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.
barbi312's review against another edition
4.0
Better and better. I liked the second book of this series even more than the first. Sydney Rose is growing on me. Clyde had me at hello.
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.
clp412's review against another edition
4.0
Clyde makes me want to get a dog! The descriptions of how Sydney Rose Parnell and he interacted were fascinating to me. This book can be read as a standalone, but it is an impressive 2nd book in the series. I am hooked and will be looking for Book #3. I don't tend to read many thrillers but the unique perspective of a war vet and now a railroad cop is one that I have enjoyed so far. I would say this book is just the right amount of suspense without being overdone. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
meera01's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this but not as much as the first book. For me, it didn’t have the same emotional depth. I wished there was more about her new relationship. She had been living with her grandmother in the last book and she was not mentioned at all in this which I thought was odd. The mystery part was fine; it was the personal life I found lacking in this one. Oh, and could have been more focus on her canine partner, Clyde, too.
lexiedm14's review against another edition
5.0
5/5.
This book was even better than the first! I honestly read the last 200 pages in one sitting because I could not put it down.
I love how Sydney is such a complex and dynamic character and with each book we get to see her evolve and grow. I think the author does a particularly good job at exploring PTSD and how there are not necessarily the best resources available for those coming home after war.
This book was incredibly suspenseful and had me on the edge of my seat the entire last half of the book. There were many times where I would get goose-bumps on my arms.
All in all, this book was amazing and I cannot wait to see what the next book has in store! The author gave possible tidbits on what might possibly be the next book and I cannot wait.
This book was even better than the first! I honestly read the last 200 pages in one sitting because I could not put it down.
I love how Sydney is such a complex and dynamic character and with each book we get to see her evolve and grow. I think the author does a particularly good job at exploring PTSD and how there are not necessarily the best resources available for those coming home after war.
This book was incredibly suspenseful and had me on the edge of my seat the entire last half of the book. There were many times where I would get goose-bumps on my arms.
All in all, this book was amazing and I cannot wait to see what the next book has in store! The author gave possible tidbits on what might possibly be the next book and I cannot wait.
rebecca_bc's review against another edition
3.0
The first half or so was excellent, but as the mysteries came together it became a bit predictable. Also this book didn't address some of issues brought up in the first and overall didn't go much deeper into Sydney's character, just hinting at topics in book three. I was disappointed that this turned into an in-between book, but I'm excited for book three.