Fallout
by Carrie Stuart Parks
September 12 – October 7, 2022 Virtual Book Tour
Her carefully crafted life is about to be demolished.
After a difficult childhood, Samantha Williams craves simplicity: jigsaw puzzles, lectures at the library, and the students she adores in her role as an elementary art teacher in the dusty farming community of LaCrosse, Washington.
But when an SUV crashes into the school where she teaches, her entire world is upended. She manages to keep all of the children safe, but her car isn’t so lucky. Oddly, her purse—containing her driver’s license, credit cards, and other identification—is missing from the wreckage.
After authorities discover that the driver in the school accident was shot seconds before the crash, Samantha quickly becomes entangled in increasingly strange events that have her looking over her shoulder.
Samantha has long tried to forget the tragedy of her past, but the twisting maze she discovers between the murdered driver, a deadly secret government project, and an abandoned town can't be ignored. Those involved are determined to keep these secrets buried, and they’ll use any means necessary to stop Samantha’s search for truth.
My Thoughts:
Immediately, I found myself relating to Samantha in her need for simplicity, as well as when she loses everything. Carrie Stuart Parks placed that flicker of the unknown just a few pages within the book, constantly growing it into a full-blown flame of suspense as each layer unfolded.
When you mention the word nuclear, all senses are heightened, knowing the weight that kind of threat carries. I loved how she combined real-life fears with history and fiction to create a compelling story that makes you wonder how this situation would play out in today's world.
Samantha is very well-developed, while I feel like I would've liked a few other characters with a bit more added. But overall, I felt the characters were realistic and flawed in a way to make the story flow. I felt the romance was a little forced and awkward, but it wasn't enough to make me stop reading. Dutch is incredibly smart and perceptive for the hero, offering a good balance with his straightforward personality to Samantha's bit of quirkiness.
Overall, an excellent read if you love a suspense novel that is like a throat tickle that turns into a full-fledged coughing fit by the end until everything falls into place. I like when I am unable to fully put the pieces together, thus surprised. This book gives you all of that and more!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Praise for Fallout:
"An intriguing story based on events around a part of Washington. Tight timeline with tons of action. Twists and turns that will keep readers engaged and guessing. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who want a whisper of romance included with the mystery."
Book Details:
Genre: Suspense Published by: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: September 13th 2022 Number of Pages: 336 ISBN: 0785239855 (ISBN13: 9780785239857) Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Goodreads
About the Author:
Carrie Stuart Parks is a Christy, multiple Carol, and Inspy Award–winning author. She was a 2019 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in mainstream mystery/suspense and has won numerous awards for her fine art as well. An internationally known forensic artist, she travels with her husband, Rick, across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law-enforcement professionals. The author/illustrator of numerous books on drawing and painting, Carrie continues to create dramatic watercolors from her studio in the mountains of Idaho.
Catch Up With Carrie Stuart Parks:
www.CarrieStuartParks.com Goodreads BookBub - @CarrieStuartParks Instagram - @carriestuarparks Facebook - @CarrieStuartParksAuthor
Follow the Book Tour!
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Carrie Stuart Parks and Thomas Nelson. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
Giveaway info: There will be THREE (3) US ONLY winners for this tour. EACH winner will receive a physical copy of Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks.
Woohoo! I can not wait to start this one!!! Thanks for the review. :-)