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ronsofkyl's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
johnny92m's review against another edition
3.0
Weaving a fictitious mystery plot with elements of real life crime can sure be a tricky road to walk. While I think this novel does a really good job of keeping the mystery engaging, the cracks start to show towards the final act.
"Black Friday" paints itself into a corner going into it's final act, but up until then, it's a thrilling race the clock adventure fans of the O'Dell series are bound to enjoy. A much better outing than the last book I'd read in the series, this story starts off with a bang, literally. Three bombs going off inside the Mall of America on the busiest shopping day of the year. It's the stuff true terror is made of. Through a twist of fate, FBI profiler Maggie O'Dell is smack in the middle of saving a nation and also family drama.
The book does a really good job of setting up some new stalwarts in the series in the forms of Maggie's brother Patrick and a potential love interest in Rebecca. Some character dynamics do suffer, like the wonky love triangle between Maggie, a new suitor from the previous work, and long standing love interest Nick Morelli. Plus the action and pacing serve this story well.
Unfortunately, a gaping plot hole is found in the true to life details. A conspiracy about "John Doe #2" from the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 weaves its way into the story, and creates a roadblock for the author. It's not a mystery she's written, it's a real life conspiracy. So the story never truly comes to a satisfying conclusion. Outside of that, I did enjoy the book quite a lot.
"Black Friday" paints itself into a corner going into it's final act, but up until then, it's a thrilling race the clock adventure fans of the O'Dell series are bound to enjoy. A much better outing than the last book I'd read in the series, this story starts off with a bang, literally. Three bombs going off inside the Mall of America on the busiest shopping day of the year. It's the stuff true terror is made of. Through a twist of fate, FBI profiler Maggie O'Dell is smack in the middle of saving a nation and also family drama.
The book does a really good job of setting up some new stalwarts in the series in the forms of Maggie's brother Patrick and a potential love interest in Rebecca. Some character dynamics do suffer, like the wonky love triangle between Maggie, a new suitor from the previous work, and long standing love interest Nick Morelli. Plus the action and pacing serve this story well.
Unfortunately, a gaping plot hole is found in the true to life details. A conspiracy about "John Doe #2" from the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 weaves its way into the story, and creates a roadblock for the author. It's not a mystery she's written, it's a real life conspiracy. So the story never truly comes to a satisfying conclusion. Outside of that, I did enjoy the book quite a lot.
beccajbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was another good read from Alex Kava. Not my favourite out of the ones I've read so far, but still an action packed adventure, with Maggie at the centre.
Glad we got to see more of Patrick, now we know he exists. He seems like a sweet lad,and hopefully we will see more of him?
I thought that it was a bit slow to start but it picked up pretty quickly after the initial hump. The story was quite complex and interesting. Although I think the bit with Dixon and Rebecca was resolved a bit too quickly.
All in all, a good book. :)
Glad we got to see more of Patrick, now we know he exists. He seems like a sweet lad,and hopefully we will see more of him?
I thought that it was a bit slow to start but it picked up pretty quickly after the initial hump. The story was quite complex and interesting. Although I think the bit with Dixon and Rebecca was resolved a bit too quickly.
All in all, a good book. :)
paulabrandon's review against another edition
2.0
Is Maggie O'Dell actually an FBI profiler? She only seems to investigate conspiracy theories these days. This time it's a terrorist plot that her half brother Patrick has been dragged into. Her investigation also reunites her with on-off sorta love interest Nick Morelli.
Yes, that's right. Nick Morelli. The one who started the series as a small-town sheriff, then later returned to his prosecutor roots. Except now in this book he's the head of a security firm. Kava is finding ridiculously contrived ways to keep him in the series. And it's not even clear why! Nothing in regards to their relationship is explored, moved in a new direction or tied up.
(I think even Kava realised how ludicrous it was getting, as I believe Nick was mostly phased out after this book.)
As for Maggie's profiling skills, does she actually use them? No, not really. We're not provided any insight whatsoever into the mastermind's motives. He sets about completing his nefarious terrorist activities, seemingly for shits and giggles, and because Maggie is pretty useless at her job,
The Maggie O'Dell series was always a pretty average/slightly above average series, but this one was the start of a very significant slump which moved away from Maggie profiling serial killers and instead investigating conspiracy theories, with plots that were very thin (most of the rest of the books) or completely and utterly incoherent (Hotwire). If you're reading the series for the first time, I advise you to chuck it in here. It only gets worse!
Yes, that's right. Nick Morelli. The one who started the series as a small-town sheriff, then later returned to his prosecutor roots. Except now in this book he's the head of a security firm. Kava is finding ridiculously contrived ways to keep him in the series. And it's not even clear why! Nothing in regards to their relationship is explored, moved in a new direction or tied up.
(I think even Kava realised how ludicrous it was getting, as I believe Nick was mostly phased out after this book.)
As for Maggie's profiling skills, does she actually use them? No, not really. We're not provided any insight whatsoever into the mastermind's motives. He sets about completing his nefarious terrorist activities, seemingly for shits and giggles, and because Maggie is pretty useless at her job,
Spoiler
he gets away with it. (And that's not even the first time one of her targets has eluded capture!The Maggie O'Dell series was always a pretty average/slightly above average series, but this one was the start of a very significant slump which moved away from Maggie profiling serial killers and instead investigating conspiracy theories, with plots that were very thin (most of the rest of the books) or completely and utterly incoherent (Hotwire). If you're reading the series for the first time, I advise you to chuck it in here. It only gets worse!
snf_83's review against another edition
3.0
This book took me far longer than the rest to complete. I wanted to punch Nick in the face so many times!! How stupid can one man be? Grow a pair!!!! And for the first time Maggie has really annoyed me the way she treats him. This book just wasn't your best Ms Kava!!
tstreet's review against another edition
5.0
This was a super great read. I felt so bad for the kids who thought they had jammers in their backpacks but were actually bombs. I hate that so many people were killed in the explosion. I'm glad they were able to stop the explosion at the airport from happening but I hate that one of the guys got away. This was a suspenseful read and I loved it. 5 stars
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 STARS
"On the busiest shopping day of the year, idealistic students wade into malls across America carrying concealed devices they believe will cause chaos at the checkouts. But at the nation's largest shopping center, the results are incendiary - and people lie dead. A white-collar lobby group called Citizens for American Pride takes responsibility for the protest action, calling for an end to cheap, foreign-made goods and exported manufacturing jobs. But they insist the bombing was the work of rogue members, zealots who took the message too far. As Maggie and her partner sift through both the debris and the facts of the case, they uncover paranoia, racism and a sinister secret agenda that extends to the CAPs highest ranks. As retailers count down to Christmas Eve, Maggie knows that infiltration is the only option, even though the cost could be huge. And if they fail, more innocent people will pay with their lives." (From Amazon)
Not bad...but I like Maggie O'Dell's earlier novels a lot better.
"On the busiest shopping day of the year, idealistic students wade into malls across America carrying concealed devices they believe will cause chaos at the checkouts. But at the nation's largest shopping center, the results are incendiary - and people lie dead. A white-collar lobby group called Citizens for American Pride takes responsibility for the protest action, calling for an end to cheap, foreign-made goods and exported manufacturing jobs. But they insist the bombing was the work of rogue members, zealots who took the message too far. As Maggie and her partner sift through both the debris and the facts of the case, they uncover paranoia, racism and a sinister secret agenda that extends to the CAPs highest ranks. As retailers count down to Christmas Eve, Maggie knows that infiltration is the only option, even though the cost could be huge. And if they fail, more innocent people will pay with their lives." (From Amazon)
Not bad...but I like Maggie O'Dell's earlier novels a lot better.
nglofile's review against another edition
1.0
Contrary to at least two prominent reviews, this was weak, repetitive, and pedestrian.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Black Friday
3 Stars
Synopsis
Black Friday, the busiest shopping day in America, and three young men are about to wreak havoc by detonating an EMP pulse in the Mall of America. Unbeknownst to them, they are actually pawns in a much larger and deadlier conspiracy that will leave dozens dead and FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell in a race against time to prevent an even more catastrophic terror attack.
Review
A good premise but the execution is poor and the finale does not deliver.
This is supposed to be a "race against time" scenario but the pace is slow and there is no sense of urgency. The book also finishes with too many loose ends and unanswered questions -.
The writing is choppy with events occurring out of the blue with no exposition or development. The chapters are also very short, often 2-3 pages, which makes it difficult to became engaged with the storyline.
Once again, there is little to no character growth - the cat and mouse between Maggie and Nick is getting old - too many hurt feelings and lack of trust. It is time to either put up or shut up with this relationship. On the other hand, Maggie's half-brother, Patrick Murphy, is given some much needed page time and the sections about him are enjoyable.
One positive aspect of the plot involves the exploration of the John Doe #2 conspiracy theory following the Oklahoma Bombing - as a non-American, this is my first time hearing about this and it added an interesting element to the terrorist plot.
On a final note, the book references numerous events from previous installments and it might be difficult for first time readers of the series to follow.
Overall, a disappointing addition and I hope that the next one will be better.
3 Stars
Synopsis
Black Friday, the busiest shopping day in America, and three young men are about to wreak havoc by detonating an EMP pulse in the Mall of America. Unbeknownst to them, they are actually pawns in a much larger and deadlier conspiracy that will leave dozens dead and FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell in a race against time to prevent an even more catastrophic terror attack.
Review
A good premise but the execution is poor and the finale does not deliver.
This is supposed to be a "race against time" scenario but the pace is slow and there is no sense of urgency. The book also finishes with too many loose ends and unanswered questions -
Spoiler
As with "A Perfect Evil", I gather we will be seeing more of the villain of this pieceThe writing is choppy with events occurring out of the blue with no exposition or development
Spoiler
i.e., Dixon and Becca's sudden rescue by SWATOnce again, there is little to no character growth - the cat and mouse between Maggie and Nick is getting old - too many hurt feelings and lack of trust. It is time to either put up or shut up with this relationship. On the other hand, Maggie's half-brother, Patrick Murphy, is given some much needed page time and the sections about him are enjoyable.
One positive aspect of the plot involves the exploration of the John Doe #2 conspiracy theory following the Oklahoma Bombing - as a non-American, this is my first time hearing about this and it added an interesting element to the terrorist plot.
On a final note, the book references numerous events from previous installments and it might be difficult for first time readers of the series to follow.
Overall, a disappointing addition and I hope that the next one will be better.