Raney & Levine (Embryo: A Raney & Levine Thriller, Book 3) by J.A. Schneider is a fast paced suspense-filled thriller. Jill Raney & David Levine's characters continue to be developed. I gave this book five stars.

Jill was listening to David answer the same questions asked yesterday. "She was back to looking out the window, thinking not for the first time that he was a much nicer person. She was rash & impatient. He was an explainer, a patient teacher who rarely had to show his tough side...which was why he was OB's third year resident charged with teaching younger residents & Jill's fellow interns."

I look forward to reading Book 4.

read 12-21-15 ( )

I really enjoyed this book. Likeable characters and fast paced plot. I have not read the previous two in the series but that did not spoil my enjoyment of this one. However, I will go back and read the others. ( )

The first three words, “Dead bodies ahead,” do much more than directing Jill Raney to the anatomy lab, where a cadaver would be dissected as part of her med school education—they foreshadow what to expect in this gripping story. The author, J.A. Schneider, brings us to face our most basic emotions, and the tensions between them when they create stark contradictions: Jesse, the little one, “slept happily, his tiny fist curled to his cheek.” He was the fetus Jill had discovered in a hidden lab, in an artificial womb that looked like a rounded fish tank. Loving him is masterfully contrasted with the instinct of recoiling from artificial life, as he is dubbed “Spawn of the devil”—one that must be destroyed— by crazed protestors just outside the hospital.

David Levine is described by Jill as “Tall, rugged-looking, penetrating dark blue eyes…” He is a man who has shot a killer dead on a roof, and was now “cuddling an infant, stroking the little cheek with his index finger.” Here again, the author is fleshing him out by teasing out the contrasts between his muscular and soft side.

Another polarity is explored between being in control of the situation and being handled by it. Indeed things look different when you’re holding the knife and when you’re under it: “The top of the sterile table next to David was littered with an empty Procaine syringe, used mosquito clamps, and a pile of bloody cotton swabs.”

In EMBRIO 3 I was particularly enthralled by the voice of the criminal. It is rendered—even before we start to suspect the identity—in first person, bringing you closer into the criminal’s mind, where emotions familiar to you and me are taken to extreme. We begin to understand this sick mind, whose mother “gave herself to Satan, who was so cruel to me, as were the others.” We begin to understand how the religious zeal leads this mind over the top: “The souls behind those sacred voices have seen, and sing in praise of me! I turn down the volume, and in my earphones they still sing louder! This is overwhelming. I weep as I realize God has told them to sing for me!”

Five stars. ( )

Drs Raney and Levine are protecting their hospital again. This time it's even harder to tell where the threat is coming from.

A well developed, action filled, tense, and at times creepy narrative guides the characters and reader through the reader this multi-layered mystery.

Characters, old and new, continue to develop and grow both individually and as a team. While often struggling with emotional, professional, and other conflicts, characters display their makeup, merits, and problem solving (and sometimes getting into) skills.

Overall, a thrilling read. ( )

Title: Embryo 3
Author: J.A. Schneider
Publisher: J.A.S.
Series: Embryo 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Embryo 3" by J.A. Schneider was another on of this author wonderful 'adrenalin packed thriller' mystery reads that was the third in this series. Once you pick up any of the 'Embryo's reads you will not be able to put it down this fast read until the end and I found this one was off the chart....well written. We find from this read that there were problems between Jill and David due to what will happen to the baby Jesse. Was adoption in order? What is next for these two? Now we have someone who calls himself the 'devil spawn' who wants to destroy 'the devils' workshop' which was the hospital that Jill and David worked. We see once more that Jill and David will "join forces with the police in a terrifying race to track down a killer, and to prevent an unthinkable catastrophe." Will they be able to save this hospital and their precious Jesse? Now, you must be ready for a lots that will go on in this fast thriller mystery read and this is where I say you must pick up "Embryo 3" to see just how this author will bring it all out to you and in the end ? I really liked how this author was able to bring out all of the little details making this read so very intriguing. Be ready for a read that will have religious issues, medicine, bring on the psychos and all of this will give you one excellent read from the start to the finish. Would I recommend "Embryo 3?" Yes, along with the other two previous novels... 'Embryo and Embryo 2.' "Embryo 3" can be read as a stand alone read however, to really get the depth of it all I would suggest you read them in order. ( )