Oh dear the CSI novel timeline is once again shifted. Although in the novels publishing order Nevada Rose follows In Extremis it is in the written world seemingly placed between In Extremis and Snake Eyes (or very possibly even before Snake Eyes). But even then it doesn’t quite fit.
In Nevada Rose the CSI teams are once again split in to being Graveyard Shift and Swing Shift whereas in the novel In Extremis they are once again one team. If we are to follow the timeline mentioned at the beginning of Snake Eyes that novel takes place just prior to the time when the CSI teams merge back together. Which follows with In Extremis taking place afterwards. Snake Eyes also mentions Warrick’s impending marriage although his soon to be wife is not actually seen in the novel whereas in Nevada Rose he is sad to be divorced from his wife. Which means he has either married and divorced in a very short space of time (placing Nevada Rose between Snake Eyes and In Extremis) or he got divorced prior to even being married (placing Nevada Rose before Snake Eyes). Of course having different authors is going to skew the timeline slightly but keeping it cannon would have been nice just because it makes it easier to read and follow the action without constantly trying to readjust your mindset to a different period of CSI history.
The storylines and characterisations are alright. They are not the same as the Max Allan Collins books (which I am currently believing to be the best minus a few hiccups) where the standard was very high but at least it isn’t as bad as In Extremis.
I liked how there was some development to Sara and Grissom – with their relationship being more obvious in this novel whereas it was only hinted at in others. Although it does make the timeline a bit difficult again. It was interesting to hear a little about one of Sara’s foster homes and her reaction to the Belcher case.
The Rose Demille case was also interesting and I didn’t actually guess who the killer was so that at least was interesting. I did like the twist with Matt Baker and wasn’t really expecting it.
Definitely not the worst CSI book but not the best either.
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