Book Review: The Queen (The Bowers Files Book 5) by Steven James



Publisher: Revell
Publication date: September 1, 2011

Book Synopsis as provided by the publisher:

While investigating a mysterious double homicide in an isolated northern Wisconsin town, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers uncovers a high-tech conspiracy that ties together long-buried Cold War secrets with present-day tensions in the Middle East.

MY REVIEW

The Queen captured me from the first sentence and held me victim until the last page. I literally found myself thinking several times, this book is unbelievably good. James is a master of suspense, and the Patrick Bowers thrillers are some of the best in the genre. The scenes are skillfully written and crackle with tension, and the character of Patrick Bowers is masterfully rendered, with the author probing further into Bowers' personal history in this novel than he has done in previous ones. I love reading about Bowers relationship with his stepdaughter, Tessa, as it is so unique and different than many father-daughter relationships that are often portrayed. Tessa herself is quirky and yet endearing at the same time. And, as in his earlier novels, the author has succeeded at creating fascinating villains, especially in the character of Alexei Chekov, who is brutal and violent and yet an enigma of empathy at the same time. The book concludes with a twist that readers likely won't see coming.

James has a special ability to keep the pages turning at a frantic pace and the rest of my life suffers when one of his books is released, as they are just so difficult to put down! I highly recommend this book, and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

**A word of caution is in order: the books in these series are full of gruesome detail that will definitely turn some readers off. Fans of books or television shows that involve FBI agents and who can handle dead bodies and the portrayal of serial killers will not be impacted, but those expecting a gentle romance should steer clear.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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