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When Agent Derek Westerfield first offered her a chance to be an agent with NightShade, Walter Reed didn’t really understand what that meant. She went to Quantico, trained, and even got her first case, before she realized why NightShade was off the books.

Her only ally—and her new partner—is GJ Janson, the know it all who wound up hand-cuffed in a hotel room for stealing from the FBI. When GJ learns her own grandfather has been hiding illegal artifacts and more for years, she starts investigating.

When his lab offers up the dead body of a fellow NightShade agent, SAC Westerfield assigns Walter and GJ to the case. Only the killer is coming to them and it’s someone GJ knows.

Brand new agents Walter and GJ are in way over their heads. The case, the other agents, the hunters, and even their own jobs aren’t what they were supposed to be…

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2021

122 people are currently reading
131 people want to read

About the author

A.J. Scudiere

65 books389 followers
📖𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘆, 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲
♟️stories you can't outguess! 𝘎𝘰 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘵𝘳𝘺!
🏆USA TODAY bestselling author
🎁grab a FREE BOOK at my website ReadAJS.com

𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝟥𝟢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳!

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5 stars
236 (65%)
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97 (26%)
3 stars
22 (6%)
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2 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Wanda Maynard.
299 reviews22 followers
July 13, 2018
A good beginning! Filled with action! SALVAGE, by A. J. Scudiere, had this reader highly filled with nervous anticipation and had me on the edge of my seat waiting for what was about to come at me from page after suspenseful page. Good character build too, along with an unforgettable setting and highly developed details. Take for instance in chapter 1 when GJ was talking about herself after she woke up from surgery in Walter Reed Hospital. That part was described in good detail. In chapter 8 GJ became even more concerned that she and Walter were being thrown together as NAT partners more than the others. She wanted to know why? And, why were some of the trainees disappearing? And in chapter nine, as the plot thickened, things were beginning to get a little more sticky, because in chapter 10 you can feel the nervous tension in GJ's voice as she talked to Walter and was trying to explain things that she realized might possibly be wrong. Would this lead to more trouble for GJ and Walter?
This story will stay in my mind long after I have finished reading it. The forensic skills were truly amazing! Remarkably well-written.

GJ Janson's grandfather had left what seemed to be a surprise cooking in his basement. But, if no one was around, why would the lights be on and, where was grandfather? He would not leave things this way. This was very concerning to GJ. The situation also had this reader wondering what was going on. Why would the place be empty with all that activity going on? A puzzlement indeed! Will GJ figure out what is going on, or will she need to get help in solving this mystery? A must read!!
767 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2018
A howling good read

The story continues and maintains its pace and our interest. Book 5 puts it's focus on GJ and Walter/Lucy Fisher the new team Westerfield has formed. The best part was in learning there will be a book 6, wahoo!
Profile Image for Daniel Cox.
121 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2018
A.J. Scudiere ADDS A New Twist to NightShade and Makes it Better
First, I am required to say I received a copy of Salvage from the author with no expectation of a positive review on her part and no further remuneration on mine. With a writer as prolific as A.J. who does not use a repetitive template to write her books. Each new book has new characters and situations that keep the series fresh, interesting, and readable.
One of this generations finest writers keeps the story of the mysterious group of FBI agents of NightShade going with a literary spin-off. Think of the X-Files on steroids, with a twist, and you have a recipe for a fantastic story featuring Arabella “GJ” Janson and Lucy Fisher, AKA Walter Reed, two characters introduced in earlier books in the series, with Agents Eleri Eames and Donovan Heath as minor characters.
When you take a great story concept and add in a great storyteller, with the ability to bring characters to life with outstanding dialogue, interesting settings, and gripping and unexpected twists and turns and you have a read that ends all too soon. A.J. has the ability to write a series like few authors today. Each story is self-contained, instead of the standard break mid-story with the dreaded "To Be Continued". Each book has the characters showing growth, as we learn more about them and what makes them different. The surprises in this book, like the rest of the series, are well thought out and always enhance the story and never detract from it.
The more I read The Nightshade Forensic Files, the amazing characters, the realistic dialogue, and the interesting stories combine for a series that you cannot put down and hate to have to wait for the next one. A.J. Scudiere is an up and coming author in multiple genres.
Profile Image for Felix Bearden.
22 reviews
July 14, 2018
Ezekiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
Ezekiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
Ezekiel cried, "Dem dry bones!"
"Oh, hear the word of AJ."

The phalanges connected to metatarsals,
The metatarsals connected to the tibia,
The tibia connected to the femur,
The femur connected to the ilium,
The ilium connected to the thoracic vertebrae,
The thoracic vertebrae connected to the Scapula,
The scapula connected to the cervical vertebrae,
The cervical vertebrae connected to the skull bone,
Now hear the word of AJ!

Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk aroun',
Dem bones, dem bones gonna turn aroun’,
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna run aroun'
Now, hear the word of the AJ.


The head bone connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone connected to the shoulder bone,
The shoulder bone connected to the back bone,
The back bone connected to the hip bone,
The hip bone connected to the leg bone,
The leg bone connected to the ankle bone,
The ankle bone connected to the paw bone,
The paw bone connected to the toe bones,
Now hear the word of AJ.

Dem bones, dem bones, gonna paw the groun’,
Dem bones, dem bones gonna run aroun',
Dem bones, dem bones, gonna save their town'
Oh, hear the word of the AJ.
Profile Image for K.S. Ferguson.
Author 7 books27 followers
September 20, 2018
I've read and enjoyed the first four books in this series, but I was deeply disappointed in this one. It reads like an early draft where the writer is describing what to put in each scene rather than writing the dramatic scene. The walls of text vacillate between character ruminations and backstory info dumps. Unfortunately, much of the information is repeated. By the middle of the book, I was skipping ahead to the next dialogue because that's the only place where anything happened.

The main characters have previously appeared as secondary characters in the Elery and Donovan books. They were well-differentiated, edgy, and interesting in those volumes. Apparently by some magic of attending FBI agent training together, they become dull clones of one another. Every time Walter draws a gun, she slows her heart rate and breathing. By the end of the book, we're getting the exact same description for GJ. I was already tired of reading it several times for Walter.

I don't know what happened with this book. I sure hope it isn't indicative of what's coming in the next Elery and Donovan novel. The series has been great fun to this point, and I look forward to volume 6.
Profile Image for D. Starr.
467 reviews8 followers
February 4, 2019
Wonderful Addition to Series

For Mature Readers
No sex
Violence of combat without getting gruesome
Strong language throughout.

The story centers on two young women: forensic scientist GJ, and military vet Lucy (who is known to friends as Walter - as in Walter Reed Hospital.).

Both are surprised to be sent by the FBIs shadow organization, NightShade, for intensive training.
Immediately thereafter they are sent to protect a group of families with an incredible secret to hide. Why? A semi-superstitious militia has been formed to exterminate them.

I enjoyed all these: the action, element of folktales based on reality, humor to break the tension, and particularly the growing friendship and respect between the two women who are very VERY different.

I think it's possible to read and understand this installment of the series without reading the previous ones. But you'll want to go back and catch up.

No, this is not the X-Files, but if you enjoy the s!lightly weird and unexplainable, you may get just as hooked on this series as I am.

Recommended!
Profile Image for Amys Bookshelf Reviews.
881 reviews69 followers
July 17, 2023
Magnificent

A.J. Scudiere writes a magnificent suspenseful paranormal tale in Salvage. This book, Salvage is book five, in the NightShade Forensic Files series. I love reading this series. I am totally hooked on it. I have to read the entire series, and I will. It's another interesting look into the life of Former marine turned Private Investigator, Walter Reed. The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). It is a very well-written plot, and I enjoyed it. It’s one of those embraceable stories. This is a magnificent story that kept this reader turning the pages. A definite attention grabber, so much I couldn't put it down. Action-packed and it takes the reader on a superb adventure. Definitely an unpredictable story, my favorite kind! Salvage is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book and give my honest and unbiased review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review. I hope to read more books by this author.
Profile Image for Craig.
348 reviews
July 17, 2018
With Salvage A J Scudiere has outdone herself. Not only is the story a great addition to the Nightshade stories, but it is also a great introduction to a separate line of stories within that series. The author’s writing style completely captivated me and elicited a desire to quickly find out everything. The characters were perfectly fleshed out from the minor characters of previous books to main ones for this one.
The one thing that A J has improved upon is her cliffhangers. The one in this story was perfect and easily makes me want to read the next book, which for me is not good since this one was just released.
I would highly recommend Salvage to all fans of Scudiere as well as all fans of Supernatural / Suspense stories. I believe they will definitely enjoy this one.
1,612 reviews32 followers
February 7, 2022
A.J. Scudiere I think may be one of the most talented authors I have read, and I admit I have read quite a few. In this the fifth novel of the series the reader is in for a pleasant surprise when you find out that Walter Reed (from a previous novel) is sent for intensive training along with another new agent to join the NightShade division of the FBI. Now this novel I believe could be read as a stand-alone – but why would you want to when the first four novels are going to have you hooked? Having just finished the 5th novel of the series I must admit that I have already started on the 6th segment – that is how good this series is. I received this novel from Griffyn Ink. This is my true and honest opinion; you really don’t want to miss this series!
Profile Image for Loy.
1,526 reviews
July 12, 2018
absolutely fantastic installment in the Nightshade Forensic Files. I have read all the books and each one keeps getting better and better.

This one branches off and is about Walter Reed and GJ. They are recruited to Nightshade a secret part of the FBI.

The case they are pursuing involves several of the other Nightshade agents. Wade is missing and is thought to be dead. GJ grandfathers full story comes to light. I read this book in one setting and then went back and the read the others again just, so I could relate all the history and enjoy the story more.

So worth a read.!!!
37 reviews
July 18, 2023
GJ Jansen is observant. VERY observant. But also very curious. TOO curious. These traits tend to get her into trouble since she can't seem to stop herself from sticking her nose in where it would be best that she didn't. Now she's caught the attention of the FBI and is given a choice: join up and use her abilities to aid the FBI, or be prosecuted for inserting herself into their investigations. When she's sent on her first case, everything she ever believed about the FBI, nature, biology and family is about to be turned upside down. Another great installment of the Nightshade series packed with action and mystery. Loved it!!
37 reviews1 follower
July 12, 2018
Every agent in the NightShade Division has some kind of supernatural power. Walter Reed and GJ don't have supernatural powers, but they are the NightShade Division's newest recruits. Sure, Walter Reed has extensive combat experience and is partially bionic, and GJ has been raised on science her whole life and is turning into an exceptional forensic scientist, but will that be enough for them to fit into the Division? When a NightShade case intersects with the (potentially criminal?) lifework of GJ's grandfather, you get a story that you can't put down.
Profile Image for Michele bookloverforever.
8,336 reviews39 followers
August 21, 2018
The Nightshade Forensic Files: Salvage

Why did the head of the Nightshade division recruit two non psychic humans for the unit? Does it have anything to do with GJ 's grandfather and his illegal collection of cadavers that aren't quite 100% human? Why pull them out of training before graduation to run a case in which GJ 's grandfather is heavily implicated? And after her grandfather's arrest where did he go? Is it his body in the kettle back at his lab that now belongs quite legally to GJ? Hmmm...was the whole recruitment a farce just to catch grandpa?
Profile Image for Beth.
624 reviews2 followers
August 26, 2020
This is GJ and Walters story. I liked it but it was a little slow. At times there was too much explanation sometimes in the middle of action which slowed everything down. Webster field is again a bit heavy handed and his motives are unclear. Someone is hunting wolves and their family line and GJ and Walter, newly graduated from Quantico are sent along with Agent Pine to stop them. With little back up the rookie agents are expected to stop a militia intruding on Wade’s family land. It’s a highly unlikely scenario. This was good but not one of my favorites in this series.
Profile Image for Mark.
232 reviews6 followers
August 21, 2018
I am obsessed with these books and can not wait for the next one. This is an excellent series of FBI/paranormal type books that has a slight “X-files” feel (without being a copycat). The author has a background in forensic science and her version in the books is accurate but not over done. It’s a modern take on werewolves and witches...I highly recommend!
Profile Image for Linda.
264 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2018
The NightShade Forensic Files: Sa!vage

Again I have enjoyed reading the exploits of the NightShade agents. Highly entertaining. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
80 reviews
July 22, 2018
Good, but not as good as the previous books in the series.

Still, I look forward to the next in the series. This book has a great storyline and characters, it is just a little slow. You can't hit a homerun every time at bat.

15 reviews
September 8, 2018
Well written and moved at a good pace. I like the fact that you get to see a personal side to GJ and Walter....I think these two ladies were more than up to the task they were given. Enjoyed the interplay between all the characters that Ms. Scudiere has created in her Night Shade series. I hope there will be more books in this series!
Profile Image for Abby G. Amos.
1,254 reviews3 followers
June 17, 2019
Another Great Read!

I really enjoyed reading this book! There was so much going on, but you were able to follow along! I really love reading the books in this series! I truly recommend reading this book/series to everyone!
Profile Image for Janis.
567 reviews12 followers
March 21, 2020
So GJ and Walter become agents and get their first case, save Wade's family and friends. Unfortunately, they need to save them from GJ's grandfather! There are foot chases, car chases, wolf chases and more secret lab time.
2 reviews
July 29, 2018
Another great read!

I love this series of books and I Love how all the characters are developing. I would love to know more about SAC Westerfield.
Profile Image for linda ferguson.
1 review
September 27, 2018
Wicked

Great series from start to finish wanting more and more. Harry Potter eat your heart out . Love love loved it
354 reviews3 followers
October 24, 2018
An excellent story

I've read all the Nightshade books and I've loved all of them. I love all the characters. This book was a delight
49 reviews1 follower
October 25, 2018
Great Segway

Where side heroes and interlopers become central and heroes. Where secrets are revealed, but the situation is dubious. A great fast read.
9 reviews
May 25, 2019
Continues story line without pause



Fabulous like the way introducing new story and characters. keeps interested trying to figure out bottom line how it's all tied together
Profile Image for Chanda Shae Curry.
274 reviews
October 27, 2019
Still hooked

I’m just eating this series up!! Absolutely love every single character I meet. This one was great! So glad Walter and GJ are on board now!! All the secrets are out.
Profile Image for Dana.
215 reviews6 followers
January 2, 2022
This author writes detailed thrillers with a paranormal twist. You will not want to put this book down--it will thoroughly pull you in!
243 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2018
WOW! Quite a terrific read!

This is the first in the series, so I'm reading them a bit out of order, but who really cares? Now I've GOT to get another one.😕
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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