle with as well. The recent death of his wife and trying to connect emotionally with his step daughter, he has more than just work on his plate at present. And the killer in question has a alluring love of chess as with each victim is left holding a pawn chess piece.

I found this first book of the series to be a taught, riveting t...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Bryan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

First, I haven't read a legal/police thriller in about a year. Thus anything I say will be comparable to what I watch on L&O or NCIS. That being said, I really enjoyed reading a book with some ramped up suspense and thriller aspects without all of the blatant nudity, sex, and language. The evil serial killer was believable and his cohort was as well. Actually if he had let off a line of curse words, I would have been surprised because of his cool demeanor throughout. (view spoiler)...more

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Sep 29, 2010 Isabel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. In The Pawn, by Steven James, Patrick Bowers, the protagonist, is called by his friend and fellow FBI agent to come to North Carolina and help investigate a string of murders committed by a serial killer who calls himself “the Illusionist”. The Illusionist tortures young women before strangling them to death, when he cleans and poses them and then ties a yellow ribbon in their hair and leaves a pawn chess piece at the scene. Patrick is still depressed over the loss of his wife to cancer a short...more In The Pawn, by Steven James, Patrick Bowers, the protagonist, is called by his friend and fellow FBI agent to come to North Carolina and help investigate a string of murders committed by a serial killer who calls himself “the Illusionist”. The Illusionist tortures young women before strangling them to death, when he cleans and poses them and then ties a yellow ribbon in their hair and leaves a pawn chess piece at the scene. Patrick is still depressed over the loss of his wife to cancer a short while before, and struggling with both his beliefs and his teenaged stepdaughter. When the only suspect is set up by the Illusionist to be accidentally killed by an FBI agent, Bowers is taken off the case. However, the killer insists on contact only with Bowers and so he is reinstated. It turns out that the Illusionist was only responsible for some of the killings, and a copycat is responsible for the others. When the case appears to be connected to Jonestown, the investigation dives deeper into a “tribe” in New Mexico that is planning to murder millions of people with an undetectable virus with no anecdote that they have invented themselves. Te leader of this tribe turns out to be a childhood friend of the Illusionist and responsible for the copycat murders. When the Illusionist kidnaps Tessa, Patrick’s stepdaughter, things get personal and Bowers heads off on his own to chase the killer with no backup. The Illusionist turns out to be an EMS who thought of the killings as a game of chess, and thought that everyone was a pawn.

One of the main themes of this novel is Patrick Bowers’ struggle with God. He doesn’t think that God should have let his wife die and wishes he knew what to think. He tries not to think about his confusion about faith or his grief about his wife so that he can focus on the case. This seems to be a theme that will be talked about more later in the trilogy. Bowers also struggles over his relationship with his stepdaughter. While he is in North Carolina, she is shoved out of the way to his parents’ house back in Denver, Colorado. They didn’t have much time to get to know each other before her mother died, and afterwards Patrick was to depressed to know what to do with her. Tessa resents him for not even trying, and they don’t know how to handle each other.

I give this book a four star rating because it was very engaging and a great story in general. The plot was interesting and had lots of twists, but towards the end It was obvious to the reader who The Illusionist was, yet it was about another hundred pages before the characters figured it out. There were some clues that completely flew over their heads, and it was rather boring to know the answer to the question the characters were still trying to solve. The book did end on a good cliffhanger, though, leaving you wondering whether or not Bowers had managed to kill the Illusionist. Over all, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes murder mysteries.
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Action/Adventure ...: January Group Read: The Pawn (The Patrick Bowers Files #)1Spoilers	66	29	Mar 19, 2012 03:18am
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Mystery > Detective

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About Steven James

Steven James has penned 25+ books spanning the genres of psychological suspense, prayer collections, dramas, monologues, a nine book series on creative storytelling for children’s ministry, YA fantasy, and inspirational. James has received wide critical acclaim for his work including four Storytelling World Honor awards, two Publishers Weekly starred reviews, 2009, 2011 and 2012 Christy Award for...more

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Books by Steven James

The Knight (The Patrick Bowers Files, #3)

The Bishop (The Patrick Bowers Files, #4)

Opening Moves (Patrick Bowers Files, #6)

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Trivia About The Pawn

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Quotes from The Pawn

“Plastic people flashing fake smiles at a pretend world.” — 10 people liked it

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The Pawn (The Patrick Bowers Files #1)

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