Over the years I've read some amazing mysteries, thrillers, and suspense novels with fascinating and complex plots, but no one does "complex" like Master Storyteller Steven James. This new release is added to the prequels in The Bowers Files prior to the beginning of The Pawn, the first book of this series which began as A Patrick Bowers Thriller.
A Wicked Man introduces us to a young novelist Timothy Sabian who hears voices and feels bugs crawling all over his arms and stomach, and recalls Blake Neeson, a ruthless criminal psychopath who's managed to escape capture and prosecution for his multiple and international crimes.
When a website streams the bizarre suicides of people, one of whom is a local senator's son, the FBI gets involved.
There's a female DEA agent undercover as an escort cozying up to Blake and his "silent ladies" mannequins, a huge man named Mannie who assists Blake with details, a jihadist who believes Blake and he are on the same mission, an Arizona drug maker providing a lethal combination of drugs for Blake's project, a tic-tac-toe code for Patrick to figure out, and a nose-less man. Add to that a bizarre association for Patrick's stepdaughter Tessa with Timothy Sabian at a book signing, a mystery someone who doesn't fit, Dr. Werjonic (Patrick's mentor), and you have just a smattering of characters that somehow are uniquely knit together.
It's a story of unabated evil (and Steven does evil so well), mental illness, sorrows, love, betrayal, unbearable loss, and victory. You won't be bored, but you might experience a little confusion here and there piecing it all together.
The Pawn picks up after the death of Patrick's wife. Every Wicked Man lets us in on the points preceding it, facing it, and its aftermath which will make your heart ache.
Father, please continue to bless Steven's incredible gift. Keep him safe from all harm and fill him with your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Into the Fire 
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