The latest work from Richard Castle, the author played by Nathan Fillion in the television show Castle, tackles familiar territory to fans of the show: the murder of Beckett’s, or in this case Nikki Heat’s, mother.  Of course, the book takes the story in a wildly different direction, adding in some crazy spy action.

Castle’s tale, or at least the one spun by ghost writer hired to portray him, starts with a murder that ties in to the murder of Heat’s mother 10 years earlier.  While trying to solve both murders, Heat and Rook travel to Boston and Paris and learn about the secret life that put Heat’s mother on the path that led to her death.  With the mystery of who killed her mother solved, Nikki Heat is left wondering why.

The ending leaves an obvious path for the next book to pick up and run with.  Given the continuing popularity of the show, one could assume that the next installment will be out in the fall to coincide with the new season.  I’m definitely looking forward to it.