Death Followed Us Home: a thriller

by J-S Rioux

Weeks before a tight-knit unit of combat vets deploys to Eastern Europe as a show of force against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, an unimaginable tragedy befalls one of the soldiers and his family. Although familiar with death on the battlefield, the cold-blooded killing of one of their own, so far from the battlefields of Afghanistan, is too much for them to take. When one platoon member accidentally discovers the killers’ possible location, the temptation to avenge their brother is too great. Seasoned soldiers that they are, can they pull off the perfect murder? If so, what will be the consequences for each man personally, and for their unit as a whole? This crime thriller explores revenge and its consequences, even if it feels righteous.

276 pages, Paperback

Published January 4, 2024

About the author

Jean-Sébastien (J-S) Rioux enlisted in the Infantry and served in the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) in the 1980s. Following his military career, he became an academic, specializing in international conflict analysis. He taught at McGill University in Montreal, at Vesalius College in Brussels, Belgium, held the Canada Research Chair in International Security at Laval University in Québec City, and most recently was a faculty member at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. As a scholarly writer with over twenty academic publications to his credit, he always dreamed of writing novels, and this is the first of what he hopes to be many. J-S lives in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife and their three daughters.

Reviews

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re into thrillers, Death Followed Us Home has a great plot twist for you. Relatable characters. Quick read. Thoroughly enjoyed it, even with themes outside my typical fiction wheelhouse.

[Duane T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading J-S Rioux's first novel Death Follows Us Home out of curiosity. I have always enjoyed thrillers with a military tinge by authors like Tom Clancy, Frederick Forsyth, and Robert Ludlum, so how would this new author stack up? When I began the novel I was convinced that I would know the basic plot based upon the first chapter and the book's title. Boy was I wrong! The plot was not what I expected…it was better! But beyond the plot, I was falling in love with the characters. In particular, Detective Jen Beck - a woman who needs a sequel (hint hint). I highly recommend this crime thriller: come for the plot, stay for the character development, and finish with the thrilling conclusion!

[O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't normally call myself a military buff. But Death Followed Us Home by JS Rioux completely surprised me. It's a captivating story that throws you right into the heart of the action, while still providing all the satisfying hallmarks of a good crime novel.

The author's writing is sharp and engaging. He paints a vivid picture of the battlefield, the life back home, the camaraderie between soldiers, and the raw emotions of war. The plot itself is fast-paced, and kept me glued to the pages until the very satisfying conclusion.

Despite being a genre I wouldn't usually pick up, Death Followed Us Home was a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and action-packed story, even if military fiction isn't your usual cup of tea.

[BooksCoffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rioux makes his debut with this absorbing military-thriller, immersing readers in a world of suspense, intrigue, and moral quandaries. A team of soldiers prepares to deploy to Eastern Europe, but tragedy strikes and one of their own is killed. When they discover the potential location of the killer, justice and revenge become blurred. Can their experiences in the military help them achieve retribution? But at what cost to themselves and their unit?

Sully and Izzy’s intertwined journeys lead readers down a path of secrets, betrayals, and unexpected twists. The dynamic between the characters is rich and complex, from Sully, Izzy, VD, JJ, Cowboy and others’ unbreakable bond forged in war to the enigmatic presence of Detective Beck. With his military background, Rioux infuses the novel with raw realism and depth, bringing authenticity to the portrayal of military life and brotherhood.

However, what sets this book apart is its profound exploration of the human psyche. With internal conflicts adding depth to their personality, and vivid descriptions creating an authentic backdrop, Sully and Izzy’s story comes to life. Tense, suspenseful, and entertaining.

[Jacques Fauteux · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this one got my attention and ….even motivated me to draft a review - my first !

Jean-Sebastien Rioux's "Death Followed Us Home" is a gripping thriller that captivates readers with its intricate plot and dynamic characters. Fans of military thrillers, like me ( I love Tom Clancy), will appreciate Rioux's attention to detail, accuracy in military terms. and the authentic portrayal of military operations. The novel is a true page-turner, blending suspense and action seamlessly.

I enjoyed the compelling narrative and well-developed and complex characters. This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys high-stakes military thrillers.I hope Rioux will soon come with another work to add to my library and, possibly, continue to develop these characters in future works.

[Jim M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good military based thriller with some unusual plot twists and really good character development. I was a bit surprised at the continuing bits post-climax and wondered if it was a set-up for book#2. I’d sure like to know what happened to Sully and Beck and can’t quite wrap my head around the final setting. Still an excellent novel and some real gut wrenching twists. Take these characters to the next step!

[Nathalie Gosselin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun thriller. I got sucked in early on and began liking the characters and once the main plot begins, the short chapters really get you turning the pages. There are some very good twists and turns that keeps you wondering what will happen to the protagonists, especially when Detective Jennifer Beck gets closer to the truth. I liked it a lot and recommend it to anyone who loves reading thrillers, crime thrillers, and action.

[Ian Brodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rioux’s first turn in fiction is a good read. A few deep characters I cared about. Excellent pretext. Solid plot. Long-ish set up and quick close. A good moral - don’t trust civilians, even ex-airborne.

[GordW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! Thought I had it figured out but then it took a turn that I did not see coming. Great characters and story pacing.