An arsonist has struck a top-secret research facility at a key US naval base. But it's not just a random terrorist attack. These people were after something specific. When Special Agent Patrick Bowers is called in to investigate, he is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue and deception. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop an international assassin before it's too late. Full of fast-paced action and mind-bending plot twists, The Rook is an adrenaline-laced page-turner that will keep readers up all night. Book 2 in the Bowers Files, this riveting look into the criminal mind is the perfect follow-up to James's well-reviewed The Pawn . "James delivers the caffeinated plot twists and intriguing characterizations that made The Pawn a welcome addition to the suspense genre . . . Fans of CSI and Law & Order will enjoy the police work and forensics, but this jacked-up read feels more like an explosive episode of 24; it's a wild ride with a shocking conclusion." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "Steven James hooked me with his debut, The Pawn . Now in his explosive sequel he has absolutely blown me away." --The Christian Manifesto "Steven James has certainly done his homework. His level of detail and knowledge in the area of the military characters is superb. I could not put this one down!" -- LT Robert Bess, U.S. Naval Special Warfare/Naval Special Operations One night, I was reading a book on sharks to my eight-year-old daughter. We discovered that sharks have a scientifically-proven sixth sense. They actually have an additional sensory organ called the ampullae of Lorenzini in their snout. This allows them to identify prey even if the fish is buried in the sand. I still remember sitting on the couch, reading her this shark book, as the premise for  The Rook  took root in my mind. The entire story grew out of this encounter, and then a trip to the world's number-one aquarium (Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg, TN), where an aquarist took me on a behind-the-scenes tour. There, I saw the acclimation tank, which became the scene of the climax of the novel. As you read this story, think of me reading to my daughter. Because of that moment, this is one of the most special books in the series to me. This novel ends with a triple twist that I had no idea would happen when I began writing the story. Don't peek at the last page. Special Agent Patrick Bowers is about to uncover the military's darkest secret . . . and his own dark past. While investigating a series of baffling fires in San Diego, Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where nothing is as it appears to be. With a killer on the loose and one of the world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught in a race against time to stop a criminal mastermind's trap before it closes around the people he loves. Full of fast-paced action and mind-bending plot twists, The Rook is an adrenaline-laced page-turner that will hold you captive until the very end. Praise for The Rook "James ratchets up the thrills and chills, the twists and turns, and our connections with the characters. This is first-class suspense, with threads of wisdom tying it all together. I'm panting for the next book already."--Eric Wilson, author of A Shred of Truth and Expiration Date "James's ability to use modern, up-to-date investigative techniques to solve his criminal mysteries places him at the forefront of current mystery writers. [This is] a book you hate to put down even when you reach the end."--E. Cleon Glaze, retired FBI agent "Steven James does it again! The Rook is a riveting nail-biter that takes the reader on a wild ride of suspense, thrill, and danger. James seamlessly combines the edginess of contemporary crime-solving stories with the real world struggles of romance, broken families, loss, and honor."--John Thurman, counselor and radio personality "Steven James has certainly done his homework. His level of detail and knowledge in the area of the military characters is superb. . . . [They] almost come to life as you read his books. I could not put this one down! Top-notch work."--LT Robert Bess, US Naval Special Warfare/Naval Special Operations Critically acclaimed author Steven James has written more than twenty books, including the bestselling thriller series The Bowers Files. One of the nation's most innovative storytellers, Steven developed his skill as a performer at East Tennessee State University (MA in storytelling). He lives in Tennessee with his wife and three daughters. Used Book in Good Condition