Nadelson's strong sixth Artie Cohen whodunit (after 2005's The Disturbed Earth
) depicts a grim and gritty post-9/11 New York City faced with new fears of terrorism aimed at disrupting the 2004 Republican National Convention. As Cohen, an NYPD detective who grew up in the Soviet Union, prepares to marry, he receives cryptic requests for help from an old friend, Sid McKay, a respected reporter who has become increasingly disillusioned with the corruption of the American news media. Cohen imperils his personal happiness by going the extra mile for McKay, delving into a complicated world of terrorism, the Russian underworld and real estate speculation. Tragically, Cohen's efforts can't prevent McKay's murder. The author continues to raise the stakes for her three-dimensional hero and shows every sign of having many more compelling stories to tell. (Oct.)
