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bookishbiker's review against another edition
4.0
Note: Ambush is the third book in Barbara Nickless' Sydney Rose Parnell series and while it could potentially be read as a stand-alone, I'd highly recommend reading the rest of the series first.
Yet another nailbiter with some wicked twists, Ambush continues the story of former marine turned railway cop, Sydney Parnell and her canine partner, Clyde. Instead of beating down bad guys in her role as a railway cop, this time Sydney is dealing with a conspiracy from her service days - one that's been very much omnipresent in the series, but never fully explored.
Starting with a murdered marine and quickly switching to Mexico, where Sydney is trying to track down the young son of an Iraqi translator who she believes is in grave danger, Ambush doesn't beat around the bush and the action is fast-paced and non-stop. And the twists! It's not often a scene leaves my jaw hanging open, but there's one particular one that had me off my seat!
Sydney is definitely one of my favorite female characters - fleshed out, flawed, gritty and kickass and you can't help but root for her, even when she's making you want to reach through the pages and give her some well-phrased advice of your own. And as always, Ms. Nickless' writing is on point, well-researched and intelligent.
While I hope to see more of my favorite crime-fighting duo, Ambush is definitely a fitting conclusion to the series. Ms. Nickless neatly ties most of the loose ends and leaves you satisfied and smiling - something that doesn't happen too often in this genre!
4.5 stars!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
Yet another nailbiter with some wicked twists, Ambush continues the story of former marine turned railway cop, Sydney Parnell and her canine partner, Clyde. Instead of beating down bad guys in her role as a railway cop, this time Sydney is dealing with a conspiracy from her service days - one that's been very much omnipresent in the series, but never fully explored.
Starting with a murdered marine and quickly switching to Mexico, where Sydney is trying to track down the young son of an Iraqi translator who she believes is in grave danger, Ambush doesn't beat around the bush and the action is fast-paced and non-stop. And the twists! It's not often a scene leaves my jaw hanging open, but there's one particular one that had me off my seat!
Sydney is definitely one of my favorite female characters - fleshed out, flawed, gritty and kickass and you can't help but root for her, even when she's making you want to reach through the pages and give her some well-phrased advice of your own. And as always, Ms. Nickless' writing is on point, well-researched and intelligent.
While I hope to see more of my favorite crime-fighting duo, Ambush is definitely a fitting conclusion to the series. Ms. Nickless neatly ties most of the loose ends and leaves you satisfied and smiling - something that doesn't happen too often in this genre!
4.5 stars!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an ARC in return for my honest opinion.
anjana's review against another edition
4.0
https://superfluousreading.wordpress.com/2020/03/14/ambush-by-barbara-nickless/
The pacing of this series maintains the feel of walking on a knife’s edge as we finally get a few answers to all the dropped hints from the beginning. When we first meet Sydney Rose, we find out she has two secrets. One is that she sees ghosts and another is her shame for the events that happened when she was deployed overseas. It may now be time to right some things from secret number 2. We start the story in Mexico where we finally meet one elusive character that the author has built up enough emotion about for us to enjoy the meeting. Then when the deaths start to pile up there, we move back to Colorado where things are spiralling. Our leading lady has to battle practically unsurmountable odds including telling the current man in her life her truth.
The fast pace ensures that we do not take our eyes (or in my case ears) off of the chaos that engulfs her. All characters introduced to us are very interesting with many facets and this adds to the reading experience. There is another instalment due next and I think this series is a solid entry for anyone on the lookout for a thriller series, just not for the faint of heart because of the graphic descriptions.
The pacing of this series maintains the feel of walking on a knife’s edge as we finally get a few answers to all the dropped hints from the beginning. When we first meet Sydney Rose, we find out she has two secrets. One is that she sees ghosts and another is her shame for the events that happened when she was deployed overseas. It may now be time to right some things from secret number 2. We start the story in Mexico where we finally meet one elusive character that the author has built up enough emotion about for us to enjoy the meeting. Then when the deaths start to pile up there, we move back to Colorado where things are spiralling. Our leading lady has to battle practically unsurmountable odds including telling the current man in her life her truth.
The fast pace ensures that we do not take our eyes (or in my case ears) off of the chaos that engulfs her. All characters introduced to us are very interesting with many facets and this adds to the reading experience. There is another instalment due next and I think this series is a solid entry for anyone on the lookout for a thriller series, just not for the faint of heart because of the graphic descriptions.
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars
I really did like this book; I'm especially happy with the choices Sidney made in the end. That said, I'm deducting some points because there was a twist in this book that I've seen done before and I'm not a fan. It smacks too much of a plot line lifted straight out of a daytime soap opera...but the author went there so, fine. What's done is done...but because it was done, the very nature of the twist demands a certain amount of attention. It necessitates that some very serious conversations happen between Sidney and other crucial parties. My biggest issue with this book is that these conversations either don't happen on the page at all, in one instance, or else are so quickly skimmed over that they might as well not have happened. On an emotional level I found that aspect of the plot unsatisfying. As far as the actual case goes, this book closed out the loop on the mysterious Alpha and the events from Iraq that have plagued Sidney since the first book. There were some tense moments for both Sidney and Clyde but they both prove the worth of their partnership. I definitely plan to read the fourth book when it comes out next year.
I really did like this book; I'm especially happy with the choices Sidney made in the end. That said, I'm deducting some points because there was a twist in this book that I've seen done before and I'm not a fan. It smacks too much of a plot line lifted straight out of a daytime soap opera...but the author went there so, fine. What's done is done...but because it was done, the very nature of the twist demands a certain amount of attention. It necessitates that some very serious conversations happen between Sidney and other crucial parties. My biggest issue with this book is that these conversations either don't happen on the page at all, in one instance, or else are so quickly skimmed over that they might as well not have happened. On an emotional level I found that aspect of the plot unsatisfying. As far as the actual case goes, this book closed out the loop on the mysterious Alpha and the events from Iraq that have plagued Sidney since the first book. There were some tense moments for both Sidney and Clyde but they both prove the worth of their partnership. I definitely plan to read the fourth book when it comes out next year.
kimberlyp's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
deearr's review
5.0
{Video review at http://bit.ly/_Ambush_ "The Most Dangerous Book Review on the Internet"}
I’m not much for gushing over a book, but I do get a little excited when I find one that is firing on all cylinders. That is the case with “Ambush,” the new Sydney Rose Parnell thriller from author Barbara Nickless.
This is the third book in the series, though that shouldn’t stop you from reading it. Although Ms. Nickless references some of the past events, new readers should have little trouble understanding what is happening. The only hiccup might come from the issues Sydney has brought back with her from time spent as a Marine in Iraq, but there should be enough explanation to help a new reader understand.
This is not another railroad mystery, but a fast-paced story that begins with Sydney working on a private mission in Mexico. Before mid-book, the tale has involved every part of Sydney’s life, from her current job to her time as a Marine, and spilling over into her personal life (both past and present). There is plenty of action that continually propels the plot forward, and since Sydney is telling the story, we solve the mystery with her, clue by clue.
Ms. Nickless is at the top of her game with this story. Meticulous research adds an element of realism missing from so many books today, breathing plenty of life into both the plot and the characters. Sydney tells the story with a level-headed cynicism, seasoned with the self-doubt of one who is grappling with the memories of a past that refuses to leave her be. I was extremely impressed with the author’s first two books in this series, but there is no doubt in my mind that “Ambush” is her best offering so far. Five stars.
I’m not much for gushing over a book, but I do get a little excited when I find one that is firing on all cylinders. That is the case with “Ambush,” the new Sydney Rose Parnell thriller from author Barbara Nickless.
This is the third book in the series, though that shouldn’t stop you from reading it. Although Ms. Nickless references some of the past events, new readers should have little trouble understanding what is happening. The only hiccup might come from the issues Sydney has brought back with her from time spent as a Marine in Iraq, but there should be enough explanation to help a new reader understand.
This is not another railroad mystery, but a fast-paced story that begins with Sydney working on a private mission in Mexico. Before mid-book, the tale has involved every part of Sydney’s life, from her current job to her time as a Marine, and spilling over into her personal life (both past and present). There is plenty of action that continually propels the plot forward, and since Sydney is telling the story, we solve the mystery with her, clue by clue.
Ms. Nickless is at the top of her game with this story. Meticulous research adds an element of realism missing from so many books today, breathing plenty of life into both the plot and the characters. Sydney tells the story with a level-headed cynicism, seasoned with the self-doubt of one who is grappling with the memories of a past that refuses to leave her be. I was extremely impressed with the author’s first two books in this series, but there is no doubt in my mind that “Ambush” is her best offering so far. Five stars.
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