Patrick Bowers has pretty much been through hell and high water in his job with the FBI as a geospatial investigation expert, and the water level is about to get higher. His war with serial murderer and cannibal Richard Devin Basque has involved several battles, and Basque, still a free man, is back to strike Bowers where it will hurt the most—his family.
Things seem perfect for newly engaged Patrick and Lien-hua. They, along with Patrick’s step-daughter Tessa, are getting along fabulously, and looking forward to when they can officially be called a family. But when Lien-hua is brutally attacked and kidnapped, Patrick is again thrown headlong into a chase to bring Basque to justice dead or alive (preferably to Patrick, dead).
At the same time, Director Margaret Wellington has a pressing matter she needs Pat to focus on, one that involves the apparent suicide of a family member. There is much more to the story, as Pat uncovers the deeper he delves into the case.
There is no better writer in this genre than Steven James. To say he is the gold-medalist of thrillers still doesn’t do him justice. His tightly woven, adrenaline-laced plots leave readers breathless. His character development is no less brilliant. I could never pick a favorite of his books because they are all so amazing (though The Bishop and The Knight stand out for me).
Being seventh in a series doesn’t diminish The King‘s importance at all. James ties off some loose ends, but still leaves room for more. I can’t imagine what will happen in Checkmate, but I know it will be no less exciting than the previous stories. For readers who haven’t tried James, I suggest they start with Opening Moves and then read the rest in chronological order. However, for those just starting with The King, James has scattered enough background information throughout the book to not leave new readers confused.
