Review of Implications and Regrets
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Steinkar
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Review of Implications and Regrets
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Implications and Regrets" by A. K. Ramirez.]
A. K. Ramirez offers Implications and Regrets as the third in the Detective Marissa Ambroz crime saga. This psychological drama follows Marissa through her personal and professional struggles, highlighting her bouts with debilitating panic attacks from PTSD. She survived one near-fatal attack, but she is still a target of a serial killer who mysteriously drops photographs of her and her loved ones on her doorstep, implying other attacks are imminent. In an effort to keep them safe, she has pushed away everyone she loves, leaving her lonely and terrified. Besides this, she is dealing with trauma on multiple fronts: the death of her partner, the death of her best friend, the loss of her marriage, the cancer diagnosis of her mother, the escape of a criminal she helped convict, etc. Luckily, she has her service dog, Ellie, and her therapist, Dr. Bailey, to help her through her torment. The novel ends with some conflicts cleared up, but not all, setting up another novel in this series.
This book is a page-turner of the highest order! In Marissa, Ramirez created a multidimensional character, sympathetic and believable. Readers get a detailed description of both the physical and psychological effects of PTSD, including mental desolation and actual physical pain. Other major characters are less fully drawn, but their relationships with Marissa are well detailed. I also liked Ramirez’s choice of point of view. Most of the book is written from a third-person (Marissa’s) limited point of view. However, Ramirez sprinkles in some chapters from the serial killer’s point of view, adding to the immediacy of the mystery. Finally, I love that there are book club questions at the end to use for reflection.
Unfortunately, the book is not without a flaw: The names that Ramirez chose for many of her characters frustrated me. There are no fewer than nine characters whose names begin with the letter “M”: Marissa, Mac, Meredith, Madalyn, Melanie, Marilyn, Miriam, Malone, and Miranda. This may seem insignificant, but mystery readers are specifically tasked with keeping details straight and looking for red herrings, and this added an unnecessary complication.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. Although some of Rameriz’s choices bring my rating down, the content of the book is fabulous, and I will certainly read the other books in this series!
I recommend this book to older teens and adults. There is some strong language in it, and I think the psychological aspects of Marissa’s character will appeal more to mature readers.
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Implications and Regrets
View: on Bookshelves
A. K. Ramirez offers Implications and Regrets as the third in the Detective Marissa Ambroz crime saga. This psychological drama follows Marissa through her personal and professional struggles, highlighting her bouts with debilitating panic attacks from PTSD. She survived one near-fatal attack, but she is still a target of a serial killer who mysteriously drops photographs of her and her loved ones on her doorstep, implying other attacks are imminent. In an effort to keep them safe, she has pushed away everyone she loves, leaving her lonely and terrified. Besides this, she is dealing with trauma on multiple fronts: the death of her partner, the death of her best friend, the loss of her marriage, the cancer diagnosis of her mother, the escape of a criminal she helped convict, etc. Luckily, she has her service dog, Ellie, and her therapist, Dr. Bailey, to help her through her torment. The novel ends with some conflicts cleared up, but not all, setting up another novel in this series.
This book is a page-turner of the highest order! In Marissa, Ramirez created a multidimensional character, sympathetic and believable. Readers get a detailed description of both the physical and psychological effects of PTSD, including mental desolation and actual physical pain. Other major characters are less fully drawn, but their relationships with Marissa are well detailed. I also liked Ramirez’s choice of point of view. Most of the book is written from a third-person (Marissa’s) limited point of view. However, Ramirez sprinkles in some chapters from the serial killer’s point of view, adding to the immediacy of the mystery. Finally, I love that there are book club questions at the end to use for reflection.
Unfortunately, the book is not without a flaw: The names that Ramirez chose for many of her characters frustrated me. There are no fewer than nine characters whose names begin with the letter “M”: Marissa, Mac, Meredith, Madalyn, Melanie, Marilyn, Miriam, Malone, and Miranda. This may seem insignificant, but mystery readers are specifically tasked with keeping details straight and looking for red herrings, and this added an unnecessary complication.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. Although some of Rameriz’s choices bring my rating down, the content of the book is fabulous, and I will certainly read the other books in this series!
I recommend this book to older teens and adults. There is some strong language in it, and I think the psychological aspects of Marissa’s character will appeal more to mature readers.
******
Implications and Regrets
View: on Bookshelves
Latest Review: Under the Blood Tree by P. J. Grondin
