The second installment of the Lucy Guiardio Series. For my review on the first book of the series "Snake Skin" go here. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... I'm not going to write a lot about this ... at least I hope not...I am going to move this series up to a 4 star series. There is a warning here. Lucy Guiardio is an FBI agent who chases down people who perpetrate crimes against women and children. There is no way to write a novel like this without discussing some difficult to stomach subject matter. Having said that, this is not a one dimensional story. Lucy is not Jack Daniels, in a lot of ways, though she's surely going to be compared to the tough Chicago detective from J.A. Konrath's books. Because of the dark segments where we look through the villains eyes and get a peak at his or her mind, it is likely going to be compared to Patrick Bowers from the Bowers Files written by Steven James. All comparisons are likely grounded in some fact of similarity, but all unfair. Lucy is a strong, female in her own right and, very different in than Jack Daniels. Nor is she anything like Patrick bowers, other than also an FBI agent. Nor should the presence of violent acts towards women and children in this book be taken as sensationalizing such acts of violence in anyway. Lyons uses a gentle hand, and casts these crimes in an appropriate light. Yet we are still talking about some twisted criminal acts. This is a darker read than the first book and, though I tend to penalize dark reads, I rate this one as better, though different in some significant ways than the first one, which was also good. There is also some kernels of good hope buried in the pages here that reward the diligent reader who, like me may squirm uncomfortably when reading details of violence and ugly people. There are some wonderfully unexpected moments of redemption for some characters, and moments where the most unlikely characters surprise and show something good underneath an ugly mean exterior. Though it's buried under a mountain of police procedural crime story, this is also a story of Lucy overcoming the own fear and trauma left over from the last book, Snake Skin, and a career of hunting the worst people who do the worst thing to their fellow human beings. As in the last book, Lucy is a lot of things, but, in this series, she is first and foremost a dedicated, compassionate human being, to quote the last scene (yes, spoiler alert coming) (view spoiler)[ "(one of the bad people) is a monster, but we are not." This after she ruined the aim of her partner when he could have shot the a fleeing felon in the back. To fully understand this, you have to read it. (hide spoiler)]
A letter threatening Lucy Guardino’s family sends her and a new agent on a quest to find the writer that ends up exposing the truth behind a crime Lucy investigated four years earlier.Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this second entry in the series as much as I did the first one, Snake Skin, but can’t pin it down to any one specific reason.The story was well plotted, well told, and full of tension yet seemed to lack something that made the first story more engaging.Possibly, it was that, except for Lucy’s family, characters from the first novel were absent here except for a few brief passing appearances.Also, I never got a sense of time – how much of it separates events in the first novel and this one. With some series, that doesn’t bother me, but left me feeling a bit disconnected here.Readers like renegade main characters who defy their employers at whatever cost to themselves to accomplish their mission. Still, I wonder how many times a real FBI agent could go ‘off the res’ the way Lucy does before being kicked to the curb as she fears she might at one point in this book. In a rigidly hierarchal organization like the FBI, I can’t imagine it would be more than once. I won’t drop C. J. Lyons from my ‘want to read’ list but she won’t be as high on it as she was when I finished the first book in the series.
What do You think about Blood Stained (2012)?
While the author shows talent in weaving a plausible mystery and gives us more character development in this installment, I finished the book somewhat unsatisfied. There were a few twists that I appreciated but the story lagged at points which caused to me skim through several parts.In the end, I didn't feel as though I bonded with the characters and have not vested interest in the main character. The familial drama is a bit more than I want to see in two installments. Doubtful I would spend time and money on another book in the series.
—Paullei Mumme
BLOOD STAINED by C.J. Lyons is an amazing fast paced,romantic thriller/suspense. Book #2 in “The Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers”,but can be read as a stand alone. See, “Snake Skin”. “Blood Stained” has everything a thriller/suspense should have. It is packed full of suspense,mystery,action packed and very intense. Mix Dirty Harry,and a devoted Soccer Mom you have FBI agent specialist Lucy Guardino. Lucy is a loving wife,devoted mother,loves her job and would do anything to keep your family,and others safe. With a child predator,small town secrets,suspense,mystery,tortured victims,and a killer who is not only a sadist,torturer,but who is a child predator and just plain evil. As Lucy and her colleagues try to save lives,children,they endanger themselves,their family and must find a killer before he does more harm. A fast paced story with characters that jump off the page and capture your heart. I love Ms. Lyons’ stories. A not to miss read but not for tender readers with tender feelings.Oh, and have your issues ready as you travel with Lucy,her colleagues,Adam( a lost child) and others into the dark world of child predators,tortured children and finding a sadist. But BEWARNED: “Blood Stained” has violence that jumps off the page,adult situations,and a dark side to people.A MUST READ!Received for an honest review. Details can be found at the author’s website,Createspace, and My Book Addiction and More.RATING: 5HEAT RATING: MILD: Due to violent situationsREVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
—My Book Addiction and More MBA
Another great read from CJ Lyons. FBI agent Lucy Guardino has been promoted to a desk job but hungers for the action in the field. A new agent, Jenna, is responsible for postal service crimes and gets involved when Lucy receives threats to her family, specifically her daughter,in a letter from someone believed to have been dead. Details of a supposedly closed case from 4 years ago come unraveled. Innocent victims are kidnapped, and more victims are claimed. Meanwhile, Jenna tries desperately to outshine Lucy and be the hero in this page-turner. Well written with main characters we love and despise. More psychological intrigue as we see how the sins of the fathers impact young and impressionable children.WARNING: sex, violence, and profanity, but only in minimal doses in order to support the characters and story line.
—Carol
