Review: Stefanie Pintoff’s ‘City on Edge’ is gripping story

“City on Edge” (Bantam), by Stefanie Pintoff

Stefanie Pintoff brings back Eve Rossi and her unorthodox team from last year’s “Hostage Taker” with another stellar case in “City on Edge.”

Preparations for New York City’s annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade have begun, with crowds gathering the night before to watch the giant balloons being inflated. Police Commissioner Logan Donovan and his daughter Allie are in the heart of the crowd watching everyone getting ready for the big parade. Donovan is there to reassure people that the New York Police Department has everything under control. Then he’s shot and Allie is kidnapped.

Special Agent Eve Rossi is known for getting quick results. She and her team of former convicts use their skills and contacts to uncover answers faster than going through the normal chain of command. The person who has kidnapped Allie reveals strange demands, which must be met to exact specifications. Any deviation will jeopardize the parade and everyone watching. Rossi has to quickly figure out who kidnapped Allie, the motives behind the deed, and how to make sure the parade runs smoothly. One factor she hasn’t considered: What if the person who recruited her isn’t trustworthy?

Elements of a ticking clock mixed with the authentic feel of New York City make this a gripping and terrifying story. Rossi and her team are unique, and their methods are quite unconventional.