Hot Ice
Loomis brings back hero Jason Peters, last seen in Gates of Hades (2007), with a scenario that takes him away from the quiet solitude he has found living with his love, Maria. A quick assignment while she’s away studying volcanoes puts him in mortal jeopardy. Maria returns, and they both barely survive an ambush. She begs him to give up the spying life, but an assignment in Iceland proves too tempting to pass up. A thriller with little excitement, Hot Ice is more tepid than boiling. Peters seems to lack the skills necessary to succeed in the spy game, and he takes the first opportunity to hop in bed with someone else. Maria appears to lust after volcanoes more than she does her man. A rare disappointment from the talented Loomis. --Jeff Ayers