Cold as Death (Tango Key) by T.J. MacGregor

Tango Key Mysteries #5

by T.J. MacGregor

He's waited years for this a perfect hideout, a screaming boy no one can hear, and a woman who will finally know the pain of losing what matters most...Mira Morales knows the burning house on the hill belongs to actress Suki Nichols, but who is the ghostly woman running down the driveway - on fire? And the car careening wildly away, a boy's face pressed against the window, his mouth a silent scream. Just like that, the vision - the fire, the woman, the boy - gone. And so is Suki Nichols's son. A boy's life hangs in the balance. Mira's visions become stronger and more terrifying. For with each one, she is playing a dangerous game, opening a connection to a madman who will do anything to find her.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Patricia Janeshutz MacGregor. Also writes under the pseudonyms of Trish MacGregor, Trish Janeshutz, and Alison Drake.

Reviews

[Paula Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Psychic Mira Morales is out jogging when she comes across a house and experiences a vision of a ghostly woman on fire running away, and a boy trapped in a car being driven away. She goes into the house and finds the housekeeper dead. The boy was likely Adam Nichols, son of superstar actress Suki Nichols and her director husband, Paul.

Adam has been kidnapped by Spenser Finch, who though has plenty of his own wealth, is still pissed at Suki and Paul for cheating him out of his shot at stardom in Hollywood. Suki has met Mira before, and hires her to find Adam. Mira's ex is FBI agent Wayne Sheppard, and he's assigned to the case. Mira's involvement reaches the public, which puts her in Spenser's sight.

While I'm not a fan of psychic phenomena in otherwise non-speculative fiction, I don't mind it in a book where it's established that its world accepts and includes the presence of ghosts, supernatural and psychic phenomena. Mira's psychic abilities are well-explained and consistent throughout the book. I did lose interest when it came to mentions of mermaids and time travel (!)

The biggest drawback for me was the villain, Spenser Finch. Sure, he missed out on his shot at Hollywood, but he's rich. Very rich. He's basically a whiny cry-baby, on a mission for justice that he doesn't really need to undertake. The book explores his abusive past and his God complex as possible reasons for his actions, but then just takes the "some people are born evil" way out. It doesn't achieve much. I found him whiny and uninteresting. Sure, he's hot-headed and violent, but he wasn't scary or frightening.

There are some tense moments as Spenser stalks Mira, and when she is in his clutches. Most of the other characters don't get to do much. Most disappointing in that regard is Suki, Adam's mother, presented in a non-stereotypical way for a Hollywood actress as someone who is selfless and confident and unconditionally loves her son. But all she really gets given to do is stand around and weep. The medical examiner's name kept changing between Tina Richmond and Tina Richardson. A bit sloppy.

And if you're going to end your book with a magical pod of dolphins appearing out of nowhere to save the day, then you've lost me. What. The. Fuck. I nearly dropped this down to 1 star for that alone. This took me a week to read because I never felt compelled to come back to it when I put it down. Some okay moments here and there, but not one I'd recommend unless you're into more supernaturally driven crime stories that involve mermaids and magic dolphins.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...

My Review: Really good book, its been so long since I read a book in this series, but the Mira Morales character stayed with me. She's a wonderful character, along with her friends and family.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cold as Death by T.J. MacGregor is the fifth book of the Tango Key mystery series set in contemporary Tango Key. Mira Morales is struggling to recover from the near destruction of her bookstore, One World Books. Five weeks before: Hurricane Danielle had crashed ashore at high tide. The water had exploded upward through the wooden slats of the Tango pier, collapsed the concrete pilings, and swept through the downtown with the power of some ancient, enraged god. At its peak, the water at the front of her store had reached six feet and when it receded, it left behind a soggy beach of mud, sticks, stones and shells. As the mud dried, creatures crawled out of that dark, erratic landscape: fire ants, snakes, skinks, spiders, roaches, worms, mice, rats, a regular zoo.

Mira's five-year love affair with FBI Agent Wayne Sheppard had ended during Hurricane Danielle.

The majority of Tango Key was hit as hard as her store, or worse. Power was out, fuel in short supply, the bridge destroyed. Mira took to walking all around the island, exploring areas she hadn't seen before; a tough slog due to storm wreckage.Climbing to the top of Mango Hill, she experiences a psychic vision in black and white (not in color as other visions have been): a burning house, a woman on fire running from it, a car pulling away, a boy inside screaming behind the window. Because a child is involved, Mira must try to help. She races to the house, which is not on fire. No one is running out. The door is ajar, so she goes in, and guided by a ghost, discovers a body. So begins her most terrifying case.

So long as the reader tolerates over-the-top paranormal activity, this is a gripping, thrilling mystery with many plot twists to ratchet up suspense. Thriller style, chapters alternate between the criminal, Mira, Wayne. A young boy is kidnapped by a man who himself was kidnapped as a child. The ravaged post-storm conditions seriously hamper the investigation. Wayne knows very well he must rely on Mira's visions for clues. Critical help is provided at key moments by ghosts, dolphins and a mermaid.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining thriller with a supernatural twist. This is the second book I've read in the "Tango Key" series but as usual I've readout of order & obviously things have moved on in the books I've missed! Mira's visions have altered becoming stronger & more intense &, by the sounds of it, there's been some time travel which also involved Shep. I found the vision/dream sequences worked well & were believable within the context of the story - although I did feel Shep's mermaid was stretching things a bit far! On the whole a good read but I think this series maybe better read in order.

[Amy Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story. I liked the plot. A couple of coincidences in the book which are kind of hard to believe but they didn't cause an issue with the story line & one wasn't even important to be honest. Still a good story. I like the heroine. I didn't realize that this was a 2nd book involving some characters in a book I read a long time ago. That was kind of a surprise because I didn't see that book going anywhere else

[Kelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to miss Mira. I think I am at the end of a "thing". I don't think Ms. MacGregor wrote any more Shep/Mira's....

I have to admit as a result of this series of books, I am curious about expanding my "senses". :-) Rather not get shot at, abducted, or have painful time travel, but...we will start small.

[Susan Dreher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was slow starting but more interesting as the story line went along

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Billie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a ghost story, this was a pretty good story that was well written and even interesting

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book on a shelf in the basement, from books bought at book sales. I enjoyed the read even though I was clearly reading the series out of sync. I do like those bits of paranormal activity that help solve problems. I hope Adam reappears in other stories and that the crime rate in Florida drops LOL.

[Matty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for my birthday and it turns out to be the fifth book in a series. Happens every year! lol. At first I wasn't sold, but really got into it by the end. The writing and characters were good, and if I see the other books in the series I'll probably pick them up.

[Beth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!!

I really love this series and I wish there were more. This was probably the best book of the series. I love the character of Mira. The supernatural aspects of the story are fascinating. Great balance of crime drama and emotional development of character.

[R.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read but because it was part of a series, I felt I came in mid-way through. I did like the story, a fast pace, page turner.

[Kevin Michael Dela Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery/thriller full of emotion and action. The story flows without awkward plot twists. One or two of the characters are irritating, but it made the book more enjoyable.

[Roro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Enjoyed so much I will read the entire series.