Bloodshed

A well written mystery/crime novel with unbiased food for thought. This was my first book by Michael Lister, but I had no trouble getting the characters and I'm definitely going to read the rest of his books.

Such a hard topic to write about without it being political, but Mr. Lister does an admirable job. Would have liked to have seen the introduction s to each chapter a little less political, but it cant be perfect. Those who think, even up to the conclusion, that you know who the killers are might as well stop now. Very surprised at the twist and turns it takes, a long with dealing with the internal turmoil of John Jordan throughout. Well written page-turner (finished in 2 days) that will keep you hanging on to your seat.

In this book, John Jordan deals with a school shooting and some of his own demons all at once. There is some history of the people in the story given before the shooting. This helps give the players a more human side before all hell breaks lose. This helps the reader understand the why more. Then there is John, who is there to help out however he can. But while doing so, brings up old memories that causes John to backslide in some old habits. Can John pull it together? Will he figure out who the shooter is and why? You will need to read the book to find out. This is a gripping story about things happening now in our schools today. It is a stand alone story, but all of John Jordan books can be a stand alone and not needed to be read in order.

Full disclosure: I have not read the first 18 books in this series. I had no idea that there were so many previous books before this one. I guess I would have known that if I had payed attention. :) Oh well, I read this one anyway and I'm really glad that I did. The storyline is this one was very topical and I really think everyone should read this regardless whether or not they have read the others in this series. The mystery here is so well thought out that I was guessing right up 'til the very end. John Jordan is a very likable character and I felt a connection with him from the very first moment he appears on page. He is a detective/investigator for the police/law enforcement as well as a preacher for a jail/prison. Talk about a man wearing different hats. :)
He was complicated. He was smart. He was just absolutely amazing and because of that I want to read all the books in this series because I just want more and more and more of John Jordan.

This book was full was a slow moving suspense novel that focused on mysterious journal entries warning of mass murder. The ending will leave you stunned.

Amazing story telling! I had to stop everything and read to see what happened next. School shootings are in the news so the subject matter is timely. The twist at the end was startling. I did not see it coming at all. The book was well written and kept me flipping pages. Outstanding!

This book is an emotional roller coaster with people on both sides of this very political and brutal side to possessing firearms. There was extensive research done by the author and even though he stated he had no agenda, personal feelings no matter how hard we try do start to creep in slightly. Then again when there is such a tragic event we are human and that part does weep at the loss even through all the facts.

John Jordan has a very raw and direct style of dealing with things. Some may find it a bit jarring but once you understand that is how he’s built you begin to get the rhythm of how he approaches things.

While no new ground was covered it does bring together in a fictional setting what occurred and provided a bit more of a human side to the ones perpetrating this atrocity. While the media can focus on the ugly these people were once somebodies friend, child etc…they made a horrible choice to become a monster.

Something of this nature can affect us all and this adding to John’s own demons makes his backward step towards alcohol a more poignant signifier.

There are a few areas that could have been looked at a bit more and tightened but the author does a great job of providing as much as possible an unbiased view of violence that is now becoming all to common in our children’s lives.

I received an ARC from Net Galley and I am leaving an honest review.

Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and the author, Michael Lister, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Bloodshed in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I found the storyline to be well thought out and fast paced. I had to read this book in one sitting as it was impossible to put down. I did not see the end coming.
Definitely well worth a read.

Readers love the John Jordan stories because of they know there will always be an exciting story, great action and suspense while John does what he does best, and an absolutely believable outcome. The series is consistently great and Bloodshed continues the tradition. A school shooting. When you hear those words on the news or radio, you immediately stop to see if it's somewhere you know. But, what if there was credible warning and you were tasked with solving and stopping the event before it happens? With a storyline this current and heart stopping, Michael Lister has positioned his hero to save the day...before the day! Excellent read.

This was one rollercoaster of a book! I don't think it stopped until the final page. I've never read a Michael Lister novel before, but this makes me want to! Parts of the novel lost me because I know nothing about the Columbine shootings and the introduction told me that this book is based heavily on that. I also thought that the book itself was rather obvious on the perpetrator, as I managed to guess who it was at 11%. That being said, I did enjoy the novel, and I did find it quite a nail biter.