Picking up where Mathews's action-packed spy thriller The Cutout
(2001) left off, brassy, resilient CIA intelligence analyst Catherine Carmichael sifts through the shrapnel after her clash in Europe with a faction of neo-Nazi killers called 30 April (Hitler's death date). Deadly 30 April operative Daniel Becker, "a Tim McVeigh in the making," begins his stateside killing spree by distributing ricin-laced water to D.C. marathoners. As hundreds die, Becker then shoots the CIA director and sets his sights on Catherine, who not long ago discovered that her spy husband, Eric, previously thought dead, is alive. But he's in Berlin, his identity has been exposed and high-ranking CIA officials ("enemies with the faces of friends") have labeled him a 30 April terrorist. With her planned resignation stalled, Catherine focuses on getting Eric out of Germany, chasing Becker and dodging the advances of CIA legal eagle Tom Shephard, whom she'd enticed romantically after Eric was pronounced MIA. A child abduction and more calculated assassination attempts keep Catherine on the run. Mathews, a former CIA intelligence analyst, dexterously serves up strong suspense and crisp espionage maneuvers. With Caroline Carmichael at the wheel, it's a riveting, wild ride right to the nail-biting conclusion. Agent, Rafe Sagalyn. (May)
