Aftermath

Written by Terri Blackstock

Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman

This gripping new thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat.

A devastating explosion.

Three best friends attend a concert. Only one makes it out alive.

A trunk full of evidence.

When police stop Dustin Webb with a warrant to search his trunk, he knows there’s been a mistake. He’s former military and owns a security firm. But he’s horrified when the officers find explosives, and he can’t fathom how they got there.

An attorney who will risk it all for an old friend.

Criminal attorney Jamie Powell was Dustin’s best friend growing up. They haven’t spoken since he left for basic training, but she’s the first person he thinks of when he’s arrested. Jamie knows she’s putting her career on the line by defending an accused terrorist, but she’d never abandon him. Someone is framing Dustin to take the fall for shocking acts of violence . . . but why?

Praise for Aftermath:

“In Aftermath, Terri Blackstock plumbs the depth of human emotion in the face of devastating tragedy, grief, and loss. Yet, she still manages to give readers her trademark suspenseful story, sweet romance, and hope for the future. From gut-wrenching scenes in a cancer patient’s hospital room to seeing the world through the eyes of a young woman with a debilitating mental health disorder, Blackstock pulls no punches about human frailties. Does the end justify the means? Romantic suspense lovers won’t want to miss Aftermath.” —Kelly Irvin, bestselling author

• Stand-alone mystery and suspense thriller
• Book length: 72,000 words
• Other suspense novels by Terri Blackstock: If I Run, If I’m Found, If I Live, Smoke Screen, Cape Refuge, and Truth-Stained Lies

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: May 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9780785237501

Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series. Visit her website at www.terriblackstock.com; Facebook: tblackstock; Twitter: @terriblackstock.  

Reviews for Aftermath

[Joanna Griffith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Her way with words and the way you feel like you are truly part of the story

[Marie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great Book! I love This author. She does a great job with just enough details to make a situation believable without it being drawn out! I love that her books are clean and easily readable for young and old. Each character was perfectly rendered. I enjoyed every moment of this book. I am always sad when a good book like this comes to an end!

[Tracey Auer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As always in Terri’s books there are several stories going on related to the main story and they all converge in the end. This book kept me reading until the end.

[Lorrie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 ~ Great fast-paced story with engaging characters. On the lighter side with plot, yet I enjoyed the book overall. A quick read.

[marybeth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Terri Blackstock never disappoints! Listened to it in one day and couldn’t wait to hear the end!

[geauxgetlit · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The opening of the book had me hooked with an explosion in a performance hall. It detailed a girl who was with her two friends who had managed to escape. Her two friends wasn’t so lucky and she already had a mental disorder, now this led to having PTSD as well. She is in desperate need to seek vengeance on the person who killed her friends.

Dustin, a prior military man with knowledge of bombs, is being set up by someone when explosive devices was found in the trunk of his car.

Jaime, his childhood friend now attorney, will do everything she can to find out who is framing him.

Will they find out who is behind the act of terrorism before anyone else gets hurt?

This was a suspenseful story and if you enjoy crime mysteries this would be recommended to you. However, it didn’t hold my attention as much as I would have wished.

[Rhoda · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars... Terri Blackstock set the bar high with her "if I run series" that it will be difficult to match again. Although this story is engaging from beginning to end, the motive and facts surrounding the crime were not convincing. Specifically, the actions of Travis, who is the best friend of the accused . The romance between Jaime and Dustin doesn't get much airtime, which is suitable for readers who prefer a "touch of romance" in their stories.

[Leslie Wolf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good story lots of twists. I think you will enjoy it

[cbcmedia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a thrill! This book kept me captivated from beginning to end. I could hardly put it down. And when I had to all I could think of was to hurry up so I could pick it back up and see what’s going to happen next.You’ll be kept in suspense for sure with this book. The characters were wonderful and the plot was full of the unexpected.Please read the author’s notes at the end of the book. She wrote this book last year during all the upheaval of Covid, political elections, lockdowns, hate and she ties it all together with how we as Christians have forgotten our first love, Jesus Christ. She speaks from her heart and her words touched my heart.

[purpledog-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I picked this one up at the library. I was looking for a romance that was a light read I could whip through quickly. What I got was a crime mystery with a good dose of religion on the side and hardly any romance. The story is told from two POVs and is about Dustin, a man, who has been falsely accused of committing a violent crime. He calls his childhood friend who is now an attorney to represent him. They work together to solve the crime. I thought the use of a bombing was a great tool for getting the old friends back together and having the relationship turn into more now that they are older. However, the story and the characters needed further development. Also, I didn't get enough tension in the plot or between the character for my personal tastes.

[lamb521 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: AftermathAuthor: Terri BlackstockPages: 336Year: 2021Publisher: Thomas NelsonMy rating is 4 out of 5 stars.Taylor Reid went out with her two best friends to hear their favorite musical group play at a political rally. They aren’t interested in the politician, just in having a good time. She never thought that before the night was over, her life would be turned upside down. She has battled OCD but has been managing it. In the aftermath of tonight, that issue will come to the forefront. She seeks justice and will go to extreme lengths to achieve it.Dustin Webb is an Army veteran who owns his own business with a former Army buddy, Travis. He has had some troubles in the past, beginning with his aunt. She took him in when his parents were killed. Dustin wasn’t like her own children and the two of them clashed constantly. She still barely tolerates him. His only real friend growing up was a young girl, Jamie, who lived next door. They have since fallen out of touch. He has been arrested on false charges according to him, but the authorities have physical proof of his guilt. He calls the only person he can think of who can help him…Jamie.Jamie Powell is a defense attorney. When she receives the call from Dustin, her thoughts turn to the past and how he always protected her and was there for her. She immediately accepts his case. She is able to get Dustin released into her custody and the race is on to discover who framed him and why. Along the way, she discovers that Dustin has always had romantic feelings for her but stepped aside as she married another man. Now, as Jamie spends time getting reacquainted with Dustin, she discovers her own budding feelings for him. The court of public opinion already has him tried and convicted. Can she discover the truth before he is sent to prison?There is plenty of non-stop action and suspense in this novel. The story is told from the point of view of four characters. The chapters are short, keeping the reading at a quick pace. The plot is fairly predictable, but I still enjoyed experiencing the thrills of getting to the end. The author shows readers the different ways some might react to a terrible event. I would have liked to see more faith evident in the lives of the characters and their dependence on God.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Aftermath by Terri Blackstock is a modern day suspense story that starts out running and doesn’t stop. There is so much action and twists and turns I struggled with putting the book down. The characters are good, strong characters to the point the ending shocked me. I enjoyed how Jamie responded to her first message from Dustin in years, just dropping everything to go help him. Together they work so hard to claim his innocence, while clinging to faith. The story also touches on the traumatic responses to surviving a terrible situation.I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustReads, this is my honest review.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Many times a reviewer says that a book starts out with a bang. In the case of Aftermath, Terri Blackstock’s latest suspense novel, that is literally the case! I was hooked from the beginning, furiously turning the pages to find out whodunit. The book focuses on the results of a bombing at a political rally — the suspect and his attorney and one of the victims. It is filled with twists and turns and never-saw-it-coming moments. I loved the main characters, Jamie and Dustin who were childhood friends now thrown together again by the circumstances of Dustin’s arrest. Their quest to uncover the truth was great. But I have to say that the perspective of Taylor, a survivor of the bombing, was fascinating. Taylor has some issues that are exacerbated in the aftermath. She has a small but pivotal role in the investigation and outcome of the book that I thought was a wonderful addition to what could have been just another romantic suspense novel. All three characters, plus some supporting characters were believable. The faith element is strong and natural with Dustin, especially struggling with maintaining his trust in God. I really, really liked this book. I think it is one of my favorites from Blackstock, and that is saying a lot!For past-paced suspense, a twisting plot, and characters to cheer for, Aftermath cannot be beat.Highly recommended.Audience: adults(Thanks to JustRead and the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read Aftermath by Terri Blackstock in three sittings. This fast-paced mystery/suspense novel captured my attention on page two and kept me turning the pages, wanting to know what would happen next and who did the crime. I especially liked Jamie and Dustin’s connection despite many years of separation. Their youthful friendship laid a believable foundation for trust despite their years of separation. Observing the renewal of their friendship as they worked to discover the truth was thoroughly satisfying.Though I have only read two books by Terri Blackstock, her book list shows she is a seasoned writer, and her expertise displays in Aftermath. I recommend this novel to Christian fiction readers who enjoy a good suspense novel.Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.