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Aftershock #2
Shockwave: An Aftershock Novel
From the author of the best-selling Burke novels, the sequel to Aftershock: the second installment of his thrilling new series in which Dell, an ex-mercenary, and Dolly, a former battlefield nurse, lead us deep into the ugly underbelly of a seemingly idyllic Pacific Northwest coastal town.
Early one morning, just before daybreak, a body washes up on the pristine beach of a small town on the Oregon coast. The dead man’s shaven skull has been torn open, and his upper body is covered with neo-Nazi tattoos. The police quickly pick up Homer, a “walking wounded” schizophrenic who has been showing off a wristwatch he says God just gave him—a watch engraved with a symbol that exactly matches one of the dead man’s tattoos. Regardless of the fact that Homer could never have inflicted such damage on a man twice his weight and half his age, he is immediately arrested because the D.A. is desperate to close the case before it negatively impacts tourism—the town’s only industry. Mack, the director and sole employee of the local mental-health outreach program, is outraged but helpless. He confides in Dolly, who shares his outrage. But with her local connections and her husband’s ruthless skills, Dolly is anything but helpless. As the search for the real killer pulls them deeper into the world of hate groups, Dell is forced to share some of his “dark arts” knowledge with Mack. Together they discover the treasonous fog of evil that hovers not just above their town, but above America itself.
With Shockwave, Andrew Vachss reminds us once again—in his inimitable, visceral prose—that for some, peace comes at a very high price.
From the Hardcover edition.
Early one morning, just before daybreak, a body washes up on the pristine beach of a small town on the Oregon coast. The dead man’s shaven skull has been torn open, and his upper body is covered with neo-Nazi tattoos. The police quickly pick up Homer, a “walking wounded” schizophrenic who has been showing off a wristwatch he says God just gave him—a watch engraved with a symbol that exactly matches one of the dead man’s tattoos. Regardless of the fact that Homer could never have inflicted such damage on a man twice his weight and half his age, he is immediately arrested because the D.A. is desperate to close the case before it negatively impacts tourism—the town’s only industry. Mack, the director and sole employee of the local mental-health outreach program, is outraged but helpless. He confides in Dolly, who shares his outrage. But with her local connections and her husband’s ruthless skills, Dolly is anything but helpless. As the search for the real killer pulls them deeper into the world of hate groups, Dell is forced to share some of his “dark arts” knowledge with Mack. Together they discover the treasonous fog of evil that hovers not just above their town, but above America itself.
With Shockwave, Andrew Vachss reminds us once again—in his inimitable, visceral prose—that for some, peace comes at a very high price.
From the Hardcover edition.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
37 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Vachss
138 books890 followersAndrew Vachss has been a federal investigator in sexually transmitted diseases, a social-services caseworker, a labor organizer, and has directed a maximum-security prison for “aggressive-violent” youth. Now a lawyer in private practice, he represents children and youths exclusively. He is the author of numerous novels, including the Burke series, two collections of short stories, and a wide variety of other material including song lyrics, graphic novels, essays, and a “children’s book for adults.” His books have been translated into twenty languages, and his work has appeared in Parade, Antaeus, Esquire, Playboy, the New York Times, and many other forums. A native New Yorker, he now divides his time between the city of his birth and the Pacific Northwest.
The dedicated Web site for Vachss and his work is
www.vachss.com. That site and this page are managed by volunteers. To contact Mr. Vachss directly, use the "email us" function of vachss.com.
The dedicated Web site for Vachss and his work is
www.vachss.com. That site and this page are managed by volunteers. To contact Mr. Vachss directly, use the "email us" function of vachss.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 18, 2015
3.5 stars. I liked the first in the series better, mostly because I cared about the characters more and the story line was more interesting, but this is still well worth your time. Andrew Vachss's writing is very addictive. I'll read everything he's written.
June 17, 2014
Honestly, I didn't think that AFTERSHOCK should be a series. It was a wonderful stand-alone book. So when I heard about SHOCK WAVE, I didn't expect much. Boy, was I wrong. It's great to see Dell and Dolly back in action with a situation much more deadly than the first time around. Neo-Nazis and government conspiracies? Count me in. This is an amazing, violent, sad, intense read. I'm OK with running into these characters again. I think Vachss is at his best when he does one-off books (my favorite being TWO TRAINS RUNNING), but this series might just be his best.
January 19, 2020
3.75 stars. This author understands trama and PTSD and writes it very well. His ability to incorporate the psyche and how trama affects us makes him stand apart as an author. Reading his books could be cathartic for the right person. He didn’t say it in this book but I love this AV quote “we must stop rewarding criminals for biologically producing their victims”.
Overall this is a pseudo legal thriller in that the majority of the book is about a case and takes place in the courthouse, but the narrator is not the lawyer, a police investigator, or the victim/accused but rather a friend and advocate of the person on trial.
SUMMARY: female teenage sports star walks into school and shoots one boy, then sits down after, waiting to be arrested. There are dozens of witnesses. She confesses but maintains she did what she had to do for safety; that is she was not insane but justified. As the trial progresses you learn the deceased was heavily involved in the gang rape of many young girls, including friends and the younger sister of the shooter. You also learn the police have failed to prosecute any of the rape crimes, leaving many of the teen girls in fear they will be next. The case becomes a question of was she justified/acting in self-defense or is she a cold hard killer? Definitely gives you plenty to think about.
Overall this is a pseudo legal thriller in that the majority of the book is about a case and takes place in the courthouse, but the narrator is not the lawyer, a police investigator, or the victim/accused but rather a friend and advocate of the person on trial.
SUMMARY: female teenage sports star walks into school and shoots one boy, then sits down after, waiting to be arrested. There are dozens of witnesses. She confesses but maintains she did what she had to do for safety; that is she was not insane but justified. As the trial progresses you learn the deceased was heavily involved in the gang rape of many young girls, including friends and the younger sister of the shooter. You also learn the police have failed to prosecute any of the rape crimes, leaving many of the teen girls in fear they will be next. The case becomes a question of was she justified/acting in self-defense or is she a cold hard killer? Definitely gives you plenty to think about.
April 17, 2016
Andrew Vachss is a writer that you either really like, or one that you read once and never go back. I keep reading, because there is a sharp edge to his skills, as sharp as the knives that his characters frequently carry. I love the Burke series, but have a respect for everything else he writes. He writes a good story, but also weaves in important topical issues -- rape, child molestation, treatment of the homeless mentally ill, life underground and off the grid, love, and the nature of family. Shockwave brings us into a new family of choice, Del and his wife Dolly, opening their world to us, a world where to save one person, others might have to die or get hurt. What makes Vachss' stories unique is that each world he creates is self contained ... it's not the same characters from a past series rewritten into new, but similar settings. Burke is not Del who is not Cross who is not Wesley, which for me is the mark of a great writer.
January 23, 2015
Again, the usual brilliant writing and vivid characterization expected of the author. Strong psychological patterns within the plotline and a grimly realistic look at the problems of the homeless and the mentally impaired population. Not quite as bleakly pessimistic as the Burke series tends to be, but too much a realism to be anything but dark.
June 10, 2014
I didn't like the people, the story, and the writing. I even read Aftershock first, because I didn't want to give it an unfair reading. This is the third book by this author that I didn't like, so I will be skipping him for a while.
July 3, 2022
My first read of an Andrew Vachss book. One thing I like in a book of fiction is developing a liking for its main hero. For about the first half of this book, I did not like the main character. He had some redeeming qualities, but overall seemed a cold-hearted detached sociopath. Eventually, I came to realize his thinking was not as rigid and inconsiderate as I initially thought. But I kept with the novel and in the second half found the hero to be admirable in many ways, and supported his goals. The story contains way too much dialog for my tastes. But I can imagine a reading audience that likes all the dialog as it provides data by which the reader can plug into the decision-making process. To make a comparison with suspense novels that I like, I prefer Jack Reacher stories, and Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus. The Reacher novels are like action-candy. Rebus also has more action, along with enough dialog to plug the reader into the mystery-solving.
August 28, 2024
Shockwave (Aftershock #2) by Andrew Vachss (Pantheon Books 2014) (Fiction - Thriller) (3984).
This is the second of three books in Andrew Vachss’ Aftershock series. In this tale, our protagonist Dell, a former mercenary and hired gun who is married to Dolly, a former battlefield nurse, is on the trail of neo-nazis who left one of their dead on the beach in Dell’s town. When a harmless member of the local homeless community is arrested for murder while wearing the dead man’s watch, Dell’s special talents prove useful in the struggle for justice.
The background topics in this tale include schizophrenia, the Freight Train Riders Associations (a national criminal enterprise, not simple hoboes), and the different classifications (categories) of homelessness as filtered through social workers.
In my humble opinion, this is truly not one of the author’s more inspired offerings.
My rating: 7/10, finished 8/28/24 (3984).
February 2, 2020
I really did not care too much for the first book of this series, but had enough of an interesting story-line that I thought I'd give #2 a chance.
Well, I really did not like this one at all. Even though the main characters have this strange and hard past, it did not make this book any more likable. In the first book that was what was interesting, but a lot of this book recollected the first and the story-line, which could have been good, it came across lame and confusing. I'm definitely passing on #3 of this series.
Well, I really did not like this one at all. Even though the main characters have this strange and hard past, it did not make this book any more likable. In the first book that was what was interesting, but a lot of this book recollected the first and the story-line, which could have been good, it came across lame and confusing. I'm definitely passing on #3 of this series.
May 13, 2017
Excellent entry in the Aftershock series. The Characters are rich and the plot is strong and rings true. It is crime fiction, social commentary and a love story. It is simply a great read. Most people will not meet the many of the types of characters that Andrew writes about, luckily. There is truth in this fiction. It is rare that you will get both a great read as well as being able to learn.
January 25, 2022
2 hrs. and 40 minutes in and it is the purest Dada...conversations that get more and more ridiculous, again and again. Laugh out loud stuff, which could be improved if the last three interchanges were, "Duh?" "Duh?" "Duh?" "Duh?" "Duh?" "Duh?"
July 22, 2024
Everyone has a bad day once in awhile and this was Vachss turn.
Not nearly as good as the first book in this series.
The writing was not on par with Vachss previous works and the story didn't draw me in the way it usually does.
Not nearly as good as the first book in this series.
The writing was not on par with Vachss previous works and the story didn't draw me in the way it usually does.
January 22, 2017
I think this is a fine series, really enjoy the addition of strong female characters, just not feeling it as much as Vachss' earlier works.
February 6, 2018
Enjoyable
December 31, 2022
A bit weird and annoying. Quite a good ending. Maybe worth trying another, but maybe cut losses.
June 25, 2014
Shockwave is the second installment in Mr. Vachss's new series featuring retired mercenary Dell and his wife, former war nurse, Dolly. The first novel, Aftershock, was a pleasant surprise, coming as it did after several successful stand-alone novels. In Dell, Vachss has reinvented many of the traits that made Burke, the central character of his previous long-running series, such an effective protagonist. Unlike Burke's diverse crew, however, Dell's family of choice comprises only his wife, Dolly, who serves as his conscience and goads him into action where he would otherwise remain uninvolved.
The first novel in this series was quite well written and engaging. This second entry surpasses the first. In addition to a well constructed plot, it provides more of Dell's background and also introduces a new character, Mack (pleasantly recognizable to those familiar with the author's real-life associates), who serves as an effective foil for Dell. Mack also provides an alternative kind of heroism to that offered by Dell, while still allowing Dell to play the primary role in the story.
For readers new to Vachss's work, it would be wise to read the first novel in this series before this one as some of the plot elements here depend on a knowledge of events in the first book. This novel could certainly function as a stand-alone, but some of the pleasure of recognition and knowledge would be lost.
Vachss continues to develop his distinctive, terse style, which should please his fans. New readers should know that this is not brainless reading. The plot is fast-paced and there is plenty of action and mystery, but Vachss expects his readers to be active, to think and pay attention. As usual, the reward is well worth the effort.
The first novel in this series was quite well written and engaging. This second entry surpasses the first. In addition to a well constructed plot, it provides more of Dell's background and also introduces a new character, Mack (pleasantly recognizable to those familiar with the author's real-life associates), who serves as an effective foil for Dell. Mack also provides an alternative kind of heroism to that offered by Dell, while still allowing Dell to play the primary role in the story.
For readers new to Vachss's work, it would be wise to read the first novel in this series before this one as some of the plot elements here depend on a knowledge of events in the first book. This novel could certainly function as a stand-alone, but some of the pleasure of recognition and knowledge would be lost.
Vachss continues to develop his distinctive, terse style, which should please his fans. New readers should know that this is not brainless reading. The plot is fast-paced and there is plenty of action and mystery, but Vachss expects his readers to be active, to think and pay attention. As usual, the reward is well worth the effort.
July 1, 2014
Like Strega, the second book in the Burke series, I think Shockwave is the book with which Vachss has hit his stride with the characters at the center of the Aftershock series. This one is much more subtle in its treatment of the subject of people who suffer from the psychological trauma of being both primary and secondary participants in traumatic experiences. In Aftershock, we learned how Dolly's career as a nurse in Médecins Sans Frontières continued to haunt her long after she left the war zone for "peaceful" territory. Shockwave is her man, Dell's, story. He's haunted by his past both as a Légionnaire and as a mercenary. Ensuring peace at home means exposing the unhealed wounds of war. This book has all the hallmarks of Vachss' best writing along with new characters and a Trojan horse topic that is as horrific as it is unacknowledged. If you're a fan, Shockwave is a do not miss title!
June 25, 2014
Adelbert Jackson is not his name. He doesn't know his real name. He escaped from a clinic in Belgium when he was nine, the years before erased. He grew up on the streets of Paris, adopted by a master thief, Luc. He joined the French Foreign Legion and fought everywhere it was required. Now, he lives in Oregon with his wife, Dolly, a former nurse with Medicins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) and tries to stay out of trouble, but it seems to have a way of finding him. A dead body turns up in a cove outside of town and a homeless, schizophrenic man named Homer is held for the crime. Dolly knows Homer could not have done it and once Del looks at the evidence, he knows as well. He will do anything to make Dolly happy, so he has to find the person who murdered the dead Nazi and take care of the problem. And violence is his creed.
March 29, 2015
The world of Andrew Vachss is not like your world or mine. His world---in NYC or Chicago or the Pacific Northwest or Africa or anywhere---is hard, tough, full of implication and people you do not want to have over for lunch.
Sadly, his world exists, and so do the fearsome people. They walk the streets, drive the highways, live in the neighborhoods we inhabit. Most of us are fortunate enough to see through or past them; we don't hear them or recognise what they are. Most of the time.
Here Vachss schools us a bit about his hidden world and about the Neo-Nazis we see skulking about, usually full of ink and short of hair, but always suffused with evil and hate. The nice thing about most Vachss books (this one is no exception, but a bit weaker than normal) comes when those Nazis and their kin suddenly cease to be.
Recommended.
Sadly, his world exists, and so do the fearsome people. They walk the streets, drive the highways, live in the neighborhoods we inhabit. Most of us are fortunate enough to see through or past them; we don't hear them or recognise what they are. Most of the time.
Here Vachss schools us a bit about his hidden world and about the Neo-Nazis we see skulking about, usually full of ink and short of hair, but always suffused with evil and hate. The nice thing about most Vachss books (this one is no exception, but a bit weaker than normal) comes when those Nazis and their kin suddenly cease to be.
Recommended.
July 2, 2014
Nice! The second book in the Dell and Dolly series is every bit as good as the first. It will be interesting to see just how long this series gets. Since Dell's main objective is always to protect his family, it's not easy motivating him to go out and do detective things. A significant chunk of this book is spent making sure that his motivations for doing the things he does are believable. As always, Vachss' deceptively simple prose works its magic, its innocuousness concealing a razor sharp edge. When I bought my very first books by Andrew Vachss (Flood and Strega), the bookstore clerk remarked, "Oh, these! They'll rot your mind." He wasn't wrong. They're addictive. You've been warned.
July 12, 2014
I have never wanted to put down an Andrew Vachss novel and have never been anything but completely engaged, dragged along for a pell-mell ride. In every novel, Vachss has led me through twists driven by new revelations, new information and the deep dark knowledge of the protagonist (mostly Burke). This book is a mess. It's possible that it finds direction somewhere in the last third, but I couldn't tell you. My TBR shelf is too tall to spend time trying to decipher something like Shockwave (which isn't a thriller, btw). There's always something potentially engaging in that stack and it's time to move on.
June 19, 2014
How could a sequel be so disappointing? I really enjoyed Aftershock and was looking forward to more Dolly and Dell novels. I pity the reader who picks this book up before reading Aftershock. Even reading the first one, I found this to be too cryptic and down right confusing. Several times I wanted to stop reading but I decided to finish it out. Rarely do I say, "HORRIBLE" when I finish a book, but I did with this one and it will be the last Vachss novel for me, even if Dolly and Dell make another appearance. What a shame!
July 28, 2014
Not my favorite Vachss novel. Among my friends we have a shared comment we use for books that leave us lukewarm: I finished it. Well, I finished it. I really didn't care how it ended, I just wanted it to end so I could move onto something better. I think I would have preferred if Vachss had just written an article or lecture on how to be a mercenary soldier, because much of this book seemed like a how-to on being a French Legionnaire. I usually appreciate his introduction of raw topics to his audience, but this usually comes with an interesting store line. Not this time.
August 31, 2014
Shockwave is the second novel in the Aftershock series featuring Del, an amnesiac former mercenary and his wife Dolly, a former battlefield nurse. When a Neo-Nazi ex-con's corpse washes up on the shore of their resort town, the police arrest a mentally ill homeless man named Homer, who had come into possession of the "victim's" watch. Dolly with characteristic compassion, cannot abide a vulnerable member of society being railroaded for a crime he couldn't have committed so she urges her husband to use his mercenary skills to get involved in the case and help free Homer.
August 18, 2016
Unlikely plot with very poorly motivated characters. At each turning point in the narrative, you get the feeling that Vachss realizes he has spent too much time spewing sociological trivia and he has to move the plot along or he will lose the reader. The first idea to leap into his head is good enough. Doesn't need to make sense. Identical pseudo-tough guy dialogue and non-verbal BS from all pseudo-tough biker types. I know, there is no mention of a biker in the book but that is the general subculture. Two stars is generous. Finished with Vachss.
July 10, 2014
I received a free copy of this book through the "Good Reads" First Reads Giveaway.
This author has written many books, but this is the first one I've read. It is certainly original. After getting down to 50 pages, I still wondered where this story was going,it's not a mystery in the usual sense. The premise of the story is far fetched. Be prepared for chapters of raw and violent action which seem out of proportion to the situation.
This author has written many books, but this is the first one I've read. It is certainly original. After getting down to 50 pages, I still wondered where this story was going,it's not a mystery in the usual sense. The premise of the story is far fetched. Be prepared for chapters of raw and violent action which seem out of proportion to the situation.
August 6, 2014
This was a firstreads book.
This was my first Andrew Vachss read and I was disappointed. The story just didn't flow well for me at all. I didn't bond with the characters, I really didn't care for Dell and I just wanted it to be over and done. I finished it, but it felt more like a chore and not an adventure.
This was my first Andrew Vachss read and I was disappointed. The story just didn't flow well for me at all. I didn't bond with the characters, I really didn't care for Dell and I just wanted it to be over and done. I finished it, but it felt more like a chore and not an adventure.
April 26, 2015
Not as good as Aftershock due to way too much recapping of Aftershock and being spun on too thin a thread for this story to be cohesive enough.
That said even a poor Vachss' book will provide a quality education upon life in areas where most of us are ignorant, while keeping you interested enough to turn the pages. I like Dell and hope to see more books in this series.
That said even a poor Vachss' book will provide a quality education upon life in areas where most of us are ignorant, while keeping you interested enough to turn the pages. I like Dell and hope to see more books in this series.
April 29, 2015
A really terrible book. Crappy plot, uninteresting characters and poorly done violence.
So why did I finish it? I suppose that after I'd read for a half hour, I got to thinking there must be some redeeming virtues. But after an hour and a half, I became intrigued by the question, how did this ever get printed?
Also, it was relatively short (its only virtue).
So why did I finish it? I suppose that after I'd read for a half hour, I got to thinking there must be some redeeming virtues. But after an hour and a half, I became intrigued by the question, how did this ever get printed?
Also, it was relatively short (its only virtue).
September 7, 2016
I thought it interesting but it's another of these books in which we're supposed to find the activities of a homicidally-inclined vigilante an entertainment.
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