While investigating a series of baffling fires in San Diego, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue where nothing is as it appears to be. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the worlds most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop a criminal masterminds trap before it closes around him and the people he loves.

Book 2 in The Bowers Files, this riveting look into the darkness that lies in every soul is the perfect follow-up to James's critically acclaimed bestselling thriller, The Pawn.

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.

Critically acclaimed author Steven James has written more than thirty books, including Story, A Heart Exposed, and the bestselling Patrick Bowers thriller series. He is considered one of the nation's most innovative storytellers and versatile authors, and is a contributing editor to Writer's Digest. Steven lives in Tennessee with his wife and three daughters.

In The Rook, Steven James’ sequel to his novel The Pawn, FBI agent Patrick Bowers is investigating a series of arsons, only to find that the trail leads to a kidnapped woman, a serial killer, and a military-sponsored research project that no one seems to know anything about. But the closer he gets to uncovering the mystery, the more he finds that those closest to him are being placed in harm’s way.

The Rook is not an overtly Christian book. The characters are not professedly Christian, and they make only brief, vague allusions to God or religion. There is no profanity, but there is a fair amount of violence, and there are some sexual references. Nevertheless, there are many explorations of religious themes, such as the main character’s struggle with his violent nature. His internal battle is like that of Paul, who wrote in Romans 7:19, “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”

Steven James writes short, snappy chapters, and his action-packed book is filled with many twists and turns. Amidst the thrills, he also includes interesting information about Bowers’ specialty: environmental profiling. In a few places the dialogue seems a bit directed, but for the most part, the author manages to let you forget he is there, letting you read the story uninterrupted.

Although the writing may prove too intense for many readers, the scientific and investigative details should appeal to readers of other contemporary thrillers. Ultimately, James tells a tale filled with danger and deception, but also with a subtle, veiled message of redemption. – Nathan Biberdorf, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

“James writes smart, taut, high octane thrillers. But be warned—his books are not for the timid. The endings blow me away every time.”— Mitch Galin, producer of Stephen King’s The Stand and Frank Herbert’s Dune

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Author: Steven James
Submitted: November 27, 2012

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I’m an author and storyteller with a Master’s Degree in Storytelling. It’s an unusual degree, but I’m thankful for the chance to make a living telling stories. This is my second novel.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  I actually had the idea for this novel when I was reading a book about sharks to my eight-year-old daughter. It mentioned that sharks have a scientifically-proven sixth sense. I found that amazing ,and as I thought more about it, that one fact opened up the whole story to me. This book has a special place in my heart because the seed for it came from story time with my daughter.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  With this book I wanted to explore the question of what it would take for Patrick Bowers to step over the line and become like those he hunts. I’d love for readers to reflect on that question for themselves—what would it take for them to step over and do the unthinkable? What keeps us from doing so? How does that lead us to humility and thanksgiving?

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  I gained a new understanding of how each one of us has threads of evil running through our hearts. We are, all of us, capable of doing the unthinkable. That insight frightened me a little bit but led me to more seriously take to heart the promises of Scripture and the power of God’s Spirit.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  For this book I gained some insights from my reading of the Christian mystics—specifically Francis De Fenelon. I love his introspective and thought-provoking spiritual writings.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  This book isn’t as intense as The Pawn, but rather deals with a terrorist plot. It’s more like 24 than a CSI episode. You’ll find Patrick Bowers at his best, but you won’t have quite such shocking scenes of psychological suspense. And by the way, if you love stories with a twist, you’re going to love the ending of The Rook.

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