Placebo by Steven James
From back cover:
While investigating a controversial neurological research program, expose filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms. He seeks answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program-and answers to his own family tragedy.
I had high expectations for this book. I really like the Patrick Bowers series, and from the synopsis of this book, I thought it sounded pretty good. But, I ended up being disappointed. The plot sounded good, but it was so bogged down with crazy science facts (that made the story hard to follow at times and made me, and other readers I have heard, feel a rather dumb.) The book was difficult to get through until the end when most of the story finally came together. I think if this had been the first book I had read by Steven James, I probably would have quit reading part way through.
The characters were pretty interesting and well rounded. I liked Fiona, she was definitely one of my favorite characters. And I liked Xavier as well.
I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series, but I hope it will be a little easier to follow!
Opening Moves by Steven James
From back cover:
Milwaukee, 1997. In a city reeling from the crimes of Jeffery Dahmer, a series of gruesome kidnappings and mutilations draws authorities into a case like nothing they've ever seen. Cops think a Dahmer copycat is on the loose.
But Patrick Bowers, working as a homicide detective, suspects this is more than an ode to the infamous cannibal. When he discovers that the shocking acts reference some of the most notorious and macabre killers in our nation's history, the investigation spirals into a nightmare of manipulation, brutality, and terror.
Wielding groundbreaking investigative techniques, Bowers must now face off with a killer who will stop at nothing to get his message out to the world.
I really, really like Steven James's books. They're extremely well written and full of facts. This book has a lot of true crime mixed into it.
This book was written after the first five books had been released, and I would recommend reading this one before you start The Pawn. Having read the other books, I was almost at a disadvantage because I knew the outcome to the main plotline. But don't get me wrong, this was still an incredible book!
Opening Moves is quite gruesome, more so than the other books. The book starts out with the author saying how this book gave him nightmares while writing it. It really kind of grosses you out as you're reading it, you're thinking; There really can't be people out there like this, can there? But yes, unfortunately there is. And there are people out there who have to see and deal with this in real life. People like Pat. You really get to know him throughout this book. His thought process, what makes him the cop he is, and how he copes with everything. What I really love about Steven James's books is how he gets into the characters' heads. He tells the story from Pat's point of view, then switches to the killer.
Too many times have I read crime books and not felt a thing for the victim. It's just another book with another murder. But there's just enough back story on each victim, that you really feel for them, and hope that they might survive.
So, if you can get over the grisly details, I highly recommend this book if you like suspense and thrillers. This is an outstanding installment in the Patrick Bowers series.
The Pawn by Steven James is only $4.00!
From back cover:Patrick Bowers specializes in tracking down the killers who elude the FBI's best forensic investigators. As an environmental criminologist, Bowers employs twenty-first-century geospatial technology to analyze the time and space in which a crime takes place. Using an array of factors, Bowers can pinpoint, with surprising accuracy, the important clues that lead to solving the toughest of cases.
Bowers's impressive skills have made him one of the Bureau's top agents. Until now. Called to the mountains of North Carolina to consult on a gruesome murder, Bowers finds himself caught in a deadly duels with a serial killer who seems to transcend Pat's analytical powers. Forced to track the killer's horrific string of murders one by one, bowers finds his techniques and instincts put to the ultimate-and perhaps final-test.
I HIGHLY recommend this book! (Unless you get creeped out easily or don't like crime stuff, then you should probably skip this.)
This book is full of twists and turns, from the very first pages to the last. You'll start out thinking one thing is going to happen, and suddenly something completely different happens! I really like the main characters, Patrick, and his daughter Tessa.
The author is very knowledgeable and this book is filled with fact and information. (Almost too much at times.)
So if you're looking for an exciting, suspenseful read, then check this out! And, it's only $4.00, you can't really beat that ;)
