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Kate Jones Thriller #0.1
Bad Spirits: Books 1-5
Mexico. Money. Murder.BAD SPIRITS is the first novella in the action-packed, page-turning Kate Jones Thriller Series Kate Jones is on the run with a backpack full of money, intent on finding her way back to the United States from Mexico. Unfortunately, a ruthless drug lord named Salazar is just as intent on finding her, retrieving his stolen money, and making her pay for ever having left him. Is there anyone she can trust?
84 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2010
170 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
D.V. Berkom
50 books365 followersDV Berkom is the USA Today bestselling author of action-packed, riveting adventure and crime thrillers. Known for creating resilient, kick-ass female characters and page-turning plots, her love of the genre stems from a lifelong addiction to reading spy novels, action/adventure stories, and thrillers.
A restless soul and adventurer at heart, she spent years moving around the US and traveling to exotic locales before she wrote her first novel and was hooked. More than a dozen books later, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mark, and several imaginary characters who like to tell her what to do. Her most recent books include the Claire Whitcomb Western Series: Retribution, Gunslinger, and Legend, and the latest in the Leine Basso thriller series: Final Encounter, Terminal Threat, Fatal Objective, A Plague of Traitors, and Shadow of the Jaguar. DV's currently hard at work on her next thriller.
For more information, visit her website at www.dvberkom.com. To be the first to hear about new releases and subscriber-only offers, go to: bit.ly/DVB_RL
Books by DV Berkom:
The Kate Jones Thriller Series:
Vol. 1 (books 1-3): Bad Spirits, Dead of Winter, Death Rites, Touring for Death
Cruising for Death
Yucatán Dead
A One Way Ticket to Dead
Vigilante Dead
The Leine Basso Thriller Series:
A Killing Truth
Serial Date
Bad Traffick
The Body Market
Cargo
The Last Deception
Dark Return
Absolution
Dakota Burn
Shadow of the Jaguar
A Plague of Traitors
Fatal Objective
Terminal Threat
Final Encounter
The Claire Whitcomb Western Series:
Retribution
Gunslinger
Legend
A restless soul and adventurer at heart, she spent years moving around the US and traveling to exotic locales before she wrote her first novel and was hooked. More than a dozen books later, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mark, and several imaginary characters who like to tell her what to do. Her most recent books include the Claire Whitcomb Western Series: Retribution, Gunslinger, and Legend, and the latest in the Leine Basso thriller series: Final Encounter, Terminal Threat, Fatal Objective, A Plague of Traitors, and Shadow of the Jaguar. DV's currently hard at work on her next thriller.
For more information, visit her website at www.dvberkom.com. To be the first to hear about new releases and subscriber-only offers, go to: bit.ly/DVB_RL
Books by DV Berkom:
The Kate Jones Thriller Series:
Vol. 1 (books 1-3): Bad Spirits, Dead of Winter, Death Rites, Touring for Death
Cruising for Death
Yucatán Dead
A One Way Ticket to Dead
Vigilante Dead
The Leine Basso Thriller Series:
A Killing Truth
Serial Date
Bad Traffick
The Body Market
Cargo
The Last Deception
Dark Return
Absolution
Dakota Burn
Shadow of the Jaguar
A Plague of Traitors
Fatal Objective
Terminal Threat
Final Encounter
The Claire Whitcomb Western Series:
Retribution
Gunslinger
Legend
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
January 22, 2014
"Kate Jones Thriller Series" is a blend of four short but exciting novels that follows the exploits of Kate Jones after she has stolen millions from the power-hungry drug lord, Roberto Salazar and fled his mansion. The first of the series is a blend of five novella's trailing Kate as struggles to find a way back to the U.S., her every step dogged by ruthless killers.
"Dead in Winter" finds Kate hiding out in Alaska, but even law enforcement agents cannot help her evade the pursuit of those on Salazar's payroll.
"Death Rites" is a diversion from the other stories as Kate flees to Hawaii and finds herself embroiled in a cult murder, and thief of a priceless museum artifact.
"Touring for Death" is the final story in the novel and begins with Kate working as a tour guide in the desert of northern Arizona. When her jeep is sabotaged and her clients begin to disappear Kate seeks the help of Sheriff Cole Anderson, a handsome,sometimes gruff,divorced sheriff to resolve a mystery that's tied to her dangerous past.
The plots are uncomplicated easy reading. They're fast-paced and filled with adventure as Kate tries to escape her tormentors. The antagonists in the story are all cruel, ruthless, corrupt and vain like John Sterling, the crooked DEA agent,Simon Boudreaux heartless killer hiding behind a suave demeanor, and Alek, the mad Hawaiian carver. But it's the cold-blooded and relentless cruelty of the drug lords Roberto Salazar and Vincent Anya whose presence is felt from the first story to the last even from their cells in prison. In all the stories Kat Jones is tough, clever, untrusting and cool under pressure. I would have liked Kate's relationship with Sam, the handsome, mysterious DEA agent to have been developed more rather than a romantic spinoff with the dedicated and efficient sheriff Sheriff Cole Anderson.
The stories are short, but interesting; a good read for a cold night by the fireplace.
"Dead in Winter" finds Kate hiding out in Alaska, but even law enforcement agents cannot help her evade the pursuit of those on Salazar's payroll.
"Death Rites" is a diversion from the other stories as Kate flees to Hawaii and finds herself embroiled in a cult murder, and thief of a priceless museum artifact.
"Touring for Death" is the final story in the novel and begins with Kate working as a tour guide in the desert of northern Arizona. When her jeep is sabotaged and her clients begin to disappear Kate seeks the help of Sheriff Cole Anderson, a handsome,sometimes gruff,divorced sheriff to resolve a mystery that's tied to her dangerous past.
The plots are uncomplicated easy reading. They're fast-paced and filled with adventure as Kate tries to escape her tormentors. The antagonists in the story are all cruel, ruthless, corrupt and vain like John Sterling, the crooked DEA agent,Simon Boudreaux heartless killer hiding behind a suave demeanor, and Alek, the mad Hawaiian carver. But it's the cold-blooded and relentless cruelty of the drug lords Roberto Salazar and Vincent Anya whose presence is felt from the first story to the last even from their cells in prison. In all the stories Kat Jones is tough, clever, untrusting and cool under pressure. I would have liked Kate's relationship with Sam, the handsome, mysterious DEA agent to have been developed more rather than a romantic spinoff with the dedicated and efficient sheriff Sheriff Cole Anderson.
The stories are short, but interesting; a good read for a cold night by the fireplace.
December 14, 2011
Fresh out of college and on her way to a well-planned career, Kate and her friends take a vacation to Mexico to celebrate the end of school and the beginning of a new life.
Kate meets a handsome man who sweeps her off her feet and a happily-ever-after is in progress until she discovers, too late, that he’s a drug lord with a very long reach indeed.
The story begins with Kate’s escape from her unintended prison. She’s taken his money, almost as an afterthought, and a lot of it. She’s thirsty, she’s on foot, and she’s got a heavy backpack full of cash.
Kate may have been naïve about men, but she’s a survivor and she takes you on a cross-country run for her life over Mexico. Just when you think she’s out of the fix, here comes another scene gunning at her ankles and sending her onwards again.
I must admit to now being seriously addicted to the non-stop action that DV Berkom takes you through page after page. A who’s-around-the-corner with twists and turns that keep those pages flying by well into the night.
Flawlessly written and an author I’m going to have on my bookshelves from now on.
Kate meets a handsome man who sweeps her off her feet and a happily-ever-after is in progress until she discovers, too late, that he’s a drug lord with a very long reach indeed.
The story begins with Kate’s escape from her unintended prison. She’s taken his money, almost as an afterthought, and a lot of it. She’s thirsty, she’s on foot, and she’s got a heavy backpack full of cash.
Kate may have been naïve about men, but she’s a survivor and she takes you on a cross-country run for her life over Mexico. Just when you think she’s out of the fix, here comes another scene gunning at her ankles and sending her onwards again.
I must admit to now being seriously addicted to the non-stop action that DV Berkom takes you through page after page. A who’s-around-the-corner with twists and turns that keep those pages flying by well into the night.
Flawlessly written and an author I’m going to have on my bookshelves from now on.
March 21, 2015
I don’t think Berkom’s books are good for me. They’re way too heart-pounding and action-packed: there’s no sitting back and relaxing while you read her books. It’s edge-of-your-seat, heart-in-your-mouth writing.
Spunky, no-nonsense, alpha-female protagonists are definitely Berkom’s speciality. And Kate Jones certainly fits the description to a T. She’s on the run from not one, but two, ruthless and unscrupulous drug barons. She’s got their money; they want her…preferably dead. Every corner she turns, hoping she’s one step further away from them and one step nearer safety, provides another nail-biting situation from which she has to extricate herself.
Captivating and attention-grabbing from the start, this short story is a mouth-watering appetiser to the following books in this thriller series, which I’ll most certainly be reading. Once I’ve caught my breath, of course.
Spunky, no-nonsense, alpha-female protagonists are definitely Berkom’s speciality. And Kate Jones certainly fits the description to a T. She’s on the run from not one, but two, ruthless and unscrupulous drug barons. She’s got their money; they want her…preferably dead. Every corner she turns, hoping she’s one step further away from them and one step nearer safety, provides another nail-biting situation from which she has to extricate herself.
Captivating and attention-grabbing from the start, this short story is a mouth-watering appetiser to the following books in this thriller series, which I’ll most certainly be reading. Once I’ve caught my breath, of course.
January 23, 2012
Review for Bad Spirits from Ginger Simpson eBook Examiner:
For those of you old enough to remember gathering around the radio for the continuation of a serial mystery or suspense, you'll appreciate that author, DV Berkom, is recreating the thrill by writing short stories that all end with a cliffhanger. You'll love Bad Spirits and be looking forward to more of these titillating tales.
Bad Spirits takes place in Mexico with Kate trying to escape a well-known and menacing drug lord. The fact that she lightened his money stash is an even better reason to get out of the country. You won't be disappointed in the read, but you will be hungering for more. And good news... Books To Go Now is where you can find them.
For those of you old enough to remember gathering around the radio for the continuation of a serial mystery or suspense, you'll appreciate that author, DV Berkom, is recreating the thrill by writing short stories that all end with a cliffhanger. You'll love Bad Spirits and be looking forward to more of these titillating tales.
Bad Spirits takes place in Mexico with Kate trying to escape a well-known and menacing drug lord. The fact that she lightened his money stash is an even better reason to get out of the country. You won't be disappointed in the read, but you will be hungering for more. And good news... Books To Go Now is where you can find them.
March 12, 2012
With stellar action, a flawed heroine to remember, and wonderfully tight writing, Bad Spirits is a great find. Berkom's Kate Jones is tough and complex, and her misadventures had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The book consists of five short stories that, cumulatively, tell the tale of Kate's escape from her Mexican druglord boyfriend - which she manages with a backpack full of his cash to help her along the way. From there, it's a nonstop thrill ride as Kate tries to figure out the good guys from the bad and find some safe haven from the Bad Spirits on her heels. While the final chapter ended rather abruptly, overall the novel was pitch perfect. I'm looking forward to the next in the series!
November 26, 2014
This book was short, sweet and to the point. Had to be the condensed version b/c I would really would have liked reading more about the characters. The book is about the cartels in Mexico and what they are capable of doing when someone crosses them. The herione lands on her feet naturally but what she went through is told.
October 12, 2013
Fast paced short novella. Interesting read. Left me wanting to know more of Kate's life.
September 9, 2015
Wow. D.V. Berkom writes ACTION like no one else. How does she do it?? It's like watching a thrilling movie.
March 14, 2013
A woman on the run. She is wanted dead. Only because she unwisely took some money, a lot of money. Now, the man she once called lover is ready to be her executioner. It doesn't help she is in a foreign country. Mexico is not the best location when a drug lord is after you.
This is a very short book. You could easily read it in an afternoon and might even get the others in, too. But the pace is fast. There are some slow scenes, but they are still fast compared to most books. You could put the book down, but you will be back soon because so much is happening. After all, the woman is on the run and the ones after her are not ones to lolly-gag about.
The storyline is extremely interesting and slowly revealed over the course of the book. You know a woman is on the run. A man wants her dead. I like the fact that it is revealed little by little as the story develops. Being in first person, we can see into the mind of the fugitive which helps speed the plot along.
The characters in this story are well developed with good supporting action and dialogue. The main character gives us insight into her actions. You see her conflicts and struggles to make decisions. You don't get too familiar with many other characters as most of them are brief, but even they are well done.
The writing style is easy to follow. Scenes flow well from one to the other. There is violence in the book and strong language. F-bombs are dropped quite frequently.
I did enjoy this book. I loved the fact that it kept me interested and wanting to read more. The language didn't bother me as it was not crude or over the top. It fit the characters and the situations. If you're looking for a thriller that is a short read, I do recommend this book.
Note: I received this book from a book tour with no expectation of a positive review.
This is a very short book. You could easily read it in an afternoon and might even get the others in, too. But the pace is fast. There are some slow scenes, but they are still fast compared to most books. You could put the book down, but you will be back soon because so much is happening. After all, the woman is on the run and the ones after her are not ones to lolly-gag about.
The storyline is extremely interesting and slowly revealed over the course of the book. You know a woman is on the run. A man wants her dead. I like the fact that it is revealed little by little as the story develops. Being in first person, we can see into the mind of the fugitive which helps speed the plot along.
The characters in this story are well developed with good supporting action and dialogue. The main character gives us insight into her actions. You see her conflicts and struggles to make decisions. You don't get too familiar with many other characters as most of them are brief, but even they are well done.
The writing style is easy to follow. Scenes flow well from one to the other. There is violence in the book and strong language. F-bombs are dropped quite frequently.
I did enjoy this book. I loved the fact that it kept me interested and wanting to read more. The language didn't bother me as it was not crude or over the top. It fit the characters and the situations. If you're looking for a thriller that is a short read, I do recommend this book.
Note: I received this book from a book tour with no expectation of a positive review.
February 15, 2014
Reviewed by Judy
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Feisty Kate Jones made a big mistake three years ago when she became the mistress of Mexican drug lord Roberto Salazar. Now she’s on the run with a backpack full of drug money that turns out to belong to yet another kingpin even more vengeful and viscous than Salazar. It’s hard to know who to trust in her desperate flight, because even the “good guys” might not be quite what they seem.
This face-paced thriller doesn’t lack for action or believability. Readers can follow Kate’s attempted escape-turned failure-turned dubious success with the added flavor of excellent (but not overdone) setting and character descriptions.
As a character/heroine, Kate will elicit your admiration as well as your disgust as she makes a series of very bad, ill-timed decisions. Still, you’re rooting for her all the way–anybody that gusty deserves a better fate than what apparently awaits her in the Sonoran Desert.
Bad Spirits is a quick, fun read, and you’ll finish with anticipation of Kate’s further adventures–or should I say entanglements?
Book provided by the author for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Feisty Kate Jones made a big mistake three years ago when she became the mistress of Mexican drug lord Roberto Salazar. Now she’s on the run with a backpack full of drug money that turns out to belong to yet another kingpin even more vengeful and viscous than Salazar. It’s hard to know who to trust in her desperate flight, because even the “good guys” might not be quite what they seem.
This face-paced thriller doesn’t lack for action or believability. Readers can follow Kate’s attempted escape-turned failure-turned dubious success with the added flavor of excellent (but not overdone) setting and character descriptions.
As a character/heroine, Kate will elicit your admiration as well as your disgust as she makes a series of very bad, ill-timed decisions. Still, you’re rooting for her all the way–anybody that gusty deserves a better fate than what apparently awaits her in the Sonoran Desert.
Bad Spirits is a quick, fun read, and you’ll finish with anticipation of Kate’s further adventures–or should I say entanglements?
March 5, 2011
Bad Spirits (1-5) – Nonstop Action!
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Author: DV Berkom
Format: Kindle
Waking to find herself on the dirt floor of a corrugated steel building, Kate Jones grabs her backpack full of money intent on finding her way back to the United States. Unfortunately, a Mexican drug lord named Salazar is just as intent on finding her, retrieving his stolen money, and making her pay for ever having left him. Is there anyone she can trust?
DV Berkom’s Bad Spirits is a fast paced action packed novella which reads like a nonstop high octane movie. Each chapter moves at breakneck speed. The heroine, Kate, barely has time to take a breather before finding herself in another impossible situation and back on the run.
While there was the occasional deus ex machina moment, I didn’t care. I finished it in one sitting and felt exhausted when I did! This was a fun read and I look forward to more from Berkom.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Author: DV Berkom
Format: Kindle
Waking to find herself on the dirt floor of a corrugated steel building, Kate Jones grabs her backpack full of money intent on finding her way back to the United States. Unfortunately, a Mexican drug lord named Salazar is just as intent on finding her, retrieving his stolen money, and making her pay for ever having left him. Is there anyone she can trust?
DV Berkom’s Bad Spirits is a fast paced action packed novella which reads like a nonstop high octane movie. Each chapter moves at breakneck speed. The heroine, Kate, barely has time to take a breather before finding herself in another impossible situation and back on the run.
While there was the occasional deus ex machina moment, I didn’t care. I finished it in one sitting and felt exhausted when I did! This was a fun read and I look forward to more from Berkom.
March 28, 2011
I began the first of the Kate Jones stories a few days ago and I must say, my heart was pounding throughout the entire series. D.V. Berkom has captured your attention and capitalized on a story about a woman trying to escape the mistakes of her past within the first few pages. But she can't break free from her ex-boyfriends grip that easily and his reach is far and wide.
Just when I would take a breath and think things were going to slow down a bit, someone else was coming after Kate in an attempt to either kill her or retrieve the money she had stolen from her ex.
I greatly enjoyed these stories and even envisioned this series being made into a movie. If you love action, excitement, and want to see a woman run for her life in an exotic setting deep inside of Mexico, take the time to read D.V. Berkom's Bad Spirits. It will be well worth your time.
Just when I would take a breath and think things were going to slow down a bit, someone else was coming after Kate in an attempt to either kill her or retrieve the money she had stolen from her ex.
I greatly enjoyed these stories and even envisioned this series being made into a movie. If you love action, excitement, and want to see a woman run for her life in an exotic setting deep inside of Mexico, take the time to read D.V. Berkom's Bad Spirits. It will be well worth your time.
July 16, 2013
The first in the Kate Jones series, Bad Spirits begins with Kate's escape from her former lover, a merciless Mexican drug lord, with her backpack full of his money. Trying to find her way out of Mexico, she is told that she is surrounded by bad spirits and will only be free when she gives up everything. In Kate's case, that could mean her life.
One of the things I like best about this author's writing is that she makes me taste things. Things like caliche (kuh LEE chee). No, it's not something you eat. It's a sedimentary rock and it's found in arid places like southern New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. Dry places. Hot places. It has a grit all its own.
I was provided a copy of the Kate Jones series by the author in return for an honest review. I do love these books ! It's easy to want the next one... and the next one... and...
One of the things I like best about this author's writing is that she makes me taste things. Things like caliche (kuh LEE chee). No, it's not something you eat. It's a sedimentary rock and it's found in arid places like southern New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. Dry places. Hot places. It has a grit all its own.
I was provided a copy of the Kate Jones series by the author in return for an honest review. I do love these books ! It's easy to want the next one... and the next one... and...
May 10, 2016
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that takes so many heart-stopping sudden twists in so few pages. The novella begins dramatically and only cools down enough at times to let the reader and the protagonist recover for the next brush with death. Kate Jones is a character I want to follow through the rest of her adventures. In this book, she attempts to escape from a life-changing mistake, a romantic involvement with a man who turned out to be a drug lord. It’s a classic tough-choice plot, with no good options. Kate takes the bravest route, with best potential long-term outcome but also the greatest risks, and she does it her own way. With a Mexican setting the author clearly knows well, Bad Spirits will take you on hair-raising ride with a kick-ass heroine. I look forward to the rest of series.
June 18, 2012
This was a fun read. It reminded me of a cliffhanger serial where you think the heroine is out of danger, only to find she’s in a worse pickle than before. The heroine, Kate Jones, has a problem choosing the right men, and this time she really screws up when she falls for a Mexican drug lord. A lot went on before the first book/chapter that I wish I knew more about, so I hope Ms. Berkom writes a prequel or at least enlightens the reader with a couple of flashbacks in the following book, which I look forward to reading. Kate is a piece of work, resourceful and gutsy. I liked her. The premise is clever, the dialogue is witty, and the writing is very good. I recommend this book, but hold on to your seat, because you’re in for a bumpy ride.
November 13, 2023
Action packed, fast paced and blood smeared, this series has everything an action lover would die for: Good looking girl - falls for bad guy - realizes her mistake - tries to run away only to find out exactly how bad he really is. Oh yeah... Did I mention she also stole his money? Like... A lot of it? And that he is a big Mexican drug dealer? Yeah. You get the picture.
Read my full review here: https://ps-sobookish.com/book-reviews...
Read my full review here: https://ps-sobookish.com/book-reviews...
January 29, 2016
Kate is on the run from a drug lord, Salazar. Follow her on her wild adventures from his grasp in these first five short stories of the set. I think there is three or four more after these that goes along with them.
I read this set in just a few hours. I couldn't put it down. Was disappointed when it ended because I wanted to know what happened next. This set definitely will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time your reading them.
I read this set in just a few hours. I couldn't put it down. Was disappointed when it ended because I wanted to know what happened next. This set definitely will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time your reading them.
April 22, 2013
A good running story about Kate whose only crime was to fall for the wrong guy.
Loved this quote: Bad spirits
“When you get to be my age, you'll understand it's not about how much time you got. It's about how much life you get. Sitting on my ass in a rocking chair isn't a life, far as I'm concerned”
Loved this quote: Bad spirits
“When you get to be my age, you'll understand it's not about how much time you got. It's about how much life you get. Sitting on my ass in a rocking chair isn't a life, far as I'm concerned”
April 5, 2015
From my Amazon review: Well, what have we here? A great novella of five short stories, that's what, from a very good storyteller. I liked Kate from the first tantalizing story, much like an appetizer in a five-course meal, and the following stories kept adding to the enjoyment. When you're fully satisfied with a good book, as with a good meal, you look forward to the next one. I know I do.
July 16, 2012
High speed and great action. I truly loved this story. I have just one complaint - and a big complaint at that - and that is that it ended. I would have loved to have it go on forever. A must read!
April 24, 2013
What an adventure! Although it was short, 150 pages on my Nook, I enjoyed it! Held my attention, very hard for me to put down. Kate escaped and on the run with a bag of money. Not going to ruin the rest you will have to read it to see it all play out. Now on to see where Kate Jones goes.
December 29, 2014
"Bad Spirits" equals bad karma for the former girlfriend of a drug lord now running away with a backpack full of his money. There is no wasted dialogue or fluff, just a heart pumping chase. A lot of story in a short read.
February 18, 2012
it was a very thrilling twisty story
May 24, 2012
Great short story, cannot wait to read the rest of them! A bit of language, but hey...she is running from a drug lord in Mexico.
August 6, 2012
This is another kindle book. The heroine is one I would like to follow in Berkom's other books. But don't know if I will pay to do so.
March 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Kept me in suspense.
November 7, 2015
She ran from a Mexican drug lord and took some of his money with her. He wants it back, badly, and he has connections everywhere. How can she escape back to the U.S. Good suspense.
December 27, 2019
This book seemed to go around in circles and had no clear ending. I didn't enjoy it.
December 19, 2019
Bad Spirits is a novella that is described as a prequel to the Kate Jones Thriller series. In Bad Spirits, we learn that Kate fell in love with Salazar, a drug cartel lord in Mexico. She decided to leave him, and she steals a large amount of money to start a new life. Unfortunately for her, the money was meant to go to another, even more powerful drug lord named Anaya. Kate flees to the north. Everyone is after her. They all want their money, and they want vengeance. A handful of federal agents help her, but minimally. That’s about it for the plot.
This is described as “action-packed” and a “page turner” that leaves readers “on the edge of [my] seat.” True. Kate encounters one violent and dangerous challenge after another. For the lovers of action-suspense, the high-octane energy of this book may be sufficient. For me, I found that almost total lack of information about individual characters (including Kate), a thin plot other than getting shot at and chased, a disregard of the physical environment (for example, almost no attention is paid to water or the lack thereof as she travels through the Sonoran Desert) made this a less than satisfying read.
I have read action-suspense novels that did a much better job of filling us in on the characters and why they behave the way they do, as well as a more complex plot that tells a real story. This book isn’t one of them.
This is described as “action-packed” and a “page turner” that leaves readers “on the edge of [my] seat.” True. Kate encounters one violent and dangerous challenge after another. For the lovers of action-suspense, the high-octane energy of this book may be sufficient. For me, I found that almost total lack of information about individual characters (including Kate), a thin plot other than getting shot at and chased, a disregard of the physical environment (for example, almost no attention is paid to water or the lack thereof as she travels through the Sonoran Desert) made this a less than satisfying read.
I have read action-suspense novels that did a much better job of filling us in on the characters and why they behave the way they do, as well as a more complex plot that tells a real story. This book isn’t one of them.
September 18, 2017
Bad Spirits is actually five short stories compiled into one novella which is a good thing - I don't think anything but the first episode can stand by itself, and combining all five of them into one edition makes for one enjoyable read.
Without having a spoiler, I will say the author does a great job of getting you into the head of the main character and the trials and trouble she continually gets into while trying to escape Mexico. The dialogue is appropriate (vs. going on for word count sake) and the author really does a good job of describing the environment so that when the character feels hot and sweaty, scared, etc. you feel as if you are part of the action. As a stereotypical guy, I usually don't enjoy, or read much of, fiction that has a female as the main character - mainly because I can't relate to them. However, D.V. Berkom is one good storyteller and I am looking forward to reading the continuing saga of Kate Jones.
Without having a spoiler, I will say the author does a great job of getting you into the head of the main character and the trials and trouble she continually gets into while trying to escape Mexico. The dialogue is appropriate (vs. going on for word count sake) and the author really does a good job of describing the environment so that when the character feels hot and sweaty, scared, etc. you feel as if you are part of the action. As a stereotypical guy, I usually don't enjoy, or read much of, fiction that has a female as the main character - mainly because I can't relate to them. However, D.V. Berkom is one good storyteller and I am looking forward to reading the continuing saga of Kate Jones.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews