Aftershock (Dr. Jessie Teska #2) by Judy Melinek and T.J. Mitchell
Publication Date: January 19th 2020 by Hanover Square Press
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★
My
Thoughts:
Deputy Chief Medical Examiner, Jessie Teska has another puzzling
mystery to solve when renowned architect, Leopold Haring, is found in what is
at first thought to be a job-site accident. The scene doesn’t add up to Jessie
and she quickly determines the man’s death to be a homicide. There’s no
shortage of suspects as Mr. Haring wasn’t a very likeable character, especially
on his job sites. To complicate matters there’s an earthquake which throws the
city into chaos and inundates the Medical Examiner’s Office with cases.
Jessie is truly dedicated to her job, sometimes at the
expense of her personal life. I did think she was a little reckless after the
quake and I could understand Anup’s (her boyfriend) frustration with her to a
certain extent, especially when it came to putting physical health at risk. But
I also admired Jessie’s commitment to finding the truth for her victims. At one
point, I was totally disappointed with Anup and could understand Jessie’s reactions.
A surprise at the end has me wondering how it will all work out.
Jessie’s search for the truth is sprinkled in with
investigative details that give the story a real-life feel, and I’m sure that’s
because of the Ms. Melinek’s actual experience as a Medical Examiner, making
the story captivating as well as believable. Aftershock
was cleverly plotted and kept me guessing until Jessie started connecting
all the dots and the culprit was revealed.
While Aftershock is the second book in the series, I don’t think
you necessarily have to read the First Cut to enjoy it. You’d miss out on getting to know Jessie a
little, though. Dr. Jessie Teska mysteries are perfect for crime-procedural
fans, but Jessie’s personal life keeps me turning the pages, as well. She’s flawed,
but I really like her, and I’m eager for the next book!
4 Stars
When an earthquake strikes San Francisco, forensics expert Jessie Teska faces her biggest threat yet in this explosive new mystery from the New York Times bestselling authors of Working Stiff and First Cut.At first glance, the death appears to be an accident. The body is located on a construction site under what looks like a collapse beam. But when Dr. Jessie Teska arrives on the scene, she notices the tell-tale signs of a staged death. The victim has been murdered. A rising star in the San Francisco forensics world, Jessie is ready to unravel the case, help bring the murderer to justice, and prevent him from potentially striking again.But when a major earthquake strikes San Francisco right at Halloween, Jessie and the rest of the city are left reeling. And even if she emerges from the rubble, there's no guaranteeing she'll make it out alive.With their trademark blend of propulsive prose, deft plotting and mordant humor, this electrifying new installment in the Jessie Teska Mystery series offers the highest stakes yet.
About the authors:
This sounds quite good, and I like it when I'm invested enough in the characters to get frustrated with them lol! Glad this was good!
ReplyDeleteIt was really good! I'm looking forward to Jessie's next mystery!
DeleteSounds like a good read! I love that it kept you guessing and wondering throughout.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Me too!
DeleteSounds good for me
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI love that this series is about a medical examiner as the main character.
ReplyDeleteI like those Dr. G Medical Examiner shows so this appealed to me, too.
DeleteI think I'd love this and it's the kind of thing I'm reading more these days. Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Same here, lately. Thanks!
DeleteIt's the timing of the earthquake that really makes me want to read this one. (And Jessie does sound like a good character.)
ReplyDeleteThe real-life timing of this book coincides with the January 17, 1994 quake here in Southern California. That was one I'll never forget! Love Jessie!
DeleteAmazing you should say that, Rachel—because Judy & I based Jessie & Anup's fictional experience on our own, in Los Angeles during the Northridge Quake! Judy was a medical student at UCLA & I was working in the film industry. The freight-train sound & the feeling of a giant picking up our dumpy little Palms Blvd apartment & shaking it around are taken from real life, along with Anup's line "This is bad! This is real bad!" That's verbatim from me at 4:30am on that—yes—unforgettable day.
DeleteWow, small world! I think your description of it sounding like a freight-train is spot on. I lived ten miles from the epicenter and couldn't get out of bed with the shaking until it stopped. Felt like forever, especially worrying about getting to our kids and making sure they were okay! The quake was traumatizing and the aftershocks kept that fear fresh for a good year. The best plots have a bit of real-life in them! You did a great job incorporating it into the story!
DeleteI love books that feature medical examiners! The earthquake would add an extra element. I am going to have to check out this series.
ReplyDeleteI like medical examiner mysteries, and the earthquake added another element of excitement. Felt true to life living here in California!
DeleteThanks for your enthusiastic review, Rachel! Our baby has only just launched into the world, and it's encouraging to see you recommending it.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure! I'm looking forward to more Jessie stories!
DeleteI am always drawn to books that are so well plotted, isn't it great to read a book that keeps you guessing? And gotta love a unique type of character type, you don't see medical examiners in books too often so I am intrigued.
ReplyDeleteWell-plotted and believable is a must for me in crime procedurals. I'm a fan of medical examiner mysteries so I was happy to find this one!
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