As the second John March novel, this packs a gut-punch of well-written intrigue and suspense. From the Shamus Award- winning author of BLACK MAPS comes an intricate continuation of New York private investigator John March's story. After the murder of his wife, Anne, in the first novel, March takes a new job with abrasive Nina Sachs, ex- wife of missing Wall Street analyst Gregory Danes.

What begins as a probable missing persons case quickly dissolves to include members of the Russian mob, a near- fatal brush with a paranoid schizophrenic, and dangerously close surveillance snapshots of his nephews and girlfriend. The case becomes personal, and March's moneyed family history only impedes his investigation.

This is a marvelous read for those of us who love vivid details, and its tight plotline is exceedingly easy to follow. The characters are quite accessible, and I found myself becoming irritated with some of them for repeating errors, or following an incorrect hunch. The twist at the end had me contemplating a third installment in the John March series. I'll be waiting for it.