Second, in the Sydney Jones series, Chance- A Novel by Carolyn M. Bowen is a fast-paced thriller that follows Sydney and Walker as they try to side-step death and defeat their relentless adversaries.

A scheduled meeting with Roxanne, a singer-songwriter whose music was once top of the pop charts, leads Walker to a gruesome murder scene. The CIA frames him for it and Walker knows all too well he will be blamed for her death if he does not relent to the CIA’s demands. He leaves Sydney, the woman he is in love with, to take on his new assignment. After Walker’s sudden departure, Sydney pulls herself together and tries to move on. While running her law firm, Sydney takes on Nancy Lynn’s case. Lynn is a prime suspect for the murder of Liu Chang, a member of the Chinese Black Societies. The case spirals into a harrowing chain of events as Sydney’s life is threatened. Her work continues to thrust Sydney into an even more dangerous course and Walker can only hope he will be able to save her. The conflict in the novel is heightened by the power the antagonists' yield. Both Walker and Sydney face powerful organizations that are not hesitant to kill those who stand in the way of their missions. The consistent sense of danger that appears throughout makes the work even more suspenseful. The novel begins with a powerful opening scene, of the murder of Roxanne, which draws attention right from the beginning. The inclusion of different settings in the book including the Caribbean, China, and the US makes the story engaging as danger follows Walker and Sydney from place to place. The intensity of the action scenes in the book makes it even more captivating.

Carolyn M. Bowen’s Chance- A Novel is a gripping women’s psychological thriller that features powerful scenes and a compelling plot. A must-read mystery thriller and highly recommended by Chick Lit Cafe!

Reviewed by Edith Emunah for Chick Lit Cafe