Burial

Cross' first book to be published in the U.S. is a hit-and-miss affair. The main character, Nathan, hears a knock on the door and is shocked to discover the caller is Bob, a person from his past. When they were younger, the two men were involved in something so horrendous that they both took a vow never to speak of it again. Now the secret they share is literally about to be unburied. Can the truth remain hidden, and will their involvement remain unknown? A premise that has been done to death rises again here, but the lack of an intriguing and likable main character gets in the way of whatever freshness Cross manages to bring to the story line. Cross is the head writer for the solid BBC America series MI5. He has the chops to write good thrillers, so he deserves another chance.