"The Risk Agent"

"The Risk Agent" is the first in a new series by Ridley Pearson starring John Knox and Grace Chu.  The second book in the series, "Choke Point," came out this year and the third book in the series has been sent to the publisher according to Pearson's web site at ridleypearson.com.

The first time I read Pearson's books was when I discovered his books starring Sheriff Walt Fleming (the Sun Valley series) which I thoroughly enjoyed and I just discovered I've missed the last one in that series,  "In Harm's Way," so it looks like I have some reading to catch up on.

Back to "The Risk Agent" - This is a big book - 428 pages - which I found a little daunting at first but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down.  John Knox has been hired by Rutherford Risk, an international security contractor, that specializes in the negotiation and recovery of kidnapped hostages -- mostly those who work for U.S. companies operating overseas -- to locate and recover two kidnapped victims in China.  Rutherford cannot operate in China and Knox, as the owner of a private importing business, often makes trips to China on business.  When an employee of Rutherford and friend of Knox approaches him, he knows all about the need Knox has to earn enough money to take care of his ailing brother.  Another tool to overcome any reluctance Knox might have to take on this job is to inform him that one of the victims is the man who will be his brother's guardian if anything should happen to Knox.  As an American, Knox' friend is likely to be killed by the kidnappers leaving behind a wife inTexas in the late stages of pregnancy.

Relutctantly Knox takes on the job and is paired with Grace Chu, a forensic accountant put in place to work for the American-owned construction company who has had one of its employees kidnapped along with the American.  For Grace it is also personal because the kidnapped employee is a relative of hers.

Both Knox and Chu have been highly trained in the past - Knox has received some military training (as a civilian) that gives him super survival skills and he also has a knowledge of Shanghai and its language.  Chu was trained in America but also served in the Chinese military so she, too, brings some special skills to the job.  Together they begin following threads that lead them to the kidnappers but also put them in danger from someone (possibly someone high up in the Chinese government) who wants to stop their investigation permanently.  This book is full of twists and turns -- surprises around almost every corner.  If you like adult suspense, don't miss this one!  pazt