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Guinevere Jones #3
The Sinister Touch
Guinevere Jones and Zachariah Justis take on a baffling case when they investigate mysterious threats, vandalism, and violence against artist Mason Adair and uncover a terrifying cult group.
Audiobook
First published October 1, 1986
About the author
Jayne Castle
57 books2,169 followersThe author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
March 5, 2020
Another one of Ms. Castle/Ms. Krentz's earlier romantic mysteries set in the 1980s. I enjoy Ms. Krentz's writing style and was engaged in the mystery from the first chapter. Zac and Gwen have a few relationship issues in this one as well as solving a complex little mystery involving one of Gwen's neighbors. On to the next.
October 20, 2020
Still enjoyable on this reread. I'll start the last of the quartet shortly.
June 12, 2008
Another trip back to the 80s with book 3 in the Guinevere Jones mystery series from Jayne Castle/JA Krentz.
Gwen and Zac tangle with art and witches and Gwen's big heart and impetuousness land her in danger. Will Zac figure out where to find her in time? Will these two figure out where their relationship is headed?
Very enjoyable read.
Gwen and Zac tangle with art and witches and Gwen's big heart and impetuousness land her in danger. Will Zac figure out where to find her in time? Will these two figure out where their relationship is headed?
Very enjoyable read.
April 7, 2015
The main female character has become a doormat! She is being controlled and only rolls over and takes it! Horrible!!
August 28, 2023
Our third outing with Gwen and Zac, The Sinister Touch, is par for the course with this series: the supporting characters and setting are fun, but the toxic, insecure hero only manages to just stop short of ruining everything.
Gwen can see into an artist’s studio from her kitchen, and she and the artist occasionally wave at one another but have literally never spoken. Now that she’s dating Zac, the new routine involves him huffily shutting the blinds after staring daggers at the artist, and berating Gwen for her foolish, dangerous waving at a strange man. Truly, get this man some therapy. One morning, though, Gwen and the artist find that his painting has been defaced with a pentagram overnight. He flashes a message through the window for her to meet him at a local cafe for more info on what she might have seen.
Our artist is Mason, an East Coast rich boy who’s been abandoned by his wealthy family for (gasp) working as an artist. He’s done some light occult BS in the past but has no idea who would be targeting him now. Gwen, of course, thinks that her ogre boyfriend Zac would be the perfect person to help Mason out. Right. Zac, of course, immediately reacts by insulting Gwen and her intelligence, because how dare she speak to a neighbor in a public place?
Zac, in the mean time, is literally being asked by his current client to father her child “the old fashioned way,” and this seems to be seen by JAK as being an equivalent situation to Gwen’s interactions with Mason (all aboveboard, with Mason being the latest guy to fall for her sister, Carla).
I figured out the perpetrator(s) more or less as soon as they were introduced, but how they pulled off the crime makes NO damn sense. Even worse, there’s a much more plausible way that it could have been explained without changing the rest of the plot.
Eh. At least there’s only one more book?
Gwen can see into an artist’s studio from her kitchen, and she and the artist occasionally wave at one another but have literally never spoken. Now that she’s dating Zac, the new routine involves him huffily shutting the blinds after staring daggers at the artist, and berating Gwen for her foolish, dangerous waving at a strange man. Truly, get this man some therapy. One morning, though, Gwen and the artist find that his painting has been defaced with a pentagram overnight. He flashes a message through the window for her to meet him at a local cafe for more info on what she might have seen.
Our artist is Mason, an East Coast rich boy who’s been abandoned by his wealthy family for (gasp) working as an artist. He’s done some light occult BS in the past but has no idea who would be targeting him now. Gwen, of course, thinks that her ogre boyfriend Zac would be the perfect person to help Mason out. Right. Zac, of course, immediately reacts by insulting Gwen and her intelligence, because how dare she speak to a neighbor in a public place?
Zac, in the mean time, is literally being asked by his current client to father her child “the old fashioned way,” and this seems to be seen by JAK as being an equivalent situation to Gwen’s interactions with Mason (all aboveboard, with Mason being the latest guy to fall for her sister, Carla).
I figured out the perpetrator(s) more or less as soon as they were introduced, but how they pulled off the crime makes NO damn sense. Even worse, there’s a much more plausible way that it could have been explained without changing the rest of the plot.
Eh. At least there’s only one more book?
August 18, 2022
The Sinister Touch (Guinevere Jones, #3)
by Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author)
Zac Justis is overbearing, possessive, and jealous. Sounds like a great boyfriend, huh? Yeah, the kind that you hear about after they've killed their former girlfriend/wife. But this is the male lead in this series and he's a first-class tool. Granted this book was written in the 1980s when the "Harlequin" formula for romance books ruled how authors wrote stories but ZJ is beyond the pale.
He tells Gwen multiple times that she's idiotic, grabs her upper arm, and force-walks her away from whatever situation he doesn't like; she must have permanent bruises from his manhandling. He doesn't like that she talks to her neighbor or a guy at work, he is a classic "gonna be in the news for killing her someday" kind of guy. Oh, and he does the "I forbid you..." thing. Not once in any of the 4 books in this series does Gwen ever tell him to back off, f$$k off, or stand up for herself in any way. She just accepts it and tells herself that "he's a real solid guy and she loves him so". The first words out of my mouth after hearing "I forbid..." would be "Hold my beer".
This story deserves negative stars but unfortunately, a 1 is the lowest we can give here. I'm so glad that Jayne Ann Krentz/Castle has moved on from this style of writing and that I read her later works first. She has written dozens of books since the 80s and almost all of them are galaxies better than any of the books in this series. I am glad that I got a chance to read these early books because I do like to read early works from my favorite authors to see how their writing has changed over time, and JAK is definitely a favorite author.
by Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author)
Zac Justis is overbearing, possessive, and jealous. Sounds like a great boyfriend, huh? Yeah, the kind that you hear about after they've killed their former girlfriend/wife. But this is the male lead in this series and he's a first-class tool. Granted this book was written in the 1980s when the "Harlequin" formula for romance books ruled how authors wrote stories but ZJ is beyond the pale.
He tells Gwen multiple times that she's idiotic, grabs her upper arm, and force-walks her away from whatever situation he doesn't like; she must have permanent bruises from his manhandling. He doesn't like that she talks to her neighbor or a guy at work, he is a classic "gonna be in the news for killing her someday" kind of guy. Oh, and he does the "I forbid you..." thing. Not once in any of the 4 books in this series does Gwen ever tell him to back off, f$$k off, or stand up for herself in any way. She just accepts it and tells herself that "he's a real solid guy and she loves him so". The first words out of my mouth after hearing "I forbid..." would be "Hold my beer".
This story deserves negative stars but unfortunately, a 1 is the lowest we can give here. I'm so glad that Jayne Ann Krentz/Castle has moved on from this style of writing and that I read her later works first. She has written dozens of books since the 80s and almost all of them are galaxies better than any of the books in this series. I am glad that I got a chance to read these early books because I do like to read early works from my favorite authors to see how their writing has changed over time, and JAK is definitely a favorite author.
January 6, 2025
As GUINEVERE JONES - ZACHARIAH JUSTIS are struggling with their changing status - both with deeper feelings that they are reluctant to be vulnerable (to themselves and to each other)... and struggling with jealousy.
Her neighbor across the way, and artist who always has his window curtains open - and they wave to each other, but have never spoken... she sees that his painting has been damaged (pentagon & slashed) and then she sees someone in his apartment... they going rushing across...
and Zach reluctantly gets involved to solve things...
ends up he's a rich kid who broke from family when they would not support his art... early days in SF he was involved with an occult group - that mostly got together (in the basement of an old house) and got high... when 2 new members got too serious, and the others started to gain some success, they broke up...
and his father is looking for him, wants to reconcile, and sends his nephew on the hunt... the nephew knows that if they reconcile, he's out of money... so he conspires with the 2 serious members to terrorize and ultimately to sacrifice him to gain devil's power... Zach and Guinevere to the rescue...
her sister is interested in the artist - at the very least, to organize him and his art
Her neighbor across the way, and artist who always has his window curtains open - and they wave to each other, but have never spoken... she sees that his painting has been damaged (pentagon & slashed) and then she sees someone in his apartment... they going rushing across...
and Zach reluctantly gets involved to solve things...
ends up he's a rich kid who broke from family when they would not support his art... early days in SF he was involved with an occult group - that mostly got together (in the basement of an old house) and got high... when 2 new members got too serious, and the others started to gain some success, they broke up...
and his father is looking for him, wants to reconcile, and sends his nephew on the hunt... the nephew knows that if they reconcile, he's out of money... so he conspires with the 2 serious members to terrorize and ultimately to sacrifice him to gain devil's power... Zach and Guinevere to the rescue...
her sister is interested in the artist - at the very least, to organize him and his art
April 25, 2022
Were They Dealing with a Demonic Cult or a Devilishly Clever Killer?
GUINEVERE JONES - Being a good neighbor was easy when the window across the way framed a handsome young handsome young artist. But when she became witness to sudden violence in his apartment, it was only a hint of the trouble to come.
ZACHARIAH JUSTIS - He was up to his ears with an enchanting new client when a twitch of jealousy, the ticking of biological clocks, and a confrontation with mortal danger made him rethink his relationship to Guinevere Jones.
A slashed canvas, a pentagram streaked by a bolt of lightning, chilling blood rites -- they lead Guinevere and Zac into the dark heart of mystery where art, magic, and money weave a dangerous spell.
Heather's Notes
These stories are really quick reads once you get into them. I like Guinevere and Zachariah, and I enjoy the story. The stories are a bit dated though, but then they were written a few decades ago, so that is too be expected. I have one more to go in the series and I plan to read it too.
GUINEVERE JONES - Being a good neighbor was easy when the window across the way framed a handsome young handsome young artist. But when she became witness to sudden violence in his apartment, it was only a hint of the trouble to come.
ZACHARIAH JUSTIS - He was up to his ears with an enchanting new client when a twitch of jealousy, the ticking of biological clocks, and a confrontation with mortal danger made him rethink his relationship to Guinevere Jones.
A slashed canvas, a pentagram streaked by a bolt of lightning, chilling blood rites -- they lead Guinevere and Zac into the dark heart of mystery where art, magic, and money weave a dangerous spell.
Heather's Notes
These stories are really quick reads once you get into them. I like Guinevere and Zachariah, and I enjoy the story. The stories are a bit dated though, but then they were written a few decades ago, so that is too be expected. I have one more to go in the series and I plan to read it too.
October 5, 2017
If this was anyone other than my good old Jayne Castle I probably would have given this a 2.5 stars. It was cute like all of her reads. I call them fluff reads. When I need something light and easy I know I will always get this with any of her books.
This is old school Castle (you can tell by the cover) you can tell she's come such a long way in her books because I pretty much hated the main male character in this one. He's an ass. He is bossy and super annoying. That's never the case with her books! I'm usually shipping them two pages in. I wanted to kick this guys ass.
But it's my girl so I had no choice but to give her 4 stars ❤️
This is old school Castle (you can tell by the cover) you can tell she's come such a long way in her books because I pretty much hated the main male character in this one. He's an ass. He is bossy and super annoying. That's never the case with her books! I'm usually shipping them two pages in. I wanted to kick this guys ass.
But it's my girl so I had no choice but to give her 4 stars ❤️
April 19, 2020
Great reading
It is nice to see some of the authors early books available in ebooks. No one had a cell phone. Long distance calls in the evening for lower fees. Using a typewriter? A coffee machine that takes forever to brew.We have seen a lot of changes over the years.
It is nice to see some of the authors early books available in ebooks. No one had a cell phone. Long distance calls in the evening for lower fees. Using a typewriter? A coffee machine that takes forever to brew.We have seen a lot of changes over the years.
January 25, 2019
As with all the books in this series, it's a little dated, but I found those things amusing this time. IMO, this is the best of the series this far. 3.5 stars.
July 13, 2018
LOTS OF FUN!!!
Was an interesting take on an issue that was very prevalent in the early 80's. The mix of mystery with romance was fun.
Was an interesting take on an issue that was very prevalent in the early 80's. The mix of mystery with romance was fun.
October 13, 2021
Assumptions without questions. Not a smart move
Zac is a jerk and quite dense in this book. He expects actions and words from Gwen without acting on them first. He also can't seem to see what Elizabeth is actually after from him. His jealousy is aggravating after all of the times he breaks dates with Gwen. Since we only have our experiences as looking glasses into others it makes the reader wonder what is really happening between Zac and Elizabeth. Although you know Zac is faithful the same cannot be said about Elizabeth.
The mystery surrounding the artist Mason is evil.
Zac is a jerk and quite dense in this book. He expects actions and words from Gwen without acting on them first. He also can't seem to see what Elizabeth is actually after from him. His jealousy is aggravating after all of the times he breaks dates with Gwen. Since we only have our experiences as looking glasses into others it makes the reader wonder what is really happening between Zac and Elizabeth. Although you know Zac is faithful the same cannot be said about Elizabeth.
The mystery surrounding the artist Mason is evil.
August 24, 2024
Just as good as the priors…
Castle/Quick/Krentz are always on my “buy” list. She consistently delivers entertaining stories, regardless of the pen name. Or planet.
Her female leads are always strong, independent women, although they often over analyze everything. The male leads are all strong, protective men, alphas, but open to listening to the women, and understand that they can’t just crush their independence.
This story is another mystery for the leads to solve. Like the others, there are enough clues that you think you know who did it, but are never quite sure, since there is always a weird twist.
Time for book 4!
Castle/Quick/Krentz are always on my “buy” list. She consistently delivers entertaining stories, regardless of the pen name. Or planet.
Her female leads are always strong, independent women, although they often over analyze everything. The male leads are all strong, protective men, alphas, but open to listening to the women, and understand that they can’t just crush their independence.
This story is another mystery for the leads to solve. Like the others, there are enough clues that you think you know who did it, but are never quite sure, since there is always a weird twist.
Time for book 4!
December 23, 2018
I was hoping the artist across the street would come into the storyline somewhere, so I was happy to see that he does and that Guinevere's sister Carla finally gets back to normal. Another adventure for Guinevere and Zac unfolds with Zac the reluctant hero once more, and as the reader follows the plot, Guinevere and Zac's relationship is further cemented by time and proximity. I'm both looking forward to the last in this series and dreading it. These books work for me and I'm going to hate seeing the end.
August 3, 2014
Every day, Guinevere Jones waves to her neighbor, a young artist whose studio window faces her kitchen. But one night she witnesses an attack in his apartment...and the attacker has seen her. Gwen asks Zac Justis to investigate. A canvas has been slashed and a pentagram has been drawn on it. The investigation leads Zac and Gwen into a mystery involving art, magic and loads of money.
The 3rd book in the Guinevere Jones series is the best so far. The mystery is interesting, the story is fast moving, and the relationship between Gwen and Zac is moving forward. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
The 3rd book in the Guinevere Jones series is the best so far. The mystery is interesting, the story is fast moving, and the relationship between Gwen and Zac is moving forward. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
July 5, 2012
So far, this was the best of the series. The intrigue part of the plot was fairly ridiculous and I figured it out early on, but I liked Zac and Gwen's interaction much better in this one than in the previous books. Zac's client asking him to stand as "stud" had me rolling on the floor. That part alone made the book worthwhile. I can't wait to find out what happens in the last book. This 25 year old series isn't as good as this author's current work, but it is a fun read!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2012
The third book in the series finds our intrepid duo having made peace with the fact that they are in an exclusive relationship, but both feeling like that is not enough. While Zac is spending too much time with an attractive and powerful female client, Guinevere gets caught up in a bizarre series of crimes related to her artist neighbor. The situation with Zac's client leads to one hilarious scene, and the neighbor's problems are resolved in a truly dramatic fashion.
August 20, 2012
Gwen's window looks into the studio of her artist neighbor, Mason. When Gwen witnesses the vandalism of one of Mason's paintings she and Mason finally meet. Mason doesn't want to call the police so, once again Gwen gets Zac to help her help out.
Meanwhile, Gwen's sister is coming out of her depression and is streamlining Gwen's office. Zac and Gwen are building a relationship. But Mason has secrets that may threaten them all.
Meanwhile, Gwen's sister is coming out of her depression and is streamlining Gwen's office. Zac and Gwen are building a relationship. But Mason has secrets that may threaten them all.
September 13, 2014
Gwen gets involved with a mystery surrounding her hunky artist neighbor across the road. The same neighbor who walks around in a towel and greets her through their facing windows. The same neighbor that Zac can't stop being jealous of.
These stories are a combination of whodunit and romance between two people who just need to talk to each other. Nothing super clever but entertaining nonetheless.
These stories are a combination of whodunit and romance between two people who just need to talk to each other. Nothing super clever but entertaining nonetheless.
June 10, 2015
The Guinevere books are definitely a favorite now. Guinevere and Zach's chemistry is great and they're both very entertaining as characters , I actually wish there was more than four books and that's a totally new thing for me. Can't wait to start the last one and yet I'm not ready for an ending just yet.
October 4, 2012
I liked this best of the series so far. Gwen and Zach end up helping Gwen's artist neighbor. Their relationship is moving along and it was nice to see Gwen's sister get some decent time. Mason, the artist was a likeable character that I was rooting for.
September 2, 2012
Art, estranged family, rituals and drugs...
Another enjoyable installment that has been re-released. I like how each book has a self-contained mystery that also advances the nature of the relationship between the h/h.
Another enjoyable installment that has been re-released. I like how each book has a self-contained mystery that also advances the nature of the relationship between the h/h.
September 13, 2014
A book with a strong woman who collides with a strong man and get entangled in murder and mayhem always gets my attention. This one does it with style and class with Ms. Castle/Krentz's genius storytelling and writing.
July 14, 2015
Another Awwwwww awesome book
I gave five stars because, it's humorous, romantic, the characters are very well developed, there's drama, mystery, suspense with very good plot twists!!!!! If you like these ingredients, you'll like this book!!!!!!!
I gave five stars because, it's humorous, romantic, the characters are very well developed, there's drama, mystery, suspense with very good plot twists!!!!! If you like these ingredients, you'll like this book!!!!!!!
February 21, 2016
This was written before cell phones and the internet so rather amusing at times. I found the pace a little slow and Zac's jealousy a little outdated. I had to remind myself how long ago it was written. A quick read and the mystery was interesting.
September 21, 2022
I love this book. This whole series is just plain fun. I enjoyed the growing relationship between the hero and heroine. The mysteries in each book were thankfully completed in each book. They were good mysteries also. This books for me are definitely a keeper.
January 1, 2015
The third in the Guinevere Jones series, it continues the romance of Guinevere and Zac.
August 16, 2012
Another in the "Guinevere Jones" paranormal romance series. Okay, but nothing special. Not much more than a novella.
October 15, 2012
I really like the character Guinevere Jones. There are only four books in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews