Parting Shot

by Jonathan Stone

Local television reporter Sam Stevens is consumed by his failing marriage and, more than that, by the psychological harm his wife is doing to their ten-year-old son. As Sam covers a once-in-a-lifetime story---one that has turned Webster County into bedlam but is at last providing Sam with an opportunity for media stardom---he suddenly sees an even better chance: to solve his personal problems forever.
But there’s another player thrust into the national spotlight along with Sam: It’s Sheriff Billy Wyatt, who’s in way over his head. The FBI is breathing down his neck, and the national press highlights his every bungle. He’s confronting a madman---and his own limits. Can he outsmart either?
Out of elements that thriller readers have come to expect, Jonathan Stone has woven a story they assuredly will not expect. In whirlwind action and hurricane prose that echo the best of James Patterson and Harlan Coben, Stone is in top form here, delivering a tale about the unchecked power of the media and the unreasonable passions of fatherhood---with a payoff that will stun and startle, yet make perfect sense.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2006

About the author

Jonathan Stone, author of the Julian Palmer novels, is a graduate of Yale University, where he was a Scholar of the House in Fiction Writing and twice won the English Department's John Hubbard Curtis Prize for Best Imaginative Writing. He works in advertising and lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Keith Curran]

Wait... That’s the END?

Wyatt SOLVED WHAT, exactly? Hold ON! The fact that the killer was Ray’s SON means there’s no contradiction between Ray being in custody and Sam’s wife being killed. JOE did it. And, the one(s) after? It’s unclear when Joe turned himself in, but SO WHAT? HE COULD HAVE HAD A TWIN BOTHER! Wyatt may THINK he KNOWS what happened, but where’s the EVIDENCE? All circumstantial. He admitted it himself! To Sam. Where are the fingerprints? Sam killed Ray with, I think, Ray’s gun, but SO WHAT? Could have been a set up. It could have been planted there at the cabin when Sam and his son arrived. And, the fact that Ray and Sam “made a pact” is mere, insane THEORY! NO PROOF! So, what was Sams provable crime? Was he arrested for “The murder of Ray Fine”? A man who was at the cabin to KILL him? So WHAT if he videotaped it? He’s a REPORTER? WHAT EXACTLY WAS SAM ARRESTED FOR?

OTHERWISE, good book, but far too philosophical. Every scene ended with “He could do that. Or, he could not do that.”

[Pascale]

Although Stone is a cleverer and more painstaking thriller writer than a lot of the more famous names out there, this overcomplicated plot left me unsatisfied. Sam is an ambitious local TV reporter who takes advantage of the presence of a serial killer in the community to get rid of his own embittered and cheating wife. Unfortunately for him, he kills her just hours after the police has made an arrest. As soon as Ray, their suspect, is released, he pays Sam a visit and blackmails him into taking down further random victims to protect them both. Sam feels he has no choice but to comply. The case is then put in the hands of the FBI as Sheriff Wyatt assaulted Ray when he was in custody. Stone tries to have it both ways with Sam, portraying him as both an average loving father and an incipient psychopath who takes to killing like a duck to water. The 2 big plot twists at the end didn't seem necessary to me. This should be catnip for fans of the genre, but it's nowhere near "The Prison Minyan".

[Pete Bylone]

This was a bit of mindless fun to read. A quick page turner that didn't require much reflection, it doesn't force you to make any connections that it doesn't make explicitly clear. I don't know what you call an ending that has a big reveal that is totally irrelevant to the story, but this one has one of those, also. I think it was clever and original enough to keep me interested, and the pacing was brisk. Would make a fine beach read for those who like a little bit of murder/suspense with your SPF 30.

[Kathleen]

I would have given this book a four star rating, howeverI found calling the retribution of the accused website “Just Deserts” instead of “Just Desserts” extremely annoying and it affected my ability to enjoy the story. In addition, I am not a fan of cliffhanger ends so Barclay let me down there. Still a good story that’s worth reading.

[Julie]

WOW!! This is the most twisted, mind bending psychological book on serial snipers you will ever read. You cannot even imagine the turns and twists this book throws at you. Up to and including the last page. You will probably read through the night on this book-- I couldn't put it down!

[Brian O'Leary]

serial sniper, a bit different of a take on the serial killer idea

[Brett Wallach]

Nice twists and turns, but too slowly paced, and way too much inner monologue.

[Agnes]

Ray...Joe....Sam....Tommy........Inside the Mind of a Serial Killer. Way too much time in the mind of one, trying to be one....but is Ray one? And Sam...great way to get rid of a wife. And whats with Tommy, his son, who does not say a word...whats in his mind? And all being tracked by Sheriff Wyatt..who has alot on his mind. A bit draw out for me and not the ending I was expecting. More explaining needed and less getting into everyone's mind....

[Ruth Graybill]

Good reading.

This is a story with a lot of twists and turns.I picked it to read because I. like the author and the way he thinks. You will never be able to guess the ending no matter how good you are at figuring out endings to
mysteries. Happy reading!

[Verna L Dickson]

Another great story


I can't imagine how J. Stone can keep coming up with one story after another each one so very different with amazing twists and turns.You always have to get to the very end before it all comes together.

[Donna Halloran]

I have no idea what to say here... I was mostly hating the book. Then the end... with a totally and completely unexpected twist... I just... I didn't like the characters... as people... yuck! So that always makes it hard

[B. Shaun Smith]

Had a good ending that the book stumbled to. Used a lot of 'he' and 'she', which was confusing at times. Especially when you have four male characters. Felt the author was lazy in wanting to insert the characters names. The way the book was formatted for e-book did not help either.

[Kathyz]

Started out a little slow but then it was hard to put the book down. The ending was incredible

[John W]

Great plot. But a little too verbose!

[judy pierson]

Riveting

Riveting

unexpected twist and turns
couldn't wait to finish it. what a story teller Jonathan Stone is!! This is a great read.

[Katherine Decker]

So many twists and turns. Inside the mind of a serial killer. An excellent thriller

[Linda Dunlap]

Just okay. Not as good as Stones usual fare.

Too many twists and turns for me. No character I could like. Didn't have the authors usual smooth touch. Maybe a different editor.

[Gail West]

Good read

Couldn't put this book down. Kept me on the edge of my seat. If you like a good story, try this one.

[Blondiemem]

Story takes you for a ride and as it wraps up and comes full circle, returns you home at the doorstep. Enjoyed the suspense of it.

[Edward Smith]

a tense thriller all the way. Ddi not expect that ending at all. Enjoyed it but just not expected.