Labyrinth of Evil by: James Luceno

Summary:   The war that erupted in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones is nearing its boiling point, as the dauntless Seperatist forces continue their assault on the teetering Republic-and the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. In Episode III Revenge of the Sith, the fates of key players on both sides of the conflict will be sealed. But first, crucial events that pave the way to that time of reckoning unfold in a labyrinth of evil....   Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy-and Seperatist Councilmember- Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Neimoidia. But the treacherous ally of the Sith proves as slippery as ever, evading his Jedi pursuers even as they narrowly avoid deadly disaster. Still, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: a unique holotransceiver that bears intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious.    Swiftly taking up the chase, Anakin and Obi-Wan follow the clues from the droid factories of Charros IV to the far-flung worlds of the Outer Rim...every step bringing them closer to pinpointing the location of the Sith Lord-whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Seperatist rebellion. Yet somehow, in the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of strikes, counterstrikes, ambushes, sabotage, and retaliations, Sidious constantly stays one move ahead.   Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces-and bring the Republic to its knees. Review:   A VERY good lead-in to ROTS. Bridging the entire PT. With the walking holocomm device recognized as being like the one found with the dead Sith Lord, Maul, from TPM. And discovering about Maul's ship along the way. The path slowly leading them to Sidious. I truly enjoyed when they found Sidious. It never tells the name but it just leaves Dyne staring in wonder at a face he recognizes, then he dies without us ever hearing a name. Back to the Rise of the Empire Era. Back to Star Wars Eras.