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Alexandra Destephano #4
Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End
The party of the year in the rural Virginia countryside turns into a day of horror as the enemies of Alex's grandfather, Congressman Adam Patrick Lee, bring the war to his Virginia estate killing, maiming and destroying every thing in their path.
282 pages, ebook
First published June 12, 2015
180 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Judith Lucci
63 books425 followersDr. Judith Lucci is an Amazon bestselling author who writes what she knows. She is the author of the Alex Destephano Medical Thriller Series and the soon to be released Michaela McPherson, Private Eye, a series centered on a retired homicide detective from Richmond, Virginia who really can’t retire.
“Before I wrote fiction, I was an academic writer who published research, theoretical works, text books and just about anything a nurse or college professor needed to publish to survive. The differences in academic writing and writing fiction are dramatic. Writing what I know propels me to pull from my clinical experiences, some good, some not and use popular fiction as a means to teach and advocate for others. My books have three purposes, to engage the reader, to entertain them and to educate about healthcare and perhaps, the darker side of hospital life.
I am a nurse and hold graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. I have always been a reader and a writer and I love it. I am a member of the Virginia Writers Club, The Shenandoah Valley Writers and Sisters in Crime.
When I’m not writing I am probably teaching, paining on silk as I am a multi-media artist or playing with my many dogs. Please feel free to contact me at judithlucciwrites@gmail.com. I am excited about meeting you!
“Before I wrote fiction, I was an academic writer who published research, theoretical works, text books and just about anything a nurse or college professor needed to publish to survive. The differences in academic writing and writing fiction are dramatic. Writing what I know propels me to pull from my clinical experiences, some good, some not and use popular fiction as a means to teach and advocate for others. My books have three purposes, to engage the reader, to entertain them and to educate about healthcare and perhaps, the darker side of hospital life.
I am a nurse and hold graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. I have always been a reader and a writer and I love it. I am a member of the Virginia Writers Club, The Shenandoah Valley Writers and Sisters in Crime.
When I’m not writing I am probably teaching, paining on silk as I am a multi-media artist or playing with my many dogs. Please feel free to contact me at judithlucciwrites@gmail.com. I am excited about meeting you!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 1, 2015
High Tension Terrorism Meets Alex Destephano Head On
Ms. Lucci does it again in spades in her action-packed Book 4 of the Alex Destephano Series. Toxic New Year hits the ground running and keeps the reader glued to a story that delves deeply into the hearts and minds of its characters. People are important to this author as she paints a landscape filled with nuanced brushstrokes. Fleshing out new and deeper personality traits, and even quirks, elaborating both strengths and weaknesses, for her myriad of well-developed souls engenders interest in this exciting story.
Humanity reigns supreme in this terrorist plot steeped in New Orleans and Virginia’s society and peopled by grizzly Al Qaeda types, dedicated cops and Lucci’s usual cast of likeable stars. People respond to the needs of their lives. The ex-CIA guy has a touching reason for his treason, making even a traitor a person to identify with. For this reader, Alex’s escape to Italy drips with reality – a strong young woman explores new experiences. Let’s hope the next in the series will test the author’s mettle in a European backdrop. Couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait for the next one!
Ms. Lucci does it again in spades in her action-packed Book 4 of the Alex Destephano Series. Toxic New Year hits the ground running and keeps the reader glued to a story that delves deeply into the hearts and minds of its characters. People are important to this author as she paints a landscape filled with nuanced brushstrokes. Fleshing out new and deeper personality traits, and even quirks, elaborating both strengths and weaknesses, for her myriad of well-developed souls engenders interest in this exciting story.
Humanity reigns supreme in this terrorist plot steeped in New Orleans and Virginia’s society and peopled by grizzly Al Qaeda types, dedicated cops and Lucci’s usual cast of likeable stars. People respond to the needs of their lives. The ex-CIA guy has a touching reason for his treason, making even a traitor a person to identify with. For this reader, Alex’s escape to Italy drips with reality – a strong young woman explores new experiences. Let’s hope the next in the series will test the author’s mettle in a European backdrop. Couldn’t put it down! Can’t wait for the next one!
January 4, 2026
I wasn't prepared for this book. I went in totally blind, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Didn't even know that it was part of a series. Read it for the title to complete a challenge. Now I have to back and read the rest.
August 20, 2020
This book is like a roller coaster ride. Thrilling, scary, twists, turns, and ups and downs. Alex Desephano, hospital lawyer/nurse has had one hell of a year and is celebrating the New Year at her grandparent's farm in Virginia. It begins with the beautiful wedding of 2 of her best friends on New Year's Eve and continues with the annual Bloody Mary New Year's Day celebration. Unfortunately it does get bloody and the story travels on from there to New York, New Orleans and France. Now to continue on to "Evil: Finding St. Germaine" which already looks like another thrill ride.
June 28, 2015
The fourth book in the Alex Destephano series, ‘Toxic New Year’ by Judith Lucci has a difficult task to follow the high standard of the author’s previous medical thrillers yet takes that challenge and surpasses the goal with ease. It balances solid, fast-paced intrigue with a character-based story centred round her hospital lawyer protagonist. From the initial pages the reader is steadfastly drawn into the tale as we follow the events leading up to a deadly terrorist bombing. Fans of the author’s previous works will encounter new facets of familiar characters as the events unfold. Even the life of the protagonist is shaken to its core as she encounters her past and makes a series of decisions that take her into uncharted waters.
As usual, Lucci does a superb job of placing the reader in the New Orleans and Virginian society in which her heroine moves. With flowing descriptions and insightful dialogue she relates the hours before the attack, creating a convincing canvas against which the placid life of the New Year celebrations and marriage of two of her characters unfolds, only to bring this crashing down as harsh reality intrudes.
We are also introduced to three new characters, each with interesting backstories to reveal: Digger Stilgrove and his wife Mary each have important supporting roles in the first half of the novel. Stilgrove’s intriguing past is hinted at and I hope we get to meet him again in another novel. The third character, Jacob Stark, had to be the hardest to write, however, and a huge gamble by the author. An ex-CIA man turned co-author of the terrorist attack who, by an interesting turn of events, re-enters Alex Destephano’s life to add even more uncertainty to her future. Stark is a character you have to hate on a basic visceral level for his despicable acts at the beginning of the book, yet we are allowed to see, and even sympathise with, his reasoning. Truly a fine portrait of moral ambiguity by Lucci, one which helps to elevate this series to new heights.
A superlative follow-on for the Alex Destephano series. Highly recommended!
As usual, Lucci does a superb job of placing the reader in the New Orleans and Virginian society in which her heroine moves. With flowing descriptions and insightful dialogue she relates the hours before the attack, creating a convincing canvas against which the placid life of the New Year celebrations and marriage of two of her characters unfolds, only to bring this crashing down as harsh reality intrudes.
We are also introduced to three new characters, each with interesting backstories to reveal: Digger Stilgrove and his wife Mary each have important supporting roles in the first half of the novel. Stilgrove’s intriguing past is hinted at and I hope we get to meet him again in another novel. The third character, Jacob Stark, had to be the hardest to write, however, and a huge gamble by the author. An ex-CIA man turned co-author of the terrorist attack who, by an interesting turn of events, re-enters Alex Destephano’s life to add even more uncertainty to her future. Stark is a character you have to hate on a basic visceral level for his despicable acts at the beginning of the book, yet we are allowed to see, and even sympathise with, his reasoning. Truly a fine portrait of moral ambiguity by Lucci, one which helps to elevate this series to new heights.
A superlative follow-on for the Alex Destephano series. Highly recommended!
October 8, 2015
TERRORISM WITH A TWIST
Having read Judith Lucci before, I knew going in I would get quickly involved, and once again, she did not disappoint. Right off the bat, in "Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End," we learn about a terrorist plot to blow up hundreds of people gathering at the home of a well known Congressman and jihadist-hater.
Present are the same appealing protagonists--Alex, her ex-husband, the head of police and his brand new wife. But a new, complex, sympathetic character emerges, someone who, due to family circumstances, helps plan this deadly attack. Not your typical terrorist, he is a former American hero. Yet despite his fatal intentions, we are drawn into his story, as Lucci deftly builds tension and heads us towards the inevitable strike.
Although a sudden twist turns events into a lower deadly body count, we are still catapulted into more plot and character development that keeps the pages turning nicely. Politics, mafia revenge, attractions, and touching family reunions link arm-in-arm as Lucci helps us realize that doing the 'right thing' personally doesn't always translate into blissful consequences. With a great ending that screams, "Boy, I can't wait to buy her next book to find out what's gonna happen!" this books makes for a very entertaining read.
Having read Judith Lucci before, I knew going in I would get quickly involved, and once again, she did not disappoint. Right off the bat, in "Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End," we learn about a terrorist plot to blow up hundreds of people gathering at the home of a well known Congressman and jihadist-hater.
Present are the same appealing protagonists--Alex, her ex-husband, the head of police and his brand new wife. But a new, complex, sympathetic character emerges, someone who, due to family circumstances, helps plan this deadly attack. Not your typical terrorist, he is a former American hero. Yet despite his fatal intentions, we are drawn into his story, as Lucci deftly builds tension and heads us towards the inevitable strike.
Although a sudden twist turns events into a lower deadly body count, we are still catapulted into more plot and character development that keeps the pages turning nicely. Politics, mafia revenge, attractions, and touching family reunions link arm-in-arm as Lucci helps us realize that doing the 'right thing' personally doesn't always translate into blissful consequences. With a great ending that screams, "Boy, I can't wait to buy her next book to find out what's gonna happen!" this books makes for a very entertaining read.
September 28, 2015
Toxic New Year is book 4 in the Alex Destephano series and to put it mildly is an absolutely awesome thriller of the highest standard. The author has surpassed herself by topping the three previous in the series that follows medical lawyer Alex Destephano's career.
Book 4 kicks off with an intriguing start that forces the reader to want more with every brilliantly written page. Her protagonist, Alex develops into a new lease of life that quickly descends into a nightmare when the events rapidly unfold to plunge her into a deadly situation at her family home in Virginia. Cue CIA, Secret Service, a traitor, terrorists need to wipe out the upper echelons of congress and the reader has the perfect thriller to settle down to.
If you love action thrillers like Ludlum then this will be perfect and very highly recommended.
Book 4 kicks off with an intriguing start that forces the reader to want more with every brilliantly written page. Her protagonist, Alex develops into a new lease of life that quickly descends into a nightmare when the events rapidly unfold to plunge her into a deadly situation at her family home in Virginia. Cue CIA, Secret Service, a traitor, terrorists need to wipe out the upper echelons of congress and the reader has the perfect thriller to settle down to.
If you love action thrillers like Ludlum then this will be perfect and very highly recommended.
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June 29, 2015Five Stars.
Author Judith Lucci strikes again with another Alex Destephano thriller. This time the party is rocking at her grandparents’ Virginia estate, until a terrorist manages to set off a bomb. Finding the victims, Alex among them, is hampered by a blizzard. Transporting them to a hospital is delayed by snarled traffic. Here is where the author’s experience and expertise shines, as she writes the scenes with a deft hand, and details that only a healthcare worker would know.
We learn that Alex’s handsome ex-husband is still in love with her, and hopes to remarry, but Alex leaves him behind and takes off for a month or more at her father’s Italian estate, where she falls for another attractive man, unaware of his checkered past. Another page turner from author Lucci.
Author Judith Lucci strikes again with another Alex Destephano thriller. This time the party is rocking at her grandparents’ Virginia estate, until a terrorist manages to set off a bomb. Finding the victims, Alex among them, is hampered by a blizzard. Transporting them to a hospital is delayed by snarled traffic. Here is where the author’s experience and expertise shines, as she writes the scenes with a deft hand, and details that only a healthcare worker would know.
We learn that Alex’s handsome ex-husband is still in love with her, and hopes to remarry, but Alex leaves him behind and takes off for a month or more at her father’s Italian estate, where she falls for another attractive man, unaware of his checkered past. Another page turner from author Lucci.
August 3, 2015
Abolishing all thats in the way, Alex's grandpa, congressman Adam Patrick Lee, starts a vicious battle in his Virginia estate. Taking place is marring, massacring, and complete eradication. Who would have thought that the celebration of the year in Virginias quaint countryside would transpire into a shocking event? This is an exhilarating story and followers of Judith Lucci's earlier books will encounter different aspects of the accustomed characters while the endeavors are revealed. Even the life of the central character is shaken as she comes upon her bygones, and the chain of events will take her into unknown territory. I have always loved a great complex, interesting, suspenseful crime-drama, and this one did not disappoint. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop!
August 31, 2015
A Great Series!
A new year’s day party at Alex’s grandparents ranch in Virginia turns into a tragic event as a terrorist act kills and maims guests, employees, and prize horses. While government agencies search for the culprits, Alex’s father enters her life. He’s a successful attorney whose shady past is catching up with him. Through him, Alex and an ex-CIA agent, who helped orchestrate the attack on Alex’s grandparent’s ranch, paths cross adding an additional level of suspense and intrigue. This is an enjoyable read with a surprising ending. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this well-crafted series.
A new year’s day party at Alex’s grandparents ranch in Virginia turns into a tragic event as a terrorist act kills and maims guests, employees, and prize horses. While government agencies search for the culprits, Alex’s father enters her life. He’s a successful attorney whose shady past is catching up with him. Through him, Alex and an ex-CIA agent, who helped orchestrate the attack on Alex’s grandparent’s ranch, paths cross adding an additional level of suspense and intrigue. This is an enjoyable read with a surprising ending. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this well-crafted series.
September 20, 2016
I have read the previous books in the Alex Desephano Series, so I knew I would love Toxic New Year as well. Regardless if you've read the others, you'll have no problem jumping right into Toxic New Year and loving it.
This is a true thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. We have the same characters from the previous books, Alex, Robert, Monique and Jack, as well as some new characters that you will love and hate.
My favorite part of Toxic New Year was that Lucci gives a voice to everyone, the heroes and the villains, so you get a great view of all of the characters.
This is a true thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. We have the same characters from the previous books, Alex, Robert, Monique and Jack, as well as some new characters that you will love and hate.
My favorite part of Toxic New Year was that Lucci gives a voice to everyone, the heroes and the villains, so you get a great view of all of the characters.
April 24, 2018
A New Set of Prime Players
This is the 7th Judith Lucci book that I have read and, as usual, it ended quickly and unexpectedly as the many conflicts resolved, at least temporarily. I wonder what the next book will have in store. For those who don't know, you should read them in order. It is not imperative, but you get to know all the characters and the events mentioned from earlier times. I guarantee that you will want to keep reading this one to find the conflict resolutions only to find more players and more conflicts.. Thanks to Judith Lucci for another gripping novel!
This is the 7th Judith Lucci book that I have read and, as usual, it ended quickly and unexpectedly as the many conflicts resolved, at least temporarily. I wonder what the next book will have in store. For those who don't know, you should read them in order. It is not imperative, but you get to know all the characters and the events mentioned from earlier times. I guarantee that you will want to keep reading this one to find the conflict resolutions only to find more players and more conflicts.. Thanks to Judith Lucci for another gripping novel!
April 17, 2019
Suspenseful and Exciting
This book covers the interactions between several unique and interesting characters. It ends a little too quickly for my tastes, but that just means I need to buy the next book in this series. The style of writing is perfect for a thriller. The environment is described without slowing down the story. The characters are likeable and very human. Jacob Stark carries heavy baggage from his actions in the beginning of the book, and that impacts him in ways he could not have predicted. You do not have to read the earlier books in this series to fully appreciate this story.
This book covers the interactions between several unique and interesting characters. It ends a little too quickly for my tastes, but that just means I need to buy the next book in this series. The style of writing is perfect for a thriller. The environment is described without slowing down the story. The characters are likeable and very human. Jacob Stark carries heavy baggage from his actions in the beginning of the book, and that impacts him in ways he could not have predicted. You do not have to read the earlier books in this series to fully appreciate this story.
August 5, 2015
Judith Lucci is one of my favorite authors, so I quickly snapped up this latest one. Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End (Alex Desephano Series Book 4) was exciting and at times…quite scary. Terrorists, paranormal, suspense, and medical mystery…just a very well-woven plot, with surprising twists and turns. Belle was fascinating. Yassar frightening! You can’t pass this one up if you love an action-packed New Orleans thriller. Couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next! I highly recommend, and looking forward to Book 5.
August 21, 2015
Book 4 of the Alex Destephano series starts off with a bang--literally. We follow Alex, an engaging and capable heroine, as the events leading to a horrifying terrorist attack unfold. Lucci certainly writes from experience, and the Virginia and Louisiana settings are believable as well as the tense scenes of medical drama. I loved every twist and turn, and left this book impressed with Lucci’s skill as a storyteller--one who writes from a very personal place and who clearly loves the excitement of writing suspense. Five stars.
April 19, 2016
This is a cracker of a read right from the first page. I've read other of the author's books in the series but this one starts out the gate with a bang, literally. The action isn't all centered in New Orleans as in her previous installments, this one extending east to Virginia where a leading congressman is hosting a party attended by well to do and political parties that, like their host, have zero tolerance for extremists and terrorists. The ending is shocking in a different way and sets up the next in the series very nicely.
March 11, 2019
This story takes place in Virginia at a well known congressman's home. There is a terrorist plot, the mafia, family reunions and an American hero. The massacre that took place on New Year's Day would have been much worse if one of the terrorists hadn't had a change of heart. Who decides to do the right thing? And why? This story is well written. Characters are fleshed out.
September 20, 2020
Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End: Fourth Book in the Alexandra Detephano Series
So very good. I mean the writing, the characters & the story line. Each book goes more in depth. From Virginia to the NOLA & overseas, the crimes continue. Five 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 read.
9/19/2018.
So very good. I mean the writing, the characters & the story line. Each book goes more in depth. From Virginia to the NOLA & overseas, the crimes continue. Five 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 read.
9/19/2018.
January 17, 2019
Wonderful plot and interesting characters!
Liked the way the plot was carried out. Just a little romance tied into the plot to keep interest in the storytelling. Makes you want to read the next in the series.
Liked the way the plot was carried out. Just a little romance tied into the plot to keep interest in the storytelling. Makes you want to read the next in the series.
July 7, 2015
Review coming soon.
August 3, 2015
What a thrilling ride! Action, excitment - I could hardly put this one down. Loved the style, great plot and good dialogue. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2018
Good book
Bad ending. A cliff.hanger. I don't like that in my books hopefully book 5 answers the questions for the ending of book 4. Good story great character's and scenery
Bad ending. A cliff.hanger. I don't like that in my books hopefully book 5 answers the questions for the ending of book 4. Good story great character's and scenery
February 25, 2019
Twists upon twists
Love the characters the lush descriptions of the settings and the relationships. You want to cheer for the good guys and I love that in a book!
Love the characters the lush descriptions of the settings and the relationships. You want to cheer for the good guys and I love that in a book!
January 18, 2020
Great series
The characters are realistic and the fast paced action makes it hard to put down. From New Orleans to New York to France it is gripping action.
The characters are realistic and the fast paced action makes it hard to put down. From New Orleans to New York to France it is gripping action.
December 17, 2020
Going back home to Virginia with her best friends for a wedding should be the happiest of times but as I've come to accept as a day in the life of Alex Destephano if something can go wrong it will go seriously wrong and when terrorists are out to get you family they will find a way, to kill everyone, but let's good true heroes step forward and do their best to put a stop to the terrorists...
After the day that should have been happy that turn devastating Alex finds herself in France with her father who she thought never wanted her and some surprising new characters one of whom Alex has her eye on and for the first time since her divorce Alex has hope her heart mat just be able to love again... Let's hope Jacob Stark really is a hero and not a heartbreaker.
After the day that should have been happy that turn devastating Alex finds herself in France with her father who she thought never wanted her and some surprising new characters one of whom Alex has her eye on and for the first time since her divorce Alex has hope her heart mat just be able to love again... Let's hope Jacob Stark really is a hero and not a heartbreaker.
March 23, 2021
An edge of your seat view into the life of Alex Desephano and her friends and family while a terrorist tries to kill a lot of people. Something I usually like, the author weaving in pieces of previous books to help it be a stand alone book as well as part of a series, I think is overused in this, the 4th book of the series. Otherwise it is a great book with lots of building tension and surprises. I highly recommend this book (and the series) for people who like a good Medical/Political thriller.
May 2, 2020
Good Read
I’m enjoying the adventures of Alex, but the Kindle version is full of typos and using the wrong character names & locations. Overall, great story, even if it’s a stretch that so many over the top incidents could happen to one person in a short period of time.
I’m enjoying the adventures of Alex, but the Kindle version is full of typos and using the wrong character names & locations. Overall, great story, even if it’s a stretch that so many over the top incidents could happen to one person in a short period of time.
December 30, 2022
A spiders web of intrigue!
This is an exciting crime thriller! A real page-turner that kept me reading all night. The plot is deep and the characters well-developed. There is even a ghost! Loved it! I would have given it 5 stars but the ending was a cliffhanger and too abrupt.
This is an exciting crime thriller! A real page-turner that kept me reading all night. The plot is deep and the characters well-developed. There is even a ghost! Loved it! I would have given it 5 stars but the ending was a cliffhanger and too abrupt.
July 8, 2017
Ok
A bit disjointed. Actually two short stories in one. Was many grammatical errors. Should have been proof read closer. Binge reading this series.
A bit disjointed. Actually two short stories in one. Was many grammatical errors. Should have been proof read closer. Binge reading this series.
April 16, 2019
The prose is quieter and the characterization more carefully executed. Lucci still needs better editors, but she seems to have learned a thing or two since the first three in this series.
May 30, 2019
Exciting
Page Turner. Really enjoyed the characters and storyline. Believable. Exciting. Unexpected. Bad guy you can actually empathize with' to an extent
Page Turner. Really enjoyed the characters and storyline. Believable. Exciting. Unexpected. Bad guy you can actually empathize with' to an extent
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews