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Nevada James #2
Scars (Nevada James #2)
Twenty years ago San Diego was rocked by a horrific car bombing. Local technology researcher Adam Collins and his young son were killed, and his wife Anita horribly maimed. Although the bombing at first appeared to be the work of the anti-technology extremist "The Unabomber," he was eventually ruled out as the killer. The crime went unsolved.Now former SDPD detective Nevada James, with three months sobriety under her belt, is asked by Anita Collins to take another look at the case. Nevada doesn't believe she'll come up with anything after so much time has passed, but she finds Anita fascinating. Is she the kind, grandmotherly woman she appears to be, or is she something else entirely?Meanwhile, a copycat killer is loose on the streets of San Diego and Nevada's former protégé calls her in for advice. Posing his victims in much the same manner as the Laughing Man, the killer appears to be after little more than respect. Whether he wants it from Nevada or the Laughing Man himself remains to be seen, but the body count is growing. Can Nevada beat him at his own game without losing herself again in the process?
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2015
28 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 14, 2015
good thrilling mystery
I read the first nevada james novel and couldn't wait to read this one. I was just as intriged by number 2 as the first.
I read the first nevada james novel and couldn't wait to read this one. I was just as intriged by number 2 as the first.
December 9, 2015
He's Still Out There
Yep, the laughing man serial killer is still out there and still watching Nevada Smith. Nevada is still fighting her demons but she has gone three months without the need for alcohol to dull her senses and forget that she couldn't save the two girls that the laughing man killed in front of her and kept her alive.
When a body is found and the cops think that the laughing man has struck again, they call Nevada in. She knows immediately that this is a copycat. Weeks later another body and it is the copycat again.
Nevada takes another case on, this time a car bombing that killed Anita Collins husband and son. This case is over 20 years old, but Anita stills wants the bomber found and punished.
Nevada's does take the case on and in between trying to find the bomber, this copycat killer is getting to close to Nevada. Great action novel that will keep you reading. Does the laughing man finally met up again with Nevada. If so, who will survive.
Hope there is another installment in these series of books.
Yep, the laughing man serial killer is still out there and still watching Nevada Smith. Nevada is still fighting her demons but she has gone three months without the need for alcohol to dull her senses and forget that she couldn't save the two girls that the laughing man killed in front of her and kept her alive.
When a body is found and the cops think that the laughing man has struck again, they call Nevada in. She knows immediately that this is a copycat. Weeks later another body and it is the copycat again.
Nevada takes another case on, this time a car bombing that killed Anita Collins husband and son. This case is over 20 years old, but Anita stills wants the bomber found and punished.
Nevada's does take the case on and in between trying to find the bomber, this copycat killer is getting to close to Nevada. Great action novel that will keep you reading. Does the laughing man finally met up again with Nevada. If so, who will survive.
Hope there is another installment in these series of books.
May 24, 2015
just as good as the first one. Nevada recovers from her drinking in this one somewhat at least she hasn't picked up a bottle and actually drank one. in this story Nevada is waiting for her nemesis the "laughing man" to begin the game, instead she becomes a target for a copycat while also dealing with a twenty year old cold case.
a car bombing in the nineties that took the lives of a scientist and son leaving the wife tragically burned throughout the majority of her body. can Nevada solve a cold case that no one else ever could and bring justice to a now old grieving lady or at least give her the truth behind it ? and more dastardly is there more to this sweet old lady than meets the eye?
a day and a half read . full of action ups and downs and turns.
I hope there will be more to this series of Nevada james cause im hooked I gotta know if she ever catches the "laughing man" and what she does and if she ever gets her life back.
a new fave author
a car bombing in the nineties that took the lives of a scientist and son leaving the wife tragically burned throughout the majority of her body. can Nevada solve a cold case that no one else ever could and bring justice to a now old grieving lady or at least give her the truth behind it ? and more dastardly is there more to this sweet old lady than meets the eye?
a day and a half read . full of action ups and downs and turns.
I hope there will be more to this series of Nevada james cause im hooked I gotta know if she ever catches the "laughing man" and what she does and if she ever gets her life back.
a new fave author
February 10, 2019
I really like this series. I like Nevada a lot, even though she's kinda unlikable. I guess I can identify with that lol. These are mysteries, and I enjoy a mystery if I think it is somewhat solvable (who am I kidding, I enjoy it even with they aren't solvable, as long as it's interesting). This book actually had a few mysteries...the copycat, the bomber and then Nevada's wait for the Laughing Man. Why do I feel like the Laughing Man is someone she knows? I do. I guess it's the mail and flowers? I dunno.
The copycat case...felt obvious? I knew who it was really really early on. I figured the clues MUST be a red herring. But no, it was who I thought. I actually worried after the big reveal that the Laughing Man would swoop in and save Nevada again. That...would have been formulaic I guess.
The bomber....I don't know why that was a part of this book? I don't think it furthered the main plot, it seemed sort of unrelated. I guess to keep Nevada busy...but she was busy enough without the case. To keep her distracted from the copycat case and it's obvious villain? Maybe. I liked the old lady, so I'm not complaining. But it was unsolvable and seemed like a needless addition.
Lastly...I keep noticing food in this series. It's weird. In the last book, Nevada is in the clutches of alcohol addiction, and I figured the food was to highlight how much she DIDN'T eat and how drunk she probably is for most of the book. This book, she's sober. But she talks about food all the time. I think we got the details of everything she consumed...chips and pop and breakfast and Denny's and a rotisserie chicken....it's all the time. I have no idea why this is a thing, but it amuses me?
I dunno. I like this series a lot. It's absorbing and interesting, well written and I really like Nevada.
The copycat case...felt obvious? I knew who it was really really early on. I figured the clues MUST be a red herring. But no, it was who I thought. I actually worried after the big reveal that the Laughing Man would swoop in and save Nevada again. That...would have been formulaic I guess.
The bomber....I don't know why that was a part of this book? I don't think it furthered the main plot, it seemed sort of unrelated. I guess to keep Nevada busy...but she was busy enough without the case. To keep her distracted from the copycat case and it's obvious villain? Maybe. I liked the old lady, so I'm not complaining. But it was unsolvable and seemed like a needless addition.
Lastly...I keep noticing food in this series. It's weird. In the last book, Nevada is in the clutches of alcohol addiction, and I figured the food was to highlight how much she DIDN'T eat and how drunk she probably is for most of the book. This book, she's sober. But she talks about food all the time. I think we got the details of everything she consumed...chips and pop and breakfast and Denny's and a rotisserie chicken....it's all the time. I have no idea why this is a thing, but it amuses me?
I dunno. I like this series a lot. It's absorbing and interesting, well written and I really like Nevada.
September 15, 2019
I'm as impatient about when the next book will start as Nevada is for the game to begin.
May 29, 2020
nevada james got sober and take on a 20 years old murder case.
Lots of humor. Reading next book now .
Lots of humor. Reading next book now .
May 24, 2021
Hero or tragic figure?
It's always compelling when someone has to overcome personal problems and simultaneously solve others. At what personal exspense to themselves.
It's always compelling when someone has to overcome personal problems and simultaneously solve others. At what personal exspense to themselves.
December 7, 2015
Where is book 3?
I have read both books in the Nevada James series.. I have enjoyed the plots and characters,however Nevada's battle with alcohol is very interesting to me. I don't drink yet I've always wondered how a person reached the point of drinking themselves slowly to death.. I guess it's true of all addictions. Suffice to say the Laughing Man preys on Nevada's mind daily.. I'm with her on when the "game" will start again.. I'm rooting for Nevada but I do hope there is a heart to heart talk between her and Laughing Man before he does slowly.. please release book three ASAP !! I don't want this series to end at book three besides there is enough craziness in the world for Nevada and "friends" to put away.
I have read both books in the Nevada James series.. I have enjoyed the plots and characters,however Nevada's battle with alcohol is very interesting to me. I don't drink yet I've always wondered how a person reached the point of drinking themselves slowly to death.. I guess it's true of all addictions. Suffice to say the Laughing Man preys on Nevada's mind daily.. I'm with her on when the "game" will start again.. I'm rooting for Nevada but I do hope there is a heart to heart talk between her and Laughing Man before he does slowly.. please release book three ASAP !! I don't want this series to end at book three besides there is enough craziness in the world for Nevada and "friends" to put away.
September 9, 2016
Something akin to "Silence of the Lambs"
Mat Storm has an easy stile. There are no big ah ha moments and you make the discoveries right along side Nevada James. It is like driving at night in the rain. You know where you're suppose to go but you can't make out all the shadows beyond the head lights. When you get to your destination, you suddenly realize that although there were no freaky surprises, there will still be the drive home in Book 3.
Nevada is no longer the self-destructive alcoholic she was in Book 1. She is still in pursuit of a serial killer. Nevada is hard but fragile and always a very cool customer. She has an inner strength like Clarice in Silence of the Lambs. however Nevada has nothing to lose.
Mat Storm has an easy stile. There are no big ah ha moments and you make the discoveries right along side Nevada James. It is like driving at night in the rain. You know where you're suppose to go but you can't make out all the shadows beyond the head lights. When you get to your destination, you suddenly realize that although there were no freaky surprises, there will still be the drive home in Book 3.
Nevada is no longer the self-destructive alcoholic she was in Book 1. She is still in pursuit of a serial killer. Nevada is hard but fragile and always a very cool customer. She has an inner strength like Clarice in Silence of the Lambs. however Nevada has nothing to lose.
March 31, 2016
I love this series so far! Nevada James is now sober and still waiting on The "Laughing Man" to strike again. The set up for this series is so good. This is going to be a great cat & mouse chase between these two. Will Nevada go back on the force? Or will she continue to do 'consultant' work? We shall see. I love all the characters so far. Excited for the next installment.
July 10, 2016
2nd in the series, and still enjoying our disrespectful heroine, she is no longer as broken as she was in the 1st instalment, (which I'm missing - but I also want her to get better, so perhaps that says more about me than her....) but still as awkward and socially inept as ever. Other good well rounded characters too in this episode. Still loving our Nevada. Ready for the next one.
July 31, 2015
Brisk, with well developed characters
Perhaps more predictable than the first, because the characters are very consistent. I would have appreciated more twists, but it was still a good read. I will definitely read any other works Storm will release.
Perhaps more predictable than the first, because the characters are very consistent. I would have appreciated more twists, but it was still a good read. I will definitely read any other works Storm will release.
November 2, 2015
Not the Best Mystery, but very good.
Have finished the first two 'Nevada James' books. Character is in development, but seri s could get better as it go s along. Hope the author continues the series as it has a nice originality.
Have finished the first two 'Nevada James' books. Character is in development, but seri s could get better as it go s along. Hope the author continues the series as it has a nice originality.
December 6, 2015
Captivating
I'm totally engrossed in this series. Nevada James is captivating and really screwed up. Loved this book. Probably better then the first one. I'm looking forward to the game of life between her and the Laughing Man to continue.
I'm totally engrossed in this series. Nevada James is captivating and really screwed up. Loved this book. Probably better then the first one. I'm looking forward to the game of life between her and the Laughing Man to continue.
December 10, 2015
Good Book, Quick wit....the Mysteries and Issues seemed to ravel up too easy...BAM, there's the end. Book does prelude to the next book...can't wait for some game playing between Nevada and the Laughing Man. He's creepy.
January 25, 2016
A little predictable
I liked that we were able to see more of Nevada (sober) in this version. I'm glad there were two story lines. I probably would have grown bored with just one. The copycat was a little predictable, but I like Nevada, so that made up for it.
I liked that we were able to see more of Nevada (sober) in this version. I'm glad there were two story lines. I probably would have grown bored with just one. The copycat was a little predictable, but I like Nevada, so that made up for it.
June 19, 2016
I preferred this to Nevada #1 perhaps because she's now in the wagon and has her wits more firmly about her. Lots of twists and turns, with all not as it seems. Look forward to seeing where Nevada #3 takes us.
June 27, 2016
Fab - really enjoyed this second outing for Nevada. Very well constructed plot - she solves 2 cases while being ready to take on the Laughing Man, who is always there in the background ... roll on number 3!
June 25, 2016
Brilliant read
I am loving this series, I love Nevada's sarcastic and very blunt nature, which is refreshing her the type of character that she's playing which is one of the good guys. The storylines are great and keep you interested from start to finish.
I am loving this series, I love Nevada's sarcastic and very blunt nature, which is refreshing her the type of character that she's playing which is one of the good guys. The storylines are great and keep you interested from start to finish.
June 11, 2015
Awesome book read #1 in 2 days went right out and got this one read in 2 days I hope there's a book #3 coming loved it
August 5, 2015
Awesome read
Awesome series.
How to recognize a great book....if you start reading, and not stop until the last page. Thank you Mr. Storm.
Awesome series.
How to recognize a great book....if you start reading, and not stop until the last page. Thank you Mr. Storm.
September 2, 2015
Keeps your attention
Waiting for the Laughing Man to come back, a copycat starts in. Nevada is busy with a 20 year old bombing and trying to stay sober.
Waiting for the Laughing Man to come back, a copycat starts in. Nevada is busy with a 20 year old bombing and trying to stay sober.
December 6, 2015
Like main character. Will read next in series.
January 26, 2016
Love Nevada
Scars is a great read. Nevada's raw truths adds depth, pulling you into her struggles , flaws and pain. I am anticipating her next move. .
Scars is a great read. Nevada's raw truths adds depth, pulling you into her struggles , flaws and pain. I am anticipating her next move. .
May 3, 2016
Thrilling
After reading book one I bought this straightaway. I just had to know what the conclusion was. I won't spoil it for you but I've enjoyed it. So far......
After reading book one I bought this straightaway. I just had to know what the conclusion was. I won't spoil it for you but I've enjoyed it. So far......
June 15, 2016
Good read
Very well written, fascinating plot, will she/won't she fall off the wagon? Looking forward to next in series very much
Very well written, fascinating plot, will she/won't she fall off the wagon? Looking forward to next in series very much
July 29, 2016
Better 'n better
Read both back to back and enjoyed this flawed ex-cop's journey. Reminds me of a female version of Ian Rankin's Edinburgh detective. Great read.
Read both back to back and enjoyed this flawed ex-cop's journey. Reminds me of a female version of Ian Rankin's Edinburgh detective. Great read.
July 3, 2016
When does the next book come out!?
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews