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Jeff Resnick Mystery #5
Bound by Suggestion
In exchange for helping her unlock the emotions of a disturbed young woman, psychiatrist Dr. Krista Marsh promises to cure Jeff Resnick's recurring headaches via hypnotism. Things start out rocky and quickly get worse when both the young girl and the doctor begin to manipulate Jeff. Soon he's experiencing the young woman's emotions and can't tell where hers leave off and his begin, and Krista has other reasons for ingratiating herself into Jeff's life.
Meanwhile, Jeff’s brother Richard is vying for a chairman seat on the hospital’s fund-raising board. Two seemingly unrelated events that suddenly converge with deadly results.
Meanwhile, Jeff’s brother Richard is vying for a chairman seat on the hospital’s fund-raising board. Two seemingly unrelated events that suddenly converge with deadly results.
326 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2011
114 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
L.L. Bartlett
26 books418 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorraine Bartlett’s pen name Lorna Barrett on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square and Lotus Bay Mystery series, and now the Tales of Telenia fantasy saga, and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the descriptions and links to all her works here: http://www.LLBartlett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 26, 2011
The first chapter of Bound by Suggestion was previously released as a short story named Cold Case. While doing a favor for Richard, his older half-brother, Jeff first meets Dr. Krista Marsh who seems to regard his and his physic powers with disdain. She is stunned when Jeff solves an 8-month old case of a missing child and later approaches him with a request to assist her in drawing out the suppressed emotions of one of her patients. In return, she promises to cure his debilitating headaches with hypnosis and biofeedback.
Jeff is reluctant but agrees and meets Grace. Confined to a wheel chair due to injuries received in a car crash that also killed her father, Grace has suffered abuse at the hands of those hired to care for her and she has all but shut down. Krista explains that by sharing Grace's feeling, Jeff can help to draw Grace out and, eventually help her to live a normal life.
Jeff quickly finds that he is having trouble telling where Grace's emotions end and his begin and his inability to remember what happened in the sessions leaves him feeling numb and lost. He feels manipulated by both Grace and Krista and can't seem to find a way to connect to the real world. Especially since he has lost his soul mate and anchor to the real world, Maggie, to her former finance.
At the same time, Richard is competing hard for the chairmanship of the fundraising board at the hospital, which is causing some friction between him and his wife, Brenda, who is pregnant again and hoping for a much better outcome this time.
The current board chairman, Wes Timberly, has always been resentful of Richard but seems to be even more caustic than usual. When Richard hears from more than one source that he better watch his back around Timberly, he starts to take the rumors of Timberly's involvement in behind the scenes manipulations that led to the downfall of others that Timberley thought had crossed him.
Meanwhile, Jeff and Richard continue to have difficulty in bridging the gap between them and forging the relationship that Richard wants and Jeff needs so badly.
These seeming separate storylines come together in an explosive ride to the end.
The main characters are so very well drawn that I have really felt invested in them throughout this series and continue to look forward to more in this series.
Jeff is reluctant but agrees and meets Grace. Confined to a wheel chair due to injuries received in a car crash that also killed her father, Grace has suffered abuse at the hands of those hired to care for her and she has all but shut down. Krista explains that by sharing Grace's feeling, Jeff can help to draw Grace out and, eventually help her to live a normal life.
Jeff quickly finds that he is having trouble telling where Grace's emotions end and his begin and his inability to remember what happened in the sessions leaves him feeling numb and lost. He feels manipulated by both Grace and Krista and can't seem to find a way to connect to the real world. Especially since he has lost his soul mate and anchor to the real world, Maggie, to her former finance.
At the same time, Richard is competing hard for the chairmanship of the fundraising board at the hospital, which is causing some friction between him and his wife, Brenda, who is pregnant again and hoping for a much better outcome this time.
The current board chairman, Wes Timberly, has always been resentful of Richard but seems to be even more caustic than usual. When Richard hears from more than one source that he better watch his back around Timberly, he starts to take the rumors of Timberly's involvement in behind the scenes manipulations that led to the downfall of others that Timberley thought had crossed him.
Meanwhile, Jeff and Richard continue to have difficulty in bridging the gap between them and forging the relationship that Richard wants and Jeff needs so badly.
These seeming separate storylines come together in an explosive ride to the end.
The main characters are so very well drawn that I have really felt invested in them throughout this series and continue to look forward to more in this series.
September 6, 2019
Jeff agrees to help a doctor with her patient.
Well, what happens..... I am not going to tell!
You have to read this book!
Another gripping, suspense filled story by L.L. Bartlett!!
Don't miss this one!!!
Well, what happens..... I am not going to tell!
You have to read this book!
Another gripping, suspense filled story by L.L. Bartlett!!
Don't miss this one!!!
March 26, 2013
The series is getting a shade darker with this book. I liked this as much as the 1st one that got me hooked on this series.
May 13, 2016
Jeff Resnick is back with a punch, June 1, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: BOUND BY SUGGESTION (The Jeff Resnick Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)
Cozies move out of the way-Jeff Resnick is back and I mean BACK.
This latest in the Jeff Resnick series starts off with a chapter that was offered as a novelette which I bought and read. I'm speaking of "Cold Case" which was where I thought the story would remain, but I was wrong. Dr. Krista Marsh continued on throughout this entire book and insidious does not come close to her character. Jeff finds himself led into a partnership(?) with this Dr. A partnership that was not of his own choosing. Unfortunately Jeff is not one to stand up for himself. That is why we find Jeff being led down a path he could never have imagined himself being entangled in. Would Jeff have been this vulnerable if Maggie was still by his side?
At the same time Jeff's brother, Richard, is being offered a prestigious job at the hospital after securing backers for the hospital in multiple donations. Richard is also in a position to donate a considerable amount in order to establish new equipment the hospital is need of. Richard's success has made him vulnerable to a conniving manipulator, Dr. Timberly. What has this devious monster really been up to? And how far will he go to remain in power at the hospital?
The author expertly weaves these two themes as we are taken on a journey. A Jeff Resnick journey. Jeff and his brother, Richard, are working against each other for all the wrong reasons and then...a major crisis of epic proportions occurs. That's when these two brothers establish their own bonding. Their bond takes Richard into Jeff's world of the supernatural. Their bond is no longer one dimensional. Brenda, Richard's wife, now pregnant is with them both through the thick of it.
The climax is fantastic. (who could have expected less in a Jeff Resnick story?) Every last end is tied up neatly and we (the reader) can at last breath easier.
"Bound by Suggestion" was and is one of the most creative and explosive stories you will ever want to read...but be prepared! Be prepared to put all other books, CD's, paperbacks and kindles on hold. Jeff Resnick is back!
Find a quiet corner and take the Jeff Resnick journey. You won't be the same.
Ellen (read on my kindle)
April 16, 2011
I'm not a professional reviewer, nor am I especially talented at reviewing books, however, as is often quoted, I know what I like to read. I, literally dropped the book I was in the middle of, stopped to take a peek at L.L. Bartlett's "Bound by Suggestion", and was made aware of the time that had passed by my husband asking about dinner, "Well, Dear. It is 11P.M. Should we have sandwiches?"
There is something compulsive in the writing of Ms. Bartlett that draws me inside her literary tale of suspense and drama. I do not understand why the big publishing houses have not discovered her but, I have and I treasure each and every book of this remarkable murder mystery series.
Jeff Resnick is a sympathetic, not very willing, amateur sleuth. He has been a victim of a mugging and now finds himself with a 'curse' of being empathic and able to help find persons and solve crimes with his brother, Richard, whom is also very unhappy with this situation.
Richard, a talented doctor, asks Jeff to aid a patient at the community clinic. Jeff feels he 'must' as Richard has done so much for him. A body is discovered and now Jeff has been partially exposed and finds himself, a victim and perhaps a perpetrator of a crime as well.
Meanwhile, Jeff is also betrayed in his personal relationships and just doesn't know whom to trust. Can he trust anyone is the question, even himself.
This novel is the 4th and best so far of this well-crafted series. The book held many twists and curves worthy of a fine 'Hitchcock' film. The series is available on Kindle, mass paperback editions, and if you are a good collector, you may find hardback and audio versions as well. I cannot urge you enough to discover L.L. Bartlett soon and order in dinner!
There is something compulsive in the writing of Ms. Bartlett that draws me inside her literary tale of suspense and drama. I do not understand why the big publishing houses have not discovered her but, I have and I treasure each and every book of this remarkable murder mystery series.
Jeff Resnick is a sympathetic, not very willing, amateur sleuth. He has been a victim of a mugging and now finds himself with a 'curse' of being empathic and able to help find persons and solve crimes with his brother, Richard, whom is also very unhappy with this situation.
Richard, a talented doctor, asks Jeff to aid a patient at the community clinic. Jeff feels he 'must' as Richard has done so much for him. A body is discovered and now Jeff has been partially exposed and finds himself, a victim and perhaps a perpetrator of a crime as well.
Meanwhile, Jeff is also betrayed in his personal relationships and just doesn't know whom to trust. Can he trust anyone is the question, even himself.
This novel is the 4th and best so far of this well-crafted series. The book held many twists and curves worthy of a fine 'Hitchcock' film. The series is available on Kindle, mass paperback editions, and if you are a good collector, you may find hardback and audio versions as well. I cannot urge you enough to discover L.L. Bartlett soon and order in dinner!
July 14, 2013
What a disappointment! The ending completely ruined the book for me.
I've enjoyed all the Jeff Resnick mysteries up to this one, but the plot holes in Bound by Suggestion simply stretched my credulity beyond the breaking point. The resolution was totally unbelievable for a number of reasons. I won't go into detail here, to avoid spoilers, but leave it at "the author simply demanded that I believe too many unbelievable things." (And I'm not talking about any paranormal features of the story, just how the author handled the climax of the story and the dénouement.) If the villains were actually "disposed of" in the fashion described, there's no way Jeff and associates could have avoided some very serious legal consequences, the author's unconvincing manipulations notwithstanding.
I've enjoyed all the Jeff Resnick mysteries up to this one, but the plot holes in Bound by Suggestion simply stretched my credulity beyond the breaking point. The resolution was totally unbelievable for a number of reasons. I won't go into detail here, to avoid spoilers, but leave it at "the author simply demanded that I believe too many unbelievable things." (And I'm not talking about any paranormal features of the story, just how the author handled the climax of the story and the dénouement.) If the villains were actually "disposed of" in the fashion described, there's no way Jeff and associates could have avoided some very serious legal consequences, the author's unconvincing manipulations notwithstanding.
June 21, 2013
This book wasn't as good as the other books in this series. There wasn't the funny bantering as in the other books and I missed that.
January 6, 2025
Bound by Suggestion by L. L. Bartlett is book five of the Jeff Resnick mystery series. Jeff has been living in Buffalo with his older brother Dr. Richard Alpert since a nearly-fatal mugging. Besides skull-pounder headaches, aftereffects of Jeff's brain damage include the ability to sense the strong emotions of other people. He shies away from large groups, and especially from handshakes.
But Jeff is eternally grateful to Richard for saving his life, and providing him a safe, welcoming home in which to recuperate. Jeff has his own apartment where he lives with his cat Herschel, separate from the main house where Richard and his recent bride Brenda live. Brenda is pregnant (again) and they all look forward with joy and hope to the baby's arrival.
A really cute note in the story: Jeff offers to tell Richard and Brenda their baby's name - but they refuse, because they haven't decided yet.
Due to love and gratitude, Jeff can't refuse Richard's request to help a colleague. Dr. Krista Marsh has a severely traumatized patient. Krista believes Jeff's empathic ability can help Grace. Jeff reluctantly attends hypnosis sessions. He can feel Grace's emotions: loneliness, anger, self-hate. He worries about the sessions.He's been told under hypnosis that he won't remember anything. He spirals down in depression.
Richard and Brenda at first think Jeff's depression is due solely to the breakup with Maggie, his soul-mate. As Jeff's health declines, Richard begins to suspect it may be due to the sessions with Krista (he's right). Richard calls in favors to check her background. It's worse than he feared.
Then Richard is threatened with blackmail by a colleague. Jeff and Richard must team up to save Maggie, who's being held hostage in a secluded place.
But Jeff is eternally grateful to Richard for saving his life, and providing him a safe, welcoming home in which to recuperate. Jeff has his own apartment where he lives with his cat Herschel, separate from the main house where Richard and his recent bride Brenda live. Brenda is pregnant (again) and they all look forward with joy and hope to the baby's arrival.
A really cute note in the story: Jeff offers to tell Richard and Brenda their baby's name - but they refuse, because they haven't decided yet.
Due to love and gratitude, Jeff can't refuse Richard's request to help a colleague. Dr. Krista Marsh has a severely traumatized patient. Krista believes Jeff's empathic ability can help Grace. Jeff reluctantly attends hypnosis sessions. He can feel Grace's emotions: loneliness, anger, self-hate. He worries about the sessions.He's been told under hypnosis that he won't remember anything. He spirals down in depression.
Richard and Brenda at first think Jeff's depression is due solely to the breakup with Maggie, his soul-mate. As Jeff's health declines, Richard begins to suspect it may be due to the sessions with Krista (he's right). Richard calls in favors to check her background. It's worse than he feared.
Then Richard is threatened with blackmail by a colleague. Jeff and Richard must team up to save Maggie, who's being held hostage in a secluded place.
June 16, 2022
Je-sus.
I feel steamrolled so I'm not even going to try with this review. The effort left me.
- This (I believe) was the first book in the series that had split POVs, Jeff's and Richard's. I'm not sure if I had a good time with Richard's, but I do understand that it was basically necessary for the plot. However, I could probably do without it moving forward.
- For once I think Jeffy's reactions are underplayed here. He experiences something way worse than I can even describe, worse than murder, and he doesn't seem as fazed as realistically necessary for a sane man. I mean it's revealed to him and you expect, given his history, he's going to do something drastic. But instead he just sits at the table and is like 'this is some damn good birthday cake'. JEFF. Do you have any recollection of what you just talked about?! I don't know how this wouldn't put someone into permanent mental shock for the rest of their life. But I suppose the series must chug on. And thank goodness for that.
Oh, and trigger warning. For essentially all the triggers.
I feel steamrolled so I'm not even going to try with this review. The effort left me.
- This (I believe) was the first book in the series that had split POVs, Jeff's and Richard's. I'm not sure if I had a good time with Richard's, but I do understand that it was basically necessary for the plot. However, I could probably do without it moving forward.
- For once I think Jeffy's reactions are underplayed here. He experiences something way worse than I can even describe, worse than murder, and he doesn't seem as fazed as realistically necessary for a sane man. I mean it's revealed to him and you expect, given his history, he's going to do something drastic. But instead he just sits at the table and is like 'this is some damn good birthday cake'. JEFF. Do you have any recollection of what you just talked about?! I don't know how this wouldn't put someone into permanent mental shock for the rest of their life. But I suppose the series must chug on. And thank goodness for that.
Oh, and trigger warning. For essentially all the triggers.
July 5, 2018
At first, I thought this was only going to be a three star rating, but true to form (and past books), Ms. Bartlett nudged it into a solid four stars with her engrossing. suspenseful, and descriptive writing.
August 30, 2020
I was pretty disappointed in this book. The characters felt unrealistic in their decision making and the scenes seemed contrived and cliché. This was my first book by L.L. Bartlett and it will also be my last.
August 12, 2018
This was a weird one.
December 24, 2019
I enjoy Jeff adventures
This one was different than the other books. This time his special skills are use against him. The ending has a twist.
This one was different than the other books. This time his special skills are use against him. The ending has a twist.
May 18, 2020
I have read all 5 so far in the past week. Great escape ...
March 16, 2022
The writing is great, the characters are very multidimensional and believable, and the storyline keeps you sitting on the edge of your chair turning page after page to see what will happen next.
April 2, 2023
Rereading in preparation for Shadow Man coming out this week!
Also I forgot how disturbing this subject matter is. Yeesh.
Also I forgot how disturbing this subject matter is. Yeesh.
August 9, 2016
This is the continuation of a series about Jeff Resnick, a former insurance investigator who was severely injured in a mugging. The head injuries have left him with an unexplainable psychic ability that gives him insights into others emotions and occasionally visions of the past or future. This is a curse for Jeff who does not welcome the intrusion on his mind and emotions. He has his half brother to help him through the difficulties. This is a dark book with Jeff reluctantly agreeing to help a psychologist with an emotionally damaged patient. The dark vortex threatens to consume Jeff and becomes more and more dangerous.
July 1, 2015
In exchange for helping her unlock the emotions of a disturbed young woman, psychiatrist Dr. Krista Marsh promises to cure Jeff Resnick's recurring headaches via hypnotism. Things start out rocky and quickly get worse when both the young girl and the doctor begin to manipulate Jeff. Soon he's experiencing the young woman's emotions and can't tell where hers leave off and his begin, and Krista has other reasons for ingratiating herself into Jeff's life. Meanwhile Jeff's brother, Richard, is vying for a chairman seat on the hospital's fundraising board. When these seemingly unrelated events suddenly converge, the results are deadly.
June 28, 2015
Bound by suggestion that should be placed with John Grisham and anD Toby Neal. Jeff is such an amazing, character. Even with his serve head trauma causing him to live with his brother he still manages to find crimes and solve them, even with the intense migraines hate suffers ön a regular basis. Just from from the migraine description, you can tell just how much her I'd d suffers... Especially if you have even suffered a migraine yourself. Yet Jeff carries on as long as he muddy to d solve the crime, especially when a missing child id's involved. This book makes you think, how well do you really know you neighbours?
July 6, 2013
This book took me a bit by surprise because the characters were all a bit darker and more self-absorbed for a while going into this book but I guess that's like real life; everyone gets self-absorbed at some point and does stupid things.
It also shows the reality of the psychiatry profession; ja the majority are honestly trying to help their patients but there's always a few dishonest ones out there who have no problem hurting their patients in order to get what they want.
It also shows the reality of the psychiatry profession; ja the majority are honestly trying to help their patients but there's always a few dishonest ones out there who have no problem hurting their patients in order to get what they want.
January 28, 2013
A very intense entry in this series. We see some of the action from Richard's point of view, which as a little surprising but was necessary, due to what Jeff was going through. All the elements I like were in this story - including likable but fallible characters. I had to suspend my disbelief a little at how the crime was committed, but it was creepy enough to sweep me along.
October 20, 2013
Jeff Resnick has not been the same since he was head on the head a year or so ago. He has unusual side effects from the injury. In the book the effects takes him to the limit and into a dark place. The author draws him so well I can feel his pain and I cried for him more than once.A real page turner with heart.
September 30, 2014
Enter the world of psychotherapy and add some twist of hypnotherapy into it...and you get an interesting thrilling...
I enjoyed the story, figured out most parts of it....but the ending was once again a bit too easy of an out....won't say much about it, but wraps things up a bit too nicely and quickly.
But, I'll read the next one all the same, I'm a sucker for all the Buffalo references.
I enjoyed the story, figured out most parts of it....but the ending was once again a bit too easy of an out....won't say much about it, but wraps things up a bit too nicely and quickly.
But, I'll read the next one all the same, I'm a sucker for all the Buffalo references.
December 26, 2011
Yet another great Jeff Resnick read. This time I wanted to shake him and tell him he is worth all the caring his brother and sister in law give to him. LL Bartlett makes you feel like you are right there with the family as they deal with the everyday and the unexpected problems of life.
April 23, 2013
This book moved the Jeff Resnick plots up a notch. It was a really exciting read. The author has kep the psychic element at a suitably low level even though it is a key feature of Jeff's character and the plot development.
January 1, 2014
A bit farfetched yet a fun story ! ! !
When other folks thoughts filter into my mind I become very distracted. Especially since the drain bramage I suffered left me with less mental capacity than before. Sure don't need a psychologist to 'shrink' my brain any more yet ! ! !
When other folks thoughts filter into my mind I become very distracted. Especially since the drain bramage I suffered left me with less mental capacity than before. Sure don't need a psychologist to 'shrink' my brain any more yet ! ! !
September 5, 2015
Based on the other reviews, it looks like I am alone but I haaaaaated this book...such a disappointment after a promising start to a series. All the main characters, except Brenda, behave so out of character and the antagonist is absolutely hateful. I am hoping the series rebounds with #5
March 24, 2011
This series just gets better and better. I couldn't put the book down.
August 10, 2011
Outstanding as usual. I love these Jeff Resnick books!!!! Lorna, please don't stop writing this series!
May 24, 2012
I particularly enjoyed this story and even found it emotional in places.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews