THE KING is not quite the final book in The Bowers Files series, although the name would seem to imply otherwise. In fact, the series has 9 or 10 books, 7 of which have been published. Of course, chess lovers know there are only 6 game pieces. In keeping with the chess theme, Opening Moves was last year's installment and a prequel to the entire series. It's my understanding that at least two more books are planned.

In THE KING, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers is faced with a near fatal attack on his fiancée and fellow agent, Liang- hua Jiang, while also trying to protect his adopted daughter, Tessa, from his arch nemesis, serial killer Richard Basque. He does this while also investigating a global terrorist threat unfolding by use of prescription drugs from yet another one of his many former opponents.

Steven James may be one of the best, certainly one of the least heralded, suspense writers of this time. His stories are solid, meaty and gripping, giving the reader a whole lot to immerse himself within. Either of the two major plot lines in this book would, in itself, have made a good suspense story. Together, they make a great one.

But this was not my favorite installment in the series because half the fun has been getting to know and identifying the new criminal in each book. Here, Bowers is faced with two familiar faces, and although I'm never quite certain who the villain is until he shows himself or is uncovered, I was pretty sure earlier than I would have liked and thus, that made the reading slightly less enjoyable. Only a mere slight, though. If ever a series was made for television or film, this is it. My only real disappointment is the knowledge that only two books remain in the series.

I will enjoy the rest of The Bowers Files series while it lasts. I'm already anxiously awaiting the next book.

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