Synopses & Reviews
For readers of Karin Slaughter, Lisa Gardner, and James Patterson:
Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers Book #2
Just your average Pittsburgh soccer mom, baking brownies and carrying a loaded forty-caliber Glock...
Until recently Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino was a shining star in the FBI's roster. But after killing a man and disobeying orders, Lucy's been sidelined, chained to her desk. When a mysterious letter arrives hinting that, thanks to Lucy, the wrong man was blamed for a string of serial rapes, kidnappings, and killings four years ago, Lucy jumps at the chance to re-open the case--despite orders to leave well enough alone.
Her unofficial investigation takes her back to the small town that thrust her into the spotlight four years ago when she saved the killer's last victims--before the killer took his own life and the life of one final victim, a mother who left a ten year old son and loving husband behind.
What Lucy doesn't know is that what happened four years ago was all a lie, fueled by sacrifice and betrayal, designed to shield the real killer.
With the lives of her family, a group of innocent children, and the future of one desperate boy at risk, Lucy races to stop an innocent from killing and a killer from butchering more innocents.
Other books in the series:
Snake Skin (Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers Book #1)
Kill Zone (Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers Book #3)
Review
"Combine Dirty Harry with a loving wife and mother and you might end up with Lucy Guardino. Fans of Lyons' hospital-set series will love the change of setting and thrilling pace. One note: readers with a fear of snakes should pick up this story carefully. Regardless, you won't be able to put this one down." ~RT Book Reviews
"Not for the faint-hearted! Fast-paced, with characters you can feel for and like, Snakeskin is part crime fiction, part thriller with a strong female protagonist." ~MysteryThriller.tv
"I flew through this novel, trying to connect the dots and find the killer along with Lucy. This is another great read from CJ Lyons. Women will enjoy the kick ass hero portrayed by Lucy." ~ChickLitPlus.com
"Snake Skin shows an artist at her best. The characters are detailed and rooted in reality, the plot tense, gripping and rapidly paced." ~AvidBookReviews CJ Lyons
Review
Praise for CJ Lyons' FBI Thrillers:
"A high stakes adventure with dire consequences." ~New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry
"A compelling new voice in thriller writing...I love how the characters come alive on every page." ~New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver
"Everything a great thriller should be--action packed, authentic, and intense." ~#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child
"Highly engaging characters, heart-stopping scenes...one great rollercoaster ride that will not be stopping anytime soon." ~Bookreporter.com
"Storylines as hypnotic as the characters are magnetic...(Lyons) delights and satisfies." ~National Examiner
5 out of 5 stars: "CJ Lyons imparts such realism, it is hard not to become emotionally invested. Intense. Edgy. Believable. Highly recommend!" ~Best Fiction Books on SNAKE SKIN
TOP PICK! 4 1/2 Stars: Combine Dirty Harry with a loving wife and mother and you might end up with Lucy Guardino. Fans of Lyons' hospital-set series will love the change of setting and thrilling pace. One note: readers with a fear of snakes should pick up this story carefully. Regardless, you won't be able to put this one down. ~RT Book Reviews on SNAKE SKIN
"An action packed thriller from page one! An amazing fast paced story with characters that jump off the page and capture your heart. A must read!" ~My Book Addiction on BLOOD STAINED
"In true CJ Lyons fashion, this book pulls no punches.
About the Author
Dear Fellow Booklover,
I owe my love of books to my mother, who started me reading at an early age. I skipped "see Jane run" and went straight to Agatha Christie and Nero Wolfe, the books stacked around our house like Legos.
The best present my mother gave me was when I was eight or nine and had already devoured the entire children's section of the library. She convinced the librarian to give me an adult library card, which meant I had a whole new universe of stories to traverse. There I discovered Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein and Ellery Queen along with characters like Horatio Hornblower, the Stainless Steel Rat, the Saint...The only limitation was how many books I could carry to the car by myself. I remember stretching my arms as long as they would go, balancing a teetering stack of books with my chin pressed down on the top one, inhaling that scent of well-worn paper and binding glue, thinking this was heaven.
A few years later, my mother began working for a local bookstore. First, at the cash registers, but she was quickly promoted until she became their Trade Fiction Buyer. I had no idea what that meant except that suddenly I was able to get books by my favorite authors BEFORE they came out! My friends, fellow bibliophiles, were so jealous! But I shared the wealth, sneaking them the ARCs my mom gave me. The bookstore became our favorite place to hang out after school and my mom would call us in when sales reps visited, letting us look at their catalogues and asking us our opinions. I'll never forget the feeling of pride I felt when books I told her would be hits did indeed breakout and make it to that coveted display window at the front of the store!
Through her store, my friends and I got to meet visiting authors, including the wonderful and amazing Isaac Asimov. We only spoke for a few minutes, but he made such an impression on me--not because he was a genius or talented or a rock star of the SF world, but rather because he was so very normal. Even the fact that he had taken the train from New York because he hated to fly made him seem human.
That's when I realized anyone could write a book, if they were willing to put in the work. I'd been writing all my life, it's my way of understanding the chaos that surrounds us in this world, but at that moment I realized I could take my little stories and really do something bigger, create an entire world with people I brought to life...and I wrote my first novel. It was terrible, as most first novels are. I was fifteen at the time, still had not made the leap of logic from writing a book to actually publishing it for others to read, much less getting paid or making a career from writing. But it was a wondrous achievement and started me on the path I'm on today.
All thanks to my mom, who was a bookseller for over two decades before she finally retired, and her love of books.
I'm very grateful that you have chosen one of my books to read and appreciate your time and attention--both in short supply these days! I look forward to hearing any thoughts you have on it.
Thanks for reading,
CJ
CJLyons.net
[email protected]