One of the better outings in recent years for detective Alex Cross with his nemesis Kyle Craig making a long-awaited return.

The main plotline sees Cross tracking two snipers terrorising Washington by taking out crooked public figures with long-range shots.

Abrasive FBI agent Max Siegel gets himself assigned to the case and is soon clashing with Cross over how they investigate.

But Siegel is really Craig, and he has his own intricate plot to play out as he seeks final revenge on Cross and his family.

As usual with Patterson's it's best to read the fast-moving story in one sitting: this one dominated my Saturday afternoon.

David Knights