Good men take the Hippocratic oath, and evil ones break it. Sweet Jane learned that firsthand.
Young, beautiful, and brilliant, Jane Carter was on the verge of achieving her PhD in quantum physics when they first appeared, visitors from other universes that no one else could see. Desperate to hold on to her dreams, she turned to a psychiatrist whose controversial treatment promised to rid her of the hallucinations and restore her sanity. All she had to do was trust in his oath and submit to his deep hypnosis, but Dr. Barry Lieberman was not someone to trust.
The trauma of their sessions caused a split in her personality, and when he could not undo what he'd done, he had her committed to a mental hospital—forever, he thought. But Jane got better, and she met Joe, a combat veteran recovering from PTSD and on a shaky road to priesthood, who feels compelled to help her.
Now, she is on a quest for justice, and her former doctor will use his darkest psychology and cruelty to stop her.
Daniel Burke lives outside Atlanta, Georgia where he devotes time to writing, travel, and grandchildren. When not pecking away on a writing project, his favorite place to be is on the back of his Triumph motorcycle winding through the north Georgia mountains. He has had a lifelong addiction to great fiction and hopes his stories touch others with the same need.
The mind is a fragile thing. Let the wrong person in to dig around long enough and things could end up badly for you for the rest of your life.
This is a fast-paced thriller that will have you flipping the pages long into the night. Well written the characters and plot will have you hooked immediately. This book is brilliant and I loved every minute of it.
A must read for anyone who loves psychological thrillers. May just be the best book I’ve read this year so far.
I received an early advanced copy of this book and leave this review of my own accord. Thanks BookSiren and the author!
Jane Carter wants retribution and after the horror and abuse she’s been through, she more than deserves it. Easier said than done, of course, because her own version of Dr. Evil, Barry Lieberman, is hell-bent on keeping her locked away in a mental institution for crimes she didn’t commit. That’s not the only reason he wants to keep her locked away, though. Jane knows things, things that would cause him irreputable damage if it were to get out. Fortunately, Jane crosses paths with Joe Carroll, a man who has had his fair share of hurt and past trauma. Joe finds himself drawn to the elusive Jane and decides to help her. Together, they embark on a journey that has its own set of consequences. Will Jane and Joe get through it unscathed or end up even more broken than they already are?
Vibrations in the Field is a truly sad and harrowing story and at times I felt disgusted by everything Jane had to go through! The book gives a clear understanding of how mentally ill persons are unfairly stigmatised and ridiculed by a society who is supposed to protect them. Daniel Burke does a fantastic job of giving the reader insight into Jane's mind and how it feels to be out of control with no real help and understanding. I also loved the God vs. Science element Burke threw in. It was really interesting and informative!
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed this story and the subject was something very different to what I have read before. One of the main characters is a deacon, and it was very interesting to learn about his life and how he had got to where he was. All the characters were well-thought out and had interesting back-stories and personalities; even the ones who were not very nice. The relationship between Jo and Jane was gripping and fascinating to read about, as they are very different people. The story was quite dark, but also humourous in places which made it an enjoyable read. It was very well-researched and made you think about different aspects of life. This was perhaps not always needed, but some topics were very thought-provoking. For example, it is frightening to think how some people in respected positions in society can use this to get away with bad things and be covered up because of their connections. An emotional ending, which nearly had me in tears, but that shows the connection you feel to the characters throughout the story.
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Daniel Burke's Vibrations in the Field is one of the most unique books I have read in 2023. I don't even know where to begin. Joe Caroll, an ex-Army Captain turned Almost-Priest, finds Jane walking on the side of a road amidst a torrential downpour. Upon close inspection, Jane appears to have left a psychiatric hospital. The rapid oscillation and escalation of her moods prick Joe's curiosity. What might have started as a coincidental meeting leads readers down the rabbit hole of science, faith, good, evil and revenge. The author's ability to tackle grave mental health issues is supreme, as it is handled carefully. The depth of the key protagonists are well explored; I found myself relating with Joe and Jane on multiple levels. The references to religion and quantum physics are well-balanced and intriguing. The pacing was great, and the high stakes lured me in every time I returned to the book. The ending was deeply impactful and resounding, and apt for the key themes explored. This book has left a lingering mark, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you, NetGalley & Black Rose Press, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
A well written book with an unexpected ending! Daniel Burke’s character development is phenomenal, and it is clear research was a significant part of this project. Vibrations in the Field offered the perfect mix of evil and virtue. An author to keep an eye on!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Years ago, Crazy Jane ran down the street, covered in her mother's blood, waving a fireplace poker, screaming for help. She was committed to a secure asylum, where everyone expected her to stay for the rest of her life. Then a new doctor found a balance of meds that reduced her symptoms, and Jane was moved to a halfway house. Then she walked away.
Driving through the pouring rain, Joe sees a wet, bedraggled hitchhiker and offers a ride. Army veteran, recovering alcoholic, theologian and aspiring priest, Joe has problems of his own. But he is a man of faith who takes the obligation to "love thy neighbor as thyself" seriously. His efforts to help Jane may prove fatal.
This memorable novel could change the way the world sees mental illness. It also delves into the relationship between religion and quantum physics. Perhaps science and religion are not incompatible. Perhaps God is the ultimate scientist, and we are all vibrations in the field He created.
I was so caught up in what was happening and with the characters that it was hard reminding myself this was a story fictional. Won’t give anything away but at first I was was unhappy with the ending…the characters has become so real to me, but by the timeI finished the epilogue I realized what the author’s message was in writing this book. Can’t wait what’s next. I hope it’s related to this book. I highly recommend this book for readers who want more than being entertained. Very thought provoking.
I left this book on my TBR for way too long! It was my first book on the list to clear my kindle and I cannot believe the gem I had just sitting there. This book has a completely unique storyline, troubled characters that you can’t help but want to give a big hug, and an ending that blows your mind. I will say this book is landing in my top 5 best books of all time. Great job, Daniel!
This was so different from what I usually read but I’m so glad I picked it up. I went through so many emotions while reading. While some of the topics were hard to read about I felt it was an important conversation and it’s was done right. It’s sad that this is something that is actually happening in the world today. Joe and Jane, despite being from two different positions, were so good together. Such a thought provoking book. Definitely a conversation starter. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A page turning physiological thriller that will have you binge reading all night
The author does an amazing job keeping you hooked and turning the page through out the whole book. If you love darker elements in your reading material then you'll love vibrations in the field. I fell in love with Sweet Jane and Joe and loved the way their relationship unfolded throughout the book. All the characters are well written and the way the story develops is amazing. It's gut wrenching and will have you sobbing at 2am, which is always a great way to tell the difference between a good book or a great one. You feel the pain, faith, joy, loss, heartbreak, hopelessness, and hope all along with the characters. I truly enjoyed reading it and I hope you do too.
That was wonderful! I enjoyed this book! There were a few slow spots but hey it was still a fantastic book. I could write more praise on this book but I don't want to sound sappy. Great job I will look forward to reading more from this author.
This book was amazing. I didn't understand the title at first bit it is profound when you figure it out. Mystery and mass emotions are in this book but it is the best of reads.
Wow. I don’t know that there’s many other words to describe this book. I felt like I truly understood Joe and Jane’s emotions and the struggles they were going through. I don’t know that the book is what I expected, but it was better than I could’ve imagined.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First off WAR EAGLE! Second off, please Google trigger warnings before reading because there are a few. This book is so hard to describe. I know absolutely zero about physics so all the information in this book was very interesting to read. Seeing the discussions between science and religion is always so interesting to me. I didn't realize how attached I got to the characters till the end when it had me holding back tears. I was extremely unprepared for this book and it did not disappoint. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
We are first introduced to Joe who is driving at night in a storm, who picks up Jane, sorry ‘Sweet Jane’, from the road as she was hitchhiking. She informs him she is trying to get home. He has her stay the night with him, with the plan of taking her to the bus terminal in the morning. It turns out he is a priest in training. She seems a little ‘off’. She told him she had been working on her PhD in Quantum Physics when… She stops talking and then she starts again but with a completely different attitude. She is now nervous and scared. It turns out she had been committed to an institution. Joe ends up dropping her off at the bus and starts to nose around the university library as she had been a student. Apparently she had been living there, essentially homeless now. Joe continues to try to figure things out and eventually word gets back to her psychiatrist. He has been experimenting with patients, causing personality splits. Jane is one and Sweet Jane is the other. He had her committed because of difficulties with his ‘treatment’ and was not impressed when he found she had escaped. She comes back to Joe and wants revenge. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.
I can't stress enough of how much I love this book!! I really liked how knowledagble the author is! The way he could explain, describe, … sciences, complex maths, terms in medical are something I really appreciate in this book. This book really got my emotions went up and down. I adored Joe and Jane so much! Especially Jane, she is very special character to me. Now I need Dr Lieberman himself to get assessed if he were mentally healthy because throughout my reading, he was the mental one! His thoughts and behaviours disgust me! I wish all people like him rot in hell. There's a lot to say about this book and its characters (in a good way). This is the book that I definitely will come back and reread in the future. Thanks for offering me the ARC, in order to facilitate my voluntary and honest review.
Jane - a schizophrenic, crosses paths with Joe - an almost-priest. They become unlikely friends which then turns into helping one another, especially helping Jane live the life she should be living.
I found that this book was a bit slow to my liking. The characters were well developed. I found myself liking Jane and really despising one of her previous doctors, which I think was the intention in the way his character was written.
Overall, the plot was pretty good, but felt it could have kept my interest a little better.
This book is so good. So so good. I’m not sure how to truly explain how amazing this story is without giving away all the twists and turns but I’ll do my best.
Ex Army Captain turned Almost-Priest, Joe is driving home one night in a torrential downpour when he sees a hitchhiker getting drenched in the storm. He picks her up and realizes she’s come from the hospital, specifically the psychiatric unit. One second Sweet Jane is having brilliant conversations, the next minute she has no memory of the conversation or where she’s put her things. Quizzical and curious one minute, distant and defensive the next.
Joe feels compelled by God to help this lost soul. He learns that Jane is brilliant mathematician who was studying quantum physics. She’s also schizophrenic. Joe and Jane have respectfully deep conversations on the controversial topic of religion vs science. Joe is a deacon and has pledged his life to the church. He’s obviously quite passionate. Jane doesn’t believe in God at all and is a scientific genius.
The “villain” in this story is Dr. Barry Lieberman. This doctor was a psychiatrist treating Jane with a revolutionary technique that essentially creates an “observer” personality under deep hypnosis. I don’t want to give too much away so I’m just going to say you’re going to REALLY hate this guy!
I literally just finished. I’m not even going to say how I feel about the ending other than it made me feel the feels. My inbox is always open if you find yourself needing to talk this one out. Author Daniel Burke is so eloquent with his words. He has such a way of describing the scene and the emotions to suck the reader into his story. This is definitely a slow burn but man what a story. Bravo Daniel Burke. Brav. O. My only complaint is that I received this as an advanced copy and it doesn’t come out until the end of April. So I have to sit on this book for a few months before my friends can read it. So do yourself a favor. If you’re into psychological thrillers, deeply dipped in science and religion and coated with extreme mental illness and topped with secrets, lies and betrayal… set your calendar for the end of April or go ahead and preorder this book right now.
Thank you so much to Book Sirens and Black Rose Writing for my advanced copy. This is my honest review of Vibrations in the Field by Daniel Burke.
I would’ve read this in one sitting if it wasn’t for my exams!
This book is different. I felt like i never read something like this before!! Its dark, twisty, thrilling, and full of these psychological, scientific theories. And when it comes to psychology I’m definetly in!!!!
I really loved this book. The whole story is gripping and interesting. The author made me feel everything was real like it was not just a fictional story. Everything that Jane had to go through was really tough and heart breaking!
Every character had their own history and past traumas. Joe and Jane, although they’re very different characters, but they worked together perfectly. Joe sees and understands the world with God, while Jane understands the world based on science and her genius experiments with Math and Physics .
And I definitely hated Dr Barry, he is evil, he would just do anything to gain whatever he wants and to protect himself and Jane had to pay the cost of his own selfish mind and his terrible idea of “deep hypnosis”.
The ending had me so emotional, but i felt i wasn’t satisfied with the ending, i needed more of it, or maybe i just didn’t want the book to end.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and if you like psychological thrillers give this book a try!
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from BookSirens and the author for an honest review!
I received a copy of this book from Book Sirens back in February. I started it a couple of times and couldn't get into it. I almost sent in a DNF but I decided to try it one more time. I can't say it was a favorite book but I am glad I read it. It started out a little slow with lots of details on mathematics and quantum mechanics I found tiresome. I realized later that they were crucial to the story and the character's developments. Jane is a genius who was on the verge of getting her PhD when she started seeing "other Janes". Joe is a Catholic priest in training with PTSD from his military service who rescues Jane in a rainstorm. The backstories on these two characters are very well developed and they evolve as their relationship does. The other main character is an evil doctor whose psychiatric methods have been debunked and are extremely unethical. He was previously Jane's doctor and has caused many of her problems. He is a character you love to hate and can only hope that he dies. This book is a study in mental health and in faith and the interplay between the two. The ending is appropriate to this story. I am glad I finally finished it. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own.
Vibrations in the Field is ostensibly a psychological thriller. However, author Daniel Burke manages to weave together themes of religion, mental illness, and quantum field theory to make this a much more complex and nuanced story about the forces of faith and love confronting evil. And there is true evil, in the character of Dr. Barry Lieberman, a psychopath who controls and tortures his patients while they are under deep hypnosis. One of his former patients, Jane Carter, determined to seek revenge, forms an unlikely bond with “almost-priest” Joe Carroll, a former soldier recovering from PTSD. Surprisingly, Burke’s description of the conversations between these damaged people dealing with their own demons are integral components of the plot, which clips along at a break-neck pace. Fair warning, the end is brutal, but not out of place in a novel addressing the impact of overwhelming evil on the lives of ordinary people.
Filled with vivid characters, compelling dialogue, and an intriguing subject/theme, Vibrations in the Field depicts a heart wrenching, emotionally charged journey of a young girl who gets lost, found, and lost again in the tragic world of mental illness. Each chapter reflects the embodiment of characters longing for the control of spiraling situations that draws in and grips the reader throughout. Daniel Burke's writing style captures, with respect and dignity, those who get 'caught up' within the challenges of the emotionally vulnerable; some to support, yet others to exploit for their own gain. A must read.
I’ve sat with this book for over two months. It was really hard for me to get into it. I got just about to the halfway mark, and i just couldn’t read it anymore.
For one, it was written in third person. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am just not a big fan of books written that way. I’ll give any book a try though!
Second, I feel like the book was too scientific or formal for me. If that makes sense. It just kind of went over my head, so that also made me not enjoy it very much.
This is just my personal experience/opinion of the book. If you enjoyed it, I am glad you did! This is your reminder that not every book is for everyone. So here’s to my first DNF.
Joe was an ex-Army Captain, and is now training to become a Catholic priest. Who is struggling from PTSD from his military service . One night he rescues Jane in a rainstorm. It seems she has come from the local psychiatric hospital. A hospital that a doctor whose psychiatric methods have been debunked and are extremely unethical. He had been Jane's doctor and has caused many of her problems. This covers science, faith, good, evil and revenge. Tackling mental health issues with amazing care.
This again is a new author to me, and again I will definitely be looking for more of his stories. This story kept me turning pages, trying to read as fast as I could, and had surprises everywhere I went. I would recommend this to everyone as I believe it should be read by everyone. Although the story is fiction, in reality it can be very true.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Daniel Burke creates a suspenseful psychological thriller that exposes the darkness of current times. Like a lot of thrillers, there are moments that seemed contrived along with exaggerated character traits; however, I was drawn in from the start. The protagonist, Joe Carroll, a priest in training and ex-military with his own demons (PTSD and a recovering alcoholic) stumbles upon a “lost soul,” the brilliant, yet troubled, Jane Carter. As the reader gets into the minds of Joe and Jane, often referred to as “Sweet Jane,” we begin to learn more and more about the dark pasts of each character.
Joe struggles to do the right thing, to help others see that God is still a vibrant presence in our lives, while Jane is on a mission of redemption and to clear her name for the murder of her mother, a brutal crime she is accused of. As they interact, a surreal bond between them flourishes, as their troubled pasts begin to surface.
Enter the demonic Dr. Barry Lieberman, a man of psychiatry who sees the lives of his patients and the people he works with as a means to his own end. Lieberman is a complex, yet classic narcissist schooled in hypnotherapy that he uses on his patients and others in order to satisfy his lust and greed.
As the novel progresses, the intrigue increases as Lieberman’s ruthless character reveals his dark web of criminal activity spanning nearly a decade, not to mention his current plans of wickedness. With every page the plot thickens, ending in an explosive conclusion with a bittersweet epilogue. Burke is at his finest as he crafts this emotional and carefully written, page-turning thriller.