The Pawn (Jackie Powers)

by: Steven James

Published by: ONYX

Reviewed by Stephanie Boyd

Special Agent Patrick Bowers is an environmental criminologist who tracks down killers who have evaded the FBI’s best forensic investigators. His skills use the latest technology to analyze the time and space in which the crime takes place for additional clues to who the criminal is. Pat is one of the Bureau’s best agents, but in this latest case, he may have met his match. It is a deadly contest, and if he doesn’t stop this mad man, he and his family may become victims.

The Pawn is an outstanding psychological thriller with all the bells and whistles of the best of modern technology–and a brilliant criminologist whose human frailties add to his appeal as a favorite modern hero. I loved this book! The story is gripping and compelling from the very first page, and you will not want to put down until you have finished every word.

The antagonist is deadly, evil, and completely without remorse or sympathy for his victims. Pat finds his mind and methods tested in ways he has never been tested before and the stakes are even higher than he ever imagined. This is the first book I have read by author Steven James but it will be the first of many. There are two more books (at least) in this series and I can’t wait to read them. The teaser at the end of this book for The Rook (book 2) just wet my appetite for more of Pat and his quest to rid the world of the truly evil bad guys.

Side note: Steven James has written a number of books for the Christian fiction genre and this one is a departure from that for fans of his earlier work. There is nothing offensive to a Christian reader in this book–and there is no Christian message for those who don’t want to read religious fiction.

I found this book to be an excellent story for all types of readers and especially anyone who loves thrillers. One of the best books I have read this year!

Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.