I really enjoyed this book. I received The Tunnel through early reviewers, and it came with this book as well. I really liked Sam Casey's character. There are not enough books written about strong Aboriginal women. The only thing was that at the beginning of the book the author talks about Sam getting into trouble on the Police force and that is not resolved by the end of the book. I'm hoping that she will address this in the next book so there is some closure on that story line. ( )

Book Description: He's known by the code name, Sparrow. Authorities can only identify him by the tattoo on the back of his hand. Sparrow is a gun for hire and his next target is Reverend Emmett Smith. His orders are to kill the Reverend on the River Queen Casino. But just before he pulls the trigger, someone beats him to it.

The Reverend is carrying $50,000 in counterfeit money. Sparrow soon realizes the fee he was paid is counterfeit. Sparrow is one man you don't want to cross.

Detective Sergeant Samanta Casey is back after her debut in WHEN THE DEAD SPEAK. Suspended from the force after her last case, Sam is having a difficult time adjusting to unemployment. But there are more unsettling changes in her life than unemployment.

The owners of the River Queen Casino hire Sam to clear them of any involvement in the Reverend's death. And who should be working the case for the Chasen Heights PD but Jake Mitchell, the one person she holds responsible for her suspension.

Sparrow plays a cat-and-mouse game with Sam's young computer friend, Tim, and matches wits with Sam. Just who is Sparrow? Why does Sam have dreams of hot lights, unbearable pain, bizarre torture techniques? And why does she keep hearing a strange mantra in her head--"Other than survival, nothing else matters?" Book 2 in the series. ( )