Tags
Adult Fiction, Child Abuse, Diversity, Dysfunctional Families, Gang Violence, Mystery, School Shootings, Suspense
Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
336 Pages
Synopsis: Career Day at Guadalupe Middle School: a day given to innocent hopes and youthful dreams. A day no one in attendance will ever forget.
A year ago, Principal Linda McDonald arrived at Guadalupe determined to overturn the school’s reputation for truancy, gang violence, and neglect. One of her initiatives is Career Day–bringing together children, teachers, and community presenters in a celebration of the future. But there are some in attendance who reject McDonald’s bright vision.
A principal with a secret. A husband with a murky past. A cop with too many questions. A kid under pressure to prove himself. A girl struggling to escape a mother’s history. A young basketball player with an affection for guns.
Even the school janitor has a story he dare not reveal.
But no one at the gathering anticipates the shocking turn of events that will transform a day of possibilities into an explosive confrontation.
Laurie R. King is best known for her Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series, of which I’m a devoted fan. She’s also written the contemporary mystery Kate Martinelli series, which I haven’t tried yet, but after reading Lockdown, I definitely will be. I thought going into this, that it would be a thriller about a school shooting, and I was eagerly anticipating how the author would handle this topic. While it started off a little slow and a bit chaotic, in the end I was completely captivated by the character-driven story. It took me a little while though to get used to the way the story unfolds. It’s told from several different viewpoints including: the Principal’s, her husband, a police officer, and a few students. It also jumps between different time periods and adds in the mysterious disappearance of a young student, and because of these things I felt as though I was getting whiplash at first. But the characters are so well written, that within the first fifty pages I settled in and couldn’t tear myself away. Their lives and backstories are integral to what unfolds on Career Day, and they add to the slow- building suspense. Because each of them has something going on that could result in the violent act that happens at this small California town’s middle school, I really had no idea who the shooter was going to be. When the story arrives at its climax, what happens makes sense and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Overall I found Lockdown to be a creative standalone from Laurie R. King that solidifies her respected reputation. I highly recommend it to fans of hers, as well as readers who enjoy a good character-driven mystery.
beetleypete said:
Sounds like she got it just right with this one, Kim.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
The beginning was a bit rocky Pete, but the payoff makes it worth it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
beetleypete said:
I’m always cheered up, when you enjoy a book so much. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww! Thanks Pete! That means so much to me.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Felicia Denise said:
Interesting, Kim. Now, I’m curious! 😉
Question – why don’t you link your books? Just curious. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Linking? Do you mean to Goodreads Felicia?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Felicia Denise said:
Yes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
In that case, because I’m a techno-idiot and have no idea how to do it on my Kindle.😒
LikeLiked by 1 person
Felicia Denise said:
😀 😀 😀 LOLOL! Um…okay! *Still Laffin as I open my Kindle!*
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s soo sad!😢
LikeLiked by 2 people
Felicia Denise said:
😉
LikeLike
Carrie said:
Again I don’t remember this one being added to Netgalley at all, do you have a secret stash to choose from that I don’t know about? Of course I get on my behaving streaks and don’t look close enough sometimes so it seems I miss some good ones that you’ve picked up. Checked Netgalley and it’s a wish for now so I won’t hold my breath. I’ll have to add this to my library watchlist and see if maybe someday I can get a copy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
MOWAHAHA! Seriously, I think it jumped out at me because I love her Mary Russell series so much. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you get your wish granted on NetGalley, but if not, as she’s a best-selling author, I’m sure your library will get it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carrie said:
They probably will, they really have such a huge collection available for the ebooks these days that it amazes me all the time what I see on there. Gone are the days that you go back and forth to the library just hoping to find something interesting you haven’t already read. Now I just open my computer to tons and tons of titles to download without ever leaving my home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Tech at its best!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I’m a sucker for character driven stories. And all that tightly wound secrecy is very appealing. Stellar review Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think this one you would like Vinnie!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
vinnieh said:
I reckon the same too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
loshame said:
I like that ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
loshame said:
Take a look on my blog and Follow me if you like it ☺
LikeLike
Jay said:
I don’t usually love mysteries but I do love well-written characters, so this might a worthwhile genre hop. I’ll add it to my queue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yay!😊
LikeLike
Didi Oviatt - Author said:
Great review, as always Kim! This book sounds very suspenseful!
I nominated you for the Entertainer Blogger 🙂 I just love your blog! I hope your headaches have been easing up some.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Didi! I’m way behind on awards and tags, but I’ll try to post mine as soon as I can. Migraines are still here, but I’m trying not to let them keep me down. Thanks for asking.
Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didi Oviatt - Author said:
Xoxo hang in there 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Didi!🙋
LikeLiked by 1 person
gouparchery said:
Great post…
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you!
LikeLike
agnesmack said:
Oh, yes, as someone else said, I’m a sucker for character driven stories so this looks like it might be right up my alley. Mysteries aren’t usually that interesting to me but if they involve well-thought out characters, I can get into them. I’ll to add this to my 1000+ TBR list. :gulp:
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’d love to know what you think when you read it!
LikeLike
Lelia T said:
I’m a big fan of Ms. King so I’m glad to hear you liked this one 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Lelia! As your a fan of hers as well, I think you’d like this.😊
LikeLike
Diana said:
Great review Kim. I like character-driven mysteries and this sounds perfect. I am always amazed by your NetGalley finds. You always get some really interesting books that I never seem to see on the site. This does sound like an awesome read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Diana. I actually wasn’t expecting to be approved for this so it was a welcome surprise.😊
LikeLike
Natasha said:
Sounds like a really decent read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It definitely was Natasha!
LikeLike
Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
It’s a stand-alone?? Ouuhhh, that’s intriguing. I’ve had her Mary Russell series on my TBR for a couple years now. Now that you’ve confirmed your devoted fan status to it, I’ll definitely push it up my list of Sherlock Holmes-inspired series to pick up ASAP. Excellent review, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Ooh! You definitely have to read the Mary Russell series Lashaan!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person