This episode in the Sharpe & Donovan series spends time Colin's older brother Mike as it brings in a woman he loved and his time in Afghanistan. One of his old officers has gone into private security and wants to recruit Mike. He has planned a gathering in Maine to pull a crew together including Mike's old flame Naomi MacBride.

But that isn't all that's going on. Oliver York's man Martin is attacked and left for dead to be discovered by Naomi when she is in the Cotswolds looking into Oliver's presumed career as an international art thief. Also in the Cotswolds are FBI Special Agent Ted Kavanagh and Reed Cooper who have detoured there on their way to Maine.

Colin, and his boss Yank, are suspicious about Kavanagh's presence in Maine and about Cooper's purpose especially it he plans to involve Mike. Then Emma is kidnapped and left to die in an abandoned shed which isn't noticed as soon as it could be because she was supposed to be at a retreat with the Sisters of the Joyful Heart.

This was a nicely twisty episode which gave long-time readers a chance to catch up with characters from earlier books in the series. I liked that the setting included both Maine and England. I like the characters in this series and love watching Colin and Emma build their relationship. ( )

I really enjoy the multiple storyline. The flashbacks are very interesting and surprisingly easy to follow. ( )

One of a series about the Donovan and Sharpe families, this stands alone but refers often to past events in the series. Emily is kidnapped, Martin is bopped over the head, both are left to die, and a group of former soldiers and friends in Afghanistan is meeting at a Maine Inn for some unknown reason. The point of view shifts from Mike to Naomi to Emily to Colin, and for those unfamiliar with the series the characters are a bit confusing, as are the reasons for their tensions and dangers. I'm guessing this would be more pleasing to readers familiar with the characters and their histories. ( )