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The King (The Bowers Files) Paperback – July 2, 2013

by Steven James (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 722 ratings
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FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers has matched wits with some of the most violent serial killers in history—and one of them has never forgiven him....
 
Patrick Bowers has pursued the nation’s fiercest serial killers—and now one elusive foe is back for revenge.

Settling into a new post at the FBI academy, Patrick and his fiancée, Lien-hua Jiang, are planning their future together with his stepdaughter, Tessa.

But just when his life seems normal, a demon from the past returns to draw him down a dark road he hoped had closed forever. Forced into a desperate hunt to save the two women he loves most, Patrick is in a race against time to stop an international conspiracy from becoming the most widespread act of terrorism in U.S. history.
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Previous page
  1. Book 6 of 7
    The Bowers Files
  2. Print length
    512 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Berkley
  5. Publication date
    July 2, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    4.2 x 1 x 7.4 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0451239784
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0451239785
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the work of Steven James

“A mesmerizing read. From the first chapter, it sets its hook deep and drags you through a darkly gripping story with relentless power. My conclusion: I need to read more of Steven James.” —Michael Connelly, New York Times bestselling author of The Drop

“With a multidimensional quality, Steven James writes with a confident, assured ease. Just good, old-fashioned, gimmick-free storytelling that pushes the envelope to the edge and beyond.”—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Columbus Affair

“Steven James has created a fast-moving thriller with psychological depth and gripping action. Opening Moves is a smart, taut, intense novel of suspense that reads like a cross between Michael Connelly and Thomas Harris. Young Detective Patrick Bowers battles his own demons as he uses his intellect and experience to track twisted killers. Full of twists and enjoyable surprise, Opening Moves is a blisteringly fast and riveting read.” —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Threat Vector

From the Author

Although this book comes chronologically after The Queen, I actually wrote Opening Moves in between them. I wanted to explore an area I had never really examined before, involving the illegal sale of counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
While on a flight home from a speaking engagement, I spoke with the man next to me and discovered that he was a lawyer for one of the biggest pharmaceutical firms in the world. His buddy was the head of global security. I consulted with him while researching the book and discovered chilling facts about what is really in a third of the pharmaceuticals sold worldwide.
The storyline involving the drugs and the one involving Richard Basque came together in a way I'd never imagined they would.
Tessa surprised even me with her cleverness at the end of this novel in how she responded when trapped in the back of the squad car.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (July 2, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 512 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451239784
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451239785
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.2 x 1 x 7.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 722 ratings

About the author

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Steven James

Steven James

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Steven James's latest thriller, FATAL DOMAIN, is available now. This smart, wire-tight, and emotionally resonant thriller featuring Travis Brock is the next in the series, following last year's domestic espionage thriller BROKER OF LIES.

As a popular keynote speaker and in-demand storyteller, Steven is equipped with a unique master’s degree in storytelling and has taught writing and storytelling on five continents, speaking more than 2000 times at events spanning the globe.

He is also the critically acclaimed author of eighteen novels, including the bestselling Bowers Files suspense series. His sci-fi novel, SYNAPSE, a near-future thriller, received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Library Journal and was a finalist for an International Book Award.

When Steven isn't writing or speaking, you'll find him playing basketball or hiking near his home in the Appalachian Highlands of eastern Tennessee.

If you love stories and storytelling, check out his podcast, The Story Blender, on which Steven has interviewed nearly 200 of the world's top writers and storytellers.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
722 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of them All
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2013
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Mr. James will have to go some to top this one in the last book of the series. This is a rolling down the side of a mountain exciting. You don't know what rock you are going to hit, just like the plot layers.

The King is layer upon layer of intrigue and suspense. He throttles your time sense from the first chapter. Basque is back and boy is he badder than before. He is just out of prison and has decided that Patrick has to pay for putting him in prison. He chases after the ones who Patrick loves most. He does this while Tessa struggles with her high school speech, if prayer works and if there is a God. It is a rune (you have to read the book to know what that is in this case.)

Patrick displays some new skills in this book - pick pocketing and other creative things. Tessa shows her creativity with perfume. Now that is a sight to behold.

All of the layers do not have neat ending. For example is Basque really dead? What was Tessa's speech? Who is the new lawyer for Giovanni? (I think I know but I'm not telling you.) What about the dissing job Aiden did on Tessa? Will there be some kind of response?
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B. Berg
5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta read this one too!
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2013
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This is the 5th (6th?) book in the Bowers files. It's a stand alone, but I recommend reading them all, starting with the Pawn and working your way up the chess board. It's the story of a homicide detective turned FBI agent, his daughter (who has gone from stepdaughter to the light of his life), his lovely FBI agent fiancee, and the really really bad guy who is out to make their lives a living hell. Steven James is a master author who I think has outdone James Patterson, Ridley Pearson, Stuart Woods, and Jonathan Kellerman who USED to be my absolutely favorite suspense authors. The kindle version is perfect, no typos that I recall, not confusing with too many characters, and the story keeps you up late reading "just one more chapter". I can't say enough about this book and this author. I read 2-3 books a week, usually won't spend more than $2 per, but I don't even look at the price of his books anymore. I just buy them as soon as they come out. The ending left me thinking there will be another. What I really like about his books is no foul language, and lots of love in the romance department without gratuitous sex.
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Steve Taylor
4.0 out of 5 stars Top Shelf Patrick Bowers Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2013
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I've been a fan of all the Patrick Bowers books and The King is no exception. Steven James has created another thriller that is sure to keep you up at night. The King starts off with a bang and then to my surprise slows down to more of a family drama until around the 50% mark, then the book takes off like a bullet. The writing is excellent as always, the plot is complex, in no way is it predictable, the characters are rich and the ending is satisfying.

As with all of the Patrick Bowers books there is a thread of philosophy - are we all capable of being a killer deep inside? The question is visited in every book and I'm not sure if I'm getting tired of the same question being asked over and over again or not. Thankfully Tessa (Patrick's daughter) asks more questions so there is a change up. Even though Steven professes Christ unbelievers will enjoy the book too. It's not preachy by any definition and it's not for the fainthearted either.

Thankfully the series will continue with Checkmate in the spring of 2014. If you are new to the Bower series this book will cause you to go back and read the other ones. Although Opening Moves is not the first book it's a good place to start because it's the story of how Patrick became an FBI agent.

Loved the Jevin Banks poster in the magic shop. Nice touch.

Highly recommended.

1 Star = Pathetic
2 Stars = Fair
3 Stars = Good
4 Stars = Excellent
5 Stars = Life changing

For those who give me a negative vote on my review please comment and let me know why. I'd like to improve my reviews so they can be helpful to those who read them. Please understand I choose not to give a synopsis of the book because it's already given at the top of the home page. I find in doing so too many reviewers give away too much of the plot. Thank you.
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Brenda S. Coxe
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Steven James Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2024
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Richard Basque was a serial killer who tortured and are the women he abducted. He was out of prison and on the hunt again when he abducted Agent Bowers' fiancee and later his daughter. Did he survive the last gunshot by Bowers? Will he finally get Justin the end?
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Erin L
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Suspense Thriller!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2013
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I've been a fan of Steven James for a bit and have devoured all of the Patrick Bowers books. I had been eagerly anticipating the release of "The King" since finishing "Opening Moves" and I was not disappointed! Once again, Mr. James pulled me in from the first sentence and didn't let me go. There is enough background in the book that if you haven't read the prior books in the series or it has been a while, you can easily follow the story line; but if you've read the first books, you get the additional background as well. I also enjoyed that he threw in a couple of references to his other ongoing series by referencing Jevin Banks.

This one did not have the graphic detail of "Opening Moves", but was equally thrilling and intense. As a reader of Christian suspense, I was also glad to see the issue of God addressed a bit more in this one - though still not preachy or "over the top". This may very well be my favorite book in the series. It's definitely the best I've read in a long time. Highly recommend! And am now eagerly anticipating the release of "Checkmate".
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Top reviews from other countries

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Rick
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on April 21, 2016
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A gripping, whirlwind that twists through many turns that has you guessing at the protagonists methods.
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Robert L. Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars More than a good story
Reviewed in Australia on October 15, 2016
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Steven James does far more than just tell incredibly gripping stories. He weaves into his work insights into who we are as "human beings". He widens his stories to make statements based on his research into the nature of man. What we are capable of being and becoming, both the good, the bad, and even worse is given unbridled restraint. He makes us think beyond the storyline.
What score do I give this novel? 15/10. Thanks Steven.
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Cliente Amazon
3.0 out of 5 stars Não tão eletrizante quanto os anteriores
Reviewed in Brazil on September 15, 2014
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O autor começa a forçar demais. Os mesmos vilões ressurgindo das cinzas. Fica difícil de acreditar. Os primeiros livros foram melhores, sem duvida.
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Susan Paterson
5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent Bowers novel
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
I've loved following all of the Bowers Files, each one as good, if not better, than the last. I can't wait for the final instalment, although will be sad they have to end. Haven't had the opportunity to read any other of Steven James' thrillers yet, but looking forward to getting my teeth into whatever else he has to offer.
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aveleen
5.0 out of 5 stars richtig gut
Reviewed in Germany on April 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
Persönlich gesehen ist das Buch leicht zu lesen und hat einen schönen Zusammenhang, Spannend bis zum Schluss. Sehr zu empfehlen.
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