Review:
This review was written for Reedsy Discovery
A sociopolitical thriller that will resonate with liberal and left-leaning audiences in today's political climate
Amy, an occupational therapist, joined the school board of her son’s school district, hoping to make a difference. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to necessitate the use of masks and social distancing in the summer of 2021, the community grows increasingly more agitated. What starts as threats of violence escalates to vandalism and physical attacks. Concerned for her son's safety but reluctant to let fear force her to resign, Amy must rely on the help of her father and uncle. Her uncle, Jack, a retired detective, uses his investigative skills to uncover a conspiracy led by political extremists intent on erasing anyone who challenges their ideologies, particularly women in positions of power.
It is hard to believe that COVID-19 became a pandemic five years ago. With measles and tension over social issues on the rise in the United States, J.T. Tierney’s thriller is a hauntingly cautionary story of what could transpire when communities begin to reject science and lean into propaganda on a large scale. The release of this book was well-timed, bringing it to readers at a critical moment in U.S. history. I read this book shortly after Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl was violently removed from a town hall meeting in Kootenai County, Idaho, and couldn’t help comparing and contrasting that event with the book.
The characters are well-developed, even those who plot against Amy and others who uphold public health policies. I found myself connecting most with Amy’s father, Tom, as he navigates his declining health while remaining determined to protect his daughter from harm. The plot is appropriately paced, and as the threats to Amy’s safety become more dire, the building tension kept me completely engrossed in the book. Extreme Malice is a political thriller that confronts many social issues relevant today, and it is an excellent option for left-leaning readers who find themselves in disbelief over the state of our nation.
Audience: adult
Trigger warnings: violence
Recommended for fans of: sociopolitical thrillers
Publisher's Synopsis:
Amy Wilson believed in doing the right thing. That was her first mistake.
When she votes for pandemic safety measures as a member of her local school board, she unleashes a campaign of terror against her. Vandalism escalates to stalking. Anonymous threats become physical attacks. The mysterious figures behind it all seem to know her every move—and there appears no limit to what they're willing to do to her.
As the harassment intensifies, Amy's son, her disabled father, and her boyfriend all become collateral damage in a vicious culture war she never signed up to fight. With help from her ex-cop uncle, Amy races to unmask her tormentors before they destroy everything she loves.
Source:
Reedsy Discovery
©J.T. Tierney: March 5, 2025
Edition: ebook, read on KU
308 pages
Read
Burial on Kindle Unlimited!
https://amzn.to/4kNg05U
Disclaimer: By clicking the link above, you will be directed to Amazon.com through my affiliate link. Should you decide to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This commission helps to cover costs associated with running this blog.
Comments
Post a Comment