Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
[United States : Legacy Books], c2011.
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. Thriller. HTML: Just your average Pittsburgh soccer mom, baking brownies and carrying a loaded forty-caliber Glock... Lucille Teresa Guardino. A woman of many identities. Lucille to her doting mother, Lulu to her devoted husband, Mom to her pre-teen daughter, Lucy to her friends, LT to her co-workers, and Supervisory Special Agent Guardino to the criminals she captures for the FBI's Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement squad. A loving mom and wife, dutiful daughter, consummate professional, and kick-ass federal agent, Lucy is living the perfect life. Until the day she comes up against a predator more vicious and cunning than any she's ever tackled before, one who forces Lucy to choose between the life of the young victim she is fighting to save and her own daughter's...and Lucy's dream life is shattered. When it comes to "breathtakingly fast-paced thrillers" (Publishers Weekly), New York Times Bestseller CJ Lyons is a "master of the genre." (Pittsburgh Magazine).… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dsdmd
This is the first book written by Dr. Lyons that I have read. I have already ordered another.
Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino heads the FBI Sexual Assualt Felony Enforcement squad and she is superb at her job. Recently promoted to what is traditionally considered a desk job,she finds it
She's has mostly been investigating child pornography and sexual abuse cases. When 14 year old Ashley disappears Lucy and her team are brought in to help investigate. Was Ashley a willing participant or a victim? While many in the investigation feel it is the former, Lucy never stops thinking of her as the victim and someone who needs saving, and how right she is. The antagonist is smart, cunning and has full knowledge of FBI procedures. He is also psychologically damaged and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, letting no one stand in his way.
Snake Skin is a fast paced thriller. There are twists and turns and breath holding moments. The main characters are well developed. I really liked Lucy, a strong, determined and intelligent woman willing to fight for what she cares about. At the same time, her human side and frailties emerge when it comes to her husband and pre-teen precocious and likable daughter, for whom she would fight to the death.
While there were some questions that arose here and there that were not fully addressed, these were not major enough to distract from the book. Same goes for some problems with editing in the Kindle edition. The characters and the storyline made up for these problems, still garnering a five star rating, which I rarely give.
Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino heads the FBI Sexual Assualt Felony Enforcement squad and she is superb at her job. Recently promoted to what is traditionally considered a desk job,she finds it
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difficult to stay out of the field and remains in the middle of the investigations where she shines and the criminals fall. However, this is creating conflict within her family, which in turn creates conflict and guilt within her. She is compelled to get as many sexual predators off the streets as possible, even if it means putting her family second at times.She's has mostly been investigating child pornography and sexual abuse cases. When 14 year old Ashley disappears Lucy and her team are brought in to help investigate. Was Ashley a willing participant or a victim? While many in the investigation feel it is the former, Lucy never stops thinking of her as the victim and someone who needs saving, and how right she is. The antagonist is smart, cunning and has full knowledge of FBI procedures. He is also psychologically damaged and will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, letting no one stand in his way.
Snake Skin is a fast paced thriller. There are twists and turns and breath holding moments. The main characters are well developed. I really liked Lucy, a strong, determined and intelligent woman willing to fight for what she cares about. At the same time, her human side and frailties emerge when it comes to her husband and pre-teen precocious and likable daughter, for whom she would fight to the death.
While there were some questions that arose here and there that were not fully addressed, these were not major enough to distract from the book. Same goes for some problems with editing in the Kindle edition. The characters and the storyline made up for these problems, still garnering a five star rating, which I rarely give.
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LibraryThing member Zumbanista
A Great Action-Packed FBI Thriller
This book rates 4.5 Stars.
Snake Skin is the first CJ Lyons book I've read. Dr. Lyons has created a gripping story that kept me riveted until the very end. Seldom have I been so eager to get back to a book as this one.
The writing never gets in the way of the
If you're a fan of police procedurals with plenty of action, a suspenseful and complex storyline, creepy snakes (big yuck) and a great female lead, don't hesitate to read Snake Skin. It's a well-written page turner and a satisfying read.
This book rates 4.5 Stars.
Snake Skin is the first CJ Lyons book I've read. Dr. Lyons has created a gripping story that kept me riveted until the very end. Seldom have I been so eager to get back to a book as this one.
The writing never gets in the way of the
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unrelenting action which continues chapter after thrilling chapter. The characters, both primary and secondary, are very well drawn. If you love strong, independent female protagonists, you will love FBI Supervisory Special Agent, Lucy Guardino. She's a caring mom, loving wife, a great team builder and leader, and kick-ass hunter of pedophiles. In spite of this, she's still a 3-D character, being stubborn, feeling insecure and making mistakes in her personal and professional life. If you're a fan of police procedurals with plenty of action, a suspenseful and complex storyline, creepy snakes (big yuck) and a great female lead, don't hesitate to read Snake Skin. It's a well-written page turner and a satisfying read.
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LibraryThing member arlenadean
Author: C.J. Lyons
Published by: Ledacy Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5
Review:
"Snake Skin" by C. J. Lyons was some thriller with mystery, suspense and a lots of action. Now let it be said early this is for the Adult reader and if you love snakes you
Definitely this author knows how to keep us on the edge of our seat waiting for the twist or turn to show up! Would I recommend "Snake Skin?" YES!
Published by: Ledacy Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5
Review:
"Snake Skin" by C. J. Lyons was some thriller with mystery, suspense and a lots of action. Now let it be said early this is for the Adult reader and if you love snakes you
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are right where you need to be. In this novel we find Supervisory Special Agent Lucia Guardino who is part of the FBI's Sexual Assault Enforcement squad that handle crimes against children now...trying to save the life of a missing teen. She has newly transferred from Virgina to Pittsburgh, PA. along with her husband, Nick and daughter Megan (who wasn't a happy camper due to the move from her friends and all) is now the leader of this new unit. We will find that Lucy wants to save all the abused children, however, she does have a daughter and husband that need her too. How does she juggle all of this without being torn? "This combination of concerns sets the stage for a gripping story when Lucy and her team are involved in efforts to save a missing teen at the same time Lucy’s young daughter is hospitalized with mysterious symptoms." What will come of all this? To find out you will have to pick up "Snake Skin" and see what this author has instore for us in just finding out who this bad person is. "Snake Skin" is a fast paced read and once you get into the story it's heard to put down with 'snake skin' being part crime and thriller along with some mystery, be ready .... we are in for quite a ride. The characters were all well drawn and developed giving the reader a certain interest with each and person. Definitely this author knows how to keep us on the edge of our seat waiting for the twist or turn to show up! Would I recommend "Snake Skin?" YES!
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LibraryThing member mirrani
An FBI book with a strong female character (who is also a mother) in charge of the unit? So long as you're not reading it with a nitpicker's mentality (which I didn't) what's not to love? The action in this book was as non-stop as you would expect in any crime story, either in print or on screen.
This was the first book by CJ Lyons that I have read and I will most definitely keep up with the series. The characters were well defined and the action was non stop, yet in an honest way. There wasn't any time that the thought "Exactly HOW long is this day going to be?" crossed my mind, which happens with some crime stories that try to pack too much into a 24 hour period to make sure the case is solved in a believable amount of days. Life happens to these characters, things occur outside of the case, time is taken away from the issue and yet everything is well rounded and nothing is distracting. And as with all well written stories, even life outside of the case ties in in its own way, rounding everything out into a perfect experience.
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The worst thing that can happen when reading a crime novel is working out the ending too early and not being interested in what happens to get there. You won't find that in this book. I have a very hard time reading books of this type, because I tend to figure them out right away and I will admit it took me a little longer than most when reading Snake Skin. Still, even knowing who's guilty, you never quite know what is going to happen, which is impressive and keeps you wanting more, even if suspect the ending. This was the first book by CJ Lyons that I have read and I will most definitely keep up with the series. The characters were well defined and the action was non stop, yet in an honest way. There wasn't any time that the thought "Exactly HOW long is this day going to be?" crossed my mind, which happens with some crime stories that try to pack too much into a 24 hour period to make sure the case is solved in a believable amount of days. Life happens to these characters, things occur outside of the case, time is taken away from the issue and yet everything is well rounded and nothing is distracting. And as with all well written stories, even life outside of the case ties in in its own way, rounding everything out into a perfect experience.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
Lucy Guardino is a wife and mother and is also an FBI agent that coordinates resources to deal with child pornography and abductions. The daughter of a prominent couple is abducted and she is called in to oversee the multiple agencies involved with finding her. What she finds out about the parents
This is a rather typical story of a woman who is trying to have a successful career and a thriving family life. Her husband, a psychologist, takes up some of her slack but never lets up on the pressure to come home and be with her daughter.
Lucy has two habits I found annoying rather than quirky; she was always stretching, clamping, cracking her jaw and neck (to remind us how much career pressure she was always feeling) and twisting her wedding ring, tapping it on her phone, kissing it before removing it when going undercover (to remind us how much family pressure she was always feeling). For these reasons I dinged the book a half star.
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and the abductor is very disturbing and strengthens her resolve to keep her own family whole and safe.This is a rather typical story of a woman who is trying to have a successful career and a thriving family life. Her husband, a psychologist, takes up some of her slack but never lets up on the pressure to come home and be with her daughter.
Lucy has two habits I found annoying rather than quirky; she was always stretching, clamping, cracking her jaw and neck (to remind us how much career pressure she was always feeling) and twisting her wedding ring, tapping it on her phone, kissing it before removing it when going undercover (to remind us how much family pressure she was always feeling). For these reasons I dinged the book a half star.
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LibraryThing member carolyninjoy
I received a free kindle copy of Snake Skin by C.J. Lyons in an Amazon promotion in exchange for a fair review.
This started off with a sharp hook. I gave it five stars. It is an intense, suspense-filled thriller that kept me turning pages.
Ashley describes her reasons for cutting & her trophies, won
Each scar reminding her that she could win that she mattered, that somewhere inside this cold numb husk, she was alive."
Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino is a strong, positive woman working for the S.A.F.E. section of the FBI. That is the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement squad. She's been with the job for three months. She had been undercover & barely had time to change clothes to move directly into a kidnapping situation. She's balancing her difficult job with her twelve year old daughter, Megan who is in the: "Mom!" stage. I'm not a baby." Nick her husband, shares parenting duties but Megan needed to go to the doctor with strep throat. Lucy & Nick hadn't seen much of each other for the months it has taken to set up the newest S.A.F.E Unit.
Needed by Lucy in the next case is: "Tact, diplomacy, team building—-she needed these men as much as they needed her. Not to mention a missing fourteen-year-old girl who should be home right now listening to bubble-gum pop rock and painting her toenails. Or whatever Ashley Yeager did to amuse herself in the large, looming house that reminded Lucy of San Quentin." There are many jurisdictions & massive egos intersected in this case. The question about what is happening brings different responses as to whether it is a kidnapping or runaway girl.
Jimmy is caring for his aging manipulative mother in a nursing home. He wants to know more about his father but she withholds that information. He plays an important role in this story.
"Nick’s voice was calm, reassuring. One of the few things she hated about her husband. She could project calm, take control over chaos no matter the crisis, but dammit, he really was calm. Like some kind of Southern-Irish-Zen Master."
"In Lucy’s experience, shock and fear brought out the worst in people— including the need some people had to center the drama on themselves rather than the true victims."
Lucy is talking to Melissa, Ashley's mother & discovers that she has an 'old friend'. "Did Ashley know Jon? Melissa gave a shrug & slouched--totally out of character for the perfect-postured fashion model image she'd portrayed earlier. 'No. Ashley didn't like Jon.....If it was true, if Jon Tardiff had a thing for girls, then Melissa was living every mother's worst nightmare. The thing you never thought about--for fear that if you did, even for a second, you might be inviting the monster into your home."
Perhaps he had kidnapped Ashley.
"Guilt settled down on Lucy's shoulders like a worn out shawl. Make that a hand-crocheted, labor of love, fingers bleeding from being pricked & worked to the bone worn out shawl."
Megan fainted in church & was transferred to the hospital via ambulance. Lucy found out with a voice mail from Nick. She rushed to the hospital. After she'd vomited in the restroom. "Megan's laughter carried from her room two doors down as Lucy emerged from the restroom, still shaky. It was the sweetest sound Lucy had ever heard. She closed her eyes, listening hard, imprinting the sound on her memory. A gift to be unwrapped later."
Cindy Ames, a television reporter had taken photos of Lucy's family after she'd been warned. To keep her from publishing them, they worked out a deal so she had an 'exclusive' opening into the investigation searching for Ashley. Lucy was not pleased.
"Ames shrugged, her expression conveying contempt for Lucy's idealism. 'Way of the world. If it bleeds, it leads.'"
Highly recommended suspense reading. CJ Lyons is an impressive author!
This started off with a sharp hook. I gave it five stars. It is an intense, suspense-filled thriller that kept me turning pages.
Ashley describes her reasons for cutting & her trophies, won
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with success. "She carefully rolled her sleeve back, exposing the other trophies her control had won. Each scar a triumph. Each scar a time she hadn't run screaming out into the night or throw herself in front of a bus or jumped off a bridge.Each scar reminding her that she could win that she mattered, that somewhere inside this cold numb husk, she was alive."
Supervisory Special Agent Lucy Guardino is a strong, positive woman working for the S.A.F.E. section of the FBI. That is the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement squad. She's been with the job for three months. She had been undercover & barely had time to change clothes to move directly into a kidnapping situation. She's balancing her difficult job with her twelve year old daughter, Megan who is in the: "Mom!" stage. I'm not a baby." Nick her husband, shares parenting duties but Megan needed to go to the doctor with strep throat. Lucy & Nick hadn't seen much of each other for the months it has taken to set up the newest S.A.F.E Unit.
Needed by Lucy in the next case is: "Tact, diplomacy, team building—-she needed these men as much as they needed her. Not to mention a missing fourteen-year-old girl who should be home right now listening to bubble-gum pop rock and painting her toenails. Or whatever Ashley Yeager did to amuse herself in the large, looming house that reminded Lucy of San Quentin." There are many jurisdictions & massive egos intersected in this case. The question about what is happening brings different responses as to whether it is a kidnapping or runaway girl.
Jimmy is caring for his aging manipulative mother in a nursing home. He wants to know more about his father but she withholds that information. He plays an important role in this story.
"Nick’s voice was calm, reassuring. One of the few things she hated about her husband. She could project calm, take control over chaos no matter the crisis, but dammit, he really was calm. Like some kind of Southern-Irish-Zen Master."
"In Lucy’s experience, shock and fear brought out the worst in people— including the need some people had to center the drama on themselves rather than the true victims."
Lucy is talking to Melissa, Ashley's mother & discovers that she has an 'old friend'. "Did Ashley know Jon? Melissa gave a shrug & slouched--totally out of character for the perfect-postured fashion model image she'd portrayed earlier. 'No. Ashley didn't like Jon.....If it was true, if Jon Tardiff had a thing for girls, then Melissa was living every mother's worst nightmare. The thing you never thought about--for fear that if you did, even for a second, you might be inviting the monster into your home."
Perhaps he had kidnapped Ashley.
"Guilt settled down on Lucy's shoulders like a worn out shawl. Make that a hand-crocheted, labor of love, fingers bleeding from being pricked & worked to the bone worn out shawl."
Megan fainted in church & was transferred to the hospital via ambulance. Lucy found out with a voice mail from Nick. She rushed to the hospital. After she'd vomited in the restroom. "Megan's laughter carried from her room two doors down as Lucy emerged from the restroom, still shaky. It was the sweetest sound Lucy had ever heard. She closed her eyes, listening hard, imprinting the sound on her memory. A gift to be unwrapped later."
Cindy Ames, a television reporter had taken photos of Lucy's family after she'd been warned. To keep her from publishing them, they worked out a deal so she had an 'exclusive' opening into the investigation searching for Ashley. Lucy was not pleased.
"Ames shrugged, her expression conveying contempt for Lucy's idealism. 'Way of the world. If it bleeds, it leads.'"
Highly recommended suspense reading. CJ Lyons is an impressive author!
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LibraryThing member readingover50
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the main character, Lucy, and her struggle with the pressures of work and home. I thought that she was made out to be a bit superhuman, given the amount of injuries she sustains, and how she heads right back to work. The bad guy was creepy, and I didn't
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figure him out before the reveal. Looking back, I could see the foreshadowing in his scenes, but during my first read through I didn't pick up on it. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member amcheri
Happy to be done with this book. There was a lot of potential for an interesting and thrilling read. Unfortunately, that's all it had: potential.
I didn't find a single character or scenario in the book remotely genuine. The writing didn't flow well at all and the author's use of strange or
Instead of having a book with a kick-ass female protagonist I wanted to see succeed, I read about an FBI agent who didn't seem to be able to figure out basic things on her own or even have the desire to learn about them. The agents and others working the case from other policing agencies never bothered to consult an actual mental health professional but, instead, seemed to rely on Lucy's husband for random bits of insight was just one of the many B.S. things that kept my eyes rolling. And I won't even discuss the ridiculousness of the bad guy or how they figured out it was him. Ugh.
If you do decide to give this one a go, I strongly suggest staying away from the audio book. The narrator made a bad book even worse.
Others will disagree with me but I found very little worthwhile in this book. I'm giving it two stars because the idea was good.
I didn't find a single character or scenario in the book remotely genuine. The writing didn't flow well at all and the author's use of strange or
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nonsensical metaphors and similes was distracting. Instead of having a book with a kick-ass female protagonist I wanted to see succeed, I read about an FBI agent who didn't seem to be able to figure out basic things on her own or even have the desire to learn about them. The agents and others working the case from other policing agencies never bothered to consult an actual mental health professional but, instead, seemed to rely on Lucy's husband for random bits of insight was just one of the many B.S. things that kept my eyes rolling. And I won't even discuss the ridiculousness of the bad guy or how they figured out it was him. Ugh.
If you do decide to give this one a go, I strongly suggest staying away from the audio book. The narrator made a bad book even worse.
Others will disagree with me but I found very little worthwhile in this book. I'm giving it two stars because the idea was good.
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Language
Physical description
426 p.; 23 inches
ISBN
1456563289 / 9781456563288