(originally posted on September 6, 2007)
It takes serious guts to open a series installment with the main character in serious enough jeopardy that her future is in doubt, but then Sharp turns that scenario on its ear in depicting Charlie's protection of a new British millionairess and how everything goes horribly wrong. The action is relentless and Charlie is a heroine of extreme toughness without sacrificing her humanity. This is, easily, the best installment of the series.