Second Shot

CIA assassin Helen Warwick’s hopes to ease into retirement are dashed when she’s pulled back into the business in this diverting if uneven thriller from Dees (Beyond the Limit). One night, four assassins attack Helen out of the blue. She kills three of them, but one escapes, leaving her to wonder who ordered the hit and why. Meanwhile, two serial killers seem to be prowling the D.C. streets—one kills his victims and poses their corpses in scenes that mimic famous works of art, another finds ingenious ways to frame innocent people for his kills. Helen gets roped into both investigations and fears they may have connections with enemies she made during her time with the CIA. Helen is an endearing heroine, always reminding those around her that she shouldn’t be doing any of this at age 55, but the adventure she’s thrown into is cluttered and overstuffed. Dees manages a final note that’s satisfying enough on its own but fails to bring the plot’s many threads to graceful resolution. This will mainly appeal to readers who like their thrillers light and don’t mind a little mess. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency. (June)