Kathy Reichs’s Trace Evidence is a collection of novellas. In case you needed more Virals or were very upset by Terminal’s ending, Kathy Reichs provides the four novellas, Shirt, Swipe, Shock, and Spike, in her latest book, Trace Evidence. These stories include the action and excitement expected of a Virals novel and feature Tory’s great aunt Temperance Brennan. Three of the stories are fun mysteries with fast paced plots. Because, as novellas, there is little to no character development, and they are separate stories, I will be using a slightly different structure to review them.
Shock: This short novella tells the story before Virals. Tory Brennan has just landed in Charleston for the first time. She at first hates her situation, but something changes her view of Charleston and turns her into the girl who leads the viral series. We finally get to learn about how Tory’s friendship with Ben, Shelton, and Hiram began.
Shift: Shift is a novella about a recent theft at the Loggerhead Island Research Institute. The story is set after the first two novels, Virals and Seizure. It includes the interesting perspectives of Ben (Chapters 2 and 7), Hiram (Chapters 3 and 6), and Shelton (Chapters 1 and 5), Kit (Chapter 9) and Tempe Brennan (Chapter 10). Each gives us a slightly different angle on the events and gives us a new description of our narrator Tory.
Swipe: Taking place at the nerd’s paradise, Comic Con, Swipe tells the story of another theft. While the Virals are admiring Comic Con, the theft of an expensive item attracts their attention. Taking place between the third and fourth books, Swipe is an interesting story that expands upon the powers of the Virals. Temperance Brennan also plays a decent sized role in this story. The only issue is that Tory and Ben get along in this book making it more likely that the Swipe took place after the fourth installment, Exposure. Despite this, Swipe is a book full of fandoms and action.
Spike: Spike is the final novella, taking place after the final book Terminal. Kit and Whitney are about to enjoy the biggest day of their lives, but there is one problem. Someone is trying to sabotage their wedding. Tori and the Virals must catch the saboteur and prevent the wedding from ending in disaster. Through this book, we get to learn about what happened after Terminal and how it continues to affect their lives.
In all, these novellas are great. The capture the fun, action, and excitement we have come to expect from Virals novels in short stories that are less than 100 pages. Spike attempts to explain the cliff hanger in the final book, although I’m still a little upset at the usage of such a marketing ploy. The ending is also left open, denying the readers of closer and making them wish for future installments. While answering many questions, it inspires others. Despite my annoyance with the endings of this series, the stories were fun. They were well paced, and full of excitement. They provide short mysteries than can be read in one sitting. I give this 294 page book 4.5 stars.
Shock: This short novella tells the story before Virals. Tory Brennan has just landed in Charleston for the first time. She at first hates her situation, but something changes her view of Charleston and turns her into the girl who leads the viral series. We finally get to learn about how Tory’s friendship with Ben, Shelton, and Hiram began.
Shift: Shift is a novella about a recent theft at the Loggerhead Island Research Institute. The story is set after the first two novels, Virals and Seizure. It includes the interesting perspectives of Ben (Chapters 2 and 7), Hiram (Chapters 3 and 6), and Shelton (Chapters 1 and 5), Kit (Chapter 9) and Tempe Brennan (Chapter 10). Each gives us a slightly different angle on the events and gives us a new description of our narrator Tory.
Swipe: Taking place at the nerd’s paradise, Comic Con, Swipe tells the story of another theft. While the Virals are admiring Comic Con, the theft of an expensive item attracts their attention. Taking place between the third and fourth books, Swipe is an interesting story that expands upon the powers of the Virals. Temperance Brennan also plays a decent sized role in this story. The only issue is that Tory and Ben get along in this book making it more likely that the Swipe took place after the fourth installment, Exposure. Despite this, Swipe is a book full of fandoms and action.
Spike: Spike is the final novella, taking place after the final book Terminal. Kit and Whitney are about to enjoy the biggest day of their lives, but there is one problem. Someone is trying to sabotage their wedding. Tori and the Virals must catch the saboteur and prevent the wedding from ending in disaster. Through this book, we get to learn about what happened after Terminal and how it continues to affect their lives.
In all, these novellas are great. The capture the fun, action, and excitement we have come to expect from Virals novels in short stories that are less than 100 pages. Spike attempts to explain the cliff hanger in the final book, although I’m still a little upset at the usage of such a marketing ploy. The ending is also left open, denying the readers of closer and making them wish for future installments. While answering many questions, it inspires others. Despite my annoyance with the endings of this series, the stories were fun. They were well paced, and full of excitement. They provide short mysteries than can be read in one sitting. I give this 294 page book 4.5 stars.