Blood Evidence

NCIS #2

by Mel Odom

While investigating the abduction/kidnapping of a marine captain's teenage daughter, Will Coburn and his team of NCIS agents discover a link to a high-profile murder that took place more than seventeen years ago. As the team investigates, they discover a trail of lies, betrayal, and a political cover-up. Forensics specialist Nita Tomlinson will need a faith deeper than she can imagine as she struggles with the past and a family that she can no longer ignore.

Genres: Christian, Mystery, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

aka Jordan Gray

Mel Odom is a bestselling writer for hire for Wizards of the Coast's Forgotten Realms, Gold Eagle's Mack Bolan, and Pocket's Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel book lines. His debut SF novel Lethal Interface made the Locus recommended list . The Rover was an Alyx Award winner. He has also written a scientific adventure of the high seas set in the 19th century entitled Hunters of the Dark Sea. He lives in Oklahoma.

Reviews

[Patricia]

I enjoyed this story. The reasons for the lack of 5 stars was that I felt the team was jumping to legal conclusions for which I could see no real basis. Also, the technical asides began getting to me this go'round more than in book 1. However, it was still an interesting read. Furthermore, I am going on to book 3 to keep up on the team's off-duty lives. All the killing and autopsies and weaponry are not why I doggedly keep reading. 😁

[Lisa]

I liked this book better than the first one. It seemed to flow better, and I already knew most of the characters. There were a few spots that got too wordy, but overall, I enjoyed it.

[Crystal Starr]

Disclaimer: I have been reading and reviewing for over a decade, and in that time, I have grown and changed a lot. My views in the following review reflect the person I was when I wrote them and may not reflect who I am today - for better or for worse. While I would love to be able to reread and update my reviews to reflect who I am today, I think my time is better dedicated elsewhere. If you choose to read this review, please bear in mind this attitude.

I checked out Paid in Blood, the first NCIS book by Mel Odom, and really enjoyed it. So I stuck it out for part 2.

Plot:
Will Coburn and team intervene on a girl's kidnapping. This leads to the discovery of a whole lot of drugs and a 17 year-old corpse of a Marine with the charm of a teenaged girl who was kidnapped and murdered about the same time. As the team digs deeper, they learn that the two mysteries (the girl's murder had never been completely closed) may in fact be intertwined.
Also, Nita is feeling overwhelmed with being a mother and a wife. She longs for the simplicity of life before marriage and tugs away from her husband, Joe, and her daughter, Celia.

Good:
Again, excellent mystery! I am impressed with how Mel Odom is able to take a particular incident (a teenaged girl's kidnapping) and have it lead to the real mystery (the 17 year-old corpse of a Marine). You certainly won't be board, trekking through North Carolina in pursuit of Bryce Ketchem or digging through the archives on Haskins or seeing through the eyes of Congressman Ben Swanson.
Also, the characters are diverse and real. You can feel Will's pain at his divorce and Nita's longing to get out of her trapped marriage (more in a bit). Shel, Remy, Maggie, Estrella...they are all people, not just names thrown in just because. They all serve a purpose--and if they aren't needed at a particular time, Mel Odom doesn't feel like he has to bring them up constantly (something many authors should take a hint from).
When I first started writing this just a little past the half-way point, I had some serious issues with Nita's marital problems. First, in this time, Joe was far too perfect. He really doesn't come off as a character, merely as a litmus test to show how bad Nita was being. Nita is full of rage; Joe is perfect, understanding, continually loving, always forgiving and wanting to work things out. However, I had to highly amend this review after I finally finished the book. He starts getting peeved at how Nita is being so selfish and even says so when she asks him not to let Celia, her daughter, call her. He is not afraid to be blunt and tells her to leave them alone. This change from perfect being to human being was great.
Lastly, Nita's reuniting with her mother was absolutely awesome. I won't spill the details, but the whole exchange was an ultimate climax for Nita and a turning point as well.

Bad:
If the first one gave you the heebie-jeebies at the forensics, don't expect this one to be better. In fact, it may be worse. Several people die rather violent deaths. One man receives a glancing blow to the head. A dead man is found in the lake. A woman's injuries from a hit-and-run accident are brought up. Mention is made to what happens when someone is shot point blank in the base of the head (and this is rather disgusting, in my opinion). These rather graphic descriptions made me cringe and almost gag as I was reading.
Other things that bugged me:
1. Will's children bug me. First, Wren, Will's seven-year-old daughter, knows way too much about baseball. I don't care if she watches it on television. There is no way that someone that young knows maneuvers and call outs as well as she does in the book. It's cute, but unrealistic. Second, Steven falls into the stereotypical teen category. I wish for once that people could write teens not as moody, rude beings but as actual humans with feelings and concerns (especially in favor of parents). I mean, Will was constantly surprised that Steven seemed to care about him. Duh! What teen doesn't!
2. Mel Odom's editor should be fired. He missed or glossed over several huge mistakes. "Maggie" is referred to when it should have been "Nita" (page 80). It is unclear whether the "husband" Laura is talking about is her ex-husband, Ben, or someone else (i.e. Chloe's dad or whichever husband she is currently married to) (page 160). He has Nita telling a cowboy "Merry Christmas" then mention something about Spring (May or June, I believe) while I think there is another reference to March (or at least snow)! What time of the year is it? Just decide and keep to it! My last beef is a major one: Will is talking with Haskins' widow and says, "You mentioned Mason" (Page 415). First off, I poured over the entire previous exchange. "Mason" wasn't mentioned once between Will and Cindy (widow). Mel Odom probably made a change and his dumb editor never saw the gap. It was very confusing and ruined the whole effect that the scene was trying to play on.
3. The whole David Horton almost-affair thing went from understandable to weird. I was okay with it until his wife approaches Nita. First off, this guy is an absolute jerk. Mrs. Horton should have left him in the dust years ago--kids and all. Second, this husband is fooling around--and he doesn't even bother to hide the fact he's fooling around by telling Mrs. Horton about Nita? "Honey, I was trying to cheat on you and this lady decided not to and hurt me. Wah!" Please. And then to make matters even weirder, Mrs. Horton goes to the same church Joe does. Please cue "It's a Small World". Lastly, this whole thing explodes into NCIS--but how? Does David run to his superior officers and say, "You got to punish Nita because she wouldn't sleep with me and I tried to make her and she hit me?" Does Mrs. Horton call Nita's boss, Larkin, and say, "You got to watch out for that ME of yours--she steals husbands"? I wish Mel Odom had left the whole stupid thing to be only between Joe and Nita. The incident (and her wanting to leave) could still have impacted NCIS without the whole "It's a Small World" thing playing in the background.
4. Practically everyone in the book is described as being fit for their age with the exception of the creepy politician, Ben Swanson. What's up with that? Not like I don't expect Will, Shel, Remy, and Maggie to be fit, but why must the lawyer, Wardell, Estrella, Nita, Joe, and practically every other character be described in this way? Take a look on the street, and you will notice far more people that are not fit than are.

Overall:
When I first started writing this, the bad was outweighing the good. The editing was bad and Nita's home situation got in the way. After finishing the entire thing, I was very impressed. I loved the mystery and was moved to almost-tears during the Nita and her mother scenes (and I am not a crying person!). The plot was a little confusing (but is mostly explained in the end), the editor should have been fired, Nita's home life was a little overdramatic in the beginning, and the descriptions of autopsies and injuries was disgusting, but this was a fun way to spend the time. What makes this better than many other action stories is that this has character--real people doing real things. A good follow up.

[Karen Ford]

Commander Will Coburn and his crack NCIS team are tasked with the rescue of the daughter of a Navy captain when they make an unexpected discovery during the raid: the body of a Marine who vanished 17 years before. The corpse also contains a clue to the death of teenager at that time, whose father is now a powerful congressman with higher political aspirations.

Like the proceeding novel, Paid in Blood, this book also delves into the personal lives of the agents, most notably coroner Nita Tomlinson, whose unhappiness at home has her on a path of self destructive behavior that could cost her her job. Although there is a lot of talk of God and faith in the novel, I would not necessarily classify it as Christian fiction. The book's story is more down to earth police procedural than the first edition, and it is a good story that moves along quickly. I recommend it, and hope to see more of the Maggie character in the next book.

[Megan Hamsher]

NCIS: Can they solve the cases?

Blood Evidence is Book #2 in Military NCIS series by Mel Odom.
It all began with a scared 16-year-old girl calling her Navy dad for help.
Little did NCIS know that they would do more than rescue a teenage girl; they would uncover a body that would lead them to a 17-year-old cold case....along with media, a still grieving mom, a mentally-challenging son, and an angry Congressman who thinks he's smarter than everyone and power to stop anything. But can the NCIS team put the pieces together before time runs out?
In the meantime, Steadfast Leader Will struggles to connect with his children after his divorce
and Dr Nita lets her fears run wild until she's forced to come to terms with her past - and her mother.
Combining both their careers and individual lives on the line is just what they do......

[Melita Sheppard]

This was much better than the fist. The characters are developing really well and the storyline was much more believable.
The first had far too much detail about the different weapons imbedded within the story, it didn’t happen in this one.
The sideline of Nita the pathologist was well thought out.
This series is quoted as a religious novel. I wouldn’t be put off by that. Some of the characters are religious, some aren’t, but that is true in life as well. The storyline definitely isn’t littered with religion, it just comes in as normal.
I do love Max the dog. Think we should hear more about him in future stories.

[Dianne Sidebottom]

I have read this book previously. When reading some of the characters triggered memory of having read the story, not sure how long ago though.

48min tv program verses reading the book extra time. All the action of NCIS.

[Nicole]

My brother and I both read this book and we both enjoyed it (which is rare)! I liked the variety of characters and the action.

[Dani]

Another good read. I enjoy his writing and it is the second in a series.

[Brad Yoder]

IT WAS COOL. BTW I DISLIKE READING BUT THIS BOOK MADE ME READ.

[Amanda]

3.5 SIGNIFICANTLY better than the first book!

[Josh Rathmell]

This was decent nothing to write home about e about. Decent character development and the actual mystery portion had many twists n turns but felt a little drawn out.

[Jedi Knight Siri]

NCIS: Blood Evidence - Mel Odom

***Minor Spoilers***

Rescuing the kidnapped teenage daughter of a Marine Captain started off as a normal case for Commander Coburn and his team of NCIS agents, but the discovery of a dead body leads the NCIS team to open a 17 year old case involving the dead daughter of a Navy Lieutenant and stepdaughter of a high profile politician. This book delves more into Commander Coburn's family life after Barbara filed for divorce in the first book. Steven and Wren share different interactions with their dad. Wren, 7 years old, adores her father and often worries about him when he is unexpectedly called into work. Steven is 15 years old and has more of a rocky relationship with Commander Coburn. By the end of this book though, Steven seems to have mellowed and even acknowledges that what his dad does is important and people need answers. Odom also builds medical examiner Dr. Nita Thomlinson's background which is revealed through her family problems, specifically with NIta trying to figure out how (if) she can be a good wife and mother because of her childhood experiences. The case the team works on is full of unexpected twists and turns, mystery, and drama. However, my favorite parts were regarding Commander Coburn and his children and Nita's struggle to be good enough. Both of their stories are very realistic with Commander Coburn trying to maintain and grow his relationship with Steven and Wren despite the end of his marriage and Nita's journey through the highs and lows of discovery. Nita provides a struggle that is extremely relateable with her wondering if she would ever be able to measure up or choosing between being a good wife and mother and being a good medical examiner. In the end, Commander Coburn and Nita's faith (steady and renewed) play a huge part in healing their relationships with their families.

[Tamara Tilley]

BLOOD EVIDENCE is the second book in Mel Odom’s NCIS Series. Once again, we follow the investigative team under the leadership of Commander Will Coburn. When their current case is linked to the death of a Marine captain’s daughter who was murdered 17-years-ago, they follow their leads all the way to Washington D.C.

BLOOD EVIDENCE allows us a closer look at some of the members that make of Will’s team, seeing both the personal and professional struggles that these strategic players deal with.

A great thriller with twist and turns that keep you turning page after page. Again, not a romance book by far, but a great read for those of you who like suspense.

[Kristal Fleming]

From the beginning of the novel its a darker story than what was in the first book. Mel did though created stronger characters that was a great one to step up after the amazing first part of the book one.

http://kristalmckerringtons.blogspot....

[Margaret Chind]

[Rick]

Suspenseful thriller. The characters were well drawn and [except for one secondary character] believable.

The overall plot worked well. There were a couple effective subplots and no major plot-twists - that or I am getting better at expecting plot twists...

[Laura-Lynne Smith]

Another good book in the NCIS series. I was happy that Nita figured out her issues & that Will and Steven were doing better. The story was interesting but it all came to a climax too fast and was all wrapped up way too conveniently. All in all though it was an enjoyable read.

[Julie]

Pretty good. If you like NCIS/CSI/crime solving, this is a good book. A little weird at times with a side story of the M.E. but other than that it was good.

[Annie]

Good Book

[Mark]

Awesome read. Love this series...there is a ton of suspense, investigation techniques, etc
And my 16 year old nephew who doesn't like romance in books would like these..there is little of that :)

[Brooke Fradd]

enjoyed this follow up to Odom's first NCIS just as much.

[Rachel Osborne]

Very good thriller/crime. About a NCSI team at Camp Lejeune

[T.M.]

Interesting.

[Barbara Carter]

Mel does it again. Twists, turns, excellent descriptions that keep you turning the pages way past your bedtime!

[Quin]

Blood Evidence by Mel Odom does not disappoint. It is just as good, if not better than book 1.