Another riveting installment in the Seamus McCree series, Seamus is on protective duty, only to lose his charge. A series of coincidences send the "protectee" on the lam, running from perceived threats, including from his protector. When people start showing up dead, Seamus has to piece together whether it's his charge or if his neighbors are involved. In the process, he uncovers more than he bargains for.

James Jackson writes heart-pounding suspense, keeping you guessing at each character's role in the story and tying it up nicely at the end, including some unexpected surprises. The emotions wrung out of this book are genuine and believable with Seamus facing down personal crisis and genuine fear for his life. As a "Seamus fan," I was a little put off that he chose to operate outside the law even while being deputized - a man of high moral fiber and conscience. Seamus deliberately gets in the way of the investigation, and is threatened with obstruction of justice. He does it again, despite his son reminding him he shouldn't and why. The story takes a detour toward the end in order to wrap up some of the loose ends. In the end, Seamus's family is his salvation, and that's the final message the author leaves you with.
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