Martini's so-so 12th thriller featuring California lawyer Paul Madriani (after The Rule of Nine) has the deadly assassin Muerte Liquida still seeking vengeance. Muerte had left Paul's friend and investigator, Herman Diggs, critically wounded and, after yet another violent attack, Paul, partner Harry Hinds, and girlfriend Joselyn Cole go on the offensive to find and eliminate Muerte . His trail, which leads from the U.S. to Thailand and Paris, thrusts Paul and his friends into a web of intrigue that includes defectors with stolen technology from NASA and a hidden terrorist base that could unleash devastating destruction on the world. Martini offers plenty of near misses and a few surprises as the trio gets some unexpected help from professionals and amateurs in a final deadly confrontation. Those who have followed the Muerte Liquida story arc over the past two books will be most satisfied. (June)