Shift: A Virals Short Story (Virals series)

In " Shift" an engaging blend of science fiction, the paranormal and forensic science, a laboratory at the Loggerhead Island Research Institute (LIRI) has been broken into and computers and equipment stolen during a power outage for a software upgrade. With no video record of any kind of the smash and grab heist, Kit Howard the new Director of the complex has asked Tory's aunt, Tempe Brennan, a renowned forensic anthropologist to investigate. But this is just the type of puzzling mystery that has Tory and the Virals taking extreme measures to solve.

Set in the rugged, wild landscape of Loggerhead Island at the Research Institute where Tory and her pack were infected by a vicious pathogen that genetically changed their bodies, giving them heightened senses and strength the story opens with Aunt Tempe and Tory's father Kit taking the lead in a baffling mystery. With the outer gates locked and the lab trashed, the only visible clue to the break-in is a tiny slice of wood with a strange scent. Tension and suspense heat up when the pack flare, their acute senses leading them to bins in a garage at the far edge of the complex. In this novella the action never stops as the pack sniff out evidence that could uncover the culprit. The plot is riveting from the first page to the satisfying ending when a perceptive and shrewd Dr. Brennan uncovers the pack's complicity in solving the crime.

The characters as always are realistic and memorable , their faults, apprehensions and strengths indicative of their age. Tory continues to be the brains of the pack always getting them into trouble as she indulges her craving to solve a mystery. She's stubborn, determined and headstrong; her powers, telepathy and an acute sense of smell. Hiram the quick wit with a razor-sharp tongue loves using his acute sight as much as he yearns for their involvement in finding the thief be rewarded. Shelton is an anxious nit-picker who wants to stay away from trouble. Although he feels compelled to follow Tory in her quest Shelton is quick to use his acute hearing to help solve the puzzle. Ben Blue is the nonchalant owner of the "Sewee" the runabout used to transport the Virals to the island. Insecure in his attraction to Tory because of a feeling of unworthiness, Ben stays quietly in the background until his lightning quick speed and super strength are needed. It's these main characters who add witty banter and humorous antics to the excitement of each crime mystery.

I enjoyed "Shift", a quick look at one of the adventures of a unique pack of paranormal super sleuths.

Irritating that the store doesn't do half measures. I read the second book by accident and thought this might be worth a try. Probably a bit of a mistake - everything I didn't like about the full-fat Virals books (egregious product placements throughout, dialogue slightly too wooden to be believeable) and a diluted plot. Kathy Reichs may be underestimating her readers' intelligence (and I don't care if they are 14). More likely she's using the teenage/e-book exclusive tag as an excuse for bad writing. Either that or her son wrote all the bad bits!

An amazing read! The POV is unique, I actually can see what is going on in other character's heads. I also enjoyed the fact to see Dr. Temperance Brennan, since I am a huge fan of the TV series 'Bones'. It is short, yes, but I think it was enough. Love the ending! Can't wait for the rest of Virals series!

I borrowed this from my local library, as a kindle book. The story was fine, the problem was the ebook itself. Each chapter begins with a full page graphic. From there, the chapter will not load properly. I had to go to a page someplace in the next chapter and then scroll back. Even then, in some chapters, there were gaps that would not display. This was disappointing, and, at times, led to some frustration as to the "speaker" for that chapter.

Love the Viral series!
Have been a Kathy Reichs fan for years!
She never disappoints.
However, I DO NOT like the tv series Bones. Stories ok, but characters do not fit with book character descriptions.

This was an interesting experiment -- getting the story from different characters in different chapters. I would love to see a story that utilized only Tempe and Tori--their voices are the most interesting and their personalities do not get in the way of the story. As always, this is not just an Young Adult book.

I enjoyed the short story "Shift" by Kathy Reich. You get the same flavor as the longer book but in a shorter form. They still retain the flavor and character of the longer books and often introduce a few details along the way. Nice quick read.

It is a really intresting read. For one, Brennan vz Brennan Jr. And also, in the previous book it hints at Tory having some attraction to Ben. This is however the first time the book ha been written in different veiwpoints and shows that Ben is equally, if not more attracted to Tory.

It is a really intresting read. For one, Brennan vz Brennan Jr. And also, in the previous book it hints at Tory having some attraction to Ben. This is however the first time the book ha been written in different veiwpoints and shows that Ben is equally, if not more attracted to Tory.