Tomorrow We Die by Shawn Grady

Reviewed by Dale Lewis

"No doubt readers will close this title with a greater appreciation for all the paramedics and emergency responders who work so hard to save lives."

Faced with death every day, Jonathan Trestle is a Reno, Nevada paramedic, saving lives for next-to-nothing wages while looking forward to medical school in the future. A random encounter with a dying man who utters a sentence of gibberish and thrusts a note overflowing with dashes and scribbles into his hand, telling him to “give it to Martin” propels Trestle into a frantic game of life and death. His own as well as his loved ones!

Seeking the truth, even if it puts him in danger or trouble, causes no hesitation for this everyday citizen. An interesting brood of characters contribute significantly to the storyline.
Although overflowing with medical lingo, Tomorrow We Die, is a murder mystery that includes romance with Naomi, Trestle’s childhood girlfriend and lighthearted comedy with fellow paramedic “Bones” McCoy. The plot is solid featuring a strong, believable hero, a corrupt villain and a long, drawn-out but satisfying resolution.

Author Shawn Grady is a Reno fireman/paramedic himself writing from the inside out. He writes with accurate authenticity and minute detail. Transitions between chapters and scenes seem at times haphazardly written. I understand the need for ambulance response calls to be featured but often they were speed bumps in reading the story. The desire for more of the main mystery sooner is the reasoning behind my thought process here.

The beginning was slowly deliberate, cumbersome at times and yet it kicked into thriller mode as the “cat and mouse” action between protagonist, his support team, and antagonists became the central focus. The conclusion is indeed suspense-filled with high level intensity leading up to it.
Redemption flows into the story as broken relationships are healed and renewed once people reach out to each other in their time of need.

No doubt readers will close this title with a greater appreciation for all the paramedics and emergency responders who work so hard to save lives. I enjoyed reading Tomorrow We Die and look forward to Grady’s next novel.

Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.