like a feral dog

by Reed Blitzerman

Psychic Tait Gonzales is broke and starving when her friend, Manny, calls from the county lockup.

She tells him to get a lawyer. “I can only work with the dead.”

That’s perfect. Because the only person who can exonerate him is lying on a slab in the morgue.

To find the truth, she’ll have to dig like a feral dog.

What readers are saying:

★★★★★ “I so enjoy Tait as a character...For anyone who has felt like an outsider.” -Mary C.
★★★★★ “I could not put this story down.” - Ginette R.
★★★★★ ”These characters are so real. I see Tait has three more stories. I will be reading those.” - @rsimos
★★★★★ “Complex characters.” - Alex A.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Horror

Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2023

About the author

Reed is a married army veteran with three kids, two dogs, and two cats. He suspects the cats of planning a coup.

Reviews

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short novella an ARC I received through voracious readers. It’s about a psychic who solves a murder, which then leads into other books around our FMC’s ability to communicate with spirits. I will definitely read on 😊

[Cricket1327_Zmob King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book! Tait is frigging awesome! She's definitely my kind of chick and makes for a very impressive main character. Great very well written short story. I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gloomy, atmospheric, full of anger. Not for the faint of heart.

Story Content Warnings: violence, abuse, bullying, eating disorder, alcoholism, drug use

Abandoned by her mother and down on her luck, Tait is struggling to feed herself when she gets a call from a not-quite-friend: he'll help with her money problems if she helps him prove his innocence in a crime he didn't commit. How? By speaking with the best witness possible - the murder victim.

This one is short but on the heavy side (see content warnings above). I liked Tait's snark and her internal commentary. I've definitely had the "Is this a good idea?" "Do we have another option?" argument with myself before.

Plotwise, the author does a good job maintaining suspense throughout the story; I stayed up reading it to see the ending. I guessed who the murderer was pretty quickly but was definitely surprised at how Tait managed to prove their guilt.

If you like your murder mysteries on the dark and gritty side, you may like this one. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'd want to read another like it.

Thank you to the author and Voracious Readers Only for giving me a free copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short story has an interesting premise and basis for a strong set of characters. It being so short didn’t do it justice though. No time to build up a character or a history. It felt like Tait remembers one random past moment to make sense and solve the puzzle of the present. Kind of disjointed hopping from one bit to the next. The writing is good so with more pages to build out details and tie together the characters and their dynamic, this could be a great read. The foundation is there. The premise is there.

[Gary Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got 'Like A Feral Dog' via Voricous Readers in exchange for writing a short review.  This is also the first story from author Reed Bitzerman.

In truth, I wasn't sure if this would be my kind of story and wasn't sure if I wanted to read it or not.  I am happy that I decided to read it.

The storyline started a little slow. However, it quickly picked up and drew me in easily.

The main character, Tait Gonzales, reminds me of a goth Ghost Whisperer. All in all, I found the storyline to be quite enjoyable, and I would read other novellas in the series.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Prophetess (2nd Book) before reading this, so Like a Feral Dog provided a bit of the back story concerning Tait's life before having to use her gift (curse) to survive. As much as I enjoyed this story, there were numerous reflections on past events which left me really wanting to know more on what led Tait to the situation she now finds herself in - abandoned by her mother and penniless.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manny needs Tait's help to prove his innocence, and the only way to do that is for Tait to contact the Cass, who is dead in the morgue. This is a short story, demonstrating swiftly Tait's ability to communicate with the dead. There are different character perspectives to show the overall sides of the crime.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to VRO and author.

[Mjuneb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Dark

Tait is a dark young woman that has inherited the ability to act as a medium for ghosts. She has had a lot of death around her and drinks all the time. She solves a murder in the short story. The prophetess starts her job as a medium, but she never tells her clients what the ghosts they seek say. These stories are to dark for me.

[Leighah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't think much of this. The idea was a good one but it felt like it had been rushed. I found it unbelievable that a murder is committed and yet there was no mention of anyone being interviewed by police. I was confused on the age of the main character as she talks of going to school with the other characters yet she drinks like an adult and complains about back pain like she is much older.

[Lisa Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was asked to read this book by Voracious Readers Only for an honest review.

It was not the type of book I would normally read but I did enjoy it. I liked the main character Tait but just as I was getting into the story the book ended! I don't think I have ever read such a short book. I feel it was a shame as it had potential with such good characters to be a great story if longer.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a page turner! I didn't want to put this one down! Something resonated with me in this book, and it found myself relating in some ways to the main character.

At first I was thrown by the third person writing followed by one sentence of first person then back to third. I realized, though, that there was a method to the madness, and quickly overcame my reservations.

Read. It.

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, but not my cup of tea. Doesnt mean its wrong, but just too " hip" and "young" for my interest. Received from Hidden Gems as an ARC, I enjoy reading different things, and am not giving a bad review.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really interesting premise, but too short to get into properly. I also found myself confused about how old any of the characters were - one second they’re in high school and the next they’re adults who knew each other years ago.
Would enjoy this more fleshed out.

[Danielle Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and definitely want to read more to get the back story of the main character Tait and see how her story progresses. Was a short story so did feel it ended a little too soon. Book referred to me from voracious readers

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A free book from Voracious Readers thank you

Good characters, Tait is especially strong and interesting. However a short story with only hints of what seems a good back story on the main character.
I didn't see the horror connection but this is well written, just needs a little more depth.

[Mrs T J Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a feral dog, Reed Blitzerman, A Tait Gonzales story, Tait and her mother have the gift. Taits gift is needed when a girl from school is murdered. A psychic short story. Great read, could easily read more of Taits challenges. 4* Kindle. Free copy from Author.

[Lori Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting new series

Interesting start to this new series. Psychic abilities, ghostly presence and mystery to solve. Ready for more and to see where this series goes and develops the psychic abilities.

[Dorothy Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Curious Book

I really love this book. I almost started to read it again, it was so short! I wanted to enjoy it longer! I really loved this author's style of writing. It kept you right there with Tait! Amazing author!!

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book for review. Fairly well-written short piece in a series following the trials and adventures of Tait, the daughter of a psychic who has been abandoned by her mother and must use her gift to survive on her own.

[Andrew Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas for the plot and potentially interesting main character. Short read that introduces the series.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a short story goes, this was good but would have loved some character background. Hopefully the second in the series will give that as Tait seems such a likeable but troubled character.

[Lisa Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good.

[Catherine McDevitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite a good short story, though I was left with questions (what happened to Trevor?) But the characters were interesting and well-written.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this short story of only 81 pages long about a naturally gifted psychic.

The only problem is that it was too short so you just get used to the characters so it leaves you wanting more.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok this is a creepy bunch of short stories. About a girl and a crime. I felt sorry for her. But you want to keep following what is going on in her life. A quick read but good.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an audible copy of this book through Voracious Readers only today and as it is short I flew through it in no time.
I liked the story well written by this author it kept me listening.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella, it was a very short read but that didn’t matter since I felt like it was a fully flushed out story. This was my first book by this author, I look forward to others.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this one via Voracious Readers Only, and what a pick up. Was a short Novella and a teaser of a wider series.

Baited and Hooked. I am in.

Gave a teaser of a wider story and felt it has heaps of potential. It definitely left me wanting more. A good paranormal thriller, definitely a solid read. Would recommend this to anyone who is into a mystery with paranormal elements.