What do you think?
Rate this book
An Afton Tangler Thriller #2
Shadow Girl
The brutal murder of a business tycoon leaves Afton Tangler and the Twin Cities reeling, but that s just the beginning of a gruesome crime spree...
Leland Odin made his fortune launching a home shopping network, but his millions can t save his life. On the list for a transplant, the ailing businessman sees all hope lost when the helicopter carrying his donor heart is shot out of the sky.
Now with two pilots dead and dozens injured, Afton Tangler, family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, is drawn into the case. As she and her partner investigate family members and business associates, whoever wants Leland dead strikes again and succeeds in a brazen hospital room attack.
The supposedly squeaky clean millionaire has crossed the wrong person and she's not finished exacting her revenge. The case explodes into an international conspiracy of unbridled greed and violence. And as Afton gets closer to unearthing the mastermind behind it, she gets closer to becoming collateral damage..."
Leland Odin made his fortune launching a home shopping network, but his millions can t save his life. On the list for a transplant, the ailing businessman sees all hope lost when the helicopter carrying his donor heart is shot out of the sky.
Now with two pilots dead and dozens injured, Afton Tangler, family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, is drawn into the case. As she and her partner investigate family members and business associates, whoever wants Leland dead strikes again and succeeds in a brazen hospital room attack.
The supposedly squeaky clean millionaire has crossed the wrong person and she's not finished exacting her revenge. The case explodes into an international conspiracy of unbridled greed and violence. And as Afton gets closer to unearthing the mastermind behind it, she gets closer to becoming collateral damage..."
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2017
33 people are currently reading
1384 people want to read
About the author
Gerry Schmitt
2 books199 followersAlso writes using the pseudonym Laura Childs
Gerry Schmitt is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five mysteries, including the Afton Tangler Thrillers, as well as the Tea Shop, Scrapbooking, and the Cackleberry Club mysteries, written under the pen name Laura Childs. She is the former CEO of her own marketing firm, has won dozens of TV and radio awards, produced two reality TV shows, and invests in small businesses. She and her professor husband enjoy collecting art, traveling, and have two Shar-Peis.
Gerry Schmitt is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five mysteries, including the Afton Tangler Thrillers, as well as the Tea Shop, Scrapbooking, and the Cackleberry Club mysteries, written under the pen name Laura Childs. She is the former CEO of her own marketing firm, has won dozens of TV and radio awards, produced two reality TV shows, and invests in small businesses. She and her professor husband enjoy collecting art, traveling, and have two Shar-Peis.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
July 29, 2017
This review was featured in my Mini Review Monday segment
Once again, this is another book where I don’t want to discuss the plot due to spoilers and all that jazz, but I was once again blown away and think I’ve found a new series to follow! Afton Tangler is different than many female protagonists we see in crime fiction, specifically police procedurals; most books tend to feature females who are either calloused and unfeeling or emotionally fragile. Here, we see an equal balance of both, which gives her a realistic, human touch. Afton is a character I have easily connected with; the feeling I get when reading her stories is that equal to finding a friend and wondering how you can be this close when you’ve only known each other for a few days. Basically, Afton+Chelsea=BFFS.
This book also felt unique by how the atmosphere and writing style was much different than in book one. Where Little Girl Gone was a traditional, contemporary police procedural, Shadow Girl added an air of “nordic noir” which gave it an extra dark, heavy presence. I’m always amazed when I find an author who can change up their writing style to keep each book in their series fresh and in demand, and I have definitely found this in the Afton Tangler series. If you enjoy crime fiction set in the US, give these books a go! I will say that this is a series where I would recommend starting in the beginning and not jumping in with book two; while there aren’t any huge spoilers you’d be missing, the character development alone is worth going back and experiencing the books in order. Highly recommended!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy via NetGalley; it was a pleasure to provide my thoughts here.
Once again, this is another book where I don’t want to discuss the plot due to spoilers and all that jazz, but I was once again blown away and think I’ve found a new series to follow! Afton Tangler is different than many female protagonists we see in crime fiction, specifically police procedurals; most books tend to feature females who are either calloused and unfeeling or emotionally fragile. Here, we see an equal balance of both, which gives her a realistic, human touch. Afton is a character I have easily connected with; the feeling I get when reading her stories is that equal to finding a friend and wondering how you can be this close when you’ve only known each other for a few days. Basically, Afton+Chelsea=BFFS.
This book also felt unique by how the atmosphere and writing style was much different than in book one. Where Little Girl Gone was a traditional, contemporary police procedural, Shadow Girl added an air of “nordic noir” which gave it an extra dark, heavy presence. I’m always amazed when I find an author who can change up their writing style to keep each book in their series fresh and in demand, and I have definitely found this in the Afton Tangler series. If you enjoy crime fiction set in the US, give these books a go! I will say that this is a series where I would recommend starting in the beginning and not jumping in with book two; while there aren’t any huge spoilers you’d be missing, the character development alone is worth going back and experiencing the books in order. Highly recommended!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy via NetGalley; it was a pleasure to provide my thoughts here.
July 3, 2017
Looking for a just-plain-good murder mystery with no female histrionics, flashbacks or chapters that flip back and forth from the perspectives of seven different characters? By golly, this one fills the bill. It's the second in a two-book series, and I must say I didn't feel at a disadvantage for not having read the first. Still, this one's good enough that if I could do it over again, I'd start at the beginning with Little Girl Gone (always my advice to anyone jumping into a series, BTW).
This one begins with an horrific scene in Minneapolis: Out of the blue (or perhaps more accurately, in the blue, a helicopter is blasted out of the sky. Turns out it was delivering a donor heart to multi-millionaire Leland Odin, head of a popular home shopping network who's at the brink of death and waiting for a transplant. Needless to say, the pilots were killed, and the fallout resulted in dozens of injuries on the ground. Also not surprisingly, the police hit the ground running - most notably, family liaison officer Afton Tangler and her partner Max Montgomery.
Early on, it becomes clear that someone is out to get the ailing Odin; as he clings to life in his hospital bed hoping a new heart will become available in time to save him, someone manages to sneak in and slit his throat (thus rendering moot that new heart). Now, the investigation centers on who wanted the guy dead and why.
Could it be his business partner, perhaps hoping for a big payout by selling off the shopping network? Could it be his obscenely rich wife, looking for a big payout through inheritance (or possibly payback for his cheating heart)? Or could it be that his illicit business deals have crossed a powerful someone who then put Odin in his or her crosshairs?
There's a fair amount of violence that turns personal for Afton, who keeps following clues that bring her closer to the truth (despite warnings from her partner and other department officials to back off a bit, reminding her that she's not a "real" police officer and doesn't even carry a weapon). Of course, she doesn't listen - and the chase is on to catch the killers before they catch her.
In short, this is a perfect book for beach reading, or any time you simply want to get lost in a fast-moving, interesting story. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This one begins with an horrific scene in Minneapolis: Out of the blue (or perhaps more accurately, in the blue, a helicopter is blasted out of the sky. Turns out it was delivering a donor heart to multi-millionaire Leland Odin, head of a popular home shopping network who's at the brink of death and waiting for a transplant. Needless to say, the pilots were killed, and the fallout resulted in dozens of injuries on the ground. Also not surprisingly, the police hit the ground running - most notably, family liaison officer Afton Tangler and her partner Max Montgomery.
Early on, it becomes clear that someone is out to get the ailing Odin; as he clings to life in his hospital bed hoping a new heart will become available in time to save him, someone manages to sneak in and slit his throat (thus rendering moot that new heart). Now, the investigation centers on who wanted the guy dead and why.
Could it be his business partner, perhaps hoping for a big payout by selling off the shopping network? Could it be his obscenely rich wife, looking for a big payout through inheritance (or possibly payback for his cheating heart)? Or could it be that his illicit business deals have crossed a powerful someone who then put Odin in his or her crosshairs?
There's a fair amount of violence that turns personal for Afton, who keeps following clues that bring her closer to the truth (despite warnings from her partner and other department officials to back off a bit, reminding her that she's not a "real" police officer and doesn't even carry a weapon). Of course, she doesn't listen - and the chase is on to catch the killers before they catch her.
In short, this is a perfect book for beach reading, or any time you simply want to get lost in a fast-moving, interesting story. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2017
While this is the second book in the series, it's the first book I have read by this author. I was pulled in by the synopsis because I love cop stories. Thrills and twists galore, the action never stops!
This book was very easy to follow even though it was book two in a series. I never knew if I was missing something. Everything just flowed. Plus, it was a quick and easy read.
I love the high levels of activity in the story. Never a dull moment with this one. With plenty of action, the flawless writing pulled you right into the inner workings of the department and straight into the streets. Chasing leads and criminals keeps your heart pounding with this fast paced story.
The plot could have been pulled from the news today and the location was unique and different from the norm. Being a Minnesota gal, I appreciated the local flair of the city and the references in town that seemed so real... many of them probably are! Strong character development and rock solid storytelling makes this a highly engaging read!
For a great read full of the thrills and suspense you expect from an author of this caliber, Shadow Girl is a perfect diversion from the monotony of the day. The ending was a bit abrupt, but hopefully that means there is more stories to tell!
While this may be the first of my reads from this talented author, it will not be the last. Apparently I have over 30 books to catch up on!
*copy received from review consideration
full review - http://amidlifewife.com/shadow-girl-b...
This book was very easy to follow even though it was book two in a series. I never knew if I was missing something. Everything just flowed. Plus, it was a quick and easy read.
I love the high levels of activity in the story. Never a dull moment with this one. With plenty of action, the flawless writing pulled you right into the inner workings of the department and straight into the streets. Chasing leads and criminals keeps your heart pounding with this fast paced story.
The plot could have been pulled from the news today and the location was unique and different from the norm. Being a Minnesota gal, I appreciated the local flair of the city and the references in town that seemed so real... many of them probably are! Strong character development and rock solid storytelling makes this a highly engaging read!
For a great read full of the thrills and suspense you expect from an author of this caliber, Shadow Girl is a perfect diversion from the monotony of the day. The ending was a bit abrupt, but hopefully that means there is more stories to tell!
While this may be the first of my reads from this talented author, it will not be the last. Apparently I have over 30 books to catch up on!
*copy received from review consideration
full review - http://amidlifewife.com/shadow-girl-b...
April 2, 2018
This is the second book in the Afton Tangler series- and it is fast becoming one of my newest favorite in crime drama/police procedure type books.
Being that this is only book number 2- I would highly recommend you start off by reading the first book Little Girl Gone which was an excellent book as well.
In this story we are privy to the identities of the perpetrators from the beginning, very much like the first book where we also knew who 'the bad guys are'. It makes for an interesting read-This was a fast read, and most of all an enjoyable read. If you like police/detective type books- you will enjoy Afton Tanger series for sure - so looking forward for more books to follow!
Being that this is only book number 2- I would highly recommend you start off by reading the first book Little Girl Gone which was an excellent book as well.
In this story we are privy to the identities of the perpetrators from the beginning, very much like the first book where we also knew who 'the bad guys are'. It makes for an interesting read-This was a fast read, and most of all an enjoyable read. If you like police/detective type books- you will enjoy Afton Tanger series for sure - so looking forward for more books to follow!
August 1, 2017
Family Liaison Officer Afton Tangler finds herself in the middle of a horrifying investigation. A wealthy businessman, Leland Odin, is in the hospital awaiting a heart transplant. When the helicopter transporting the heart is shot down and the heart is destroyed, Odin’s life hangs in the balance. It’s up to Afton and her partner to figure out who could have been this cruel. Their investigation leads to several different suspects, but only one could be this ruthless.
Afton finds her own family in danger. She races against the clock to stop anything more from happening to Odin’s family or her own, for that matter. She uncovers some shocking developments, but she is determined to find out who is behind these threats.
This storyline has you on the edge of your seat for the entire book. I absolutely couldn’t put it down until I knew how it would all be resolved. It kept me up all night until I finished the book.
The characters are well-developed and realistic. My heart went out to Afton, while the villains were truly vile. The storyline is terrifying and bone-chilling. Some of the violence actually had me cringing in my seat, but I couldn’t stop reading.
This is the second book in a new thriller/suspense series by Gerry Schmitt. I did not read the first one, but that did not stop me from enjoying this one. I didn’t feel as if I missed anything, although I do want to read the first one and learn more about Afton. This is a standalone book.
The author, also, writes under the name Laura Childs. Under that name she writes several different cozy mystery series, which are wonderful. She has now branched out into thrillers and suspense and does it beautifully. It’s amazing to me that the author has such a wide range of creativity from sweet mysteries to thrilling, action-packed suspense. She does it to perfection with each genre.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley, the author, and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Afton finds her own family in danger. She races against the clock to stop anything more from happening to Odin’s family or her own, for that matter. She uncovers some shocking developments, but she is determined to find out who is behind these threats.
This storyline has you on the edge of your seat for the entire book. I absolutely couldn’t put it down until I knew how it would all be resolved. It kept me up all night until I finished the book.
The characters are well-developed and realistic. My heart went out to Afton, while the villains were truly vile. The storyline is terrifying and bone-chilling. Some of the violence actually had me cringing in my seat, but I couldn’t stop reading.
This is the second book in a new thriller/suspense series by Gerry Schmitt. I did not read the first one, but that did not stop me from enjoying this one. I didn’t feel as if I missed anything, although I do want to read the first one and learn more about Afton. This is a standalone book.
The author, also, writes under the name Laura Childs. Under that name she writes several different cozy mystery series, which are wonderful. She has now branched out into thrillers and suspense and does it beautifully. It’s amazing to me that the author has such a wide range of creativity from sweet mysteries to thrilling, action-packed suspense. She does it to perfection with each genre.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley, the author, and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 29, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this follow up to Little Girl Gone we find Afton Tangler tangled up in another police investigation. Something she loves as she hopes to become a full fledged detective instead of a family liaison officer.
A helicopter bringing a donor heart from Madison, Wisconsin is shot down out of the sky crashing down on a college campus. Afton and Detective Max Montgomery were nearby for a neighborhood meeting so they become some of the first responders. Deputy Chief Gerald Thacker assigns Afton to work with Max on this difficult case.
Mom Chao Cherry ordered the hit on the helicopter. She is out for revenge but the police know nothing about her or even that she and her team plan to keep terrorizing the victims she chooses.
Ms. Schmitt takes us into the story from various characters points of view to drag us deep into the gritty and at times terrifying story. This story involves many more people than the first book but I had no trouble following. I really enjoyed following the investigation to its conclusion. It grabbed my attention right away and held it to the very end.
I found both Afton and Max to be very engaging in the first book and they have grown to be very comfortable working together in this one. All the officers working on the case and the Deputy Chief realize Afton has talents to bring to the table. She doesn’t always follow Max’s orders but when she doesn’t she seems to have a good reason.
The content of the story was very well written and researched. This series brings a totally different type of story than I have seen from her alter ego Laura Childs. The language and events are raw and rough at times but rings true for these characters in this setting. It is fun to see this author bring us this thrilling story and a darker side of life while still giving us characters to root for.
Warning – do not start this book late in the day. The author writes in a short chapter format that will have you saying “just one more chapter” several times until you realize you have read the whole darn book.
This book is part of a series but can be read on its own. To really know Afton and Max you should start with Little Girl Gone. I am already looking forward to the next Afton Tangler Thriller.
In this follow up to Little Girl Gone we find Afton Tangler tangled up in another police investigation. Something she loves as she hopes to become a full fledged detective instead of a family liaison officer.
A helicopter bringing a donor heart from Madison, Wisconsin is shot down out of the sky crashing down on a college campus. Afton and Detective Max Montgomery were nearby for a neighborhood meeting so they become some of the first responders. Deputy Chief Gerald Thacker assigns Afton to work with Max on this difficult case.
Mom Chao Cherry ordered the hit on the helicopter. She is out for revenge but the police know nothing about her or even that she and her team plan to keep terrorizing the victims she chooses.
Ms. Schmitt takes us into the story from various characters points of view to drag us deep into the gritty and at times terrifying story. This story involves many more people than the first book but I had no trouble following. I really enjoyed following the investigation to its conclusion. It grabbed my attention right away and held it to the very end.
I found both Afton and Max to be very engaging in the first book and they have grown to be very comfortable working together in this one. All the officers working on the case and the Deputy Chief realize Afton has talents to bring to the table. She doesn’t always follow Max’s orders but when she doesn’t she seems to have a good reason.
The content of the story was very well written and researched. This series brings a totally different type of story than I have seen from her alter ego Laura Childs. The language and events are raw and rough at times but rings true for these characters in this setting. It is fun to see this author bring us this thrilling story and a darker side of life while still giving us characters to root for.
Warning – do not start this book late in the day. The author writes in a short chapter format that will have you saying “just one more chapter” several times until you realize you have read the whole darn book.
This book is part of a series but can be read on its own. To really know Afton and Max you should start with Little Girl Gone. I am already looking forward to the next Afton Tangler Thriller.
July 10, 2017
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of Shadow Girl by Gerry Schmitt from the publisher (Penguin Random House/ Berkley) through a Shelf Awareness Giveaway.
This is a detective(ish) novel, following a woman (Afton) who works as a Family liason with a police department in Minneapolis. The story starts off with a very interesting premise. A helicopter is shot out of the sky. The helicopter was carrying a human heart destined for the nearby hospital and the CEO of a large shopping network. The heart is unusable, and the patient does not survive. The remainder of the novel follows Afton as she works with her detective partner to find out who is responsible.
Despite my attraction to the premise, I had a difficult time getting into this story from the very beginning. This book jumps between perspectives, showing us both the “good guy” and “bad guy” point of view. The style of the writing feels like noir. At first, I thought it was just personal preference, that the noir style was not one I much cared for.
Then I realized I had no idea when this book takes place. Based on technology, I think we are in current day. But based on word choice and the way characters are presented, it feels like the 1980s. I think this is the author trying to hit the noir feel, and not being very successful. The voice felt forced to me.
I also struggled with the characters throughout. I did not find myself invested in any of them, to be honest. The author did put a bit of a spin on noir tropes, by focusing on a female main character. But she is a good girl, I’ll do anything for my kids, and always do the right thing type. Like the other characters in the story, I found Afton lacking in depth and nuance, approaching a caricature rather than a character.
Overall, I did not really enjoy this book. However, I would love to hear from someone who loves the noir genre. It could be that I was just not the target audience.
This is a detective(ish) novel, following a woman (Afton) who works as a Family liason with a police department in Minneapolis. The story starts off with a very interesting premise. A helicopter is shot out of the sky. The helicopter was carrying a human heart destined for the nearby hospital and the CEO of a large shopping network. The heart is unusable, and the patient does not survive. The remainder of the novel follows Afton as she works with her detective partner to find out who is responsible.
Despite my attraction to the premise, I had a difficult time getting into this story from the very beginning. This book jumps between perspectives, showing us both the “good guy” and “bad guy” point of view. The style of the writing feels like noir. At first, I thought it was just personal preference, that the noir style was not one I much cared for.
Then I realized I had no idea when this book takes place. Based on technology, I think we are in current day. But based on word choice and the way characters are presented, it feels like the 1980s. I think this is the author trying to hit the noir feel, and not being very successful. The voice felt forced to me.
I also struggled with the characters throughout. I did not find myself invested in any of them, to be honest. The author did put a bit of a spin on noir tropes, by focusing on a female main character. But she is a good girl, I’ll do anything for my kids, and always do the right thing type. Like the other characters in the story, I found Afton lacking in depth and nuance, approaching a caricature rather than a character.
Overall, I did not really enjoy this book. However, I would love to hear from someone who loves the noir genre. It could be that I was just not the target audience.
July 3, 2018
This is the second book in the Afton Tanger series, and it's awesome. It's filled with non stop action through the entire book. Another series that takes place in my hometown of Minneapolis. It's always fun to read a book and know the entire area where it's happening. Afton, who is a liaison officer (not a police officer, at least not yet) is teamed up with Minneapolis Detective Montgomery, (Max). She's learning the tricks of the trade while shadowing Max. I suspect in the very near future she will be moving up to Detective, and what a great detective she will make.
August 18, 2017
This was definitely a non-cozy mystery and definitely suspenseful, but I'm not sure I'd consider it a thriller. It didn't really have the fast-paced story line that I'm used to having in a thriller. It moved along steadily, it just didn't seem as fast-paced as most thrillers I've read. Overall, it's a good book, but it wasn't real fast-paced (tho' it wasn't slow either) and I felt the ending was a bit anti-climatic, which is why I only gave it a 4-star rating.
While this is actually the 2nd book in the series, it is the first one I've read, and I will be going back to read the first one in the series at some point. I enjoyed the characters a lot. Max and Afton seem to play off of each other well as far as figuring things out. Technically, Afton's not supposed to be doing that type of police work as she's not officially an officer, but they work really well together so Max lets her tag along a lot more than he's "supposed" to. They're both well-rounded and developed characters. I think the more the series progresses, the more complexity we'll see in them.
The plot line definitely was interesting! I was not at all bored reading this book which is a definite plus. It moves along steadily and has some sub-plots going on to help keep it moving along, but as I stated above, I felt the ending was a bit anti-climatic for the suspense level throughout the book. I don't want to spoil it though.
Overall, this is a well-written, good book and I would recommend it as a suspense novel if you're at all interested in that genre. If you've read it, I'd love to hear your opinion on the ending!
While this is actually the 2nd book in the series, it is the first one I've read, and I will be going back to read the first one in the series at some point. I enjoyed the characters a lot. Max and Afton seem to play off of each other well as far as figuring things out. Technically, Afton's not supposed to be doing that type of police work as she's not officially an officer, but they work really well together so Max lets her tag along a lot more than he's "supposed" to. They're both well-rounded and developed characters. I think the more the series progresses, the more complexity we'll see in them.
The plot line definitely was interesting! I was not at all bored reading this book which is a definite plus. It moves along steadily and has some sub-plots going on to help keep it moving along, but as I stated above, I felt the ending was a bit anti-climatic for the suspense level throughout the book. I don't want to spoil it though.
Overall, this is a well-written, good book and I would recommend it as a suspense novel if you're at all interested in that genre. If you've read it, I'd love to hear your opinion on the ending!
June 13, 2020
Damn, this book was bad. And not Mars Attacks! bad, this was just bad.
Shadow Girl is not a mystery or a thriller; its just about a single mother running around playing Middle Aged Nancy Drew as she and a detective try to figure out why a billionaire CEO was targeted for death.
This book is chockfull of racist stereotypes that include:
1. A white woman who began her career as a prostitute but rose through the ranks due to her sexual prowess to marry a Thai drug mob boss and head his cartel after his assassination.
2. Her minions include a dude described as central casting right out of Deliverance 2 and an Asian thug
And we can't forget all those unanswered questions like:
How did Odin get involved with mob boss lady?
How did he nick the drugs?
Why did he nick them? A bribe gone wrong?
Nothing is ever fully explained. We know who the bad guys are but we don't know why they are here exactly and what was Odin's exact transgression.
Instead, all we get are scenes of petty thugs kidnapping people, lots of blood shed, torture and pain.
Everyone is a pale caricature of what a bad guy and a good guy should be.
This is one of worst books I've ever read that was described as a 'thriller.'
I won't read the next book in this ridiculous series.
Shadow Girl is not a mystery or a thriller; its just about a single mother running around playing Middle Aged Nancy Drew as she and a detective try to figure out why a billionaire CEO was targeted for death.
This book is chockfull of racist stereotypes that include:
1. A white woman who began her career as a prostitute but rose through the ranks due to her sexual prowess to marry a Thai drug mob boss and head his cartel after his assassination.
2. Her minions include a dude described as central casting right out of Deliverance 2 and an Asian thug
And we can't forget all those unanswered questions like:
How did Odin get involved with mob boss lady?
How did he nick the drugs?
Why did he nick them? A bribe gone wrong?
Nothing is ever fully explained. We know who the bad guys are but we don't know why they are here exactly and what was Odin's exact transgression.
Instead, all we get are scenes of petty thugs kidnapping people, lots of blood shed, torture and pain.
Everyone is a pale caricature of what a bad guy and a good guy should be.
This is one of worst books I've ever read that was described as a 'thriller.'
I won't read the next book in this ridiculous series.
January 29, 2018
I think this series has the potential to be a really good mystery series, however in the first two novels, we know who the bad guy is within the first few chapters! I wish there was more mystery instead of here are the bad guys, now let's see if the good guys can catch them!
A helicopter is shot down from the sky. It due to the fact that it is carrying millionaire's Leland Odin's transplant heart. Someone really doesn't want Leland to live. In fact, after the crash, someone goes into Leland's hospital room to finish the job and kills him. Who would want Leland to die so badly?
I like Afton and I like the fact that she is a family liaison officer and not a detective (like so many other mystery novels).
Again like I mentioned above, I found that the scenes weren't too thrilling since I knew the reason for the attacks within the first 100 pages. It made for a long-drawn-out novel. Not sure, if I will be continuing on with the series.
A helicopter is shot down from the sky. It due to the fact that it is carrying millionaire's Leland Odin's transplant heart. Someone really doesn't want Leland to live. In fact, after the crash, someone goes into Leland's hospital room to finish the job and kills him. Who would want Leland to die so badly?
I like Afton and I like the fact that she is a family liaison officer and not a detective (like so many other mystery novels).
Again like I mentioned above, I found that the scenes weren't too thrilling since I knew the reason for the attacks within the first 100 pages. It made for a long-drawn-out novel. Not sure, if I will be continuing on with the series.
did-not-finish
July 2, 2018In spite of the intriguing premise and exciting opening, this book wasn't able to hold my attention past the first few chapters. We're presented with the "bad guys" up front which took away much of the mystery/suspense element. Some of what happened was way too unbelievable. I really enjoyed the first Afton Tangler book, Little Girl Gone, but unfortunately the follow up didn't work for me, though I'd definitely give the next in the series a try. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
August 8, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/sh...
Shadow Girl
Afton Tangler Thriller, Book #2
By Gerry Schmitt
ISBN# 9780425281789
Author’s website: www.gerryschmitt.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Leland Odin made his fortune launching a home shopping network, but his millions can t save his life. On the list for a transplant, the ailing businessman sees all hope lost when the helicopter carrying his donor heart is shot out of the sky.
Now with two pilots dead and dozens injured, Afton Tangler, family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, is drawn into the case. As she and her partner investigate family members and business associates, whoever wants Leland dead strikes again and succeeds in a brazen hospital room attack.
The supposedly squeaky clean millionaire has crossed the wrong person and she’s not finished exacting her revenge. The case explodes into an international conspiracy of unbridled greed and violence. And as Afton gets closer to unearthing the mastermind behind it, she gets closer to becoming collateral damage…”
Review:
Shadow Girl, the gritty follow up to Little Girl Gone, if full of twisty treachery and dark characters. With its spare style and short chapters, it is compulsively readable and entertaining.
Schmitt had me hooked from page two when the medical helicopter containing victim Leland Odin’s heart is shot down. What an innovative method of attempted murder! I actually found this to be the most exciting part of the book. Touted as a thriller, it is much more a police procedural, but there is plenty of danger and violence to go around. With his heart no longer viable, Odin’s fate is sealed, and others around him also meet an unsavory end. We follow along with Family Liaison Officer Afton and Detective Max Montgomery as they try to work everything out. Could Odin’s murder be personal – marital troubles or a greedy step-daughter? A matter of business – an avaricious partner or a business deal gone bad? Revenge?
I liked Shadow Girl, but knowing who the bad guys are from the very beginning is a little disappointing. I wanted there to be more mystery and puzzle to figure out. Instead, we read the action from several points of view, both good and bad, and I think this dowses any tension that might have been built otherwise. Readers must also suspend reality a bit because I do not think that a family liaison officer would be allowed to do any of the things Afton finds herself in the middle of. Afton wants to be a detective someday, and I hope Schmitt gives her a promotion sooner rather than later.
Afton and Max are both likable and honest characters. To me, they represent all that is supposed to be good in the world. They are both relatable and feel authentic. I do not feel we got to know Odin nearly well enough to mourn his passing, and, at times, this made it difficult to care about the motive of his murder. Mom Chao Cherry, her assassin Narong, and goon Hack are all sufficiently evil and flat-out over the top villains. They put people through some truly terrible things that are not for the faint of heart to read.
The Afton Tangler series is a big departure from Schmitt’s alter ego Laura Childs’ cozy mysteries and I think she succeeds in both genres as a writer of quality stories. I recommend Shadow Girl to fans of darker crime fiction.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Shadow Girl
Afton Tangler Thriller, Book #2
By Gerry Schmitt
ISBN# 9780425281789
Author’s website: www.gerryschmitt.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
Leland Odin made his fortune launching a home shopping network, but his millions can t save his life. On the list for a transplant, the ailing businessman sees all hope lost when the helicopter carrying his donor heart is shot out of the sky.
Now with two pilots dead and dozens injured, Afton Tangler, family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, is drawn into the case. As she and her partner investigate family members and business associates, whoever wants Leland dead strikes again and succeeds in a brazen hospital room attack.
The supposedly squeaky clean millionaire has crossed the wrong person and she’s not finished exacting her revenge. The case explodes into an international conspiracy of unbridled greed and violence. And as Afton gets closer to unearthing the mastermind behind it, she gets closer to becoming collateral damage…”
Review:
Shadow Girl, the gritty follow up to Little Girl Gone, if full of twisty treachery and dark characters. With its spare style and short chapters, it is compulsively readable and entertaining.
Schmitt had me hooked from page two when the medical helicopter containing victim Leland Odin’s heart is shot down. What an innovative method of attempted murder! I actually found this to be the most exciting part of the book. Touted as a thriller, it is much more a police procedural, but there is plenty of danger and violence to go around. With his heart no longer viable, Odin’s fate is sealed, and others around him also meet an unsavory end. We follow along with Family Liaison Officer Afton and Detective Max Montgomery as they try to work everything out. Could Odin’s murder be personal – marital troubles or a greedy step-daughter? A matter of business – an avaricious partner or a business deal gone bad? Revenge?
I liked Shadow Girl, but knowing who the bad guys are from the very beginning is a little disappointing. I wanted there to be more mystery and puzzle to figure out. Instead, we read the action from several points of view, both good and bad, and I think this dowses any tension that might have been built otherwise. Readers must also suspend reality a bit because I do not think that a family liaison officer would be allowed to do any of the things Afton finds herself in the middle of. Afton wants to be a detective someday, and I hope Schmitt gives her a promotion sooner rather than later.
Afton and Max are both likable and honest characters. To me, they represent all that is supposed to be good in the world. They are both relatable and feel authentic. I do not feel we got to know Odin nearly well enough to mourn his passing, and, at times, this made it difficult to care about the motive of his murder. Mom Chao Cherry, her assassin Narong, and goon Hack are all sufficiently evil and flat-out over the top villains. They put people through some truly terrible things that are not for the faint of heart to read.
The Afton Tangler series is a big departure from Schmitt’s alter ego Laura Childs’ cozy mysteries and I think she succeeds in both genres as a writer of quality stories. I recommend Shadow Girl to fans of darker crime fiction.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
September 26, 2017
This was my second book by Gerry Schmitt and I am definitely looking forward to the third. As a matter of fact, I can't wait!
This book starts out with a helicopter being shot out of the air with a missile. The helicopter was bringing a new heart to the CEO of Diamond Shopping Network. He was all set to receive it. Well, that didn't happen. But it started this book off with a bang, literally.
While trying to discover if Leland Odin, the CEO, had any enemies or a reason why someone would want him dead, everyone lies. His partner, his wife, his stepdaughter and his rising star from DSN. This all turns out to bite them in the butt because Leland has taken something from a Thai gang leader and she wants it back. The cost is nothing, human lives or the money. She will get her investment back.
This book had me speed turning the pages from the very beginning. I loved the main character, Afton Tangler. She is a family liason for the police department but she has a detective's mindset.
The criminals in this book are ferocious. Human lives mean nothing to them. They are, in fact, pretty scary.
A book I sped through and thoroughly enjoyed the ride! Definitely worth checking out!
Huge thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This book starts out with a helicopter being shot out of the air with a missile. The helicopter was bringing a new heart to the CEO of Diamond Shopping Network. He was all set to receive it. Well, that didn't happen. But it started this book off with a bang, literally.
While trying to discover if Leland Odin, the CEO, had any enemies or a reason why someone would want him dead, everyone lies. His partner, his wife, his stepdaughter and his rising star from DSN. This all turns out to bite them in the butt because Leland has taken something from a Thai gang leader and she wants it back. The cost is nothing, human lives or the money. She will get her investment back.
This book had me speed turning the pages from the very beginning. I loved the main character, Afton Tangler. She is a family liason for the police department but she has a detective's mindset.
The criminals in this book are ferocious. Human lives mean nothing to them. They are, in fact, pretty scary.
A book I sped through and thoroughly enjoyed the ride! Definitely worth checking out!
Huge thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
July 20, 2017
3.5 stars.
The second installment in Gerry Schmitt's Afton Tangler Thriller series, Shadow Girl is an intriguing police procedural about a plot to murder a home shopping network mogul.
Minneapolis Family Liaison Officer Afton Tangler and her partner Detective Max Montgomery are among the first on the scene of a horrific helicopter crash. They quickly learn the crash was no accident-someone deliberately shot the helo out of sky. The discovery the copter was delivering a donor heart for multi-millionaire Leland Odin raises some very interesting questions about why someone wants the executive dead. Their preliminary inquiries fails to offer a motive and before their investigation has the opportunity to gain speed, the killer's second attempt on Leland's life is successful. Max and Afton are soon embroiled in the hunt for the person responsible for Odin's death but will they locate the murderer before he (or she) strikes again?
Since Afton is hoping to eventually become a full-fledged detective, she is eager to help Max with the investigation. She often acts without thinking and in this case, she puts herself right in the path of danger during a suspect chase. Afton is given a lot of leeway as she assists Max but will her impulsivity and personal feelings cloud her judgment as they struggle to solve the case?
With no motive for the murder or a viable suspect, Afton and Max are struggling to make any progress on the case when someone closely connected to Leland disappears. A lack of cooperation by family members and business associates impedes their investigation and they often rely on gut instinct to uncover information. Through hard work, determination and a few lucky breaks, Max and Afton are finally getting close to finding Odin's killers but a motive for the crimes remains elusive.
Since the reader is fully aware of who the bad guys are and what their next move is going to be, there is a distinct lack of tension as Shadow Girl slowly unfolds. Despite the initial lack of knowledge for the perpetrator's somewhat nefarious and violent plot against Odin, it does not take much to deduce the suspect's motive for the crime. In this newest addition to the Afton Tangler Thriller series, the lines between Afton's position with the police force are very blurred since she acts more like a criminal investigator than a family liaison officer. It will be very interesting to see what Gerry Schmitt has planned for her in the future installments of the series.
The second installment in Gerry Schmitt's Afton Tangler Thriller series, Shadow Girl is an intriguing police procedural about a plot to murder a home shopping network mogul.
Minneapolis Family Liaison Officer Afton Tangler and her partner Detective Max Montgomery are among the first on the scene of a horrific helicopter crash. They quickly learn the crash was no accident-someone deliberately shot the helo out of sky. The discovery the copter was delivering a donor heart for multi-millionaire Leland Odin raises some very interesting questions about why someone wants the executive dead. Their preliminary inquiries fails to offer a motive and before their investigation has the opportunity to gain speed, the killer's second attempt on Leland's life is successful. Max and Afton are soon embroiled in the hunt for the person responsible for Odin's death but will they locate the murderer before he (or she) strikes again?
Since Afton is hoping to eventually become a full-fledged detective, she is eager to help Max with the investigation. She often acts without thinking and in this case, she puts herself right in the path of danger during a suspect chase. Afton is given a lot of leeway as she assists Max but will her impulsivity and personal feelings cloud her judgment as they struggle to solve the case?
With no motive for the murder or a viable suspect, Afton and Max are struggling to make any progress on the case when someone closely connected to Leland disappears. A lack of cooperation by family members and business associates impedes their investigation and they often rely on gut instinct to uncover information. Through hard work, determination and a few lucky breaks, Max and Afton are finally getting close to finding Odin's killers but a motive for the crimes remains elusive.
Since the reader is fully aware of who the bad guys are and what their next move is going to be, there is a distinct lack of tension as Shadow Girl slowly unfolds. Despite the initial lack of knowledge for the perpetrator's somewhat nefarious and violent plot against Odin, it does not take much to deduce the suspect's motive for the crime. In this newest addition to the Afton Tangler Thriller series, the lines between Afton's position with the police force are very blurred since she acts more like a criminal investigator than a family liaison officer. It will be very interesting to see what Gerry Schmitt has planned for her in the future installments of the series.
February 24, 2020
I think I liked the first one in the series better. This one struggled to keep me entertained a bit. However in the end....A DOG SAVES THE DAY!!!!!!! You know I love a story with a nice ending and a hero doggie! :) :) :)
July 21, 2017
This is the second book by Gerry Schmitt that I have read and was not disappointed. Truly believable characters, and a story which stirs so many different emotions from within. Absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend reading it. I love the way she grips the reader and draws you completely into the lives of the characters. Fantastic paced thriller you can really get into. If you have already read the first novel in the series (Little Girl Gone) than I would definitely recommend reading this one. I won an advanced copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway.
July 6, 2017
I was selected as one of the winners of an advanced reading copy of Shadow Girl for an honest review.
I thought being that this was a series I wouldn't understand the book very well. After a few chapters though I figured out who was who and what roles they played. You don't need to read the first book to fill you in on the second book. Which is a huge plus. (Still going to read it though)
This is definitely one of those page turners. I couldn't help but keep reading to find out what happened next. Many twist and turns that I did not see coming in this book. When you read that a helicopter was gunned down I automatically assumed it was an attack on the city until you learn that it was a helicopter going to a hospital for Mr. Odin.
I was trying to piece together how it ends or who was the mastermind of shooting down the helicopter. Was it the Wife, Sunny, due to jealous rage of the girlfriend Fang Ling? Or was it Fang Ling for whatever reason? Maybe the step daughter, could have been the business partner.
Afton goes after one of the suspects I thought for sure she was going to get killed. How does a killer who has multiple kills under his belt get away from a cop with out any weapons.
Towards the end you find out why the helicopter was shot down. How and why Odin was a targeted.
Worth every minute of ever page!
I thought being that this was a series I wouldn't understand the book very well. After a few chapters though I figured out who was who and what roles they played. You don't need to read the first book to fill you in on the second book. Which is a huge plus. (Still going to read it though)
This is definitely one of those page turners. I couldn't help but keep reading to find out what happened next. Many twist and turns that I did not see coming in this book. When you read that a helicopter was gunned down I automatically assumed it was an attack on the city until you learn that it was a helicopter going to a hospital for Mr. Odin.
I was trying to piece together how it ends or who was the mastermind of shooting down the helicopter. Was it the Wife, Sunny, due to jealous rage of the girlfriend Fang Ling? Or was it Fang Ling for whatever reason? Maybe the step daughter, could have been the business partner.
Afton goes after one of the suspects I thought for sure she was going to get killed. How does a killer who has multiple kills under his belt get away from a cop with out any weapons.
Towards the end you find out why the helicopter was shot down. How and why Odin was a targeted.
Worth every minute of ever page!
August 4, 2017
Shadow Girl: An Afton Tangler Thriller No. 2. Gerry Schmitt. Penguin Publishing Group. August 2017. 320 pp. ISBN #: 9780425281789.
This old-fashioned mystery opens with the reader discovering that a woman packs a long-range missile and proceeds to calmly shoot down a helicopter, an act that not only obviously kills the pilot and his assistant but also causes numerous injuries when the pieces fall on the streets of Minneapolis. What’s more important, however, is that the helicopter was carrying a brand-new heart that was supposed to be put into Leland Odin, the magnate owner of a home shopping network. Without it, Leland’s hours to live are dwindling rapidly!
Afton Tangler is the family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department. She and her partner proceed to investigate what starts as a crash and then evolves into a murder. The pace is quick and the number of suspects grows with each turned page. Is it the wife who seems normally concerned about this event but whose responses occasionally seem contrived? Is it the strangely unconcerned daughter whose middle name could be “Frosty?’ Perhaps Leland’s partner, Bart, who is courting a buy-out of another home shopping network, has bigger plans that just might not include Leland?
While we discover who is the perpetrator half-way through the novel, that doesn’t spoil anything as more murders and a truly exciting search and find mission keep the reader’s adrenaline pumping. Add to that we want to know the why of the crime as well as how it will all evolve!
There’s an international espionage component to this story and it turns out that Afton Tangler is one hell of a great investigator, a fact that just might wind up with her being moved officially into the Police Department, that is if she survives being a target as she and her partner get closer to the enemy!!!
Fine, fine mystery that is a great read!!!! Highly recommended!
This old-fashioned mystery opens with the reader discovering that a woman packs a long-range missile and proceeds to calmly shoot down a helicopter, an act that not only obviously kills the pilot and his assistant but also causes numerous injuries when the pieces fall on the streets of Minneapolis. What’s more important, however, is that the helicopter was carrying a brand-new heart that was supposed to be put into Leland Odin, the magnate owner of a home shopping network. Without it, Leland’s hours to live are dwindling rapidly!
Afton Tangler is the family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department. She and her partner proceed to investigate what starts as a crash and then evolves into a murder. The pace is quick and the number of suspects grows with each turned page. Is it the wife who seems normally concerned about this event but whose responses occasionally seem contrived? Is it the strangely unconcerned daughter whose middle name could be “Frosty?’ Perhaps Leland’s partner, Bart, who is courting a buy-out of another home shopping network, has bigger plans that just might not include Leland?
While we discover who is the perpetrator half-way through the novel, that doesn’t spoil anything as more murders and a truly exciting search and find mission keep the reader’s adrenaline pumping. Add to that we want to know the why of the crime as well as how it will all evolve!
There’s an international espionage component to this story and it turns out that Afton Tangler is one hell of a great investigator, a fact that just might wind up with her being moved officially into the Police Department, that is if she survives being a target as she and her partner get closer to the enemy!!!
Fine, fine mystery that is a great read!!!! Highly recommended!
July 31, 2017
3.5 stars (I like it quite a lot)
Kudos to Ms. Schmitt for creating such a novel way to try to murder someone. I was hooked on the story from the moment the helicopter carrying our victim's heart was shot down. I consider this more of a police procedural than a thriller since we know the perpetrator(s) from the very beginning. I wish there was more mystery for the reader to untagle, but it is exciting to go along with Afton and Max as they figure it all out. Readers must suspend reality a bit for the story to work; there is no way a liaison officer would find herself in the middle of such action in real life. All in all, SHADOW GIRL is an enjoyable read, albeit rather dark and full of twisted characters.
I received an ARC of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my opinions here.
Kudos to Ms. Schmitt for creating such a novel way to try to murder someone. I was hooked on the story from the moment the helicopter carrying our victim's heart was shot down. I consider this more of a police procedural than a thriller since we know the perpetrator(s) from the very beginning. I wish there was more mystery for the reader to untagle, but it is exciting to go along with Afton and Max as they figure it all out. Readers must suspend reality a bit for the story to work; there is no way a liaison officer would find herself in the middle of such action in real life. All in all, SHADOW GIRL is an enjoyable read, albeit rather dark and full of twisted characters.
I received an ARC of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my opinions here.
July 23, 2017
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Starting on No. 2, I think I may have lost a little of the history of the characters. Probably would be best to start with No. 1.
This was marketed as a thriller, but I wouldn’t characterize it as such. Everything is laid out from the beginning, and while the reader knows the truth, the police don’t. This is a detective story, but not a mystery/thriller. That being said, it was great writing--a straight-forward detective story told from one perspective with excellent character development and dialog.
The book begins with a medical helicopter, carrying a donor heart for a wealthy businessman, being shot out of the sky. From there, the detectives piece together the whodunit. Not much in the way of anticipation as we know the story, and it starts to drag about three-quarters of the way through, but all in all this was a good book to spend some time with. The problem I had with the book is that the narrator is a family liaison officer who longs to be a detective. Throughout the book she expresses this desire, but not once did she indicate a plan of action. I would have liked to see her take that step, which would make her a much stronger character for the remaining series.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
Starting on No. 2, I think I may have lost a little of the history of the characters. Probably would be best to start with No. 1.
This was marketed as a thriller, but I wouldn’t characterize it as such. Everything is laid out from the beginning, and while the reader knows the truth, the police don’t. This is a detective story, but not a mystery/thriller. That being said, it was great writing--a straight-forward detective story told from one perspective with excellent character development and dialog.
The book begins with a medical helicopter, carrying a donor heart for a wealthy businessman, being shot out of the sky. From there, the detectives piece together the whodunit. Not much in the way of anticipation as we know the story, and it starts to drag about three-quarters of the way through, but all in all this was a good book to spend some time with. The problem I had with the book is that the narrator is a family liaison officer who longs to be a detective. Throughout the book she expresses this desire, but not once did she indicate a plan of action. I would have liked to see her take that step, which would make her a much stronger character for the remaining series.
https://candysplanet.wordpress.com/
December 25, 2017
I won an advanced reader’s copy of “Shadow Girl (Afton Tangler #2)” b Gerry Schmitt, on Goodreads.com and am posting an honest review. I gave it a rating of 4 stars.
This book, a sequel to Little Girl Gone, tracks Afton Tangler, a Family Liaison Officer with the Minneapolis Police Department, who aspires to become a detective. Surprisingly, she’s allowed to shadow Detective Max Montgomery on a bizarre case in which a helicopter delivering a donor heart is blown out of the sky by a personnel-launched missile just short of its destination, a Minneapolis hospital. The two pilots are killed, there are more victims on the ground, and the donor heart is unusable. Awaiting the replacement heart was Leland Odin, a millionaire owner of a shopping channel empire. As Max and Afton investigate the motive behind the crime, Odin is murdered in his hospital bed. A cat-and-mouse game with the perpetrators provides some dangerous near-miss encounters for Afton and Max as they doggedly pursue various leads, always one step behind the bad guys.
The book was interesting enough to make me want to find and read the first book in the series, and eagerly await any forthcoming sequels.
This book, a sequel to Little Girl Gone, tracks Afton Tangler, a Family Liaison Officer with the Minneapolis Police Department, who aspires to become a detective. Surprisingly, she’s allowed to shadow Detective Max Montgomery on a bizarre case in which a helicopter delivering a donor heart is blown out of the sky by a personnel-launched missile just short of its destination, a Minneapolis hospital. The two pilots are killed, there are more victims on the ground, and the donor heart is unusable. Awaiting the replacement heart was Leland Odin, a millionaire owner of a shopping channel empire. As Max and Afton investigate the motive behind the crime, Odin is murdered in his hospital bed. A cat-and-mouse game with the perpetrators provides some dangerous near-miss encounters for Afton and Max as they doggedly pursue various leads, always one step behind the bad guys.
The book was interesting enough to make me want to find and read the first book in the series, and eagerly await any forthcoming sequels.
August 23, 2017
Afton Tangler is a family liaison officer with the Minneapolis Police Department. She's giving a talk at a neighborhood meeting with Detective Max Montgomery when the call comes in about a helicopter crash only a few blocks away. One of the first responders on the scene, they see many wounded students where the copter crashed and they locate a cooler with a human heart in it that fell from the chopper. The heart was being flown to a transplant operation for a wealthy man. Afton and Max investigate why someone wanted revenge on the heart recipient.
This is the second installment in this series. I read the first one, Little Girl Gone, and I liked both. It's not necessary to read the first book before enjoying this one. Afton aspires to become a detective in the police department and she's an interesting character. Most of the time she's very level headed. There's a lot of action in this book and I look forward to the next one.
I received this book from an author giveaway with no obligation to write any type of review.
This is the second installment in this series. I read the first one, Little Girl Gone, and I liked both. It's not necessary to read the first book before enjoying this one. Afton aspires to become a detective in the police department and she's an interesting character. Most of the time she's very level headed. There's a lot of action in this book and I look forward to the next one.
I received this book from an author giveaway with no obligation to write any type of review.
August 15, 2017
Great followup to the first Afton Tangler Thriller! Wonderful characters and a thrilling storyline made this one a winner for me!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
August 5, 2017
What a spine tingling edge of your seat book this is. I remember reading Little Girl Gone from this author. She introduced readers to Afton and Max. I was so impressed with that book, I couldn't wait for the next one. Can I just say Wow! It's been awhile since I sat and read a book that terrified me with precision action and intrigued me so much it was impossible to put the book down. I know people say that all the time , but this reader literally couldn't pry her eyes from the book. It is one intense high stakes maximum adrenaline rush.
There are moments of violence but I found it to be done with a hint for readers to use their imagination. Simply put, the book is not a cozy mystery, but a well written thriller that grabs you as you gasp at the scene unfolding before you. Afton is still trying to make detective, but her boss isn't convinced she is ready. She is once again teamed up with Max as they pursue a secret team that thrives on pain, violence and a heart pounding ride that takes us into the underbelly of crime in a foreign country that traces back to Minneapolis. The people are ruthless and the author does great justice in giving readers a peek into what greed will do to others.
Afton is one tough person and proves herself several times when danger ascends upon her. I would want her as a partner any day. She is very smart and has a keen sense of looming danger. I have been trying to decide if I read a book that could be a Mission Impossible Movie or a new series on tv called The Afton Tangler files. It is that good folks. We may know half way through the book who the bad guys are, but the brilliance of the writing makes us question why it happened and how deep does it penetrate foreign lands and come full circle to the U. S. I know one thing, money can't buy love and it can't guarantee health. This is one author to keep your eyes on. There is definitely more coming from this exceptional author that will bring her name to the forefront when looking for an outstanding thriller.
I received a copy of this book from The Great Escape Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
There are moments of violence but I found it to be done with a hint for readers to use their imagination. Simply put, the book is not a cozy mystery, but a well written thriller that grabs you as you gasp at the scene unfolding before you. Afton is still trying to make detective, but her boss isn't convinced she is ready. She is once again teamed up with Max as they pursue a secret team that thrives on pain, violence and a heart pounding ride that takes us into the underbelly of crime in a foreign country that traces back to Minneapolis. The people are ruthless and the author does great justice in giving readers a peek into what greed will do to others.
Afton is one tough person and proves herself several times when danger ascends upon her. I would want her as a partner any day. She is very smart and has a keen sense of looming danger. I have been trying to decide if I read a book that could be a Mission Impossible Movie or a new series on tv called The Afton Tangler files. It is that good folks. We may know half way through the book who the bad guys are, but the brilliance of the writing makes us question why it happened and how deep does it penetrate foreign lands and come full circle to the U. S. I know one thing, money can't buy love and it can't guarantee health. This is one author to keep your eyes on. There is definitely more coming from this exceptional author that will bring her name to the forefront when looking for an outstanding thriller.
I received a copy of this book from The Great Escape Virtual Book Tour. The review is my own opinion.
April 6, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
Afton Tangler, family liaison officer, is back on the streets investigating a shocking murder. On a dark night, a missile shoots through the air and connects with a helicopter. It's discovered that this helicopter was carrying a new heart for millionaire Leland Odin. Who was the target? Those in the helicopter or Odin? The answers to those questions come quickly when Odin is found with his neck sliced open in his hospital room. Who wants the head of a shopping network dead and why? Afton and her partner, Max, take the lead and hit the streets in a search for answers and the killer. As they get closer to the people responsible, Afton also gets closer to putting herself and her children in danger without even realizing it.
There's something likable about Schmitt's Afton Tangler. I'm not quite sure what it is but my thoughts include things like she's tough physically but she's able to be emotionally approachable, she's fearless despite fear, she's a little clueless and that seems to serve her well. Her partner and boss take her ideas into account and I'm not sure, in all honesty, how realistic that is given that she's a woman but I like that Schmitt attempts to make it feel like that could or does happen in some station in America. The story made me wonder, as I often do when I read this genre, if there is a bunch of crime going on all around me/us and we are just largely unaware of it. Currently, this is the last book in the series. If Schmitt authors anymore, and I catch wind of that news, I would pick them up and read them.
Afton Tangler, family liaison officer, is back on the streets investigating a shocking murder. On a dark night, a missile shoots through the air and connects with a helicopter. It's discovered that this helicopter was carrying a new heart for millionaire Leland Odin. Who was the target? Those in the helicopter or Odin? The answers to those questions come quickly when Odin is found with his neck sliced open in his hospital room. Who wants the head of a shopping network dead and why? Afton and her partner, Max, take the lead and hit the streets in a search for answers and the killer. As they get closer to the people responsible, Afton also gets closer to putting herself and her children in danger without even realizing it.
There's something likable about Schmitt's Afton Tangler. I'm not quite sure what it is but my thoughts include things like she's tough physically but she's able to be emotionally approachable, she's fearless despite fear, she's a little clueless and that seems to serve her well. Her partner and boss take her ideas into account and I'm not sure, in all honesty, how realistic that is given that she's a woman but I like that Schmitt attempts to make it feel like that could or does happen in some station in America. The story made me wonder, as I often do when I read this genre, if there is a bunch of crime going on all around me/us and we are just largely unaware of it. Currently, this is the last book in the series. If Schmitt authors anymore, and I catch wind of that news, I would pick them up and read them.
September 1, 2017
Afton Tangler is a family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department. She's got great instincts and hopes to become a detective one day. On a ride-along with her partner Max Montgomery, she unexpectedly gets pulled into a murder investigation when a helicopter carrying a heart for a wealthy client explodes. Almost as soon as the investigation begin, bodies start to pile up. Afton soon finds herself the center of the murder's attention, putting her family in danger.
Shadow Girl is told from different perspectives of both the good and bad guys.You might think that would spoil the story, but it didn't. It was interesting seeing the actions of both sides and wondering when the characters and story lines would collide.
Overall, I did like this book, but I had a hard time connecting with the story in the beginning. Shadow Girl started off with a bang, but then the pacing seemed to slow down. As the police start gathering evidence and flushing out their suspects, the pace picks up again. It took around 100 pages before I was fully invested in the story. I'm glad I stuck with it because the ending was pretty exciting.
Shadow Girl is the second novel in the An Afton Tangler Thriller series. Don't worry if you didn't read the first novel, Little Girl Gone. This novel can be read as a standalone. And if you're looking for a good thriller to get you through the lazy, hazy days of summer, this might just be the book for you.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2017...
Shadow Girl is told from different perspectives of both the good and bad guys.You might think that would spoil the story, but it didn't. It was interesting seeing the actions of both sides and wondering when the characters and story lines would collide.
Overall, I did like this book, but I had a hard time connecting with the story in the beginning. Shadow Girl started off with a bang, but then the pacing seemed to slow down. As the police start gathering evidence and flushing out their suspects, the pace picks up again. It took around 100 pages before I was fully invested in the story. I'm glad I stuck with it because the ending was pretty exciting.
Shadow Girl is the second novel in the An Afton Tangler Thriller series. Don't worry if you didn't read the first novel, Little Girl Gone. This novel can be read as a standalone. And if you're looking for a good thriller to get you through the lazy, hazy days of summer, this might just be the book for you.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2017...
October 7, 2017
Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Shadow Girl. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.
Family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, Afton Tangler, is once again teamed up with Max, a veteran homicide detective. Allowed to investigate the murders of two pilots, who were on approach to the hospital with a donor heart for a high profile patient, Afton and Max soon uncover a serious plot with deadly implications. As the investigation deepens, will Afton overstep her boundaries, causing her to put her family at risk?
Shadow Girl is a fast paced thriller with great character development, but the plot itself is a little lacking. Readers are privy to the identities of the perpetrators from the beginning, so the author never really takes the time to completely flesh out their characters. The entire book is based around the evil bad guys getting what is owed to them, but we cannot fully appreciate them without a little background. I like Afton, although it seems a little ridiculous that she puts herself in dangerous situations and barely gets a slap on the wrist by her superiors. Although this is the second book with the same main character, it is not necessary to have read the previous novel. Readers who like police procedural thrillers without the mystery perpetrators will probably enjoy Shadow Girl, for its fast pace and good characterization.
Family liaison officer for the Minneapolis Police Department, Afton Tangler, is once again teamed up with Max, a veteran homicide detective. Allowed to investigate the murders of two pilots, who were on approach to the hospital with a donor heart for a high profile patient, Afton and Max soon uncover a serious plot with deadly implications. As the investigation deepens, will Afton overstep her boundaries, causing her to put her family at risk?
Shadow Girl is a fast paced thriller with great character development, but the plot itself is a little lacking. Readers are privy to the identities of the perpetrators from the beginning, so the author never really takes the time to completely flesh out their characters. The entire book is based around the evil bad guys getting what is owed to them, but we cannot fully appreciate them without a little background. I like Afton, although it seems a little ridiculous that she puts herself in dangerous situations and barely gets a slap on the wrist by her superiors. Although this is the second book with the same main character, it is not necessary to have read the previous novel. Readers who like police procedural thrillers without the mystery perpetrators will probably enjoy Shadow Girl, for its fast pace and good characterization.
September 6, 2022
Bought from a used book store in the beach town where we vacation, having never read this author before. It is the second in a series, but it didn't feel as if I had missed anything by not reading the first book. Co-lead character Afton Tangler isn't a detective, though she works for the police department, but is essentially thrust into the role of one when she and Detective Max Montgomery are among the first on the scene of a medical helicopter crash, though it quickly becomes apparent that the chopper was shot down due to the precious cargo it was carrying, a donor heart for a prominent local businessman. Schmitt alternates between telling the story of the 'good guys' like Tangler, Montgomery, and the businessman and the 'bad guys', led by elderly Thai crime boss Mom Chao Cherry, her hired assassin, and a local redneck who shares Mom's affinity for cocaine. The link between Cherry and the businessman takes a while to unravel, but the author makes it clear that there is one.
I would be interested to read other books in this series. This one in particular drew me in because of the organ transplant angle, but once the donor heart crashes with the chopper, that storyline largely fizzles out. Still, the author kept me intrigued and I'd like to learn more about his 'family liaison officer' lead character and to see if she earns promotion to detective in later books.
I would be interested to read other books in this series. This one in particular drew me in because of the organ transplant angle, but once the donor heart crashes with the chopper, that storyline largely fizzles out. Still, the author kept me intrigued and I'd like to learn more about his 'family liaison officer' lead character and to see if she earns promotion to detective in later books.
October 23, 2022
The second Afton Tangler mystery has Afton and her police partner near at hand when someone shoots down a medivac helicopter containing a heart for transplant with a missile. After dealing with the chaos of an exploding helicopter over the University of Minnesota campus, they begin trying to find out who didn't want Leland Odin dead.
Leland has started a major home shopping network and really shouldn't have made anyone angry enough to kill him. But an illegal deal in Thailand has sent a woman looking for revenge. Mom Chao Cherry grew from a missionary's child to child prostitute to head of a major criminal enterprise. Her desire for revenge against the man who stole from her causes many deaths.
I enjoyed reading about Afton who was a police liaison officer who wanted to be a detective. This twice-divorced mother of two young daughters was quick to get involved in this case. Her insights were very helpful even though they put her right in the bullseye for one of Mom Chao Cherry's confederates.
I enjoyed the Twin Cities setting since it talks about places that are sort of familiar. I even liked that one of the major villains came from my hometown of Duluth.
This was a fast-paced, enjoyable thriller filled with interesting characters. Gerry Schmitt also writes cozy mysteries under the name of Laura Childs.
Leland has started a major home shopping network and really shouldn't have made anyone angry enough to kill him. But an illegal deal in Thailand has sent a woman looking for revenge. Mom Chao Cherry grew from a missionary's child to child prostitute to head of a major criminal enterprise. Her desire for revenge against the man who stole from her causes many deaths.
I enjoyed reading about Afton who was a police liaison officer who wanted to be a detective. This twice-divorced mother of two young daughters was quick to get involved in this case. Her insights were very helpful even though they put her right in the bullseye for one of Mom Chao Cherry's confederates.
I enjoyed the Twin Cities setting since it talks about places that are sort of familiar. I even liked that one of the major villains came from my hometown of Duluth.
This was a fast-paced, enjoyable thriller filled with interesting characters. Gerry Schmitt also writes cozy mysteries under the name of Laura Childs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews