When Carl Greene dies in a car accident, his wife Lucy wants some answers. Carl contacted his old friend and news reporter with the promise of a big story just before his death. Representatives from Carl's biotech employer are urgently seeking his personal files. Lucy endures several break-ins at the Greene's suburban Colorado mansion by those seeking the knowledge for which Carl was killed in the "accident."
Shot follows Lucy Greene in her search for answers. She teams up with childhood friend and former MSNBC reporter Kevin Burns to investigate the history of Bioflux. Carol was supposedly doing ordinary work for his employer. Could he have found a dirty little drug secret tied to the illnesses of many and the death of the Greene's own newborn son?
Jenny Siler's novel is all action from page one through the final words. Somebody has hired a killer to make sure Lucy does not uncover the Bioflux secret. She and Kevin join a savvy ex-con named Darcy on a cross-country journey to finish what Carl started.
Shot begins with the car accident, so the history between Carl and Lucy isn't explored. The novel is plot driven and only the most pertinent information is given for each character. Lucy, Darcy and Kevin are just thrown into the action, which is great for suspense but tough of character development.
Siler's tale is well paced and exciting, though not at polished as some thrillers. Certain characters and events exist solely for the purpose of convenience. The author's disdain for Denver's suburban sprawl is evident as well.
The conclusion is unusual and understated. After all the action, readers won't expect Siler's finale. Shot is a page-turner that can be read in a single weekend. The novel doesn't stand out from the pack, but it is a quick, satisfying fix for your suspense addiction.
