cover image Aftermath

Aftermath

Terri Blackstock. Thomas Nelson, $16.99 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-0-310-34597-8

At the start of this riveting mystery from Blackstock (Smoke Screen), a bomb explodes at a political rally in Atlanta, killing and injuring many. A short time later, the police pull over Army veteran Dustin Webb, who’s driving on a highway near the scene of the crime. Inside the trunk of his car are four boxes of explosives stolen 10 days earlier from an ammunition plant where Dustin had installed the security system and thus had easy access. After his arrest, Dustin asks lawyer Jamie Powell, an old friend he hasn’t been in touch with for 15 years, to represent him. Jamie, who helped Dustin through a difficult childhood, has her work cut out for her. She believes someone is framing Dustin, but who and why? Meanwhile, Taylor Reid, who survived the rally bombing but lost two friends in the blast, becomes obsessed with getting justice for her friends and begins stalking Dustin after he’s released on bail. Blackstock keeps the suspense high throughout. Readers will have a tough time putting this nail-biter down. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Agency. (May)