Review of a review, from the Zero collective
This is not a comment/criticism of the Publishers Weekly review of Aftershock. Opinions? Sure. First Amendment? Goes with saying. But when something is stated as fact, that's another story. The following quotes from the review are simply untrue:
This is debatable, as Dolly certainly can take care of herself, but this:
... is just wrong. Dell is no vigilante, has no interest in any level of society, has nothing against deer hunters (just doesn't want them shooting in an area where a stray bullet might hit his wife -- something that certainly happens, all the time), has no feelings about animal torturers -- the one he kills is a specific threat to his wife -- and he demonstrates no concern for victims of sex crimes, including the "females" singled out in the review.
His skill at killing without being caught has little-to-nothing to do with "military training." Combat training is not preparation for working as an assassin.
MaryLou is not Dolly's friend, or her contemporary. She is "Aunt Dolly" when she first visits MaryLou in jail. But for Dolly, Dell would never have been involved.
Cameron Taft is the leader of a "secret society" which preys on "undesirable" young girls and specializes in gang rape. He is no "athlete." In fact, MaryLou frankly admits she could have beaten him in a fight without assistance.
Why is any of this important? The review was glowing. We could have cherry-picked phrases such as "compelling first in a new thriller series," or "readers will stick with the story, and the series, because the steadfast, relentless Dell, with his uncompromising morality, commands attention." But we didn't want any reader gulled into thinking that this book kicks off some "Burke moves to the Pacific Northwest" artificial extension of what readers never stop expressing their regret at ending. It's too late for the libraries, but we would hate to see readers saying how disappointed they were because their expectations were not met.
Aftershock: A Thriller
[Dell] spends his time taking care of his woman
This is debatable, as Dolly certainly can take care of herself, but this:
killing those he considers the scum of society: deer hunters, animal torturers, and anyone who has anything to do with sex crimes against women.
... is just wrong. Dell is no vigilante, has no interest in any level of society, has nothing against deer hunters (just doesn't want them shooting in an area where a stray bullet might hit his wife -- something that certainly happens, all the time), has no feelings about animal torturers -- the one he kills is a specific threat to his wife -- and he demonstrates no concern for victims of sex crimes, including the "females" singled out in the review.
Thanks to his military training, he avoids getting caught.
His skill at killing without being caught has little-to-nothing to do with "military training." Combat training is not preparation for working as an assassin.
When a friend of Dolly’s, high school softball star MaryLou
MaryLou is not Dolly's friend, or her contemporary. She is "Aunt Dolly" when she first visits MaryLou in jail. But for Dolly, Dell would never have been involved.
killing popular athlete Cameron Taft
Cameron Taft is the leader of a "secret society" which preys on "undesirable" young girls and specializes in gang rape. He is no "athlete." In fact, MaryLou frankly admits she could have beaten him in a fight without assistance.
Why is any of this important? The review was glowing. We could have cherry-picked phrases such as "compelling first in a new thriller series," or "readers will stick with the story, and the series, because the steadfast, relentless Dell, with his uncompromising morality, commands attention." But we didn't want any reader gulled into thinking that this book kicks off some "Burke moves to the Pacific Northwest" artificial extension of what readers never stop expressing their regret at ending. It's too late for the libraries, but we would hate to see readers saying how disappointed they were because their expectations were not met.
Aftershock: A Thriller
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James
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Apr 19, 2013 08:57PM
Dell sounds like an interesting character. I'm glad you prefaced the series for me with the fact that it's not "Burke moves to the Pacific Northwest." Looking forward to a new series.
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I am sorry it has taken me so damned long to get to this book. I loved it. Hope to hear more from Dell and Dolly, and really loved that ace T.D Joel.
