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Portrait #4
A Self-Portrait
Living with a private investigator can bring an element of danger into one s life as Peter Brandon finds out in this new novel by J.P. Bowie. When his partner Jeff Stevens disappears on a routine trip to meet a friend in LA, Peter s intuition alerts him to the fact that Jeff is somehow being held against his will. Determined to find him, Peter reaches out to his deceased lover, Phillip, through the unbreakable psychic bond that still exists between them.
Traumatized into unconsciousness, he dreams and remembers the life-defining relationship he had with Phillip and the subsequent events that took him almost to the point of death and back. On waking, and with the certain knowledge that Phillip will aid him in his search, he and his close friends Andrew and David, set out to find Jeff. They enlist the help of Nick Fallon, a NYPD detective, who flies in to help them and together they face a cult of Satanists led by Paul Lefevre, a mad illusionist promising his followers eternal life. Lefevre attempts to take control of Peter s bond with Phillip by holding Peter s mother hostage a mistake that will cost Lefevre dearly as Phillip exacts a terrible revenge.
A Self-Portrait is an entertaining mix of romance and suspense, of enduring love and friendship, and above all, the human spirit s indomitable will to survive.
Traumatized into unconsciousness, he dreams and remembers the life-defining relationship he had with Phillip and the subsequent events that took him almost to the point of death and back. On waking, and with the certain knowledge that Phillip will aid him in his search, he and his close friends Andrew and David, set out to find Jeff. They enlist the help of Nick Fallon, a NYPD detective, who flies in to help them and together they face a cult of Satanists led by Paul Lefevre, a mad illusionist promising his followers eternal life. Lefevre attempts to take control of Peter s bond with Phillip by holding Peter s mother hostage a mistake that will cost Lefevre dearly as Phillip exacts a terrible revenge.
A Self-Portrait is an entertaining mix of romance and suspense, of enduring love and friendship, and above all, the human spirit s indomitable will to survive.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Bowie
136 books232 followersJ.P. Bowie was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland. He wrote his first (unpublished) novel – a science fiction tale of brawny men and brawnier women that made him a little suspect in the eyes of his family for a while.
Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.
After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.
J.P. loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at jpbowie@cox.net
Leaving home at age eighteen for the bright lights of London, he found himself in the midst of a “diverse and creative crowd” that eventually led him to the performing arts. For the next twelve years he sang, danced and acted his way around the theatres of London and the provinces, appearing in shows with many famous British singers, actors and comedians.
After immigrating to the US and living for many years in Las Vegas where he worked for that incomparable duo, Siegfried and Roy, J.P. found himself entranced by the fair city of San Diego where he currently lives with his partner, Phil.
J.P. loves to hear from his readers and can be contacted at jpbowie@cox.net
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 1, 2016
A SELF PORTRAIT
By J.P. Bowie
Reviewed by Jon Michaelsen
A Self Portrait by J.P. Bowie is the fourth installment in the Portrait series. Artist Peter Brandon is readying their home for good friends flying in from New York; Nick Fallon, a NYPD detective and partner, Eric Jamieson. Prior to their arrival, Peter’s partner, private investigator, Jeff Stevens, has to travel to L.A. to meet up with a cop friend about a case they have been working involving a group of Satanists, led by evil Paul Lefevre. Though Peter has misgivings about Jeff taking the trip, he reluctantly gives in and allows his lover to go.
Before Nick and Eric arrive, Peter’s intuition warns him that Jeff is in grave danger and being held against his will. The horrific revelation traumatizes Peter into unconsciousness, where he dreams of first meeting his deceased lover, Phillip. Upon waking from the experience, Peter knows he has the aide of Phillip’s spirit to help him locate Jeff and save him– but Peter must hurry. He chooses not to wait for his friends to arrive from New York and goes off alone.
The blurb for the novel indicates that “Paul Lefevre is a mad illusionist promising his followers eternal life”. He takes control of “minds” through extended hypnotization or “his powers”. The paranormal aspect of the novel comes to the forefront – along with Peter’s strong connection to his dead lover, Philip. Though at times the supernatural elements of the story may come across farfetched and unrealistic, it’s not distracting to the core of the story.
A Self Portrait is like a novel within a novel, with the start of the story dealing with the kidnapping of detective Jeff Stevens and the middle, larger portion recalls the first meeting of Peter and Phillip and their subsequent relationship following high school and into college. The final third of the story rounds out with the thrilling search and rescue of Jeff.
Unlike most readers, I began the Portrait series with this novel first. Having read all three Nick Fallon mysteries by J.P. Bowie, I wanted to learn more about Fallon and learned his character was introduced earlier in the Portrait series. I read about 70% of A Self Portrait and realized how much more I wanted to know about how Peter and Phillip first met, their long relationship, as well as what happened when Peter awoke from his comma of four years to learn Phillip had been killed.
Personally, I’m glad I read the novels this way as I got to know and fall in love with Phillip character before his brutal murder. However, some readers may find it more difficult to read these novels out of order because of the very fact of falling in love Phillip – not to mention cherish the young love between Peter and Phillip.
Regardless, A Self Portrait is a wonderful novel written by a gifted storyteller who can spend about 60% of the novel in a flashback of the relationship between Peter and Phillip, yet remain romantic and captivating. The romance portion of the novel could actually stand on its own, with the first portion and the last making for a harrowing, thrilling short story, detailing the kidnapping and rescue of Jeff.
Readers will not be disappointed.
By J.P. Bowie
Reviewed by Jon Michaelsen
A Self Portrait by J.P. Bowie is the fourth installment in the Portrait series. Artist Peter Brandon is readying their home for good friends flying in from New York; Nick Fallon, a NYPD detective and partner, Eric Jamieson. Prior to their arrival, Peter’s partner, private investigator, Jeff Stevens, has to travel to L.A. to meet up with a cop friend about a case they have been working involving a group of Satanists, led by evil Paul Lefevre. Though Peter has misgivings about Jeff taking the trip, he reluctantly gives in and allows his lover to go.
Before Nick and Eric arrive, Peter’s intuition warns him that Jeff is in grave danger and being held against his will. The horrific revelation traumatizes Peter into unconsciousness, where he dreams of first meeting his deceased lover, Phillip. Upon waking from the experience, Peter knows he has the aide of Phillip’s spirit to help him locate Jeff and save him– but Peter must hurry. He chooses not to wait for his friends to arrive from New York and goes off alone.
The blurb for the novel indicates that “Paul Lefevre is a mad illusionist promising his followers eternal life”. He takes control of “minds” through extended hypnotization or “his powers”. The paranormal aspect of the novel comes to the forefront – along with Peter’s strong connection to his dead lover, Philip. Though at times the supernatural elements of the story may come across farfetched and unrealistic, it’s not distracting to the core of the story.
A Self Portrait is like a novel within a novel, with the start of the story dealing with the kidnapping of detective Jeff Stevens and the middle, larger portion recalls the first meeting of Peter and Phillip and their subsequent relationship following high school and into college. The final third of the story rounds out with the thrilling search and rescue of Jeff.
Unlike most readers, I began the Portrait series with this novel first. Having read all three Nick Fallon mysteries by J.P. Bowie, I wanted to learn more about Fallon and learned his character was introduced earlier in the Portrait series. I read about 70% of A Self Portrait and realized how much more I wanted to know about how Peter and Phillip first met, their long relationship, as well as what happened when Peter awoke from his comma of four years to learn Phillip had been killed.
Personally, I’m glad I read the novels this way as I got to know and fall in love with Phillip character before his brutal murder. However, some readers may find it more difficult to read these novels out of order because of the very fact of falling in love Phillip – not to mention cherish the young love between Peter and Phillip.
Regardless, A Self Portrait is a wonderful novel written by a gifted storyteller who can spend about 60% of the novel in a flashback of the relationship between Peter and Phillip, yet remain romantic and captivating. The romance portion of the novel could actually stand on its own, with the first portion and the last making for a harrowing, thrilling short story, detailing the kidnapping and rescue of Jeff.
Readers will not be disappointed.
June 26, 2012
Rating: 3.75 stars
Artist Peter Brandon is getting ready to have old friends visit for the weekend and is a little irritated that his partner, Jeff Stevens has scheduled a meeting in L. A. about a case at the same time he was hoping to have help with the preparations. As it gets closer for Jeff to leave, Peter starts having feelings of dread, twinges of intuition that have always been right in the past. But Jeff goes anyway promising to be back in the evening. When Jeff doesn’t arrive home as planned and doesn’t answer Peter’s phone calls, Peter knows that something terrible has happened. A vision shows him Jeff, hurt, bound and gagged and Peter jumps into action, determined to rescue Jeff at any cost. And one of the people Peter counts on to help him is none other than the spirit of his dead lover, Phillip.
Peter finds out that Jeff had been pulled into a case involving a Satanic cult whose leader, Lefevre, has followers everywhere and the LA police have no leads on Jeff’s location. As Peter and Jeff’s friends gather round to help in the search, Peter heads out with only Phillip as his guide. When Lefevre finds out about Phillip’s ability to aid Peter from beyond the grave, he plans to acquire the spirit and kill all who stands in his way.
In my opinion, A Self Portrait is really two separate books attached loosely two thirds of the way into the plot. While I enjoyed each separately, I don’t that it worked successfully fused together. The first two thirds of the book happens when Peter falls unconscious after hearing the news of Jeff’s disappearance. During this state, he remembers his love affair with Phillip from beginning at age 15 to the attack that killed Phillip and severely injured Peter to the point he remained in a coma for 3 years. I loved their story although Phillip’s sheer perfection got on my nerves a bit. While I can see the memory of a deceased loved one become burnished over time so that their imperfections vanish, I don’t think that was the case here. I just wish Bowie had Phillip gnaw on a cuticle or two, something to humanize Phillip more for the reader. Peter is far more the believable human being here, with his flaws and imperfections front and center, I certainly liked Peter more. And I was genuinely upset when the couple was attacked and devastated when Peter woke alone in the hospital. That said, I also saw the attack coming, much like watching one of those college kids go down into the basement in Scary Movie.
The remaining third of the book deals with Peter, his visions, and his attempts to locate Jeff before they are all killed in a satanic ritual. Again, Bowie built the reader’s apprehension and suspense bit by bit, so much so that in parts I was on the edge of my chair reading. Very skillfully executed indeed. The one thing that threw me off balance was Lefevre turning out to have real powers as opposed to being just another bogus whackjob with pretensions to evil. J.P. Bowie never built a case for that happening so it didn’t seam to fit in with the rest of the story. I did like the idea of Phillip’s spirit assisting Peter but wish we had a more solid base for all the actions of the last act, especially when the psychic powers become all important to the plot and its resolution. As I said I think that there are two successful books here, I just am not sure that A Self Portrait contains one. I liked the book (with reservations), and I like the author. If you find my quibbles palatable, then I recommend this book to you.
Cover. This is not the cover on my book. The cover artist for that particular cover is Deana Jamroz. But both covers have the same elements and work for the story
Artist Peter Brandon is getting ready to have old friends visit for the weekend and is a little irritated that his partner, Jeff Stevens has scheduled a meeting in L. A. about a case at the same time he was hoping to have help with the preparations. As it gets closer for Jeff to leave, Peter starts having feelings of dread, twinges of intuition that have always been right in the past. But Jeff goes anyway promising to be back in the evening. When Jeff doesn’t arrive home as planned and doesn’t answer Peter’s phone calls, Peter knows that something terrible has happened. A vision shows him Jeff, hurt, bound and gagged and Peter jumps into action, determined to rescue Jeff at any cost. And one of the people Peter counts on to help him is none other than the spirit of his dead lover, Phillip.
Peter finds out that Jeff had been pulled into a case involving a Satanic cult whose leader, Lefevre, has followers everywhere and the LA police have no leads on Jeff’s location. As Peter and Jeff’s friends gather round to help in the search, Peter heads out with only Phillip as his guide. When Lefevre finds out about Phillip’s ability to aid Peter from beyond the grave, he plans to acquire the spirit and kill all who stands in his way.
In my opinion, A Self Portrait is really two separate books attached loosely two thirds of the way into the plot. While I enjoyed each separately, I don’t that it worked successfully fused together. The first two thirds of the book happens when Peter falls unconscious after hearing the news of Jeff’s disappearance. During this state, he remembers his love affair with Phillip from beginning at age 15 to the attack that killed Phillip and severely injured Peter to the point he remained in a coma for 3 years. I loved their story although Phillip’s sheer perfection got on my nerves a bit. While I can see the memory of a deceased loved one become burnished over time so that their imperfections vanish, I don’t think that was the case here. I just wish Bowie had Phillip gnaw on a cuticle or two, something to humanize Phillip more for the reader. Peter is far more the believable human being here, with his flaws and imperfections front and center, I certainly liked Peter more. And I was genuinely upset when the couple was attacked and devastated when Peter woke alone in the hospital. That said, I also saw the attack coming, much like watching one of those college kids go down into the basement in Scary Movie.
The remaining third of the book deals with Peter, his visions, and his attempts to locate Jeff before they are all killed in a satanic ritual. Again, Bowie built the reader’s apprehension and suspense bit by bit, so much so that in parts I was on the edge of my chair reading. Very skillfully executed indeed. The one thing that threw me off balance was Lefevre turning out to have real powers as opposed to being just another bogus whackjob with pretensions to evil. J.P. Bowie never built a case for that happening so it didn’t seam to fit in with the rest of the story. I did like the idea of Phillip’s spirit assisting Peter but wish we had a more solid base for all the actions of the last act, especially when the psychic powers become all important to the plot and its resolution. As I said I think that there are two successful books here, I just am not sure that A Self Portrait contains one. I liked the book (with reservations), and I like the author. If you find my quibbles palatable, then I recommend this book to you.
Cover. This is not the cover on my book. The cover artist for that particular cover is Deana Jamroz. But both covers have the same elements and work for the story
April 5, 2013
This book is totally different from the previous stories.
Jeff's disappeared and Peter in desperation asks Phillip for help, but before that he's forced into the trip down the memory lane and remembers their life with Phillip from beginning to the very end.
For one, I absolutely loved the flashback. Phillip's playing an important role in these books and I've been interested in seeing more of their relationship with Peter. I think the timing for that was just right, because if the series began from that - it would be too sad and too hard for readers to root for Peter with Jeff. But right now we already love Jeff and Peter together and the pain of losing Phillip is somehow diminished, so it's good to learn more about him and what person he's been while alive.
The best from the second part was the guys' friendship, like always :) I love them and I love how they're ready to help each other any time. Can't wait for Nick and Eric to finally move to Laguna.
I liked the mystery part, but I have to say I thought there's too much paranormal stuff. Lefevre's abilities were too much for me and it's a little confusing, because one moment he's that over the top ridiculous villian everybody laughs at and the other he's super-duper mastermind who can easily manipulate anyone even from the distance. It's not just hypnosis, it's something else and I think it doesn't fit the story all that well. Loved how Phillip kicked his ass, though! :)
And most of all I loved the comforting thought that Phillip's continuing to exist even in some other form and it's not that he's completely gone. And he's definitely the power of good and he's still helping Peter and Jeff and always will.
Jeff's disappeared and Peter in desperation asks Phillip for help, but before that he's forced into the trip down the memory lane and remembers their life with Phillip from beginning to the very end.
For one, I absolutely loved the flashback. Phillip's playing an important role in these books and I've been interested in seeing more of their relationship with Peter. I think the timing for that was just right, because if the series began from that - it would be too sad and too hard for readers to root for Peter with Jeff. But right now we already love Jeff and Peter together and the pain of losing Phillip is somehow diminished, so it's good to learn more about him and what person he's been while alive.
The best from the second part was the guys' friendship, like always :) I love them and I love how they're ready to help each other any time. Can't wait for Nick and Eric to finally move to Laguna.
I liked the mystery part, but I have to say I thought there's too much paranormal stuff. Lefevre's abilities were too much for me and it's a little confusing, because one moment he's that over the top ridiculous villian everybody laughs at and the other he's super-duper mastermind who can easily manipulate anyone even from the distance. It's not just hypnosis, it's something else and I think it doesn't fit the story all that well. Loved how Phillip kicked his ass, though! :)
And most of all I loved the comforting thought that Phillip's continuing to exist even in some other form and it's not that he's completely gone. And he's definitely the power of good and he's still helping Peter and Jeff and always will.
March 5, 2016
This is the 4th book in the portrait series.Peter has an eerie feeling that he can't shake that Jeff is in danger. Peter is really tries to ignore those fears, but when Jeff and his old friend from his LAPD days go missing,Peter begs for Phillip for help and guidance.Sure Phillip is dead, but the two men still have a connection.Phillip tells Peter he will help, but first Peter must remember the past to gain insight to his future.Prepare yourself for a journey as we see the life of Peter & Phillip through their first introductions in high school,through love,separation and death.This is definitely a good read!******A look in the past, helps Peter in the future.This is intense and a good read!3/4/16.
August 28, 2012
loved the flashback--gave more insight into the history of Peter and Phillip and their love that will never die. looking forward to the next book. love all of the main characters
July 25, 2020
The author promised romance and action with this fourth offering of the series, and indeed he delivers. What I did not expect was all the romance to be found in the first part and all the action contained in the second. I liked the romance - it was wonderful getting to go right back to explore the wonders of the beginning of Pete and Phillip's relationship (something denied to readers of the first book of the series A Portrait of Phillip). The action part however got progressively more over the top and unbelievable towards the end - I had some major eye-rolling and groaning going on. So 3.5 stars for part 1 and 2.5 stars for part 2 which rounds things out at 3 stars even.
November 12, 2013
3.5 stars
More than half this book is a flashback that begins with a fifteen-year-old Peter and takes us through several of the events from the previous books. For that reason, some people might be disappointed. Since it had been some time since I'd read the first three books, I enjoyed the flashback, and I did get a bit emotional. In fact, even though I love Jeff, Nick, and all the guys, I enjoyed the flashback more than the newer parts of the story.
More than half this book is a flashback that begins with a fifteen-year-old Peter and takes us through several of the events from the previous books. For that reason, some people might be disappointed. Since it had been some time since I'd read the first three books, I enjoyed the flashback, and I did get a bit emotional. In fact, even though I love Jeff, Nick, and all the guys, I enjoyed the flashback more than the newer parts of the story.
May 12, 2014
Quite a bit of this book goes back and tells the story of Peter and Phillip from the first book. There is still a lot of story left about Peter and Jeff too. Very few authors are brave enough to write about one MC's with 2 life loves (one dead, one alive) but this author does and does it very well - it's easy to believe Peter loves them both equally and that Jeff is not second best just because Phillip is gone.
January 19, 2011
too much paranormal for my taste when I wanted a mystery story
the paranormal bit was too ridiculous and I had to force myself to finish the book
too bad because I like the portrait series even with the paranormal stuff
the paranormal bit was too ridiculous and I had to force myself to finish the book
too bad because I like the portrait series even with the paranormal stuff
June 23, 2011
Argl! What happened in this book?
60% is a flashback. That did nothing for the rest of the story. Yes, 60%! For nothing.
As for the rest, totally out-of-nowhere, unbelievable, incoherent with the rest of the series.
Not a good story.
60% is a flashback. That did nothing for the rest of the story. Yes, 60%! For nothing.
As for the rest, totally out-of-nowhere, unbelievable, incoherent with the rest of the series.
Not a good story.
October 17, 2012
Love this series. The characters are interesting though some times cliche. It has humor, it's sexy and although the mysteries were kind of easy to figure out I enjoyed the ride immensely. This book explores Peter's past with Phillip and also centers more on his psychic tendencies.
October 28, 2011
I like to think of this as getting 2 books in one. I loved the backstory with Phillip.
May 12, 2014
Liked it better this time round.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews