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Кодовое имя «Химера»:
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Как и частного детектива Кевина Криса, Вас ожидают остросюжетные приключения, интересные головоломки и неожиданные повороты.
Накануне крупного аукциона в Нью-Йорке находят труп миллионера, коллекционирующего антиквариат. Последнее, что он увидел во тьме за секунды до смерти, был некий Человек-без-лица. Действительно ли у него нет лица или это жуткая маска? Неужели он способен одним своим видом вызывать парализующий страх и смерть? Может он - воплощение древнегреческого монстра Химера?
След Человека-без-лица выводит детектива на похищенный драгоценный медальон
Как и частного детектива Кевина Криса, Вас ожидают остросюжетные приключения, интересные головоломки и неожиданные повороты.
Накануне крупного аукциона в Нью-Йорке находят труп миллионера, коллекционирующего антиквариат. Последнее, что он увидел во тьме за секунды до смерти, был некий Человек-без-лица. Действительно ли у него нет лица или это жуткая маска? Неужели он способен одним своим видом вызывать парализующий страх и смерть? Может он - воплощение древнегреческого монстра Химера?
След Человека-без-лица выводит детектива на похищенный драгоценный медальон
Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2012
12 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Jake & Kate Persy
3 books63 followersOur names are Jake and Kate Persy and we’re young, self-publishing writers. We’re a happy couple and our motto is ‘The best moment to be happy is right now’. We have a healthy, active lifestyle.
We love having fun and that’s why we’ve written Codename: Chimera. It’s been an exciting experience. We wanted to write an interesting mystery that you can sit back and enjoy and we hope that’s what we’ve done.
We love having fun and that’s why we’ve written Codename: Chimera. It’s been an exciting experience. We wanted to write an interesting mystery that you can sit back and enjoy and we hope that’s what we’ve done.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 25, 2024
I took so much time for me to finish it up as I didn't get much time to sit back. But, had to say that I missed so much which I could have experienced well before in time.
Sherlock meets James bond meets Indiana Jones.
It's an amazing work by couple-writers, Kate & Jake Persy. I am really revered by every single adventure and mystery they had put in this detective writing. If continued with such a grade, not so soon Kevin Kris will be improved to become either of the aforementioned fame detective names, or also may even be Hercule Poirot. Detective novels and other works based on this subject always amazed me. My first literary encounter with one among them, was Byomkesh Bakshi Stories by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. The most famous among all the Indian Detective literatures, specially & specifically in Bengali linguistic Literature.
Greek history's usage is the main reason I liked it most. History has always been my most favorite of all topics to read & Learn about. Fictionalization of historical mythical creatures & characters in another form is very thrilling. Most of Arthur Conan Doyle's works have such innovations initially. Characters were limited and best to their usage. Chimera and Bellerophon created another sort of thought in my mind that where it is going to end? Were they really going to mix the two different worlds and not just names? But, Alas! nothing of that sort happened.
One Thing I like to appreciate that the summation that had been put via Kris helped anyone to remember every step they had gone through since starting, at once. The whole case was in front of eyes again, otherwise like in most of the mystery novels readers often forget small details which eventually helped to solve the case.
One 'Con' I liked to mention which makes me cutting half star from rating is that the usage of characters' names must be in a simple manner and same all through. Somewhere they used 'Kevin', more often 'Kris', then at some points just 'detective'. Same was the case with 'Jeffrey' & 'Mr. Wilson'; and, 'James' & 'Mr. O'Connell'. It creates chaos in mind while enjoying the novel & ruin the craze/fun developed in book, a little. At one point in chapter 11, I almost loose interest and felt irritated in connecting names and surnames and profile titles.
Moreover that, Penny's character worked well in creating puzzled conversations. Michael seems to put as an additional cast but it is better than just Penny and Kris.
The whole AI thing was amazing and tells about the research and mindful thought of writers behind the story. Such efforts always appreciated. This can be made into very good movie or Direct-to-Video film; or maybe in this internet age, on Netflix.
For me, its 4.5/5.0
*Note: I received this book under Read it & Reap Program in exchange of honest reviews.
Sherlock meets James bond meets Indiana Jones.
It's an amazing work by couple-writers, Kate & Jake Persy. I am really revered by every single adventure and mystery they had put in this detective writing. If continued with such a grade, not so soon Kevin Kris will be improved to become either of the aforementioned fame detective names, or also may even be Hercule Poirot. Detective novels and other works based on this subject always amazed me. My first literary encounter with one among them, was Byomkesh Bakshi Stories by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. The most famous among all the Indian Detective literatures, specially & specifically in Bengali linguistic Literature.
Greek history's usage is the main reason I liked it most. History has always been my most favorite of all topics to read & Learn about. Fictionalization of historical mythical creatures & characters in another form is very thrilling. Most of Arthur Conan Doyle's works have such innovations initially. Characters were limited and best to their usage. Chimera and Bellerophon created another sort of thought in my mind that where it is going to end? Were they really going to mix the two different worlds and not just names? But, Alas! nothing of that sort happened.
One Thing I like to appreciate that the summation that had been put via Kris helped anyone to remember every step they had gone through since starting, at once. The whole case was in front of eyes again, otherwise like in most of the mystery novels readers often forget small details which eventually helped to solve the case.
One 'Con' I liked to mention which makes me cutting half star from rating is that the usage of characters' names must be in a simple manner and same all through. Somewhere they used 'Kevin', more often 'Kris', then at some points just 'detective'. Same was the case with 'Jeffrey' & 'Mr. Wilson'; and, 'James' & 'Mr. O'Connell'. It creates chaos in mind while enjoying the novel & ruin the craze/fun developed in book, a little. At one point in chapter 11, I almost loose interest and felt irritated in connecting names and surnames and profile titles.
Moreover that, Penny's character worked well in creating puzzled conversations. Michael seems to put as an additional cast but it is better than just Penny and Kris.
The whole AI thing was amazing and tells about the research and mindful thought of writers behind the story. Such efforts always appreciated. This can be made into very good movie or Direct-to-Video film; or maybe in this internet age, on Netflix.
For me, its 4.5/5.0
*Note: I received this book under Read it & Reap Program in exchange of honest reviews.
November 25, 2013
-ARC given in exchange for an honest review-
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the mystery amd adventure it took me on. And I loved the brain twisters throughout.
Full review to come.
This book was a very interesting read and i really enoyed it.
It wasnt like a book ive read where theres a romantic relationship in it all.
Kevin Kris is a privaste investigator who is being contacted by Edmund Peterson. His father dies unexpectedly in a place where noone would know him to be. Edmund thinks that his wife had him killed and wants to prove it. Kris goes through plenty of different sources to come up with a lot of new information that goes back years from now. And unfortunatelly clears Jessica Peterson of any wrong doing.
He has found new evidence and has alnost gotten himself and his friends who are working with him on this killed.
THE MAN WITH NO FACE, is after a specific medallion that holds a key to "helping" the world not be so wild only it doesnt work if anything it turns people insane and the person who is after it doesnt care. He wants it and wil stop at nothing to get it.
Kris goes through a lot of different obstacles but in the end he guessed it before anyof his friends. Only he didnt come up with the answer in time and gets cornered with a gun to his face.
Im not going to give too much away but i feel if u like a mystery with a little thrill in it then you should give this book a read. It even has a few jokes that had me smiling. I loved the twist at the end of who it was i never would have guessed
This was my reaction, what the hell!
Penny is Kevin Kris's assistant, MIchael Millis is his friend from way back that has helped Kris in the past on dffereent cases, and James is a friend of Penny's who is in the middle of this crazy investigation because he bought the medallion at the auction.
Now my personal thoughts i enjoyed it but there was a time not a long moment but at one point i did get a little bored with what was happpening, i felt there was maybe a time or 2 that there was information that was a little useless. But that never took anything away from the story just personal feelings, and othere than that, i give it 4 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the mystery amd adventure it took me on. And I loved the brain twisters throughout.
Full review to come.
This book was a very interesting read and i really enoyed it.
It wasnt like a book ive read where theres a romantic relationship in it all.
Kevin Kris is a privaste investigator who is being contacted by Edmund Peterson. His father dies unexpectedly in a place where noone would know him to be. Edmund thinks that his wife had him killed and wants to prove it. Kris goes through plenty of different sources to come up with a lot of new information that goes back years from now. And unfortunatelly clears Jessica Peterson of any wrong doing.
He has found new evidence and has alnost gotten himself and his friends who are working with him on this killed.
THE MAN WITH NO FACE, is after a specific medallion that holds a key to "helping" the world not be so wild only it doesnt work if anything it turns people insane and the person who is after it doesnt care. He wants it and wil stop at nothing to get it.
Kris goes through a lot of different obstacles but in the end he guessed it before anyof his friends. Only he didnt come up with the answer in time and gets cornered with a gun to his face.
Im not going to give too much away but i feel if u like a mystery with a little thrill in it then you should give this book a read. It even has a few jokes that had me smiling. I loved the twist at the end of who it was i never would have guessed
This was my reaction, what the hell!
Penny is Kevin Kris's assistant, MIchael Millis is his friend from way back that has helped Kris in the past on dffereent cases, and James is a friend of Penny's who is in the middle of this crazy investigation because he bought the medallion at the auction.
Now my personal thoughts i enjoyed it but there was a time not a long moment but at one point i did get a little bored with what was happpening, i felt there was maybe a time or 2 that there was information that was a little useless. But that never took anything away from the story just personal feelings, and othere than that, i give it 4 stars.
November 20, 2013
Quick disclaimer: I was sent an e-book copy for review by the authors. (video review link pending)
I have mixed feelings about this book. Or rather, it was just that I didn't have stronger feelings about it.
Okay, so let's be positive first (and in list form because, why not?):
-It was a fun quick read.
-The little facts sprinkled throughout are interesting.
-The second part is much more engaging.
-The riddles (the ones that I hadn't heard about before) are actually intellectually stimulating.
-The mystery did hold my attention and I was entertained throughout.
And now, sadly, the not so positive:
-It was too fast at times, feeling a little rushed.
-The main character was too perfect and didn't have enough backstory for me.
-The characters in general left me wanting something more.
-The dialogue was a little too exposition heavy at times.
-The way mental illness is portrayed (this was the killer for me and it might be just personal preference). I really don't like the way mental illness is portrayed in the book. Just rubbed me the wrong way.
All that said, the book sort of fell in the middle for me (2.5), but the mystery was very intriguing.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Or rather, it was just that I didn't have stronger feelings about it.
Okay, so let's be positive first (and in list form because, why not?):
-It was a fun quick read.
-The little facts sprinkled throughout are interesting.
-The second part is much more engaging.
-The riddles (the ones that I hadn't heard about before) are actually intellectually stimulating.
-The mystery did hold my attention and I was entertained throughout.
And now, sadly, the not so positive:
-It was too fast at times, feeling a little rushed.
-The main character was too perfect and didn't have enough backstory for me.
-The characters in general left me wanting something more.
-The dialogue was a little too exposition heavy at times.
-The way mental illness is portrayed (this was the killer for me and it might be just personal preference). I really don't like the way mental illness is portrayed in the book. Just rubbed me the wrong way.
All that said, the book sort of fell in the middle for me (2.5), but the mystery was very intriguing.
January 3, 2014
Chimera is usually thought of in terms of a monster from Greek mythology, but the research in this book has brought to light several other definitions. I must say that this book held my attention right through with its action, mystery, non-traditional twists and turns and a possibly cursed antique--the Bellerophon, a piece of jewel-encrusted medallion.
When word gets out that the owner of said Bellerophon dies suddenly of shock in a part of town he would not be expected to frequent, we get into the meat of the story. The plot is rife with blindsides. This is a serious murder mystery that is fun to read. J.K. Persy has done a great job of befuddling. There are a few brain teaser puzzle questions thrown in for good measure, but it soon becomes clear that this entire book is a puzzle. When the answer appears to become clear it soon proves it is not. Not only the search for the true nature of Morris Peterson's death, but what shows up in the search. Curiouser and curiouser.
PI Kevin Kris, his assistant Penny, and friend Michael become totally immersed in the case, determined to solve the mystery at hand when Penny discovers a similar death under similar circumstances happened a few years earlier, throwing all the work they have done to the wind. This is a fascinating storyline, and I loved it. Well researched in many different areas from neurotoxin, suicide, to paranoid schizophrenia and mythical creatures of ancient Greece. Well-written, commanding one's attention, and at the same time the camaraderie of the principals is palpable even while the stress of the case is overwhelming. Very entertaining.
When word gets out that the owner of said Bellerophon dies suddenly of shock in a part of town he would not be expected to frequent, we get into the meat of the story. The plot is rife with blindsides. This is a serious murder mystery that is fun to read. J.K. Persy has done a great job of befuddling. There are a few brain teaser puzzle questions thrown in for good measure, but it soon becomes clear that this entire book is a puzzle. When the answer appears to become clear it soon proves it is not. Not only the search for the true nature of Morris Peterson's death, but what shows up in the search. Curiouser and curiouser.
PI Kevin Kris, his assistant Penny, and friend Michael become totally immersed in the case, determined to solve the mystery at hand when Penny discovers a similar death under similar circumstances happened a few years earlier, throwing all the work they have done to the wind. This is a fascinating storyline, and I loved it. Well researched in many different areas from neurotoxin, suicide, to paranoid schizophrenia and mythical creatures of ancient Greece. Well-written, commanding one's attention, and at the same time the camaraderie of the principals is palpable even while the stress of the case is overwhelming. Very entertaining.
September 16, 2019
During their investigation, they learned about a project called Chimera and now the mystery deepens. Is it a conspiracy? Will they kill anyone to keep a secret?
A convoluted mystery centered around a medallion. Who does it belong to?
Codename: Chimera lacked a sense of urgency, but a lot of cozies do. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them and I loved this one. I was super curious about the outcome and the deaths that follow the medallion.
I loved the trio and was happy to be along for their adventure. Codename: Chimera by J K Persy is not what I expected from looking at the cover, but it all made sense in the end.
The brain teasers are a bonus. I stopped and spent a lot of time trying to solve them. I wonder if you will too.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Codename: Chimera by J K Persy.
A convoluted mystery centered around a medallion. Who does it belong to?
Codename: Chimera lacked a sense of urgency, but a lot of cozies do. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy them and I loved this one. I was super curious about the outcome and the deaths that follow the medallion.
I loved the trio and was happy to be along for their adventure. Codename: Chimera by J K Persy is not what I expected from looking at the cover, but it all made sense in the end.
The brain teasers are a bonus. I stopped and spent a lot of time trying to solve them. I wonder if you will too.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Codename: Chimera by J K Persy.
February 23, 2020
A good old murder mystery. I cannot find fault with storyline, characters or writers' skill.
This engaging book had me hooked from page 1; the characters are well 'fleshed out' and believable, the storyline well thought out and had me guessing to the last page.
I hope to read more intriguing cases from this detective agency.
This engaging book had me hooked from page 1; the characters are well 'fleshed out' and believable, the storyline well thought out and had me guessing to the last page.
I hope to read more intriguing cases from this detective agency.
April 29, 2015
Overall, I am very impressed by the quality of this book! I think this is the first book I've read from self-publishing authors. Jake and Kate provide a story that is fast paced and interesting! There was a lot of research that went into this book, and I really appreciate that! This book took me a while to read because the action never stops. And for me personally there was so much information I needed to take sometime and process the information before I could continue reading. This mystery keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat waiting to see what will happen next! The ending was exciting and thrilling and I did not see it coming.
However, I did have some slight problems with the book.
I loved how each scene is described that gives the reader a clear image of the scene, but so sometimes I felt there were too many adjectives. For example, "nodded silently" or "said knowledgeably". It felt like too much and it was very noticeable.
Another thing, is some parts of the plot didn't make much sense to me and I didn't see a point in it being there. Like when Mrs. Peterson *ahem* comes onto Kevin Kris. I didn't' really see the point of that being in there.
Finally, the characters seemed flat to me. I never connected to them. I would have liked to be able to get into their heads more and get to know them. That was one of the reasons I couldn't read a lot in a sitting because I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters.
If you want a short, fast paced mystery/thriller I would suggest picking up a copy of this book. It's a fun book to read.
I want to thank Jake and Kate Persy for sending me a copy!
However, I did have some slight problems with the book.
I loved how each scene is described that gives the reader a clear image of the scene, but so sometimes I felt there were too many adjectives. For example, "nodded silently" or "said knowledgeably". It felt like too much and it was very noticeable.
Another thing, is some parts of the plot didn't make much sense to me and I didn't see a point in it being there. Like when Mrs. Peterson *ahem* comes onto Kevin Kris. I didn't' really see the point of that being in there.
Finally, the characters seemed flat to me. I never connected to them. I would have liked to be able to get into their heads more and get to know them. That was one of the reasons I couldn't read a lot in a sitting because I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters.
If you want a short, fast paced mystery/thriller I would suggest picking up a copy of this book. It's a fun book to read.
I want to thank Jake and Kate Persy for sending me a copy!
August 22, 2013
I have to be honest I haven't read a detective story in a while; however I don’t mind watching any of Agatha Christie’s Detective Shows.
The main character, Kevin Kris, the private eye I would liken to a cross between the clever sleuth mind of Poirot and the sexy appeal of Castle. His assistant Penny is diligent, smart and loyal; and does not use her femineity to get her information. Thirdly is Kris’ long-time friend Michael who is the balance for Kris – where Kris is sensible and thorough, Michael is spontaneous and hyperactive.
The story starts with the death of a millionaire and his son seeks out the assistance of Kris to determine who murdered his father. It is from Kris’ initial investigation that triggers a flurry of clues, leading Kris and his companions all over the country and overseas seeking the answers to the mysterious death.
This story is well prosed. You can see that the authors have put a lot of care and love into its presentation. The story is descriptive yet maintains an element of mystery; it has an intriguing plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat till the very end. There is almost a type of suggestion to the way the story is written that doesn’t give too much away allowing the reader to interpret the story and characters in their own way, almost as if they are part of the private eye’s adventure!
I enjoyed this story, and if you seeking a change of pace then this is a great option!
The main character, Kevin Kris, the private eye I would liken to a cross between the clever sleuth mind of Poirot and the sexy appeal of Castle. His assistant Penny is diligent, smart and loyal; and does not use her femineity to get her information. Thirdly is Kris’ long-time friend Michael who is the balance for Kris – where Kris is sensible and thorough, Michael is spontaneous and hyperactive.
The story starts with the death of a millionaire and his son seeks out the assistance of Kris to determine who murdered his father. It is from Kris’ initial investigation that triggers a flurry of clues, leading Kris and his companions all over the country and overseas seeking the answers to the mysterious death.
This story is well prosed. You can see that the authors have put a lot of care and love into its presentation. The story is descriptive yet maintains an element of mystery; it has an intriguing plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat till the very end. There is almost a type of suggestion to the way the story is written that doesn’t give too much away allowing the reader to interpret the story and characters in their own way, almost as if they are part of the private eye’s adventure!
I enjoyed this story, and if you seeking a change of pace then this is a great option!
August 10, 2013
Codename: Chimera is the debut story from the couple team that is J.K. Persy. This mystery book involves a dead millionaire, a mysterious book, and a whole lot of whodunnit.
----
Overall, this story is a very solid debut. Normally when I read mystery books, I solve the problem early on, and the rest of the book becomes almost like a filler. With this book, I was left guessing until the end, which is something that I really appreciate around the plot. I also really enjoyed that the plot had to do with mythology. Research clearly went into the writing of this book!
One thing that I would have liked more of was character development. I feel like I never really got to know the characters other than on a name and career level. The writing was also a bit simple to me, but I'd rather have it be a little too simple than a little too complex.
While mystery books such as this are not my first go-to genre, I think that Codename: Chimera will find an adoring fan base. If you're in the mood for a fast paced mystery/whodunnit, then I would definitely give this book a shot.
Thank you to J.K. Persy, who gave me this book in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
----
Overall, this story is a very solid debut. Normally when I read mystery books, I solve the problem early on, and the rest of the book becomes almost like a filler. With this book, I was left guessing until the end, which is something that I really appreciate around the plot. I also really enjoyed that the plot had to do with mythology. Research clearly went into the writing of this book!
One thing that I would have liked more of was character development. I feel like I never really got to know the characters other than on a name and career level. The writing was also a bit simple to me, but I'd rather have it be a little too simple than a little too complex.
While mystery books such as this are not my first go-to genre, I think that Codename: Chimera will find an adoring fan base. If you're in the mood for a fast paced mystery/whodunnit, then I would definitely give this book a shot.
Thank you to J.K. Persy, who gave me this book in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
March 23, 2017
Before I begin, I want to applaud Jake and Kate Persy for sharing their story with the world. It takes a lot of guts to put your work on display for other to critique, and they did just that.
Also, I received an eBook copy of this book for an honest review so here we go:
Codename: Chimera is about the death of a famous millionaire, who is found with a book on ancient Greek mythological creatures. Kevin Kris, a private detective, is hired to prove that the millionaire’s wife is to be blamed; however, as Kevin and his team dig deeper into the mystery, they start the unravel the contents of Codename: Chimera.
Overall, Codename: Chimera is a pretty solid debut novel. When it comes to mysteries, more often than not, I end up solving the problem long before the story finishes; however, with this book, I found myself guessing throughout the entire read, which was such a refreshing feeling.
What I did find that this story lacked is more complex characters. The main character Kevin Kris is way too perfect for my liking. Not only is he smart and über resourceful, but he’s also a trained fighter, who happens to be friends with all the right people. How convenient. He is never depicted in a bad light, and while the other characters would struggle to figure out the little mysteries in the story, he’s always at ease with pretty much anything. Penny, Kevin Kris’ assistant, was so much of a Mary Sue that I can’t even talk about her right now, although I did like Michael, Kevin Kris’ best friend. I thought he added an interesting flare to the trio.
Also, the story didn't seem complete. The narration was too choppy, certain sentences just didn't sound right, and there was a surprising amount of grammatical errors in the text. And I’m gonna put it out there: I hated the dialogue, which sucked because dialogue is usually my favourite. The dialogue in this book felt too exposition-heavy, and it didn't sound the way people usually talk. All of the dialogue just sounded really awkward once you say them out loud.
I hate sounding so mean when I give negative reviews, especially since the authors probably worked really hard on this, but giving a dishonest review would be a disservice to other book-lovers and the authors themselves. That being said, this story has a lot of potential, and if given enough time and work, I think it could be a really great mystery novel.
Also, I received an eBook copy of this book for an honest review so here we go:
Codename: Chimera is about the death of a famous millionaire, who is found with a book on ancient Greek mythological creatures. Kevin Kris, a private detective, is hired to prove that the millionaire’s wife is to be blamed; however, as Kevin and his team dig deeper into the mystery, they start the unravel the contents of Codename: Chimera.
Overall, Codename: Chimera is a pretty solid debut novel. When it comes to mysteries, more often than not, I end up solving the problem long before the story finishes; however, with this book, I found myself guessing throughout the entire read, which was such a refreshing feeling.
What I did find that this story lacked is more complex characters. The main character Kevin Kris is way too perfect for my liking. Not only is he smart and über resourceful, but he’s also a trained fighter, who happens to be friends with all the right people. How convenient. He is never depicted in a bad light, and while the other characters would struggle to figure out the little mysteries in the story, he’s always at ease with pretty much anything. Penny, Kevin Kris’ assistant, was so much of a Mary Sue that I can’t even talk about her right now, although I did like Michael, Kevin Kris’ best friend. I thought he added an interesting flare to the trio.
Also, the story didn't seem complete. The narration was too choppy, certain sentences just didn't sound right, and there was a surprising amount of grammatical errors in the text. And I’m gonna put it out there: I hated the dialogue, which sucked because dialogue is usually my favourite. The dialogue in this book felt too exposition-heavy, and it didn't sound the way people usually talk. All of the dialogue just sounded really awkward once you say them out loud.
I hate sounding so mean when I give negative reviews, especially since the authors probably worked really hard on this, but giving a dishonest review would be a disservice to other book-lovers and the authors themselves. That being said, this story has a lot of potential, and if given enough time and work, I think it could be a really great mystery novel.
July 28, 2013
***** ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review *****
I have to say that it has been a very long time since I have read a 'Mystery', so I went into this excited and a little nervous too.
What I experienced when reading this book, pleasantly surprised me.......
I REALLY enjoyed it.
The story follows a NY private detective, his assistant and good friend as they try to uncover the mystery surrounding a billionaires death in a shady part of town.
What starts out as one death, spirals into a chain linking many deaths and they are all mysteriously connected to a medallion and a project codenamed: Chimera.
The twists and turns, the suspense and the near death experiences (especially the high rise escape) had me sitting on the edge of my seat.
As each piece of the puzzle was laid out before me, I was increasingly surprised by the depth of research that was put into this story. The history and mythical content added to the plot, really enhanced the overall reading experience for me.
I was not expecting the answer to the mystery when it was finally revealed, it really surprised me, which I think is essential in writing a novel like this.
The only thing I will say is that I would have liked to find out how they explained the outcome to the billionaire's son, who originally hired the private detective. That was the only thing missing for me.
I really enjoyed the book and I was kept interested from start to finish. I get a sense that there may be more books to follow and I can honestly
say that I am definitely looking forward to reading them.
I would absolutely recommend this book to mystery lovers and those seeking a story that they wouldn't normally take a chance on.... It's well worth it!!
I have to say that it has been a very long time since I have read a 'Mystery', so I went into this excited and a little nervous too.
What I experienced when reading this book, pleasantly surprised me.......
I REALLY enjoyed it.
The story follows a NY private detective, his assistant and good friend as they try to uncover the mystery surrounding a billionaires death in a shady part of town.
What starts out as one death, spirals into a chain linking many deaths and they are all mysteriously connected to a medallion and a project codenamed: Chimera.
The twists and turns, the suspense and the near death experiences (especially the high rise escape) had me sitting on the edge of my seat.
As each piece of the puzzle was laid out before me, I was increasingly surprised by the depth of research that was put into this story. The history and mythical content added to the plot, really enhanced the overall reading experience for me.
I was not expecting the answer to the mystery when it was finally revealed, it really surprised me, which I think is essential in writing a novel like this.
The only thing I will say is that I would have liked to find out how they explained the outcome to the billionaire's son, who originally hired the private detective. That was the only thing missing for me.
I really enjoyed the book and I was kept interested from start to finish. I get a sense that there may be more books to follow and I can honestly
say that I am definitely looking forward to reading them.
I would absolutely recommend this book to mystery lovers and those seeking a story that they wouldn't normally take a chance on.... It's well worth it!!
July 27, 2013
***ARC received by authors in exchange for an honest review***
3.5 stars :)
Congratulation on your debut novel!!
So many twists and turns!! I usually guess who did what early on, but this had me guessing until the end!!
The writing style of these two authors is beautiful. It was a very detailed and well researched novel.
I had some very strong reactions to certain parts of this novel, and while they weren't always good, they were real!!
Example: When they were digging through the rotting decay of Mrs Darcorts for that wedding ring I was gagging!!
The man with no face was scary! He kept me guessing and gave me chills! I only picked up on who he was after the email was sent!!
I thought something funny was going on when James was killed in the underground chapel, but that was all revealed later on!!
Overall this was a wonderful adventure. And I would be happy to recommend.
3.5 stars :)
Congratulation on your debut novel!!
So many twists and turns!! I usually guess who did what early on, but this had me guessing until the end!!
The writing style of these two authors is beautiful. It was a very detailed and well researched novel.
I had some very strong reactions to certain parts of this novel, and while they weren't always good, they were real!!
Example: When they were digging through the rotting decay of Mrs Darcorts for that wedding ring I was gagging!!
The man with no face was scary! He kept me guessing and gave me chills! I only picked up on who he was after the email was sent!!
I thought something funny was going on when James was killed in the underground chapel, but that was all revealed later on!!
Overall this was a wonderful adventure. And I would be happy to recommend.
September 2, 2016
What a mystery!! Codename Chimera is story about a cursed medallion and the detective on the case to solve the mystery. Kevin Kris is a top notch detective that sets out to discover the connection between the death of millionaire and a most sought after medallion. The case has many twists and turns as many people have been affected by this curse. With him on the case are his assistant Penny and best friend Michael. I enjoyed the story with its clues, crazy suspects, Greek mythology and sinister events. Kevin Kris was quite intelligent and very observant. I did feel at times he was too good at everything! Overall I enjoyed the story- it had a good plot very well thought out, it engages the reader and gets your mind working to solve the mystery.
*Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review*
*Copy provided by author in exchange for honest review*
July 25, 2013
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review, so here it is. This is a great who done it mystery. The main characters are fun and dedicated to the case. PI Kris was hired by the dead millionaires son who thought the young wife of his father had him killed. They did not have just one dead person to deal with on this case, there were others to solve to get to the end of the current case. Even traveling to London and being reunited with an old friend Michael, who loved to help the private eye with his cases when he was around. Penny, the assistant, loved being part of the investigations too. This is a first by J.K. Persy that I have read and I really enjoyed it. If you love a great who done it, then this book is for you.
August 28, 2013
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I was asked by the authors to read and review this book with my feedback. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the story was written and the consistency of reader's interest captured from the beginning to the end. I hope the authors continue to write more stories with the same style. With just enough background and information relevant to the characters and story, but not overwhelming to the point of seeming to be word filling the pages and chapters. The suspense and thriller aspect was quite good too! I would not hesitate to recommend their works at all! Can't wait until their next novel is out! Thanks J.K. for giving me the pleasure of reading and reviewing it! Have a great day!
Jorge
Jorge
December 9, 2013
If you’re in the mood for a madcap caper, “Codename: Chimera” will definitely fill the bill. Equal parts Indiana Jones and Sam Spade, this exciting, enjoyable read will quench your thirst for adventure. With likeable characters and fast-paced action, this mystery/conspiracy/detective novel was a joy to read from start to finish.
Kevin Kris reminded me of gumshoe detectives of old and his charming side-kick Penny definitely made them into a great team. I can’t wait for more exciting adventures involving these two, along with Michael, the best-friend and third member of the team. I would like to see more back-story and in-depth characterization of all three in future escapades. The only regret I had was that the story had to come to an end all too soon.
Kevin Kris reminded me of gumshoe detectives of old and his charming side-kick Penny definitely made them into a great team. I can’t wait for more exciting adventures involving these two, along with Michael, the best-friend and third member of the team. I would like to see more back-story and in-depth characterization of all three in future escapades. The only regret I had was that the story had to come to an end all too soon.
August 19, 2016
3.5 stars
A very interesting well written story. I'm usually really perspective when reading mystery books and figuring out who did the crime but this book had me guessing until the big reveal. Great job J.K Persy. Thanks for sending me a copy in exchange for a honest review.
August 19, 2013
I really enjoyed this novel, not a big Mystery fan, but I thought it was well written and fun to learn about new characters. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 12, 2017
Thanks to the authors for making their first novel available at no cost.
* * * * *
1-1/2 stars. These authors show some talent, but I had lots of problems with this book.
In the first place, there were so many repetitions of references to characters as "the private detective," "the young millionaire," and "the three friends." Shades of Nancy Drew, the "young sleuth"! There were also too many absolutely ridiculous and unlikely scenarios, along with purely illegal maneuvering on the part of this so-called high-class "private detective." He and his friends did an awful lot of flying around, dashing about in expensive restaurants, and replacing blown-up cars to be working at nothing else and having no up-front retainer from an early-named and never-again-mentioned employer. Then there was an inappropriate and unnecessary sexual encounter with a victim's widow which didn't add a thing to the story, after which she wasn't mentioned again. Finally, there was a silly explanation for the medallion which was the basis of the story. The "private detective" seemed too much like a cut-rate, wannabe James Bond or Stone Barrington character.
I think the Persy couple has some talent, but they need to work hard on continuity, cut out peripheral scenes, and give their characters some actual character. P.S., you guys: Try cherry preserves. It is so much better than cherry jelly!
* * * * *
1-1/2 stars. These authors show some talent, but I had lots of problems with this book.
In the first place, there were so many repetitions of references to characters as "the private detective," "the young millionaire," and "the three friends." Shades of Nancy Drew, the "young sleuth"! There were also too many absolutely ridiculous and unlikely scenarios, along with purely illegal maneuvering on the part of this so-called high-class "private detective." He and his friends did an awful lot of flying around, dashing about in expensive restaurants, and replacing blown-up cars to be working at nothing else and having no up-front retainer from an early-named and never-again-mentioned employer. Then there was an inappropriate and unnecessary sexual encounter with a victim's widow which didn't add a thing to the story, after which she wasn't mentioned again. Finally, there was a silly explanation for the medallion which was the basis of the story. The "private detective" seemed too much like a cut-rate, wannabe James Bond or Stone Barrington character.
I think the Persy couple has some talent, but they need to work hard on continuity, cut out peripheral scenes, and give their characters some actual character. P.S., you guys: Try cherry preserves. It is so much better than cherry jelly!
March 3, 2020
This book was gifted to me for an honest review. This is not my normal read but I found this mixed genre of mystery & suspense intriguing. The “Chimera” kept me turning the pages. Although, the title and plot points to the creature of Greek Mythology it really isn’t related except for one point (not revealing any spoilers here). The book is a little additive and complicated; therefore, the authors nailed the mystery. Most of the story relies on the retelling of past events that tie into the current mystery surrounding the death of the famous old millionaire that collected antiques. His son, Edmund Peterson hired Private Detector, Kevin Kris to prove that his stepmom was the killer because she believes her to be a gold digger. Kris enlists the help of his assistant Penny (who is sharp & clever) along with his friend Michael to solve the case. It would have been nice to have more in-depth characterization; especially of Kris he is such an enigma. I enjoyed the brain teasers that Kris gave them. The three become so immersed in the case and they are almost killed several times. I usually figure out how a story will end but this one had me guessing until the reveal. Overall, the book is very imaginative, well written and command’s your attention.
February 13, 2014
Synopsis: "A famous millionaire dies under mysterious circumstances in the Brooklyn ghetto. What it was that made him go to such a dangerous place at night remains a mystery. The only clue is a book, Mythical Creatures of Ancient Greece, left on his body and opened at a page on Chimera. Private detective Kevin Kris takes on the case, helped by Penny, his trusty assistant, and Michael, his best friend. They soon uncover a chain of bloody events shrouded in mystery from the past. Little by little the private detective and his friends discover the real truth hidden by the Man With No Face."
My Review: I do not normally read mysteries but the mythology element to this one really had me intrigued. I found this to be an excellent mystery that kept you thinking and puzzling throughout the story. I did find the main character, Private Eye Kevin Kris to be a little too perfect, always seeming to have the advantage and coming out of situations unscathed. I did however love the brain teasers throughout, so even when the story seems to lull a little bit your brain is still turning on something.
My Review: I do not normally read mysteries but the mythology element to this one really had me intrigued. I found this to be an excellent mystery that kept you thinking and puzzling throughout the story. I did find the main character, Private Eye Kevin Kris to be a little too perfect, always seeming to have the advantage and coming out of situations unscathed. I did however love the brain teasers throughout, so even when the story seems to lull a little bit your brain is still turning on something.
March 13, 2014
Their book, Codename: Chimera, is chock full of twists and turns as the private detective, Kevin Kris, and his associates follow a murder case with a long trail of blood and mystery surrounding it’s circumstances. For my full review, go to: http://ladyinread.com/2014/03/13/chal...
May 1, 2015
If you combined Smallville, Kingsmen, and Bond into one, you would get this book. Action-packed, thrilling, and full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing and on the seat of your pants at all times.
September 19, 2018
I received Codename: Chimera by J. K. Persy in exchange for an honest review. I have given this book three out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The style of writing used by Persy was entertaining at times and overall well-written. In parts of the book I found myself chuckling to some of the jokes used and in others I couldn't stop turning the pages due to the great descriptive writing used particularly around the action and mystery areas of the book.
I love reading a book where you can't guess who the murderer is throughout the whole story until when it has been revealed, that to me shows that a book has been well-written and the author has done a great job with keeping the reader distracted from who the murderer really is.
I really enjoyed the mystery set behind this book and the use of riddles, brain teaser puzzles, twists and turns. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know who was behind the murder mystery. I was impressed by the amount of knowledge and research that the author seemed to had done in certain areas such as; Ancient Greek mythical creatures, neurotoxin and mental health.
I would say the reason for only giving the score of three out of five stars would be as I found the book to quicken the pace at times and it felt quite rushed. Although, it is mentioned in the book description above I would have liked to have read more into the backgrounds of the characters as they were not well-developed and that is always a big thing for me to find in a book.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy action, mystery and brain teaser puzzle/riddles.
I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy action, mystery and brain teaser puzzle/riddles.
February 25, 2020
ONE MIND-BLOWING JOURNEY!!!
Fantabulous! This talented and gifted dynamic duo brings it on home with this thrilling approach, delivering one gripping storyline and nailbiting plot with all the acumen, proclivity, stupefying and intellect, kicking this baby into a hissy with an eye-opening, wicked culmination. A surging tempest chocked full of baffling circumstances and peculiar events blasts those swirling emotions into play, throwing this baby into a tizzy with disturbing, mindboggling impacts. Thundering through the trials and tribulations, noting the astonishing twists and horrendous turns, probing for answers, testing our characters in ways they could have never imagined. Toss in drama, intrigue, turmoil, confusion, misgivings, danger and mounting suspense along with a boatload of conflicts while dodging dastardly deeds, you have one block busting masterpiece. The personalities are well matched and blend together smoothly. Embellishing abundantly detailed descriptions intertwining each scenario with all the zeal and gusto bringing them to life before your eyes. Fantastic job guys, thanks for sharing this little fella with us.
Fantabulous! This talented and gifted dynamic duo brings it on home with this thrilling approach, delivering one gripping storyline and nailbiting plot with all the acumen, proclivity, stupefying and intellect, kicking this baby into a hissy with an eye-opening, wicked culmination. A surging tempest chocked full of baffling circumstances and peculiar events blasts those swirling emotions into play, throwing this baby into a tizzy with disturbing, mindboggling impacts. Thundering through the trials and tribulations, noting the astonishing twists and horrendous turns, probing for answers, testing our characters in ways they could have never imagined. Toss in drama, intrigue, turmoil, confusion, misgivings, danger and mounting suspense along with a boatload of conflicts while dodging dastardly deeds, you have one block busting masterpiece. The personalities are well matched and blend together smoothly. Embellishing abundantly detailed descriptions intertwining each scenario with all the zeal and gusto bringing them to life before your eyes. Fantastic job guys, thanks for sharing this little fella with us.
January 26, 2018
A very short mystery, a bit confusing at times despite the simplistic, breathless writing style, in fact it reads more like a 50's detective novel than modern. If it hadn't been for the building regulations, cell phones and pc mentions it could easily have been set then.
A man comes to New York to sell a medallion and is found dead in Brooklyn, a book of myths referring to the Chimera on his chest. His son thinks he's been murdered and hires Kevin Kris to investigate, which he does with his trusty side kick Penny (who is also a reporter) and his good friend millionaire Michael.
Some bits are silly like the trap in the tombs and the mad genius bad guy, but it's an enjoyable read with a synopsis of the plot half way if your getting lost, (a summing up by the detective). I found the puzzles set by the detective for Penny irritating and they did nothing for the story line.
A man comes to New York to sell a medallion and is found dead in Brooklyn, a book of myths referring to the Chimera on his chest. His son thinks he's been murdered and hires Kevin Kris to investigate, which he does with his trusty side kick Penny (who is also a reporter) and his good friend millionaire Michael.
Some bits are silly like the trap in the tombs and the mad genius bad guy, but it's an enjoyable read with a synopsis of the plot half way if your getting lost, (a summing up by the detective). I found the puzzles set by the detective for Penny irritating and they did nothing for the story line.
April 8, 2020
what I should see to you ...
great story from the beginning to the end ...
you will love the charater
you will attract to the story from the beginning to the end
nice plot ..
nice puzzle
nice action
if you love to watch DETECTIVE CONAN .. you will love to read this book
trust me .. read it .. and you will not forget this book
100 over 10
I recommend to all who love mystery and puzzle and detective conan
with best regards
great story from the beginning to the end ...
you will love the charater
you will attract to the story from the beginning to the end
nice plot ..
nice puzzle
nice action
if you love to watch DETECTIVE CONAN .. you will love to read this book
trust me .. read it .. and you will not forget this book
100 over 10
I recommend to all who love mystery and puzzle and detective conan
with best regards
July 26, 2020
It's a short book... The mystery is a good one but the writing is real dragged. To be frank skipped few pages just to finish it!!
A one time read....
A one time read....
December 5, 2013
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review:
I’m not a mystery person and I usually stay away from the whole genre, so when I was contacted to read Codename Chimera by the author, I was a bit hesitant. I knew I wouldn’t be able to appreciate it the way I should and I didn’t want to ,mess anything up. Regardless, the author said they would still like my review, so I decided to give this genre a try.
The description pretty much sums up the plot of the story. A famous millionaire dies, and our MC, Kevin is hired to take the case and prove that the millionaire’s wife was the one who killed him. However, as he begins researching and looking at the events, he and his team learn that the wife is innocent, and that it may be related to a necklace, and an ancient text. The events following are their discov
eries as the look deeper into the mystery and the ultimate resolution.
The story in and of itself wasn’t at all bad. It was interesting to try to figure out who was the one who did it. It even have me a bit of interest into mysteries as a whole. (you’ll see a review on a mystery on my blog in the future.) That being said, I didn’t much like this particular book. Things didn’t seem to progress and sometimes it was a bit hard to follow. The detective just sort of uncovered things super easily and people spilled information. Things just always popped into his head without me being able to understand how he came to the conclusion. In my opinion, people as a whole know how to lie pretty easily, so for them to spill secrets accidentally so clumsily, it was just unrealistic. In addition, there was a bunch of unnecessary information and filller that didn’t seem to help progress the story along, and I eventually found myself merely skipping over this information. There were some cool riddles that were included but that I couldn’t figure out and they frustrated me, since even they didn’t seem to really belong.
I don’t necessarily think this was a bad book, just not at all for me. I didn’t like it, and had I not been ultra curious about the ending, I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. I give it 1.5 stars. It wasn’t at all for me. I should have trusted my gut from the beginning, though it did make me interested in other mysteries. I would suggest this to those who like to read mysteries, like lots of additional information, and enjoy solving riddles
I’m not a mystery person and I usually stay away from the whole genre, so when I was contacted to read Codename Chimera by the author, I was a bit hesitant. I knew I wouldn’t be able to appreciate it the way I should and I didn’t want to ,mess anything up. Regardless, the author said they would still like my review, so I decided to give this genre a try.
The description pretty much sums up the plot of the story. A famous millionaire dies, and our MC, Kevin is hired to take the case and prove that the millionaire’s wife was the one who killed him. However, as he begins researching and looking at the events, he and his team learn that the wife is innocent, and that it may be related to a necklace, and an ancient text. The events following are their discov
eries as the look deeper into the mystery and the ultimate resolution.
The story in and of itself wasn’t at all bad. It was interesting to try to figure out who was the one who did it. It even have me a bit of interest into mysteries as a whole. (you’ll see a review on a mystery on my blog in the future.) That being said, I didn’t much like this particular book. Things didn’t seem to progress and sometimes it was a bit hard to follow. The detective just sort of uncovered things super easily and people spilled information. Things just always popped into his head without me being able to understand how he came to the conclusion. In my opinion, people as a whole know how to lie pretty easily, so for them to spill secrets accidentally so clumsily, it was just unrealistic. In addition, there was a bunch of unnecessary information and filller that didn’t seem to help progress the story along, and I eventually found myself merely skipping over this information. There were some cool riddles that were included but that I couldn’t figure out and they frustrated me, since even they didn’t seem to really belong.
I don’t necessarily think this was a bad book, just not at all for me. I didn’t like it, and had I not been ultra curious about the ending, I wouldn’t have been able to finish it. I give it 1.5 stars. It wasn’t at all for me. I should have trusted my gut from the beginning, though it did make me interested in other mysteries. I would suggest this to those who like to read mysteries, like lots of additional information, and enjoy solving riddles
August 16, 2014
I will also do a video review here at my channel: http://www.youtube.com/magicofbooks
"Codename: Chimera" by J.K. Persy is a mystery/thriller that starts off with the death of a wealthy antiques dealer. The only item found on the dead man is a book on ancient Greek mythological creatures. Private detective Kevin Kris is on the case, along with his assistant Penny and his billionaire friend, Michael. Together, they have to discover the contents of Codename: Chimera.
I received a PDF file of this short story from the authors for an honest review. The story was a quick and easy read---just a little over 100 pages. I thought the overall premise was good and intriguing. But there were quite a few things that I found distracting with the story and the writing.
1. This did not seem like a completed story in it's final format. It felt like a 2nd or 3rd draft of a story. There were quite a lot of grammar and editing errors and leaps in how characters would figure things out. The narrative wasn't smooth and felt jumpy on occasion. And I hated the dialogue! The majority of the dialogue didn't sound like how real people would speak.
2. The characters had a lot of promise, but like I said, they felt like 2nd/3rd draft characters without much life to them. And I'm not going to lie, Kevin Kris seemed an awful lot like Sherlock Holmes, especially in personality, hobbies, and how Holmes speaks (I've been reading "The Complete Sherlock Holmes" for half the year now, so maybe my head is just full of Sherlock Holmes). Penny seemed too much like a Mary-Sue. I did like Michael---probably one of my favorite characters. As far as the reveal of the murderer, I guess who that was immediately way back at the beginning of the story.
I feel bad for writing negatively about this story since the authors were the ones who contacted me to read it, but I'm giving my honest opinions and I don't think it's fair for other readers and the writers themselves if I give a phony review. This story needs a lot of work. It does have massive potential, but characters, dialogue, and writing need to be vastly improved. And I hate to say it, but this read like a creative writing piece (I took two classes of creative writing in college, trust me, I know what good and bad creative writing sounds like).
"Codename: Chimera" by J.K. Persy is a mystery/thriller that starts off with the death of a wealthy antiques dealer. The only item found on the dead man is a book on ancient Greek mythological creatures. Private detective Kevin Kris is on the case, along with his assistant Penny and his billionaire friend, Michael. Together, they have to discover the contents of Codename: Chimera.
I received a PDF file of this short story from the authors for an honest review. The story was a quick and easy read---just a little over 100 pages. I thought the overall premise was good and intriguing. But there were quite a few things that I found distracting with the story and the writing.
1. This did not seem like a completed story in it's final format. It felt like a 2nd or 3rd draft of a story. There were quite a lot of grammar and editing errors and leaps in how characters would figure things out. The narrative wasn't smooth and felt jumpy on occasion. And I hated the dialogue! The majority of the dialogue didn't sound like how real people would speak.
2. The characters had a lot of promise, but like I said, they felt like 2nd/3rd draft characters without much life to them. And I'm not going to lie, Kevin Kris seemed an awful lot like Sherlock Holmes, especially in personality, hobbies, and how Holmes speaks (I've been reading "The Complete Sherlock Holmes" for half the year now, so maybe my head is just full of Sherlock Holmes). Penny seemed too much like a Mary-Sue. I did like Michael---probably one of my favorite characters. As far as the reveal of the murderer, I guess who that was immediately way back at the beginning of the story.
I feel bad for writing negatively about this story since the authors were the ones who contacted me to read it, but I'm giving my honest opinions and I don't think it's fair for other readers and the writers themselves if I give a phony review. This story needs a lot of work. It does have massive potential, but characters, dialogue, and writing need to be vastly improved. And I hate to say it, but this read like a creative writing piece (I took two classes of creative writing in college, trust me, I know what good and bad creative writing sounds like).
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