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FBI Thriller #17
Bombshell
The number 1 New York Times–bestselling author is back with an electrifying new entry in the FBI series featuring Savich and Sherlock.
FBI Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith, last seen in Backfire, has been recruited by Dillon Savich to join his unit in Washington, D.C. Savich sees something special in Hammersmith, an almost preternatural instinct for tracking criminals.
While on his way to D.C., Hammersmith plans to visit his sister, Delsey, a student at Stanislaus School of Music in Maestro, Virginia. Before he arrives, he gets a phone call that Delsey was found naked, unconscious, and covered with blood after a wild party. The blood isn't hers—so who does it belong to?
Meanwhile, back in D.C., Savich and Sherlock have their hands full when the grandson of former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank is found murdered, every bone in his body broken, and frozen at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial.
Was Savich right—is Griffin gifted with a unique ability to "see" how criminals think? And will he figure out who was behind the attempt on Delsey's life—before it's too late?
FBI Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith, last seen in Backfire, has been recruited by Dillon Savich to join his unit in Washington, D.C. Savich sees something special in Hammersmith, an almost preternatural instinct for tracking criminals.
While on his way to D.C., Hammersmith plans to visit his sister, Delsey, a student at Stanislaus School of Music in Maestro, Virginia. Before he arrives, he gets a phone call that Delsey was found naked, unconscious, and covered with blood after a wild party. The blood isn't hers—so who does it belong to?
Meanwhile, back in D.C., Savich and Sherlock have their hands full when the grandson of former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank is found murdered, every bone in his body broken, and frozen at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial.
Was Savich right—is Griffin gifted with a unique ability to "see" how criminals think? And will he figure out who was behind the attempt on Delsey's life—before it's too late?
464 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2013
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5144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 605 reviews
September 5, 2021
Catherine Coulter always writes a well-paced crime thriller. This book, like others in the series, features two separate mysteries that teams of detectives are working to solve. In one, an FBI agent's sister returned home from a party only to be attacked in her apartment. Untangling what's really going on in her small college music town turns out to be quite a mess. In the other mystery, a body is found at the Lincoln Memorial with no clues about the killer. Coulter's pacing and storytelling is always topnotch and I always enjoy seeing how Savich and Sherlock will untangle the latest mess!
August 31, 2013
Bombshell by Catherine Coulter had the feeling of a very amateurish novel by an author who is still seeking her voice.
With characters like Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith and his chiseled body and tight jeans, this book came dangerously close to being supermarket-checkout-lane drivel. But thankfully, it never had any sexy-times (if you know what I mean) and it tried very hard to imitate the writings of Tom Clancy. But seriously, Griffin Hammersmith? Why not have a Brock HardAbs or a Dirk ManPecks? The obvious romantic interests, the very un-Clancy-like writing style, and somehow the author's cutesie picture taking up the entire back side of the dust jacket, screamed that this was just a failed attempt at another "thrilling" FBI story.
Now this really bugged me, the story repeatedly mentioned how some mysterious person posted a picture of the murder victim to YouTube... Mrs. Coulter, YouTube is for videos. You can post pictures just about anywhere, but YouTube is for videos.
Overall, I thought Bombshell had way too many characters and most of them were the good guys. So naturally, there was way too much friendly and annoying banter. But how was this supposed to be thrilling? It took 50 people to figure out who the killer was.
And why did the gang members choose Delsey's apartment to kill undercover agent Anna's partner? We know that because Delsey saw the dead body, the gang members were hunting her through the rest of the story. But why were the gang members there in the first place? There was no connection at all. If they chose Delsey's apartment at random- they made a terribly poor choice since Delsey's brother happens to be none other than Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith with his chiseled abs and tight jeans, not to mention his psychic abilities (no joke, he had psychic abilities to solve mysteries).
Unfortunately, Bombshell seemed very poorly written and transparent in that it revealed the author's true passion, grocery-store romance novels. Perhaps I'm being too cruel in my estimation. But after struggling through this book, I really feel like Coulter hasn't found her voice. Hopefully she'll get there soon.
By the way, I'm not really sure why this was called 'Bombshell.' It seemed like the characters had suspected who the true killers were fairly early- so it wasn't really a surprise or anything.
With characters like Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith and his chiseled body and tight jeans, this book came dangerously close to being supermarket-checkout-lane drivel. But thankfully, it never had any sexy-times (if you know what I mean) and it tried very hard to imitate the writings of Tom Clancy. But seriously, Griffin Hammersmith? Why not have a Brock HardAbs or a Dirk ManPecks? The obvious romantic interests, the very un-Clancy-like writing style, and somehow the author's cutesie picture taking up the entire back side of the dust jacket, screamed that this was just a failed attempt at another "thrilling" FBI story.
Now this really bugged me, the story repeatedly mentioned how some mysterious person posted a picture of the murder victim to YouTube... Mrs. Coulter, YouTube is for videos. You can post pictures just about anywhere, but YouTube is for videos.
Overall, I thought Bombshell had way too many characters and most of them were the good guys. So naturally, there was way too much friendly and annoying banter. But how was this supposed to be thrilling? It took 50 people to figure out who the killer was.
And why did the gang members choose Delsey's apartment to kill undercover agent Anna's partner? We know that because Delsey saw the dead body, the gang members were hunting her through the rest of the story. But why were the gang members there in the first place? There was no connection at all. If they chose Delsey's apartment at random- they made a terribly poor choice since Delsey's brother happens to be none other than Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith with his chiseled abs and tight jeans, not to mention his psychic abilities (no joke, he had psychic abilities to solve mysteries).
Unfortunately, Bombshell seemed very poorly written and transparent in that it revealed the author's true passion, grocery-store romance novels. Perhaps I'm being too cruel in my estimation. But after struggling through this book, I really feel like Coulter hasn't found her voice. Hopefully she'll get there soon.
By the way, I'm not really sure why this was called 'Bombshell.' It seemed like the characters had suspected who the true killers were fairly early- so it wasn't really a surprise or anything.
July 21, 2014
Bombshell is an overall disappointment because Catherine Coulter's writing is usually more sophisticated. This book reads like C.C. for simpletons. Character chemistry is one of her signature writing strengths, and there's zero chemistry between Griffin and his supposed love interest. More shocking is the fact that there's zero chemistry between Sherlock and Savich--even a few Sean exchanges don't resurrect the engaging family dynamic from previous books.
All the characters are wooden, one-dimensional props. Too many different characters say, "Let me tell you..I'll tell you...kick...kick butt...butt-kicker." The dialogue for the 20-something characters doesn't ring true. And there's lots of dialogue; more dialogue than action.
All the characters are wooden, one-dimensional props. Too many different characters say, "Let me tell you..I'll tell you...kick...kick butt...butt-kicker." The dialogue for the 20-something characters doesn't ring true. And there's lots of dialogue; more dialogue than action.
July 20, 2013
This was a marginal read at best. It felt like Ms. Coulter was writing in her sleep. Or maybe playing with cardboard figures that she would move around on a table as the scene changed.
1 star for writing/plot.
1 star for character development/interaction/emotional attachment.
1 star for the way the whole thing just felt disjointed to me.
And 2 stars because I soldiered on and finished the whole thing even though it was a struggle.
The best part: that I didn't (directly) spend any hard earned cash on the book.
1 star for writing/plot.
1 star for character development/interaction/emotional attachment.
1 star for the way the whole thing just felt disjointed to me.
And 2 stars because I soldiered on and finished the whole thing even though it was a struggle.
The best part: that I didn't (directly) spend any hard earned cash on the book.
July 1, 2019
I've fallen in LOVE with the Brit in the FBI series. Not so hooked on this series.
May 17, 2021
Two-haiku review:
Two naked people
Dead man found in Washington
Live woman elsewhere
Back-and-forth plotlines
Not much depth to characters
But lots of action
Two naked people
Dead man found in Washington
Live woman elsewhere
Back-and-forth plotlines
Not much depth to characters
But lots of action
July 11, 2013
I have read all the books in Catherine Coulter's FBI series and I love her writing and her characters. Bombshell started out a bit slow for me but it sure picked up quickly.
Once again we are thrown in the middle of two separate cases. Both interesting and intense.
Married FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacy Sherlock, find themselves in the middle of the murder of a young boy, twenty year old Tommy Cronin who is found dead and displayed in the Lincoln Memorial. It is learned that Tommy's grandfather was part of a huge scandal involving the Federal Reserve Bank, where lots of people lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The first impression is that Tommy was killed as revenge against his grandfather. But Savich and Sherlock start looking at Tommy's friends Walter "Stony" Hart, and Peter Biaggini. A picture of Tommy taken shortly after his death turns up on You Tube, and it was uploaded from Stony's computer, suddenly the investigation heads in another direction. And proves that money truly is the root of all evil.
The second storyline involves a new agent recently assigned to Dillon's special unit in the Bureau. Griffin Hammersmith has been an agent working in the San Francisco field office. Savich and Sherlock worked with him on an earlier case and were very impressed with him.
On his way to D.C., Griffin stops off in the small town of Maestro Virginia to visit his sister, Delsey, who is studying at Stanislaus School of Music.
Before Griffin arrives, his "Trouble Magnet" of a sister is involved in a crime. She has been attacked in her apartment. When she wakes up in the hospital, she remembers there was a dead man in her bathtub and two Hispanic young men were there as well.
Delsey's best friend Anna sets off Griffin's alarms. He knows there is something more to her than just a struggling student and waitress. He's very rarely wrong. As things start to unfold, it's learned that rumors of a major drug smuggling gang are working somewhere in the area of Maestro. And the main suspect is the visiting professor at the college.
Rafael Salazar is a brilliant classical guitarist.He has been asked to do some teaching at Stanislaus by his twin brother, Dr. Elliot Hayman. Twins who were separated at a very young age, one went with the mother and the other stayed with their father.
This book starts out slowly, with lots of information gathering. But it's all vital to the outcome. It ends with a bang. Both cases coming together at the same time, with lots of action, suspense and a few twists along the way.
I loved re-visiting some of the characters from earlier books. (This book can be read as a stand alone, but the whole series is fantastic) Being back in Maestro, Griffin is working with the local sheriff, Dix and his FBI wife Ruth, who also works for Dillon. And back in D.C., we have the whole CAU (Criminal Apprehension Unit) team. And we get a small peek at the new upcoming book, introducing a new agent, and a new series.
I highly recommend the book. It was a great story, as always. If you like a good murder mystery, with a bit of suspense and a nice romance thrown in, I think you'll like this one.
Once again we are thrown in the middle of two separate cases. Both interesting and intense.
Married FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacy Sherlock, find themselves in the middle of the murder of a young boy, twenty year old Tommy Cronin who is found dead and displayed in the Lincoln Memorial. It is learned that Tommy's grandfather was part of a huge scandal involving the Federal Reserve Bank, where lots of people lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The first impression is that Tommy was killed as revenge against his grandfather. But Savich and Sherlock start looking at Tommy's friends Walter "Stony" Hart, and Peter Biaggini. A picture of Tommy taken shortly after his death turns up on You Tube, and it was uploaded from Stony's computer, suddenly the investigation heads in another direction. And proves that money truly is the root of all evil.
The second storyline involves a new agent recently assigned to Dillon's special unit in the Bureau. Griffin Hammersmith has been an agent working in the San Francisco field office. Savich and Sherlock worked with him on an earlier case and were very impressed with him.
On his way to D.C., Griffin stops off in the small town of Maestro Virginia to visit his sister, Delsey, who is studying at Stanislaus School of Music.
Before Griffin arrives, his "Trouble Magnet" of a sister is involved in a crime. She has been attacked in her apartment. When she wakes up in the hospital, she remembers there was a dead man in her bathtub and two Hispanic young men were there as well.
Delsey's best friend Anna sets off Griffin's alarms. He knows there is something more to her than just a struggling student and waitress. He's very rarely wrong. As things start to unfold, it's learned that rumors of a major drug smuggling gang are working somewhere in the area of Maestro. And the main suspect is the visiting professor at the college.
Rafael Salazar is a brilliant classical guitarist.He has been asked to do some teaching at Stanislaus by his twin brother, Dr. Elliot Hayman. Twins who were separated at a very young age, one went with the mother and the other stayed with their father.
This book starts out slowly, with lots of information gathering. But it's all vital to the outcome. It ends with a bang. Both cases coming together at the same time, with lots of action, suspense and a few twists along the way.
I loved re-visiting some of the characters from earlier books. (This book can be read as a stand alone, but the whole series is fantastic) Being back in Maestro, Griffin is working with the local sheriff, Dix and his FBI wife Ruth, who also works for Dillon. And back in D.C., we have the whole CAU (Criminal Apprehension Unit) team. And we get a small peek at the new upcoming book, introducing a new agent, and a new series.
I highly recommend the book. It was a great story, as always. If you like a good murder mystery, with a bit of suspense and a nice romance thrown in, I think you'll like this one.
November 16, 2015
4.5 Stars
Bombshell is one of the better in Catherine Coulter's FBI Thriller Series. Bombshell centers around 2 main cases: one in Washington, D.C., the other in Maestro VA. Griffin Hammersmith is on his way to D.C. to join Dillon Savitch'e elite FBI team. He has a special talent. Hammersmith stops in Mestro to visit his sister, Delsey whom is a student at at Stanislaus School of Music. Delsey Freestone is also her family's Trouble Magnet. And trouble finds her quickly. After a night of drinking at a party given by two of her professors, she heads home. A few minutes after she arrives at her apartment, she screams. She's found by a neighbor, unconscious, naked, and bloodied. But not all of the blood is hers. And why did her professor drug her drinks? Griffin must find out quickly, because the men who struck Delsey want her dead.
A body is found at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. It is the grandson of former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank and every bone in his body broken and frozen. Is this a revenge killing or something more personal?
Catherine Coulter is always a good read. She knows how to build suspense and keep her readers guessing until the end. I recommend this one to everyone who likes Thrillers, especially Romantic Mystery Thrillers.
Bombshell is one of the better in Catherine Coulter's FBI Thriller Series. Bombshell centers around 2 main cases: one in Washington, D.C., the other in Maestro VA. Griffin Hammersmith is on his way to D.C. to join Dillon Savitch'e elite FBI team. He has a special talent. Hammersmith stops in Mestro to visit his sister, Delsey whom is a student at at Stanislaus School of Music. Delsey Freestone is also her family's Trouble Magnet. And trouble finds her quickly. After a night of drinking at a party given by two of her professors, she heads home. A few minutes after she arrives at her apartment, she screams. She's found by a neighbor, unconscious, naked, and bloodied. But not all of the blood is hers. And why did her professor drug her drinks? Griffin must find out quickly, because the men who struck Delsey want her dead.
A body is found at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. It is the grandson of former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank and every bone in his body broken and frozen. Is this a revenge killing or something more personal?
Catherine Coulter is always a good read. She knows how to build suspense and keep her readers guessing until the end. I recommend this one to everyone who likes Thrillers, especially Romantic Mystery Thrillers.
August 6, 2022
Re-read. Still terrific! ;)
July 31, 2018
The unconscious sister of FBI agent Hammersmith in a pool of blood which leas to a serial killer. In Washington, DC, the grandson of a former Federal Reserve chairman is found dead at the feet of Lincoln.
October 9, 2019
This is entertaining enough. It's got plenty of mystery, suspense and even some action as some things get blown up, people get shot at and federal agencies organize a drug raid. The story has two plotlines - one at a music college with Griffin Hammersmith whose sister ends up finding a dead body and then getting knocked out. Trying to track down who is responsible and then getting dragged into a DEA operation takes up plenty of his time. He stays in communication with Savich and Sherlock, in Washington D.C. who are dealing with a dead rich boy. There's overlap in the two plotlines as Griffin and Savich communicate and Griffin's sister ends up staying with Savich.
As I said, interesting but not a great story. I liked the action mostly and the investigatory stuff, but I think there were way too many characters here for me to fully engage with any of them. And although I haven't read any other books in the series, I got the feeling that a good deal of them were previous main characters getting a little revisit time. Savich and Sherlock have an interesting dynamic but having not read "their" book, I don't feel like I know enough about them and this book was stingy on background deets (probably because they already had their book). Griffin was a great character and I liked his story, but he didn't get enough screen time and again, I think he had some background in a previous book because there wasn't a lot of time spent developing his character. This did focus on his love interest though, with whom he had no chemistry (he had more chemisry with his sister strangely enough...) I'll probably tune in to some of the earlier books and see if they're any better.
As I said, interesting but not a great story. I liked the action mostly and the investigatory stuff, but I think there were way too many characters here for me to fully engage with any of them. And although I haven't read any other books in the series, I got the feeling that a good deal of them were previous main characters getting a little revisit time. Savich and Sherlock have an interesting dynamic but having not read "their" book, I don't feel like I know enough about them and this book was stingy on background deets (probably because they already had their book). Griffin was a great character and I liked his story, but he didn't get enough screen time and again, I think he had some background in a previous book because there wasn't a lot of time spent developing his character. This did focus on his love interest though, with whom he had no chemistry (he had more chemisry with his sister strangely enough...) I'll probably tune in to some of the earlier books and see if they're any better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2013
Really enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. Lots of twists, turns, a ton of characters to keep straight, one or two "I didn't see that coming", stuff that blows up and some very terrible characters and sub-characters and some misleading despicable characters.
Savich and Sherlock have such a good rhythm, along with Dix and Noble and now Griffith and Anna - glad I read the other books (not The Cove mind you).
I small intro for her next series - she has written it with J.T. Ellison - looks good.
2 thumbs up and 5 stars - would I recommend this book - yes!
Savich and Sherlock have such a good rhythm, along with Dix and Noble and now Griffith and Anna - glad I read the other books (not The Cove mind you).
I small intro for her next series - she has written it with J.T. Ellison - looks good.
2 thumbs up and 5 stars - would I recommend this book - yes!
July 18, 2013
I almost gave up on this one! I usually like the FBI series but this one? Not so much! No chemistry between the characters, story lines were far-fetched, and I thought Sherlock and Savich come off as pompous you know whats! Disappointed.
July 15, 2014
Bomb shell is the 17th book in Catherine Coulter's FBI thriller series. I would suggest reading The Cove, and The Maze, the first two books in this series before you read this one. Dillon Savich, and Lacey Sherlock drew me right into this series in the book The Maze. The FBI couple is featured in each of the books. I also look forward to see what dangerous situations the couple will face together. In each book there is other agents that work well together, action, a touch of romance for all of you romance junkies, and suspense. I have read most of the books in this series, and have loved each one. Catherine Coulter is one of my favorite authors.
In Bomb shell, the story starts out with Special agent Hammersmith visiting friends, and family before his next assignment. He gets a call from his new partner Agent Ruth noble, that a college student had been attacked in the same small town where his sister Delsey was going to school. Before he is able to get to the hospital, he finds out it was his sister that was attacked. She had always been a trouble magnet. The small town seemed the safest place for Delsey to go to school. Her brother is wondering what she stumbled into this time.
Back in D.C. Sherlock, and her husband is Savich is working a murder investigation. A teenage kid was murdered, striped of all his clothing and placed near the Lincoln Memorial.
I loved how Catherine Coulter tied up the two cases. This book was very entertaining, and drew me right in.
In Bomb shell, the story starts out with Special agent Hammersmith visiting friends, and family before his next assignment. He gets a call from his new partner Agent Ruth noble, that a college student had been attacked in the same small town where his sister Delsey was going to school. Before he is able to get to the hospital, he finds out it was his sister that was attacked. She had always been a trouble magnet. The small town seemed the safest place for Delsey to go to school. Her brother is wondering what she stumbled into this time.
Back in D.C. Sherlock, and her husband is Savich is working a murder investigation. A teenage kid was murdered, striped of all his clothing and placed near the Lincoln Memorial.
I loved how Catherine Coulter tied up the two cases. This book was very entertaining, and drew me right in.
February 2, 2014
Another great Savage and Sherlock mystery. What I like most about Catherine Coulter's FBI mysteries is that the her main characters throughout the series, Savage and Sherlock, are not the only main characters. In Bombshell FBI agent Griffen Hammersmith is traveling from California to Washington to become a part of Savage's FBI team. He gets a call stating that his sister has been attacked in Maestro, VA.
He goes to Maestro and a complicated case evolves that could have its roots in an overseas gang. He has to protect his sister, Delsey but who can be trusted? No one is who they seem to be.
Meanwhile in Washington DC, Savage and Sherlock are working on a case where there is a complicated relationship between 3 young men who have been friends since they were kids. One is found dead. The friends seem to be successful, should be happy but are the deaths related to the attack on Delsey? the murder in Maestro? or is something else going on.
I love how each mystery stands on its own and the characters in both cities are well developed and one is just as important as the other. Nothing is clear cut in either and then Delsey goes to Washington to stay with Savage to keep her safe but she isn't.
I highly recommend this book to all that read mysteries. Catherine Coulter's FBI series are all great reads and this one is no exception.
He goes to Maestro and a complicated case evolves that could have its roots in an overseas gang. He has to protect his sister, Delsey but who can be trusted? No one is who they seem to be.
Meanwhile in Washington DC, Savage and Sherlock are working on a case where there is a complicated relationship between 3 young men who have been friends since they were kids. One is found dead. The friends seem to be successful, should be happy but are the deaths related to the attack on Delsey? the murder in Maestro? or is something else going on.
I love how each mystery stands on its own and the characters in both cities are well developed and one is just as important as the other. Nothing is clear cut in either and then Delsey goes to Washington to stay with Savage to keep her safe but she isn't.
I highly recommend this book to all that read mysteries. Catherine Coulter's FBI series are all great reads and this one is no exception.
September 14, 2013
Blea.
Trite, tired, and with names only a deranged Hollywood screenwriter would think are clever (Hammercock... I mean Hammersmith? Really? Sherlock? God Shoot me now!). It gets a solid 2 because its still better than the Tax Code and it did two things that I appreciated:
1 - it did not have a sex scene between the ruggedly handsome Hammercock....Smith and the beautiful but tough undercover DEA agent Mr Southern stereotype even though the two demonstrated the appropriate level of fake attraction that again only a deranged Hollywood screenwriter would think was in any way reasonably, likely, or appropriate.
2 - There were two parallel stories and, in the end, they were unrelated save the investigators know each other. If they had been connected I would have given this POS a 1 with prejudice!
Anyway its crap - find something else.
Trite, tired, and with names only a deranged Hollywood screenwriter would think are clever (Hammercock... I mean Hammersmith? Really? Sherlock? God Shoot me now!). It gets a solid 2 because its still better than the Tax Code and it did two things that I appreciated:
1 - it did not have a sex scene between the ruggedly handsome Hammercock....Smith and the beautiful but tough undercover DEA agent Mr Southern stereotype even though the two demonstrated the appropriate level of fake attraction that again only a deranged Hollywood screenwriter would think was in any way reasonably, likely, or appropriate.
2 - There were two parallel stories and, in the end, they were unrelated save the investigators know each other. If they had been connected I would have given this POS a 1 with prejudice!
Anyway its crap - find something else.
September 30, 2015
I guess I am in the minority, but I was disappointed with this book. First of all, I am turned off when all of the main people a book are beautiful, talented, perfect. Are there no other traits that can be described? It just seems to shallow.
My other main problem with this book was the misuse of technology. A major clue is an image posted on YouTube. Wait, what?? Images are not posted on YouTube. Are you telling me none of the proof-readers caught that? It isn't even as if this is new technology. Every time I read this I cringed. It made me doubt every other fact I read, since something that obvious was missed.
My other main problem with this book was the misuse of technology. A major clue is an image posted on YouTube. Wait, what?? Images are not posted on YouTube. Are you telling me none of the proof-readers caught that? It isn't even as if this is new technology. Every time I read this I cringed. It made me doubt every other fact I read, since something that obvious was missed.
May 5, 2015
Just couldn't get into this book but attribute that to the voice actress on the audio version. I think the hard copy version would have held my interest better.
Want to read
June 16, 2015I love this author I cant believe I won a copy on Goodreads! So excited!!
July 5, 2019
My copy was a paperback book, and it read fast and easy, as the author is most likely known for her writing. The cover notes that it is an FBI Thriller, and yes, to a certain extent that was true. There are two murders, separate characters, separate places, separate FBI agents, separate everything except that the FBI agents know each other and are in contact with each other.
No connection. I knew some of the FBI agents from previous Coulter books that I have read, but there was little to no introduction or background given as to them.
Otherwise, it was a summer beach or pool type book read.
No connection. I knew some of the FBI agents from previous Coulter books that I have read, but there was little to no introduction or background given as to them.
Otherwise, it was a summer beach or pool type book read.
Read
July 10, 2018Perfect airplane book, which is where I read it.
February 26, 2021
Sorry but I thought this book was rather boring.
June 9, 2024
Thriller of a book
Well, I thought I had it all figured out but I didn’t. She threw me a curve. That’s why I like to read her FBI books. They’re always awesome.
Well, I thought I had it all figured out but I didn’t. She threw me a curve. That’s why I like to read her FBI books. They’re always awesome.
November 9, 2024
9/8/13 on first read:
Entertaining, but you'll need to check your common sense at the door. This is one of Coulter's most ludicrously plotted books, and hers are always out there, so take it for me, this one's extreme!
Some major problems:
For high powered law enforcement professionals, these people seem to think actual investigation is done by sitting around telling each other how hot they are, as well as by coincidences, and by every single character being connected with all the others. You know right away who the love interest is going to be because she's the only available female who gets air time, and isn't a sibling. The whole music college and twin thing is silly, the reason why the body was in the bathtub just had me shaking my head in despair....really?! Why?!?
Also implausible: who murders someone 'secretly' by throwing them out of a high rise office tower, then schlepping them across town, and depositing the body at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial?? You don't think someone else in a busy city--even at night--might notice? Then to post the photos to youtube? Why doesn't the author consider that a public monument like the Lincoln Memorial surely must have many many security cams, and I would hope, a 24 hour security detail?
When trying to identify the mystery body in the bathtub, why does no one bother to check if he paid for his meals with plastic, or used the town Atm for cash?
How does a big shot FBI agent not know that his college age younger sister is going to school somewhere there's already been multiple murders (involving his colleagues), and repeated instances of sketchy behavior by faculty, staff, and the administration? Would you let your younger sister anywhere near such a travesty of supposed higher education?!! Btw, IRL, colleges have to disclose this stuff, you know? Doesn't he talk to his peers about work? Or follow the news media? Is he the Ground hog or something?
What happened to the phone confiscated during the interrogation?
Why make a big deal about it and then forget to finish it?
Why would law enforcement professionals allow random people to wander in and out of guarded hospital rooms? (This seems to be a common trope in this series, btw.)
So... the whole using the drug mafia to try to kill, or maybe kidnap Delsey boiled down to female jealousy??
How many Hetero males go around using the word 'lovely ' as a descriptor for another Hetero male or his clothing choices?
These are just a very few of the many plot holes, implausibilities, and narratival breakdowns that threw me out of the reading stream in this book! I think I had it happen about every 5 pages!
I'm curious to see if anyone noticed some of these problems (and I've mentioned only a few.) Or if its just me, being bothered by weird things as usual?? Feel free to add yours to the comments.
So, to sum up: if you want entertainment, and a plot made up of about everything plus the kitchen sink, then you'll enjoy this. If you need a plot that makes sense, You won't find it here.
2/2018 re-read. Author oops on page 231 of hardback. Nurse near me says "Wrong! Code Red means fire. She must mean Code Blue if it's about a person." Needs to be corrected in reprint.
Entertaining, but you'll need to check your common sense at the door. This is one of Coulter's most ludicrously plotted books, and hers are always out there, so take it for me, this one's extreme!
Some major problems:
For high powered law enforcement professionals, these people seem to think actual investigation is done by sitting around telling each other how hot they are, as well as by coincidences, and by every single character being connected with all the others. You know right away who the love interest is going to be because she's the only available female who gets air time, and isn't a sibling. The whole music college and twin thing is silly, the reason why the body was in the bathtub just had me shaking my head in despair....really?! Why?!?
Also implausible: who murders someone 'secretly' by throwing them out of a high rise office tower, then schlepping them across town, and depositing the body at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial?? You don't think someone else in a busy city--even at night--might notice? Then to post the photos to youtube? Why doesn't the author consider that a public monument like the Lincoln Memorial surely must have many many security cams, and I would hope, a 24 hour security detail?
When trying to identify the mystery body in the bathtub, why does no one bother to check if he paid for his meals with plastic, or used the town Atm for cash?
How does a big shot FBI agent not know that his college age younger sister is going to school somewhere there's already been multiple murders (involving his colleagues), and repeated instances of sketchy behavior by faculty, staff, and the administration? Would you let your younger sister anywhere near such a travesty of supposed higher education?!! Btw, IRL, colleges have to disclose this stuff, you know? Doesn't he talk to his peers about work? Or follow the news media? Is he the Ground hog or something?
What happened to the phone confiscated during the interrogation?
Why make a big deal about it and then forget to finish it?
Why would law enforcement professionals allow random people to wander in and out of guarded hospital rooms? (This seems to be a common trope in this series, btw.)
So... the whole using the drug mafia to try to kill, or maybe kidnap Delsey boiled down to female jealousy??
How many Hetero males go around using the word 'lovely ' as a descriptor for another Hetero male or his clothing choices?
These are just a very few of the many plot holes, implausibilities, and narratival breakdowns that threw me out of the reading stream in this book! I think I had it happen about every 5 pages!
I'm curious to see if anyone noticed some of these problems (and I've mentioned only a few.) Or if its just me, being bothered by weird things as usual?? Feel free to add yours to the comments.
So, to sum up: if you want entertainment, and a plot made up of about everything plus the kitchen sink, then you'll enjoy this. If you need a plot that makes sense, You won't find it here.
2/2018 re-read. Author oops on page 231 of hardback. Nurse near me says "Wrong! Code Red means fire. She must mean Code Blue if it's about a person." Needs to be corrected in reprint.
March 8, 2014
**SPOILERS** 4 1/2 stars
Catherine Coulter is one of my all time favorite authors. Her FBI books featuring Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich are almost all on my all time favorite book list.
I really liked Bomb Shell. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because I have such high expectations for Ms. Coulter.
In Bomb Shell there are 2 different plots taking place in two different locations with a couple of characters connecting the story lines.
The main plot happens in Maestro, Virginia. FBI Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith is on his way to his new assignment in Washington, D.C. and has planned a stop in Maestro to visit his younger sister, Delsey, who is a student at Stanislaus School of Music. Before he even arrives Griffin gets a phone call telling him his sister is in the hospital and may be a witness to a crime. Griffin rushes to his sister's side at the hospital and discovers that she can't remember anything about what happened to her.
But whatever happened was bad...really bad and so Griffin finds himself involved in a very mysterious case that has twists and turns that nobody could see coming! Characters involve egotistical, weird music professors, young women who idolize and worship said professors and are willing to do almost anything for their attention. Friendly town people. A town sheriff and his wife who is an FBI agent and a town diner that is almost a character in of itself. Ms. Coulter has a talent for descriptive writing that makes the reader feel as if they are in each location being described...as if they are living in the environment she has created. Her characters also benefit from her descriptive words. She builds such strong and memorable characters. While Griffin, the sheriff and his wife work to unravel the bizarre mysteries of a series of events that all lead back to his sister Delsey, mysteries that include a murder but no body, back in Washington D.C. Savich and Sherlock have a bizarre case of their own unfolding. A body is found beneath the Lincoln memorial. The body has been posed and the young man has had almost every bone in his body broken. As Savich and Sherlock search for the killer they follow leads that direct them to the dead man's friends. But when the prime suspect, one of the dead man's long time friends, end up dead, Savich and Sherlock have to start all over again.
Each story line has an explosive ending leading the reader relieved and fulfilled at the same time. The best part about books by authors like Catherine Coulter is that the story is told in one book not a unnecessary series. But at the same time they have created characters that are so lovable that you can get to know each character a little bit better with each new book they write. You can watch the characters grow and change and still get the thrill and excitement of the author's writing genre and style at the same time.
Absolutely recommend this book!
Catherine Coulter is one of my all time favorite authors. Her FBI books featuring Lacey Sherlock and Dillon Savich are almost all on my all time favorite book list.
I really liked Bomb Shell. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because I have such high expectations for Ms. Coulter.
In Bomb Shell there are 2 different plots taking place in two different locations with a couple of characters connecting the story lines.
The main plot happens in Maestro, Virginia. FBI Special Agent Griffin Hammersmith is on his way to his new assignment in Washington, D.C. and has planned a stop in Maestro to visit his younger sister, Delsey, who is a student at Stanislaus School of Music. Before he even arrives Griffin gets a phone call telling him his sister is in the hospital and may be a witness to a crime. Griffin rushes to his sister's side at the hospital and discovers that she can't remember anything about what happened to her.
But whatever happened was bad...really bad and so Griffin finds himself involved in a very mysterious case that has twists and turns that nobody could see coming! Characters involve egotistical, weird music professors, young women who idolize and worship said professors and are willing to do almost anything for their attention. Friendly town people. A town sheriff and his wife who is an FBI agent and a town diner that is almost a character in of itself. Ms. Coulter has a talent for descriptive writing that makes the reader feel as if they are in each location being described...as if they are living in the environment she has created. Her characters also benefit from her descriptive words. She builds such strong and memorable characters. While Griffin, the sheriff and his wife work to unravel the bizarre mysteries of a series of events that all lead back to his sister Delsey, mysteries that include a murder but no body, back in Washington D.C. Savich and Sherlock have a bizarre case of their own unfolding. A body is found beneath the Lincoln memorial. The body has been posed and the young man has had almost every bone in his body broken. As Savich and Sherlock search for the killer they follow leads that direct them to the dead man's friends. But when the prime suspect, one of the dead man's long time friends, end up dead, Savich and Sherlock have to start all over again.
Each story line has an explosive ending leading the reader relieved and fulfilled at the same time. The best part about books by authors like Catherine Coulter is that the story is told in one book not a unnecessary series. But at the same time they have created characters that are so lovable that you can get to know each character a little bit better with each new book they write. You can watch the characters grow and change and still get the thrill and excitement of the author's writing genre and style at the same time.
Absolutely recommend this book!
February 14, 2014
BOMB SHELL by Catherine Coulter
Delsey is studying at the Stanislaus Music School in Maestro, Virginia. Her best friend is Anna. Elliot Hayman is the director of the school while his twin brother, Salazar, is a visiting professor. Delsey’s brother, Griffin, F.B.I., is notified that Delsey is found in her apartment with a head injury and has been taken to the hospital. Delsey recalls seeing a dead man in her bathtub just before she is attacked.
The frozen body of a young man is found at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Savich, F.B.I. is on the scene. The body is that of Thomas Cronin, a college student from a wealthy banking family. More deaths follow. Later, two young snowboarders find a body – Delsey recognizes the dead man from her bathtub. Everything heats up even further when the bad guys go after Anna and Griffin.
With her usual excellent writing, Ms. Coulter brings readers immediately into a tale of drugs and murder in her current F.B.I. thriller. If you have been following this exciting series, you know that Savich and Sherlocke are on the job and they always get their man. Ms. Coulter has a wonderful easy-to-read style with excellent dialogue. There is usually a bit of a romance along with the mystery. This series is not to be missed.
Delsey is studying at the Stanislaus Music School in Maestro, Virginia. Her best friend is Anna. Elliot Hayman is the director of the school while his twin brother, Salazar, is a visiting professor. Delsey’s brother, Griffin, F.B.I., is notified that Delsey is found in her apartment with a head injury and has been taken to the hospital. Delsey recalls seeing a dead man in her bathtub just before she is attacked.
The frozen body of a young man is found at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Savich, F.B.I. is on the scene. The body is that of Thomas Cronin, a college student from a wealthy banking family. More deaths follow. Later, two young snowboarders find a body – Delsey recognizes the dead man from her bathtub. Everything heats up even further when the bad guys go after Anna and Griffin.
With her usual excellent writing, Ms. Coulter brings readers immediately into a tale of drugs and murder in her current F.B.I. thriller. If you have been following this exciting series, you know that Savich and Sherlocke are on the job and they always get their man. Ms. Coulter has a wonderful easy-to-read style with excellent dialogue. There is usually a bit of a romance along with the mystery. This series is not to be missed.
March 14, 2015
The novel contains two plot lines that have the main characters intersecting but never together. The first plot involves FBI Agent Griffin Hammersmith. On his way to his new assignment in Washington, D.C., he finds that his sister is involved in a murder and assault. As this plot evolves, we find DEA undercover operatives and several murders. The second plot involves FBI Agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock involved in a murder investigation when the grandson of a former FED chairman is found murdered at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. There are several more murders in this plot, too. While the two plots run at the same time with alternating chapters, they are easy to keep separated. Both are good procedurals and will keep your interest. Good character development. Would recommend the series.
February 23, 2015
I really really like this series. I like how each book features Sherlock and Savich with one crime to solve and another agent and his HEA are caught up in an unrelated crime. I love how the chapters flip-flop between them both so you get a good mix of romance and murder mystery. There are always just enough red herrings to keep you guessing but not enough clues to give away the game.
I enjoyed seeing Griffin Hammersmith again and meeting his sister Delsey. I liked DEA agent Anna Parrish too. What a sweetheart she is and so perfect for Griffin. I look forward to seeing more of Grffin in this series. I liked seeing Davis Sullivan again too.
Another great addition to the FBI series.
I enjoyed seeing Griffin Hammersmith again and meeting his sister Delsey. I liked DEA agent Anna Parrish too. What a sweetheart she is and so perfect for Griffin. I look forward to seeing more of Grffin in this series. I liked seeing Davis Sullivan again too.
Another great addition to the FBI series.
February 5, 2025
3.5 stars.
Feb 2025 - re-listened.
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April 2022 - re-listened. And we have another FBI agent with some psychic abilities. In this book, we have 2 distinct cases, one in Washington being investigated by Savich and Sherlock and another one tied to that Stanislaus School of Music in Maestro, Virginia from Double Take being investigated by the new guy Griffin Hammersmith. I've got to say I wouldn't want to study at that school, they don't really have a good record as a place of learning!
Feb 2025 - re-listened.
_______________
April 2022 - re-listened. And we have another FBI agent with some psychic abilities. In this book, we have 2 distinct cases, one in Washington being investigated by Savich and Sherlock and another one tied to that Stanislaus School of Music in Maestro, Virginia from Double Take being investigated by the new guy Griffin Hammersmith. I've got to say I wouldn't want to study at that school, they don't really have a good record as a place of learning!
August 22, 2013
Only my second read of hers but did not think this was a great book. I read the one prior, and was familiar with the FBI characters Savich, Sherlock, and Griffin Hammersmith. Two stories at one time which connected only by a thin thread. Story line was not very interesting. I hope her previous novels are better. Why is she a best seller?
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