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Psychic Eye Mystery #10
Lethal Outlook
The New York Times bestselling author of the “enthralling thriller”* Vision Impossible is back with her newest Psychic Eye mystery, in which psychic Abigail Cooper must rely on her inner vision to search for a missing woman…When a mysterious client approaches Abby with a cryptic message about a young mother who has vanished, Abby is more than willing to get involved. After all, it’s the perfect distraction from dealing with the headache of her sister Cat – who has flown into town and turned Abby and Dutch’s impending nuptials into Weddingpalooza.
After Abby recruits her business partner and BFF, Candice, to assist, they meet with the parents of the missing woman. But the parents refuse to put their faith in a psychic. What’s worse, due to a grave misunderstanding, the family suspects Abby has a connection to their daughter’s husband – the man they believe to be responsible for her disappearance.
So while the family may be blind to the truth, with a potential killer in her sights, Abby is determined to keep her eyes wide open...
* Genre Go Round Reviews
After Abby recruits her business partner and BFF, Candice, to assist, they meet with the parents of the missing woman. But the parents refuse to put their faith in a psychic. What’s worse, due to a grave misunderstanding, the family suspects Abby has a connection to their daughter’s husband – the man they believe to be responsible for her disappearance.
So while the family may be blind to the truth, with a potential killer in her sights, Abby is determined to keep her eyes wide open...
* Genre Go Round Reviews
353 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2012
93 people are currently reading
1735 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Laurie
46 books3,174 followersVictoria Laurie is the New York Times bestselling author of 32 books and counting. Over the past 16 years Victoria has created several series and a few stand-alone novels. Her mystery series include: The Psychic Eye Mysteries, The Life Coach Mysteries, and The Ghost Hunter Mysteries. She's also the author of two YA books, When and Forever Again, as well as a middle-grade series called The Oracles of Delphi Keep.
Currently, Victoria is working on the 17th book in both the Psychic Eye Mysteries and the 3rd book in the Life Coach Mysteries, along with also working to produce a brand NEW series called Spellbound set for release winter/spring 2020.
Victoria loves to connect with her fans, and you can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Victo...
Currently, Victoria is working on the 17th book in both the Psychic Eye Mysteries and the 3rd book in the Life Coach Mysteries, along with also working to produce a brand NEW series called Spellbound set for release winter/spring 2020.
Victoria loves to connect with her fans, and you can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Victo...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
June 19, 2012
Fun! Fun! Fun! We're back to basics in Lethal Outlook. No major FBI/CIA cases are needed when Abby Cooper is haplessly drawn into yet another murder while essentially minding her own business. She is back to her usual potty-mouthed self and is super cranky...though she has an excuse, as she endures a painful injury from her adventures in the last book. Though I appreciate the role that Dutch plays in her life, and the places the story lines can go with him, my favorites are really the books where she gets herself in and out of trouble. In Lethal Outlook, Abby works closely with Candace to find a missing (and dead) woman while juggling her psychotic wedding planner sister, Dutch's work stress, and the new house that they are building, all while hobbling around with a cane and pissing people off. Seriously, what could go wrong? My only criticism is that way too much time passes between books. I want my Abby now! Can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens with the...(spoiler).
July 12, 2012
There aren't many cozy mysteries capable of actually making my heart pound but this one did.
First let me say that while I consider this whole series to fall into the 'cozy' category, the nature of the crimes in some of them (like Lethal Outlook) skirt the definition a bit. The crimes in this book are intense and unpleasant - not graphic, but undeniably awful. This is not a poisoning at the garden club. I didn't have a clue who the murderer was and never even considered the culprit a suspect. The ending left me feeling as though I'd just run for my life and I'm awfully glad I didn't finish this book right before bed - I'd have never fallen asleep.
I love the characters in this book and the whole series - all are so vivid and well written. Each character is unique and I find them all likeable. I had the great pleasure of speaking with Ms. Laurie on several occasions several years ago, and while I certainly can lay NO claim on knowing her, I hear her personality shine through Abby. The dialogue, the wit, the humour, the wisecracks. It makes reading these stories a pleasure and this was no exception. I particularly loved the scene with Abby in the police interrogation room. If you've ever wanted to be able to push back at someone being a bully and *really* put them in their place, this scene is one to make you grin.
I have to admit I didn't love the last book, Vision Impossible, and was just a tiny bit worried that the series was going in a direction I couldn't jump on board with, but this book put paid on all those concerns. I found this book to be a true page turner that at times took my breath away. Can't wait for the next one! :)
First let me say that while I consider this whole series to fall into the 'cozy' category, the nature of the crimes in some of them (like Lethal Outlook) skirt the definition a bit. The crimes in this book are intense and unpleasant - not graphic, but undeniably awful. This is not a poisoning at the garden club. I didn't have a clue who the murderer was and never even considered the culprit a suspect. The ending left me feeling as though I'd just run for my life and I'm awfully glad I didn't finish this book right before bed - I'd have never fallen asleep.
I love the characters in this book and the whole series - all are so vivid and well written. Each character is unique and I find them all likeable. I had the great pleasure of speaking with Ms. Laurie on several occasions several years ago, and while I certainly can lay NO claim on knowing her, I hear her personality shine through Abby. The dialogue, the wit, the humour, the wisecracks. It makes reading these stories a pleasure and this was no exception. I particularly loved the scene with Abby in the police interrogation room. If you've ever wanted to be able to push back at someone being a bully and *really* put them in their place, this scene is one to make you grin.
I have to admit I didn't love the last book, Vision Impossible, and was just a tiny bit worried that the series was going in a direction I couldn't jump on board with, but this book put paid on all those concerns. I found this book to be a true page turner that at times took my breath away. Can't wait for the next one! :)
July 21, 2012
Okay, I admit it, I have this love-hate relationship with Ms. Laurie's books. She crafts a well put together plot with a finely crafted mystery. Then there is the dialogue.
Abby and Dutch are finally getting married and Abby has thrown the wedding into her sister Cat's capable hands. However, Abby badly miscalculated in that Cat is the wedding organizer from hell. On top of all of this, Abby has to make some decisions regarding the furnishings and finishings for the home she and Dutch are building.
Into Abby's office walks a badly disguised woman who says she is a lawyer and that her client is guilty. Abby now must rely on her intuition and her spiritual crew to help solve the mystery. She joins up with Candace, her PI partner, and the two of them have a fine time trying to prove and solve a murder.
I had several issues with this book. In the last book Dutch and Abby have almost been killed. Dutch has been severely injured, but evidently he has recovered fine. Abby broke her pelvis in three places and is in pain and uses a cane. For someone in pain she seemed to recover quickly from falls and trips in this book and evidently the 'hem-hem' bedroom gymnastics didn't bother her pelvis whatsoever.
Secondly, why would Abby hand over her wedding details to her sister knowing what a control freak her sister is? She has had problems with Cat and her controlling personality in other areas, why would she hand off her wedding to her?
Thirdly, the dialogue. Dutch and Abby are in their 30's are they not? Yet they talk at times like they are in their teens. The dialogue at times makes both of them seem terribly immature. Dutch is supposedly a seasoned FBI agent, yet around Abby he seems to age downward. Abby is trying to stop swearing so she'll say things like Feck, feck, feck. Maybe it is cute the first time, but not the second and third. or '"Crap on a cracker." I whispered. I loooove cinnamon buns.' I can see someone loving cinnamon buns in their 30's but talking like this? Not so much. And of course there are the nicknames and other 'intimate' gestures. Maybe I'm in a minority here, but instead of being funny the poor dialogue has the characters coming off as unrealistic and immature. At least in this book Abby wasn't constantly going behind Dutch's back at his job convinced she knows better than he or the FBI.
I do like this series. And I do like Laurie's mysteries. My fondest hope though is that someday the conversational dialogue will grow up and the characters won't appear so immature. There were some unfinished plot lines or hints in this story, so the next one hopefully will tie a few things up!
Abby and Dutch are finally getting married and Abby has thrown the wedding into her sister Cat's capable hands. However, Abby badly miscalculated in that Cat is the wedding organizer from hell. On top of all of this, Abby has to make some decisions regarding the furnishings and finishings for the home she and Dutch are building.
Into Abby's office walks a badly disguised woman who says she is a lawyer and that her client is guilty. Abby now must rely on her intuition and her spiritual crew to help solve the mystery. She joins up with Candace, her PI partner, and the two of them have a fine time trying to prove and solve a murder.
I had several issues with this book. In the last book Dutch and Abby have almost been killed. Dutch has been severely injured, but evidently he has recovered fine. Abby broke her pelvis in three places and is in pain and uses a cane. For someone in pain she seemed to recover quickly from falls and trips in this book and evidently the 'hem-hem' bedroom gymnastics didn't bother her pelvis whatsoever.
Secondly, why would Abby hand over her wedding details to her sister knowing what a control freak her sister is? She has had problems with Cat and her controlling personality in other areas, why would she hand off her wedding to her?
Thirdly, the dialogue. Dutch and Abby are in their 30's are they not? Yet they talk at times like they are in their teens. The dialogue at times makes both of them seem terribly immature. Dutch is supposedly a seasoned FBI agent, yet around Abby he seems to age downward. Abby is trying to stop swearing so she'll say things like Feck, feck, feck. Maybe it is cute the first time, but not the second and third. or '"Crap on a cracker." I whispered. I loooove cinnamon buns.' I can see someone loving cinnamon buns in their 30's but talking like this? Not so much. And of course there are the nicknames and other 'intimate' gestures. Maybe I'm in a minority here, but instead of being funny the poor dialogue has the characters coming off as unrealistic and immature. At least in this book Abby wasn't constantly going behind Dutch's back at his job convinced she knows better than he or the FBI.
I do like this series. And I do like Laurie's mysteries. My fondest hope though is that someday the conversational dialogue will grow up and the characters won't appear so immature. There were some unfinished plot lines or hints in this story, so the next one hopefully will tie a few things up!
May 16, 2019
It was four forty-five p.m. and I was still stewing.
A client is disguise prompts Abby and Candice to become involved in a missing person case. When Abby sees a picture of the victim she knows that it is too late for a rescue. The victim is a young mother that went missing and left her small son at home alone. The victim's mother is very suspicious of psychics and is convinced that Abby helped her son-in-law do away with her daughter.
This is always an enjoyable series. I love Abby and her interaction with the other characters. It was nice to have her and Candice working together without too much assistance from the FBI. I was a little confused that Abby is still walking with a cane from her pelvic fractures yet Dutch seems to be fine and is back at work.
The mystery keeps you guessing as suspects increase. The addition of Abby's sister Cat as the wedding planner was a hoot. She drives Abby nuts and goes a little crazy herself.
I was surprised by the killer until right before Abby realized who it was. Lots of twists and turns. I hope to read the next book in a more timely fashion so that I don't forget key points. I want to see how the wedding turns out...or not!
A client is disguise prompts Abby and Candice to become involved in a missing person case. When Abby sees a picture of the victim she knows that it is too late for a rescue. The victim is a young mother that went missing and left her small son at home alone. The victim's mother is very suspicious of psychics and is convinced that Abby helped her son-in-law do away with her daughter.
This is always an enjoyable series. I love Abby and her interaction with the other characters. It was nice to have her and Candice working together without too much assistance from the FBI. I was a little confused that Abby is still walking with a cane from her pelvic fractures yet Dutch seems to be fine and is back at work.
The mystery keeps you guessing as suspects increase. The addition of Abby's sister Cat as the wedding planner was a hoot. She drives Abby nuts and goes a little crazy herself.
I was surprised by the killer until right before Abby realized who it was. Lots of twists and turns. I hope to read the next book in a more timely fashion so that I don't forget key points. I want to see how the wedding turns out...or not!
December 4, 2013
This is the latest in a series written by a physic about a physic, and the occasional foray into the mystic is very well done. I especially enjoy a scene where our heroine, Abby, reveals some hard truths to some hardcase cops, purely to prove her skills.
This story, coming on the heels of several where Abby and her fiancé Dutch have worked on high profile cases, is more down home and home town, dealing with a missing woman around Austin, Texas. Abby is asked to figure out what happened, based on just the fact that the woman is dead. No more clues, not even a name or a hint of who the guilty party is, except that it was a man. Wow.
Abby uses her skills and those of her PI partner, Candice, to determine who was killed, and by whom, and for what reason. All the sleuthing and use of physic skills was very well done, right up until the end when it felt rushed, even contrived.
That said, I had a major issue with the background story line. Abby, with a broken pelvis, is recovering slowly from damage taken in the last book. This is understandable. The breaks she took could have permanently incapacitated her, and bones, especially the pelvis, although they heal, do so slowly and need to be nurtured. I did get the feeling there was not enough healing time though (I must have missed the time interval since the last plot).
However, Dutch has completely recovered, and in the last book he was on the verge of death. There was a brush off type comment about his injuries, but there was so much byplay on the cane and Abby's gimpy walk that the injuries Dutch sustained are ignored.
Be that as it may, he would not have been back at work without doctor release, psychiatric release, and rehab. He is a government employee – an FBI agent. He would have to have signoff from several doctors, none of which was even mentioned.
Overall, although I enjoyed the story line, it read like it was written for teens. Potty mouth? Feck? Loooooooove? And the dialogue between Dutch and Abby had me rolling my eyes and wondering when they were going to grow up. I appreciated that we were not subjected to bedroom scenes, but the references and foreplay talk could have been a little more grown up (and on that same subject, how is it that Abby can barely walk but is able to fully participate in enthusiastic bedroom play?)
I liked Cat. She might be pushy and controlling, but at least she handles events like an adult, and uses adult language. I liked that she realized that her harebrained sister would not plan the wedding, but at some point she needs to relax and just let things happen. She seems to be channeling some of the nastiness of their mother, who was an abusive control freak, and that is not a good direction to take this character.
Dave did not get a lot of play in this story, which is a pity, because he has always been a stalwart character. I liked his handling of the plans for the house
Overall, I really like this series, but this particular story, although a good plot, had some major issues with both the characters and the subplots (and don't even get me started on the lack of editing!).
downgraded to a 2 because of the characters and the subplots
This story, coming on the heels of several where Abby and her fiancé Dutch have worked on high profile cases, is more down home and home town, dealing with a missing woman around Austin, Texas. Abby is asked to figure out what happened, based on just the fact that the woman is dead. No more clues, not even a name or a hint of who the guilty party is, except that it was a man. Wow.
Abby uses her skills and those of her PI partner, Candice, to determine who was killed, and by whom, and for what reason. All the sleuthing and use of physic skills was very well done, right up until the end when it felt rushed, even contrived.
That said, I had a major issue with the background story line. Abby, with a broken pelvis, is recovering slowly from damage taken in the last book. This is understandable. The breaks she took could have permanently incapacitated her, and bones, especially the pelvis, although they heal, do so slowly and need to be nurtured. I did get the feeling there was not enough healing time though (I must have missed the time interval since the last plot).
However, Dutch has completely recovered, and in the last book he was on the verge of death. There was a brush off type comment about his injuries, but there was so much byplay on the cane and Abby's gimpy walk that the injuries Dutch sustained are ignored.
Be that as it may, he would not have been back at work without doctor release, psychiatric release, and rehab. He is a government employee – an FBI agent. He would have to have signoff from several doctors, none of which was even mentioned.
Overall, although I enjoyed the story line, it read like it was written for teens. Potty mouth? Feck? Loooooooove? And the dialogue between Dutch and Abby had me rolling my eyes and wondering when they were going to grow up. I appreciated that we were not subjected to bedroom scenes, but the references and foreplay talk could have been a little more grown up (and on that same subject, how is it that Abby can barely walk but is able to fully participate in enthusiastic bedroom play?)
I liked Cat. She might be pushy and controlling, but at least she handles events like an adult, and uses adult language. I liked that she realized that her harebrained sister would not plan the wedding, but at some point she needs to relax and just let things happen. She seems to be channeling some of the nastiness of their mother, who was an abusive control freak, and that is not a good direction to take this character.
Dave did not get a lot of play in this story, which is a pity, because he has always been a stalwart character. I liked his handling of the plans for the house
Overall, I really like this series, but this particular story, although a good plot, had some major issues with both the characters and the subplots (and don't even get me started on the lack of editing!).
downgraded to a 2 because of the characters and the subplots
August 9, 2012
I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could.
In General
I liked this book a lot, in so far as the series goes (at #10 and not bored with it yet; I consider that a success). The murder mystery was interesting. I didn't guess the killer at all, though maybe if I'd put in more effort to thinking about it, I could have. The book definitely sucked me in and before I knew it, I was staying up about 2 hours past when I originally meant to go to sleep.
Small Nitpicks
I was a bit let down by the very end of the book, how it abruptly went from summing up Abby's wedding issues to a "...aaaand you'll find that out in the next book, suckers!" (I may have added that last word.) There was another part of the book where she also alluded to there being more to a story/plot but it wasn't going to be touched on in this book. I hate when authors do this. It's the "We need to talk later" of the literary world. NO ONE likes to hear those words.
Another thing that bothered me for the first half of the book was Abby's reluctance in regards to her house and wedding. Grow up and stop complaining that your sister is the Wedding Planner from Hell and make a decision on something, then. Get more excited to have your house completed and lived in and stop ignoring your contractor-friend's phone calls! The excuses we got about her not wanting to do stuff seemed a bit weak and pure plot contrivances. Abby is a grown woman; she needs to act like it. Her eye-rolling and muttering behind her friends' backs were things I used to do as a TEENAGER, not how I would expect a mid-thirties woman to behave.
One of my standard complaints about this series is Abby's over-use of silly or out-dated phrases/attempts to not curse. I can't tell if this is a personal thing to the author (like she doesn't care for foul language) or just some character quirk she thinks is adorable (because despite Abby's attempts, there are quite a few 'slip-ups'). Either way, it's annoying. In this book, the phrases weren't the issue, but there was SO MUCH devoted to the cursing. "Ass...terisk!" "Feck!" The last one would've been fine if the author had just used it as a substitute to the word and moved on. BUT. BUT. Every single time Abby cursed, there was a parenthetical aside.
"Ass...terisk!" I cried. (Sorry, readers, I really shouldn't curse. One more in the swear jar!)
"Asshole!" I yelled. (OK, being kidnapped is a time when I can curse all I want.)
"Feck!" I said. (See what I did there? I'm getting around my own rules!)
Holy crap, that got annoying. It took me out of the book (every.) (single.) (time.) I get it, Abby can't quit her favorite vice; I don't need her acknowledging that, inner-monologue style, while something dramatic is going on that I'd much rather get on with. PLEASE tone it down, Ms. Laurie.
In Conclusion
Yes, I think the fact that I just devoted about three paragraphs to that one issue means it really bothered me, and kind of put a cloud over what was a good story most of the time. However, maybe some people just don't care, or get tickled pink laughing along with Abby in a 'oh, you're so zany!'-type fashion, so to each her own. I wouldn't stop reading the series because of this.
In General
I liked this book a lot, in so far as the series goes (at #10 and not bored with it yet; I consider that a success). The murder mystery was interesting. I didn't guess the killer at all, though maybe if I'd put in more effort to thinking about it, I could have. The book definitely sucked me in and before I knew it, I was staying up about 2 hours past when I originally meant to go to sleep.
Small Nitpicks
I was a bit let down by the very end of the book, how it abruptly went from summing up Abby's wedding issues to a "...aaaand you'll find that out in the next book, suckers!" (I may have added that last word.) There was another part of the book where she also alluded to there being more to a story/plot but it wasn't going to be touched on in this book. I hate when authors do this. It's the "We need to talk later" of the literary world. NO ONE likes to hear those words.
Another thing that bothered me for the first half of the book was Abby's reluctance in regards to her house and wedding. Grow up and stop complaining that your sister is the Wedding Planner from Hell and make a decision on something, then. Get more excited to have your house completed and lived in and stop ignoring your contractor-friend's phone calls! The excuses we got about her not wanting to do stuff seemed a bit weak and pure plot contrivances. Abby is a grown woman; she needs to act like it. Her eye-rolling and muttering behind her friends' backs were things I used to do as a TEENAGER, not how I would expect a mid-thirties woman to behave.
One of my standard complaints about this series is Abby's over-use of silly or out-dated phrases/attempts to not curse. I can't tell if this is a personal thing to the author (like she doesn't care for foul language) or just some character quirk she thinks is adorable (because despite Abby's attempts, there are quite a few 'slip-ups'). Either way, it's annoying. In this book, the phrases weren't the issue, but there was SO MUCH devoted to the cursing. "Ass...terisk!" "Feck!" The last one would've been fine if the author had just used it as a substitute to the word and moved on. BUT. BUT. Every single time Abby cursed, there was a parenthetical aside.
"Ass...terisk!" I cried. (Sorry, readers, I really shouldn't curse. One more in the swear jar!)
"Asshole!" I yelled. (OK, being kidnapped is a time when I can curse all I want.)
"Feck!" I said. (See what I did there? I'm getting around my own rules!)
Holy crap, that got annoying. It took me out of the book (every.) (single.) (time.) I get it, Abby can't quit her favorite vice; I don't need her acknowledging that, inner-monologue style, while something dramatic is going on that I'd much rather get on with. PLEASE tone it down, Ms. Laurie.
In Conclusion
Yes, I think the fact that I just devoted about three paragraphs to that one issue means it really bothered me, and kind of put a cloud over what was a good story most of the time. However, maybe some people just don't care, or get tickled pink laughing along with Abby in a 'oh, you're so zany!'-type fashion, so to each her own. I wouldn't stop reading the series because of this.
July 9, 2012
(If you haven't read the previous nine books, ignore my review.) This book was meh, especially coming after Laurie's previous two, which were very enjoyable. The action is slow for the first 60% of the book, and Abbie is especially annoying. She moans and groans even when she knows she's got the weaker argument. She pushes her own work off on other people. The whole wedding subplot is just boring, and the comic relief from Cat wasn't funny or interesting.
I did not like the addition of politics (but especially Republican politics) to the series. I'm sure Laurie has already accounted for this and just doesn't give a damn about people on the other side of the red-blue divide, but I found it distasteful enough that I don't want to continue reading the series if that's how things are swinging. If you're a Republican, you may like it.
There are also some continuity issues that I found bizarre. We left Dutch at the end of the last book with just a 60% chance of LIVING, but yet he seems totally back to normal in this book, while Abbie can't walk without a cane. I mean, it's plausible that his type of injuries just healed faster, but I thought there needed to be a paragraph somewhere at least saying that's the case.
I did not like the addition of politics (but especially Republican politics) to the series. I'm sure Laurie has already accounted for this and just doesn't give a damn about people on the other side of the red-blue divide, but I found it distasteful enough that I don't want to continue reading the series if that's how things are swinging. If you're a Republican, you may like it.
There are also some continuity issues that I found bizarre. We left Dutch at the end of the last book with just a 60% chance of LIVING, but yet he seems totally back to normal in this book, while Abbie can't walk without a cane. I mean, it's plausible that his type of injuries just healed faster, but I thought there needed to be a paragraph somewhere at least saying that's the case.
September 30, 2012
*I believe I may be irrecoverably addicted to this series*
I haven't finished reading it yet and already I want to lay my hands on the next book in this series. Uhh, why, oh why I didn't wait with reading books ## 9 & 10 until the # 11 was here?
I loved every minute of it! I want more and can't wait until the next book of this wonderfully awesome series will be here!
I hope this story will continue on and on and on as it keeps going better with the new books!
I am by no account trying to influence Victoria's writing process with this rather impatient review as I do understand that getting good books written does take time. Still, long live the series and may there be 100+ installments in it!
I haven't finished reading it yet and already I want to lay my hands on the next book in this series. Uhh, why, oh why I didn't wait with reading books ## 9 & 10 until the # 11 was here?
I loved every minute of it! I want more and can't wait until the next book of this wonderfully awesome series will be here!
I hope this story will continue on and on and on as it keeps going better with the new books!
I am by no account trying to influence Victoria's writing process with this rather impatient review as I do understand that getting good books written does take time. Still, long live the series and may there be 100+ installments in it!
March 22, 2022
Okay I really like the fact that Abby is back partnering with Candice, however I took a whole star off for the stupid stupid scene where Cat had Abby forcibly kidnapped for some wedding preparation stuff. Having Cat portrayed as an over-the-top control freak is one thing, but kidnapping Abby was way out of line not to mention dangerous both physically and emotionally, making Cat a serious candidate for a mental institution not just an eccentric sidekick for a cozy. Overall, I am not that pleased with Abby either. She is too childish in a lot of her personality traits which does not make her endearing just plain annoying. By Book #10 one would expect to see some character growth but alas there is still none. As always, the great murder plots are the one thing that keeps this series afloat for me along with the psychic element.
May 23, 2017
I'll have to read more of this series. The main character Abby is a psychic who contracts out with the FBI and also a best friend/private detective that she partners up with. Good mystery in that I didn't figure out the killer until the last minute.
April 27, 2021
Going back to the roots again with Catherine and Abby teaming up on an interesting case where they do a lot of investigative work. The case is a twisted conclusion and again Abby's radar isn't pointing fingers really.
June 17, 2019
I really wish Abby would grow up a little and be slightly less stupid.
May 30, 2023
As always, I enjoyed this. She has me on the edge of my seat, but not so much that I have bad dreams. MUCH appreciated. ;)
March 10, 2017
It is akin to eating candy.
August 8, 2012
A delightful mystery, which I actually rated 4.5! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:
Psychic Abby Cooper has less than fifty days until her wedding to her long time love Dutch, an FBI agent. On the side, Abby also helps out the FBI. But on a recent mission, she and Dutch had both almost died. Recuperating with the aid of a cane, she has returned to work alongside her best friend and business partner Candice, a private eye, who shares the office with her. Overwhelmed by her wedding arrangements, Abby has turned those over to her sister Cat, who ecstatically accepts. But with all of the questions she needs to answer about the wedding plans and having bad vibes about the upcoming day, Abby avoids Cat like the plague. Additionally, Abby and Dutch are in the middle of building a new home and their handyman Dave has been calling, needing some answers about the construction. Abby is also bent out of shape because Dutch recently sent her a wedding gift of a top model gun, despite knowing that Abby cannot stand guns.
Things are hectic enough for Abby but then a new client walks into her office, an attorney in disguise who understandably refuses to disclose the name of her client or her client’s victim. However, she advises Abby that if she watches the evening news, she will know who she is talking about. That evening, seeing the picture of the victim, a young mother who has been missing, on the news, Abby knows that the missing woman is already dead. Without seeing a picture of the husband, Abby cannot tell if he is involved. Although not ready to tackle another case like this right now, she still agrees to accept it and Candice agrees to help her. Besides, this will help her avoid Cat and the wedding plans.
However, when she questions the victim’s parents, they refuse to trust a psychic, and are beginning to believe that their daughter’s husband is involved in the foul play. In addition, due to a misunderstanding, they believe that there is a romantic connection between Abby and their son-in-law. Now it is particularly important that Abby discover the identity of the attorney’s client, the killer, especially when it seems that the danger is about to strike close to home. Can Abby and Candice find the killer before it is too late, or will they become his next victims?
A mystery with humor, LETHAL OUTLOOK, the tenth book in New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie’s PSYCHIC EYE MYSTERY, is a witty, suspenseful romantic mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. I am a huge fan of this series, and this book kept me reading late into the night, as I was unable to go to sleep until I knew how it turned out.
Humor, inventive swearing, witty, sassy repartee, interesting characters, danger, FBI, psychics, suspense and romance, all combine to give readers an exciting story; a definite winner. This story can be read as a standalone, but for further insight into the characters and their background as well as additional enjoyment, be sure to pick up a copy of the rest of this delightful series. I highly recommend LETHAL OUTLOOK and look forward to the next book in this series!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Psychic Abby Cooper has less than fifty days until her wedding to her long time love Dutch, an FBI agent. On the side, Abby also helps out the FBI. But on a recent mission, she and Dutch had both almost died. Recuperating with the aid of a cane, she has returned to work alongside her best friend and business partner Candice, a private eye, who shares the office with her. Overwhelmed by her wedding arrangements, Abby has turned those over to her sister Cat, who ecstatically accepts. But with all of the questions she needs to answer about the wedding plans and having bad vibes about the upcoming day, Abby avoids Cat like the plague. Additionally, Abby and Dutch are in the middle of building a new home and their handyman Dave has been calling, needing some answers about the construction. Abby is also bent out of shape because Dutch recently sent her a wedding gift of a top model gun, despite knowing that Abby cannot stand guns.
Things are hectic enough for Abby but then a new client walks into her office, an attorney in disguise who understandably refuses to disclose the name of her client or her client’s victim. However, she advises Abby that if she watches the evening news, she will know who she is talking about. That evening, seeing the picture of the victim, a young mother who has been missing, on the news, Abby knows that the missing woman is already dead. Without seeing a picture of the husband, Abby cannot tell if he is involved. Although not ready to tackle another case like this right now, she still agrees to accept it and Candice agrees to help her. Besides, this will help her avoid Cat and the wedding plans.
However, when she questions the victim’s parents, they refuse to trust a psychic, and are beginning to believe that their daughter’s husband is involved in the foul play. In addition, due to a misunderstanding, they believe that there is a romantic connection between Abby and their son-in-law. Now it is particularly important that Abby discover the identity of the attorney’s client, the killer, especially when it seems that the danger is about to strike close to home. Can Abby and Candice find the killer before it is too late, or will they become his next victims?
A mystery with humor, LETHAL OUTLOOK, the tenth book in New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie’s PSYCHIC EYE MYSTERY, is a witty, suspenseful romantic mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. I am a huge fan of this series, and this book kept me reading late into the night, as I was unable to go to sleep until I knew how it turned out.
Humor, inventive swearing, witty, sassy repartee, interesting characters, danger, FBI, psychics, suspense and romance, all combine to give readers an exciting story; a definite winner. This story can be read as a standalone, but for further insight into the characters and their background as well as additional enjoyment, be sure to pick up a copy of the rest of this delightful series. I highly recommend LETHAL OUTLOOK and look forward to the next book in this series!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
August 17, 2012
When I first started writing this review, I realized how I had focused more on how miffed I was at Ms Laurie for playing the pricing game. By only publishing this book in hardcover, the cost of the Kindle release was automatically increased. I understand that an author has to be fairly compensated for their work; I can live with that, as long as authors realize that they are now forcing some of their regular purchasers into having to wait their turn at the library, where only one copy was purchased - guess we will all have to live and learn.
I do not want you to misunderstand me. I enjoyed this book, what I do not enjoy is the new world of pricing and publishing.
Recovering from her near death experience, Abby is back home in Austin and settled into her new offices and business adventures with best friend Candice. When her first client of the day walks in, Abby know that trouble is soon to follow. With very little details, Abby must reach out to the family of a dead young mother and help to solve a mystery that has far-reaching implications.
Of course, trouble does not always ride alone, so when in a moment of weakness Abby asked her sister to help plan her wedding, you can see all aspects of her life deteriorating in no time flat. With a murder or two to solve, nuptials to plan, a sister that is trying to orchestrate a weddingpalooza, a contractor trying to finish up her dream home, scorpions taking up residence, a fiancé that is eyeballs deep in his own investigation and a business partner with the worst case of food poisoning ever, Abby goes into panic mode. Everything in Abby’s life is in overdrive. She has a talent and finds great pleasure in helping guide others, sometimes to her own detriment, leaving her very little personal time.
Unfortunately, this psychic gift tends to get her in more trouble than is good for any team of twelve people, let along one struggling psychic. But what is she to do? She cannot just walk away.
As I said, I did like this book and I do like this series. There were only a couple of instances where I was scratching my head. The first being – if you are recovering from a hip fracture and are using a cane to walk, how do you scramble over a fence; and two, if in the past books you relied on the light airy feeling when someone was telling the truth, why did that ability let you down now? That would have been very helpful in eliminating a few of the coterie of entwined suspects.
Once again, I am digressing into the negative. Start this series of books from the beginning. It is fun to see how Abby, Dutch and their band of brethren take on the world with a little inside knowledge.
I do not want you to misunderstand me. I enjoyed this book, what I do not enjoy is the new world of pricing and publishing.
Recovering from her near death experience, Abby is back home in Austin and settled into her new offices and business adventures with best friend Candice. When her first client of the day walks in, Abby know that trouble is soon to follow. With very little details, Abby must reach out to the family of a dead young mother and help to solve a mystery that has far-reaching implications.
Of course, trouble does not always ride alone, so when in a moment of weakness Abby asked her sister to help plan her wedding, you can see all aspects of her life deteriorating in no time flat. With a murder or two to solve, nuptials to plan, a sister that is trying to orchestrate a weddingpalooza, a contractor trying to finish up her dream home, scorpions taking up residence, a fiancé that is eyeballs deep in his own investigation and a business partner with the worst case of food poisoning ever, Abby goes into panic mode. Everything in Abby’s life is in overdrive. She has a talent and finds great pleasure in helping guide others, sometimes to her own detriment, leaving her very little personal time.
Unfortunately, this psychic gift tends to get her in more trouble than is good for any team of twelve people, let along one struggling psychic. But what is she to do? She cannot just walk away.
As I said, I did like this book and I do like this series. There were only a couple of instances where I was scratching my head. The first being – if you are recovering from a hip fracture and are using a cane to walk, how do you scramble over a fence; and two, if in the past books you relied on the light airy feeling when someone was telling the truth, why did that ability let you down now? That would have been very helpful in eliminating a few of the coterie of entwined suspects.
Once again, I am digressing into the negative. Start this series of books from the beginning. It is fun to see how Abby, Dutch and their band of brethren take on the world with a little inside knowledge.
July 9, 2012
This is the latest Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye cozy. In this one, Abby and her partner, P.I. Candice are trying to find a missing woman. Abby is also recovering from being injured while on a job for the C.I.A. She is having to learn to walk again, and is up to using only a cane now. She is in a fair bit of pain, and talks about this a lot in the story.
Eggy (whom I LOVE, btw) is his usual lovable self, even if he only makes a couple of appearances in the story.
Cat is driving Dutch and Abby insane, because they have turned over the planning of their wedding to her, and she's being her usual bulldozer self.
All the usual gang is here, some of whom are not as evident as they have been in past stories, but they do turn up for brief periods.
Oh, and, a mild spoiler here, I think that my favourite scene in the entire book was Abby telling off a couple of the APD cops who didn't believe in her abilities by exposing their little hidden secrets. All of which just goes to show--never piss off a legimate psychic, you might not like what s/he tells you.
Eggy (whom I LOVE, btw) is his usual lovable self, even if he only makes a couple of appearances in the story.
Cat is driving Dutch and Abby insane, because they have turned over the planning of their wedding to her, and she's being her usual bulldozer self.
All the usual gang is here, some of whom are not as evident as they have been in past stories, but they do turn up for brief periods.
Oh, and, a mild spoiler here, I think that my favourite scene in the entire book was Abby telling off a couple of the APD cops who didn't believe in her abilities by exposing their little hidden secrets. All of which just goes to show--never piss off a legimate psychic, you might not like what s/he tells you.
September 4, 2015
So I love Abby and her friends. I love the wacky situations that they wind up in. This one felt like it had sharp edges around the wacky. Like Karin Slaughter decided to try writing a cozy mystery. I don't know if I just noticed it now or if its been that way for a while. It's got madcap shenanigans mixed with horrific situations. Regardless, I still love it and I'll keep reading this series.
In this one, Abby and Dutch are working different cases, avoiding Abby's sister who is a planning their wedding, and poor Dave who just wants to help them build their dream home.
Dutch's case, I'm sure, we're going to see in the next book. Abby and Candice are trying to solve a case of a missing mother. There are light red herrings here and there but I swear I never saw the bad guy reveal coming AT ALL.
In this one, Abby and Dutch are working different cases, avoiding Abby's sister who is a planning their wedding, and poor Dave who just wants to help them build their dream home.
Dutch's case, I'm sure, we're going to see in the next book. Abby and Candice are trying to solve a case of a missing mother. There are light red herrings here and there but I swear I never saw the bad guy reveal coming AT ALL.
November 22, 2018
In the tenth book of the series, Abby is dealing with her injury, trying to make wedding decisions, and finish up her house that is being built. All the while, she is going to help Candice in a new case, and things are starting to look scary for her. While she and Candice get into a ton of trouble, Dutch is trying to help out with her safety, and she's not having it. Add in a lot more drama to the mix, and you get a crazy book.
This book was good, but not as good as the previous book. I feel like Abby didn't use her abilities enough in this one, and if she really had she would have found out who the bad guy was a lot sooner. That was frustrating, but other than that I really thought this one was good, and I look forward to more. Even though I'm worried about Abby's wedding and how she won't stand up to Cat.
This book was good, but not as good as the previous book. I feel like Abby didn't use her abilities enough in this one, and if she really had she would have found out who the bad guy was a lot sooner. That was frustrating, but other than that I really thought this one was good, and I look forward to more. Even though I'm worried about Abby's wedding and how she won't stand up to Cat.
July 24, 2012
Lethal Outlook is one of my favorite in the Abby series. I love how Victoria (I've met her three times; we're cool now (please no restraining orders))maintains the humor and lets her characters develop. Abby is beautifully flawed and easy to relate. Candace and Dutch as her baby-sitters/ bodyguards are awesome as always. Cat makes her return in a giant splash, per usual. I do enjoy a book that makes me laugh and can leave me on the edge of my seat or, more accurately, sit up from my lounged position. Cannot wait for the wedding!!
May 19, 2013
Same problem: Abby. I just don't like her that much. I don't think I would be friends with her in real life so it kind of makes it hard to read with her as the main character. However the mystery was good.
August 25, 2015
Victoria never seems to let me down in her books and this one sucked me in that I ended up reading the last 3rd of the book in one sitting. I was quite happy with this one and the fact the last page left you hooked to tackle the next is great! I'm glad I own it! on to the next!
June 15, 2013
The main character, Abbey, was annoying, immature, weak, and made a horrible MC.
September 20, 2015
2.5
The mystery was pretty good, but the fake swearing is beyond annoying and now I don't like Kat
The mystery was pretty good, but the fake swearing is beyond annoying and now I don't like Kat
July 24, 2016
Back to doing what she does best
July 15, 2022
Really dumb dialogue. Characters not relatable. Just kinda slow.
December 13, 2022
I have a love hate relationship with Abby Cooper, I love when she uses her intuition to solve mysteries with her friend, Candace. I hate when she gets half killed at the end, and then miraculously recovers in time for the next book, without any long term effects. Ok in this one she is on a cane after smashing her pelvis in the last book, but then she gets beaten badly at the end again. Come on Ms Laurie, the idea of the killer trying to killer the investigator went out with Jessica Fletcher! Can't she just identify the killer and them accept defeat without all the psycho stuff?
Other reviewers complained about her immature language, and her and Dutch being inane and childish together, but that didn't bother me. Inanity and childish behaviour often occurs in a relationship that is close (ahem). The trying to give up swearing didn't bother me either, although I don't agree that swearing is an anger management issue. But this getting herself into scrapes that nearly result in her death at the end of every book is getting tedious. And the extreme nature of some of the actions of other characters (i.e. Cat going to extreme lengths to get Abby's attention) was nuts. I also find the FBI's lax attitude towards the actions of several high up members of their field office, kind of annoying, but it is a cozy mystery afterall.
I will take a break for a few months, until I have forgotten why I am taking a break.
Other reviewers complained about her immature language, and her and Dutch being inane and childish together, but that didn't bother me. Inanity and childish behaviour often occurs in a relationship that is close (ahem). The trying to give up swearing didn't bother me either, although I don't agree that swearing is an anger management issue. But this getting herself into scrapes that nearly result in her death at the end of every book is getting tedious. And the extreme nature of some of the actions of other characters (i.e. Cat going to extreme lengths to get Abby's attention) was nuts. I also find the FBI's lax attitude towards the actions of several high up members of their field office, kind of annoying, but it is a cozy mystery afterall.
I will take a break for a few months, until I have forgotten why I am taking a break.
February 19, 2019
There's a lot I love about this series. I love the psychic aspects and even wish there was more. I like the mysteries as well (though they are quite intense for a 'cozy'- I would say this series is not really cozy). This book though, even though I liked it, Abby is getting on my nerves just a little bit too much. Things just got TOO annoying for me. For that reason I almost gave this a 3 stars. But the psychic stuff and the mystery, it was just REALLY good. So I don't know... very torn on this. If Abby could just be a little less contrary with EVERY SINGLE PERSON in her life it would be better. (IMO) Strong personality and all that is good, she's just gotten too extreme and it seems a bit ridiculous.
March 15, 2023
Getting ready for her wedding, Abby is avoiding her sister, who has become a wedding planning sister-zilla. While Abby is still healing from injuries she sustained in the last book, she doesn't have the energy to deal with her sister, so she gets her psychic business going in Austin. And when a client who's a lawyer appears to learn what to do about a scary client of her own, hinting about a crime about to show up on the news, Abby and her business partner and best friend stick their noses into the case of a missing woman. And they struggle to find any clues, especially since the boyfriends who both work for the FBI are busy with a bombing case in College Station and can't help. It's a good story and I liked it a lot.
February 23, 2018
This is the tenth book in the series and Abigail Cooper and her fiance, Dutch, are preparing for their wedding plus putting the finishing touches on their new home and of course each have a major investigation going on. Abby and Dutch are both avoiding calls from Cat, Abby's super take charge sister, concerning the wedding. Abby wants to marry Dutch but doesn't want all the hoopla surrounding it especially the details so she lets Cat take charge. Abby along with her partner, Candice , is investigating a missing person and running into brick walls. Abby is still recovering from her injuries from her last case so is using a cane which hinders her. The book was a quick easy read.
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