ROBERT LUDLUM’S THE BOURNE VENDETTA is Brian Freeman’s sixth Bourne novel and quite possibly his best take on the series featuring deadly Treadstone agent David Webb, who now goes by Jason Bourne. Some also refer to Bourne as Cain, a master killer. His subconscious not only keeps his past life at bay, it allows him to tap into a need when the going gets tough.

The book opens with Callie Faith, a congresswoman, meeting up with Johanna, an assassin who goes by Storm. Callie informs Storm of the target they are seeking and warns her that Treadstone, led by Shadow, will get in the way of retrieving the treasured item known simply as the Files.

Bourne is thrown into the fray in violent fashion while on a mission in London to nab a Saudi banker. He gets close but is unable to gather his target as he watches another assassin blow up the banker’s limo with several people in it, including local call girls who were along for the ride. Bourne has experienced failure before and is able to quickly pivot to the next place he needs to be in order to find the Files.

"The bottom line is that we need Bourne to be in another great story, and the cliffhanger ending ensures there is much more fun still to come."

What the Files contain I will leave for the reader to discover. The fact that so many powerful and deadly people and organizations want it so badly speaks to its value. Bourne has run-ins with a number of individuals here, and one of them is Storm, who has feelings for him physically and suggests they team up. She tries to persuade him to screw Treadstone and help her bring them down. Bourne only works alone, so he declines, although he does enjoy spending time with her.

The journey brings Bourne to Estonia, where a large and deadly assassin named Cody resides. Tati, a Russian climate scientist, is on Cody’s hit list, and Bourne has promised that he will protect her. The eventual faceoff between Bourne and Cody is worth the price of admission. Cody will only refer to Bourne as Cain, for that is the reputation he holds in that part of the world.

Bourne likes playing protector at this point in his career, which brings him back to Los Angeles where his ex-lover, Abby Laurent, lives with her tech-wizard husband, Garrett Parker. Garrett ends up being the one who needs the most protection as Vix, an assassin from China, is hunting him down for his role in the death of her parents. Readers will need to have a piece of paper on hand to keep all the different characters and connections straight. Freeman does a brilliant job of blending them into his dynamic, fast-paced plot.

Tati is kidnapped by Cody, who promises a clean exchange with Bourne if he can provide a computer with the Files on it. There is a great showdown at the Hollywood Bowl in an attempt to make a trade for the laptop with the person currently holding it. Bourne, Shadow, Storm and Vix are there in various locations as each has his or her own ulterior motive for wanting the Files. Bourne tries to tie up loose ends and keep to his word as he meets with Cody to make a deal for Tati’s life. But things do not go smoothly, and we are treated to another classic fight to the death.

I love how much Bourne has matured as a character and an amnesiac. He has a moral code and sense of honor that now rules everything he does. He states that sometimes he has to take a life, but if he can’t save a life, then he doesn’t know why he’s here. The bottom line is that we need Bourne to be in another great story, and the cliffhanger ending ensures there is much more fun still to come.