C.W. Craven, an author with whom I had no previous experience has created a unique character and an engrossing plot. This book is a sequel to Fearless, the first in his series featuring former U.S. Marshal Ben Koenig. Due to a brain anomaly, Ben is physiologically unable to feel fear, which means he is much more likely to walk into dangerous situations than even a courageous man would. He has been living under the radar ever since a peeved Russian oligarch put a $5 million bounty on his head. His CIA handler pulls him into investigating an apparent double murder and kidnapping near Hyde Park. It turns out that Ben helped the perpetrator "disappear" several years back by faking her death. Publishers Weekly goes on to say:
"Though he still doesn't understand the full scope of that mission, he knows she's privy to ultrasensitive American intelligence. Ben and his brutally efficient CIA handler race to find the woman, unwittingly getting in the way of father-daughter assassin duo Stillwell Hobbs and Harper Nash, who have been tracking down and killing everyone involved ... Craven effectively mixes the unvarnished brutality and high body count of Lee Child with the black humor of Mick Herron (one character bludgeons another until "his skull was softer than warm ice cream"). With style, wit, and plot twists to spare, Craven cements this series as a must-read."
Booklist concurs: "Koenig is a compelling protagonist. He can kill without a second
thought, yet is guided by a moral compass of his own, making this a good
read for fans of Dennis Lehane's Darkness, Take My Hand (1996), Jeff
Lindsey's Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004), and Peter Swanson's Nine Lives
(2023). Koenig's acerbic wit plays well off his reluctant partner
Draper's brand of sarcasm, bringing lightness to a book riddled with
graphic murders. Fans of complex thrillers with an intriguing antihero
will enjoy Craven's latest Koenig adventure."
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