Shiloh Walker sent me The Departed, the followup to The Missing, in December. And since then I’ve been telling myself I need to write a review for it, something beyond “Buy this and read it with all the lights on.” It releases tomorrow (or possibly at midnight if you’ve preordered electronically) so the time has come to take a stab at it.
I first read Shiloh when we were in an anthology together, Ellora’s Cavemen Legendary Tails 2. She’s only gotten better, book after book. Her suspense really will make you want to turn on all the lights and keep your cell phone ready to hit 911 in case that noise is actually a serial killer, but what I love beyond the thriller pacing is her unflinching ability to confront all the dark and ugly depths people can sink to without making me despair for humanity. There are always heroes struggling to do the right thing in big and little ways, ordinary and extraordinary people who fight for justice. Dez is an extraordinary heroine, but she’s also utterly human and fallible, no superwoman in spandex tights. She deserves her hero and her happy ending and I know you’ll enjoy going along for the wild ride that gets her there.
The Departed stands alone, but those who didn’t read
The Missing first will want to read it immediately afterward so do yourself a favor and buy both together.
Then don’t forget to leave all the lights on.
Recent Comments