Another sweltering month in Charlotte, another boatload of mysteries past and present for overworked, overstressed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. As the undercover officers start to draw the threads together, William realizes that the corruption may go deeper still, and more of his colleagues than he first thought might be willing to turn a blind eye. His team focuses on Detective Sergeant Jerry Summers, a young officer living an extravagant lifestyle. But Summers develops a personal relationship with a WPC on William's team and the investigation hangs in the balance. His team focuses on Detective Sergeant Jerry Summers, a young officer living an extravagant lifestyle. But Summers develops a personal relationship with a WPC on William’s team and the investigation hangs in the balance.

Forget about solving all these crimes; the signal triumph here is (spoiler) the heroine’s survival.Meanwhile, a notorious drug baron goes on trial, with the prosecution case led by William’s father and sister. And William’s wife Beth, now a mother to twins, renews an old acquaintance who appears to have turned over a new leaf, or has she? No where near as good as previous efforts. Two stories, intertwined into a most unlikely scenario, covering a book that is far less voluminous than previous books. Second in the military crime series featuring Special Agents Scott Brodie and Magnolia "Maggie" Taylor, after The Deserter (2019).

There is so much going on with a disgraced ex senior police officer getting in league with the crooks who try to appear as if they are on the level.

What can be better than sitting down with a Jeffrey Archer novel? It is like spending time with an old friend. Characters you can really warm to, others you hate with a vengeance, good plots and twists in the tale (sorry!) all result in an enjoyable read. I am glad that the author saw the possibility of a crime series based on a detective introduced in novels written by the lead character in The Clifton Chonicles. A fictional fictional character. As his undercover officers draw the threads together, William realizes that the corruption may go far higher than his initial assessment, and that more of his colleagues than he thought possible might be willing to turn a blind eye . . .