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Sunday, October 26, 2014

115) Penumbra by Keri Arthur

The Blurb :

Agent Sam Ryan wants out of the Special Investigations Unit. She’s sick of the attitude from her partner, Gabriel Stern. She’s sick of the paperwork. Most of all, she’s sick of feeling lonely. But her boss isn’t about to let her go that easily. He gives Sam a choice: either stay stuck in her office or guard a clone replacement of Dan Wetherton, a government minister. Sam reluctantly chooses the latter—even though she suspects she’s being used as bait to draw out the SIU’s elusive nemesis.

Gabriel would like nothing better than to be on his own, without a partner to hold him back. Then he learns that Sam has been assigned to protect Wetherton—or whatever it is that’s replaced him. Wetherton’s clone could have come from only one place: Hopeworth, the military base that contains the secrets of Sam’s past. Determined to protect her, Gabriel is drawn into a fight against unspeakable evil. And all too soon, Sam and Gabriel discover that the connection between them is far more powerful than anyone could ever have imagined.

My Thoughts :

What a disappointment.  Not a good sentence to start off a review but it is the first thing that springs to mind and I have to get out there.  I was excited to see the Spook Squad being re-released after all this time and was really happy to finally get to read this trilogy by an author I have enjoyed for years.  The first two books were interesting, original and full of promise.  The suspense has been building since the beginning. Would they get together?  What is Sam?  So many questions unanswered and lots of mystery from the first two books could only be answered in this final installment.  And thats where the disappointment comes in.

It was pretty obvious as the story progressed that the story wasn't moving along fast enough.  Those questions weren't getting answered and more were appearing with nearly every move the characters made.  It was great writing, the story and plot full of everything you need and none of that romance, girlie feeling stuff and long decisions and conversations.  However as the book progressed I started to worry.  The ending would be a rush job.

So imagine my surprise when the story just didn't finish!  Sure there was a little closure but where is book four?  I mean there has to be another installment!  It wasn't over and I felt cheated.  A small epilogue with an attempt to end things happily but none of the joy of finding out how things really ended up how they did and basically a cliffhanger epilogue!  There were, imho, lots of unfinished business, questions and conversations.

How could this 'trilogy' get re-released without the author giving it a better ending or adding a fourth book to tie things up properly!?  A novella would also be welcome but it seems that is it for the Spook Squad and who cares if you spent all that time getting to know and like the characters.  It doesn't matter that the story was well written and unique because the ending just didn't happen.

Fans of the author will be happy to read this series and see how Keri Arthur has always managed to come up with original and compelling stories. Although I am sure, like me, anyone who reads this series will also feel cheated and annoyed by the quick unfinished ending that is an insult to the reader who has invested so much into the story.

1 comment:

Anne said...

I read this "new" version and totally agree about the ending and that the series was kind of slow.