Aftermath

by Terri Blackstock

New York Times bestselling suspense author Terri Blackstock explores complicated what if? questions in this thriller. What if you attended a concert with your best friends where a bomb exploded? What if all the evidence made it appear that you were a terrorist--but you knew you were innocent?

Three best friends attend a concert. Only one makes it out alive.

When police stop Dustin Webb with a warrant to search his trunk, he knows there's been a mistake. He's former military and owns a security firm. But he's horrified when the officers find explosives, and he can't fathom how they got there.

Criminal attorney Jamie Powell was Dustin's best friend growing up. They haven't spoken since he left for basic training, but she's the first person he thinks of when he's arrested. Jamie knows she's putting her career on the line by defending an accused terrorist, but she'd never abandon him. Someone is framing Dustin to take the fall for shocking acts of violence . . . but why?

Aftermath takes off on the very first page and keeps you glued to the edge of your seat all the way until the end with a plot that keeps you guessing, complex layers of friendship, a relentless quest for justice, the sting of betrayal, and a second-chance romance.

"A solid mystery with a romantic undercurrent. Subtle reminders of God's love are sprinkled throughout the story." --WORLD Magazine

"Blackstock keeps the suspense high throughout. Readers will have a tough time putting this nail-biter down." --Publishers Weekly

• ISBN10: 0310345979
• ISBN13: 9780310345978
• Publish Date: 24 June 2021 (first published 14 April 2021)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Thomas Nelson Publishers
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This is my second time reading a Christian suspense, and I had a great time. It wasn’t preachy. There was mention of prayer and a few bible quotes, but it did not take over the story. Blackstock delivered a suspenseful story riddled with emotions, which enthralled me from start to finish.

The story introduces army veteran Dustin Webb who was arrested and charged for in relation to a bomb explosion at a political rally. An explosion which killed twenty (20) people and injured hundreds. His first call after his arrest was to his childhood friend turned lawyer Jaime Powell. Despite not being in contact with each other for fifteen years, Jaime never hesitated in offering to defend him. Despite the mountain of evidence stacked against him, starting with the explosives found in the trunk of his car, Jaime believed in his innocence. This may prove to be her most difficult case as she races against to clock to find the real perpetrator and prove Dustin’s innocence.

At the centre of the story is an innocent man being framed for an act of terrorism. Then there was Taylor, a survivor, her sanity hanging by a thread, who suffers from survivor’s guilt. She wants justice for her friends who died in the explosion, even if meant taking matters in her own hands.

The author pulled me into the lives of the characters, and in doing so elicited feelings of empathy  for them, the villain included. The story gave me a glimpse in to Dustin and Jaime’s past. I also got a look into the villain’s life and the reason for his actions. I may not have agreed with the actions, but I understood the reasons. However, I had a hard time with his decision to frame someone else.

Although classified as a romantic suspense, the romance was negligible. While reading I sensed the chemistry which existed between Dustin and Jaime. However, they never acknowledged their feelings for each other until the end. The mystery as to whom was behind framing Dustin was easily solved. However, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. Taylor and her quest for justice kept me on the edge of my seat and had me flipping the pages.

Besides the suspense, Aftermath also had some heartbreaking moments that would likely make readers shed a tear or two.

To conclude, Aftermath was a riveting tale, which would appeal to readers of suspense stories.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading