Grief is love’s shadow. The presence of absence. An unbearable weight of emptiness. —John Mark Green
Jeff Resnick and his brother, Dr. Richard Alpert, are on the front lines of that emotion when it comes to their current investigations for their new consulting firm, R&A Insights. As Jeff tries to help a comatose man, whose brewery is in trouble, transition to the great beyond, Richard’s cold-case arson is heating up in the here and now.
While Jeff grapples with the death of a relationship and the end his client’s life, Richard faces his own demons and jealousies until their worlds collide to fight against the evil that confronts them.
The 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
Jeff is dealing with a soul of a man that is stuck between life and death, is girlfriend moving out of town for a job, and his brother’s cold shoulder. Can he handle everything he is dealing with all at once at once and do the job he’s asked to do by his new client? Or will Jeff throw up his hands and give into his depression?
I really enjoyed reading this book. I’ve only read a couple of the books in the series prior to reading it this one. I had no issues following the storyline or relating to the characters. The characters at realistic and can be related too. The mysteries were interesting and had plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
Jeff is having a tough time. His brother seems to have lost interest in their new business. The receptionist doesn’t like him and makes no bones about it. His girlfriend is moving out of state to take a new job. And even Sophie is mad at him for taking money to use his “gift.” Depressing! Then a visit to the hospital garners him a new client, well, sorta! He’s in a coma but his spirit wants Jeff to stop his son from selling off the family business. What a way to earn a living. I love how the main character intermingles his conversations with the living and the dead (almost dead). And of course, visits with Sophie are always thought provoking. This story gives more insight into his sister-in-law and their connection. Can’t wait for the next story to see how Jeff keeps coping. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.
Jeff Resnick is back!!! R&A Insights is open and ready to take on cases. They have added a receptionist named Emily to the office. Richard seems to have lost interest in the business and rarely shows up at the office. Two cases to solve and Jeff and Richard find the cases have a common link. One is a cold case and the other, well Jeff is back to using his gift of communicating with spirits. With the help of family Jeff finds a way to keep moving after Maggie leaves. Relationships between Jeff and Richard need work and open conversations. So happy for more Jeff, Richard, Brenda, CP and Hershel.
Jeff is one of my all time favorite characters. It's been way too long since the last book but this was not disappointing. Some paranormal some mystery with wonderful people.
I always liked this series even though I'm not a big fan of the mystery genre. The limited cast is always the primary focus and then the mystery is second. I think that's why I like it.
A little background: Jeff, (for those unfamiliar with the series), has some serious psychic abilities. He is an empath, has occasional bouts of prescience, and can speak to the deceased. He's not happy to have any of the above, by the way. These abilities came about as a result of severe head trauma he suffered from a violent mugging. Although he thinks of these abilities as a curse, they help him in his investigation. There's much more to Jeff than I've outlined, bit this'll do for now.
So Jeff and his brother Richard are handling two separate investigations, both of which are difficult to solve. It doesn't help matters that a lot of friction has developed between the two. Jeff wants to be out from under Richard's wing so to speak, and Richard has developed quite the superiority complex. Richard's wife Brenda attempts to bring peace to their fractured relationship. (I love Brenda!) Aside from his problems with his big brother, their receptionist treats Jeff as if he's a freak, Maggie is up to her old tricks, and Jeff feels like a bad cat dad. The last really makes me like his character :). But here again, there is a lot more to these people than this.
This was just as enjoyable as the rest in the series. Heavy on the relationship dynamics and light on the mystery. I hope there will be another book forthcoming!
I'm so happy another Jeff Resnick book is being published! I've missed Jeffy and his brother Richard, and Brenda, and CP, too. Jeff goes through a hard time in this book, but he figures it out with the help of his family and friends. It's fun to watch how he and Richard try to solve the two cases they have, one of which is a cold case. Thanks to Emily, their receptionist, they get over some issues and come together to solve their cases. I'm looking forward to seeing if they solve more cold cases, or whatever other cases they get in the future. The two of them, along with Emily, make a great team. And Brenda reluctantly helps, too. I've missed Jeffy, and I hope that we will see him again in the future!
3 3/4**stars REALLY POOR JEFF HE REALLY NEEDS TO GET A NEW GIRLFRIEND THIS ONE IS ALL WRONG FOR HIM. ALL MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS SEEMED OFF IN THIS ONE, NOT THEMSELVES. IF I DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW THEM I WOULDN'T EVEN LIKE THEM THE WAY THEY WERE ACTING IN THIS ONE. I WONDERED WHERE THE ONES ARE I FELL IN LOVE WITH, IN THE OTHER BOOKS. THEY SEEMED LIKE CHARACTERS FROM AN ATERNATIVE UNIVERSE, BIZZARO WORLD. I'VE READ ALL OF THE SERIES (but one) AND I FIGURED OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AT ABOUT 30% IT TOOK THEM UNTIL 75% TO GET THERE. I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED IN THIS UNTIL THAT ENDING WHOA, WTF, I HOPE WE ARE GETTING ANOTHER BOOK TO EXPLAIN THAT CRAZY ENDING. PLEASE OH PLEASE GIVE US ANOTHER BOOK!! ;D
Can someone be considered a client if it's his Spirit you're dealing with? Well, since he's only in a coma and not technically dead, maybe. Just when Jeff thought he and Richard had made progress, they drastically backslide. Why? Will they be able to come together again, our is this it? Richard has taken a different case from the one Jeff has decided to take. Can he solve it without Jeff's gift? Can Jeff solve his unconventional case without Richard's help? Can the new receptionist accept that Jeff has a gift or will she leave? This book has a lot happening in it and Jeff is just as good as ever. Once you start reading, expect to not want to put it down.
Rare, to me, is the experience of not having read any episodes in a series for over a year and instantly reconnecting with almost the entire cast of characters in the latest volume!
Obviously Ms. Bartlett has spent intense study and designing each person and their inner drives.
The plot was as deftly drafted and kept me reading page by page. I seriously recommend all works by L.l. Bartlett.
i just finished rereading this series so that i could read this book. i really hope there is another. i enjoy Jeff’s books. i just simply don’t want them to end.