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In this thriller, Bert Mars returns, this time in Southeast Asia. As he tries to recover some embezzled money, Mars makes a discovery that threatens to cause an upheaval like no other. As he faces ruin and becomes a wanted person of interest, Bert finds solace and companionship in the alluring Deuan. Bert finds himself in a land where loyalties are constantly tested, broken, and rebuilt. He's the kind of man who wants to "believe I was in control of my destiny, not depending on the government or deities or anyone 's rules." The country in which Bert finds himself stands on the brink of revolution, and he has a strange realization of what interests the US, his native home, has in smaller countries around the globe, which changes his life's course and his personal and professional outlook.
What makes Bert Mars a powerful character is his self-awareness. He recognizes his flaws and reflects on them. For example, as he spends more and more time in Southeast Asia, he thinks, "With every step, I seemed to be further away from my own land." At times, his reflections take on a spiritual, philosophical tone, deepening his character. Thus, he transcends the page and is not merely just another stock character in yet another thriller. The book is fast-paced, engaging, and thought-provoking, too. The book asks its audience to consider global influences and global powers and to examine how larger countries influence smaller ones. This is a riveting read and an excellent installment to the series.