Shaken by J.A. Konrath

I was given the opportunity of previewing Shaken before it was released as an e-book on October 26th. I couldn’t pass this up since I really look forward to the Jacqueline Daniels novels. The paperback edition comes out February 22, 2011.

Book Description
Since her debut in Whiskey Sour, Lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels has dealt with her fair share of criminals. But she may have finally met her match in “Mr. K,” the brutal serial killer who has eluded Jack not once, but twice, over the years. Mr. K is the essence of evil, credited with more than two hundred horrific homicides. Now, on a hot August night, Jack finally gets the chance to face the maniac—unfortunately, she must do so while bound and gagged in a storage locker, primed to be his next victim. As she awaits her fate, Jack looks back on her career, from her first homicide case to her recent retirement. The twenty-five years in between saw Jack’s attitude toward justice, the law, her job, and her personal life shift drastically. She is a different woman now…but is she good enough to stop a madman? Novelist J. A. Konrath’s trademark blend of suspense and wry humor are on full display in this tense thriller, a gripping tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

My thoughts
Shaken is the latest “Jack Daniels” thriller. This one takes place in three different periods of Jack’s life; twenty-one years ago, three years ago and now. From this we learn more about what makes Jack tick and her quest for the killer call Mr. K. More than a quest, it is an obsession. If you have read previous Jack Daniels novels you know that J. A. Konrath adds humor and suspense to keep you turning the page. Although this one isn’t as humorous as past stories and the character harry isn’t as disgusting, I enjoyed the jumps back and forth through the different time periods to help one understand what makes Jack tick. I was hoping that the story wouldn’t end, that’ show much I enjoy these stories and when it did, the author’s note saddened me but I won’t say what he wrote. You’ll have to read the book yourself. Interesting note that the villains are character’s in another author‘s (Blake Crouch) stories.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this e-book for review from the author. I received no compensation for my thoughts.