Shadows in the Aftermath

by Marianne Scott

Ruby Draker has found new strength, and is ready to move on after Felix Szabo devastated the Draker estate in Nice, France. Three Drakers are dead leaving Ruby in grief and with thoughts of revenge. The Drakers are a family built of survivors; each rescued from Felix Szabo, a psychopath, who sought to murder his former agents at the CIA whom he believed betrayed him. The Drakers’ sole mission is to stop Szabo from adding more victims to his list, and although he also perished during the invasion, his legacy continues to haunt them. When the Drakers learn that Robert Draker, presumed dead since the shoot-out at Robert’s farmhouse, may be alive and at a rehab clinic in Portland, Maine, the Drakers know it could be a set up, but they have no choice but to try to find him and bring Robert home.

Shocked that Robert may be alive after all, the family head from France to America to find him. It’s only when they arrive in the west that they realize finding Robert won’t be as easy as they thought.

Szabo has found a way to terrorize the Draker family, even after death. His outstanding debt with a Corsican crime family mean the Drakers must now find and deliver a shipment of plutonium, which will likely be used by terrorists to create a nuclear bomb, to get Robert back. As Ruby struggles with the decision to save her brother or North America, she must also evade the CIA, who are trying to stop the Drakers from delivering the plutonium.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2022

Reviews

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I do a time or two (maybe more) each year, I’ve ventured outside of my comfortable genres and picked up a couple of thriller/adventure/mystery stories, as with Shadows in the Aftermath, the sequel to Finding Ruby Draker. Both stories are heart-pumpers, (and I suggest you read them in order.)

I think I like Ruby better in this book, now that she’s overcome so much and become stronger. I won’t say too much about Shadows in the Aftermath, because I don’t want reveal anything from book 1, but I can say that this follow-up is as good, if not better. Like in the first book, the narration is first person (yay!) and quickly pulls you in. The opening lines are powerful!

Revenge is a powerful plot thickener and kept me turning pages. The story was far from predictable and had ups, downs, twists, turns, and thankfully a few moments to catch a breath. With killers, survivors, terrorists, and more, this certainly isn’t one of the small-town romantic reads I’m used to.

Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading Marianne Scott’s Finding Ruby Draker and was excited to have the opportunity to catch up with the Draker family in Shadows in the Aftermath. Though I really enjoyed reading Finding Ruby Draker, I enjoyed this one so much more. The author has once again written a book that kept me engaged and wanting to see how it would all play out in the end. There were some twists that I never saw coming and I had to keep reading to find out what would happen with the characters next. There was no way I was able to predict the following scenes. At times, I felt like my head was spinning and never knowing which way the tale was going to go. I loved immersing myself in this story and feel as though I was right there. It was a fun and exciting adventure to take from one end of the world to the other. I thought it was a great way to spend my afternoons and sitting on the balcony after a day at the beach.

I will be giving Shadows in the Aftermath a well deserved five plus stars. I believe readers who enjoy reading thrilling mystery and suspense filled novels. I look for more books like this by Marianne Scott in the future. I hope there will be another Ruby Draker novel to come, as well.


I received a paperback copy of Shadows in the Aftermath from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadows in the Aftermath continues the tale that started in Finding Ruby Draker. The entire series is gripping, fast-paced, and thrilling, with lots of mystery in the mix.

The blurbs (and my review of Finding Ruby Draker) tell you everything you need to know to add this book to your TBR immediately.

I always recommend reading series in the order written, as I think it provides the reader with a richer experience. That said, there is enough backstory covered in book two to make it entirely enjoyable as a stand-alone read.

The author captivates the reader with a writing style that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I was so intrigued with where the story was going. I did not see all the twists that lay ahead in the road. This is a fascinating conclusion to the story of Ruby Draker, or is it really the end?

I received a copy of the book for a book blog tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion

[Paula Learmouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I was only to happy to review this book after reading and reviewing Finding Ruby Draker. You could read as a stand alone as it does tell a bit of book 1 but I would personally say read book1 first. After finding out that Robert might still be alive the Drakers have to find the truth. With the help from the Seniors, they go to find Robert, but it's not as straightforward as you might think. The Corsican family with Mateo at the head of the family has been promised plutonium by Felix, but now Felix is dead, time is running out for him. Mateo knows that the Drakers are the only people that can get the plutonium for him, so he has something he knows the Drakers will come looking for. There are many twists and turns in the story it will have you guessing, but will your guesses be right? Will the Drakers be able to find the plutonium or will it end with a bang?

[BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a sequel to Finding Ruby Draker, and I would highly recommend you read that one before starting Shadows in the Aftermath. I think it could be read as a stand-alone, but a lot of exciting things happened in the first book, and you won't want to miss it!

I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this one! We of course have Ruby Draker again, but there's some new ones and some recurring ones that are great as well! I thought the plot of this one and the mystery was just as captivating as the first book. I loved the high-speed, racing feeling of the story as it propelled readers all over the world! I would highly recommend this one if you enjoy suspenseful mysteries!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel to Finding Ruby Draker, this can be read as a standalone. The first chapter spends time recapping the last book so if you have not read it or not read it in awhile, you will know what going on. I have not read Finding Ruby Draker but need to because it must be an action packed book! I would recommend reading the first book before this one if you plan to read the series. You will more quickly catch on to the story.

The story line is excellent and has a lot of action. The created family must protect each other and stop dangerous things from happening. I love how the characters interacted with each other. There are quite a few main characters so there is a lot of interaction. If you love a fast paced thriller, you want to check out this book.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

So This is the third book in this series and so far it's been a fast paced and entertaining series. It's been fun following along and seeing these characters change and find out who they are. Especially Ruby's character she has gone through so much in these books. She is stronger for it! There's plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Some I figured out and some I didn't see coming. It was a great way to spend a Sunday! They travel to so many different places in these books so it will be interesting to see where the next adventure takes us!

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the sequel to Finding Ruby Draker, we pick up a short time after the last book ended. While this book was fairly entertaining to read, I didn't find it as captivating as the first.
 
It still has all the good qualities of a suspenseful fiction and we get to see more of Ruby and new characters in this second book.The reader is kept on their toes as you are introduced to terrorists, murderers, and revenge plots. 
 
 I would highly suggest reading the first book before this one, but they both stand well on their own. 
•••••

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great sequel to Finding Ruby Draker. Following on from the tragic events of the previous books, the Drakers are coping with the loss of family members and Ruby and is trying to find the strength to bring the family back together in the face of danger yet again. A gripping thriller with loads of action and twists and turns.

[Lauren Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the aftermath of destruction that ensued after Felix’s attack on their beloved Fairhaven, the Drakers are broken, and consumed by grief. When their facial recognition software picks up a familiar face, they decide to travel back to America to save the one family member they thought was dead, even though they believe it may be a set up. Was Felix really dead or was the past back to haunt them? They quickly discover Felix had made some deals with a Corsican crime family, and to secure the release of their family member, they must first find and deliver a shipment of plutonium which dangerous terrorists use to make nuclear weapons. They must also evade the CIA, who are hell bent on stopping them. Can they complete this dangerous task and save their relative? Emotions are running high and time is running out - who can they trust?

I really enjoyed the first instalment of this story Finding Ruby Draker, so I was delighted that there was another instalment! This one is full of raw emotion, loads of near misses and plenty of action and suspense! The characters were well portrayed, and I especially enjoy the will they won’t they story between Ruby and her ‘brother’! A fast paced thriller that had me wanting to read on and see what happens! I loved this book! I hope there’s more to come, and we haven’t seen the last of the Drakers!

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good story. I really like Ruby. I also like the rest of the Draker family. There is a little action in this story but not very much. I like that this story is showing that Ruby is growing more mature. Make sure to read the first story in the series so you understand who Ruby and her family are. I received a copy of this book from ireadbooktour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Finding Ruby Draker by this autor so I was keen to read and review this one too, however, I think this was my favourite of the two.
The writing style is so engaging and really keeps you gripped all the way through. The stroyline is utterly compelling and the characters are well developed and we get to see even more of them in this book.
I couldn't put it down and I cannot wait to read more by this author