Mr. Patterson and Ms. Paetro have created a really good story with this second of the franchise. The characters are clearly drawn; evil ones obviously bad, and too many people enjoying the trouble Jack Morgan is in.

This is really a tightly woven tale, with some surprises. It is straightforward enough to flow rapidly, with the trademark choppy chapters moving the action along. It is as though these Patterson books are created by someone with limited ability to concentrate. Obviously, with his annual production, that is not Mr. Patterson.

The closing up of all the loose ends is kind of extra tidy, but unnecessary.