Again, a very complicated scheme to overshadow the serial killer lying underneath. James's use of the military sub-plot and the growing relationship between both Tessa and Lein-hua, is again formulaic but lovingly readable. Overall a good read again and I think that I will continue on with the series. The middle road feelings I had with his last book gave me some apprehension about this one but I was wrong. It is clear that he and his editor team have found a singular long term goal for Patrick Bowers and luckily it is not a want to rise in the FBI ranks but instead it is just to keep working at what he does best.

(view spoiler)[ The climax and resolution of the Shade character is a little transparent. If you like the Sebastian Taylor guy as villain keep reading, if not stop know. I thought that The Illusionist killer from The Pawn would become the recurring villain but its not. I know he has to come back at some point. The use of Cassandra and Terry as dual handlers from Creighton was also a great plot twist. The only disappointing moment was the lack of belief during the Bowers's belief that Lein-hua was possibly Shade. That plot twist was just too much for my liking. I am also curious to find out how the assault story with Tessa will move forward in the other books. The hook of Basque coming back to get Bowers as well was a little heavy handed and over-the-top evil villain monologue. (hide spoiler)]