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AFTERThought
A hunter lies dead in a southeast Texas backwater. Part-time fishing guide Tracey Cole and his meth-manufacturing cousin are suspected in the crime, but Deuce River Preserve ranger Addie Derange isn’t so sure they’ve got the right people. There’s a new militia in town, her estranged brother is leaving cryptic messages on her phone, and the new owners of the local adhesives plant seem oddly out of place.
Has her past followed her to this isolated swamp?
Has her past followed her to this isolated swamp?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Krisko
16 books76 followersK.A. Krisko currently lives in northern Colorado with her border collie/Australian Cattle Dog, Clever. She enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, walking the dog, and kayaking, and reading and writing, as well as dog training and trialing in K9 Nosework. She volunteers at a raptor rescue where she handles falcons, hawks, and owls.
She has published a number of fiction and non-fiction literary shorts, a number of fantasy-fiction novels, and one mystery.
She has published a number of fiction and non-fiction literary shorts, a number of fantasy-fiction novels, and one mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 1, 2014
I received a free advance copy of this novel, but I can tell you now I would have counted it money well spent if I’d bought it. This is quality writing. I read it in winter but I could feel the heat and humidity of the time and place described. I’m not familiar with that kind of territory, but KA Krisko led me through it so convincingly I truly lost myself into that land of creeks and sloughs. Many people can intersperse their writing with good descriptive passages, but you don’t get that in this novel: what you get is something that’s much harder to achieve – you get to see and feel it all through the characters.
I’ll remember these characters and I’m looking forward to meeting them again in the sequel. There are quite a few of them, and as it’s a tight community many of them are related in some way or another, but I didn’t find it hard to sort out who was who. Each of them is a distinct individual and they quickly became very real people to me.
I really liked getting the pieces of the puzzle along with Addie, working out the who did what and why. The possibilities expanded as the picture of what was going on in the area got bigger. Why had a small community like this become embroiled with a national group of activists? How did that happen and why did it result in a murder? Family relationships and their consequences were handled very well indeed, with insight and empathy.
I want to know what happens next to Addie and Tracey, I want to watch Addie’s interactions with her brother when she meets him again in #2. After so many twists and turns in this book it was good to get a satisfying conclusion, but it’s even better knowing there is more to come before Addie’s story is done.
I’ll remember these characters and I’m looking forward to meeting them again in the sequel. There are quite a few of them, and as it’s a tight community many of them are related in some way or another, but I didn’t find it hard to sort out who was who. Each of them is a distinct individual and they quickly became very real people to me.
I really liked getting the pieces of the puzzle along with Addie, working out the who did what and why. The possibilities expanded as the picture of what was going on in the area got bigger. Why had a small community like this become embroiled with a national group of activists? How did that happen and why did it result in a murder? Family relationships and their consequences were handled very well indeed, with insight and empathy.
I want to know what happens next to Addie and Tracey, I want to watch Addie’s interactions with her brother when she meets him again in #2. After so many twists and turns in this book it was good to get a satisfying conclusion, but it’s even better knowing there is more to come before Addie’s story is done.
May 30, 2014
A Noirish mystery with very strong writing!
AFTERThought is a mystery novel set in the Deuce River Preserve area. It's not the real name of the place but its geography is somewhat similar to the lake areas in south-east Texas (as stated by the author). The novel has a Noirish feel from the very beginning. Low light scene depictions in the wild makes it an enjoyable read. Then there's the rain to wash away the tracks and add to the mystery. It's a very well written book with a well-thought plot and set up. The characters are also really convincing. The description; I don't know how she does it but the author has successfully added a "hush hush" feeling in places she wanted it to be. In the first two chapters, the smell of mystery comes out of almost every sentence very evidently. One can easily assume something big is being built up. Mystery fans are surely going to like it a lot. I'm not much of a fan of mystery. But it was a good read. The things I enjoyed the most in this book is the parts that has to do with the past; that is to say, the past of the characters (specially Addie, and the way the author shows how the place we grow up adds to our perceptions), or the past of the place (why the preserve was built up in the first place and how some locales react to the fact even after forty long years).
After finishing the book, I think the place is quite a character here and I feel more for the place than I feel for the characters. I would love to see this author writing a non-fiction someday. That's my favourite genre and I'll really love to read that.
AFTERThought is a mystery novel set in the Deuce River Preserve area. It's not the real name of the place but its geography is somewhat similar to the lake areas in south-east Texas (as stated by the author). The novel has a Noirish feel from the very beginning. Low light scene depictions in the wild makes it an enjoyable read. Then there's the rain to wash away the tracks and add to the mystery. It's a very well written book with a well-thought plot and set up. The characters are also really convincing. The description; I don't know how she does it but the author has successfully added a "hush hush" feeling in places she wanted it to be. In the first two chapters, the smell of mystery comes out of almost every sentence very evidently. One can easily assume something big is being built up. Mystery fans are surely going to like it a lot. I'm not much of a fan of mystery. But it was a good read. The things I enjoyed the most in this book is the parts that has to do with the past; that is to say, the past of the characters (specially Addie, and the way the author shows how the place we grow up adds to our perceptions), or the past of the place (why the preserve was built up in the first place and how some locales react to the fact even after forty long years).
After finishing the book, I think the place is quite a character here and I feel more for the place than I feel for the characters. I would love to see this author writing a non-fiction someday. That's my favourite genre and I'll really love to read that.
April 28, 2014
“Sometimes you make one bad decision and these things just take on a life of their own.”
Addie Derange
Truer words were never spoken in the case of Tracey Cole. Landing his uncle’s car in the lake was only the beginning of his troubles. His decision to hide what he had done really complicated things.
K.A. Krisco takes us along for one heck of a ride, following Tracey’s journey as he deals with the consequences of that fateful night. Add in the young and attractive Duece Preserve Ranger, Addie Derange, and things get even more interesting.
Addie has made some bad decisions herself in life. She just made them a lot earlier. But even moving states away wasn’t enough to keep the past from catching up to her. And as Addie and Tracey’s stories become entwined, the action really starts to pick up.
One of the things I love most about this book is the glimpse it gives readers of a life far different from their own. (At least my own.) The author invites us into the local area and helps us really get to know the people there…and understand a bit of their lifestyle too. It’s a refreshing break from our normal day to day lives. And K.A. Krisco is very, very good at it.
My only problem with the book is that it ended with too many questions left unanswered. In fact, the main mystery still remains unsolved. Hopefully, the author is working diligently on the sequel, where all will be revealed.
Addie Derange
Truer words were never spoken in the case of Tracey Cole. Landing his uncle’s car in the lake was only the beginning of his troubles. His decision to hide what he had done really complicated things.
K.A. Krisco takes us along for one heck of a ride, following Tracey’s journey as he deals with the consequences of that fateful night. Add in the young and attractive Duece Preserve Ranger, Addie Derange, and things get even more interesting.
Addie has made some bad decisions herself in life. She just made them a lot earlier. But even moving states away wasn’t enough to keep the past from catching up to her. And as Addie and Tracey’s stories become entwined, the action really starts to pick up.
One of the things I love most about this book is the glimpse it gives readers of a life far different from their own. (At least my own.) The author invites us into the local area and helps us really get to know the people there…and understand a bit of their lifestyle too. It’s a refreshing break from our normal day to day lives. And K.A. Krisco is very, very good at it.
My only problem with the book is that it ended with too many questions left unanswered. In fact, the main mystery still remains unsolved. Hopefully, the author is working diligently on the sequel, where all will be revealed.
September 6, 2014
A man is missing in the bayous of southeastern Texas, only to be discovered dead in the game preserve.
Tracy Cole, who never outgrew his teenage personality since getting his skull cracked years ago, is suspected of the murder. Addie Derange, preserve ranger, isn't convinced. Together, the two investigate as they deal with odd and mysterious characters, including what appears to be a private militia.
The deeper they get into the case, the more Addie finds she cannot put her own past behind her. Her brother, whom she hasn't seen for two years, may be connected with the crime.
Here is deep mystery. It overrides whatever tension and excitement arise. Even the main character, Addie, is mysterious and intriguing.
At the same time, the author clearly familiarizes us with the bayou and its local population.
Here is solid writing, for the most part, that gives us the feeling Krista is writing from experience. She provides a believable setting and culture. Each important character has a history, which not only rounds that character out but gives depth to relationships. We see individuals as real instead of stereotypes. These are people we can care about and understand, even if quirky.
It took me awhile to get into the book because I was hit by so many characters, I struggled to keep them straight. Good description later defined them, but I needed a little something up front to carry me along until I could learn more. And later, I needed reminders. For example, we meet Tracey Cole and Brenda first, with no hint of their ages. How could I picture them?
The murder occurs in Chapter 2, but I didn't get into the story until Chapter 6 because there is so much setup. This involves introducing ever more characters, along with their backgrounds and the history of the region. Once into the story, I could appreciate the setup because it explains the attitudes of the locals.
I was engrossed in the story until I read myself over a cliff. What happened to the rest of the book? Not every detail is resolved, although we know who the murderer is. Case closed? Not really. Tracy and Addie agree to travel in pursuit of a solution to the rest of the mystery. Well, the ending is reasonable and fairly comfortable, but dang! It took me by surprise. My advice to others? Read on.
Tracy Cole, who never outgrew his teenage personality since getting his skull cracked years ago, is suspected of the murder. Addie Derange, preserve ranger, isn't convinced. Together, the two investigate as they deal with odd and mysterious characters, including what appears to be a private militia.
The deeper they get into the case, the more Addie finds she cannot put her own past behind her. Her brother, whom she hasn't seen for two years, may be connected with the crime.
Here is deep mystery. It overrides whatever tension and excitement arise. Even the main character, Addie, is mysterious and intriguing.
At the same time, the author clearly familiarizes us with the bayou and its local population.
Here is solid writing, for the most part, that gives us the feeling Krista is writing from experience. She provides a believable setting and culture. Each important character has a history, which not only rounds that character out but gives depth to relationships. We see individuals as real instead of stereotypes. These are people we can care about and understand, even if quirky.
It took me awhile to get into the book because I was hit by so many characters, I struggled to keep them straight. Good description later defined them, but I needed a little something up front to carry me along until I could learn more. And later, I needed reminders. For example, we meet Tracey Cole and Brenda first, with no hint of their ages. How could I picture them?
The murder occurs in Chapter 2, but I didn't get into the story until Chapter 6 because there is so much setup. This involves introducing ever more characters, along with their backgrounds and the history of the region. Once into the story, I could appreciate the setup because it explains the attitudes of the locals.
I was engrossed in the story until I read myself over a cliff. What happened to the rest of the book? Not every detail is resolved, although we know who the murderer is. Case closed? Not really. Tracy and Addie agree to travel in pursuit of a solution to the rest of the mystery. Well, the ending is reasonable and fairly comfortable, but dang! It took me by surprise. My advice to others? Read on.
August 28, 2016
My first thought as I got in to AFTERthought was that the setting and tone reminded me of True Detective. That's meant as a compliment--K.A. Krisko conjures the setting of her novel with great talent! I was completely transported and taken in to the Preserve and the world of Tracey Cole and his fellows.
Federal warden Addie Derange, a cop with a past, and her unlikely friend Tracey Cole join forces to clear Tracey's name when he's wrongfully named as a murder suspect. One thing I loved about AFTERthought was how moral lines are blurred--Tracey, we know from the beginning of the book when he lands his car in a lake while driving home from a party having had one too many, isn't a perfect guy. He makes a lot of mistakes. But we can also tell immediately that he's not a murderer--and so can Addie. K.A Krisko's characterization is strong.
But while I was taken in (more than I expected to be) by the setting and the characters, the plot of AFTERthought was a little slow-moving and a little low-stakes to me. I didn't have the "can't put it down can't stop turning pages" experience that I expected from the strength of the book's beginning.
I wonder if that's because the setting and characters are very specific--just not places or people that I read about too often. I was struck over and over by experiences like this: the dialogue was masterfully done with regards to dialect (such as it is)...but I just didn't love it, maybe because I'm just not that in to the subject matter.
So while on the whole I was impressed by Krisko's writing, the story itself didn't pull me in and drag me under the way I like to be pulled and dragged. The good news is, if I had been more aware I might have guessed that from the blurb--so definitely check this book out if the blurb appeals to you!
Federal warden Addie Derange, a cop with a past, and her unlikely friend Tracey Cole join forces to clear Tracey's name when he's wrongfully named as a murder suspect. One thing I loved about AFTERthought was how moral lines are blurred--Tracey, we know from the beginning of the book when he lands his car in a lake while driving home from a party having had one too many, isn't a perfect guy. He makes a lot of mistakes. But we can also tell immediately that he's not a murderer--and so can Addie. K.A Krisko's characterization is strong.
But while I was taken in (more than I expected to be) by the setting and the characters, the plot of AFTERthought was a little slow-moving and a little low-stakes to me. I didn't have the "can't put it down can't stop turning pages" experience that I expected from the strength of the book's beginning.
I wonder if that's because the setting and characters are very specific--just not places or people that I read about too often. I was struck over and over by experiences like this: the dialogue was masterfully done with regards to dialect (such as it is)...but I just didn't love it, maybe because I'm just not that in to the subject matter.
So while on the whole I was impressed by Krisko's writing, the story itself didn't pull me in and drag me under the way I like to be pulled and dragged. The good news is, if I had been more aware I might have guessed that from the blurb--so definitely check this book out if the blurb appeals to you!
March 18, 2014
It's been a while since I've read mystery and I was actually pleased when K.A. gave me a free copy in return for a honest review.
Now I am not used to the type of environment that the story was set in (the location and landscape was something that I did not read often in stories) so I knew that it was in for something different. The plot was pretty decent as you were able to keep up with it and arouse your curious mind to what was going to occur, as the story was building up. What I really LOVED about what the author did, was the story investment with various details regarding multiple characters, the naming of particular regional areas in the setting itself, etc. While this CAN be a hassle for some readers to take in so much information, I suggest that you pace yourself with the story and hell, reading it twice is what I suggest if you want full understanding of what is going on.
A minor issue that I had with this story is how sometimes there wasn't a proper usage of the commas when needed, or when they replaced the all important period at the end of each sentence; sometimes I felt that the dialog was pausing and was to continue, only for it to actually end. This confused me at times, but stuff like these did not make it difficult for me to enjoy a decent book. It's not 'on the edge of your seat' exciting as I would like, but credit to the author for putting effort into the story~
Looking forward to more of her work~
Now I am not used to the type of environment that the story was set in (the location and landscape was something that I did not read often in stories) so I knew that it was in for something different. The plot was pretty decent as you were able to keep up with it and arouse your curious mind to what was going to occur, as the story was building up. What I really LOVED about what the author did, was the story investment with various details regarding multiple characters, the naming of particular regional areas in the setting itself, etc. While this CAN be a hassle for some readers to take in so much information, I suggest that you pace yourself with the story and hell, reading it twice is what I suggest if you want full understanding of what is going on.
A minor issue that I had with this story is how sometimes there wasn't a proper usage of the commas when needed, or when they replaced the all important period at the end of each sentence; sometimes I felt that the dialog was pausing and was to continue, only for it to actually end. This confused me at times, but stuff like these did not make it difficult for me to enjoy a decent book. It's not 'on the edge of your seat' exciting as I would like, but credit to the author for putting effort into the story~
Looking forward to more of her work~
March 31, 2014
I thought this book did a decent job transporting you to the place, but I found it boring, especially for a "thriller" or "adventure".
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews