FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers, from The Pawn, is called to San Diego, to help with a serial arsonist case. With an apparent suicide and a local kidnapping, the case seems to be getting more tangled, but Bowers unravels it nicely. It takes a personal twist when Bowers love interest and fellow investigator, Lien-hua is asked for by name. Meanwhile, his stepdaughter, Tessa, gets into some trouble of her own.

This was a high-paced suspense, with plenty of action and a page-turning conclusion. It was a good mystery. There were hints of prayer and a higher power--someone to lift us out of our pit; however, there was no strong message or testimony and no strong Christian character. While the characters were three-dimensional, I did not find myself attached to any of them. This was definitely a plot-driven story. Steven James has great use of language, and the fast paced mystery kept me fully engaged. I would recommend this to any mystery or suspense readers, secular or Christian. Although there was not much Christian depth to the story, the mystery was exceptional.