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Bolt Action
With a Ruger Blackhawk .357 under her pillow, a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker rifle in her broom closet, and a Saturday Night Special in her road-hog cookie jar, Detective Leslie Bolt’s sarcastic attitude and inability to trust, alienates her from most people. Forced to work a serial murder case with her ex-lover, she begins a budding romance with the department’s new medical examiner, but which man will she choose?
"The State Quarter Killer” is selecting victims that appear to have nothing in common except for the State Quarter placed under their lifeless bodies. When her sister goes missing the question rises, will Detective Bolt capture the serial killer before her sister is the next victim?
"The State Quarter Killer” is selecting victims that appear to have nothing in common except for the State Quarter placed under their lifeless bodies. When her sister goes missing the question rises, will Detective Bolt capture the serial killer before her sister is the next victim?
Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 19, 2010
Bolt Action, book one in a new series by mystery writer, Victoria Roder, is far from being the stereotypical cozy. Roder introduces the reader to a fresh new character who’s got a chip on her shoulder that’s really more of a boulder. As the character unfolds with the plot, the reader realizes Leslie Bolt uses anger and sarcasm to cover up insecurities, pain, and the scars of abuse from a childhood riddled with atrocities no child should ever have to endure. Bolt holds all people in her life—along with the reader—at more than an arm’s length. She’s untrusting of everyone’s motives, prefers the life of a hermit, and relies heavily on her investigative instincts and the weight of a weapon.
From page one, Bolt Action pulls the reader into the investigation of what is assumed to be a random and senseless murder, but turns out to be the second gruesome offering by the State Quarter Murderer—a serial killer who crosses the state lines between Illinois and Wisconsin. The perpetrator kills victims in different ways, but always leaves a state quarter under the body.
Leslie is forced to work the investigation with her ex-lover, Detective Lance Kestler, who—at first glance—is merely a victim of her ire and sarcasm after an affair gone sour when he’s exposed as a cheating husband. The reader isn’t sure until near the very end if his own anger is due to the fact she caught him in multiple lies that ended their relationship, if he’s really one of the biggest jerks to walk the planet, or if there’s more to him than meets the eye.
In this character-driven novel, Roder introduces a healthy lineup of strong characters. Characters the reader will either immediately like or loathe. Each has a distinct voice and strong personality. Each has a place in Leslie’s life and is labeled either friend or foe—usually foe. When Leslie is trapped during a robbery at her neighborhood market at closing time, the only casualty is the cashier, Sara. By her own admission, Leslie’s only friend in life other than her cat, Baby, is Sara. Under normal circumstance, the shooting death of a friend would lend itself to grief, a strong sense of loss, and anger over the senselessness of the loss. Bolt comes across as almost too hardened to go through those emotions. Had it not been for a few remembrances of Sara, this reader would have questioned just how strong the ties of friendship really were between the two characters.
As defensively as Leslie Bolt goes through life, she yearns for some normalcy and security, which she seeks in the arms of new medical examiner, Jack Donington. Leslie—along with the reader—wonders if her one shot at happiness could be obtained through Dr. Donington. However, the now divorced Kestler also remains in her life—prominently.
Bolt’s past is served up to the reader in selective chunks, which is a credit to Roder’s talent. From the run-away twin sister, Tasha, to the loving and supportive adoptive parents deeply rooted in Christ, to the abusive father still behind bars for the death of her mother, Bolt’s past haunts her at every corner, and is the force behind her harder-than-concrete veneer.
Bolt Action delivers from the very first sentence to the last.
From page one, Bolt Action pulls the reader into the investigation of what is assumed to be a random and senseless murder, but turns out to be the second gruesome offering by the State Quarter Murderer—a serial killer who crosses the state lines between Illinois and Wisconsin. The perpetrator kills victims in different ways, but always leaves a state quarter under the body.
Leslie is forced to work the investigation with her ex-lover, Detective Lance Kestler, who—at first glance—is merely a victim of her ire and sarcasm after an affair gone sour when he’s exposed as a cheating husband. The reader isn’t sure until near the very end if his own anger is due to the fact she caught him in multiple lies that ended their relationship, if he’s really one of the biggest jerks to walk the planet, or if there’s more to him than meets the eye.
In this character-driven novel, Roder introduces a healthy lineup of strong characters. Characters the reader will either immediately like or loathe. Each has a distinct voice and strong personality. Each has a place in Leslie’s life and is labeled either friend or foe—usually foe. When Leslie is trapped during a robbery at her neighborhood market at closing time, the only casualty is the cashier, Sara. By her own admission, Leslie’s only friend in life other than her cat, Baby, is Sara. Under normal circumstance, the shooting death of a friend would lend itself to grief, a strong sense of loss, and anger over the senselessness of the loss. Bolt comes across as almost too hardened to go through those emotions. Had it not been for a few remembrances of Sara, this reader would have questioned just how strong the ties of friendship really were between the two characters.
As defensively as Leslie Bolt goes through life, she yearns for some normalcy and security, which she seeks in the arms of new medical examiner, Jack Donington. Leslie—along with the reader—wonders if her one shot at happiness could be obtained through Dr. Donington. However, the now divorced Kestler also remains in her life—prominently.
Bolt’s past is served up to the reader in selective chunks, which is a credit to Roder’s talent. From the run-away twin sister, Tasha, to the loving and supportive adoptive parents deeply rooted in Christ, to the abusive father still behind bars for the death of her mother, Bolt’s past haunts her at every corner, and is the force behind her harder-than-concrete veneer.
Bolt Action delivers from the very first sentence to the last.
January 2, 2018
Bolt Action is a refreshing path for a female. It makes you wonder if the men who behave like her didn't face a similar youth.
The ups and downs in the heroin's journey have not always prepared her for her present situation.
The suspense and action will keep you coming back if you re not able to complete this read in one sitting.
Good job Ms. Roder.
I'm eagerly waiting for the next installment and Leslie's continuing adventures.
The ups and downs in the heroin's journey have not always prepared her for her present situation.
The suspense and action will keep you coming back if you re not able to complete this read in one sitting.
Good job Ms. Roder.
I'm eagerly waiting for the next installment and Leslie's continuing adventures.
August 11, 2012
Bolt Action by Victoria Roder is the story of Harley Riding, Pistol Packing, Kick-ass Detective Leslie Bolt. Leslie has a home arsenal any criminal would admire, and a past so scared it's little wonder she prefers to work alone. But when a killer starts leaving bodies for the public to see, she must try to curb some of her "I prefer to handle the case alone" attitude and work with fellow officers, even those she doesn't like. And if she finds love while solving this crime, so much the better.
Bolt Action is 'Action' galore. Whether Leslie is following the trail of clues or trading quips with another officer, there is never a dull moment in this story. Murder, mystery, romance, Bolt Action has something for everyone and is sure to keep you turning the pages.
Bolt Action is 'Action' galore. Whether Leslie is following the trail of clues or trading quips with another officer, there is never a dull moment in this story. Murder, mystery, romance, Bolt Action has something for everyone and is sure to keep you turning the pages.
December 20, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Leslie Bolt is a great character to follow. Tough female detective with a hard past. The story definitely keeps you turning pages. Thriller with just the right amount of romantic element. I look forward to more from Victoria Roder.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews