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Book Review of After Shock: A Novella (Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers)

After Shock: A Novella (Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers)
kuligowskiandrewt avatar reviewed on + 569 more book reviews


Aftershock, a novella, is the 4th book in the Lucy Guardino series, but the first one that I've read. Fortunately, as a newbie, I had no problem catching up with the characters as the action progresses and I mean "action", as the author jumps right into the middle of the short timeframe in which this book is set. (There were a few things that might serve as spoilers for previous books when I get to them, but that is to be expected when you read a series out of order.)

Ms. Lyons jumps back and forth between "then" and "now" as she describes the capture and attempted escape of Ms. Guardino. I found this to be somewhat distracting at the start of the book, but became comfortable with it once I'd set up both the "captured" and "trying to escape" scenes in my mind. (Still, my mind functions better with straight linear plotlines as such, rather than "ding" ms. Lyons, I give the author credit for not losing me during these time flips!)

It's tough to tell a complete story in 111 pages. Ms. Lyons almost manages to squeeze a novel into this timeframe. Almost. Subplots subtleties of all types, for that matter get short shrift. Characterization, surprisingly, may be abbreviated but is not ignored. Unfortunately, some mystery still remains at the end of the book I found this frustrating as heck. (I'd describe, but there is no way to do that without putting some major spoilers into this review.)

RATING: 4 stars.