The Queen, by Steven James
Reviewer: Amber McCallister
Genre: Fiction/Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: 2011

In the latest book of the Patrick Bowers series, the Queen, Steven James delivers a most ingenious multi-layered mystery that will have you guessing until the last page. This story is set in a northern Wisconsin town where Agent Bowers is sent to investigate a double murder. To his surprise, this murder is not as simple as it looks. While trying to unravel this mystery, he stumbles upon a much more sinister plot that includes terrorists, hackers, a world-renowned assassin, and a nuclear missile.

This is a story that does not disappoint in any aspect of the plot or the characters involved. I was struck by the level of intense detail of every scene. I was thoroughly enraptured by the high level of attention that this author gives to every part of his story. He doesn’t strike me a person who arbitrarily makes up information to that which he is not able to investigate to his satisfaction. I can see through this story that he tirelessly works to perfect not just the details of his story but the level of his own personal satisfaction in his writing in general. The articulate nature of this story clearly displays the extremely high level of writing craftsmanship that he has developed over the years.

I have never read any of Steven James books before this one, but he has most definitely captured my attention and my interest. I find myself entranced and anxious to read the other Patrick Bowers books as well any other books that he has written. To find this level of writing is like finding the lost treasure of Atlantis in your backyard. Reading this book has been such a wonderful experience, and I was sad to see it finally end. I impatiently and eagerly wait to see what Steven James puts out next.

Rated PG:13: I chose a PG-13 rating for this book as it includes some references to violence, prescription drugs, and details of a serial killer case.

This book was provided by the reviewer.