ETHOS OF CAIN

A hard-edged gun for hire finds love and a new direction in James’ thriller series starter.

Cain—one name only, so you know he means business—is an elite soldier of fortune at the top of his game. The only reprieve from his dangerous profession is his relationship with Francesca Pieralisi, the mayor of Venice, who was once his client; he protected her from mob boss Vincenzo da Avolo and helped bring him down. She’s also the lead advocate for the European Union’s sea wall project, meant to protect its nations from rising water levels caused by climate change. The lovers meet up between his scores, but Francesca, terrified by Cain’s risky job, reaches a breaking point and they split up—for a month. Later, while Cain is away on a complicated assignment, Francesca becomes da Avolo’s target after the mobster escapes prison. Cain, with help from his wealthy friend, known only as Lester, must hunt down the mastermind, who has a horrific vision for the world. In this first book in his new series, James, the author of Shadow Over Odiome (2014), offers a winning combination in Cain and Francesca. As Cain’s backstory unfolds, it becomes easy to understand how he became the rare hired gun with principles. However, Francesca is revealed to have a strength of will that some readers may find refreshing in a public servant, and she develops into a skilled agent who’s nearly Cain’s equal. Entrepreneur Lester, who has often used Cain’s services, adds an element of snark (“compliments don’t feed the bulldog”) that skillfully cuts the tension at times. Despite the story’s being set in the future, with elements such as Mars colonization, James keeps it timely, referencing the dangers of climate-fueled chaos and white nationalism. He barely scratches the surface of his series’ potential in this initial volume; hopefully, Cain and Francesca still have many action-packed adventures awaiting them.

A gripping, thought-provoking caper that successfully introduces a different kind of merc.