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Aftermath: Murder · Adventure · Revenge in Lake Tahoe
When a radical right-wing militia group executes a police officer and ambushes Paramedic Maya Murphy and her team of first responders on a Pacific Northwest city street, Maya’s world is turned on end.
After this traumatic event, she seeks emotional safety in the quiet mountain town of South Lake Tahoe. But while mountain biking on a beautiful trail, Maya and her two dogs discover a dead mountain biker, and she finds herself caught up in the aftermath of a much more personal campaign of revenge.
Set in the adventurous world of mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding, this atmospheric mystery will have you holding your breath every time Maya ventures into the great outdoors. It’s a book about learning to live in the moment, a reminder that merely being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be enough to set off a cascade of tragic events.
After this traumatic event, she seeks emotional safety in the quiet mountain town of South Lake Tahoe. But while mountain biking on a beautiful trail, Maya and her two dogs discover a dead mountain biker, and she finds herself caught up in the aftermath of a much more personal campaign of revenge.
Set in the adventurous world of mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding, this atmospheric mystery will have you holding your breath every time Maya ventures into the great outdoors. It’s a book about learning to live in the moment, a reminder that merely being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be enough to set off a cascade of tragic events.
- GenresFiction
280 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2022
10 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Parsons
4 books4 followersLisa Parsons graduated from the University of Washington Paramedic Training at Harborview Medical Center. She worked as a paramedic in the world class King County Medic One system in Washington State. She was one of the first eight women hired by King County Medic One.
Her current novels, Aftermath and Ambush are based on her experiences as a paramedic and also as an adventurer, writer, photographer, conservationist, world traveler, and dog companion. She crafts stories with depth and creativity that are enhanced by real-world experience.
Her writing and photographs have been published in books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs in the Pacific Northwest and across the globe.
She has published the first two mystery books in her Emergence Series and is working on the third book, scheduled for release in 2025.
Her current novels, Aftermath and Ambush are based on her experiences as a paramedic and also as an adventurer, writer, photographer, conservationist, world traveler, and dog companion. She crafts stories with depth and creativity that are enhanced by real-world experience.
Her writing and photographs have been published in books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs in the Pacific Northwest and across the globe.
She has published the first two mystery books in her Emergence Series and is working on the third book, scheduled for release in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 10, 2022
A character can't seem to find peace, no matter where she goes
Lisa Parsons debut novel, "Aftermath: Murder, Adventure, Revenge in Lake Tahoe," is stressful but fun to read. The paramedic-turned-author created a character, Maya Murphy, whom she said was loosely based on her experience on the job.
Maya saves life by responding to medical emergency calls in one of Seattle suburbs. One day, her life is turned upside down when she is dispatched to an officer down call. Upon arrival at the chaotic scene, she and her crew get caught up in gunfire which delays saving measures for the injured officer who ends up dying. Don’t worry, I’m not spoiling anything.
Maya is deeply affected by the events and escapes to South Lake Tahoe, a resort town on Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. From that point, Parsons takes the reader through roller coaster of events happening in that area involving not only poor Maya, but everybody around her. Apparently, a woman named Karen – who lives up to her name – also lives in the area. Not too far. Like really close. The excitement starts when she is murdered.
The fictional novel has some crazy suspense in it. But an educated reader, with experience in mystery, will guess that a twist in the plot is to be expected. I do feel like Parsons ends the novel with a brutal cliffhanger as she leaves things up to the reader’s imagination. Nonetheless, "Aftermath" is nicely written!
Lisa Parsons debut novel, "Aftermath: Murder, Adventure, Revenge in Lake Tahoe," is stressful but fun to read. The paramedic-turned-author created a character, Maya Murphy, whom she said was loosely based on her experience on the job.
Maya saves life by responding to medical emergency calls in one of Seattle suburbs. One day, her life is turned upside down when she is dispatched to an officer down call. Upon arrival at the chaotic scene, she and her crew get caught up in gunfire which delays saving measures for the injured officer who ends up dying. Don’t worry, I’m not spoiling anything.
Maya is deeply affected by the events and escapes to South Lake Tahoe, a resort town on Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. From that point, Parsons takes the reader through roller coaster of events happening in that area involving not only poor Maya, but everybody around her. Apparently, a woman named Karen – who lives up to her name – also lives in the area. Not too far. Like really close. The excitement starts when she is murdered.
The fictional novel has some crazy suspense in it. But an educated reader, with experience in mystery, will guess that a twist in the plot is to be expected. I do feel like Parsons ends the novel with a brutal cliffhanger as she leaves things up to the reader’s imagination. Nonetheless, "Aftermath" is nicely written!
February 16, 2025
I enjoyed the story, and the mystery of the murders. Some parts of the story were a little too wordy for me but, I still enjoyed this book.
May 3, 2023
As an outdoors loving Northern Cali gal I felt immediately immersed into the local color of the South Lake Tahoe and river rafting scenes, and the strong, independent female lead. I went along with the easy flow in this book, traveling the trails, beaches and rivers with Maya and her pups. I also related to the story, from the nutty interfering neighbors to Maya’s inner struggle with being a bad ass but trying to recover from a traumatic experience: “She couldn’t tell how she would react anymore. Someone could shoot a gun over her head, and she’d barely flinch. Then one of her coworkers would complain because she’d forgotten to take the trash out in the morning, and it would send her into a tailspin.” She has a good eye for carefully crafted detail like that as well as those that capture a scene, such as this: “The dogs braced themselves with their heads out the windows. Like surfers, they adjusted as she turned one way and then the other.” Parsons has created an interesting and likable character with fantastic story potential, and I look forward to future installments.
February 20, 2023
Very exciting mystery story. Loved it was set in areas of California that I am familiar with. Kept me guessing throughout. Well written by an author knowledgable about mountain biking, emergency medicine.
October 6, 2024
The author of this book is local. She is in the writing workshops I’ve been going to. She is currently working on the next book. Can’t wait!
When a radical right-wing militia group executes a police officer and ambushes Paramedic Maya Murphy and her team of first responders on a Pacific Northwest city street, Maya’s world is turned on end.
After this traumatic event, she seeks emotional safety in the quiet mountain town of South Lake Tahoe. But while mountain biking on a beautiful trail, Maya and her two dogs discover a dead mountain biker, and she finds herself caught up in the aftermath of a much more personal campaign of revenge.
Set in the adventurous world of mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding, this atmospheric mystery will have you holding your breath every time Maya ventures into the great outdoors. It’s a book about learning to live in the moment, a reminder that merely being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be enough to set off a cascade of tragic events.
When a radical right-wing militia group executes a police officer and ambushes Paramedic Maya Murphy and her team of first responders on a Pacific Northwest city street, Maya’s world is turned on end.
After this traumatic event, she seeks emotional safety in the quiet mountain town of South Lake Tahoe. But while mountain biking on a beautiful trail, Maya and her two dogs discover a dead mountain biker, and she finds herself caught up in the aftermath of a much more personal campaign of revenge.
Set in the adventurous world of mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding, this atmospheric mystery will have you holding your breath every time Maya ventures into the great outdoors. It’s a book about learning to live in the moment, a reminder that merely being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be enough to set off a cascade of tragic events.
February 1, 2023
An enjoyable first responder mystery with a great female protagonist, paramedic Maya Murphy. Beautiful descriptive imagery of Lake Tahoe and its surroundings, against which the physical and mental stress of a large-city paramedic under siege is explored. Looking forward to reading more of Maya’s adventures.
July 5, 2022
Aftermath is an excellent mystery in all kinds of ways. Set on Lake Tahoe, the trails, scenery and lifestyle are make an interesting location. The book is fast paced and features two realistic but well-trained canine companions, along with a variety of friendly and not-so-likable locals.
Best of all is the protagonist, an EMT and outdoor adventuring woman with nerves of steel. She's human, though, and suffers burnout from a job that takes far more than mormal stress management. strong-willed and capable, she learns to allow others to help and care for her when she needs it.
The book has a logical but unexpected ending. In good mysteries I read the last chapter when I'm about halfway through, as I did in this one. I'm not one to tolerate too much suspense 🙃
I highly recommend Aftermath.
Best of all is the protagonist, an EMT and outdoor adventuring woman with nerves of steel. She's human, though, and suffers burnout from a job that takes far more than mormal stress management. strong-willed and capable, she learns to allow others to help and care for her when she needs it.
The book has a logical but unexpected ending. In good mysteries I read the last chapter when I'm about halfway through, as I did in this one. I'm not one to tolerate too much suspense 🙃
I highly recommend Aftermath.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews