It's no coincidence that Philip Shelby's thrillers (Days of Drums and Last Rights) caught the attention of readers just as old masters like John Le Carré and Frederick Forsyth were winding down. There's nothing like an expertly crafted, essentially moral story of intrigue and espionage to quicken the blood and restore order to a chaotic world. What Shelby brings to the table once again in his latest book is a righteous heroine plunged almost accidentally into the center of a dangerous situation. Fans of Eric Ambler will recognize U.S. Foreign Service officer Hollis Fremont as a modern descendant of his trademark lead characters--people who are smart, resourceful, and not quite as innocent as they first appear. Conned by her lover into sneaking a hired assassin known as the Handyman back into America for a high-level hit, Hollis then joins forces with Sam Crawford (the titular Gatekeeper, who works for an agency known only as Omega) to keep the killer from his appointed rounds. Despite the self-parodying nicknames, Shelby's work is full of intelligent suspense and satisfying resolution. --Dick Adler