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A review by iffer
Blood Stained by C.J. Lyons
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.
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.