The Widow File

Some overly familiar genre tropes and a few logical problems mar this thriller from Redling (Flowertown). Danielle “Dani” Britton and Sinclair “Choo-Choo” Charbaneaux are analysts at Rasmund, a top-notch security company. When client Patrick Swan of Swan Technologies says he has no further need of Rasmund’s services, Dani must quickly retrieve case materials from her Washington, D.C., apartment, but when she returns to Rasmund, a deadly raid is in progress. She manages to evade the gunmen and escape to the roof, where Choo-Choo finds her. Together the two flee the grounds just before the building explodes. Unfortunately for Dani, someone knows that she has escaped. Dani and Choo-Choo aren’t able to put together much of a plan; nor can they discern why they were targeted. Strangely, they never think to contact other Rasmund offices. The villains, meanwhile, appear to have no idea that Choo-Choo also survived the raid, despite possessing otherwise excellent intel. Readers may prefer to wait for stronger offerings in this crowded field. (Jan.)