From Publishers Weekly
In this riveting thriller, the first of a planned trilogy, James (Story)
introduces FBI agent Patrick Bowers. His professional specialty is environmental
criminology, which attempts to track lawbreakers by analyzing the significance
of the time and place at which the crime occurred. When corpses of young women
start turning up near Asheville, N.C., Bowers is called in. The killer's MO is
to tie a yellow ribbon in his victims' hair and leave a chess piece somewhere on
the scene. Bowers begins to suspect that the governor of North Carolina, rumored
to be the next Republican presidential contender, is somehow connected to the
murders, and that a cult with links to Jonestown might also be involved. Making
matters trickier, the special agent supervising Bowers turns out to be a
longtime colleague with whom Bowers has some bad blood. Bowers, a recent widower
with a surly teenage stepdaughter to raise, tries to keep his grief and parental
confusion at bay so that he can focus on the case as the killer targets more
innocent women. Christian faith makes a subtle appearance in the story and
appears to be a theme that will be developed in future installments. A gripping
plot and brisk pacing will win James some fans eager for his next offering.
(Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"...A captivating look at the fine line between good and evil. The Pawn
is not to be missed."--Ann Tatlock, author of Every Secret Thing --
Ann Tatlock, author of Every Secret Thing
"Steven James combines 21st-century high-tech law enforcement techniques with 18th-century Sherlockian deduction to craft an exciting, suspense-filled story."--Dr. Kim Rossmo, Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation, Texas State University -- Dr. Kim Rossmo, Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation, Texas State University --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
"Steven James combines 21st-century high-tech law enforcement techniques with 18th-century Sherlockian deduction to craft an exciting, suspense-filled story."--Dr. Kim Rossmo, Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation, Texas State University -- Dr. Kim Rossmo, Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation, Texas State University --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
