The Pawn (Patrick Bowers Files Series #1) »

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.

EXCERPT FROM CATALOG:

It happened upstairs at her house after school on a Tuesday afternoon. Her parents were still at work, just like always. So Aaron Jeffrey Kincaid and Jessica Rembrandt had the house to themselves. Just like always. Most afternoons found them here, making out, fooling around in the basement. But today was different. Today was the day. Jessie smiled at her boyfriend as she unlocked the front door. "Aaron Jeffrey Kincaid," she breathed, "I love you." Her voice sounded so alluring, so alive. It said more than I love you; it said, I believe in you. "I love you, too, Jessie." He stepped past her and swung the door open. "I'll always love you." He said the words smoothly, convincingly, but he wondered if he really meant them. He wondered if he did love her; if he'd ever loved anything at all. He took her hand as they stepped into the living room. Then, with one smooth motion with his free hand, he shut the door behind them.

Publishers Weekly

In this riveting thriller, the first of a planned trilogy, James (Story) introduces FBI agent Patrick Bowers. His professional specialty is environmental criminology, which attempts to track lawbreakers by analyzing the significance of the time and place at which the crime occurred. When corpses of young women start turning up near Asheville, N.C., Bowers is called in. The killer's MO is to tie a yellow ribbon in his victims' hair and leave a chess piece somewhere on the scene. Bowers begins to suspect that the governor of North Carolina, rumored to be the next Republican presidential contender, is somehow connected to the murders, and that a cult with links to Jonestown might also be involved. Making matters trickier, the special agent supervising Bowers turns out to be a longtime colleague with whom Bowers has some bad blood. Bowers, a recent widower with a surly teenage stepdaughter to raise, tries to keep his grief and parental confusion at bay so that he can focus on the case as the killer targets more innocent women. Christian faith makes a subtle appearance in the story and appears to be a theme that will be developed in future installments. A gripping plot and brisk pacing will win James some fans eager for his next offering. (Sept.)