Kathy Reichs' Virals series has been an enormous hit with Young adult and adult readers alike. In this collection of short stories, Kathy ties up all the loose ends in Tory's worldDeception. Theft. Sabotage. And a look at where it all began. Tory and the Virals have proven again and again that no crime is unsolvable when the pack is on the prowl. This amazing collection includes three short stories in print for the very first time, as well as a brand-new, never-before-seen Virals adventure set after the events of Terminal. In “Spike,” Tory and her friends must stop a clever saboteur dead set on ruining Kit and Whitney’s wedding day, whatever the costs. Working with Tory’s famous great-aunt Temperance Brennan, these exciting stories give further glimpses into the Virals' world, and show the lengths the pack will go to when there’s a mystery to solve.Includes Shift, Swipe, Shock, and Spike.
Kathy Reichs is a forensic anthropologist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of North Carolina, and for the Laboratoire des Sciences Judiciaires et de Médecine Légale for the province of Quebec. She is one of only fifty forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and is on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. A professor of anthropology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Reichs is a native of Chicago, where she received her Ph.D. at Northwestern. She now divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal and is a frequent expert witness in criminal trials.
It’s no secret I love the Virals series. And that I ship the hell out of Tori and Ben. I loved the first and the last story the most, because they added something to the main storyline. Loved that we could see how Tori met the boys for the first time, that was honestly so cute!!
Quotes: “…they valued what was inside more than out. They remind me of…me. At least, the me I want to be.”
“Great. Round up some old ladies at a wedding and get them to commit vandalism. No problem at all.”
This reminded me why the Virals series is one of my favorites!
All stories were just so much fun to read, and it felt like re-reading books the again, but actually not because it was a completely different story. It was just awesome for them to work together again, sleuthing and solving mysteries. Even though, compared to the actual book way less risky and dangerous- it was still nice to read and to see my favorite characters again. I missed Tory, Ben, Shelton, and Hiram; they were such a smart and hilarious group.
Plus I had to read that last story, because Terminal ended in a cliffhanger!
If you like sci-fi books, and books about kick-ass teenagers with crazy-awesome abilities solving crimes then please do yourself a favor and read Virals!
"Trace Evidence" is a Virals short story collection that begins with excerpts from the "Shift, Swipe and Shock" novels and adding a new investigation at the end at the wedding of Tory Brennan's dad Christopher (Kit) Howard to his girlfriend Whitney DeBois.
In the first of the three stories Tory Brennan's introduced to her father Kit and new friends on Morris Island while helping to save a turtle in distress. A break-in and stolen equipment at the Loggerhead Island Research Institute prompt the second adventure as Tory and her friends who've been infected by a supervirus that scrambled their DNA investigate, while Tory's Aunt Temperance joins the third mystery uncovering clues to the mysterious disappearance of a full-sized Terminator replica at Comic-Con.
In the last story Tory, Ben, Hiram and Shelton have to find the culprit who's sabotaging the Kit Howard and Whitney DeBois wedding. Although short in length the plot's intriguing as ruined flowers, an unstable platform and spiked icing on the wedding cake are the only clues to the misfortunes plaguing Tory and the wedding party. Their super senses supposedly lost, the action never stops as the four sleuths interact telepathically to expose the culprits and bring a happy ending to the celebration.
Like all the Virals novels, the characters are unforgettable adding high-energy, and tension to each drama as it unfolds. In the final story tempers flare between wealthy, arrogant Chance Claybourne and strong-willed and loyal Ben Blue who doesn't appreciate the overly attentiveness paid to his girlfriend Tory. Yet for all the drama there are humorous moments too with portly, quick-witted Hiram's sarcasm and quick action when he topples the wedding cake before anyone can taste the icing.
I liked "Trace Evidence" and continue to be a fan of the Virals' adventures and their investigations. I hope this isn't the last we'll see of these intrepid sleuths.
This was a collection of short stories based around the Virals series by Kathy and Brendan Reichs.
Shock - It was nice to see Tory meeting her father and friends for the first time, but the layout of the island confused me. In this story, it sounded like there was only one structure on the island; the apartment building where all the employees of LIRI lived. But in the series, I’m sure it mentioned there being separate housing units for everyone.
Shift - I liked getting the point-of-view from the boys instead of just Tory. We didn’t get much of that in the series. We even got point-of-view chapters from both Kit and Temperance.
Swipe - I was a little confused about how Tory could be mistaken for Temperance’s daughter when she is her grandniece. That would mean there is a generation between the two women. - If they keep showing their eyes and powers like that, people are going to find out. The police and others are going to start comparing notes.
Spike - I don’t understand why Whitney asked Tory to be her maid of honor or why Tory even accepted. That job usually goes to a best friend, and Tory doesn’t even like her. And Tory’s friends were her father’s groomsmen. Putting the teens in these positions for the wedding . . . It didn’t make sense. - The author also spent 6 pages just describing the guests at the wedding. It was too much.
This was everything I needed after I finished Terminal (the last book in the Virals series). It was sweet and hilarious. It definitely adds to the overall series. I would recommend that you read this after you read Terminal, but if you just can't wait, here is a reading order recommendation: 1st story: can be read any time 2nd & 3rd story: after the second book in the series 4th story: you should only read this after Terminal, because this takes place after Terminal and contains major spoilers.
I read the whole series in order, hence the separate review for each short story, as I didn't read them all at once.
Shock (4 ⭐️)
Not much happening, but a better introduction to Tory’s new life than the beginning of Virals. Gives just enough info about her settling on the island to make me want to read the whole series all over again.
Shift (2 ⭐️)
Did Kathy Reichs write a short story just so she could put a Temperance Brennan POV in it? Because that’s exactly what it looks like. Shift took 10 pages to recap the first novel and shifted POVs so many times I lost count. The mystery itself is pretty basic, boring even. Frankly I only appreciated Shelton’s love for 1D and Tempe’s mention of Montreal 🤷🏻♀️
Swipe (4 ⭐️)
I won’t lie, that was a fun one. But there are still some questions I can’t answer. Is Swipe supposed to take place right after Code? Because that was the beginning of the school year and Swipe is in JULY?!?! Is everyone suddenly speaking to Ben again? Zero mention of what he did previously, all is forgiven? And again with the mentions of Bones 🤦🏻♀️
Spike (4.5 ⭐️)
It was a cute short story to end it all. I’m kinda glad the snobs finally got what they deserved, although Ashley and Courtney could have gotten some of the heat too. And becoming a cadet to stay in your girlfriend’s city has to be the worst reason to get in the army (after “to shoot people”, of course). That’s why I dropped it off half a star. Everything else was entertaining enough.
See, I've been such a fan of virals, from when it first came out when I was a tween, to when the last book was released and I was in university. So obviously I was excited to get my hands on this short story collection, and while the first one was wonderful, as you get to see how the Virals all met, the rest let me down. So. Very. Much.
I was never the biggest fan of our main character Tory due to her "I'm not like other girl" attitude, but it seemed amplified in the stories we got. She was always unlikeable, but it was like the authors wanted to cram her unlikeable personality into all the short stories.
Also, I'm suddenly very grateful we didn't really get a prominent love story in the original books, because the one we get here....eheheuejdhhdhsjwkaldjdh. So cringeworthy. "Naughty boy".
"NAUGHTY BOY!!!!!!"
I never want to see two characters flirting like that again. Or ever again in general.
So, excuse me while I go puke my guts out, or at least rinse my soul from girl-hating, cringeworthy romance, and awful mysteries.
Shock and Spike are both great, Swipe feels like it could have been more entertaining (I mean, it’s set at Comic Con!) and Shift was ok, though a little on the dull side compared to the novels. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the Virals series though, the story simply isn’t complete without these short stories.
TRACE EVIDENCE collects four novellas in the Virals universe. The first is SHOCK which tells the very beginning of the story when a grief-stricken Tory meets Kit, Ben, Hiram, and Sheldon for the first time. I liked the way the kids became fast friends and I liked learning how they discovered their clubhouse.
SHIFT and SWIPE tell about other mysteries the kids use their Viral powers to solve. SWIPE is particularly entertaining because it takes place at San Diego ComicCon and also stars Tory's great-aunt Tempe.
SPIKE is the final story in this collection and takes place at Kit and Whitney's wedding which seems to be beset by a number of "accidents." These are the post-Virals versions of the kids who are growing up. Ben has graduated from high school and is planning to go away to college.
I liked that the stories were told from a variety of viewpoints with all the Virals taking a starring role. Sometimes it was a little hard determining whose viewpoint the reader was seeing the story from when the viewpoint changed at a chapter break. A few times I had to figure it out by who was being described.
This whole series was a fun science fiction series that was also a great story about families and friendship.
Wow, just wow! This was an amazing comeback from Kathy Reichs (I was really lucky to meet her in November)! The first story was my second favourite, it made me laugh and cry, i read it really fast. Then, in the second one, we got to see again the detective aspect of the books and the Virals. Even though it's my least favourite, I still enjoyed a lot seeing for the last time the pack solving a crime. Then, oh gosh... the Virals at ComicCon! When I started to read it, it just made me so happy. The geeks in their element. But really, it was so fun to read. And then, oh my gods... THE LAST ONE WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. And the ending, ohgoshh... cuteness overload. I ship Tory and Ben sooo fucking much. Favourite one of the short stories by far. The last two took me longer to read just because I'm in finals week and it's just so much studying. I definitely recommend it if you love Virals as much as I do :)
Quality Rating: Four Stars Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars
The Virals series has been one of my favourites for years. Considering it's one of the only young adult science-based mystery adventures with a female protagonist and diverse cast out there, I would happily throw it at just about anyone to read. Admittedly, the short stories aren't as good as the actual novels, and they petered out in believabilty towards the end, but they're well worth the read and more than worth recognition. The fact that this is pretty much the only novel with a heroine who is damn clever, ambitious and acknowledge as both by herself and those around her is so important. As a side note specifically about this collection: I did not realise how much I needed that final novella to satisfy me. The book wrapped up the sci-fi adventure elements of the story, but there was so much left between the characers unsaid. Spike fulfilled that and damn the payoff felt good. I can leave this series in happiness now.
Knowing this is the end of the virals was sad, I just wished it was carried on because it was that good! But I know that I can always relive my love for them, by rereading the series 😍
Reading the four short stories Shock (0.5), Shift (2.5), Swipe (3.5) & Spike (5.5) gave me an insight on our beloved characters that we have never seen before. It made me fall more in love with the group as well as being full of laughs. To get an after the fact kind of book after the fifth book terminal was a life saver, as it stopped on a cliffhanger. But then, I had more questions that needed answers which is why I hope she adds more. If not, then we all have to come up with our own answers. However, I really enjoyed this series and definitely recommend it! It’s full of laughs, danger, adventure, family and the meaning of a pack and many other things that are included in this amazing series! 😍 x
I love the Virals series! This short story collection gives you everything you could ever want. It gives a prequel, a story after the last book and 2 during.
I love that Tempe was included in this series as well, I love the Temperance Brennan series as well so it’s so fun when they mix together.
This book did an amazing job or reminding me why I love these characters so much. The story “Shift” was a great intro into how Tory came to be living with her dad and meeting the boys for the first time. The story “Spike” did a great job wrapping up the story that was left needing more after “Terminal”.
They get solve crime and get into trouble, and they wouldn’t be the Virals Pack we know and love if they didn’t. 🐺
J'ai terminé le sixième livre hier soir et je suis maintenant en deuil. J'ai adoré cette série, je l'ai complètement dévorée. Les personnages sont tellement attachants, j'en aurais voulu encore!
Le seul commentaire " négatif " est que selon moi l'âge des personnages ne reflète pas l'intelligence et les connaissances de la série. Je leur aurais donné facilement quelques années de plus et par le fait même j'aurais ajouté un peu plus de romance. Pour le reste c'était simplement parfait! Plusieurs fois en lisant la série je croyais avoir deviné le dénouement de l'histoire, mais toutes les fois, je me suis fait avoir. Je recommande fortement!
Four to 5 dtars, depending on wether you already own some of the short stories. As it was, I re-read all but one, making this an addition I would have liked to be cheap or free (not sure what I paid for the other stories, too lazy to look it up). Good addition and some background to the longer books of that series. One story is a prequel with a how the (not yet Virals) meet. Have not looked, but there should be made a bundle with all ebooks and these stories for a bargain price, imho.
Highly recommended, but you should have read some if not all books from the series.
I read the Virals series back in 2013 and really liked it, even though I'm an adult. I reread them all recently and it was still just as good. I was glad to find that all the short stories where now in print in one book. I did enjoy it. I agree with others that the first story (learning how the characters all meet) and the last story (which takes place after Terminal, so gave me some closure on that) were the best. The other two were ok, but didn't really help much with delving deeper into the plot of the original story.
I enjoyed the continuation of the pack. They always seem to find themselves in tricky situations. It was fun to dive into more with Dr. Temperance Brennan because they referenced her so much in the main series but never really went into detail. Reading this after the series was a little difficult because I think it's meant to be one story between each main book. I had to kind of figure out where in the storyline we were. I wish some of the stories, like the wedding, continued a little more and had a more sick other wrap up. Overall, it was fun to follow the pack a little longer.
The stories were cute and it was really fun seeing how the gang got together. It was also interesting getting a chance to read the stories in the other characters perspectives. The final short story was following the final book and I wished there was more to it to be honest. 4/5
A Tory quote describing my feelings regarding this book would be "Blargh". I think short stories are always......well too short. We never have time to truly get into the story before it ends. Admittedly it was nice to reminiscence about the old gang.
A brilliant collection of short Virals stories, including Tory’s arrival in Charleston and Kit’s wedding. A great value boxset I highly recommend for all fans of the series
These little stories between each book were great, it was a lovely insight into how the virals met and became friends and what happened after the books were all over! I’m honestly just sad that the books are all finished!
I loved this book! it was amazing my favorite short story has to be swipe because of how funny it was its worth the read now I've officially completed all of the virals books!
Set of four short stories. I actually read them in between the appropriate longer novels, and they added some details to the main story lines. Well done short stories.