The Lesser Evil by The Black Rose is a continuation of The Killing Game series, being book five in that series. Ives Andrich, Director of Operations for the FBI, is independently wealthy and considered by many to be a genius in criminal investigation. When Ives’ wife is supposedly murdered, Ives refuses to believe she is dead and investigations show she has been kidnapped by a shadowy neo-Nazi group intent on creating a nation built along the lines of racial purity and common purpose (sound familiar?). The purpose for kidnapping Ives’ wife becomes clear. This New World Order needs Ives’ assistance to help them realise their dream and are holding his wife as a bargaining chip. They draw Ives to a large, private estate in Bavaria, where Ives is certain his wife is being held. Things, though, are not quite what they appeared to be originally and, to secure her release, Ives finds he must help these powerful men in their twisted schemes.

This is not the first of this series from The Black Rose (what a wonderful nom-de-plume) that I have read and I was excited to see where this tale was leading. I was not disappointed with this fast paced and thought provoking narrative. What I really liked was that it wasn’t necessary to have read the previous four books in the series to enjoy The Lesser Evil. While I would recommend reading them in order, the author did a fantastic job of explaining motivations and actions that related to previous books, with small asides in the commentary – excellent. A highlight, for me, in this book was the incredibly detailed and descriptive scene setting by the author. I really felt and recognised the grandeur of the estate Ives was staying on. Similarly, the characters were well drawn and easily identifiable. This particular book dwelt much more on the two main characters, Ives and Herr Schultz, and I enjoyed getting to know them more intimately. This was a wonderful read and I can highly recommend it to anyone who loves spy novels, mysteries, and thrillers. I cannot wait to read the next instalment in these characters’ adventures.

The Chief of Investigation of the FBI, and a successful businessman, Ives Andrich, and his beautiful wife, Allina Kovar, are now entangled in a complicated plot. Although Allina was presumed dead after an explosion and a possible drowning, Ives never believed it. Ives was led to a large estate named Mittelstädt Lodge, located in a small Bavarian town. The owner of the estate, Herr Frederich Stultz, presented Ives with a proposal. When he completed it, he and Allina would be reunited. Stultz was affiliated with the NWDSO (New World Democratic Socialist Organization), and they needed a plan to create a new country. The Lesser Evil: Book 5 of The Killing Game Series, penned by The Black Rose, weaves a suspenseful tale, replete with complex and nefarious characters.

There are many intriguing aspects to this novel – the family histories of certain characters are intertwined; the motivations of the organization’s members are sometimes unclear; Ives’ proposed plan may or may not be acceptable. These uncertainties are balanced with one major certainty – the love shared by Ives and Allina. Likewise, the heartless decision to stage Allina’s death is balanced by ensuring her safety and comfort while she is held at the estate. The Black Rose is a highly skilled writer, as evidenced in The Lesser Evil: Book 5 of The Killing Game Series. Another feature of this novel is her summary of the previous four books in the series. Although this novel can stand alone with its engaging plot, having the background information is both enlightening and enriching for the reader.