Review – Every Wicked Man

When a senator’s son takes his own life and posts the video live online, Agent Bowers is drawn into a complex web of lies that begins to threaten the people he loves the most. As he races to unravel the mystery behind the suicide and a centuries-old code that might help shed light on the case, he finds a dark pathway laced with twists and deadly secrets that touch a little too close to home.

A fast-paced, intelligent thriller, Every Wicked Man will have readers racing through the pages to its thundering conclusion.

My wife is a writer, and she helped me to understand why my favorite writers are my favorite writers. That is, what it is about their writing that seems to grab me from page one and keep me turning pages until I fall asleep or finish the book.

It’s called “layered,” or “textured” writing. One book, two or three separate, distinct plot lines that are woven throughout the book, so that there are three separate rising actions, three “black moments,” and three resolutions. And yet it is all one story.

And Steven James is a master craftsman.

His latest work, EVERY WICKED MAN, is coming out in September. I received an uncorrected proof for review. Funny . . . that didn’t seem to make any difference with regards to the emotional roller coaster that I experienced when I opened the book.

This is a Patrick Bower’s mystery, so fans of this fictional hero will know what to expect. For the uninitiated, here’s what you can expect: strong, fully developed characters, impossible situations, complex villains, some romance . . . and tears. Let’s not forget the tears. Have a box of tissues readily available.

In EVERY WICKED MAN, Agent Bowers is struggling. He’s struggling to convince his colleagues of the positive aspects of geospatial forensics. Forget motive. Why? is not the question that needs answering. The two questions that Agent Bowers considers are Where? and What time? By focusing on the crime scene, one can more readily apprehend the perpetrator, and eliminate any red herrings.

He’s also struggling with a teenage stepdaughter who is wise beyond her years, and has the sarcasm to prove it.

And then there’s this little side issue of a drug pusher whose best product delivers the goods and renders the user susceptible to suggestion. Extremely susceptible.

There. I’ve given you all the details that I’m going to give you. Save the date: September 2018. EVERY WICKED MAN by Steven James becomes available. You won’t want to miss this one.

5 stars for a story that will hold you until the very last page.