If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Steven James, it would be difficult for you to imagine him writing the stories in the Patrick Bowers Series/Files. Certainly not because of the complex plots, after all he's a Master Storyteller, and his intelligence does not go unnoticed in conversations with him. He's tall with a slender build, athletic, good looking, wears hip glasses, and is friendly while assessing the situation. But let's face it, the serial killers in this series are as psychopathic as any characters can get. Demonic. Wicked. Intelligent. And look "normal" to the unsuspecting.
Checkmate presents another complex, interwoven masterpiece of past killers conspiring with each other only to realize extreme betrayal while Patrick tries to figure out who he's dealing with after a fatal bombing at a disguised FBI facility and a particularly brutal murder of an FBI employee at his residence. The meticulous but confounding clues left at the scene take time to decipher and also indicate the awareness of Patrick Bowers being involved in the investigation.
Philosophically throughout this series Patrick Bowers is forced to contemplate his personal demons, maintaining that keeping them at bay is the only thing separating him - and all of us - from the evil psyches of serial killers. Choosing not to indulge our basest desires when we are tempted by revenge or ridding the world of someone evil, is the one thing that keeps us from becoming like "them". In the search for both the killer and his personal objective in this story Patrick is acutely aware of his own preferences for the demise of the criminal he seeks. When he learns of the collaboration gone wrong between two of the most dreaded serial killers he has known, he must make a deal with the devil to hopefully thwart the intent of one of them and of course we all know what the devil does with "deals".
Patrick's best friend FBI Special Agent Ralph Hawkins helps Patrick investigate and pursue whoever is responsible for the deaths at the bombing and the sadistic murder of another agent, but it's understood he must leave when his wife Brineesha goes into labor. As the "story" unfolds and Patrick discovers the depths (literally) this killer will go to, Patrick must warn Ralph about the danger his family faces.
With a particularly satisfying ending to this chess game series, Patrick can choose to realize he can find closure without sacrificing his integrity. Evil must be eliminated whenever possible and sometimes it can come against itself and not survive.
Intermittent subplots with Patrick's daughter Tessa are always entertaining and the pointed but brief conversations with Lien-hua prove to produce a difficult mental discussion inside Patrick's head. The spiritual aspects are faint but there.
Checkmate is a fitting and fulfilling conclusion to this series, and I certainly hope Patrick Bowers isn't done solving heinous crimes. Couldn't give a higher recommendation for these thrillers. Read them in order and be prepared for an explosive ending (no pun intended).
Father, you know Steven. I pray your continued blessing upon his life and work and may He do as you've instructed him to do. Keep him safe from all harm and watch over his family. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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