Picking up where Volume 2 left off, this book sees Kate Kane aka Batwoman returning to her childhood home in Brussels in search of her sister and in hopes of confronting Safiyah, her former lover who Kate suspects is running the criminal organization she has been chasing across the globe.

This book baffled me because I thought we were following the continuity of the new 52 run of Batwoman that resulted in the death of Alice/Beth, so why is she suddenly a character at risk who Kate must save? Perhaps I have forgotten something, but it was frustrating to me. The conclusion of this mystery / story arc was convoluted, although it did have some moments (including an oddly prescient threat of a plague carried by bats).

After this series-long story about the Many Arms of Death is more or less wrapped up, a smaller case opens up involving a new designer drug that promises users a brief glimpse into their future every time they take a hit. This sees Kate teaming up with another ex -- Renee Montoya of the GCPD. The mystery is solved pretty quickly but not before giving Kate a moment of introspection to think about time and exhort the readers to also view their lives as more than fleeting moments. It was surprisingly touching and a nice way to wrap up the series.

Again, the illustrations are good and there are some neat moments in them, such as when we see Beth's reaction to some news through her refection in Kate's spilled drink. ( )