James Byron Huggins, The Scam

The Scam

James Byron Huggins

Whitaker House, January 2006, $12.99

ISBN: 0883688174

The FBI cell is formed to perform a specialized top secret mission: to destroy the brilliant Iceman whose fingers are seemingly in everything, including the FBI and CIA leadership, and probably the White House. The unknown criminal mastermind has pulled off scandals and capers worth billions, and has been successful at it for decades, murdering people along the way. The Feds want to finally melt the Iceman, because rumors of his latest escapade send shivers of fear up and down their spines.

Team leader Logan was selected because he has a history of success as a renegade. He can understand why super hacker Blackfoot was placed on the team, but does not comprehend why rookie Agent Jonathan Malone was chosen. In fact, the brass believes Malone is the key joker, as he has a personnel vendetta since the Iceman assassinated his parents. However, the Iceman is cometh as his tentacles are everywhere, and he manipulates the cat and mouse encounter with the rodents that the FBI has sent after him.

THE SCAM is a terrific conspiracy thriller filled with twists and complexities that will stun the audience yet seem right. With all the action and spins, the key cast members seem authentic, especially the FBI team and the mystical Iceman, whose shadowy world is slowly provided over the course of the exciting storyline. James Byron Huggins is at his best with this battle between the over-matched FBI heroes and the sinister, somewhat ethereal villainous legend who owns everyone except his current opponents.