The Rook

Another great novel in the Patrick bower's series. Patrick, Ralph, & Lien-hua are investigating an arsonist this time with the help of the San Diego PD. Is the arsonist covering other crimes or just setting fires for the thrill of it? As the investigation mounts, different players, shady government DOD contracts, rich businessmen, & secrets all come bubbling to the surface. Balancing the fires & a suicide while spending time with his stepdaughter Tessa is complicating matters for Patrick as he doesn't know who to trust and is there a bigger picture behind the crimes. Trust the evidence wherever it takes you or A good investigator doesn't look for evidence to prove his theories, but to disprove them?

I'm a wimp, so I usually steer clear of thriller books. However I definitely loved this one, even though I may not sleep so well tonight. There are no graphic sex scenes. There is no profanity. There's just a beautifully written, edgy, scary thriller. How refreshing! The characters are believable. They're not perfect; rather, they're flawed, just like you and me. Since the loss of his wife, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers struggles with Tessa, his independent stepdaughter. Tessa an intelligent seventeen year-old is a handful and a good sub-plot involves her antics. She's brilliant, and at one point presents a comparison/contrast of Edgar Allan Poe's Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. That discussion, in and of itself is intriguing enough to warrant the purchase price. The author's research is amazing. The reader is introduced to technological weaponry, the study of sharks, and Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) a rare disorder in which the afflicted feels no pain--ever. All of this is set in San Diego, where Bowers has been called in to investigate a series of fires. However, more evil takes place, and I can say no more. If you usually figure out the ending, I think this one will give you the challenge you've been looking for.

Patrick Bowers is a special agent investigating a series of fires in San Diego, and he's stumped. Lien-hua Jiang, also a special agent with several years experieance as a profiler hasn't seen anything like it either. Every clue they follow seems to lead to a dead end. A homeless man commits suicide, and Patrick, who is the only witness discovers there's an ongoing investigation the police department doesn't want to share with him. Events escalate as Patrick and Lien-hua search for the elusive man known as Shade. They're in a race against time to save the lovely woman who is trapped in a desperate, life-threatening situation.This book is wall to wall suspense. Once I started reading, I hated to put it down. Steven James writes a great story that keeps the reader hooked from page one. If you like suspense, intrigue, and spine-tingling tension, don't miss The Rook

Steven James has created a great character in Patrick Bowers. This is the 2nd book about FBI agent Bowers (the 1st being "the Pawn"). James has brought a lot to the suspense thriller genre and I was amazed at how great these books are. I know this genre has been overdone quite a bit but these books really stand out. With great characters and great plotlines these are must reads. Bowers is investigating some arson fires in San Diego when a woman goes missing. Do the 2 cases relate and who is this mysterious person called Shade. He also has his teen step daughter along since he thinks it will just be a quick case to find an arsonist. The step daughter deals with a lot of situations that alot of teens are dealing with and put them in a new light which I think is great. Again a great book that I highly recommend.

When Steven James threw "The Pawn" at us, it sent us reeling, and it slammed home! We met Patrick Bowers, watched his showdown against "The Illusionist," and we were amazed. Now Bowers is back in action, and the military is involved, and secrets just might be revealed! Steven James slam dunks this one, and sends the pieces flying everywhere. Do you think you're ready for "The Rook"? I was convinced I'd see everything coming, but I was far off, way off base. Lots of surprises, and lots of great action. Patrick faces off against a foe, and this is one who knows a lot about fear. And Patrick is ready to expect the unexpected. That and fumbling through the relationship with his daughter, all the while considering another alternative that involves Lien-Hua. And this is all happening while investigating some fires that have been set, and this is all happening in San Diego. One of the main goals is to see what lies behind Project Rukh, and just maybe slip by this enemy's defenses. And as far as enemies go, Shade is as clever as they get, and he gets what he wants! Nothing personal against Patrick, of course. Right? Get ready for the pages to flip in this one! Steven James is on his game, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for the likes of Patrick Bowers!

FBI Agent Patrick Bowers is baffled by his latest case in San Diego. An arsonist has been wreaking havoc on the city leaving no clues as to motive or identity. Meanwhile, a shark researcher from a local aquarium has been kidnapped by a sadistic madman who has only given Bowers a few hours to save her. The only clue left behind is a shocking video clip that reveals the torture the victim is enduring. Patrick races against time to not only save an innocent life, but also to apprehend the monster responsible. Meanwhile, both cases take a startling turn when a top secret research facility is burned down at a nearby naval base. When the culprit is apprehended, more connections to both cases are brought to light. Soon Bowers discovers a device that was stolen from the naval base, and is shocked when its purpose is revealed. As more and more answers surface Patrick realizes he is in the middle of a grand conspiracy with far reaching implications. He must find the truth at all costs and try to stop the mastermind behind it all, the ever elusive Shade. Steven James hooked me with his debut, The Pawn. Now in this explosive sequel he has absolutely blown me away. The Rook is thriller writing at its highest level. James is a top-notch storyteller that knows exactly how to hook readers with complex storylines, unexpected plot twists, and engaging characters. While reading The Rook, I was reminded of the works of Michael Connelly, James Patterson, and Harlan Coben among others. Yes, this guy is that good! Patrick Bowers is now becoming one of my favorite literary characters and James does a masterful job of portraying a man who is both a genius in his profession and a novice as a father. Patrick's relationship with his step-daughter, Tessa, is emotional and real, bringing a welcome dose of family values and heart to the story. While Patrick and Tessa both struggle with their faith, their search for meaning and hope is heartfelt and inspiring. Steven James is continuing to prove what an amazing talent he is. This one is not to be missed!