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Talion #2
Tooth for Tooth
What would you do if you got away with murder? Would you stop there? Could you?
Susie and Roy thought that they committed the perfect crime.
Their planning was meticulous. Their execution was flawless.
But, there is always a loose end, isn’t there? Always a singing bone.
Now, while enemies multiply and suspicions abound, their perfect world begins to crumble.
The hunters have become the hunted.
Susie and Roy thought that they committed the perfect crime.
Their planning was meticulous. Their execution was flawless.
But, there is always a loose end, isn’t there? Always a singing bone.
Now, while enemies multiply and suspicions abound, their perfect world begins to crumble.
The hunters have become the hunted.
Paperback
Published April 4, 2020
73 people are currently reading
9654 people want to read
About the author
J.K. Franko
8 books2,420 followersI grew up in Texas in the seventies, and although I really wanted to go into writing and film from an early age, my parents (Cuban-American) were NOT on board.
They believed there were only three acceptable career paths for a male child: doctor, lawyer, and architect.
After a disastrous first year of college pre-Med (too much fun, not enough study), I ended up getting a BA in philosophy (not acceptable), then I went to law school (salvaging the family name).
In law school, I was lucky enough to be selected for law journal and my articles have been cited by courts and recognized on the National Law Journal’s “Worth Reading” list – which for law is like a top review in the New York Times (pretty cool).
After ten years as a trial lawyer, I decided that law and family life weren’t compatible. So, I went back to school for an MBA, and later pursued a PhD, crossing the line from well-educated to over-educated around the turn of the century.
With these credentials, I was able to leave law for corporate America, where I got to spend long stints working in Europe and Asia.
It was my wife who pushed me to write novels. And, after thousands of hours writing, and seven or eight literary miscarriages over the course of eighteen years, I am now a published fiction author!
We live all in South Florida (for now) with our six (yes - 6) dogs and one cat.
I love boating, running, and chocolate.
They believed there were only three acceptable career paths for a male child: doctor, lawyer, and architect.
After a disastrous first year of college pre-Med (too much fun, not enough study), I ended up getting a BA in philosophy (not acceptable), then I went to law school (salvaging the family name).
In law school, I was lucky enough to be selected for law journal and my articles have been cited by courts and recognized on the National Law Journal’s “Worth Reading” list – which for law is like a top review in the New York Times (pretty cool).
After ten years as a trial lawyer, I decided that law and family life weren’t compatible. So, I went back to school for an MBA, and later pursued a PhD, crossing the line from well-educated to over-educated around the turn of the century.
With these credentials, I was able to leave law for corporate America, where I got to spend long stints working in Europe and Asia.
It was my wife who pushed me to write novels. And, after thousands of hours writing, and seven or eight literary miscarriages over the course of eighteen years, I am now a published fiction author!
We live all in South Florida (for now) with our six (yes - 6) dogs and one cat.
I love boating, running, and chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
July 28, 2020
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" Revenge is not always best served cold as the saying goes. A Tooth for a Tooth by JK Franko is the second in the Talion Series. Featuring Susie and Roy who have both lost a loved one and go out to commit the perfect murder. Or was it. They find that they become would-be victims in this novel that is very complex in it's writing. Lots of different characters tell the stories of loss and what could be Roy and Susie's downfall.
A good portion of the book goes over events of an Eye for an Eye that sets up the story that is intriguing. There are new characters introduced, even though there are a lot of characters, it helps set the stage for what is to come. You need to understand all the different stories to understand why Roy and Susie Cruise do what they did. But can you really get away with murder? There are also a lot of unexpected twists that surprised me as I was not expecting the story to turn in the direction it did.
Like I said, lots of different characters, short chapters. I read in another review that you had to start the series with book 1 to make sense of the story. I did not have that problem though. I am sure that there is some things to be missed if you don't start from the beginning. I intend to go and find the first book and keep an eye out for the third book.
I love a good mystery that holds my interest, this book certainly does that. "Don't waste time on revenge, those who hurt you will eventually face their own karma" Pretty much describes this book. I really enjoyed it and recommend it!
A good portion of the book goes over events of an Eye for an Eye that sets up the story that is intriguing. There are new characters introduced, even though there are a lot of characters, it helps set the stage for what is to come. You need to understand all the different stories to understand why Roy and Susie Cruise do what they did. But can you really get away with murder? There are also a lot of unexpected twists that surprised me as I was not expecting the story to turn in the direction it did.
Like I said, lots of different characters, short chapters. I read in another review that you had to start the series with book 1 to make sense of the story. I did not have that problem though. I am sure that there is some things to be missed if you don't start from the beginning. I intend to go and find the first book and keep an eye out for the third book.
I love a good mystery that holds my interest, this book certainly does that. "Don't waste time on revenge, those who hurt you will eventually face their own karma" Pretty much describes this book. I really enjoyed it and recommend it!
June 28, 2020
This is first time I have cheered for the murderer! This is a very good book! Can't wait for the next one!
April 4, 2020
HIGHLY recommend. I have to say that I am really into this series. While I felt like there were parts of book one (Eye for Eye) where some of the character's decisions seemed a bit over the top, after getting more background from reading the prequel (I recommend reading AFTER Book I like I did) and then having read Tooth for Tooth, I can completely sympathize with the protagonists. The story line is very believable, and the twists just keep coming and coming. This author has a bottomless magic bag of tricks. A very fun read!
June 10, 2023
8'5/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Al ser el segundo libro de una trilogía no puedo dar muchos detalles del argumento. Sólo decir que J. K. Franko ha sabido mantener mi interés.
Nuevos y muy buenos personajes se incorporan a este juego de venganzas. Kristy asume el protagonismo en esta segunda novela, volviendo al principio del primer libro. Algo que exige estar atento, ya que se repiten acontecimientos desde otro punto de vista con saltos en el tiempo.
La prosa sigue siendo ágil, con argumentos coherentes de los acontecimientos que se narran. Capítulos cortos que te hacen avanzar a buena velocidad. Me gusta y sorprende el protagonismo que le da, el escritor, al narrador de esta historia. Si en la primera novela no descubrimos su identidad hasta las últimas páginas (epílogo), en esta conocemos más detalles y su implicación en la historia. Me gusta que el narrador se convierta en un jugador más.
Muchos frentes abiertos... muchos jugadores sobre el tablero... todos con un motivo para la venganza dispuestos a aplicar el ojo por ojo, diente por diente, vida por vida.
Al ser el segundo libro de una trilogía no puedo dar muchos detalles del argumento. Sólo decir que J. K. Franko ha sabido mantener mi interés.
Nuevos y muy buenos personajes se incorporan a este juego de venganzas. Kristy asume el protagonismo en esta segunda novela, volviendo al principio del primer libro. Algo que exige estar atento, ya que se repiten acontecimientos desde otro punto de vista con saltos en el tiempo.
La prosa sigue siendo ágil, con argumentos coherentes de los acontecimientos que se narran. Capítulos cortos que te hacen avanzar a buena velocidad. Me gusta y sorprende el protagonismo que le da, el escritor, al narrador de esta historia. Si en la primera novela no descubrimos su identidad hasta las últimas páginas (epílogo), en esta conocemos más detalles y su implicación en la historia. Me gusta que el narrador se convierta en un jugador más.
Muchos frentes abiertos... muchos jugadores sobre el tablero... todos con un motivo para la venganza dispuestos a aplicar el ojo por ojo, diente por diente, vida por vida.
March 24, 2020
Well, can I say I'm impressed again? With this second book in the series I can definitely say there was no sophomore slump here! Picking up where the first book (Eye for Eye) ended, this one continues the story but adds the perspectives/POV of a few more characters that were introduced in the first book. All the main characters from the first book are there, at least for a while, and the devilish goodness continues to captivate and drive the story forward, moving at such a rapid pace that it will blow your bangs back. The writing is as concise, descriptive and colorful as it's predecessor, the suspense and tension are palpable and the characters oddly relatable. This review is kind of vague about the details of the story but that's because I don't want to give anything away. I must warn you though, this series has to be read from the beginning even though the subplots are concluded in each book, the main plot carries on compelling you on to the next book and I for one can't wait until Life for Life comes out!
July 14, 2020
Last year, I had the opportunity to read and review the first book in this series, EYE FOR EYE, and was absolutely blown away by it. I've been waiting and waiting to get my hands on this installment, and it did not disappoint! Once again, this book is smart, perceptive, gritty, fast paced, and incredibly hard to put down. And, I need the next book NOW!
Picking up immediately where the story left off from the first book, this is no sophomore slump! Fair warning though...this is not one of those series that you can just start from anywhere. The story is so well conceptualized and executed, unfolding through multiple perspectives and plot lines that you'll definitely need to start with EYE FOR EYE.
"Revenge, like seduction, is a process. It is a game of inches."
The Law of Talion or the principle that a person who has injured another person is to be penalized to a similar degree by the injured party remains at the forefront of each character's motivation and drive in dealing with the tragedies inflicted upon them. But this time around, Machiavellian vengeance begins to weave its way into solving each dilemma; however, getting ahead doesn't always mean you'll make it to the finish line. This is certainly a fascinating exploration into the role of the highly unlikeable character or characters, and the author has an understanding of human nature that makes the rawness of these characters come alive. You may not like them or their deeds, but you can completely understand where they are coming from that's for sure!
The many twists and turns throughout are masterfully done, making it difficult to trust anyone or predict where the story is going to go. And combined with the fast-paced chapters, the tension and suspense kept mounting until the very end. The author's writing style is engaging and seamlessly connects the idea of retribution throughout, forcing readers to constantly consider exactly what we would do if circumstances were placed directly into our own lives as well. This was an intense thriller told from various points of view that added incredible layering to the growing suspense, while also building anticipation for the final showdown, but things are far from over and no one should get too comfortable.
This second course is dark, dangerous, and deliciously deceptive, and I can't wait for more!
Many thanks to the author and Partners in Crime Virtual Book Blog Tours for providing me a free copy of the book. This is my honest and thoughtful review.
March 27, 2020
Another page-turning read from J.K. Franko! I read the first book (Eye for Eye) when it came out and absolutely loved it--it's a rare joy to find an author who has mastered both the art of writing suspense and also how to interweave some of the pressing issues of our time.
The writing style has plenty of details to immerse you in the world the author builds and to keep you invested in the characters without going overboard and becoming tedious. There are a ton of fun smaller details (some of which caused me to react out loud when I read them...my dog thought I was crazy for randomly shouting "NOOOO!!!"), and this is a great book if you're like me and enjoy trying to pick out the minutiae that foreshadow plot twists later on. I was definitely satisfied at the end (although I'm now eagerly waiting for the next book in the series). There were some excellent plot twists that I didn't see coming in spite of my best efforts to figure things out ahead of time, and there's a ton of potential plot lines for the next book.
I'd recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers, suspense, and procedurals. Tooth for Tooth is an awesome blend of some of the best parts of those genres, and it's just as fun to re-read to look for the hints the author plants along the way about how things turn out!
The writing style has plenty of details to immerse you in the world the author builds and to keep you invested in the characters without going overboard and becoming tedious. There are a ton of fun smaller details (some of which caused me to react out loud when I read them...my dog thought I was crazy for randomly shouting "NOOOO!!!"), and this is a great book if you're like me and enjoy trying to pick out the minutiae that foreshadow plot twists later on. I was definitely satisfied at the end (although I'm now eagerly waiting for the next book in the series). There were some excellent plot twists that I didn't see coming in spite of my best efforts to figure things out ahead of time, and there's a ton of potential plot lines for the next book.
I'd recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers, suspense, and procedurals. Tooth for Tooth is an awesome blend of some of the best parts of those genres, and it's just as fun to re-read to look for the hints the author plants along the way about how things turn out!
May 18, 2020
I was looking forward to reading this after reading Eye for Eye last year. It is not necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one, but I advise you start there, to enjoy the story properly.
Susie and Roy are back, still coping with the death of their daughter, but now with added stress of being involved in some way in a number of murders. As time moves on they truly believe that they have committed the perfect murder. However as the body count rises so do the secrets that they individually keep.
This a brilliant sequel that keeps up the tense writing of the first book. Can they really get away with murder or will they bring themselves down?
Highly recommended.
Susie and Roy are back, still coping with the death of their daughter, but now with added stress of being involved in some way in a number of murders. As time moves on they truly believe that they have committed the perfect murder. However as the body count rises so do the secrets that they individually keep.
This a brilliant sequel that keeps up the tense writing of the first book. Can they really get away with murder or will they bring themselves down?
Highly recommended.
June 15, 2020
If you're looking for a complex, intelligent crime thriller, set aside a few hours to read Tooth for Tooth.
This is one of the most intricate, well thought out and executed crime novels I've ever read. The story is thought-provoking, realistic, and demands your full attention.
The writing is detailed without being excessive. Franko gives us the perfect balance of information and action.
Tooth for Tooth is the second book in the Talion trilogy. I recommend starting with book 1, Eye for Eye, because everything that happens eventually intersects or weaves together, and you'll want to fully understand all the puzzle pieces.
*I received a review copy as part of the Partners in Crime book tour.*
This is one of the most intricate, well thought out and executed crime novels I've ever read. The story is thought-provoking, realistic, and demands your full attention.
The writing is detailed without being excessive. Franko gives us the perfect balance of information and action.
Tooth for Tooth is the second book in the Talion trilogy. I recommend starting with book 1, Eye for Eye, because everything that happens eventually intersects or weaves together, and you'll want to fully understand all the puzzle pieces.
*I received a review copy as part of the Partners in Crime book tour.*
April 4, 2020
A fantastic read. Even faster paced that the first books in the series. I didn't think Franko could surprise me again with new twists and still keep it believable, but he did. Loved it!!! Now ... I need Book III.
April 9, 2020
Fangs!
Two of the best books I have ever read! I am so looking forward to the third in the fall! They left me breathless!
Two of the best books I have ever read! I am so looking forward to the third in the fall! They left me breathless!
October 4, 2024
Diente por diente
Segunda entrega de esta trilogía sobre la ley del talión. Si no hay justicia ya la imparto yo. Hay que leer por orden porque esta empieza donde acaba la primera.
Cuando se cometen actos como los que ocurren en esta historia es de esperar que haya consecuencias, algunas inesperadas.
Seguimos con los mismos personajes jugando a repartir justicia "verdadera", lo que pasa es que el juego parece atractivo y no son los únicos a los que les gusta jugar.
Estos nuevos jugadores son parte de las consecuencias y van a animar el juego de forma increíble. Mucha gente en la partida y todos buscando justicia a su manera.
Además, el autor no puede ocultar sus orígenes hispanos y nos damos una vuelta por la bahía de Pollensa en Mallorca.
Segunda entrega de esta trilogía sobre la ley del talión. Si no hay justicia ya la imparto yo. Hay que leer por orden porque esta empieza donde acaba la primera.
Cuando se cometen actos como los que ocurren en esta historia es de esperar que haya consecuencias, algunas inesperadas.
Seguimos con los mismos personajes jugando a repartir justicia "verdadera", lo que pasa es que el juego parece atractivo y no son los únicos a los que les gusta jugar.
Estos nuevos jugadores son parte de las consecuencias y van a animar el juego de forma increíble. Mucha gente en la partida y todos buscando justicia a su manera.
Además, el autor no puede ocultar sus orígenes hispanos y nos damos una vuelta por la bahía de Pollensa en Mallorca.
August 10, 2020
This is the second book I read by Texas-turned-Floridian JK Franko. I read this on the heels of the first book in the Talion series. I took the time to check out his website shortly after finishing these two books (and before reviewing each book), and learn a bit about this author, and he is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon.
This book is written from a different angle than the first. Same characters, Susie and Roy, but instead of seeking revenge, they are fleeing the fallout of their crime. Coming from law backgrounds, they are meticulous and nothing is done without a plan. As pointed out early in the first novel, Roy is a strategist. This is true for the second book, too, but they aren’t the only revenge-driven people in the world.
The first book was great, the characters were developed and likable—even if they had to get their hands dirty. This book really dives into the characters and brings the story to a more personal level with the duo. I will say that Franko is adept in character development and planning, and that shines in his characters. I imagine he pulled some traits from himself and placed them in Roy. I will say that there are a lot of subplots and characters and it can be a bit much sometimes. If you don’t read the first story you’re going to get lost quickly. I think the author could do away with some unnecessary supporting characters, but overall this is a very good sequel to the first book and he manages to keep all the strands of his plot together and intersecting in a very clever way. I think my favorite part of this series is that I can actually see these events happening in our world, even though it’s fiction.
From the very first line of prologue Franko hooks you in…which is a bit different than the first book where you settled in with Susie and Roy after a prologue about Joan.
“Before meeting Susie and Roy, I had never met a murderer.”
What a powerful introduction to the second book. He continues this throughout the book, broken up into parts then chapters. For example, in Part 3 we see in the first few paragraphs a grabbing and dark intro about a firearm and Billy Applegate.
This book is written from a different angle than the first. Same characters, Susie and Roy, but instead of seeking revenge, they are fleeing the fallout of their crime. Coming from law backgrounds, they are meticulous and nothing is done without a plan. As pointed out early in the first novel, Roy is a strategist. This is true for the second book, too, but they aren’t the only revenge-driven people in the world.
The first book was great, the characters were developed and likable—even if they had to get their hands dirty. This book really dives into the characters and brings the story to a more personal level with the duo. I will say that Franko is adept in character development and planning, and that shines in his characters. I imagine he pulled some traits from himself and placed them in Roy. I will say that there are a lot of subplots and characters and it can be a bit much sometimes. If you don’t read the first story you’re going to get lost quickly. I think the author could do away with some unnecessary supporting characters, but overall this is a very good sequel to the first book and he manages to keep all the strands of his plot together and intersecting in a very clever way. I think my favorite part of this series is that I can actually see these events happening in our world, even though it’s fiction.
From the very first line of prologue Franko hooks you in…which is a bit different than the first book where you settled in with Susie and Roy after a prologue about Joan.
“Before meeting Susie and Roy, I had never met a murderer.”
What a powerful introduction to the second book. He continues this throughout the book, broken up into parts then chapters. For example, in Part 3 we see in the first few paragraphs a grabbing and dark intro about a firearm and Billy Applegate.
April 6, 2020
Tooth for Tooth is a fantastic follow-up to Eye for Eye, bringing back the intoxicating voice and intrigue of the first book in the Talion series.
This is one of those books that builds piece-by-piece, so it's almost difficult to review without offering spoilers, but what I love about this book (beyond the writing and intrigue!) is that it takes an unusual vantage in the way it tackles a suspense series. There are so many great series out there that follow a detective or agent of some sort, making them the center-piece, but this series works to encompass a whole cast of characters and crimes while remaining true to the genre and to the details that made the first book in the series so powerful. In doing that, it accomplishes a great deal, and it's no small thing to say that the book still manages to be full of twists, surprises, and moments of intrigue that will only engage a reader all the more.
This is a powerful piece of story-telling, and with Franko's attention to suspense, psychology, and criminal behavior, it's also impossible to put down. The one caveat? Make sure you read the first book first if you want to get the most out of this one!
This is one of those books that builds piece-by-piece, so it's almost difficult to review without offering spoilers, but what I love about this book (beyond the writing and intrigue!) is that it takes an unusual vantage in the way it tackles a suspense series. There are so many great series out there that follow a detective or agent of some sort, making them the center-piece, but this series works to encompass a whole cast of characters and crimes while remaining true to the genre and to the details that made the first book in the series so powerful. In doing that, it accomplishes a great deal, and it's no small thing to say that the book still manages to be full of twists, surprises, and moments of intrigue that will only engage a reader all the more.
This is a powerful piece of story-telling, and with Franko's attention to suspense, psychology, and criminal behavior, it's also impossible to put down. The one caveat? Make sure you read the first book first if you want to get the most out of this one!
April 8, 2020
Whenever I see books part of a larger series of related characters, other than Harry Potter and a few others, I'm never sure that it's going to be good...mainly because the longer some authors drag out characters/situations, I feel that it gets worse. I did not read the first book in this series, but this book was FANTASTIC! The characters were interwoven carefully and I really like that the author gave us a lot of information that the characters didn't know. I liked the point of view of the book and the murder mystery that was tied in.
April 9, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, This is a new author to me and I have to say that I was not disappointed. I did not read the first in the series but after reading this I am for sure going back and reading it. I was on edge the whole time and just loved everything about it.
July 24, 2020
In Tooth For Tooth, book two in the Talion Series, author J.K. Franko takes the reader behind the scenes of a riveting crime thriller as the characters continue on the slippery slope of pursuing the Law of Talion, seeking revenge for tragedies that have occurred to their families.
In this installment of the series, Author J.K. Franko asks the reader the following questions: what would you do if you got away with murder? How much farther would you go to get revenge? Can you stop, or is the thirst for revenge too enticing? And what do you do to make sure that the loose ends aka "singing bones" don't come back to bite you?
Tooth For Tooth is a riveting story that easily draws the reader in from the start. I would recommend that you read the first book, Eye For Eye, as Tooth For Tooth continues the storyline, even though the author does recap scenes from the first book throughout the second book. The readers will be captivated as the author weaves a thoroughly intriguing and complicated story that follows married couple Susie Font and Roy Cruise, as they take the law into their own hands with calculated choices and precision, and an eye to limiting the consequences and getting caught.
The author provides the reader with a fascinating and richly detailed crime thriller set in Miami and Austin. You can't help but get drawn into this complicated, fascinating, and multi-layered story told in an alternating first and third person narrative by Susie and Roy's therapist. Susie and Roy play an intricate cat-n-mouse game, but there are others that have them in their crosshairs as they search for connections into the rash of deaths by the devious couple, oh what a tangled web they weave!
Tooth For Tooth has enough drama, secrets, deception, and tension that keeps the reader on their toes and guessing as they turn the pages, wondering where the madness would end. But alas ... the author teases the reader with another surprising cliffhanger ending that will leave them wanting more as they await the continuation of the story in Life For Life, book three in the series.
Tooth For Tooth is a gripping and chilling crime thriller that is a must read for all crime thriller fans.
Disclaimer: I borrowed a copy of the book from my Kindle Unlimited program. I am also participating in a virtual book tour vent hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
In this installment of the series, Author J.K. Franko asks the reader the following questions: what would you do if you got away with murder? How much farther would you go to get revenge? Can you stop, or is the thirst for revenge too enticing? And what do you do to make sure that the loose ends aka "singing bones" don't come back to bite you?
Tooth For Tooth is a riveting story that easily draws the reader in from the start. I would recommend that you read the first book, Eye For Eye, as Tooth For Tooth continues the storyline, even though the author does recap scenes from the first book throughout the second book. The readers will be captivated as the author weaves a thoroughly intriguing and complicated story that follows married couple Susie Font and Roy Cruise, as they take the law into their own hands with calculated choices and precision, and an eye to limiting the consequences and getting caught.
The author provides the reader with a fascinating and richly detailed crime thriller set in Miami and Austin. You can't help but get drawn into this complicated, fascinating, and multi-layered story told in an alternating first and third person narrative by Susie and Roy's therapist. Susie and Roy play an intricate cat-n-mouse game, but there are others that have them in their crosshairs as they search for connections into the rash of deaths by the devious couple, oh what a tangled web they weave!
Tooth For Tooth has enough drama, secrets, deception, and tension that keeps the reader on their toes and guessing as they turn the pages, wondering where the madness would end. But alas ... the author teases the reader with another surprising cliffhanger ending that will leave them wanting more as they await the continuation of the story in Life For Life, book three in the series.
Tooth For Tooth is a gripping and chilling crime thriller that is a must read for all crime thriller fans.
Disclaimer: I borrowed a copy of the book from my Kindle Unlimited program. I am also participating in a virtual book tour vent hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
May 5, 2020
The law of talion - lex talionis - requires punishment of an injury by inflicting a similar injury on the offender, an injury similar in kind and degree. An eye for an eye, a fracture for a fracture, a tooth for a tooth. Old Testament justice, but just how literally would most people take it to mean? The book begins with a prologue that dates back many years to the abuse of a child. Just how this fits into the story becomes apparent much later on. We first met Roy and Susie Cruise in book 1, Eye For Eye, and it really is essential to read this book first since so much happens in it and book 2 follows directly on. Although the past events are referred to during the first half of the book, the reader really needs to know the detail to fully appreciate how all the main characters have come to where they are by September 2019. There are also many sub plots bubbling away in tandem to the main story of the murder of rapist Joe Harlan Jnr as other characters try to discover their own truths and exact their own revenge.
It is extremely hard to give a full review without giving away too many spoilers to those who have yet to read the first book but here goes! Susie has now been involved in three deaths, directly or indirectly. Roy has been involved in four. Death does seem to follow them around but they are perfectionists and believe they are untouchable. The bond between them is very strong but will never be as strong as the bond between Susie and Deb, and Roy knows more about that bond than he lets on to his wife. Roy needs to confront Susie about what happened to Joan and Susie needs to confront Roy about what happened to Deb. Roy has got away with the perfect murder once and now he's planning another one. And this time the revenge is to be taken in another country. All the main characters are beginning to come together and are employing help to find out what has really happened as they start to air their own suspicions. We meet again Detective Eddie Garza, Liz Bareto, Tom, Deb and Kristy Wise, David Kim and Senator Joe Harlan Snr, together with some interesting new people, one with very unsavoury inclinations. They are all getting closer to the truth but nearly everyone is holding something back and keeping secrets. Once again the narrator knows and sees all, although now he knows how much danger he could face if he ever told the truth. It's a complicated and tangled plot where the truth gradually surfaces in different places and to different people, with shocking and devastating consequences for those involved. And with the truth comes the fact that the tables start to turn and the hunters find themselves being hunted as everything they knew starts to fall apart and those singing bones start to surface. Just as some things start to make sense, others are left on a knife edge as the story promises to continue in book 3, Life For Life, which I am eagerly awaiting!! 5*
It is extremely hard to give a full review without giving away too many spoilers to those who have yet to read the first book but here goes! Susie has now been involved in three deaths, directly or indirectly. Roy has been involved in four. Death does seem to follow them around but they are perfectionists and believe they are untouchable. The bond between them is very strong but will never be as strong as the bond between Susie and Deb, and Roy knows more about that bond than he lets on to his wife. Roy needs to confront Susie about what happened to Joan and Susie needs to confront Roy about what happened to Deb. Roy has got away with the perfect murder once and now he's planning another one. And this time the revenge is to be taken in another country. All the main characters are beginning to come together and are employing help to find out what has really happened as they start to air their own suspicions. We meet again Detective Eddie Garza, Liz Bareto, Tom, Deb and Kristy Wise, David Kim and Senator Joe Harlan Snr, together with some interesting new people, one with very unsavoury inclinations. They are all getting closer to the truth but nearly everyone is holding something back and keeping secrets. Once again the narrator knows and sees all, although now he knows how much danger he could face if he ever told the truth. It's a complicated and tangled plot where the truth gradually surfaces in different places and to different people, with shocking and devastating consequences for those involved. And with the truth comes the fact that the tables start to turn and the hunters find themselves being hunted as everything they knew starts to fall apart and those singing bones start to surface. Just as some things start to make sense, others are left on a knife edge as the story promises to continue in book 3, Life For Life, which I am eagerly awaiting!! 5*
July 6, 2020
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that,” was my reaction several times through much of the four hundred pages of Tooth for Tooth.
There’s no such thing as a perfect murder, and the karmic consequences of actions kick in doors like an L.A. SWAT team. What began in book 1 as vigilante justice/retribution has flipped to survival of the fittest—or craftiest, in this case—as two of the four bad actors don’t make it to the end of book 2.
The author’s slow, meticulous build continues with details that seem unimportant… until ten pages later when I sat up and my mouth dropped open! Franko also does an impressive job of baiting with distractions then dropping plot twists that change everything.
As the rape victim in book 1 who had to watch her rapist go free, Kristy Wise was one of only two characters I had any sympathy for, but after so much death and loss, she showed she was a force to be reckoned with. The other character was Billy Applegate, whose childhood trauma had directed most of his adult life.
But everyone else? Nope! I understood them as parents, but they were all just too “into it,” especially Roy with his list of rules, and Deb’s apparent ability to simply forget and move on to the next thing. Tom is pitiful but learning just how dirty his hands are said a lot about him.
The cops are also unimpressive. To be fair, law enforcement has endless cases to deal with and don’t have the luxury of focusing on one case, especially one four years old with very little evidence. Yet, college senior Kristy and grieving mom Liz Bareto pieced together most of the puzzle and even shared info with detectives that reinvigorated the case. Not a good look for professional lawmen and investigators.
A great continuation of the Talion Series that closes the walls in on the good and bad and the living and dead. Even our anonymous storyteller will not escape unscathed from this tightly woven web of lies and deceit. Tooth for Tooth is complicated, suspenseful, and intelligent, and I highly recommend it… but not without reading book 1, Eye for Eye, first. Motivations and repercussions will not make sense without ALL the details. Fortunately, you have a couple of months to catch up before book 3, Life for Life drops!
Enjoy!
There’s no such thing as a perfect murder, and the karmic consequences of actions kick in doors like an L.A. SWAT team. What began in book 1 as vigilante justice/retribution has flipped to survival of the fittest—or craftiest, in this case—as two of the four bad actors don’t make it to the end of book 2.
The author’s slow, meticulous build continues with details that seem unimportant… until ten pages later when I sat up and my mouth dropped open! Franko also does an impressive job of baiting with distractions then dropping plot twists that change everything.
As the rape victim in book 1 who had to watch her rapist go free, Kristy Wise was one of only two characters I had any sympathy for, but after so much death and loss, she showed she was a force to be reckoned with. The other character was Billy Applegate, whose childhood trauma had directed most of his adult life.
But everyone else? Nope! I understood them as parents, but they were all just too “into it,” especially Roy with his list of rules, and Deb’s apparent ability to simply forget and move on to the next thing. Tom is pitiful but learning just how dirty his hands are said a lot about him.
The cops are also unimpressive. To be fair, law enforcement has endless cases to deal with and don’t have the luxury of focusing on one case, especially one four years old with very little evidence. Yet, college senior Kristy and grieving mom Liz Bareto pieced together most of the puzzle and even shared info with detectives that reinvigorated the case. Not a good look for professional lawmen and investigators.
A great continuation of the Talion Series that closes the walls in on the good and bad and the living and dead. Even our anonymous storyteller will not escape unscathed from this tightly woven web of lies and deceit. Tooth for Tooth is complicated, suspenseful, and intelligent, and I highly recommend it… but not without reading book 1, Eye for Eye, first. Motivations and repercussions will not make sense without ALL the details. Fortunately, you have a couple of months to catch up before book 3, Life for Life drops!
Enjoy!
March 28, 2020
What I liked most about Tooth for Tooth was the deepening of characters whom we met in Eye for Eye and who actually have more to do with the story than I originally thought. Several seemingly separate acts have brought characters together and encouraged them to become closer, more tenacious, more entrenched in the greater story of revenge. The reader is still challenged to determine what's right and wrong, or to what degree something is right, wrong, forgivable, or damnable.
While Eye for Eye was by no means simple, Tooth for Tooth adds a few layers of complexity by exploring familiar characters to greater depths. Definitely worth checking out if you've read the first book! Looking forward to the third!
While Eye for Eye was by no means simple, Tooth for Tooth adds a few layers of complexity by exploring familiar characters to greater depths. Definitely worth checking out if you've read the first book! Looking forward to the third!
April 10, 2020
Amazing story of revenge. Lot's of twists and turns. Very fun and believable characters. Am going to go back and read the rest of the series.
April 14, 2020
Awesome read. Faster-paced than Book I of the series, but still manages great plot twists!
March 27, 2020
WOW! (No spoilers) The roller coaster ride continues. I have read Book One (Eye for Eye) of the series, the prequel, and now Book Two - Tooth for Tooth. The twists keep coming! I think Book Two is even more of a page turner than Book I.
I was surprised to find that Tooth for Tooth was the same length as Eye for Eye as I zipped through it. This book provides some new and unexpected perspective on some of the events from Book One, and then moves the whole story along in an unexpected direction.
And it's still all about revenge!
Now I have to wait for Book III... :(
I was surprised to find that Tooth for Tooth was the same length as Eye for Eye as I zipped through it. This book provides some new and unexpected perspective on some of the events from Book One, and then moves the whole story along in an unexpected direction.
And it's still all about revenge!
Now I have to wait for Book III... :(
June 17, 2021
Segunda parte y aparente puente. La historia baja, aunque nos presente otras piezas del tablero y nos resuelva aguna cosilla, para mí, se queda corta. Los protas por Mallorca, se queda corto, es un poco bluf, las chicas... también, mucho lirili... y falta el lerele, el senador? haciendo sus cosas, nada diferente.
Decía el autor que las 3 partes eran un todo, pero que para que le publicasen, había que partir el tocho. Pues eso, bajon en el medio. Eso sí, el amigo slipknot me ha recordado horrores a Ike the Spike...
Decía el autor que las 3 partes eran un todo, pero que para que le publicasen, había que partir el tocho. Pues eso, bajon en el medio. Eso sí, el amigo slipknot me ha recordado horrores a Ike the Spike...
April 22, 2020
First things first, read Eye for Eye first. You won't understand and appreciate this book as much without doing so.
Much like the first book, this expertly weaves together multiple plot lines and character interaction. The writing is supreme and highly engaging. I literally did nothing but read this book in one straight shot. I love the narrative device in this series - a therapist telling the stories of his clients, who happen to be serial killers.
The twists in this one managed to be on par with the first one and I am thrilled to see where the third book takes us. I love that each book has a self-contained story, while laying a foundation for the next one. How will I wait until Fall 2020 to indulge my newfound obsession?!
Much like the first book, this expertly weaves together multiple plot lines and character interaction. The writing is supreme and highly engaging. I literally did nothing but read this book in one straight shot. I love the narrative device in this series - a therapist telling the stories of his clients, who happen to be serial killers.
The twists in this one managed to be on par with the first one and I am thrilled to see where the third book takes us. I love that each book has a self-contained story, while laying a foundation for the next one. How will I wait until Fall 2020 to indulge my newfound obsession?!
March 27, 2020
Amazing book!
April 30, 2020
Right from the beginning i was super intrigued by the cover. I hadn't read the first book but was able to understand the plot sue to the fact the author wrote a sort of recap in the first part of the book. Suspense created throughout was brilliant.
March 2, 2023
Things get more than a little complicated in this second book of the series - almost too much so- but in the end the numerous storylines meld well together and all of the t's get crossed, setting the stage for more insanity (with higher stakes) in book number three. And while Tooth for Tooth wasn't as gripping as Eye for Eye, I still found plenty within to enjoy.
3 1/2 Murderous Stars
3 1/2 Murderous Stars
March 15, 2021
This review is for the first three books in this Talion series (Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, and Life for Life).
The Eye for Eye trilogy by JK Franko is a must read because the entertainment value is off the charts. The three books, Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, and Life for Life, should definitely be read in order because they flow as one long book. The details, events, and character arcs span smoothly across the books, culminating in a spectacular "conclusion" at the end of Book 3. The word conclusion is emphasized because this story is thankfully not over. Book 4 will be out in 2021.
As they say, there is no such thing as a perfect murder. Roy Cruise and his wife, Susie, quickly find out that no amount of planning makes the deed foolproof, airtight, or ironclad.
In Eye for Eye, Roy and Susie are on a ski vacation in Colorado. They have already lost their only child, Camilla, in a car accident when Liam Bareto slammed into her because he was texting. When Tom Wise approaches Roy at the ski lodge, shades of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (or the retelling humorous version Throw Momma from the Train) kick into high gear. Tom and Deb Wise haven’t lost their daughter, Kristy, but she was drugged and date raped by a senator’s son, Joe Harlan Jr, in Austin, Texas. The seeds of self-administered justice in the form of a quid pro quo take root in fertile soil during that Colorado vacation and set the stage for the entire trilogy to unfold, slowly and meticulously.
In Tooth for Tooth, Roy and Susie have committed the perfect murder, and so has Deb Wise. Joe Harlan Jr is now missing and presumed dead, and Liam Bareto is no longer in a coma. His mother, Liz Bareto, refuses to believe it wasn’t murder and goes on her own fact-finding quest to bring the culprit to justice. But again, is there such thing as perfect murders, even when the prime suspects who have motives were not even around to commit the crimes? In Book 2, these so-called perfect crimes start to unravel, and the main actors are definitely starting to feel the heat.
In Book 3, Life for Life, outwitting the law has become almost impossible for these murderers, with some becoming victims themselves. Taking the law into your own hands seems like a good idea when emotions are running high and the killing and revenge seem justified. Who will get caught, who will die, and who will get away scot free? Maybe all or maybe none; book three will reveal all this and more, so sit tight and dive into this fabulous trilogy.
The Eye for Eye trilogy (Talion series) is completely engaging and well executed. The characters are mostly unlikable because of their selfish actions and messy decisions, but they jump off the page as real and plausible. If you watch enough true crime documentaries, you know all of these events could happen in real life.
JK Franko’s writing is wonderfully precise. The prose is tight, without any superfluous words or action cluttering up the pages. Nothing is added to the story that does not tie in at some point to the overall plot. The twists and surprises throughout, especially in book 3, will keep the reader riveted and maybe even exclaiming out loud at the turn of events and unexpected revelations. The narration is an interesting construction because in addition to the disembodied third-person narrative, a first-person narrator, a therapist, interjects her part of the storytelling throughout. She is the therapist for both Roy and Susie, and she sinks deeper and deeper into their affairs and their lives and ends up with her own agenda later on in the story. This narrator is unreliable, of course, but she becomes a prominent player in this captivating tale of revenge, vindication, and murder. Everyone has secrets in these books, with an important secret dating back decades and a catalyst for some of the present grisly events. The truth has a tendency to claw its way to the surface eventually, and the reader is thus presented with a tale that is intricate and complex yet easily navigated and enjoyed without too much confusion as the pieces of the puzzle fall satisfyingly into place. JK Franko knows how to write a complicated thriller that leaves no loose ends and no disappointed readers in its wake.
Speaking of murder, the Grim Reaper is obviously an integral character in this motley cast. Death shows up on Roy and Susie’s doorstep in Book 1, and by Book 3, he has outstayed everyone's welcome, leaving behind a trail of bodies a mile long. You are going to love these sensational books and these mostly despicable characters.
I received a free copy of this book from Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
The Eye for Eye trilogy by JK Franko is a must read because the entertainment value is off the charts. The three books, Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth, and Life for Life, should definitely be read in order because they flow as one long book. The details, events, and character arcs span smoothly across the books, culminating in a spectacular "conclusion" at the end of Book 3. The word conclusion is emphasized because this story is thankfully not over. Book 4 will be out in 2021.
As they say, there is no such thing as a perfect murder. Roy Cruise and his wife, Susie, quickly find out that no amount of planning makes the deed foolproof, airtight, or ironclad.
In Eye for Eye, Roy and Susie are on a ski vacation in Colorado. They have already lost their only child, Camilla, in a car accident when Liam Bareto slammed into her because he was texting. When Tom Wise approaches Roy at the ski lodge, shades of Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (or the retelling humorous version Throw Momma from the Train) kick into high gear. Tom and Deb Wise haven’t lost their daughter, Kristy, but she was drugged and date raped by a senator’s son, Joe Harlan Jr, in Austin, Texas. The seeds of self-administered justice in the form of a quid pro quo take root in fertile soil during that Colorado vacation and set the stage for the entire trilogy to unfold, slowly and meticulously.
In Tooth for Tooth, Roy and Susie have committed the perfect murder, and so has Deb Wise. Joe Harlan Jr is now missing and presumed dead, and Liam Bareto is no longer in a coma. His mother, Liz Bareto, refuses to believe it wasn’t murder and goes on her own fact-finding quest to bring the culprit to justice. But again, is there such thing as perfect murders, even when the prime suspects who have motives were not even around to commit the crimes? In Book 2, these so-called perfect crimes start to unravel, and the main actors are definitely starting to feel the heat.
In Book 3, Life for Life, outwitting the law has become almost impossible for these murderers, with some becoming victims themselves. Taking the law into your own hands seems like a good idea when emotions are running high and the killing and revenge seem justified. Who will get caught, who will die, and who will get away scot free? Maybe all or maybe none; book three will reveal all this and more, so sit tight and dive into this fabulous trilogy.
The Eye for Eye trilogy (Talion series) is completely engaging and well executed. The characters are mostly unlikable because of their selfish actions and messy decisions, but they jump off the page as real and plausible. If you watch enough true crime documentaries, you know all of these events could happen in real life.
JK Franko’s writing is wonderfully precise. The prose is tight, without any superfluous words or action cluttering up the pages. Nothing is added to the story that does not tie in at some point to the overall plot. The twists and surprises throughout, especially in book 3, will keep the reader riveted and maybe even exclaiming out loud at the turn of events and unexpected revelations. The narration is an interesting construction because in addition to the disembodied third-person narrative, a first-person narrator, a therapist, interjects her part of the storytelling throughout. She is the therapist for both Roy and Susie, and she sinks deeper and deeper into their affairs and their lives and ends up with her own agenda later on in the story. This narrator is unreliable, of course, but she becomes a prominent player in this captivating tale of revenge, vindication, and murder. Everyone has secrets in these books, with an important secret dating back decades and a catalyst for some of the present grisly events. The truth has a tendency to claw its way to the surface eventually, and the reader is thus presented with a tale that is intricate and complex yet easily navigated and enjoyed without too much confusion as the pieces of the puzzle fall satisfyingly into place. JK Franko knows how to write a complicated thriller that leaves no loose ends and no disappointed readers in its wake.
Speaking of murder, the Grim Reaper is obviously an integral character in this motley cast. Death shows up on Roy and Susie’s doorstep in Book 1, and by Book 3, he has outstayed everyone's welcome, leaving behind a trail of bodies a mile long. You are going to love these sensational books and these mostly despicable characters.
I received a free copy of this book from Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
April 16, 2021
La segunda parte me ha gustado igual o más que la anterior. Así como el primer libro lo podríamos encasillar más en un Thriller, este evoluciona al nivel de Thriller psicológico de los que dan mal rollito.
La mayoría de personajes (por no decir todos) son moralmente muy cuestionables. No tienen perfil de ser psicópatas y eso es lo que aún da más miedo porque la visión que dan es la del típico vecino asesino que "siempre saludaba" y eso hace que los personajes estén muy bien perfilados. Nunca sabes por donde te van a salir.
En esta segunda entrega, dejamos un poco más de lado a Roy y Susie y nos centramos en otros personajes, cosa que me ha gustado bastante porque conoces más a fondo sujetos que en el primer libro tenían un papel muy secundario y te ayuda a empatizar (o no) con ellos, por lo que también provoca unos dilemas morales al lector impresionantes.
De hecho, para la mayoría de casos, me he sentido más a favor del asesino que de la víctima y, obviamente, te hace pensar en si hay muertes que están justificadas. Igual estoy profundizando mucho, pero, en mi opinión, es un libro con mucha filosofía sobre la moral y la ética. Por eso mismo, me parece una obra muy buena.
Y que no se me olvide, que en este segundo tomo hay parte de la novela que se desarrolla de Mallorca y me ha parecido muy interesante.
La mayoría de personajes (por no decir todos) son moralmente muy cuestionables. No tienen perfil de ser psicópatas y eso es lo que aún da más miedo porque la visión que dan es la del típico vecino asesino que "siempre saludaba" y eso hace que los personajes estén muy bien perfilados. Nunca sabes por donde te van a salir.
En esta segunda entrega, dejamos un poco más de lado a Roy y Susie y nos centramos en otros personajes, cosa que me ha gustado bastante porque conoces más a fondo sujetos que en el primer libro tenían un papel muy secundario y te ayuda a empatizar (o no) con ellos, por lo que también provoca unos dilemas morales al lector impresionantes.
De hecho, para la mayoría de casos, me he sentido más a favor del asesino que de la víctima y, obviamente, te hace pensar en si hay muertes que están justificadas. Igual estoy profundizando mucho, pero, en mi opinión, es un libro con mucha filosofía sobre la moral y la ética. Por eso mismo, me parece una obra muy buena.
Y que no se me olvide, que en este segundo tomo hay parte de la novela que se desarrolla de Mallorca y me ha parecido muy interesante.
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