The 8 Ball Magic of Suzie Q.

Luke In Time #2

by Jody J. Sperling

Luke E. Mia, Private Eye, has hers on revenge. She's lost everything that mattered to her, and the one who took it from her is living the life of power and success.

When a young woman who calls herself Suzie Q. approaches Luke to find her missing sister, Luke ignores an impulse to say no, and takes the job—in exchange for a scuffed up Magic 8 Ball. Maybe it's charity. Maybe it's something a lot worse.

How easy would revenge be if every yes/no question you asked a Magic 8 Ball was answered with a factual answer, and what would the cost be if you harnessed the magic?

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2023

About the author

Jody J. Sperling is a novelist, podcaster, husband, and father. He's obsessed with writing the best books and showing other authors how to make the best books bestsellers.

Reviews

[Angel Ackerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another quirky, complex story from Jody J. Sperling. As in his first novel, Jody manages to hone in on one element that’s so absurd it’s satirical.

In his first book, Detective Luke kept dying and reliving life. In this book, she must contend with a magic eight ball that really does have all the answers, but no question can be addressed without long term repercussions.

Is the governor corrupt? Will Lyle come through? Has Luke lost her mind? How much torture can these people survive?

The concepts are what keeps me invested, to the point where the mystery is secondary and I don’t really care what the “answer” is. Something makes me keep turning pages…

[Heather O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Luke in Time series is a fantastic follow-up to the ongoing series! In it, we catch up with our beloved detectives, Luke Mia and Lyle Kuputchnik (oh my gosh, if I spell it wrong!), some months after the conclusion to their high-profile case involving Marva DeLonghi. No spoilers here, folks. All I can say is a lot has changed. And some things haven't. But when a new client comes to M & K Detective Agency at the direction of an unlikely source, the games are afoot.

What I can tell you is that, if you loved the 9 Lives of Marva DeLonghi (and c'mon, you know you did), you're going to love the 8 Ball Magic of Suzie Q. even more. As this noir detective story-meets-magic continues, you learn more, feel more, and - if you're anything like me - want more Luke and Lyle.

The character development and pacing of the story are wonderful. The plot, engaging. But the character development in this particular follow-up hit me where I live. I ache with sadness at times for Luke - probably because I get her. She frustrates me. But I get her. And Lyle? Again - no spoilers. But ugh!

I love the story enough to endure the longing for the next episode as patiently as I can. And I love the characters enough to forgive them both their stubbornness. Luke is a complex, cautionary tale of every strong woman who resists the very things that will bring her happiness. But I'm tellin' ya. Stick with her. Something bigger is afoot. I can't wait to learn more!

[Zachary Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 8 Ball Magic of Suzie Q was a fun surprise for me. Being a fan of detective/crime fiction, I purchased this book on the promise of Private I. shenanigans with a magical spin. What I discovered was a blend of drama and satire that could serve as a grittier novelization of a 'Police Squad' or 'Pink Panther' story, all from the perspective of a relentlessly witty character with relatable flaws and outlooks for every situation she's in.

Few writers can successfully balance satirical humor with sincerity, as these elements often serve to contradict each other, but Sperling has proven with his Luke In Time series that such a thing is possible. The relationships between characters are nuanced and shape themselves over the course of the story, and the protagonist is far from perfect, facing all sorts of personal flaws and hardships.

I'd definitely recommend this series to any fan of detective dramas, and anyone who just wants a kick-ass witty protagonist. This story in particular definitely scratched an itch for me.

[Mikannn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the writing style, chapters transition in a way that keep me wanna listen through. A few things, especially the 8 ball (of course), just keeps me wondering the plot twist is gonna be.

Didn't really come to like the MC, though, and some parts of the story feel somewhat jumpy in a way that's neither her nor there. Probably just my taste. Do give it a try.

Note: I listen to the audio book without reading the first book. Otherwise probably I can understand the MC better

[C. Jennings Penders · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a bang at the end of The Nine Lives of Marva… to this new chapter in the series you simply can’t go wrong with Jody Sperling. I can’t give anything away except that you must follow along with the people in the series.

You won’t be disappointed. I’d say you’d be disappointed if you didn’t.

[D.A. Wysong International Author Paranormal Author - Screenwri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic 8 Ball Susie Q was a fantastic sequel and Author Jody Sperling is a master at creating memorable characters and witty dialogue to weave his incredible stories. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I highly recommend this book if you like Mystery & Noir.

[H. Everend · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5
*Review Incoming*