This book is clearly the second act of a three act play. In the first act, the characters are introduced and begin their adventures (think Star Wars). In the second act, the characters are left in the most dire of circumstances with no hope of escape (think Empire Strikes Back), and in the third act, they do in fact escape and win the day (think Return of the Jedi). For an overview of the story arc in the first three books, see my review of Mendoza in Hollywood.

As the fourth book in Baker's Company Series, this book is the second act for one of the two main characters -- Joseph (the second half of the third book was the second act for the other main character -- Mendoza). The book spans a larger period of time than the first three books, taking Joseph from 1996 to 2281. Joseph, with the assistance of another operative named Lewis, is trying to figure out what happened to Mendoza. They get information from other company operatives, from documents and from secret underground bunkers Joseph discovers, all the while dodging company agents and "funny little morons" who are technologicly sophistocated but otherwise quite stupid.

To fans of the series, the book would be enjoyable. It ties up a number of lose ends from previous books. It furthermore sets up the third act -- the coming of 2355 which is the farthest extent of recorded history immortals know about. I enjoyed the book on that level. However, this book cannot stand alone and would not be a good introduction to the series. I reccomend either the first or third books for that.

Also, the book is irritating. Much of the action and history of the period is told to the reader as Joseph tells it to another character. This "telling rather than showing" is often tedious. I can only hope that subsequent books in the series avoid this problem.

I keep reading these books because the first one was very good. I keep hoping Baker will recapture whatever muse produced In the Garden of Iden, but I am continually disappointed.