In Rising Phoenix John Hobert, an ex-FBI agent, devises a plan to rid the United States of its drug problem. His plan is to poison the U.S. narcotics supply and, with the help of powerful, rich Reverend Blake, he puts it into effect. As Hobert's plan begins to work, there is a sharp decline in drug use. However, death tolls are mounting and the FBI must stop the poisonings.

Detective Mark Beamon is chosen for the assignment even though he has lost favor with the upper echelons of the FBI. Rising Phoenix follows Hobert, Beamon, and a few drug lords who have joined in the search, to their inevitable confrontation. The story of each man is told separately, and here is where the problem arises.

The protagonist (Beamon) is relatively boring, while Hobert (the villain) provides the suspense and excitement in the book. Unless this reversal of appeal is intentional and the writer resolves the story accordingly, it makes for an unsatisfactory conclusion. Most readers don't want to cheer for the bad guy, especially one portrayed as negatively as John Hobert, but it happens in this book. Hobert gets caught in several jams while attempting to carry out his plan. You know he can't fail, or the book would end early, so you want him to succeed in each particular instance. As he encounters more obstacles, you want him to succeed more. Eventually, as a reader, you are rooting for him to succeed in everything he does.

Remember the movie Reservoir Dogs? The bad guys were always afraid that the cops would show up. Did the viewer want the cops to show up and catch these thieves and murderers? Of course not. That would have ended the movie, and we wanted them to keep going to see what would happen next. Well, this book is the same way. We want Hobert to keep going to see what will happen to his plan. Reservoir Dogs is resolved in a powerful, compelling and emotional conclusion. Rising Phoenix is not.

Kyle Mills presents a compelling and intriguing story that deals with a serious issue. Too bad the ending of this powerful piece was a disappointment. I did enjoy most of this book and recommend that you read Rising Phoenix to find out for yourself.

--Jerad Beltz