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mvptp's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have it as read with a 4 star review from 2016 and it's obvious my taste has changed because I didn't remember anything from this book and even though I didn't hate it I also didn't like it. Won't be continuing this series
nahyee's review
2.0
I liked this book at the start
This book caught me from the beginning. The author created a believable main character and was able to create a story where his psychic abilities were able to come out. But where she took such care in developing her lead, his brother, and his brother's longtime love, she threw in other characters that just didn't work. What starts as psychic visions leads to seeing and interacting with a ghost as if she's real ("The Sixth Sense"?), but she's the only one and doesn't even advance then story. By the time I finished, there was just too much that felt disconnected. I won't be reading this author again.
This book caught me from the beginning. The author created a believable main character and was able to create a story where his psychic abilities were able to come out. But where she took such care in developing her lead, his brother, and his brother's longtime love, she threw in other characters that just didn't work. What starts as psychic visions leads to seeing and interacting with a ghost as if she's real ("The Sixth Sense"?), but she's the only one and doesn't even advance then story. By the time I finished, there was just too much that felt disconnected. I won't be reading this author again.
brittany_hays's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
lizabethstucker's review
3.5
3.5 out of 5
Jeff Resnick Mystery 1
Jeff Resnick is mugged and badly beaten while walking home from a night out at his local watering hole. He definitely wouldn't be making it to his first day at his new job. His injuries are serious enough, fractured skull among others, to force him to return to Buffalo with his half-brother, Dr. Richard Alpert, and live-in lover Brenda Stanley. Things between Richard and Jeff are strained from past issues.
When a dead man's horrific murder seems to correlate with Jeff's visions and nightmares, he tries to ignore it. When there is a second murder that also matches his allegorical visions, Jeff realizes that he may be psychic and determines to find the murderer before there are more bodies. His psychic abilities have the potential to break up his tentative relationship with Richard, but not if Brenda has anything to say about it.
I personally tip my hat to authors trying to portray psychics and their visions in a way that can show the confusion and otherworldliness of them, yet place enough clues to make sense once the events of the vision come about. Bartlett handles it as well as any reader could expect and hope for.
The family dynamic adds to the story, even if I want to smack both men on the back of their heads and tell them to "grow the f**k up!" at times. My favorite character is without a doubt Brenda who practically steals the book despite Jeff being the first person narrator.
This is a mystery with thriller aspects. It isn't, to my mind, a cozy mystery despite what I've seen in some reviews. The actual mystery is intriguing. I enjoyed the read, but unlike many of this type of style of book, I wasn't so engrossed that I found it difficult to break away.
A decent read, the first I've read of Bartlett's writing since her fanfiction days. She was a powerhouse author back then and has only gotten better during the following years. I look forward to reading some of her other series.
Jeff Resnick Mystery 1
Jeff Resnick is mugged and badly beaten while walking home from a night out at his local watering hole. He definitely wouldn't be making it to his first day at his new job. His injuries are serious enough, fractured skull among others, to force him to return to Buffalo with his half-brother, Dr. Richard Alpert, and live-in lover Brenda Stanley. Things between Richard and Jeff are strained from past issues.
When a dead man's horrific murder seems to correlate with Jeff's visions and nightmares, he tries to ignore it. When there is a second murder that also matches his allegorical visions, Jeff realizes that he may be psychic and determines to find the murderer before there are more bodies. His psychic abilities have the potential to break up his tentative relationship with Richard, but not if Brenda has anything to say about it.
I personally tip my hat to authors trying to portray psychics and their visions in a way that can show the confusion and otherworldliness of them, yet place enough clues to make sense once the events of the vision come about. Bartlett handles it as well as any reader could expect and hope for.
The family dynamic adds to the story, even if I want to smack both men on the back of their heads and tell them to "grow the f**k up!" at times. My favorite character is without a doubt Brenda who practically steals the book despite Jeff being the first person narrator.
This is a mystery with thriller aspects. It isn't, to my mind, a cozy mystery despite what I've seen in some reviews. The actual mystery is intriguing. I enjoyed the read, but unlike many of this type of style of book, I wasn't so engrossed that I found it difficult to break away.
A decent read, the first I've read of Bartlett's writing since her fanfiction days. She was a powerhouse author back then and has only gotten better during the following years. I look forward to reading some of her other series.
janko27's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this mystery - it was a one day read for me. I only happened on it because Kindle was featuring the 2nd book in the series for $1.99 and it looked interesting. When I looked at the reviews for #2 (Dead in Red), they mentioned that it wasn't necessary to read the first book but that it was a worthy read. When I checked, it was a free download so I scooped it up and boy, am I glad I did. It was a nice mix of interesting characters with real life issues and a bit of offbeat and newly discovered psychic ability. I'll definitely be reading more from this author!
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a fan of the author's other series so thought I'd give this one a try. The characters felt real to me and I enjoyed spending time with them. Not sure if I'm sold on the psychic aspect of the story, but it does make for an interesting take on a mystery novel. This time the protagonist knows for sure who the killer is, now it's just a matter of proving it. I'd be interest in reading more in the series to see how this develops.
hmbb99's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting mystery story. It was very engaging and makes you want to read the second book in the series.