Summary

In the third novel "fictitiously attributed to Richard Castle, a character on the ABC television show, Castle", Detective Nikki Heat has a series of uphill battles with which to contend. First, her investigative journalist boyfriend Jameson Rook is MIA, in some far-flung part of the world. No doubt he is up to his neck in danger while following a story, but is that any reason not to call? Then there is the increasingly erratic behaviour of her leader, Captain Montrose, who is facing bureaucratic pressure to reduce crime rates on a reduced budget. But that does not seem to be the only thing bothering him, and Nikki is shut down when she tries to help her former mentor. To make matters worse, she finds her investigation into the murder of a local priest is being stonewalled at every turn from an unknown but likely inside source, and there is evidence to suggest that Captain Montrose is interfering outside the call of duty. And even though Nikki is garnering good - and somewhat unwanted - attention by aceing her lieutenant's test, the powers that be that started fighting over her suddenly turn on her when she stubbornly refuses to stop following the case. What's a determined detective to do? With help from best work buds Lauren Parry, Raley and Ochoa - and some late night help from Rook - Nikki turns up the heat in a cold New York winter and perseveres - but at the cost of one, and maybe two, more lives. As always, the books based on the fictitious writings of a writer who doesn't really exist are fast-paced cops-and-murderers mysteries, with bones thrown to fans of both the Castle television show and of its stars, Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic. The Nikki Heat series is for fans of the show, or of authors like Stephen J. Cannell or Dennis LeHane.