Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: August 1st, 2009
Reviewed by Jake Chism
FBI Agent Patrick Bowers has successfully brought down his share of serial killers. His latest case in Denver has left him more than baffled as the killer always stays one step ahead. Bowers and his team soon link the murders to a historic manuscript that the killer uses to plan each slaying. As the pieces begin to fall into place, Bowers realizes that the killer’s ultimate target has yet to be revealed. Now he is in a race against time to bring down his most formidable foe yet.
Steven James has reached that lofty status in my eyes, where I always expect the next offering to not just be good, but great. The Knight certainly doesn’t disappoint. Patrick Bowers is such an intriguing character that easily carries this story through its myriad twists and surprises. James puts on a storytelling clinic with his faultless plot pacing, strong character development, and downright pulse pounding suspense. The violent and gory elements are used in just the right doses to take us into the depths of the killer’s twisted persona. Everything comes together beautifully in this addicting page turner that makes its 490 page count seem like a breeze.
Perfectly nestled among the severed heads and bloody crime scenes are strong themes of family and relationships that have continued throughout all three Bowers Files novels. Patrick’s relationship with his step-daughter Tessa, in many ways is the glue that holds these thrillers together. You can have all the best action scenes, the darkest mysteries, and the most ruthless killers, but if we don’t care about the characters then we are left with nothing more than an average, mundane thriller. James raises the bar by bringing us in close to these characters that he no doubt loves himself, effectively separating these novels from so many others in the genre.
I’m continually in awe of Steven James and his mastery of story. While it’s been nice to see James getting more recognition, I’m still amazed that I don’t see his name in every book store I walk into. If you are looking for top notch thriller writing laced with suspense, action, mystery, and emotion then look no further. Steven James is your guy.
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