The Fourth Watcher

“[A] stellar sequel to A Nail Through the Heart . . . Smooth prose, appealing characters, and a twisting action-filled plot make this thriller a standout.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The author of the Looking for Trouble travel book series, Poke Rafferty is ready to settle down in Bangkok with his fiancée, Rose, and his newly adopted daughter, Miaow. But trouble isn’t ready to let him go; it’s back in Poke’s life with a vengeance, in the guise of his long-estranged father, Frank, the last person he ever wanted to see again. And Frank hasn’t come empty-handed, arriving with a box of rubies, a wad of fraudulent identity papers, and one of the most dangerous gangsters in China in hot pursuit. With a rogue American Secret Service agent targeting Rose for her unwitting part in a North Korean counterfeiting operation, Poke can see trouble descending from everywhere to attack those he loves—and it will take every skill he possesses to keep them, and himself, alive.

“The suspense plot is thrilling, the atmosphere is rich and completely convincing, and this is a compelling and finally very satisfying story, and a terrific 2nd volume in what is turning out to be a very good series of novels. It’s a pleasure to settle comfortably into such a book.” —Sullivan County Democrat

“This new breed of character for a series is a welcome addition to the thriller fiction set in Asia.” —Japan Times, 2008 Best of Asia Books

“True suspense in the Hitchcock mold. Hallinan has created an exceptional thriller.” —NewMysteryReader.com