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Delia Martin #2
A Barricade in Hell
Delia Martin has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with the ability to peer across to the other side. Since childhood, her constant companions have been ghosts. She used her powers and the help of those ghosts to defeat a twisted serial killer terrorizing her beloved San Francisco. Now it's 1917—the threshold of a modern age—and Delia lives a peaceful life with Police Captain Gabe Ryan.
That peace shatters when a strange young girl starts haunting their lives and threatens Gabe. Delia tries to discover what this ghost wants as she becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding a charismatic evangelist who preaches pacifism and an end to war. But as young people begin to disappear, and audiences display a loyalty and fervor not attributable to simple persuasion, that message of peace reveals a hidden dark side.
As Delia discovers the truth, she faces a choice—take a terrible risk to save her city, or chance losing everything?
That peace shatters when a strange young girl starts haunting their lives and threatens Gabe. Delia tries to discover what this ghost wants as she becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding a charismatic evangelist who preaches pacifism and an end to war. But as young people begin to disappear, and audiences display a loyalty and fervor not attributable to simple persuasion, that message of peace reveals a hidden dark side.
As Delia discovers the truth, she faces a choice—take a terrible risk to save her city, or chance losing everything?
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2014
8 people are currently reading
711 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Lee Moyer
25 books208 followersJaime Lee Moyer writes fantasy and science fiction, herds cats, is an occasional poet, and maker of tangible things. Her first novel, Delia's Shadow, was published by Tor Books, and won the 2009 Literary Award for Fiction, administrated by Thurber House and funded by the Columbus Arts Council. Two sequels, A Barricade In Hell and Against A Brightening Sky, were also published by Tor. Her new novel, Brightfall, will be out from Jo Fletcher Books on September 5, 2019.
She writes a lot. She reads as much as she can.
You can find Jaime on Twitter:
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@jaimeleemoyer
She writes a lot. She reads as much as she can.
You can find Jaime on Twitter:
Follow
@jaimeleemoyer
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
September 18, 2015
I feel like I'm being very generous by giving this 3 stars.
Then again, maybe historical paranormal mysteries just aren't my thing?
Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a chore to read, but it never really captured my attention.
First, let's start off with what I really liked about the story.,.
I loved Delia and Gabe's relationship. They are just such a rock solid couple, and there's a lot of mutual respect that runs both ways between them.
I also love the way Moyer describes the city of San Francisco in 1917. She makes it seem like another character in her story, and really brings the time period to life.
Moyer also does an incredible job bringing the side characters to life. Dora, Jack, and Sam are all vividly written, and feel very real on the page.
Unfortunately, the mystery isn't much of a mystery. You know almost immediately who the Bad Guy is, and then it's just up to these guys to find a way to stop them.
And sometimes that approach really works, but it just didn't do it for me this time. There was absolutely no tension, so it felt like our intrepid heroes just plodded along toward the conclusion.
Another problem is that Delia herself isn't a very interesting character.
Dora (Delia's mentor) is a bohemian medium who regularly puts herself in harm's way to rid people of evil spirits.
Delia is a woman who sees ghosts...and tries to help Dora.
Dora is flirtatious, full of life, and haunted by the painful emotions of everything she comes into contact with. She appears to have quite a (somewhat hidden) drinking problem in order to cope with what she sees and feels. She uses her knowledge of spells and charms to ward her home, and the homes of anyone who needs protection from spirits.
Delia is a nice married lady who wants to make sure her husband and friends are safe.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
Why isn't Dora the main character, and Delia a side character?
It doesn't make much sense to me to have the boring one as your lead, because (especially this time around) it felt like the story would have been better from Dora's point of view.
I think the real kicker was when a spiritual fight (toward the end of the book) took place between Dora and a Bad Guy. Since Delia is the narrator, you never find out what went on while Dora was 'fighting'.
?????
Are you kidding me with that?
Then you have the lighting-fast acceptance that everyone seems to have toward the spiritual world. Gabe is San Francisco's Chief of Police in 1917.
And his wife is continually telling everyone they meet about her talent to see spirits, and nobody gives them a hard time.
Ever.
They're all like, SURE THING! I BELIEVE YOU!
Nobody reports this to the newspaper's gossip column, his superiors never 'have a chat' with him, his officers 'trust that he knows what he's doing', and he still has a job.
Are you shitting me?!
There are WAAAY too many people in on their little secret for something like this not to cause problems for them.
It would cause problems for a public figure today, much less close to 100 years ago!
Then there's the spirit world, itself. Are the ghosts benevolent? Are they trying to help? Are they confused and lost? Or are they evil?
All we know for sure is that Dora and Delia don't trust them, and keep trying to 'banish' them.
Ghosts are tricky little bastards!
But it seems like it would behoove them to see what these specters actually want, don't you think?
I assumed after the first book didn't elaborate on the rules of the spirit world, that book 2 would have more answers...more clarification? More something to let the reader know whether Delia & CO should reach out to them, or be afraid of any interaction. I'm not sure I'm even explaining this very well, but the world building for the ghostly stuff is (in my opinion) sorely lacking in these books.
Anyhoo.
Last, but not least, I felt like the ending was abrupt and a bit anticlimactic. It was just...over.
Kind of like this review.
Then again, maybe historical paranormal mysteries just aren't my thing?
Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a chore to read, but it never really captured my attention.
First, let's start off with what I really liked about the story.,.
I loved Delia and Gabe's relationship. They are just such a rock solid couple, and there's a lot of mutual respect that runs both ways between them.
I also love the way Moyer describes the city of San Francisco in 1917. She makes it seem like another character in her story, and really brings the time period to life.
Moyer also does an incredible job bringing the side characters to life. Dora, Jack, and Sam are all vividly written, and feel very real on the page.
Unfortunately, the mystery isn't much of a mystery. You know almost immediately who the Bad Guy is, and then it's just up to these guys to find a way to stop them.
And sometimes that approach really works, but it just didn't do it for me this time. There was absolutely no tension, so it felt like our intrepid heroes just plodded along toward the conclusion.
Another problem is that Delia herself isn't a very interesting character.
Dora (Delia's mentor) is a bohemian medium who regularly puts herself in harm's way to rid people of evil spirits.
Delia is a woman who sees ghosts...and tries to help Dora.
Dora is flirtatious, full of life, and haunted by the painful emotions of everything she comes into contact with. She appears to have quite a (somewhat hidden) drinking problem in order to cope with what she sees and feels. She uses her knowledge of spells and charms to ward her home, and the homes of anyone who needs protection from spirits.
Delia is a nice married lady who wants to make sure her husband and friends are safe.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
Why isn't Dora the main character, and Delia a side character?
It doesn't make much sense to me to have the boring one as your lead, because (especially this time around) it felt like the story would have been better from Dora's point of view.
I think the real kicker was when a spiritual fight (toward the end of the book) took place between Dora and a Bad Guy. Since Delia is the narrator, you never find out what went on while Dora was 'fighting'.
?????
Are you kidding me with that?
Then you have the lighting-fast acceptance that everyone seems to have toward the spiritual world. Gabe is San Francisco's Chief of Police in 1917.
And his wife is continually telling everyone they meet about her talent to see spirits, and nobody gives them a hard time.
Ever.
They're all like, SURE THING! I BELIEVE YOU!
Nobody reports this to the newspaper's gossip column, his superiors never 'have a chat' with him, his officers 'trust that he knows what he's doing', and he still has a job.
Are you shitting me?!
There are WAAAY too many people in on their little secret for something like this not to cause problems for them.
It would cause problems for a public figure today, much less close to 100 years ago!
Then there's the spirit world, itself. Are the ghosts benevolent? Are they trying to help? Are they confused and lost? Or are they evil?
All we know for sure is that Dora and Delia don't trust them, and keep trying to 'banish' them.
Ghosts are tricky little bastards!
But it seems like it would behoove them to see what these specters actually want, don't you think?
I assumed after the first book didn't elaborate on the rules of the spirit world, that book 2 would have more answers...more clarification? More something to let the reader know whether Delia & CO should reach out to them, or be afraid of any interaction. I'm not sure I'm even explaining this very well, but the world building for the ghostly stuff is (in my opinion) sorely lacking in these books.
Anyhoo.
Last, but not least, I felt like the ending was abrupt and a bit anticlimactic. It was just...over.
Kind of like this review.
June 19, 2014
A Barricade in Hell by Jaime Lee Moyer is the sequel to the extremely popular Delia's Shadow. I often shy away from sequels to books I love but I dared pick this one up in the hopes that it was as engaging as the first.
Synopsis from Amazon:
In Jaime Lee Moyer's Barricade in Hell, Delia Martin has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with the ability to peer across to the other side. Since childhood, her constant companions have been ghosts. She used her powers and the help of those ghosts to defeat a twisted serial killer terrorizing her beloved San Francisco. Now it's 1917—the threshold of a modern age—and Delia lives a peaceful life with Police Captain Gabe Ryan.
That peace shatters when a strange young girl starts haunting their lives and threatens Gabe. Delia tries to discover what this ghost wants as she becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding a charismatic evangelist who preaches pacifism and an end to war. But as young people begin to disappear, and audiences display a loyalty and fervor not attributable to simple persuasion, that message of peace reveals a hidden dark side.
As Delia discovers the truth, she faces a choice—take a terrible risk to save her city, or chance losing everything?
While I adore the genre of the paranormal, I sometimes have a hard time finding books with all of the story elements I enjoy. I loved Delia's Shadow. I was immediately attracted to the historic post-earthquake San Francisco setting offered by Moyer where the city, although already 1917, is still rebuilding and recovering. Another plus was the fact that the characters in the story, minus the paranormal, were realistic. They are adults who had life experience and had to deal with their own losses as they worked toward a happier future. Their stories had depth and meaning which allowed me to invest in them emotionally.
In this sequel, Delia and Gabe have been married for a few years and have a solid relationship throughout the story. The main plot revolves around ritualistic killings that are truly creepy in nature. While Gabe deals with the police investigation, Delia must deal with figuring out why all of a sudden the spirit world has erupted with angry mobs of ghosts, more powerful then she has ever experienced and seemingly focused on her husband. The two of them make a great team and it is wonderful to see how Gabe, a seasoned law enforcement agent, believes in and supports the use of Delia's abilities when necessary.
The story is thought provoking and definitely has its share of edge of your seat moments. I could have easily read it in one night if I had the time (which I did not). What I found interesting is that the mystery focuses less on who the murderer is (which we can figure out fairly early) and more on how to prove their guilt, bring them in, stop more murders from occurring, and figure out how the restless ghosts can finally find peace. This was a refreshing twist to the normal, "whodunit."
All in all, A Barricade in Hell was just as good, if not better than Delia's Shadow. I'm looking forward to a third book to wrap things up for all of these characters I have grown to love.
Synopsis from Amazon:
In Jaime Lee Moyer's Barricade in Hell, Delia Martin has been gifted (or some would say cursed) with the ability to peer across to the other side. Since childhood, her constant companions have been ghosts. She used her powers and the help of those ghosts to defeat a twisted serial killer terrorizing her beloved San Francisco. Now it's 1917—the threshold of a modern age—and Delia lives a peaceful life with Police Captain Gabe Ryan.
That peace shatters when a strange young girl starts haunting their lives and threatens Gabe. Delia tries to discover what this ghost wants as she becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding a charismatic evangelist who preaches pacifism and an end to war. But as young people begin to disappear, and audiences display a loyalty and fervor not attributable to simple persuasion, that message of peace reveals a hidden dark side.
As Delia discovers the truth, she faces a choice—take a terrible risk to save her city, or chance losing everything?
While I adore the genre of the paranormal, I sometimes have a hard time finding books with all of the story elements I enjoy. I loved Delia's Shadow. I was immediately attracted to the historic post-earthquake San Francisco setting offered by Moyer where the city, although already 1917, is still rebuilding and recovering. Another plus was the fact that the characters in the story, minus the paranormal, were realistic. They are adults who had life experience and had to deal with their own losses as they worked toward a happier future. Their stories had depth and meaning which allowed me to invest in them emotionally.
In this sequel, Delia and Gabe have been married for a few years and have a solid relationship throughout the story. The main plot revolves around ritualistic killings that are truly creepy in nature. While Gabe deals with the police investigation, Delia must deal with figuring out why all of a sudden the spirit world has erupted with angry mobs of ghosts, more powerful then she has ever experienced and seemingly focused on her husband. The two of them make a great team and it is wonderful to see how Gabe, a seasoned law enforcement agent, believes in and supports the use of Delia's abilities when necessary.
The story is thought provoking and definitely has its share of edge of your seat moments. I could have easily read it in one night if I had the time (which I did not). What I found interesting is that the mystery focuses less on who the murderer is (which we can figure out fairly early) and more on how to prove their guilt, bring them in, stop more murders from occurring, and figure out how the restless ghosts can finally find peace. This was a refreshing twist to the normal, "whodunit."
All in all, A Barricade in Hell was just as good, if not better than Delia's Shadow. I'm looking forward to a third book to wrap things up for all of these characters I have grown to love.
April 18, 2021
3.5 stars
It’s 1917. Delia sees ghosts, and lately there have been a lot of them following her detective husband Gabe around. Gabe is now investigating what looks like a ritual murder. As Gabe and his partner/friend, Jack, continue in their investigation, they discover more and more people who have disappeared. Sometimes Delia and her mentor/friend Dora are brought in to help Gabe and Jack with their cases, and this appears to be needed this time around.
This is the second book in a series. The chapters alternate between Delia and Gabe, and in this one, I found Gabe’s murder investigation more interesting than Delia’s ghosts. In my opinion, this wasn’t nearly as good as the first book. It’s been a few years, so I can’t compare directly, but the first one did make my favourites that year. This one – there was a lot going on – a lot of action – and I’m usually interested in ghosts, as well as murder mysteries, but this one didn’t pull me in as much. I’m still rating it “good”. There is currently one more book in the series (I’m not sure if it ends at a trilogy, or if she’s writing more for the series) and I will be reading it.
It’s 1917. Delia sees ghosts, and lately there have been a lot of them following her detective husband Gabe around. Gabe is now investigating what looks like a ritual murder. As Gabe and his partner/friend, Jack, continue in their investigation, they discover more and more people who have disappeared. Sometimes Delia and her mentor/friend Dora are brought in to help Gabe and Jack with their cases, and this appears to be needed this time around.
This is the second book in a series. The chapters alternate between Delia and Gabe, and in this one, I found Gabe’s murder investigation more interesting than Delia’s ghosts. In my opinion, this wasn’t nearly as good as the first book. It’s been a few years, so I can’t compare directly, but the first one did make my favourites that year. This one – there was a lot going on – a lot of action – and I’m usually interested in ghosts, as well as murder mysteries, but this one didn’t pull me in as much. I’m still rating it “good”. There is currently one more book in the series (I’m not sure if it ends at a trilogy, or if she’s writing more for the series) and I will be reading it.
December 21, 2015
I don't know where to start with listing everything wrong with this book. It starts out the same as the first book with a spirit trying to contact the heroine to prevent mass murderers on a rampage. Unfortunately the heroine didn't learn her lesson the first time. She again refuses to work with the spirit and repeatedly tries to bannish the girl instead of listening to her. She ignores clues and like the first book people die for the next couple of hundred pages while she dithers.
And the book wasn't tied together. So many things were never explained. SPOILERS.
She never explained why men, women and children seemed to be killed in different ways.
She never explained why some ghosts disappeared but some were only controlled.
You never find out how they control the ghosts. She tells why The Wolfes do what they do but not how it is supposed to help their daughter. We never find out who Maximillian is and how he ties in. How does Nathan tie in? Were the "bad cops" merely hired thugs, true believers or German sympathizers?
Why were 3 bodies left on display, 3 washed up from the Bay and the rest never found? What did Penelope have to do with Anna? Why was the chinese girl brutally murdered and her spirit left behind while her grandfather was peacefully drugged before his murder and soul stealing? Why do soldiers killed in Europe stick around long enough to have their pictures taken with their bodies but then zip over to San Francisco to haunt? Why do trappers and fur wearing society ladies spend their afterlife haunting fur shops?
There is no rhyme or reason to this book. So many discrepancies are never explained or tied together.
Then on a personal note the book is unsatisfying.
Gabe and Delia learn they can never have the children they want because of Deliah's work with spirits.
Dora looses Daniel but she can replace him with the new police rookie. She is in her 30's while he is likely about 18. Sadie spends the whole book with only a new baby for companionship. Delia avoids her for months but they don't really explain why.
I sometimes wonder if the publishers actually read these books before publishing them. And where have all the editors gone?
And the book wasn't tied together. So many things were never explained. SPOILERS.
She never explained why men, women and children seemed to be killed in different ways.
She never explained why some ghosts disappeared but some were only controlled.
You never find out how they control the ghosts. She tells why The Wolfes do what they do but not how it is supposed to help their daughter. We never find out who Maximillian is and how he ties in. How does Nathan tie in? Were the "bad cops" merely hired thugs, true believers or German sympathizers?
Why were 3 bodies left on display, 3 washed up from the Bay and the rest never found? What did Penelope have to do with Anna? Why was the chinese girl brutally murdered and her spirit left behind while her grandfather was peacefully drugged before his murder and soul stealing? Why do soldiers killed in Europe stick around long enough to have their pictures taken with their bodies but then zip over to San Francisco to haunt? Why do trappers and fur wearing society ladies spend their afterlife haunting fur shops?
There is no rhyme or reason to this book. So many discrepancies are never explained or tied together.
Then on a personal note the book is unsatisfying.
Gabe and Delia learn they can never have the children they want because of Deliah's work with spirits.
Dora looses Daniel but she can replace him with the new police rookie. She is in her 30's while he is likely about 18. Sadie spends the whole book with only a new baby for companionship. Delia avoids her for months but they don't really explain why.
I sometimes wonder if the publishers actually read these books before publishing them. And where have all the editors gone?
June 18, 2014
I enjoyed the first book, Delia's Shadow, and I think that this book surpasses the first. While you could probably skip the first and dive into this book, I wouldn't suggest it. The first introduces you to these characters and besides you would miss a pretty great story. So, in this case, I would suggest that you read them in order.
The same kind of twisty ghost mystery is the plot of this book as well. We catch up with Delia a short time after the last book ended. We easily discover what has happened in her life and that discovery helps to bring us back into this world with Delia. The mystery also keeps Dora, their psychic friend and Delia's mentor, quite involved in this story. I was pleased as I wanted to know more about her after the first book. We don't really get much in the way of her friends closely involved, but we get a new side character in Mr. Sung as well as Delia's new kitten, Mai. Yes, I'm counting the kitten as a character because I have a feeling she will become more involved as the series goes on.
I don't want to reveal too much as it is a mystery and I need to let it reveal itself. If you haven't read this series I highly suggest you put this on your list. I give this second book 4 1/2 stars. I am looking forward to the next installment of Delia Martin!
The same kind of twisty ghost mystery is the plot of this book as well. We catch up with Delia a short time after the last book ended. We easily discover what has happened in her life and that discovery helps to bring us back into this world with Delia. The mystery also keeps Dora, their psychic friend and Delia's mentor, quite involved in this story. I was pleased as I wanted to know more about her after the first book. We don't really get much in the way of her friends closely involved, but we get a new side character in Mr. Sung as well as Delia's new kitten, Mai. Yes, I'm counting the kitten as a character because I have a feeling she will become more involved as the series goes on.
I don't want to reveal too much as it is a mystery and I need to let it reveal itself. If you haven't read this series I highly suggest you put this on your list. I give this second book 4 1/2 stars. I am looking forward to the next installment of Delia Martin!
October 20, 2015
Finished this last night. Deeply satisfactory follow-up to Delia's Shadow. Delia and Gabe are working together to stop another serial killer with occult ties, masquerading as an antiwar speaker. The first world war looms throughout this novel. Jack is back, Dora figures more heavily in the plot, and there is an introduction of a kitten that is one of my favorites. :-D
Gabe and Delia and Jack and Sadie are still them: one of the beauties of this series is that these characters are who they are, both as individuals and as couples. They take care of one another, they encourage each other to be their best selves, but there is no *unnecessary* conflict introduced into their relationships to build tension. That is taken care of with a cracking plot and truly spooky elements. Great read for this time of year!
Looking very much forward to the next and final volume in this series, Against a Brightening Sky, which just came out.
Gabe and Delia and Jack and Sadie are still them: one of the beauties of this series is that these characters are who they are, both as individuals and as couples. They take care of one another, they encourage each other to be their best selves, but there is no *unnecessary* conflict introduced into their relationships to build tension. That is taken care of with a cracking plot and truly spooky elements. Great read for this time of year!
Looking very much forward to the next and final volume in this series, Against a Brightening Sky, which just came out.
August 25, 2014
4.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I was excited to discover this new novel by Jaime Lee Moyer and read more Delia Martin’s adventures. Then it must be said that the mix of ghosts, investigations in a different century, can only be a pleasure to read.
Delia is now married to Gabe, like his friend Jack and the two couples evolve over time. Jack now has a child while Delia has lost hers and tries to continue her life even if nothing is simple after such a tragedy. But Delia and Gabe deeply love each other and it helps them go through the trials of their life. Yet they will have to be welded more for this new story coming in their way. It appears that the officer is haunted by a little girl that his wife is not able to drive away and the spirit is determined to get a message across. In addition to appear and interact with objects, she is also able to invade the dreams of the young man, leaving him with nightmares he does not remember thereafter. Delia and Dora therefore team up to try to find a solution to this problem but in addition to this, they will find themselves at the heart of an investigation that could put them all in danger. In fact, people all over town are disappearing and are then found dead a few days later, all in a strange way and everything tends to show that a newcomer in town is responsible. But this also means that it is very dangerous.
I was excited to discover this new story and I must say that I took a great pleasure in discovering everything. I was immediately grabbed by the story that the author presents here and I was curious to see how everything was linked at the end of the book. The investigation was fascinating to follow and I was eager to see the resolution of the story and for that, Jaime Lee Moyer won her challenge. If you are looking for really big bad guy, do not hesitate because the one staged here is really terrible! Oh yes, because he/she works with impunity and manipulates everyone with a great natural. I was also very touched by the Delia’s story and the loss of her child and it’s true that I was sad for her whenever certain events or actions made me think of it. But our heroine is strong and Gabe is always there for her. But these are not the only ones to go through a bad patch and it is the same for Dora and it is true that we can only sympathize with respect to their situation.
In the novel, we meet new characters with pleasure, such as an Asian spiritualist who seems to have more power than we would believe and who I think will take a prominent place in the rest of the story. I have many questions about him and hopefully we will learn more about him soon. There is also this little cat who befriends Delia and who manages to see spirits and fights like a tigress to help her mistress. Yet another character? Oh yes because he remains present all along the chapters and this is not one of the lesser. Indeed, it is a new police officer who will be able to help with his neutral nature Delia, Gabe and especially Dora in their investigations and even more. It’s a simple character, natural, who does not know much about what’s going on but he takes a place in our hearts little by little and I’m curious to find him soon.
You’ll understand that this is a very good second novel and I hope to read soon the next volume. In fact, I look forward to it. If you are looking for a good investigation, intriguing characters mixed with ghosts, do not hesitate!
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I was excited to discover this new novel by Jaime Lee Moyer and read more Delia Martin’s adventures. Then it must be said that the mix of ghosts, investigations in a different century, can only be a pleasure to read.
Delia is now married to Gabe, like his friend Jack and the two couples evolve over time. Jack now has a child while Delia has lost hers and tries to continue her life even if nothing is simple after such a tragedy. But Delia and Gabe deeply love each other and it helps them go through the trials of their life. Yet they will have to be welded more for this new story coming in their way. It appears that the officer is haunted by a little girl that his wife is not able to drive away and the spirit is determined to get a message across. In addition to appear and interact with objects, she is also able to invade the dreams of the young man, leaving him with nightmares he does not remember thereafter. Delia and Dora therefore team up to try to find a solution to this problem but in addition to this, they will find themselves at the heart of an investigation that could put them all in danger. In fact, people all over town are disappearing and are then found dead a few days later, all in a strange way and everything tends to show that a newcomer in town is responsible. But this also means that it is very dangerous.
I was excited to discover this new story and I must say that I took a great pleasure in discovering everything. I was immediately grabbed by the story that the author presents here and I was curious to see how everything was linked at the end of the book. The investigation was fascinating to follow and I was eager to see the resolution of the story and for that, Jaime Lee Moyer won her challenge. If you are looking for really big bad guy, do not hesitate because the one staged here is really terrible! Oh yes, because he/she works with impunity and manipulates everyone with a great natural. I was also very touched by the Delia’s story and the loss of her child and it’s true that I was sad for her whenever certain events or actions made me think of it. But our heroine is strong and Gabe is always there for her. But these are not the only ones to go through a bad patch and it is the same for Dora and it is true that we can only sympathize with respect to their situation.
In the novel, we meet new characters with pleasure, such as an Asian spiritualist who seems to have more power than we would believe and who I think will take a prominent place in the rest of the story. I have many questions about him and hopefully we will learn more about him soon. There is also this little cat who befriends Delia and who manages to see spirits and fights like a tigress to help her mistress. Yet another character? Oh yes because he remains present all along the chapters and this is not one of the lesser. Indeed, it is a new police officer who will be able to help with his neutral nature Delia, Gabe and especially Dora in their investigations and even more. It’s a simple character, natural, who does not know much about what’s going on but he takes a place in our hearts little by little and I’m curious to find him soon.
You’ll understand that this is a very good second novel and I hope to read soon the next volume. In fact, I look forward to it. If you are looking for a good investigation, intriguing characters mixed with ghosts, do not hesitate!
October 13, 2015
The second book in the series, A BARRICADE IN HELL, has another gorgeous cover. It takes place in 1917, two years after the marriages of Delia Martin and Gabriel Ryan and their best friends, Sadie and Jack Fitzgerald. Gabe is now a homicide captain, Jack, has been promoted to lieutenant. Sadie and Jack are the proud parents of a baby girl, Stella. Delia, on the other hand, is coming to terms with the loss of a stillborn daughter and the realisation that, according to her mentor and teacher in the occult, Isadora Bobet, she may never have children due to the strain of her gift.
When Delia begins to see the ghost of an auburn hair little girl of three or four, it may be related to the new case on which her husband is working. The victim is a twenty-six years old male, Bradley Wells, Commissioner Lindsey's son-in-law, whose wife Adele is pregnant and of a delicate constitution. The body was found in his father's drugstore, ritually laid out.
The ghostly little girl seems to have targeted Gabe for some unresolved possibly deadly purpose as she's only appeared when he's at home and sleeping. She's got the power to enter his dreams, causing nightmares.
An old friend of Jack's, Archie Baldwin, enters the police station. His garments are costly but dirty and has blood on them. Archie has deserted from the Army and is shell-shocked. He is concerned about his fiancee, Amanda Poe, shipping heiress. Amanda and he attended a pacifist lecture conducted by Miss Effie Fontaine and is missing. Both Jack and Gabe have questioned her housekeeper, Mattie Holmes at Amanda's Nob Hill abode, and she hasn't been seen since Archie picked her up on Friday, several days ago. Jack and Gabe begin investigating Miss Fontaine and how Amanda's case interacts with Bradley Wells' murder.
More victims to Ms Fontaine go missing. She storms into police headquarters demanding that the queries about her stop. Ms Fontaine is the picture of a liar. She has a mysterious backer, which is the only thing that MIGHT be plausible. Everything she said concerning the missing men are lies and derogatory statements. Finally, she even lies about knowing Amanda. She is someone whom I wouldn't hesitate to give to Coriolanus Snow, Emperor Palpatine or Sauron for termination.
This the stage has been set, Gentle Reader. For this is a darker mystery with the tales of stolen souls, spirits and ghosts that are not, in any way benevolent. America is on the point of entering into World War I and there are occult forces that want America to remain neutral and will do everything in their power to see this happen. These forces will use whatever methods available. Even using a poor fatally sick defenseless girl. Ella
When Delia begins to see the ghost of an auburn hair little girl of three or four, it may be related to the new case on which her husband is working. The victim is a twenty-six years old male, Bradley Wells, Commissioner Lindsey's son-in-law, whose wife Adele is pregnant and of a delicate constitution. The body was found in his father's drugstore, ritually laid out.
The ghostly little girl seems to have targeted Gabe for some unresolved possibly deadly purpose as she's only appeared when he's at home and sleeping. She's got the power to enter his dreams, causing nightmares.
An old friend of Jack's, Archie Baldwin, enters the police station. His garments are costly but dirty and has blood on them. Archie has deserted from the Army and is shell-shocked. He is concerned about his fiancee, Amanda Poe, shipping heiress. Amanda and he attended a pacifist lecture conducted by Miss Effie Fontaine and is missing. Both Jack and Gabe have questioned her housekeeper, Mattie Holmes at Amanda's Nob Hill abode, and she hasn't been seen since Archie picked her up on Friday, several days ago. Jack and Gabe begin investigating Miss Fontaine and how Amanda's case interacts with Bradley Wells' murder.
More victims to Ms Fontaine go missing. She storms into police headquarters demanding that the queries about her stop. Ms Fontaine is the picture of a liar. She has a mysterious backer, which is the only thing that MIGHT be plausible. Everything she said concerning the missing men are lies and derogatory statements. Finally, she even lies about knowing Amanda. She is someone whom I wouldn't hesitate to give to Coriolanus Snow, Emperor Palpatine or Sauron for termination.
This the stage has been set, Gentle Reader. For this is a darker mystery with the tales of stolen souls, spirits and ghosts that are not, in any way benevolent. America is on the point of entering into World War I and there are occult forces that want America to remain neutral and will do everything in their power to see this happen. These forces will use whatever methods available. Even using a poor fatally sick defenseless girl. Ella
August 9, 2014
I found this second entry in the Delia Martin series to be very well written and engaging, until the last twenty to thirty pages. At that point, my disappointment was almost overwhelming. In my opinion, the author should have been much more descriptive with the ending. Instead, the story just came to a screeching halt, after the fact.
When I got to page 330, and ran across this phrase: "A Portuguese coronel," I just totally flipped out. Yes, my anal nature button got pushed, big time. I am assuming the author meant, " A Portuguese Colonel." Perhaps a writing style guide and dictionary should be on the author's holiday gift list.
I am not at all certain that I will be able to continue with this series, although I will likely relent by the time the next book comes out. Curiosity killed the cat and I am abundantly curious. I'm also getting old and forgetful. Perhaps the third book will be the charm and exceed my expectations. I believe the author has a great deal of potential, so there is hope.
When I got to page 330, and ran across this phrase: "A Portuguese coronel," I just totally flipped out. Yes, my anal nature button got pushed, big time. I am assuming the author meant, " A Portuguese Colonel." Perhaps a writing style guide and dictionary should be on the author's holiday gift list.
I am not at all certain that I will be able to continue with this series, although I will likely relent by the time the next book comes out. Curiosity killed the cat and I am abundantly curious. I'm also getting old and forgetful. Perhaps the third book will be the charm and exceed my expectations. I believe the author has a great deal of potential, so there is hope.
August 18, 2014
4 1/2 stars. Delia and Gabe have settled into married life. Delia is working with Dora as an apprentice of sorts and has been working with helping spirits cross over. Suddenly there is an increase in ghostly activity that seems to center around Gabe. At the same time, a series of murders has drawn Gabe into a dangerous investigation. Delia is determined to protect him from the living and the dead.
This book was really good. I loved the first book but this one is a bit more focused. I really enjoyed the mystical aspects of the story. The personal stories are good as well. I love the relationship between Delia and Gabe. It is so sweet. I feel like I am really there in old San Francisco when I read these books. I hope the next one is as good as the first two.
This book was really good. I loved the first book but this one is a bit more focused. I really enjoyed the mystical aspects of the story. The personal stories are good as well. I love the relationship between Delia and Gabe. It is so sweet. I feel like I am really there in old San Francisco when I read these books. I hope the next one is as good as the first two.
June 16, 2014
Second book in the series. While I love these books, I was a bit let down at the end.....kept me reading, answered the questions...but just barely. I felt like more could have been written to close out the story. Delia is running around with Dora (psychic) and learning how to use her ability to see ghosts in more ways. People are disappearing and dying and their souls seem to be gone. Delia, her husband Det. Gabe & Det. Jack and Dora team up to figure out what's happening. Some new characters are introduced. Hope book three will do a better job finishing the stories! I still liked the book! :-)
Read
December 16, 2014*Review to come*
January 11, 2018
Rating: 3.5 stars (rounded to 4)
In her sequel to the paranormal mystery Delia's Shadow, Jaime Lee Moyer ups the stakes and brings out the big guns. The cast we've come to know and love from the first book are back, only things have happened since the first book. Namely, life.
Jack and Sadie now have a baby, and Delia and Gabe lost theirs. In fact, it's quite possible that they'll never be able to have children due to the toll seeing spirits takes on Delia (though, frustratingly, this is never explained or elaborated on). This might explain why it's so troubling that they're being haunted by the ghost of a child, one that seems to be zeroed in on Gabe. Even more troubling are the cult-like murders happening in San Francisco. They quickly realize there's something more sinister than just murder going on behind the scenes when they learn that one of the victim's souls was stolen.
A Barricade in Hell is an easy-to-read page-turner with an intriguing enough mystery. Delia herself is quite a boring character, but she's surrounded by very lively, interesting characters that carry the plot well. The killer is obvious by about a third of the way through the book, and at that point it's just a matter of "proof," but then again, the book's not really much of a whodunnit, so I can't really fault it for that. If you're reading this for plot, you're in for a treat; if you're reading for a solid mystery, look elsewhere.
So why the rating? A couple big reasons that really jump out:
- The elements are there to make the story great, but they're not tied together. The little girl spirit haunting Gabe and powerful enough to thwart Delia's barriers is fantastic, but unexplained. There's no reasoning why she's so strong or how she knows to seek out Gabe in the first place or even her anger towards Delia. Considering this is a major plot point in the beginning, it's a bit annoying how it's glossed over. Also, I'm not sure this is a spoiler, but I'm going to hide it as such anyway, just in case.
- The denouement was disappointing. The climax was exciting and left a lot of questions, but then it ended so easily. I mean, everything literally neatly fell into the main characters' laps to draw everything to a close, and after the climax, the sense of danger just deflated. I felt like it was over at that point, because everything the characters needed was neatly handed to them, so there was no real struggle.
- The antagonists' motives are sort of explained ... briefly. They're touched on. It's not elaborated on, and there's pretty much no wrap-up there. There are so many loose ends, especially in regards to all the spirits Delia sees. As this is pretty much the only thing of interest about her, the fact that the spirits mostly serve as a backdrop prompt in this book is a bit disappointing. Sure, they're mentioned, and it seems like things about them should be interesting (trying not to give spoilers about any particular moment), but then the idea is never revisited, and in the end, only the little girl's ghost is explained and pans out as something tied up in the end.
- One of the major murders involves a Chinese man and his daughter. The man's soul is stolen, and the daughter's is not. However, the reasoning behind his daughter's murder is never explained. It's also never explained why her soul wasn't stolen. Since the book made such a big deal over this murder, in particular, as she was young and innocent, it seems like a big thing to leave out.
With all that being said, I did enjoy reading the book, and even though I knew who did it, the bigger mystery was in how and why, and that held my attention. My favorite part was definitely the rhymes from the little girl. They were clever and cute, especially after I realized that there were big hints about her identity and what was going on in them. I thought that was quite clever.
In her sequel to the paranormal mystery Delia's Shadow, Jaime Lee Moyer ups the stakes and brings out the big guns. The cast we've come to know and love from the first book are back, only things have happened since the first book. Namely, life.
Jack and Sadie now have a baby, and Delia and Gabe lost theirs. In fact, it's quite possible that they'll never be able to have children due to the toll seeing spirits takes on Delia (though, frustratingly, this is never explained or elaborated on). This might explain why it's so troubling that they're being haunted by the ghost of a child, one that seems to be zeroed in on Gabe. Even more troubling are the cult-like murders happening in San Francisco. They quickly realize there's something more sinister than just murder going on behind the scenes when they learn that one of the victim's souls was stolen.
A Barricade in Hell is an easy-to-read page-turner with an intriguing enough mystery. Delia herself is quite a boring character, but she's surrounded by very lively, interesting characters that carry the plot well. The killer is obvious by about a third of the way through the book, and at that point it's just a matter of "proof," but then again, the book's not really much of a whodunnit, so I can't really fault it for that. If you're reading this for plot, you're in for a treat; if you're reading for a solid mystery, look elsewhere.
So why the rating? A couple big reasons that really jump out:
- The elements are there to make the story great, but they're not tied together. The little girl spirit haunting Gabe and powerful enough to thwart Delia's barriers is fantastic, but unexplained. There's no reasoning why she's so strong or how she knows to seek out Gabe in the first place or even her anger towards Delia. Considering this is a major plot point in the beginning, it's a bit annoying how it's glossed over. Also, I'm not sure this is a spoiler, but I'm going to hide it as such anyway, just in case.
- The denouement was disappointing. The climax was exciting and left a lot of questions, but then it ended so easily. I mean, everything literally neatly fell into the main characters' laps to draw everything to a close, and after the climax, the sense of danger just deflated. I felt like it was over at that point, because everything the characters needed was neatly handed to them, so there was no real struggle.
- The antagonists' motives are sort of explained ... briefly. They're touched on. It's not elaborated on, and there's pretty much no wrap-up there. There are so many loose ends, especially in regards to all the spirits Delia sees. As this is pretty much the only thing of interest about her, the fact that the spirits mostly serve as a backdrop prompt in this book is a bit disappointing. Sure, they're mentioned, and it seems like things about them should be interesting (trying not to give spoilers about any particular moment), but then the idea is never revisited, and in the end, only the little girl's ghost is explained and pans out as something tied up in the end.
- One of the major murders involves a Chinese man and his daughter. The man's soul is stolen, and the daughter's is not. However, the reasoning behind his daughter's murder is never explained. It's also never explained why her soul wasn't stolen. Since the book made such a big deal over this murder, in particular, as she was young and innocent, it seems like a big thing to leave out.
With all that being said, I did enjoy reading the book, and even though I knew who did it, the bigger mystery was in how and why, and that held my attention. My favorite part was definitely the rhymes from the little girl. They were clever and cute, especially after I realized that there were big hints about her identity and what was going on in them. I thought that was quite clever.
November 1, 2019
Rating: 3.5/5 I liked it a lot
I love Delia and Gabe’s relationship, they respect, trust and love each other. Gabe treats Delia as an equal, a partner, a friend. It’s so refreshing to see an stable marriage and a solid relationship.
I was intrigued by the mystery, love the characters and the setting.
If you were a fan of the series Medium or the ghost whisperer, you might like this as well. I highly recommend it.
I love Delia and Gabe’s relationship, they respect, trust and love each other. Gabe treats Delia as an equal, a partner, a friend. It’s so refreshing to see an stable marriage and a solid relationship.
I was intrigued by the mystery, love the characters and the setting.
If you were a fan of the series Medium or the ghost whisperer, you might like this as well. I highly recommend it.
August 22, 2020
I loved book 1 in this series, and book 2 was even better!
This author really knows how to tell a story. This book had a well-conceived plot, a great balance of character development and suspenseful action, and wonderful pacing. I had a hard time putting this book down once I'd started it.
The characters in this series are absolutely wonderful! Delia and Gabe are so likable and relatable and they feel like real people. People you would like to be friends with if they were real people. The development of their personalities and their relationship in this second book was a perfect next step from the first book.
I also like the supporting characters in this series, especially Dora! She is a delightful fire-cracker, and provides plenty of snap and some comic relief at the perfect time. I love her!!
The paranormal aspect of this series is interesting, and really draws the reader in. Delia's and Dora's connection with spirits offers plenty of opportunity for future books.
I can't wait to read the third book in this series, because this one was as terrific as the first book!
This author really knows how to tell a story. This book had a well-conceived plot, a great balance of character development and suspenseful action, and wonderful pacing. I had a hard time putting this book down once I'd started it.
The characters in this series are absolutely wonderful! Delia and Gabe are so likable and relatable and they feel like real people. People you would like to be friends with if they were real people. The development of their personalities and their relationship in this second book was a perfect next step from the first book.
I also like the supporting characters in this series, especially Dora! She is a delightful fire-cracker, and provides plenty of snap and some comic relief at the perfect time. I love her!!
The paranormal aspect of this series is interesting, and really draws the reader in. Delia's and Dora's connection with spirits offers plenty of opportunity for future books.
I can't wait to read the third book in this series, because this one was as terrific as the first book!
September 22, 2019
Two years down the road in Gabe and Delia's life and a new war has been waged.
I found it hard to put this book down as it delved further and further into the time period and the many different types of creatures that it brought to life in San Francisco. I enjoyed learning more about Dora and the introduction of the Chinese tong. It was interesting and captivating at the same time.
I will definitely be reading the last book in the series and can't wait to see what is in store for Gabe and Delia.
I found it hard to put this book down as it delved further and further into the time period and the many different types of creatures that it brought to life in San Francisco. I enjoyed learning more about Dora and the introduction of the Chinese tong. It was interesting and captivating at the same time.
I will definitely be reading the last book in the series and can't wait to see what is in store for Gabe and Delia.
June 2, 2014
Four and a half stars: A successful sequel that is even more thrilling and dangerous.
Delia and Gabe have settled into married life, when something sinister arrives in San Francisco. It all starts with a strange, sacrificial type murder in the back of a drug store. Gabe and Jack tread carefully, knowing all to well the danger that ghosts and the paranormal can bring upon them. Their investigation takes them into the heart of Chinatown, where they learn a similar murder occurred. Meanwhile, Delia realizes Gabe is being haunted by one very powerful young ghost. A ghostly girl appears at night, and she seems determined to bring harm upon either Gabe or Delia. Can Delia and Dora banish the ghost while Jack and Gabe track down another dangerous killer?
What I Liked:
* I was so pleased to dive back into Delia's world and find a tale that surpassed the first. I loved that this book had a complicated plot with a killer who had some frightening and devastating ideas in mind that could affect the entire globe. This is an excellent paranormal series set in San Francisco in the early 1900s. If you are a reader that enjoys this era and you want a bit of supernatural, definitely grab this series.
*I love that characters in this series. Gabe and Jack are two veteran police investigators, who thanks to their association with Delia and Dora, believe in ghosts and the paranormal. Gabe especially seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to the supernatural. I like the way these two work together and compliment one another when it comes to their jobs. They are a terrific investigative team. Delia and Dora return and I was delighted to see that Dora plays a much larger role. Delia with Dora's help is learning how to hone her ghost seeing abilities and she is getting a handle on how to control the ghosts. I am liking her maturity. Dora continues to be fashionable, daring and fascinating. She is a modern women who doesn't give a damn about societal expectations. She is glamour and glitz and an extremely talented medium who can bat her eyes and tame almost any man. This group of core characters are not only engaging but likable, which enhances the read.
*Once again, I loved the era and the setting. This takes place in 1917 as the United States is trying to avoid entering World War. San Francisco is still rebuilding and recovering from the Great Quake of 1906. Even though a new city has risen from the ashes, ghosts are everywhere. It is an era of spiritualism, and people are quick to believe in ghosts. I am enjoying exploring the city during this time period.
*The murder investigation leads Jack and Gabe Chinatown where they encounter a powerful, Chinese man, Mr. Sung, who is hunting down the killer who murdered his niece and brother. I was intrigued and fascinated by this portion of the town, it truly is like a small part of China nestled in San Francisco, and to an outsider its secrets can be deadly.
I enjoyed the mystery. I was a bit surprised that the suspect is revealed early on, and so there aren't any big surprises as far as who is behind the crimes, but the why was creepy and shocking. I liked that it was an exciting, dangerous and engaging mystery. I also appreciated that this one wasn't as dark and gruesome as the first.
*I like that I get a full story in each book of this series. No cliffhangers or big nagging questions. Everything is wrapped up by the end. The books could be read as stand alones if one desired, but if you wanted to get a full grasp on the characters, it is best to read them in sequence. There are a couple of niggling questions leftover that I am eager to follow up.
And The Not So Much:
*The ending felt a tiny bit rushed. I was on edge ready for the big final confrontation between Jack, Gabe and the killers, and then it goes rather quickly without too much of a fight. I was also disappointed that showdown between one of the murderers and the powerful and mysterious Mr. Sung is not recounted, and I was itching to know how that went down. Still, I was pleased with the wrap up.
*I adore Isadora. I find her so interesting with her sense of fashion and her ghostly talents. I am still wanting to know so much more about her and her history. I want to understand her past and to learn who educated her and helped her with her talent.
*I was fascinated by Mr. Sung, and I wanted to know more about him and his abilities. I am hoping that he will appear in the next book.
*I was a bit disappointed that Sadie and Annie were nothing more than mentions in this book. Both of these characters played key parts in the first book, and I missed them in this installment.
A Barricade in Hell is a superb sequel. This book matures the characters and presents another terrifying and exciting paranormal mystery. I love the San Francisco setting in 1917, a time when the country was on the verge of war and steeped in spiritualism. If you are looking for a terrific, paranormal, historical series, I highly recommend picking up the Delia Martin!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Delia and Gabe have settled into married life, when something sinister arrives in San Francisco. It all starts with a strange, sacrificial type murder in the back of a drug store. Gabe and Jack tread carefully, knowing all to well the danger that ghosts and the paranormal can bring upon them. Their investigation takes them into the heart of Chinatown, where they learn a similar murder occurred. Meanwhile, Delia realizes Gabe is being haunted by one very powerful young ghost. A ghostly girl appears at night, and she seems determined to bring harm upon either Gabe or Delia. Can Delia and Dora banish the ghost while Jack and Gabe track down another dangerous killer?
What I Liked:
* I was so pleased to dive back into Delia's world and find a tale that surpassed the first. I loved that this book had a complicated plot with a killer who had some frightening and devastating ideas in mind that could affect the entire globe. This is an excellent paranormal series set in San Francisco in the early 1900s. If you are a reader that enjoys this era and you want a bit of supernatural, definitely grab this series.
*I love that characters in this series. Gabe and Jack are two veteran police investigators, who thanks to their association with Delia and Dora, believe in ghosts and the paranormal. Gabe especially seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to the supernatural. I like the way these two work together and compliment one another when it comes to their jobs. They are a terrific investigative team. Delia and Dora return and I was delighted to see that Dora plays a much larger role. Delia with Dora's help is learning how to hone her ghost seeing abilities and she is getting a handle on how to control the ghosts. I am liking her maturity. Dora continues to be fashionable, daring and fascinating. She is a modern women who doesn't give a damn about societal expectations. She is glamour and glitz and an extremely talented medium who can bat her eyes and tame almost any man. This group of core characters are not only engaging but likable, which enhances the read.
*Once again, I loved the era and the setting. This takes place in 1917 as the United States is trying to avoid entering World War. San Francisco is still rebuilding and recovering from the Great Quake of 1906. Even though a new city has risen from the ashes, ghosts are everywhere. It is an era of spiritualism, and people are quick to believe in ghosts. I am enjoying exploring the city during this time period.
*The murder investigation leads Jack and Gabe Chinatown where they encounter a powerful, Chinese man, Mr. Sung, who is hunting down the killer who murdered his niece and brother. I was intrigued and fascinated by this portion of the town, it truly is like a small part of China nestled in San Francisco, and to an outsider its secrets can be deadly.
I enjoyed the mystery. I was a bit surprised that the suspect is revealed early on, and so there aren't any big surprises as far as who is behind the crimes, but the why was creepy and shocking. I liked that it was an exciting, dangerous and engaging mystery. I also appreciated that this one wasn't as dark and gruesome as the first.
*I like that I get a full story in each book of this series. No cliffhangers or big nagging questions. Everything is wrapped up by the end. The books could be read as stand alones if one desired, but if you wanted to get a full grasp on the characters, it is best to read them in sequence. There are a couple of niggling questions leftover that I am eager to follow up.
And The Not So Much:
*The ending felt a tiny bit rushed. I was on edge ready for the big final confrontation between Jack, Gabe and the killers, and then it goes rather quickly without too much of a fight. I was also disappointed that showdown between one of the murderers and the powerful and mysterious Mr. Sung is not recounted, and I was itching to know how that went down. Still, I was pleased with the wrap up.
*I adore Isadora. I find her so interesting with her sense of fashion and her ghostly talents. I am still wanting to know so much more about her and her history. I want to understand her past and to learn who educated her and helped her with her talent.
*I was fascinated by Mr. Sung, and I wanted to know more about him and his abilities. I am hoping that he will appear in the next book.
*I was a bit disappointed that Sadie and Annie were nothing more than mentions in this book. Both of these characters played key parts in the first book, and I missed them in this installment.
A Barricade in Hell is a superb sequel. This book matures the characters and presents another terrifying and exciting paranormal mystery. I love the San Francisco setting in 1917, a time when the country was on the verge of war and steeped in spiritualism. If you are looking for a terrific, paranormal, historical series, I highly recommend picking up the Delia Martin!
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
January 4, 2020
This was just as good as the first one. Moyer does such a great job creating such a wonderful world for the readers can get lost into. Once again the ghost and mystery element of the story blend so well together, making it such a great reader. Although it did get a little spooky at parts. But I am so glad I get to start the third now, because I am not ready to let go of Delia and Gabe as well as Dora and Jack .
June 25, 2023
I liked this book, but felt like it could have used more depth in terms of the time lapse to the point where this one started. I enjoy the details of characters’ lives but this one was pretty light on the important ones in my opinion. It was good though! Looking forward to the last book in this series.
April 20, 2024
Had a hard time keeping my attention on this book and took me several weeks to get through it. Just kind of slow for me. I feel it had a lot of potential trial and the story line itself was a really good idea but the execution was just kind of meh. Needed a faster pace. I feel like nothing happened until the last 20 pages of the book.
July 13, 2017
A bit too much sadness about Delia and the loss of her baby at the beginning, almost put me off this book entirely--just lost a beloved pet and wasn't in the mood for tearjerking. Once I got past that though, this was a pretty solid read. I'm liking the San Francisco turn of the century setting.
November 12, 2023
I like this series, if you want to fantacize about the possibility of ghosts. I can't understand why it is so difficult to find. My local libraries do not carry hard copies, nor do they carry audio on Libby. I purchased used copies online.
October 11, 2017
Lovely writing, engaging characters -- another great historical, supernatural mystery.
November 26, 2017
I liked it, but not as much as I liked the first novel. Not sure why, there was nothing in particular that I could point at to knock it down a star, but to me, definitely a 3 star book.
July 15, 2019
Delightful and imaginative, a good book to curl up with.
August 4, 2019
Great book but the author keeps skipping potential character interactions that I really want to read. Great setting, solid writing, interesting story.
March 19, 2023
Fully enjoyed the evolution of the characters and the story line.
March 13, 2017
This wasn't quite as strong as the first book in the series and it ended too abruptly, but it held some interesting elements. It doesn't take up immediately after the events of book 1, but after some time has passed. Jack and Sadie are in the midst of beginning a family and Sadie is pushed to the side caring for her child. Dora, however, is still present (thankfully! she's by far the most interesting character of the series) and frankly if this book was written from her POV I think it'd have been much more interesting. Gabe and Jack continue to be the buddy-cops of the pre-WWI era and the San Fransisco descriptions/setting was engaging, particularly Chinatown.
Delia and Gabe make a good couple, and I like their mutual respect and admiration. I don't know that the way they drew Randy into their circle made sense, but it was expedient and served the plot to have him in the tale so I forgave the rushed and awkward way he arrived.
I'll continue the series in the hopes that some of the world building about ghosts and the supernatural in general is fleshed out, but I suspect it's not in the (tarot) cards.
Delia and Gabe make a good couple, and I like their mutual respect and admiration. I don't know that the way they drew Randy into their circle made sense, but it was expedient and served the plot to have him in the tale so I forgave the rushed and awkward way he arrived.
I'll continue the series in the hopes that some of the world building about ghosts and the supernatural in general is fleshed out, but I suspect it's not in the (tarot) cards.
May 17, 2017
Originally posted at Disquietus Reads
Jaime Lee Moyer’s sequel to Delia’s Shadow is happily even more enjoyable than it’s predecessor. Returning to this world and these characters was just like visiting old friends. The mystery at the heart of the story was even creepier and more intriguing (child poltergeist? NO THANK YOU HARD PASS RUN AWAY WHILE YOU CAN) and the writing showed definitive improvement.
Moyer’s writing has a quiet, steady beauty that greatly appeals to me. In A Barricade in Hell she has crafted an excellent story with fascinating characters that gives the reader a glimpse into historical San Francisco in a way that made me feel as if I was there with the characters the entire time. The many plot threaders were seamlessly tied together with perfect pacing. Gone are the overwhelmingly detailed descriptions that I found difficult to push through while reading the first book. The dual POV still works very well for this series. Gabe and Delia have very distinct voices and the switch between is never jarring. This time around we have two separate mysteries we are trying to solve. On Delia’s end there is a poltergeist haunting her husband while Gabe in investigating a series of disappearances and murders possibly connected to a visiting evangelist. It was all very interesting and well put together.
If I had one wish for the plot though, it would be that I hadn’t solved it myself so early on. While there was one thing I didn’t connect until almost right before the characters did, I still figured out the rest of it way early. There is also a thing that happens in the end with Isadora and another character that I am still on the fence about. While I liked the end result, I’m not sure I like the way it came about, although it was definitely a likely thing to happen, historically (DOES ANY OF THIS MAKE SENSE I DON’T EVEN KNOW).
Really the only actual fault I could find with this book is that I struggle to connect with the characters. While the character development is excellent, and I like all of them just fine (especially Isadora because she is flawless), I just don’t connect with them in the way I normally hope to with the books I read. Delia is an admirable heroine. She’s smart and brave, but at times she’s just a little too quiet and passive for my tastes. She also seemed to be lacking a lot of the spirit and sass I admired in her from the first book, although there are reasons for this I think. I also greatly missed Sadie’s brightening presence in this book.
However, the fact that I enjoyed it as much as I did without being able to connect to the characters is really just a testament to the strength of the writing. 99% of the time my enjoyment of a novel is directly correlated to how I feel about/connect with the characters. Barricade is one of those rare unicorns that I enjoyed completely based on the strength of the writing and plot. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or mysteries and especially if you like both.
(I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)
Jaime Lee Moyer’s sequel to Delia’s Shadow is happily even more enjoyable than it’s predecessor. Returning to this world and these characters was just like visiting old friends. The mystery at the heart of the story was even creepier and more intriguing (child poltergeist? NO THANK YOU HARD PASS RUN AWAY WHILE YOU CAN) and the writing showed definitive improvement.
Moyer’s writing has a quiet, steady beauty that greatly appeals to me. In A Barricade in Hell she has crafted an excellent story with fascinating characters that gives the reader a glimpse into historical San Francisco in a way that made me feel as if I was there with the characters the entire time. The many plot threaders were seamlessly tied together with perfect pacing. Gone are the overwhelmingly detailed descriptions that I found difficult to push through while reading the first book. The dual POV still works very well for this series. Gabe and Delia have very distinct voices and the switch between is never jarring. This time around we have two separate mysteries we are trying to solve. On Delia’s end there is a poltergeist haunting her husband while Gabe in investigating a series of disappearances and murders possibly connected to a visiting evangelist. It was all very interesting and well put together.
If I had one wish for the plot though, it would be that I hadn’t solved it myself so early on. While there was one thing I didn’t connect until almost right before the characters did, I still figured out the rest of it way early. There is also a thing that happens in the end with Isadora and another character that I am still on the fence about. While I liked the end result, I’m not sure I like the way it came about, although it was definitely a likely thing to happen, historically (DOES ANY OF THIS MAKE SENSE I DON’T EVEN KNOW).
Really the only actual fault I could find with this book is that I struggle to connect with the characters. While the character development is excellent, and I like all of them just fine (especially Isadora because she is flawless), I just don’t connect with them in the way I normally hope to with the books I read. Delia is an admirable heroine. She’s smart and brave, but at times she’s just a little too quiet and passive for my tastes. She also seemed to be lacking a lot of the spirit and sass I admired in her from the first book, although there are reasons for this I think. I also greatly missed Sadie’s brightening presence in this book.
However, the fact that I enjoyed it as much as I did without being able to connect to the characters is really just a testament to the strength of the writing. 99% of the time my enjoyment of a novel is directly correlated to how I feel about/connect with the characters. Barricade is one of those rare unicorns that I enjoyed completely based on the strength of the writing and plot. I definitely recommend this series to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or mysteries and especially if you like both.
(I received this book for free from the Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)
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