Scan barcode
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
I really, really like this series. I like that Sydney is a damaged female character trying to deal with her ghosts (quite literally), but who isn't such a hot mess that reading about her is a chore.
This book is well-paced and kept me reading. I'll definitely be back for more in this series.
This book is well-paced and kept me reading. I'll definitely be back for more in this series.
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review against another edition
5.0
4 1/2 stars. A great second in series - it really grabbed me and kept me reading. Sydney is compelling, intelligent, and tenacious. Clyde is a treat. The mystery is complex enough to keep the reader guessing. I'm ready to start on the next in series.
cwalter01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Great main character and Clyde!
veronica87's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
"Every person’s life is a struggle against a world filled with resistance. That resistance may defeat us or warp us or crush us.
But sometimes, we find a strength we didn’t know we had. And with that newly recognized strength, we move past the hard times. And we become a little stronger for the next round."
The second book in the Sydney Parnell series is a worthy follow-up to its predecessor, [b:Blood on the Tracks|29068221|Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell #1)|Barbara Nickless|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459586863s/29068221.jpg|49297530]. It picks up five months later and finds Sydney mostly recovered from the physical wounds suffered in that book. Her emotional, mental, and spiritual wounds, however, are another story. One thing that I loved about the first book was its unflinching and accurate portrayal of PTSD in a former member of the military. This book continues those efforts and shows that there is no quick cure but that, instead, the road to healing is a long and sometimes one-step-forward-two-steps-back process. The little quotes from Sydney’s journal that head off each chapter give wonderful insight into her headspace but they also show her slow evolution. So, bravo for that, book.
Sydney is not without support, however. She still has the undying loyalty and unconditional love of Clyde, her K9 partner, a war veteran himself. But she also has Detective Mike Cohen. There wasn’t as much of him in this book as I’d have liked but it’s clear that Sydney’s relationship with him has made some progress, even though she’s still trying hard to keep him at arm’s length – at least emotionally speaking. My only quibble with this book was that some of the important conversations between these two characters happens off the page. That’s somewhat disappointing and unsatisfying because seeing how Sydney’s mental health issues affect her personal and romantic relationships is just as interesting to me as seeing how it impacts the larger and more public spheres of her life. I’m not advocating that this turn into a romance heavy story, far from it, but allowing some of those more personal beats with Cohen can only help provide insight into even more facets of Sydney’s character.
"The dead are a load you can’t set down. They weigh nothing. And everything."
That aside though, this was another excellent mystery that starts out with a seemingly straightforward jumper case – railroad slang for someone who commits suicide by standing in the path of a moving train. But that case soon starts to cross threads with the murder of a family across town and a cold case that goes back some 25-30 years. Tracking downs the leads and hunches is frustrating work but Sydney’s doggedness proves equal to the task. There were admittedly times when I asked myself how such-and-such a character could possibly know something but in every instance my patience paid off and a perfectly reasonable explanation was provided. There were red herrings and twists I didn’t see coming and the story delivered in pulling off a suspenseful and satisfying climax.
I’m happy to report that the author will be publishing at least two more books in the series, in 2018 and 2019. There are some plot threads that have been pulled through the first two books - sort of that background, long arc type stuff – and it will be nice to see those pay off eventually. This book also ends with some options for Sydney as she continues to move forward with her life and I’m looking forward to seeing what she decides.
"Every person’s life is a struggle against a world filled with resistance. That resistance may defeat us or warp us or crush us.
But sometimes, we find a strength we didn’t know we had. And with that newly recognized strength, we move past the hard times. And we become a little stronger for the next round."
The second book in the Sydney Parnell series is a worthy follow-up to its predecessor, [b:Blood on the Tracks|29068221|Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell #1)|Barbara Nickless|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459586863s/29068221.jpg|49297530]. It picks up five months later and finds Sydney mostly recovered from the physical wounds suffered in that book. Her emotional, mental, and spiritual wounds, however, are another story. One thing that I loved about the first book was its unflinching and accurate portrayal of PTSD in a former member of the military. This book continues those efforts and shows that there is no quick cure but that, instead, the road to healing is a long and sometimes one-step-forward-two-steps-back process. The little quotes from Sydney’s journal that head off each chapter give wonderful insight into her headspace but they also show her slow evolution. So, bravo for that, book.
Sydney is not without support, however. She still has the undying loyalty and unconditional love of Clyde, her K9 partner, a war veteran himself. But she also has Detective Mike Cohen. There wasn’t as much of him in this book as I’d have liked but it’s clear that Sydney’s relationship with him has made some progress, even though she’s still trying hard to keep him at arm’s length – at least emotionally speaking. My only quibble with this book was that some of the important conversations between these two characters happens off the page. That’s somewhat disappointing and unsatisfying because seeing how Sydney’s mental health issues affect her personal and romantic relationships is just as interesting to me as seeing how it impacts the larger and more public spheres of her life. I’m not advocating that this turn into a romance heavy story, far from it, but allowing some of those more personal beats with Cohen can only help provide insight into even more facets of Sydney’s character.
"The dead are a load you can’t set down. They weigh nothing. And everything."
That aside though, this was another excellent mystery that starts out with a seemingly straightforward jumper case – railroad slang for someone who commits suicide by standing in the path of a moving train. But that case soon starts to cross threads with the murder of a family across town and a cold case that goes back some 25-30 years. Tracking downs the leads and hunches is frustrating work but Sydney’s doggedness proves equal to the task. There were admittedly times when I asked myself how such-and-such a character could possibly know something but in every instance my patience paid off and a perfectly reasonable explanation was provided. There were red herrings and twists I didn’t see coming and the story delivered in pulling off a suspenseful and satisfying climax.
I’m happy to report that the author will be publishing at least two more books in the series, in 2018 and 2019. There are some plot threads that have been pulled through the first two books - sort of that background, long arc type stuff – and it will be nice to see those pay off eventually. This book also ends with some options for Sydney as she continues to move forward with her life and I’m looking forward to seeing what she decides.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Dead Stop
4 Stars
The investigation into an apparent suicide by train and its connection to a home invasion takes on an extra dimension when it becomes clear that a young girl has been kidnapped.
The case is not as fast-paced as the first book in the series, but it has several intense moments and a satisfying resolution. It is possible to figure out the culprit's identity and motive, but Kudos to Nickless for keeping me guessing for most of the story.
In terms of Sydney's personal life, it is somewhat disappointing that the development of her relationship with Cohen takes place off-page, but they are going in a positive direction.
Overall, an enjoyable sequel and I look forward to Sydney and Clyde's next case, which will hopefull also continue the Iraqi story arc from book #1.
4 Stars
The investigation into an apparent suicide by train and its connection to a home invasion takes on an extra dimension when it becomes clear that a young girl has been kidnapped.
The case is not as fast-paced as the first book in the series, but it has several intense moments and a satisfying resolution. It is possible to figure out the culprit's identity and motive, but Kudos to Nickless for keeping me guessing for most of the story.
In terms of Sydney's personal life, it is somewhat disappointing that the development of her relationship with Cohen takes place off-page, but they are going in a positive direction.
Overall, an enjoyable sequel and I look forward to Sydney and Clyde's next case, which will hopefull also continue the Iraqi story arc from book #1.
ja_hopkins's review against another edition
5.0
Five months after the conclusion of the events of Blood on the Tracks, Special Agent Sydney Parnell is back at work with her trusty K9 partner Clyde. Parnell is still troubled, both physically and mentally, is seemingly torn about whether she should be back at work.
However, when the Davenport family are brutally attacked, and a young girl disappears, she refuses to let go. An accident becomes murder – the girl’s mother. The father is in critical condition. Working with the FBI and the Denver police, Parnell follows her own investigative line. She is assisted by an FBI agent, and they are soon dragged back decades to a long-forgotten railway crossing, the site of one too many accidents. As the case progresses, Parnell slowly gets closer to the truth, all the while trying to battle her inner demons.
This is a fantastic book, perhaps better than the first. Nickless makes you care about Parnell and her dog. The settings are atmospheric and beautifully portrayed – the harsh Denver storms, the dank tunnels, the rough neighbourhood bar and all the while Parnell’s fight with herself. I had to look the author up - the story rings true enough that I assumed she was a former cop/soldier but apparently not. Parnell's struggles are brilliantly written.
As I was reading I had planned to say the character would be great for TV – I’ve just read the first book has been optioned, so I will look out for that. I will definitely read the next two books (hopefully more) in the series.
However, when the Davenport family are brutally attacked, and a young girl disappears, she refuses to let go. An accident becomes murder – the girl’s mother. The father is in critical condition. Working with the FBI and the Denver police, Parnell follows her own investigative line. She is assisted by an FBI agent, and they are soon dragged back decades to a long-forgotten railway crossing, the site of one too many accidents. As the case progresses, Parnell slowly gets closer to the truth, all the while trying to battle her inner demons.
This is a fantastic book, perhaps better than the first. Nickless makes you care about Parnell and her dog. The settings are atmospheric and beautifully portrayed – the harsh Denver storms, the dank tunnels, the rough neighbourhood bar and all the while Parnell’s fight with herself. I had to look the author up - the story rings true enough that I assumed she was a former cop/soldier but apparently not. Parnell's struggles are brilliantly written.
As I was reading I had planned to say the character would be great for TV – I’ve just read the first book has been optioned, so I will look out for that. I will definitely read the next two books (hopefully more) in the series.
ncrabb's review against another edition
3.0
Sydney Rose Parnell is a troubled young woman. She served as an active-duty marine in Iraq where she experienced the horrors of war and its impact on life back home. Apparently in the first book in this series, she killed members of a railroad gang, and their ghosts trouble her in this book.
Railroad officials dispatch Sydney to the scene of a horrible accident in which 38-year-old Samantha Davenport brutally dies. A train crushes her body under its wheels, and Sydney’s investigation turns up the reality that Samantha died because she couldn’t move from the track on which she died. Someone murdered her by preventing her from leaving the track. Worse still, someone murders Smanatha’s sons and attempts to kill her husband. They’ve kidnapped her seven-year-old daughter, Lucy. The plan is to torture her prior to her eventual death.
Sydney’s investigations take her 30 years into the past to murders that occurred then that are relevant to the present day.
I’ll back fill and catch the first book in this series. Unfortunately, the author didn’t craft this in such a way that you won’t miss anything by skipping the first book. I felt a bit disoriented in a place or two when she repeatedly references things that happen in the first book. That said, I found the writing compelling and well worth the time I spent with the book.
Railroad officials dispatch Sydney to the scene of a horrible accident in which 38-year-old Samantha Davenport brutally dies. A train crushes her body under its wheels, and Sydney’s investigation turns up the reality that Samantha died because she couldn’t move from the track on which she died. Someone murdered her by preventing her from leaving the track. Worse still, someone murders Smanatha’s sons and attempts to kill her husband. They’ve kidnapped her seven-year-old daughter, Lucy. The plan is to torture her prior to her eventual death.
Sydney’s investigations take her 30 years into the past to murders that occurred then that are relevant to the present day.
I’ll back fill and catch the first book in this series. Unfortunately, the author didn’t craft this in such a way that you won’t miss anything by skipping the first book. I felt a bit disoriented in a place or two when she repeatedly references things that happen in the first book. That said, I found the writing compelling and well worth the time I spent with the book.