The Queen

"Tightly woven plotting and whiplash pacing.” —LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW

While investigating a mysterious homicide in an isolated northern Wisconsin town, Agent Bowers uncovers a high-tech conspiracy linking long-buried Cold War secrets with present-day tensions in the Middle East.

THE INSIDE SCOOP

Growing up in Wisconsin, I had heard about the ELF (extremely low frequency) station in the northern part of the state. As I was researching The Queen, I discovered that there was a lot more to it than I’d previously heard about. This secret communications base became integral to the story as I developed it.

Originally, I’d intended to write an isolated book that occurred with a sniper during a snowstorm. Didn’t quite work out like that. But it does snow, and someone does get shot, so at least I was right about that much.

I hear from many fans that the assassin in this book, Alexei Chekov, is their favorite villain in the entire series. I have to admit that he is one of my favorites as well.

This was my most complex and intricate story that I had written up until that time. The Queen won or was nominated for more awards than any of my other novels.

READ AN EXCERPT

AWARDS AND HONORS

Winner of the Christy Award in Suspense

Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Book of the Year – Fiction

Retailer’s Choice Award Finalist

International Thriller Award for Best Original Paperback Finalist

REVIEWS

“The Queen begins strong, hits hard, and never lets up. Steven James is truly a master storyteller that knows how to deliver top-notch fiction.”

—Life is Story

“The tension is palpable; the action swift and multi-dimensional. The author continues Patrick’s story with his acclaimed skill and creativity, making The Queen the best yet in this thriller series.”

—Crosswalk

“James mixes up a fresh recipe that's a quarter-cup Sherlock Holmes mystery, a dash of plot-twisting Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, a heaping tablespoon of Tom Clancy international espionage, and a pinch of Jonathan Kellerman criminology . . . with a brilliant strategy, James manages a checkmate, and he seems to have many more moves in store.”

—Publishers Weekly

“A masterpiece of a thriller.”

—FBI Special Agent R. Wayne Smith, retired

“The Queen takes readers to a new level of suspense and is the best book in the Patrick Bowers series hands down!”

—Suspense Magazine

“I’m beginning to think that Steven James cannot write a dud . . . Absolutely fantastic, with the wonderful twists and incredible complex plot that has been a hallmark of this series.”