The deposition reveals the depravity of the crime as well as the location of Ricky’s body. Edmond has connections to a U. S. Senator who taps into U. S. intelligence agencies, but following the break-up of the Bosnian government, Zilic has disappeared.

Edmond learns of a man known only as Avenger who undertakes commissions to locate and bring criminals to justice; he places an anonymous ad in an obscure magazine.

Cal Dexter was a tunnel rat during the Vietnam War. That is, along with a partner, he sought Viet Cong in the elaborate underground tunnels. Following his discharge from the Army, he graduated from college and law school. He practices law in a small town in New Jersey. A personal tragedy has led him to righting wrongs beyond the reach of government authorities. He agrees to search for Zilic. Paul Devereaux, highly placed in the CIA, has reasons why he wants to protect Zilic.

Avenger has a complex plot with multiple threads, several main characters and several time periods, but it all comes together satisfactorily with a surprise twist at the very end. It excels in the pick-up-put-down component; the story grabbed me from the beginning.

Cal Dexter, who could be termed the book’s hero, is an interesting character –extraordinarily courageous with a strong moral base. Even though he’s working outside the usual legal framework, the reader can’t help getting involved in his search and rooting for him to succeed in spite of all obstacles. He’s a good enough character that the author might consider bringing him back for further adventures.

Some readers may find the non-linear narrative less than satisfactory, but once Dexter starts on his search for Zilic this is a thriller that will please all fans.

--Lesley Dunlap