Eve Duncan, a world-renowned forensic sculptor, pours her mind and heart into her work, reconstructing the facial features of murder victims in the hope of bringing closure and justice to their loved ones. All the while, however, Duncan has carried the burden of her own, similar sorrow --- the disappearance and apparent death of Bonnie, her dear child. What begins in STALEMATE is nothing less than what is perhaps the final chapter in Duncan's long and heartbreaking search for answers.
Iris Johansen's latest novel begins with Duncan being contacted --- harassed --- by an individual with whom she wants absolutely nothing to do. Luis Montalvo is one of the world's most wanted and dangerous men. A Columbian gun runner, Montalvo is possessed of great wealth and has grown accustomed to having nothing but the best. Accordingly, he wishes to retain Duncan for a forensic reconstruction project of his own. Duncan refuses him twice but is unable to resist when he offers her what she wants most: the identity of Bonnie's murderer and the location of her body. Duncan reluctantly acquiesces, over the strenuous objections of Joe Quinn, her lover and strongest supporter.
When Duncan secretly travels to Columbia to undertake Montalvo's project, Quinn, to Duncan's chagrin, isn't far behind, as he seeks to protect her and to persuade her to return home. As Duncan quickly learns, there is much more at stake than she imagined, and her work is putting both her and Quinn in the direct line of fire between two dangerous and deadly antagonists who have carried on their private war against each other for years.
STALEMATE contains enough double- and triple-crosses for three novels, as the results of Duncan's work cause alliances to be ripped asunder even as old scores are settled and new ones are created --- and Duncan and Quinn's relationship is tested as it has never been before.
Duncan has evolved into one of the more interesting, if not likable, characters in suspense fiction over the past several years, and the unexpected vulnerability she exhibits in STALEMATE is yet another facet of her personality that is presented credibly. Longtime fans of the series will find plenty to sustain their interest, not the least of which is what appears to be the opening chapters of the resolution to one of the series's longest-running mysteries. Their patience, it appears, eventually will be rewarded.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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