So far, this book is all over the place. He jumps around every 3 paragraphs to view points from multiple characters. This book has the potential to be interesting, but the choppy jumping makes it hard to invest yourself fully.

I also have to say, I'm really not impressed with the fact that the main character is mourning his wife, who is only dead 8 months, but thinking about sex/etc with the female partner he's working with. Seems pretty disgusting.

***

This book was horrible... really can't say more than that. Don't read it.

Finally getting to this series which is written by a dear friend's brother. I think I didn't pick it up for so long because I didn't want to dislike it and have to come up with nice things to say, but woah, this was a fast paced, suspenseful read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you like Patricia Cornwell and her Kay Scarpetta series, I think you'll like this too! Basic premise is Patrick Bowers is a specialized profiler zeroing in on location and environment to catch the serial killer who's been leaving bodies and clues like chess pieces on a chessboard. There's a lot more packed in these 400 pages. I can't wait to read book #2!

I read this book years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, and nothing has changed since then! Patrick Bowers remains one of my favorite literary detectives/FBI agents, and I’m so excited I got the chance to reread this one! It’s fast-paced, thrilling, and so hard to put down. I was on the edge of my seat once again, even knowing how the story ends. I can’t wait to continue my reread of the entire series!

This book was okay... Pretty good for a free book, but I don't think I'll be reading another one by this author.

I wasn't really into the seemingly endless amount of internal reflections that the characters went through. Even though parts of the story were exciting, it really plodded along at times and I found myself bored. Mysteries/thrillers usually go by the fastest for me, and it took me about 2 weeks to get this one finished.

Really really really enjoyed this book! It was suspenseful the whole way through - will definitely read the next in the series.

I'd probably give this more stars had I read the book in one or two sittings, but spread over a 2 week period, it was hard keeping up with the clues given along the way. Otherwise, it was a very engaging read. Just hard for me to keep all the facts straight...I had to think too hard!

The Pawn was published in 2008, so I'm a bit late to the game. I'm actually grateful for that, because now I don't have to wait for the next book in the Patrick Bowers series. This is the first in a proposed 8-part series from "The Patrick Bowers Files." Bowers is an environmental criminologist--he uses geography and environment to help build a profile of the killer he is pursuing. In The Pawn, we are introduced to Bowers and his unique line of work, and James weaves his back story in to a fast-paced political and psychological thriller.

As is an indicator of good story telling, I truly found myself coming to care for the main characters and be repulsed by the psychopaths. Bowers, his step daughter, and his partners are well written. The villains (yes, there are many in this book) are, too. And, even when James doesn't include it, the reader can sense a depth to the characters that will make them fun to get acquainted with in future stories from the files. Perhaps the most exciting part for me was believing I had identified the killer then believing I was wrong only to believe I was right again before--oh, I don't want to give it away. Just know it's worth the ride.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes The Patrick Bowers Files, as well as Steven James's other books. Typically I shy away from Christian fiction, because I find it lacking in depth, lacking in thrill, or preachy. I'm pleased to say The Pawn is none of those things. Bowers wrestles with God in a way that feels authentic, and the family drama isn't neatly wrapped at the end of the book. Just like real life.

I read this book in one day while my students watched a movie, which tells you how much I enjoyed it. At one point during study hall I actually looked up and said "WHAAAATTT??" because I was so shocked at the twist that I, to my delight, didn't see coming.

It is very difficult to find thrillers that don't feel tired, predictable, or complicated simply for the sake of being complicated. That's part of what makes this book so delightful. It's not a "fun" read, simply because of the violence, intensity, and death. It's a serial killer book for sure. But if that's your thing, it is a fun one.

The pace is quick but thorough, the main character likeable but flawed, and James' Judeo-Christian worldview comes out in such beautifully subtle ways. If you didn't know what you were looking at, you'd miss it. In particular, I loved how he explored the idea of sin - how shared humanity doesn't mean shared goodness, but shared brokenness. As a Christian who enjoys reading books that involve such wicked situations, I find myself thinking of this same thought often. What binds me to all other humans IS our value but also our incredible need and weakness and failure.

It didn't hurt that the book is set somewhere I know well, Asheville NC. It reminded me a lot of [b:Kiss the Girls|13148|Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross, #2)|James Patterson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390010470s/13148.jpg|881425] but I actually liked this book even better. Excellent work, Mr. James. This is a series I'm looking forward to devouring.

Quickly engaged in this story. Suspenseful and a few briefly gory moments but nothing terrible. Clean- no cursing. Mentions of God.