Shaken

There are three stories told in the penultimate Jack Daniels novel: one told shortly after the events in [b:Cherry Bomb|5120389|Cherry Bomb (Jack Daniels Mystery, #6)|J.A. Konrath|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365396878s/5120389.jpg|5187179], one that takes place three years earlier, and the last that takes place 18 years before that. Now, given that I knew Jack would survive all three stories between that timeline (not being a time traveler, she obviously couldn't die 21 years before current events) and the fact that I read this a year after the followup novel were written – you'd think I'd be able to kick back and let the novel play out.

Nope, not even close – I was on the edge of my seat from the get-go. How Konrath pulled that off, I don't know – don't really care, either.

In the oldest storyline – Jack's still sporting her maiden name and is a fairly new cop working prostitution stings – with her partner, Harry McGlade – which lead to her being enlisted in a undercover operation for Homicide – and almost getting killed by a real psycho.

A bit more current, Jack and Herb are trying to prevent the murder of a child by a legendary serial killer, who they think they're about to catch after years of people all over the country hunting him down.

The most recent story starts off with Jack kidnapped – she fell asleep in her bed next to Phin, and awakens in a dark room, bound, with no one around. But there's a clock counting down how long she has left to live – and it ain't long.

Last week, I talked a little bit about my problems with prequels. The storyline 20+ years old really serves as a prequel to the series – and has all the shortcomings of them – inside jokes, heavy haded bits about how no one will need a mobile phone in the future, how Jack plans to upgrade her car (she's still driving it currently), Herb's legendary metabolism, etc. Some of these jokes I did enjoy – the more subtle ones, mostly. Still, as always, Konrath knows when to lighten up on the humor and apply the suspense – and he does it very successfully in each story.

I've seen some reader reviews here and there complaining that the ending's a bit too deus ex machina – and I think you can make that case. Still, I disagree sequel ex machina? Sure, I'll buy that – it was all about setting up the next installment of the series. And given how effective the rest of the novel really was – I'll give Konrath a pass on that.

A lot of laughs, some good twists, many nails bitten – a great read. This, in so many ways, is not the place to start with this series, go back to the beginning, with [b:Whiskey Sour|509702|Whiskey Sour (Jack Daniels Mystery, #1)|J.A. Konrath|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347400403s/509702.jpg|1818591] and jump on there. But if you've been sticking with Jack, this is a great addition.