The unthinkable has happened -- again. A terrorist strike on a major New York City landmark leaves behind an aftermath of death and destruction. Caught at ground zero is NYPD detective Jack Keller who barely escapes with his life. His longtime friend and former partner is not as lucky. Keller vows to bring the terrorist mastermind behind the strike to justice. He tracks him down in a global manhunt. Yet unknown to Keller time is running out.

His quarry is gearing up for the boldest terrorist attack in history. Iran has given terrorists a theater nuclear missile in a bid to out-do the death toll on 911. If successful the doomsday plan will unleash a nuclear nightmare on millions of victims and set the stage for worse to come. In the end everything hinges on a hard-as-nails New York police detective who stakes his life in a global chase after the terrorist chieftain he's determined to bring to justice no matter what or who he has to sacrifice in order to do it.

The action scenes in Paris and Venice are gripping and move faster than greased lightning, giving the impression that Alexander knows every back street, hidden ally and public square, every public monument and off-the-beaten-path corner of these European cities, and also knows just which elements to use in his masterfully conceived and boldly executed plot.

The dark narrative tapestry of Chain Reaction also places this thriller squarely amid the select ranks of classic hardboiled fiction. This is a contemporary thriller, though, and one in which Alexander manages to mix successfully an intricate plot with exotic locales, a considerable amount of action, and solid characters. Chain reaction is a thriller fan's dream; exciting, involving, thought-provoking. All in all, a first-class tale of intrigue by one of the top authors in the field.