This is SF author Bear’s foray into “the day after tomorrow” thrillers, featuring a future FBI hunting domestic bioterrorists. For some unexplained reason, the bureau is under political attack. This adds some artificial tension to the plot, but it’s mostly just something tacked on.
For other unexplained reasons, three inexperienced agents are thrown into the action directly from graduation. There’s some romantic tension between the young male protagonist and an attractive yet tortured older female agent, but this too feels tacked on.
Bear’s reason for writing this novel (as explained in an afterword) was to warn of the dangers of bioterrorism, specifically weaponised anthrax. He deserves credit for portraying Muslim characters with sympathy and understanding, and for crafting an exciting, competently written tale. But in the end it’s obvious he’s a bit out of his depth writing this kind of story.