Reviews

Blood Stained by C.J. Lyons

sissykat31's review

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5.0

Loved the mystery

afox98's review

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3.0

3 1/2 stars. Still love Lucy's character - tough but somewhat haunted FBI agent. In this story, she's back in New Hope, PA and a case from 4 years ago resurfaces. Accompanied by an awkward postal inspector, she gets in over her head with a killer and con man and his wayward son. Liked the story, though dark. Less than 4 stars b/c the story wandered a bit too much for me about 2/3 through.

iffer's review

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4.0

I enjoyed this second installment more than the first one. The characterization is, in my opinion, better than in many other bestseller thriller/murder mystery series. Lucy Guardino rings true to me as a person: as a woman, mother, and investigator. She's definitely flawed and imperfect, but C.J. Lyons portrays her as fighting to be better, and do better, despite this. After reading this installment, it seems clear that this is one of Lyons's themes in her books, that humans are flawed, and that the world is flawed, and it's not easy, but you keep going. I find that hopeful and oddly comforting, which is appreciated, since I'm an oddball person who enjoys crime fiction as a pick-me-up.

I think that Lyons also does well in portraying her side-characters. While I didn't necessarily *like* the character of Jenna, she was believable with her insecurities and faults. Maybe these expectations are low, but two female characters with believable personalities in the same book, especially a crime thriller? Wowser.

The other thing that I think that Lyons excels in, especially in her genre, is portraying the strength of victims, rather than merely having them as plot devices.

elvang's review

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3.0

Not as good as Snake Skin but a great thriller ending. The postal inspector Jenna was an odd bit of contradiction and lost the book a star. On to Kill Zone and hopefully more Guardino time.

lpcoolgirl's review

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5.0

Another great, fantastic book! I enjoyed having more time with these characters! Such a great mystery, too! Loved how it ended up!

februaryfox's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced

3.0

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