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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a great mystery! I love that the characters are not overly preachy or perfect as can happen in some Christian fiction. In Aftermath, former foster kid and veteran Dustin is framed for a bombing and his attorney friend takes on his case. The story kept my attention and I appreciated that the author highlighted foster care and mental health in this particular story.
This book was so good. It was quick to get through and I enjoyed every minute of it. It tells the story of Dustin and his best friend Travis. A tragic bomb goes off at a political rally and all clues lead to Dustin. Dustin knows he didn't do it, and his old flame, attorney Jamie knows he didn't do it either. So who did it?
There was good character development for both Jamie and Travis, but there wasn't much development for Dustin, although he was supposed to be a main character. I feel like there could have been more to be said about him and what happened once he was separated from Jamie as kids. It's like they were separated, and then when he was in trouble he randomly found Jamie again.
There was good character development for both Jamie and Travis, but there wasn't much development for Dustin, although he was supposed to be a main character. I feel like there could have been more to be said about him and what happened once he was separated from Jamie as kids. It's like they were separated, and then when he was in trouble he randomly found Jamie again.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
“The deafening sound, like some confusing combination of gunshot and lightning bolt, a blast that blacked out the lights and knocked her to the ground.”
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’”
“‘He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul.’”
4.25 Stars Out Of 5
I hadn’t read Terri Blackstock in awhile and almost forgot how much I enjoyed her writing style and books. Aftermath is no exception and will surely be a book enjoyed by all readers. The book begins with a bang, or rather an explosion, at a presidential candidate’s rally. Blackstock does an excellent job setting the stage in Atlanta, Georgia with plenty of three dimensional characters. Jamie was a great main character, a widowed lawyer and mother of a daughter. Dustin had a lot of layers as the accused bomber. I liked the dynamic between the two as we learned their history of growing up as next door neighbors. Great spiritual aspects as well.
One thing to note about this great book is that it is less of a whodunnit book (that part is not much of a mystery) but more of a series of events that unfold and how it affects its characters.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and need to make it a priority to reading some of Terri Blackstock’s previous books.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
For more reviews, please check out my blog!
https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/website
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’”
“‘He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul.’”
4.25 Stars Out Of 5
I hadn’t read Terri Blackstock in awhile and almost forgot how much I enjoyed her writing style and books. Aftermath is no exception and will surely be a book enjoyed by all readers. The book begins with a bang, or rather an explosion, at a presidential candidate’s rally. Blackstock does an excellent job setting the stage in Atlanta, Georgia with plenty of three dimensional characters. Jamie was a great main character, a widowed lawyer and mother of a daughter. Dustin had a lot of layers as the accused bomber. I liked the dynamic between the two as we learned their history of growing up as next door neighbors. Great spiritual aspects as well.
One thing to note about this great book is that it is less of a whodunnit book (that part is not much of a mystery) but more of a series of events that unfold and how it affects its characters.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book and need to make it a priority to reading some of Terri Blackstock’s previous books.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
For more reviews, please check out my blog!
https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/website
SPOILERY REVIEW:
I was entertained enough to keep reading, but I was disappointed--I've read several of hers that I feel were much higher caliber.
There were several instances that did not seem believable. Now, I know some stretching of reality is the norm for the romantic suspense genre but this was too much; for example, a bunch of random side characters drop by the hospital to donate blood to a specific patient with no consideration for blood type, testing, length of time in last donation, etc. Basic things like that take me out of the story.
There's definitely more mystery than suspense and more suspense than romance. Actually, I was not sold on the romance: they haven't seen each other in 15 years, there's absolutely no chemistry between them until the very end but you know that's what's going to happen because of their past.
Dude the Dog was a comical, sweet character, honestly he was my favorite and he wasn't in the book much comparatively.
I was excited to finally read a book with a character named Taylor buuuuut she's not the hero and honestly she was hard to like and went off the deep end.
The trope of a character committing crimes for money to cover Healthcare costs of a loved one is too over done in my opinion.
I did appreciate some of the faith elements and the conclusion worked out well.
Content: hospitalization/terminal illness, mental health (OCD, PTSD, etc)
Christian faith rating: 2/3
I was entertained enough to keep reading, but I was disappointed--I've read several of hers that I feel were much higher caliber.
There were several instances that did not seem believable. Now, I know some stretching of reality is the norm for the romantic suspense genre but this was too much; for example, a bunch of random side characters drop by the hospital to donate blood to a specific patient with no consideration for blood type, testing, length of time in last donation, etc. Basic things like that take me out of the story.
There's definitely more mystery than suspense and more suspense than romance. Actually, I was not sold on the romance: they haven't seen each other in 15 years, there's absolutely no chemistry between them until the very end but you know that's what's going to happen because of their past.
Dude the Dog was a comical, sweet character, honestly he was my favorite and he wasn't in the book much comparatively.
I was excited to finally read a book with a character named Taylor buuuuut she's not the hero and honestly she was hard to like and went off the deep end.
The trope of a character committing crimes for money to cover Healthcare costs of a loved one is too over done in my opinion.
I did appreciate some of the faith elements and the conclusion worked out well.
Content: hospitalization/terminal illness, mental health (OCD, PTSD, etc)
Christian faith rating: 2/3
AFTERMATH tells you the sad story of three friends attending a concert when a bomb goes off and only one of them survives. Move onto an unknown character getting stopped by police on an anonymous tip, only to find explosives in his car boot. Enter the lawyer, a child from his youth, determined to prove his innocence.
This was an interesting story, with strong characters who moved the story along. The pacing was very good, giving enough action and suspense whilst not overloading the reader. Unfortunately, I felt the big bad and the situation about the why's and whatnot's was a bit too predictable. Knowing this was set in America, and knowing how expensive healthcare is, it certainly did not come as a surprise, nor did his actions afterwards.
This is a Christian Fiction novel so be prepared for an emphasis on God, what is right and wrong, and the possibility of an afterlife.
On the whole, this was a good story that I enjoyed, but there wasn't anything that really surprised me. If you like Christian Fiction and Suspense, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 14, 2021
This was an interesting story, with strong characters who moved the story along. The pacing was very good, giving enough action and suspense whilst not overloading the reader. Unfortunately, I felt the big bad and the situation about the why's and whatnot's was a bit too predictable. Knowing this was set in America, and knowing how expensive healthcare is, it certainly did not come as a surprise, nor did his actions afterwards.
This is a Christian Fiction novel so be prepared for an emphasis on God, what is right and wrong, and the possibility of an afterlife.
On the whole, this was a good story that I enjoyed, but there wasn't anything that really surprised me. If you like Christian Fiction and Suspense, then I can definitely recommend this one.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 14, 2021
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
In Aftermath, author Terri Blackstock expertly weaves together the storylines of two disparate characters. The book begins with a bombing at a political rally in Atlanta that kills twenty people. Three best friends attend the rally to hear their favorite band play, but only one makes it out alive: Taylor Reid.
A short time later, police pull over Army veteran Dustin Webb, who is a security expert. When they search his trunk, they find four boxes of explosives stolen ten days earlier from an ammunition plant where Dustin had installed a security system.
When officials arrest him on alleged terrorism charges, he calls his childhood best friend, attorney Jamie Powell, to represent him. As Jamie investigates his case and the people in his life, she realizes someone is setting him up, but proving it might destroy Dustin and devastate her lucrative career.
Most people believe Dustin is guilty, including Taylor Reid, who struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and becomes fixated on obtaining justice for her two lost friends. She stalks Dustin, believing him to be responsible for their deaths.
I can see why Aftermath won the 2022 Christy Award for Mystery/Suspense/Thriller. Terri Blackstock wrote an emotionally riveting, fast-paced novel with a subtle faith message. It is propulsive from start to finish with well-drawn, complex characters. 4 stars.
A short time later, police pull over Army veteran Dustin Webb, who is a security expert. When they search his trunk, they find four boxes of explosives stolen ten days earlier from an ammunition plant where Dustin had installed a security system.
When officials arrest him on alleged terrorism charges, he calls his childhood best friend, attorney Jamie Powell, to represent him. As Jamie investigates his case and the people in his life, she realizes someone is setting him up, but proving it might destroy Dustin and devastate her lucrative career.
Most people believe Dustin is guilty, including Taylor Reid, who struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and becomes fixated on obtaining justice for her two lost friends. She stalks Dustin, believing him to be responsible for their deaths.
I can see why Aftermath won the 2022 Christy Award for Mystery/Suspense/Thriller. Terri Blackstock wrote an emotionally riveting, fast-paced novel with a subtle faith message. It is propulsive from start to finish with well-drawn, complex characters. 4 stars.