Detour

by Sylvie Kurtz

P.I. Sierra Martindale could have been the best in the business.
But life threw her one hell of a curve.

Her fearless pursuit of the truth made P.I. Sierra Martindale unstoppable - right up to the day she collapsed in the midst of a dangerous case. After a lifesaving transplant, Sierra found herself with another woman's heart beating in her chest - and an eerie presence telling Sierra her donor's death was no accident. She owed it to this stranger to solve the dark mystery of what had happened to her. Even if it led Sierra into greater danger than she had ever known - and into the arms of the haunted stranger who had loved her donor, and lost her.

Genres: Romance

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Sylvie Kurtz writes stories that explore the complexity of the human mind and the thrill of suspense. She likes dark chocolate, soft wool, and movies that require a box of tissues. www.sylviekurtz.com

Reviews

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review."
I'm not normally a mystery type person, I'm a romantic all the way, but something about the write up on this book made me curious. I'm so glad I chose it because I really enjoyed it and burnt the candle at both ends to finish it. I also found another genre to read as well.
I liked the way you got to see the background of the character before you saw why you needed it. I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't what I read, it left me wanting to know more and so I had to read it all, one chapter more turned into the whole book.
You really think you've got it sorted as to the suspects but you haven't.
The plot twists and turns your emotions and your mind is working all of the time. You feel warmth and affection for the main character Sierra and what she's had to deal with, then what she's going through all the time. You want her to get closure and get her life back on tract, but then you half wish she doesn't. The romance creeps up on you even though you hope it will happen as every page turns you begin to doubt yourself.
That's the bit I enjoyed the most not knowing what was going to happen and I'm not going to ruin it by saying will they won't they. What I will say is read the book to find out!
It's a great book and I would most definitely recommend it to anyone that likes a mystery, romance or paranormal sorry, you'll love it. I've also got a new author to add to my list and have been looking through great collection of books of theirs to read too and I can't wait.

[Mary Lou Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of the story is interesting, and the book is well-written and well-edited, which made it a joy to read. Sierra is a P.I. who needed a heart transplant. While surgery was successful, it came with one undesired side-effect: Sierra is being haunted by the donor's spirit, who seems to want something in particular. She wants Sierra to stop something that is costing lives. Sierra decides to investigate, and along the meets and team's up with the donor's husband. With good guys who appear bad and bad guys who appear good, the investigation rocks along, complicated by their growing feelings for each other. But with iron-minded determination and more courage than logic, Sierra rushes ahead in hopes of setting free the donor's spirit. One thing did not ring true, though. She takes a myriad of anti-rejection drugs and is almost phobic about germs and other things that could damage her new heart. She mentions a couple of times that with all the drugs she takes, it would be dangerous for her to get pregnant. With all of that, she has unprotected sex with a man she recently met? That seemed out of character for her. Overall, though, I enjoyed this book and plan to read more by this author.

I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.

[Melanie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

*NOTICE: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.* When P.I. Sierra Martindale suffers massive heart failure, she requires a heart transplant. She receives the heart of deceased software engineer Sofia James. Sofia, however, is not ready to go into the light. Victim of foul play, she haunts Sierra's dreams, and increasingly invades her waking life. Sierra is driven to adopt Sofia's quest for truth, justice, and maybe a little vengeance too. Sierra is drawn into Sofia's life, family, and marriage, and the unfolding story of Sofia's death leads to industrial espionage, betrayal, and an attraction to Sofia's husband, Wyatt. The plot moves quickly through Sierra's initial disbelief, her increasing acceptance of Sofia's call to act, and the convoluted trail of clues that twist its way to the sadly karmic conclusion of the investigation. Writer Sylvie Kurtz does a fine job of making Sierra's haunting/possession seem strangely benign, despite the compulsion it generates. The characters for the most part stay in the moment, revealing themselves through their interactions as the plot unfolds. I found this story moving, engrossing, and satisfying, and I will definitely look for more of Ms. Kurtz' fine writing.

[Steph LaClair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Sylvie Kurtz book and it will not be the last! I took a chance on picking this one because the premise sounded interesting. I think the description doesn't do the book justice. I was drawn in by a strong, independent heroine who is in a dangerous job and loves every minute of it. That is until disaster strikes and her whole world changes. I have heard stories of people with transplanted organs taking on some of the personality traits of their donors. In Detour, the traits are not conducive to Sierra's line of work, and she has to be strong enough to get past the hurdles. To add even more to her recovery, she is being haunted by the spirit of the very woman whose heart is now keeping Sierra alive. Will she listen to what the spirit is telling her and find the truth about what killed her donor? Can she overcome her new fears to not only solve the mystery, but have the courage to take her life in a new direction? Can she love again? Read the book, and you'll find out. You won't regret picking this one up!
*I received a copy of this book from eBook Discovery in exchange for my honest review.*

[Trimaze · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I received this book from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review."

After receiving a heart transplant, Sierra Martindale begins to experience visions and cries for help from Sophia, the ghost of the woman whose heart is beating in her chest. Sophia, whose death was ruled an accident, begs Sierra to find her killer before more people die. Sierra hoping to rid herself of Sophia's ghost takes on the task of investigating her death. In the course of her investigation Sierra meets Sophia's husband Wyatt. During their time together Wyatt and Sierra begin to develop feelings for each other. Will Sophia's ghostly presence prevent them from exploring a relationship and will they find Sophia's killer and prevent further deaths? You will have to read this action packed paranormal romantic mystery to find out.

I enjoyed the fast paced suspenseful storyline and well developed characters as I am sure you will too.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It had drama, suspense, intrigue, danger, and some romance. The transplant/ghost angle was also a different one from typical romantic suspense stories. The idea of Wyatt and Sierra (who received Wyatt’s dead wife, Sophia’s, heart) reminded me a little of the movie, Return to Me with Minnie Driver and David Duchovny. This connection with the heart had Sierra wondering if her pull to Wyatt was her own or that of Sophia's. There was a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming. The person responsible was a surprise to me. I liked Wyatt and Sierra together and would love to see a series made around them and her investigative services. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
*I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.*

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery, so that I may read it and leave an honest review if I wished to. This book is a paranormal romance mystery and I loved it. It was very involving with many twists and turns that made me read the whole book at one sitting! Sylvie Kurtz wrote an amazing story of a woman who has a heart transplant, and the person whose heart she received is haunting her. The characters are very believable as are their feelings and actions. This was a very well-written story that has mystery, action and romance that is so well done, you won't want to put it down. I definitely recommend this story and this writer.

[Christine Menditto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
First off, you have to be okay with the idea of a ghost/spirit to be okay with this book (I almost gave up on it, but am glad I didn't). This book was definitely eventful and full of twists you wouldn't expect (and some you would). I really liked Wyatt because of who he was and what all he went through. It was a bit harder to be on Sierra's side with things because of how she acted and the things she did were a bit immature at times. Overall though, it was a good read.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense book! I like the story, with the main lady, Sierra, receiving Sophia's heart. It's so cool how Sophia haunts her until Sierra investigates what happened in the accident that killed Sophia. Thankfully, Sierra is a private investigator. When she goes to Texas to get info, she meets Wyatt, Sophia's hunky cowboy husband...and sparks fly. It's a fun story, and I highly recommend it. Thanks to ebook discovery for providing the book copy so I could do the review.

[Toyenlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an enjoyable read. Sierra is a private investigator who got a heart transplant form a donor who keeps haunting her to find the people responsible for her death, which led to a series of happenings such as espionage, murder and love. "I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review".

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise and the writing, I liked the main character, but where the author lost me was ...

SPOILER!

... the channeling of the dead woman. She was a hysterical mess and her channeling/haunting made the love story between the main character and the widower, messy and honestly -- creepy. And the widower was a block of wood.

2.5 stars.