To really get the best from this book I believe it is pretty crucial to have read the previous two - The Killing Pit and Fire in Bone - there is a bit of a catch-up / memory jogger to be found in this book but I don't think that's enough to really get to grips with what is going on, and more importantly, why!
So... we start with a bit of a bang - literally! and then go back to see how Jake ended up in that situation. We pretty much start back from where book 2 left off with Jake hot on the heels of the disgraced police chief, determined to save the girl he has kidnapped. It's all a bit convoluted how we got to this stage, hence me recommending as above, and it gets even more so as this book goes on. As with the previous books, the author doesn't pull any punches and it's all a bit gritty and quite dark in places. It's very much heart in the mouth too along the way as what is going on is emotive as well as being action packed. It's well plotted and that plot is expertly executed with well described characters who are easy to connect to / emote with, even if negatively! I say characters, I'm talking about ALL the characters, main, supporting and the ones who hardly have anything to say/do but all are just as carefully created.
When you start the book be aware that, if you're like me, it will draw you in from the off and hold you capture so I'd not plan to do anything important for the rest of the day! The no nonsense way the author writes, with no superfluous waffle or padding, means that the story gets on with itself at a fair lick and sucked me in for the duration.
All in all, a cracking addition to this dark thrilling series, roll on next time. With how this book ended, I'm quite intrigued to see where the author goes next...