Catherine Ling is one of the CIAs most prized operatives. Raised on the streets of Hong Kong, she was pulled into the agency at the age of fourteen. If life has taught her anything, it is not to get attached, but there are two exceptions to that rule: her son Luke and her mentor Hu Chang. Luke was kidnapped at age two, and now, nine years later, he has astonishingly been returned to her. Catherine vows never to fail him again. Now, just as she is building a relationship with Luke, it seems that someone from Catherines past is playing a deadly game with her, and using those she cares about as pawns. Three are dead already: the former prostitute who helped Catherine when she was out on the street, a CIA agent with whom she worked closely, and the informant who helped her free Luke. Someone is picking off the people Catherine cares about one by one, with the circle narrowing closer and closer to those she loves the most. Catherine has made many enemies throughout her life, and she has no choice but to weed through her past to find out who is targeting her now, and then go after the vicious killer herself.
I have trouble liking the Catherine Ling series because the main character is so busy being independent that it detracts from the story. Not my favorite Iris Johansen book.
It helps if you have read the previous book that features the female protagonist to get a back story on the characters but its not necessary so it can be a stand alone novel..It is fast paced and better that the few Eve Duncan books.
Another great Catherine Ling novel, which brings in a lot of character, Eve, Joe, Jane, Richard, Hu Chang, Luke. Fast paced and another great book by Iris Johansen
