Dr. Troy Nguyen with the National Institutes of Health has been assigned to the AFIP to be part of the planning for the return of the skulls.

At the same time, Alexandra is involved in the investigation into the identity of a body dumped in a D.C. dumpster. The unknown man had been killed by what appears to be a bayonet. Alexandra hopes to narrow the search by sequencing the vaccines given to the victim as well as spice residue on one of his fingers. The evidence indicates the victim had a wide range of inoculations – not the average tourist. The vaccine pattern matches those recommended by the CDC for trips to Vietnam.

On a personal level, Alexandra’s musician boyfriend Luke is on a European tour leaving her lonely and worried he might be hooking up with one Vanessa in Barcelona.

The return of the skulls has been elevated to a full White House ceremony. Alexandra’s responsibilities expand when it’s decided to identify the skulls and have family members in attendance. How can anyone expect an identification of a skull from a war a generation ago? Alexandra herself, however, is still haunted by the death of her father in Vietnam, and her research hints at a possible massacre reminiscent of My Lai. All Alexandra’s questions seem to involve Vietnam then and now.

In this second Alexandra Blake novel by Lori Andrews, the central plot takes a while to kick in. As in the earlier book, there are a number of subplots; it’s impossible in a synopsis to touch on all of them. The early part of The Silent Assassin is the set-up of the various threads that will come together at the end. It would be a shame if a reader were to decide the story moves too slowly in the beginning and abandoned it because when it finally hits its stride, it’s gripping.

In Sequence, the first book in the series, Alexandra’s personal life had its own subplot. Now with Luke overseas and out of touch, poor Alexandra has nothing to do but work and worry, and work consumes practically all of her time. There are a few hints that things are heating up between Alexandra and Troy, but romance is not a focus.

Last year’s Sequence established the main character and her work colleagues, and The Silent Assassin builds on that background, but having read the first book is not essential to understanding or enjoying the second. Lori Andrews has the expertise and ability to craft a complex mystery with a strong scientific foundation. Both books deserve a strong recommendation.

--Lesley Dunlap