Frames Per Second

A high-profile, Boston-based news photographer tries to uncover a murderous conspiracy while keeping the lid on his tumultuous family life in Eidson's third action thriller (after Adrenaline). Recently divorced Ben Harris travels the world on daring photo assignments for a magazine called the Insider, but his career has cost him his wife, Andi, who swiftly marries Ben's wimpy boss, Kurt Tattinger, leaving Ben lonely and anxious about his relationship with his adolescent children. But he doesn't have time for melancholia when his long-time partner, Peter Gallagher, is killed by a bomb exploding from Ben's camera bag. Intent on finding out who killed her ex, Peter's former wife, Sarah--a top reporter on another rag--joins the Insider's staff, becomes Ben's new partner (and potential love interest). The tension builds as Ben's family turmoil coincides with attempts on his life as the pair follow the stories his dead partner was working on. Plot twists involving mistaken identity, sexual blackmail, white supremacists, the mob, and multiple assassins with political ties feel fresh and believable amid the author's fully formed characters. Deadly agendas and human foibles keep the tale lively, and Ben perpetually imperiled. His family problems are painfully real, but the climactic ending is almost too neat, with the redemption of all the main characters in one fell swoop. Still, Eidson covers a lot of territory with polish and economy, and his characterization of Ben as a family man, artist, paparazzi and hero all in one is refreshing and nuanced. (Oct.)