“Soon, Chris Davis would lie in a pool of blood,” the villain vows of her long-time protege turned adversary early in this gripping sequel of kill-shots, high-stakes targets, and a pair of resultant “silentcide” assassins, Chris and his sister Michelle Barton, eager to exact revenge against their murderous master, Irene Shaw, whom they at last escaped—and whose hatred they earned—in the previous book. But the duo can’t manage that if Irene and her commissioned killers take them out first. As the bullets fly, the principals chase each other around the world, and Irene again targets Chris’s girlfriend, Anna Monteiro, whom he was once himself tasked with killing. Ebert ups the stakes, with Irene taking on a shocking new “commission” with global consequences: the poisoning of multiple U.S. senators.

Ebert’s fast-paced thriller again combines explosive action with complex character development, creating a thrilling and an urgent, emotionally resonant narrative as invested in these highly-trained killers’ hearts as much as it is their skills at subterfuge. Ebert deepens the sibling relationship between Chris and Michelle, while introducing new dynamics with Anna Monteiro and their former foster brother, Ansel Meehan. The storytelling smartly balances intense, inventive action with moments of introspection, even on Irene’s part in a glimpse of her past, adding depth and many personal touches to what could have been a straightforward action plot.

Irene is the standout character, a refined yet ruthless villain whose machinations drive much of the plot and add a layer of political intrigue amid all the personal vendettas. Ebert's prose is, again, taut and efficient, propelling the reader through a series of heart-pounding set pieces across Canada and the US. The author demonstrates a keen eye for detail in his action scenes, making them vivid and immersive, ensuring the reader is fully engaged in the narrative. While the plot is engaging, the multitude of swift-developing elements can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, Ebert keeps these threads cohesive, tying them together in a satisfying climax.

Takeaway: Swift, smart thriller of silent assassin siblings seeking revenge.

Comparable Titles: Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, Brad Thor's Scot Harvath series.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B+