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Third Eye
Who knew that a summer thunderstorm and a lost little boy would conspire to change single dad Cayce D’Amico’s life in an instant? With Luke missing, Cayce ventures into the woods near their house to find his son, only to have lightning strike a tree near him, sending a branch down on his head. When he awakens the next day in the hospital, he discovers he has been blessed or cursed—he isn’t sure which—with psychic ability. Along with unfathomable glimpses into the lives of those around him, he’s getting visions of a missing teenage girl.When a second girl disappears soon after the first, Cayce realizes his visions are leading him to their grisly fates. Cayce wants to help, but no one believes him. The police are suspicious. The press wants to exploit him. And the girls’ parents have mixed feelings about the young man with the “third eye.”Cayce turns to local reporter Dave Newton and, while searching for clues to the string of disappearances and possible murders, a spark ignites between them. Little do they know that nearby, another couple—dark and murderous—are plotting more crimes and wondering how to silence the man who knows too much about them.
361 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
14 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Rick R. Reed
118 books1,048 followersReal Men. True Love.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
December 25, 2014
This is really a terrific thriller. Beautifully and concisely written. The characters are well drawn. The plot a page turner. This was the first time in a long while that I was riveted to a book from the first page all the way through to the last. I love books like this with multiple viewpoints, especially when they take you into the minds of the antagonists as well as the protagonists. And the ending was perfect. Just really perfect. I'm so glad I picked this one up. Rick R. Reed is a wonderful writer.
November 13, 2014
First off, trigger warning: This book depicts some on-page acts of violence and rape.
Secondly, this was unlike anything else I've read from this author, whom so far I knew as someone who wrote sweet M/M romances.
There's a wee bit of a romance inside, but it's not crucial nor does it take center stage.
What this book is however is terrifying.
From the first scene, in which we witness the abduction of a young girl, just barely a teenager, to the epilogue, this book takes the reader on a terrifyingly rapid roller-coaster, with an omniscient narrator portraying the multiple characters in this book, and making them all fit into the puzzle.
Cayce D'Amico, a single, gay father to Luke, a little 7 year old boy, begins to have visions, scary visions, after being struck by a falling tree branch during a storm. At first, he's confused and can't make sense of what he's seeing, but the pieces quickly fall into place, and he tries hard to do the right thing and help where he can.
Except nobody believes him, not until a 2nd girl disappears, and then only because the girl's mother and Cayce set out to find her and then do.
There's never a mystery as to who committed the crimes, as the omniscient narrator lets us see into the minds of the perps. Even so, this is an edge-of-your-seat read.
It's a bit of a character study too. We have Cayce, who's struggling to make ends meet and raise his son, are given background info on him, and can see, by his actions, that he's a good man, a man who tries to do the right thing, who puts others first. Then there's Dave Newton, the local news reporter, who starts out as a typical newshound, but then changes and becomes a friend and more to Cayce.
We get to explore Myra, and through her Ian, and their dysfunctional relationship. The author did a great job with this character, showing us through her actions and her thoughts that what may at first glance look like a monster in truth isn't, and that Myra can and does draw a line. I started to fear for her almost as much as I feared for Luke.
There are side characters too, all who have a role: Cayce's parents, the girls' parents, the police detective - and we're given glimpses into their minds as they participate in the events.
People die in this book, good people, some simply because they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some are hurt because they make bad choices, choices that stem from being young and inexperienced, or choices that come from trusting strangers, some because they haven't yet caught up with the changing times.
Some passages were difficult to read, and I may have chewed on my nails more than I should have, but overall, while terrifying, this book was excellent.
It explores the human psyche, how a young woman might fall for empty flattery and find herself in a situation for which she is not prepared. How a woman can turn a blind eye to what's going on in her own house. How a single father, saddled with an unexpected gift, can rise to the occasion. How a mentally ill man can murder and rape, but can't fathom that he has pushed too far and brought on his own downfall.
There were two things that bothered me a bit - the inclusion of the doctor in the beginning, as I couldn't quite see the point of that, and Cayce's mother's actions toward the middle of the book. Her lackadaisical attitude in regards to putting her cooking above the welfare of her grandchild didn't make a lot of sense, at least not to me. While it fit her character as thus far presented, it bothered me that she would make such a dumb decision. And what bothered me even more is that Cayce seemed resigned to her stupidity, that he didn't even confront her about it. Not that it would have helped much, either way, but I would have liked to see him get in her face about it. Perhaps that happened off page later on.
Those are my hangups, though, and someone else might not react the same way.
The writing throughout is excellent, well-suited to the themes in the book, and clearly setting the stage for the actions. The author manages to create imagery that fit the scenes, making me feel as if I was right there inside the pages. It has a dreary feel throughout, despite it being summer, as if the evil that's inside is permeating the air.
I'm glad I read this. It's not my usual fare, and I was scared for a lot of it, but it was absolutely worth reading.
** I received a free copy of this book from Pride Promotions as part of the blog tour. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Secondly, this was unlike anything else I've read from this author, whom so far I knew as someone who wrote sweet M/M romances.
There's a wee bit of a romance inside, but it's not crucial nor does it take center stage.
What this book is however is terrifying.
From the first scene, in which we witness the abduction of a young girl, just barely a teenager, to the epilogue, this book takes the reader on a terrifyingly rapid roller-coaster, with an omniscient narrator portraying the multiple characters in this book, and making them all fit into the puzzle.
Cayce D'Amico, a single, gay father to Luke, a little 7 year old boy, begins to have visions, scary visions, after being struck by a falling tree branch during a storm. At first, he's confused and can't make sense of what he's seeing, but the pieces quickly fall into place, and he tries hard to do the right thing and help where he can.
Except nobody believes him, not until a 2nd girl disappears, and then only because the girl's mother and Cayce set out to find her and then do.
There's never a mystery as to who committed the crimes, as the omniscient narrator lets us see into the minds of the perps. Even so, this is an edge-of-your-seat read.
It's a bit of a character study too. We have Cayce, who's struggling to make ends meet and raise his son, are given background info on him, and can see, by his actions, that he's a good man, a man who tries to do the right thing, who puts others first. Then there's Dave Newton, the local news reporter, who starts out as a typical newshound, but then changes and becomes a friend and more to Cayce.
We get to explore Myra, and through her Ian, and their dysfunctional relationship. The author did a great job with this character, showing us through her actions and her thoughts that what may at first glance look like a monster in truth isn't, and that Myra can and does draw a line. I started to fear for her almost as much as I feared for Luke.
There are side characters too, all who have a role: Cayce's parents, the girls' parents, the police detective - and we're given glimpses into their minds as they participate in the events.
People die in this book, good people, some simply because they're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some are hurt because they make bad choices, choices that stem from being young and inexperienced, or choices that come from trusting strangers, some because they haven't yet caught up with the changing times.
Some passages were difficult to read, and I may have chewed on my nails more than I should have, but overall, while terrifying, this book was excellent.
It explores the human psyche, how a young woman might fall for empty flattery and find herself in a situation for which she is not prepared. How a woman can turn a blind eye to what's going on in her own house. How a single father, saddled with an unexpected gift, can rise to the occasion. How a mentally ill man can murder and rape, but can't fathom that he has pushed too far and brought on his own downfall.
There were two things that bothered me a bit - the inclusion of the doctor in the beginning, as I couldn't quite see the point of that, and Cayce's mother's actions toward the middle of the book. Her lackadaisical attitude in regards to putting her cooking above the welfare of her grandchild didn't make a lot of sense, at least not to me. While it fit her character as thus far presented, it bothered me that she would make such a dumb decision. And what bothered me even more is that Cayce seemed resigned to her stupidity, that he didn't even confront her about it. Not that it would have helped much, either way, but I would have liked to see him get in her face about it. Perhaps that happened off page later on.
Those are my hangups, though, and someone else might not react the same way.
The writing throughout is excellent, well-suited to the themes in the book, and clearly setting the stage for the actions. The author manages to create imagery that fit the scenes, making me feel as if I was right there inside the pages. It has a dreary feel throughout, despite it being summer, as if the evil that's inside is permeating the air.
I'm glad I read this. It's not my usual fare, and I was scared for a lot of it, but it was absolutely worth reading.
** I received a free copy of this book from Pride Promotions as part of the blog tour. A positive review was not promised in return. **
December 31, 2014
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
A riveting, nail-biting, thought-provoking, frightening thriller, this story is much more than an M/M romance—it’s a brilliant tale worthy of recognition on the NY Times Bestsellers List.
Cayce D’Amico is just a regular guy raising his seven-year-old son on his own, holding down a job as a waiter at the local diner in the economically-repressed town of Fawcettville, Pennsylvania. He’s young, gay, divorced, and totally focused on his son, Luke. One evening, when he realizes Luke is no longer in his back yard, he sets out to find him just as a thunderstorm hits the area. At the edge of the woods, he’s struck by a broken limb as lightning strikes the tree next to him. Luke is okay, but Cayce isn’t.
Waking in the hospital, he finds it odd that he knows something personal about the aide who touches his arm, and next, he’s struck with images that he soon learns are from a missing girl—one who Cayce can see is dead. It happens again the next day—this time with visions of another kidnap victim. Frightened, but knowing that if it was his son who was missing he’d want help, he goes to the home of the latest victim to offer assistance in finding her but is promptly turned away. Later that night he receives a call from the mother of the first victim, who claims the other mother called her in warning, but that she’s willing to listen to him. The two set out to find the girl, following Cayce’s visions.
Dave Newton is a reporter, if you can call it that in this small town of very little news. A native of England, he followed his lover here years ago—a lover who left him here with only the company of a bottle and a handful of drugs to get by. He’s kicked the drugs but still toys with the booze occasionally—anything to get through the boredom of his life. He’s intrigued by the story of the man who was hit with the limb and when he went to the hospital to say hello, he became even more intrigued by the man himself. Cayce is a nice guy, one who could possibly thaw his heart if he allowed it. It’s Dave who Cayce turns to when he and the mother of the missing girl find her grave. And it’s Dave who offers a shoulder for Cayce to lean on as the story develops, and Cayce is hounded by the press and shunned by the police.
It’s also Dave who supports and assists Cayce as he tries to solve the most important mystery of his life when someone close to him is taken. And when the two rush headlong into an exciting, nail-biting search they get results, just not the results they were looking for.
In this story, the author leads us on an emotional journey fraught with danger and more ups and downs and hairpin turns than an out-of-control eighteen-wheeler. It’s completely different from any of his other works and absolutely brilliant in its execution. Seriously, this ranks right up there with any of the world-renowned mystery writers of our time. The complexity of the storytelling, the attention to detail and the hold-your-breath plotline make this story outstanding. The author keeps the reader on the edge of their seat with flashbacks via Cayce’s visions alternating with scenes of what’s happening in real time to Cayce, and then scenes of the kidnappers and their victims, telling us just enough in each chapter to make the move to the next chapter vital to the reader’s need to breathe. Seriously, this book is very difficult to put down!
The romance in this story is secondary to the major plot with no explicit sex scenes. The attraction between Dave and Cayce develops as more of a true support of one partner for another with some kissing and handholding rather than the hot and heavy sex “on page” that could have been portrayed but would have detracted from the core story.
I can’t recommend this story highly enough. To be honest, I’m not a person who normally reads thrillers, and I never watch horror movies unless I’m forced to do so, and even then I peek through my fingers. I desperately wished I could peek through my fingers at some points in this story, but I was compelled to keep going and I’m so glad I did. The ending was all I had hoped it would be, and the possibility for a happy future for Dave, Cayce, and Luke was set in place. All is well in my world. Don’t miss the chance to read this book.
Caution: This book contains graphic violence and hetero rape with some scenes through flashback and some in real time.
A riveting, nail-biting, thought-provoking, frightening thriller, this story is much more than an M/M romance—it’s a brilliant tale worthy of recognition on the NY Times Bestsellers List.
Cayce D’Amico is just a regular guy raising his seven-year-old son on his own, holding down a job as a waiter at the local diner in the economically-repressed town of Fawcettville, Pennsylvania. He’s young, gay, divorced, and totally focused on his son, Luke. One evening, when he realizes Luke is no longer in his back yard, he sets out to find him just as a thunderstorm hits the area. At the edge of the woods, he’s struck by a broken limb as lightning strikes the tree next to him. Luke is okay, but Cayce isn’t.
Waking in the hospital, he finds it odd that he knows something personal about the aide who touches his arm, and next, he’s struck with images that he soon learns are from a missing girl—one who Cayce can see is dead. It happens again the next day—this time with visions of another kidnap victim. Frightened, but knowing that if it was his son who was missing he’d want help, he goes to the home of the latest victim to offer assistance in finding her but is promptly turned away. Later that night he receives a call from the mother of the first victim, who claims the other mother called her in warning, but that she’s willing to listen to him. The two set out to find the girl, following Cayce’s visions.
Dave Newton is a reporter, if you can call it that in this small town of very little news. A native of England, he followed his lover here years ago—a lover who left him here with only the company of a bottle and a handful of drugs to get by. He’s kicked the drugs but still toys with the booze occasionally—anything to get through the boredom of his life. He’s intrigued by the story of the man who was hit with the limb and when he went to the hospital to say hello, he became even more intrigued by the man himself. Cayce is a nice guy, one who could possibly thaw his heart if he allowed it. It’s Dave who Cayce turns to when he and the mother of the missing girl find her grave. And it’s Dave who offers a shoulder for Cayce to lean on as the story develops, and Cayce is hounded by the press and shunned by the police.
It’s also Dave who supports and assists Cayce as he tries to solve the most important mystery of his life when someone close to him is taken. And when the two rush headlong into an exciting, nail-biting search they get results, just not the results they were looking for.
In this story, the author leads us on an emotional journey fraught with danger and more ups and downs and hairpin turns than an out-of-control eighteen-wheeler. It’s completely different from any of his other works and absolutely brilliant in its execution. Seriously, this ranks right up there with any of the world-renowned mystery writers of our time. The complexity of the storytelling, the attention to detail and the hold-your-breath plotline make this story outstanding. The author keeps the reader on the edge of their seat with flashbacks via Cayce’s visions alternating with scenes of what’s happening in real time to Cayce, and then scenes of the kidnappers and their victims, telling us just enough in each chapter to make the move to the next chapter vital to the reader’s need to breathe. Seriously, this book is very difficult to put down!
The romance in this story is secondary to the major plot with no explicit sex scenes. The attraction between Dave and Cayce develops as more of a true support of one partner for another with some kissing and handholding rather than the hot and heavy sex “on page” that could have been portrayed but would have detracted from the core story.
I can’t recommend this story highly enough. To be honest, I’m not a person who normally reads thrillers, and I never watch horror movies unless I’m forced to do so, and even then I peek through my fingers. I desperately wished I could peek through my fingers at some points in this story, but I was compelled to keep going and I’m so glad I did. The ending was all I had hoped it would be, and the possibility for a happy future for Dave, Cayce, and Luke was set in place. All is well in my world. Don’t miss the chance to read this book.
Caution: This book contains graphic violence and hetero rape with some scenes through flashback and some in real time.
December 4, 2014
Full review can be found at -
If you follow my reviews anywhere you know I'm a huge fan of this author. His horror and thrillers drew me in way back when and I've read so many of his books (horror and romance) that I lost count. Third Eye is classic Rick R. Reed.
Cayce D'Amico is hit by a fallen branch during a lightning storm and his world turns upside down. What starts with him looking for his lost son during a storm quickly turns into Cayce having visions of two kidnapped girls. The visions are so real that he knows he's not just imagining them. No one is willing to listen to him about what he sees. When he helps locate one of the missing girls, his name is made public and he becomes a target for two very disturbed individuals. When someone he is close to is brought into a very dangerous situation, Cayce must - with the help of a local reporter - do everything in his power to find the killers before they do the unimaginable to someone he loves.
The last chapter will have you rushing to read the pages quickly to see how everything will play out. While this can be classified as a romance in a sense, the romance doesn't take center. Great ending. Great book. Highly recommended.
November 18, 2014
This is one of those books that draws you in from the first paragraph and never lets you go. With the skill of a master storyteller, Rick Reed draws the reader into a dark place. A place, that while grotesque begs to be explored.
The reader is introduced to Cayce doing the mundane task of making dinner. But, the cold rain that begins to fall, just as he misses his son, foreshadowed bad things were just a Kindle click or two away. It reminded me of some early Mary Higgins Clark.
The character of Cayce is brilliantly crafted. He is not a perfect anything. Just an ordinary guy who ends up with an extraordinary ability. His role in this story is not that of psychic detective, but as a father. That alone made him a very relatable character. I read most of this book with my mama heart pounding.
Not just for the girls who are basically dead before the book starts, but for the child and almost child that were in constant danger of being The Beast’s next victims.
I also appreciated the fact that, while there is a romantic element, it stayed within the confines of reality. If you are looking for groping and humping like bunnies, you may want to pass on this. The attraction is there, but it is neither the time, not the place and both men accept that. In fact, for me, this is also the story of Dave re-discovering himself and his purpose.
As a rule, I don’t read horror or even suspense that is too graphic. I don’t mind murder, I just don’t want to see it on page. And while this title may be a touch to graphic for some, it was a very good balance for me.
Bottom line, Third Eye is just bloody brilliant. The suspense, the touch of romance, the secondary characters…hell, I loved every little bit and hope that Rick R. Reed shares this world with us again.
Highly recommend.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
The reader is introduced to Cayce doing the mundane task of making dinner. But, the cold rain that begins to fall, just as he misses his son, foreshadowed bad things were just a Kindle click or two away. It reminded me of some early Mary Higgins Clark.
The character of Cayce is brilliantly crafted. He is not a perfect anything. Just an ordinary guy who ends up with an extraordinary ability. His role in this story is not that of psychic detective, but as a father. That alone made him a very relatable character. I read most of this book with my mama heart pounding.
Not just for the girls who are basically dead before the book starts, but for the child and almost child that were in constant danger of being The Beast’s next victims.
I also appreciated the fact that, while there is a romantic element, it stayed within the confines of reality. If you are looking for groping and humping like bunnies, you may want to pass on this. The attraction is there, but it is neither the time, not the place and both men accept that. In fact, for me, this is also the story of Dave re-discovering himself and his purpose.
As a rule, I don’t read horror or even suspense that is too graphic. I don’t mind murder, I just don’t want to see it on page. And while this title may be a touch to graphic for some, it was a very good balance for me.
Bottom line, Third Eye is just bloody brilliant. The suspense, the touch of romance, the secondary characters…hell, I loved every little bit and hope that Rick R. Reed shares this world with us again.
Highly recommend.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
December 26, 2022
2 1/2 stars rounded up. The story kept me hooked even if it was not very original. I liked the main characters. The plot holes though!!! They were jarring from start to finish. Ignoring the mystical aspects there was so much just absolutely unbelievable about the way people acted, how people like the main character’s parents just are forgotten half way through the story, etc. I could go on.
It’s a shame with some major editing and a rewrite or three this could’ve been an excellent book.
It’s a shame with some major editing and a rewrite or three this could’ve been an excellent book.
January 25, 2015
I've read a few of Mr. Reed's m/m romances before but this is the first mystery/suspense novel by him that I have tried. I wasn't disappointed, in fact I think I like this sort of story by him better than I liked the romances - or it may just be that I was in need of something other than pure romance.
Well, this is as far from romance you can get - even though it has a (very) minor romantic side-plot to it. This is a gruesome story of a sick mind and murders in plurals. Reading it gave me a few night when I had trouble letting the story-line just go and relax in order to go to sleep. The reason is of course what I believe is all parent's worst nightmare, to experience their child go missing and not returning. I know it is a nightmare of mine, even though I luckily have never had to experience it (except for a short few hours when my eldest was four). Three sets of parents get to live through the nightmare loosing a child like that in "Third Eye", three different sorts of parents that react somewhat differently to their missing children.
Third Eye is a pretty dark story. People are poor or at least not that well-off. Some live in misery one way or another, even Cayce, our main character, is struggling to make end's meet. Children aren't always treated teh way they should and come to harm one way or other. In fact there are very few really nice or good people in this story, and I found I quite liked that. Usually I read a lot of romance and they have an abundance of too nice, too good and too rich characters. I used to read a lot of mystery/suspense, but it's been a while and I really liked to revisit this darker side of fiction and perhaps humanity; makes you appreciate what you have instead of looking across the fence wishing for all that other.
Another thing I really like about this novel is the multiple character's POV. Even though Cayce is meant to be the main character, and he is the one who gets the most time on page, he is far from the only character whose head we get inside. This wider scope is another thing you don't get very often with romances, and I really liked it here.
I really will have to take more effort to insert more mystery/suspense into my reading. (But first I'll read a romance or two, because I need to calm down from the - fictional - fear of loosing a child.)
Well, this is as far from romance you can get - even though it has a (very) minor romantic side-plot to it. This is a gruesome story of a sick mind and murders in plurals. Reading it gave me a few night when I had trouble letting the story-line just go and relax in order to go to sleep. The reason is of course what I believe is all parent's worst nightmare, to experience their child go missing and not returning. I know it is a nightmare of mine, even though I luckily have never had to experience it (except for a short few hours when my eldest was four). Three sets of parents get to live through the nightmare loosing a child like that in "Third Eye", three different sorts of parents that react somewhat differently to their missing children.
Third Eye is a pretty dark story. People are poor or at least not that well-off. Some live in misery one way or another, even Cayce, our main character, is struggling to make end's meet. Children aren't always treated teh way they should and come to harm one way or other. In fact there are very few really nice or good people in this story, and I found I quite liked that. Usually I read a lot of romance and they have an abundance of too nice, too good and too rich characters. I used to read a lot of mystery/suspense, but it's been a while and I really liked to revisit this darker side of fiction and perhaps humanity; makes you appreciate what you have instead of looking across the fence wishing for all that other.
Another thing I really like about this novel is the multiple character's POV. Even though Cayce is meant to be the main character, and he is the one who gets the most time on page, he is far from the only character whose head we get inside. This wider scope is another thing you don't get very often with romances, and I really liked it here.
I really will have to take more effort to insert more mystery/suspense into my reading. (But first I'll read a romance or two, because I need to calm down from the - fictional - fear of loosing a child.)
November 30, 2014
The Blogger Girls
I like that more authors in the MM romance genre are expanding into fiction with romance as the secondary storyline. Third Eye definitely falls into the category of latent romance and, in my opinion, brings the harshness of this dark drama to life. Yes, there is a happy ending, but the romance between Cayce and Dave is more assumed, as opposed to being played out on the page.
Cayce is a young, single, gay dad struggling to do right by his seven year old son, Luke, and raise him the best he can. The love he has for his son is tangible, and you wish Cayce’s mom would cut him some slack. She was a terrible mother, and severely lacking as a grandmother, too. I just wish, once the drama unfolded, that I could have read about Cayce reading her the riot act. That would have really made my day.
Cayce is injured and, after a crack on the head, becomes a kind of seer. He sees horrific images of little girls during their abductions and murders. Not something he views as a gift and one that he wishes he could ignore. The fact that he knows he will be viewed as a looney tune is a risk he is willing to take if he could help put the families at ease. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as he’d hoped.
Reading about the horrific things that happened to these girls, and hurting for Cayce while he struggles to find his son, made this story quite heartbreaking. No parent is ever prepared for such atrocities. No reader is ever prepared to believe that an author can write such a story so convincingly, either.
So, if you want a little more than romance, and reading about a sicko serial killer with a taste for little girls isn’t a hard limit for you, than I recommend you give Third Eye a try. Rick R. Reed is a master story teller, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
I like that more authors in the MM romance genre are expanding into fiction with romance as the secondary storyline. Third Eye definitely falls into the category of latent romance and, in my opinion, brings the harshness of this dark drama to life. Yes, there is a happy ending, but the romance between Cayce and Dave is more assumed, as opposed to being played out on the page.
Cayce is a young, single, gay dad struggling to do right by his seven year old son, Luke, and raise him the best he can. The love he has for his son is tangible, and you wish Cayce’s mom would cut him some slack. She was a terrible mother, and severely lacking as a grandmother, too. I just wish, once the drama unfolded, that I could have read about Cayce reading her the riot act. That would have really made my day.
Cayce is injured and, after a crack on the head, becomes a kind of seer. He sees horrific images of little girls during their abductions and murders. Not something he views as a gift and one that he wishes he could ignore. The fact that he knows he will be viewed as a looney tune is a risk he is willing to take if he could help put the families at ease. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as he’d hoped.
Reading about the horrific things that happened to these girls, and hurting for Cayce while he struggles to find his son, made this story quite heartbreaking. No parent is ever prepared for such atrocities. No reader is ever prepared to believe that an author can write such a story so convincingly, either.
So, if you want a little more than romance, and reading about a sicko serial killer with a taste for little girls isn’t a hard limit for you, than I recommend you give Third Eye a try. Rick R. Reed is a master story teller, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.
October 26, 2022
Kindle-Sort-ReRead
2.5*
The story is compelling but too many niggles and I had issues with the writing style.
- Cayce has visions he mostly ignores.
- His parents are oddly detached and disappear the same time as his son, no reactions, no words from/of them again. Letting a stranger take the boy, prioritising cooking and jeopardy!
- The police don't interrogate. Even if they don't believe there'd be enough to think Cayce involved and ask more.
- The reporter is suddenly a loyal friend, skipping conversation for kisses.
- Everyone believes in the devil's work. Drug/alcohol abuse effects most.
The concise style hides some of these issues, but the omniscient multiple perspectives was often odd, distant despite horror/panic being described.
Luke was 'the kid' no personality or time to make him real and the reader invested. Even Cayce felt a young downtrodden weeping mess rather than someone battling for the truth or his son.
And nothing was investigated, solved. We knew the killers it's not a mystery, but the conclusion was oddly passive taking care of itself so to speak.
No emotional reunion just a word with a killer
Interesting but doesn't stand up to any analysis. Compelled to read through, yet not that invested in the characters.
2.5*
The story is compelling but too many niggles and I had issues with the writing style.
- Cayce has visions he mostly ignores.
- His parents are oddly detached and disappear the same time as his son, no reactions, no words from/of them again. Letting a stranger take the boy, prioritising cooking and jeopardy!
- The police don't interrogate. Even if they don't believe there'd be enough to think Cayce involved and ask more.
- The reporter is suddenly a loyal friend, skipping conversation for kisses.
- Everyone believes in the devil's work. Drug/alcohol abuse effects most.
The concise style hides some of these issues, but the omniscient multiple perspectives was often odd, distant despite horror/panic being described.
Luke was 'the kid' no personality or time to make him real and the reader invested. Even Cayce felt a young downtrodden weeping mess rather than someone battling for the truth or his son.
And nothing was investigated, solved. We knew the killers it's not a mystery, but the conclusion was oddly passive taking care of itself so to speak.
No emotional reunion just a word with a killer
Interesting but doesn't stand up to any analysis. Compelled to read through, yet not that invested in the characters.
May 13, 2020
Just from the title I knew I was going to love this book! This kind of thing has always interested me
Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved Cayces courage for his boy. Brilliant book highly recommended
Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved Cayces courage for his boy. Brilliant book highly recommended
July 21, 2020
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in return for my honest review.
Third Eye by Rick R Reed is a fantastic thriller which kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Very well written, brilliantly thought out characters and a nail biting storyline that will have you hooked from the very first paragraph.
The story follows Cayce, a young gay single dad who is struck by a falling tree branch whilst searching for his son during a storm.
On awakening he is plagued with horrifying visions of two missing girls whom the authorities believe to be run aways. Cayce knows different, but who will believe him?
Trying to help find the missing girls Cayce inadvertently puts himself and his young son in danger.
In a race against time, can Cayce track down serial killers, Ian and Myra before it's too late?
I very much enjoyed this book, it has been a long time since a storyline has had me so gripped. I love the characters and the sweet love story blossoming in the background and of course the nod to British serial killers.
Fantastic, highly recommended.
Third Eye by Rick R Reed is a fantastic thriller which kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Very well written, brilliantly thought out characters and a nail biting storyline that will have you hooked from the very first paragraph.
The story follows Cayce, a young gay single dad who is struck by a falling tree branch whilst searching for his son during a storm.
On awakening he is plagued with horrifying visions of two missing girls whom the authorities believe to be run aways. Cayce knows different, but who will believe him?
Trying to help find the missing girls Cayce inadvertently puts himself and his young son in danger.
In a race against time, can Cayce track down serial killers, Ian and Myra before it's too late?
I very much enjoyed this book, it has been a long time since a storyline has had me so gripped. I love the characters and the sweet love story blossoming in the background and of course the nod to British serial killers.
Fantastic, highly recommended.
January 23, 2015
Rick Reed is so consistently good, I always know it’s going to be at least a 4 star read for me even before I’ve laid eyes on the first words. This one is a bit of a departure for him and I was excited to read it for that reason. There’s a lot more darkness in here than his typical fare and it even edges into Stephen King territory (something that one of the main characters alludes to in the beginnings of the weirdness). I’m also a sucker for a serial killer plotline – not sure what that says about me – but it’s true.
The story opens with the harrowing description from a thirteen year-old girl’s point of view on just how she managed to allow herself to fall into the clutches of a psycho. It’s heartbreaking not only in the sense of the tragedy of it all, but in how well Reed takes us through her inner reasoning as to why it seemed like a good idea to get into a car with this stranger. Reed is spot on as he portrays her behavior and thoughts and reactions – going from wanting to impress a handsome man and not be treated like a child anymore, to discomfort and confusion, to outright panic and terror. I get chills now just remembering it.
Next, we are introduced to one of the MC’s – Cayce. He’s the notorious gay single dad in this small town on the banks of the Ohio River. It’s long seen its hey-day. And most of the residents just muddle through their daily lives as best they can. Cayce is hanging around his small home, pondering, when he realizes his seven year old son, Luke, isn’t in the front yard. A bad storm is brewing and he begins to worry over where his son might be. As he races around outside in the increasingly raging storm, he’s almost struck by lightning and a heavy branch breaks off a tree and whacks him on the head. After that event, he starts having visions of not very nice things. One of them involves a dead thirteen year-old girl.
Once you reach this point – which is essentially only the beginning – you cannot put this book down. I had to know what was going to happen and how everything would play out. Dave, a slightly older, Sam Elliot-esque reporter complete with a British accent, becomes involved in the peculiar situation Cayce finds himself in. As you can imagine – his weird visions are not treated with seriousness and almost serve to get him into trouble – as well as danger.
I loved the romance between these two very different men. It’s not the main part of the story, but it provides a feeling of hope. Both men have been alone and unlucky in love and they are brought together through tragedy and the hopelessness of finding these young girls when it’s too late to save them. How they work together to deal with all that’s happening is what made them work for me as a couple.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced story and would recommend it to anyone who loves reading suspense thrillers, crime or mystery. Be warned however - there is graphic violence and visions of child rape, if that is a trigger for you.
My rating for Third Eye is an enthusiastic 5 lizard claws.
Reviewed by Michele for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
The story opens with the harrowing description from a thirteen year-old girl’s point of view on just how she managed to allow herself to fall into the clutches of a psycho. It’s heartbreaking not only in the sense of the tragedy of it all, but in how well Reed takes us through her inner reasoning as to why it seemed like a good idea to get into a car with this stranger. Reed is spot on as he portrays her behavior and thoughts and reactions – going from wanting to impress a handsome man and not be treated like a child anymore, to discomfort and confusion, to outright panic and terror. I get chills now just remembering it.
Next, we are introduced to one of the MC’s – Cayce. He’s the notorious gay single dad in this small town on the banks of the Ohio River. It’s long seen its hey-day. And most of the residents just muddle through their daily lives as best they can. Cayce is hanging around his small home, pondering, when he realizes his seven year old son, Luke, isn’t in the front yard. A bad storm is brewing and he begins to worry over where his son might be. As he races around outside in the increasingly raging storm, he’s almost struck by lightning and a heavy branch breaks off a tree and whacks him on the head. After that event, he starts having visions of not very nice things. One of them involves a dead thirteen year-old girl.
Once you reach this point – which is essentially only the beginning – you cannot put this book down. I had to know what was going to happen and how everything would play out. Dave, a slightly older, Sam Elliot-esque reporter complete with a British accent, becomes involved in the peculiar situation Cayce finds himself in. As you can imagine – his weird visions are not treated with seriousness and almost serve to get him into trouble – as well as danger.
I loved the romance between these two very different men. It’s not the main part of the story, but it provides a feeling of hope. Both men have been alone and unlucky in love and they are brought together through tragedy and the hopelessness of finding these young girls when it’s too late to save them. How they work together to deal with all that’s happening is what made them work for me as a couple.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced story and would recommend it to anyone who loves reading suspense thrillers, crime or mystery. Be warned however - there is graphic violence and visions of child rape, if that is a trigger for you.
My rating for Third Eye is an enthusiastic 5 lizard claws.
Reviewed by Michele for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
December 11, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Third Eye was a psychological thriller from beginning to end. Alternating between the terror and horror that keeps Cayce in its grip and the cold blooded thoughts and actions of the killers made this novel supercharged with emotion right to the very end. The slow erosion of Cayce as he grappled to turn off the murderous images in his mind juxtaposed with the constant confusion and need for approval and love that flitted through Myra’s head was staggering. Myra was a desperate overweight teen that was drawn into the web of a psychotic killer’s lust for blood. The killer transforms her, abuses her, professes to love her, and she clings to him and aids him in his murdering spree—until he chooses a victim that she cannot abide seeing destroyed. Then Myra begins to unravel and plots her escape.
At many points in this novel I was breathless with worry and found myself racing through this book. To say this story was suspenseful is to say way too little about a taut and imaginative plot line that careened off the page and left the reader spinning. How could one more thing possibly go wrong? How could Cayce manage to keep a grip on his sanity? Fast and furious, author Rick R. Reed unravels a macabre tale of murder and horror that will hold you in its grip till the last page is turned. Third Eye is an outstanding murder mystery told by an outstanding writer. Third Eye draws you in, creating a tangible relationship between the reader and the characters that people this amazing novel and, in doing so, places you right in the heart of the action. I cannot say enough about this incredible story. If you enjoy Rick Reed’s romances, then step up and be stunned by his fantastic mystery writing.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Third Eye was a psychological thriller from beginning to end. Alternating between the terror and horror that keeps Cayce in its grip and the cold blooded thoughts and actions of the killers made this novel supercharged with emotion right to the very end. The slow erosion of Cayce as he grappled to turn off the murderous images in his mind juxtaposed with the constant confusion and need for approval and love that flitted through Myra’s head was staggering. Myra was a desperate overweight teen that was drawn into the web of a psychotic killer’s lust for blood. The killer transforms her, abuses her, professes to love her, and she clings to him and aids him in his murdering spree—until he chooses a victim that she cannot abide seeing destroyed. Then Myra begins to unravel and plots her escape.
At many points in this novel I was breathless with worry and found myself racing through this book. To say this story was suspenseful is to say way too little about a taut and imaginative plot line that careened off the page and left the reader spinning. How could one more thing possibly go wrong? How could Cayce manage to keep a grip on his sanity? Fast and furious, author Rick R. Reed unravels a macabre tale of murder and horror that will hold you in its grip till the last page is turned. Third Eye is an outstanding murder mystery told by an outstanding writer. Third Eye draws you in, creating a tangible relationship between the reader and the characters that people this amazing novel and, in doing so, places you right in the heart of the action. I cannot say enough about this incredible story. If you enjoy Rick Reed’s romances, then step up and be stunned by his fantastic mystery writing.
Read Sammy’s review in its entirety here.
September 27, 2022
I'm not a fan of horror/suspense anything, books or movies or TV, so this book falls outside my comfort zone. Though I have read and enjoyed Rick's romance titles, when I started, I was already nervous.
And I should have been, because I am a total light weight, and Rick sets you up to believe nothing, not little dogs, old people, not even kids are sacred in this book. Anything can be sacrificed...
Not being an aficionado of the genre, I can't tell you if I enjoyed this book because of the superior story-telling (most likely, because as I said, I have enjoyed Rick's lighter titles very much) or just because when it was over, I was satisfied that the hero had come through the other side a stronger person, and I really, really liked him all the way through.
Whatever. I just liked a book that I didn't expect to like. Which is totally awesome.
And I should have been, because I am a total light weight, and Rick sets you up to believe nothing, not little dogs, old people, not even kids are sacred in this book. Anything can be sacrificed...
Not being an aficionado of the genre, I can't tell you if I enjoyed this book because of the superior story-telling (most likely, because as I said, I have enjoyed Rick's lighter titles very much) or just because when it was over, I was satisfied that the hero had come through the other side a stronger person, and I really, really liked him all the way through.
Whatever. I just liked a book that I didn't expect to like. Which is totally awesome.
June 26, 2016
Let me start off by saying the writing that this author has is really good... But for me his storytelling is lacking... I was done with the book when the grandmother let the Luke go off with a stranger so she could continue to cook... Who does that for real... Not only does she say let her grandson go off with a stranger nobody says anything to her about how jacked up that was ... that's unrealistic to me... Casey got on my nerves you have these visions but you don't really use it or anything... I don't know what Dave was even doing in the book... The villains were OK but it wasn't enough to hold the book for me I skipped until the very last chapter and epilogue was lacking as well...
January 5, 2015
This started out strong, but then at about 60% i began skipping pages..and my interest never picked up after that. overall, a pretty good story. wonderful writing.
Want to read
May 2, 2015Sounds promising, and terrifying and horrific. ;)
On sale on Amazon right now! Get it at a bargain.
On sale on Amazon right now! Get it at a bargain.
May 18, 2020
4-4.5 Stars
Gah! I’ve mentioned before that this author is full of hits or misses for me, but when it’s a hit, it’s impossible to put down. Sleep’s overrated, right? – That was my initial response after finishing Third Eye. When I stop and think about it and looking back at the books by Rick R. Reed that I’ve read, I think the horror and suspense books, the ones that keep me on the edge of my seat, give me chills and keep me awake are the ones that I enjoy the most. I’m not sure what that says about me… or him, but… maybe it’s one of those things that we shouldn’t dwell on… That doesn’t mean that I’m going to avoid the romance books by this author, it just means that I now know that I have a preference. 😉
Not surprisingly, Third Eye is not for the faint of heart. The bad guy is terrifying and evil as well as extremely unpredictable – a truly scary combination. There was also some other sketchy characters thrown into the mix and more than one character that grew on me as the story progressed. There were also more than a few “parents” in this story that didn’t deserve the title and at least one that I “yelled” at – more than once.
I couldn’t really fault the police or others for not believing Cayce, but I admired him for not giving up and continuing to try. There were twists and turns and danger around every corner and Rick R. Reed left little to the imagination when it came to what monsters are capable of.
The only real issue I had with Third Eye was a personal one. I wanted a certain character to get knocked down a few notches – which I’m sure she did, but I wanted to “see” it. I can’t say more, but I’m pretty sure you’ll agree with me when it happens.
I picked up Third Eye as another re-release and there have been a few more. I can’t wait to see what I’ve missed and decide what I’ll read next from this author.
I received Third Eye in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Gah! I’ve mentioned before that this author is full of hits or misses for me, but when it’s a hit, it’s impossible to put down. Sleep’s overrated, right? – That was my initial response after finishing Third Eye. When I stop and think about it and looking back at the books by Rick R. Reed that I’ve read, I think the horror and suspense books, the ones that keep me on the edge of my seat, give me chills and keep me awake are the ones that I enjoy the most. I’m not sure what that says about me… or him, but… maybe it’s one of those things that we shouldn’t dwell on… That doesn’t mean that I’m going to avoid the romance books by this author, it just means that I now know that I have a preference. 😉
Not surprisingly, Third Eye is not for the faint of heart. The bad guy is terrifying and evil as well as extremely unpredictable – a truly scary combination. There was also some other sketchy characters thrown into the mix and more than one character that grew on me as the story progressed. There were also more than a few “parents” in this story that didn’t deserve the title and at least one that I “yelled” at – more than once.
I couldn’t really fault the police or others for not believing Cayce, but I admired him for not giving up and continuing to try. There were twists and turns and danger around every corner and Rick R. Reed left little to the imagination when it came to what monsters are capable of.
The only real issue I had with Third Eye was a personal one. I wanted a certain character to get knocked down a few notches – which I’m sure she did, but I wanted to “see” it. I can’t say more, but I’m pretty sure you’ll agree with me when it happens.
I picked up Third Eye as another re-release and there have been a few more. I can’t wait to see what I’ve missed and decide what I’ll read next from this author.
I received Third Eye in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 2, 2017
I am so many issues with so many things in this book, but yet the writing was compelling and I was fully invested in the plot even as I cursed how things were written.
1. Sorry, Cayce needs to drop kick his mother out of his life as soon as possible. Not only is she horribly emotionally abusive, she lets his son go off with a stranger (who is a serial killer) who is kidnapping him.
2. A big screw you to the message that somehow a mentally ill killer is evil incarnate, but his accomplice is worth sympathy because she's insecure and messed up because of sexual abuse and oh yeah, she had a kid as a result and put it up for adoption so obviously she can't be evil! I can't roll my eyes hard enough.
3. The romance is so random and underdeveloped and just weird. It didn't work.
4. Cayce showed more effort in tracking down a kidnapped & murdered stranger's kid, than in looking for his own. It was bizarre.
5. The epilogue, I'm unclear how much time had passed exactly but the 7/8 year old son is cussing at his father (playfully, weird and out of place) & unless I missed it there's zero mention of if the kid had any therapy for his trauma.
5a. Cayce just ignores getting a vision of a kid/person potentially in danger/murdered because he doesn't want to deal with it. I guess screw that person and their family. You'd think after what happened he's have a little more empathy but nope.
1. Sorry, Cayce needs to drop kick his mother out of his life as soon as possible. Not only is she horribly emotionally abusive, she lets his son go off with a stranger (who is a serial killer) who is kidnapping him.
2. A big screw you to the message that somehow a mentally ill killer is evil incarnate, but his accomplice is worth sympathy because she's insecure and messed up because of sexual abuse and oh yeah, she had a kid as a result and put it up for adoption so obviously she can't be evil! I can't roll my eyes hard enough.
3. The romance is so random and underdeveloped and just weird. It didn't work.
4. Cayce showed more effort in tracking down a kidnapped & murdered stranger's kid, than in looking for his own. It was bizarre.
5. The epilogue, I'm unclear how much time had passed exactly but the 7/8 year old son is cussing at his father (playfully, weird and out of place) & unless I missed it there's zero mention of if the kid had any therapy for his trauma.
5a. Cayce just ignores getting a vision of a kid/person potentially in danger/murdered because he doesn't want to deal with it. I guess screw that person and their family. You'd think after what happened he's have a little more empathy but nope.
August 1, 2017
Reminiscent of Stephen King and Robin Cook's work, caught me by surprise. Took me a while to finish it, because some of it was kinda hard to read at this point in my life, but at no point did I ever even consider DNF'ing it.
If you are a fan of the above-mentioned authors, and open-minded enough to accept some poignant, non-graphic gay romance (no on-page sex at all), then you'll enjoy this story.
If you are a fan of the above-mentioned authors, and open-minded enough to accept some poignant, non-graphic gay romance (no on-page sex at all), then you'll enjoy this story.
May 3, 2020
An enjoyable horror story sprinkled with a bit of fantasy. Cayce's journey into the fantastical was a tension filled rollercoaster ride that really grabbed me and kept me reading until the last page. All in all a fantastic read.
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided NetGalley*
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided NetGalley*
December 6, 2014
Original Blog Post:
eARC Review: Third Eye by Rick R. Reed
I have always felt that author Rick Reed is one of the best when it comes to suspense filled novels, no matter the genre. Truth be told, he has some books I have bought but never opened because the plot absolutely terrified me. Though now I see it as a challenge to finally do so for I am in my horror-stories-mode.
Going back to Third Eye, this is one of the good ones by this author. For the suspense, not really on romance. So I am tagging this as Gay Fiction rather than Gay Romance. This is a horrifying story that unfortunately, is too common for comfort.
A serial killer on the loose. A partner in crime who gets recruited without knowing it. Children taken then dumped off the side of someplace. It is just too common a theme seen on television so reading about it in the Reed style makes it even more terrifying. The twist is in Cayce's character who gets into something he never even thought of.
It only took one blow to the head and Cayce's life is changed. Searching for his wayward son, a tree falls on his head after lightning struck it and when he wakes up, he sees things. He touches the hand of a doctor and he sees the life of that man. He touches a newpaper and knows what's in it. He sleeps and he dreams of murder of the innocents... and some of it involves his son. Now if that is not enough to send anyone on the spinning end, I don't know what does!
Dave Newton is a reporter and he had started writing about missing children in their community. While on the search for more clues to the developing story, he meets Cayce and they connect, somewhat. No insta lust, just a trusting between two.
The story really evolves around Cayce and his connection to the serial killings and this is the tale that I got totally absorbed in. I constantly found myself fidgeting reading this part for it was uncomfortable to read the thoughts of such an insane character bringing logic into his schizophrenic mind with actions that involved children. It is a violent mind. It is a broken mind. What made it so bad? Because the thoughts and actions - Cayce could see them, could feel them. Both the killer's and the poor children. And Cayce's son is involved.
This is gay fiction and it is suspense filled and horrifying. Entertainment wise, this is one I would consider a favorite. Those who are seeking cheesy romance, step back, but do give this a closer look for it is one of the author's best.
eARC Review: Third Eye by Rick R. Reed
I have always felt that author Rick Reed is one of the best when it comes to suspense filled novels, no matter the genre. Truth be told, he has some books I have bought but never opened because the plot absolutely terrified me. Though now I see it as a challenge to finally do so for I am in my horror-stories-mode.
Going back to Third Eye, this is one of the good ones by this author. For the suspense, not really on romance. So I am tagging this as Gay Fiction rather than Gay Romance. This is a horrifying story that unfortunately, is too common for comfort.
A serial killer on the loose. A partner in crime who gets recruited without knowing it. Children taken then dumped off the side of someplace. It is just too common a theme seen on television so reading about it in the Reed style makes it even more terrifying. The twist is in Cayce's character who gets into something he never even thought of.
It only took one blow to the head and Cayce's life is changed. Searching for his wayward son, a tree falls on his head after lightning struck it and when he wakes up, he sees things. He touches the hand of a doctor and he sees the life of that man. He touches a newpaper and knows what's in it. He sleeps and he dreams of murder of the innocents... and some of it involves his son. Now if that is not enough to send anyone on the spinning end, I don't know what does!
Dave Newton is a reporter and he had started writing about missing children in their community. While on the search for more clues to the developing story, he meets Cayce and they connect, somewhat. No insta lust, just a trusting between two.
The story really evolves around Cayce and his connection to the serial killings and this is the tale that I got totally absorbed in. I constantly found myself fidgeting reading this part for it was uncomfortable to read the thoughts of such an insane character bringing logic into his schizophrenic mind with actions that involved children. It is a violent mind. It is a broken mind. What made it so bad? Because the thoughts and actions - Cayce could see them, could feel them. Both the killer's and the poor children. And Cayce's son is involved.
This is gay fiction and it is suspense filled and horrifying. Entertainment wise, this is one I would consider a favorite. Those who are seeking cheesy romance, step back, but do give this a closer look for it is one of the author's best.
December 11, 2014
This a harrowing thriller of kidnapping and murder where the only living witness is single dad Cayce D’Amico—he is only able to “witness” these murders of young girls after a tree branch falls on his head and knocks him unconscious. When he awakens, he has far more intimate knowledge of the people around him than he wants to simply by touching them.
For those he cannot touch, seeing the picture of the missing girls in the newspaper triggers his “third eye,” and he is able to see and relive the kidnapping and murder of these girls through their own eyes.
I mean it when I say harrowing. This is not a romance novel. The protagonist is a gay man, and he encounters other gay men in the journey of the story and does find romance, but this is primarily a suspense novel. I don’t consider myself faint of heart when it comes to reading crime and thriller fiction, but Rick Reed’s novel “Third Eye” cuts to the bone.
This is a very well done suspense thriller with the most excellently creepy cover I’ve seen in a while. If you’re familiar with Rick Reed’s romances but you also read outside the box, this is for you. It has gripping suspense with a clean, well-developed style; many points of view tell the story, but it’s never confusing.
Cayce knows he has information the police need to find the killers, but he also knows this will likely make him a person of interest. A single father himself, he is driven to connect with the families of the missing girls in order to either find them or get the families some closure. When the unthinkable happens, he has help in the form of a damaged reporter, who is also the love interest, and together they bring the story to its edge-of-your-seat conclusion.
My recommendation: Leave all the lights on when you read this! ;)
June 1, 2015
When Cayce D'Amico goes out in search of his son Luke during a thunderstorm, the most he expect will happen is that he'll get soaked by the rain. So when lightning strikes a tree causing a branch to fall and knock him unconscious, he already has more than he bargained for. When he wakes, however, he finds that he now receives visions about other people, notably two young girls who have recently gone missing. Because the visions are so vivid, Cayce can't help but feel he must help them, even though no one believes him. No one, that is, besides local report Dave Newton, who has piqued Cayce's interest as well.
I did enjoy this even though it's a bit different that some of the other Rick R. Reed stories that I've read before. It's not so much a murder mystery as the reader knows who is responsible from the beginning and sees their actions parallel to the other characters involved. But it is still very compelling, though I'd have to say it's not really one for the weak of heart.
I did enjoy this even though it's a bit different that some of the other Rick R. Reed stories that I've read before. It's not so much a murder mystery as the reader knows who is responsible from the beginning and sees their actions parallel to the other characters involved. But it is still very compelling, though I'd have to say it's not really one for the weak of heart.
June 15, 2020
Having received this as an advanced reader copy back in late March. I am embarrassed to only now be writing the review. I took a few weeks to take in the story and then read it all over again.
The story opens with Ian luring a barely teenage girl named Lucy into his car. Where Myra waited in the back seat, unbeknownst to Lucy who thought she was going for a ride with an older hot guy. A wicked storm breaks as poor Lucy is being savagely murdered by the duo. This entire scene made me grateful I raised my daughter wiser than this. While also making me want to wake her up and drill it into her head some more just in case. I decided to wait until morning.
In the next town over a young boy named Luke wanders off from his yard. His father Cayce heads towards the woods to find him just as the storm peaks to its worst, and he's struck down by a fallen branch after a nearby tree is hit with lightning. Cayce wakes in the morning at the hospital with an inexplicable ability to see into people's minds when he touches them. He is also plagued with visions of Lucy's final hours upon seeing her picture in the morning paper.
After a second girl goes missing Cayce decides he wants to help find them. Unsurprisingly the police don't believe his sudden psychic abilities and suspect he plays a bigger role in the case than he lets on. Realizing he may have made himself a suspect he sets out to convince the parents that he can help. After being berated, accused, disrespected, insulted, and thrown out of the first home he quickly dismisses that idea as well.
Dave Newton, having once been a big-time reported in his home country of England, convinces Cayce he can help him find what happened to the girls in exchange for an exclusive. During their time together, a bond forms between them that they both try to ignore initially. Albeit failingly when they share a sudden, very passionate kiss after uncovering the body of young Lucy together.
Reading about the discovery of Lucy's body puts Myra on high alert. She begins to double down on her efforts to convince Ian they should start life over as normal people somewhere far away. Ian is too delusional and psychotic to be swayed by any of Myra's efforts. Instead, they decide to kidnap Cayce's son Luke in order to blackmail Cayce into remaining silent on everything he knows. Myra, having given a son of her own up for adoption a few years back, sees Luke as her own. Her maternal instincts kick in and she works to deceive Ian to protect Luke. Keeping him alive as long as she can in hopes that Cayce will find them and rescue his son.
This is where the book turns away from the dark and morbid tales of a psychopath with sick sexual fantasies and becomes an average crime mystery. Cayce and Dave have to uncover the identities of the killers who've kidnapped his son. Unveil them and their heinous crimes to the police in order to finally get them to join in on the manhunt for the duo. Give himself over to the visions he'd been trying to suppress since they started in hopes the girls can lead him to his son. All while praying he never has one about his son, and hoping the horrid nightmares he does have about his son never become a vision of truth.
This book is captivating, emotionally powerful, and heart-wrenching. There were times when his psychic connections with the girls took him deep into their lives prior to death and unveiled human horrors no mother wants to think about. You will cry for the girls and with Cayce. You will find yourself torn between staying awake to read one more page during the intense chapters, and not wanting to pick the book up again for a few days after reading some of those human horrors. This is an absolute must-read!
The story opens with Ian luring a barely teenage girl named Lucy into his car. Where Myra waited in the back seat, unbeknownst to Lucy who thought she was going for a ride with an older hot guy. A wicked storm breaks as poor Lucy is being savagely murdered by the duo. This entire scene made me grateful I raised my daughter wiser than this. While also making me want to wake her up and drill it into her head some more just in case. I decided to wait until morning.
In the next town over a young boy named Luke wanders off from his yard. His father Cayce heads towards the woods to find him just as the storm peaks to its worst, and he's struck down by a fallen branch after a nearby tree is hit with lightning. Cayce wakes in the morning at the hospital with an inexplicable ability to see into people's minds when he touches them. He is also plagued with visions of Lucy's final hours upon seeing her picture in the morning paper.
After a second girl goes missing Cayce decides he wants to help find them. Unsurprisingly the police don't believe his sudden psychic abilities and suspect he plays a bigger role in the case than he lets on. Realizing he may have made himself a suspect he sets out to convince the parents that he can help. After being berated, accused, disrespected, insulted, and thrown out of the first home he quickly dismisses that idea as well.
Dave Newton, having once been a big-time reported in his home country of England, convinces Cayce he can help him find what happened to the girls in exchange for an exclusive. During their time together, a bond forms between them that they both try to ignore initially. Albeit failingly when they share a sudden, very passionate kiss after uncovering the body of young Lucy together.
Reading about the discovery of Lucy's body puts Myra on high alert. She begins to double down on her efforts to convince Ian they should start life over as normal people somewhere far away. Ian is too delusional and psychotic to be swayed by any of Myra's efforts. Instead, they decide to kidnap Cayce's son Luke in order to blackmail Cayce into remaining silent on everything he knows. Myra, having given a son of her own up for adoption a few years back, sees Luke as her own. Her maternal instincts kick in and she works to deceive Ian to protect Luke. Keeping him alive as long as she can in hopes that Cayce will find them and rescue his son.
This is where the book turns away from the dark and morbid tales of a psychopath with sick sexual fantasies and becomes an average crime mystery. Cayce and Dave have to uncover the identities of the killers who've kidnapped his son. Unveil them and their heinous crimes to the police in order to finally get them to join in on the manhunt for the duo. Give himself over to the visions he'd been trying to suppress since they started in hopes the girls can lead him to his son. All while praying he never has one about his son, and hoping the horrid nightmares he does have about his son never become a vision of truth.
This book is captivating, emotionally powerful, and heart-wrenching. There were times when his psychic connections with the girls took him deep into their lives prior to death and unveiled human horrors no mother wants to think about. You will cry for the girls and with Cayce. You will find yourself torn between staying awake to read one more page during the intense chapters, and not wanting to pick the book up again for a few days after reading some of those human horrors. This is an absolute must-read!
April 21, 2020
Cayce D'Amico is a mid-20s out gay man in a Fawcettville, Pennsylvania raising his son Luke. It's a tiny town deteriorating in the wake of most of the industry drying up. In this community there aren't any real dangers except kids falling into the swift moving Ohio River and drowning. One afternoon, while Cayce is making dinner, Luke wanders out of the yard. In fear of a coming storm, Cayce combs the neighborhood looking for the boy. And, in the woods near the edge of the street, Cayce is hit in the head by a branch when a sudden bolt of lightning strikes.
About the same time, two young and beautiful people are convincing 13 y/o Lucy to step off her front lawn into their Mustang in the same neighborhood. Lucy doesn't make it home.
Waking in the hospital, Cayce is mystified by the insights he gets off the people in direct contact with him. And, when he is handed a newspaper that features his own accident also describes mission Lucy. The dread builds within as Cayce reads the story and "sees" poor Lucy in her last moments with her killers. He's terrified and horrified when the visions don't quit. Especially when a second Fawcettville girl goes missing.
This is a realistic thriller with the paranormal angle of Cayce's newly-developed third sight. He clings to local reporter Dave Newton. Dave is an older man who's faced his own demons and mostly has his head on right. The story point of view flips between many characters as we learn the grisly details even through the eyes of one of the killers. Cayce's attempts to get rid of his visions lead his to confide in local law enforcement, Dave Newton and the victim's families. For all his earnestness, he's not taken seriously and he decides to keep his mouth shut. Until Lucy's desperate mother pleads for a break in their case.
Cayce's assistance shines a spotlight on his abilities and puts this the killers on his trail.
It's an interesting and timely thriller, with good pacing and fully fleshed-out characters. We see the dark and seedy interior of Fawcettville families on the edge. We see the not-so-silent prejudice of Cayce's own mother--who doesn't think he's a good father to Luke. Cayce, for his part, is a devoted dad and a lonely man. He doesn't have a lot of folks in his corner, but he's going to turn over Heaven and Earth when Luke becomes a target. Luckily, Dave Newton is right there by his side. I was turning the pages as fast as I could, so I would finish this story before bedtime. I HAD to finish this before bed because I couldn't bear to try and sleep while the dark horror of the prose was rattling around in my brain. There was a tiny niggle for me regarding the timeline, where I thought there was some disconnect. Other than that, I was riveted. There is a dash of romance--attraction that's fueled by the intense moments of shared terror. Dave accepts Cayce's new gift as it is, and tries to be a helper to him in his hours of need.
There are real gruesome bits, and it's not all about the murders and dead bodies. Cayce does save the day for some folks, and the epilogue makes it clear that there is a happily ever after for Cayce and Dave. As a person who doesn't deal well with horror/thriller well, I am glad to say I slept well after the read.
About the same time, two young and beautiful people are convincing 13 y/o Lucy to step off her front lawn into their Mustang in the same neighborhood. Lucy doesn't make it home.
Waking in the hospital, Cayce is mystified by the insights he gets off the people in direct contact with him. And, when he is handed a newspaper that features his own accident also describes mission Lucy. The dread builds within as Cayce reads the story and "sees" poor Lucy in her last moments with her killers. He's terrified and horrified when the visions don't quit. Especially when a second Fawcettville girl goes missing.
This is a realistic thriller with the paranormal angle of Cayce's newly-developed third sight. He clings to local reporter Dave Newton. Dave is an older man who's faced his own demons and mostly has his head on right. The story point of view flips between many characters as we learn the grisly details even through the eyes of one of the killers. Cayce's attempts to get rid of his visions lead his to confide in local law enforcement, Dave Newton and the victim's families. For all his earnestness, he's not taken seriously and he decides to keep his mouth shut. Until Lucy's desperate mother pleads for a break in their case.
Cayce's assistance shines a spotlight on his abilities and puts this the killers on his trail.
It's an interesting and timely thriller, with good pacing and fully fleshed-out characters. We see the dark and seedy interior of Fawcettville families on the edge. We see the not-so-silent prejudice of Cayce's own mother--who doesn't think he's a good father to Luke. Cayce, for his part, is a devoted dad and a lonely man. He doesn't have a lot of folks in his corner, but he's going to turn over Heaven and Earth when Luke becomes a target. Luckily, Dave Newton is right there by his side. I was turning the pages as fast as I could, so I would finish this story before bedtime. I HAD to finish this before bed because I couldn't bear to try and sleep while the dark horror of the prose was rattling around in my brain. There was a tiny niggle for me regarding the timeline, where I thought there was some disconnect. Other than that, I was riveted. There is a dash of romance--attraction that's fueled by the intense moments of shared terror. Dave accepts Cayce's new gift as it is, and tries to be a helper to him in his hours of need.
There are real gruesome bits, and it's not all about the murders and dead bodies. Cayce does save the day for some folks, and the epilogue makes it clear that there is a happily ever after for Cayce and Dave. As a person who doesn't deal well with horror/thriller well, I am glad to say I slept well after the read.
April 18, 2020
Cayce is living in a small town with his 7-year-old son Luke. They have a pretty simple life until one night during a storm Cayce is injured. After a serious head wound, he awakens with strange visions in his head that relate to some young girls who are missing from the town. It all begins when he reads a newspaper that has an article written by a local reporter, Dave. Almost instantly Cayce believes that one of the missing girls is dead.
After struggling to come to terms with what he is seeing in his mind's eye, Cayce talks to the police. He is dismissed out of turn by the law so he approaches one of the missing girl's families. He is thrown out. He turns to Dave eventually because that's the only place he has found any support and belief in his visions.
When Cayce assists the second mother of a missing girl to find her daughter - finds and digs up a dead body 0 things get really complicated and frightening. The police now want to know how Cayce knew where the body was buried. Dave reappears at the right time and listens to Cayce's entire story. Then the worst happens... and the killers take Luke. With his son missing, Cayce's life begins to get completely overwhelming and he leans on Dave for help.
The killers in the book are disturbing and unsympathetic. I found it difficult to care about "Myra" at all. In an interesting note for me, the killers are named Myra and Ian and the names are those of infamous serial killer Myra Hindley and Ian Brady. Of note, in reality, Myra was the dominant partner in the killing relationship and these roles are swapped in the book. Want an extra interesting note? My mom was a police officer in England and actually met Myra Hindley. True story.
The story switching POVs occasionally - to the victims rarely, to the perpetrators of the crime more often. It's interesting to dip into the world of different characters as this story unfurls. I had a lot of trouble feeling any sympathy for "Myra" in this story. In fact, I was angry with her most of the time - more so than the dominant killer! But, I will credit Rick with making me angry! It takes just as much skill in writing to have a reader disliking a character as it does to have them love a character!
The fear and terror of losing a child was captured really well in this novel. I can't begin to imagine what it must be like, but there are a few different examples in this story of the variety of ways that people react to such a tragedy. It's interesting to see the differences between all the characters as this story progresses.
Please read the trigger warnings for this one! :D
After struggling to come to terms with what he is seeing in his mind's eye, Cayce talks to the police. He is dismissed out of turn by the law so he approaches one of the missing girl's families. He is thrown out. He turns to Dave eventually because that's the only place he has found any support and belief in his visions.
When Cayce assists the second mother of a missing girl to find her daughter - finds and digs up a dead body 0 things get really complicated and frightening. The police now want to know how Cayce knew where the body was buried. Dave reappears at the right time and listens to Cayce's entire story. Then the worst happens... and the killers take Luke. With his son missing, Cayce's life begins to get completely overwhelming and he leans on Dave for help.
The killers in the book are disturbing and unsympathetic. I found it difficult to care about "Myra" at all. In an interesting note for me, the killers are named Myra and Ian and the names are those of infamous serial killer Myra Hindley and Ian Brady. Of note, in reality, Myra was the dominant partner in the killing relationship and these roles are swapped in the book. Want an extra interesting note? My mom was a police officer in England and actually met Myra Hindley. True story.
The story switching POVs occasionally - to the victims rarely, to the perpetrators of the crime more often. It's interesting to dip into the world of different characters as this story unfurls. I had a lot of trouble feeling any sympathy for "Myra" in this story. In fact, I was angry with her most of the time - more so than the dominant killer! But, I will credit Rick with making me angry! It takes just as much skill in writing to have a reader disliking a character as it does to have them love a character!
The fear and terror of losing a child was captured really well in this novel. I can't begin to imagine what it must be like, but there are a few different examples in this story of the variety of ways that people react to such a tragedy. It's interesting to see the differences between all the characters as this story progresses.
Please read the trigger warnings for this one! :D
August 13, 2021
Thank you Netgalley, Rick R. Reed and NineStar Press for the Advanced reader copy.
When Cayce goes out looking for his son Luke during a thunderstorm, Cayce is knocked down by a branch that was hit by lightning. After that, he gets visions about two girls who went missing. Can Cayce help the police finding the girls and the culprits without making himself suspicious?
Representation:
Content warnings:
CAWPILE Rating: 7.50 => 4 Stars
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Writing: 8.5
Plot: 7.5
Intrigue : 8
Logic: 7
Enjoyment: 7.5
I really enjoyed following the POV of Cayce as well as the culprits. I like knowing throughout the book who has done it and see how the main character figures it out. It is also positive with knowing who done it that the author can still surprise you with plot twists. The book was still suspenseful.
Cayce and the culprits were also really believable characters and their motivations were understandable.
I however did not like the relationship with the reporter. It was a bit insta-loving and it did not add anything to the story.
Another negative is that none of the police force was suspicious of our main character knowing what happened to the girls and pointing them to all the crime scenes. I think the author could have done a little bit more with that.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was really intrigued to find out what was going to happen. If you love a small town mystery thriller with a twist I can recommend this one
When Cayce goes out looking for his son Luke during a thunderstorm, Cayce is knocked down by a branch that was hit by lightning. After that, he gets visions about two girls who went missing. Can Cayce help the police finding the girls and the culprits without making himself suspicious?
Representation:
Content warnings:
CAWPILE Rating: 7.50 => 4 Stars
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Writing: 8.5
Plot: 7.5
Intrigue : 8
Logic: 7
Enjoyment: 7.5
I really enjoyed following the POV of Cayce as well as the culprits. I like knowing throughout the book who has done it and see how the main character figures it out. It is also positive with knowing who done it that the author can still surprise you with plot twists. The book was still suspenseful.
Cayce and the culprits were also really believable characters and their motivations were understandable.
I however did not like the relationship with the reporter. It was a bit insta-loving and it did not add anything to the story.
Another negative is that none of the police force was suspicious of our main character knowing what happened to the girls and pointing them to all the crime scenes. I think the author could have done a little bit more with that.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and was really intrigued to find out what was going to happen. If you love a small town mystery thriller with a twist I can recommend this one
April 28, 2020
I got this book from NetGalley and the publisher for a honest review
I really enjoyed this book, surprisingly. I honestly did not expect to like it so much. I could not put it down. The different characters were very diverse and interesting. I loved getting to know the different characters, and their perspectives. I really loved to learn about Myra, and her perspective. We already know that she and Ian are behind the murders, but it still makes it interesting to see how they react to the press and being discovered. However, I immediately made the connection with Ian Brady and Myra Hindley when I first met these characters. Ian Brady and Myra Hindley are behind the Moors murders in England, and killed 5 children, and Hindley is nicknamed the most evil woman in Britain. If you want to know more about these murders I highly suggest the 3 part episode on the Moors Murders by Casefile, which is a true crime podcast. These murders are also referenced in this book. When we met Ian and Myra in the book, I immediately thought of the Moors murders and made all kinds of conspiracy theories of how they might be connected. I also started to root for Myra, and that she could escape Ian.
Also, Luke is amazing. I loved him. He deserves the world. Actually I loved all the charcaters in this novel. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It’s a good paced thriller that you won’t be able to put down.
I really enjoyed this book, surprisingly. I honestly did not expect to like it so much. I could not put it down. The different characters were very diverse and interesting. I loved getting to know the different characters, and their perspectives. I really loved to learn about Myra, and her perspective. We already know that she and Ian are behind the murders, but it still makes it interesting to see how they react to the press and being discovered. However, I immediately made the connection with Ian Brady and Myra Hindley when I first met these characters. Ian Brady and Myra Hindley are behind the Moors murders in England, and killed 5 children, and Hindley is nicknamed the most evil woman in Britain. If you want to know more about these murders I highly suggest the 3 part episode on the Moors Murders by Casefile, which is a true crime podcast. These murders are also referenced in this book. When we met Ian and Myra in the book, I immediately thought of the Moors murders and made all kinds of conspiracy theories of how they might be connected. I also started to root for Myra, and that she could escape Ian.
Also, Luke is amazing. I loved him. He deserves the world. Actually I loved all the charcaters in this novel. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It’s a good paced thriller that you won’t be able to put down.
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