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Kendra Michaels #2
Sight Unseen
The #1 New York Times bestselling author and the Edgar Award-winning author are back with a new novel featuring Kendra Michaels—hired gun for both the CIA and FBI.
A deadly multi-vehicle pile-up on San Diego’s historic Cabrillo bridge is thought of as a horrific accident—until Kendra Michaels arrives on the scene and perceives it as something much more sinister. Blind for decades and now sighted, Kendra's unusual skill for observation is highly sought after by both the FBI and CIA. Now her amazing conclusions open up a multi-jurisdictional investigation that once again teams her with the FBI and federal agent Adam Kyle as they investigate a conspiracy so explosive that someone will kill again and again to protect it. As the killer casts a deadly web of lies, Kendra’s life hangs in the balance, as do the lives of those she holds most dear.
A deadly multi-vehicle pile-up on San Diego’s historic Cabrillo bridge is thought of as a horrific accident—until Kendra Michaels arrives on the scene and perceives it as something much more sinister. Blind for decades and now sighted, Kendra's unusual skill for observation is highly sought after by both the FBI and CIA. Now her amazing conclusions open up a multi-jurisdictional investigation that once again teams her with the FBI and federal agent Adam Kyle as they investigate a conspiracy so explosive that someone will kill again and again to protect it. As the killer casts a deadly web of lies, Kendra’s life hangs in the balance, as do the lives of those she holds most dear.
11 pages, Audio CD
First published July 15, 2014
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About the author
Iris Johansen
226 books7,327 followersIris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.
IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.
http://www.irisjohansen.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 400 reviews
February 10, 2017
Sight Unseen the 2nd book in Irish and Roy Johansen in the Kendra Michaels Series.
Mediocre…not even passable!!!
A copycat serial killer is recreating the kills of a serial killer about to be executed that are all linked to the woman who helped with putting him behind bars.
Sorry, that would be Kendra Michaels, a music therapist, who regained her sight after being blind for twenty years.
She’s back! To find the serial killer that is obsessed with her. He thinks he’s so much smarter than her…but really, we know no one is smarter than Kendra Michaels.
She knows exactly how to take this evil killer down!! After all, she’s smart, kick-ass, brave and takes no shit from anyone…including the FBI…..we know what she thinks of them!!!!
She orders the agents working the case around…..yes, we know, she thinks that they’re idiots and cannot the job as well as she…..because they don’t see the picture like she does…remember, regaining her sight gives her special powers….
Oh, because she’s now able to see after all those years of blindness…right…it gives her something of an edge to us poor average human beings…
I more than struggled to finish this book….I gave up a few times but I was determined to reach the end….hoping that something would make me forget all the previous pages I so did not get into….because I spent a lot of time doing something like this…
….and no, the end…..naturally we are left with a cliffhanger!!! Hoping we will read book #3 next.
Will I be one of those to read it? You see, I love Iris Johansen, so I am probably going to read it!!!!
Mediocre…not even passable!!!
A copycat serial killer is recreating the kills of a serial killer about to be executed that are all linked to the woman who helped with putting him behind bars.
Sorry, that would be Kendra Michaels, a music therapist, who regained her sight after being blind for twenty years.
She’s back! To find the serial killer that is obsessed with her. He thinks he’s so much smarter than her…but really, we know no one is smarter than Kendra Michaels.
She knows exactly how to take this evil killer down!! After all, she’s smart, kick-ass, brave and takes no shit from anyone…including the FBI…..we know what she thinks of them!!!!
She orders the agents working the case around…..yes, we know, she thinks that they’re idiots and cannot the job as well as she…..because they don’t see the picture like she does…remember, regaining her sight gives her special powers….
I disliked Kendra Michaels a lot in this story. She was so arrogant and cold to everyone, including Adam, FBI and ex-lover. Oh wait, she thinks that she may like him but treats him like shit!!!! The poor guy even arranges a doctor to check her out after she’s jumped off a 2 story house to escape the serial killer who was in her home…..and all she does is moan and groan!!!! What’s with this “I can take care of myself” thing she has!!!
Oh, because she’s now able to see after all those years of blindness…right…it gives her something of an edge to us poor average human beings…
I more than struggled to finish this book….I gave up a few times but I was determined to reach the end….hoping that something would make me forget all the previous pages I so did not get into….because I spent a lot of time doing something like this…
….and no, the end…..naturally we are left with a cliffhanger!!! Hoping we will read book #3 next.
Will I be one of those to read it? You see, I love Iris Johansen, so I am probably going to read it!!!!
July 29, 2014
I've found myself increasingly conflicted about Iris Johansen books. Have her characters gotten less like-able and uni-dimensional in recent books OR have I gotten more critical and cynical? Have her plots gotten more repetitive and silly OR have I just come to the point that I am demanding too much? Has her writing style gotten so staccato that it is cutting to this reader's eye OR have I gotten so round that all I want is words that flow?
Having not decided on the answers to these questions I was excited to see that Ms. Johansen was again writing with her son. I found the previous books they co-wrote much more to my liking than her recent individual works.
Sorry to say that Sight Unseen brought back all my questions. Why is the main character emphathetic, intuitive, and innovative in her therapy practice but obstinate, tactless, and a bit reckless when solving crimes? Why. Does. All. The. Dialogue. Have. To. Be. Choppy. And, lord have mercy, is that Scarlett declaring "tomorrow is another day" at the end?
I really want to look forward to Iris Johanson again; maybe I should just could compare Sight Unseen to the options on TV. Now I'm much less frustrated.
Having not decided on the answers to these questions I was excited to see that Ms. Johansen was again writing with her son. I found the previous books they co-wrote much more to my liking than her recent individual works.
Sorry to say that Sight Unseen brought back all my questions. Why is the main character emphathetic, intuitive, and innovative in her therapy practice but obstinate, tactless, and a bit reckless when solving crimes? Why. Does. All. The. Dialogue. Have. To. Be. Choppy. And, lord have mercy, is that Scarlett declaring "tomorrow is another day" at the end?
I really want to look forward to Iris Johanson again; maybe I should just could compare Sight Unseen to the options on TV. Now I'm much less frustrated.
September 15, 2014
IT'S SHERLOCK!!! (In female form)
First, I'd like to say this was the first book I'd read in this series. I didn't know when I bought it that there was another that came before, I just saw a new book by a beloved author. The first scene hooked me by reminding me of two of my favorite shows: Bones and Sherlock.
Kendra Michaels is on a blind date set up by her mom when we meet her. In little time she reveals far more knowledge about the man than he's given and asks to be taken to an accident scene. Intrigued, as is the reader, he complies. Kendra shows the accident is actually a murder scene, utilizing gifts developed during her sightless years. The investigation changes course and soon Kendra is pulled in.
A killer is attempting to replicate all of the killers she has already put away. It's a dangerous game that cuts close to home for her, with Kendra having to dive out of a second story window to get away from him the first time. Agent Lynch comes in (Booth to her Brennan) to try and help put the maniac away quicker. But the game is afoot and he's only just begun to play.
I really enjoyed this book. As I've mentioned before, it was like reading an episode of Bones, the Early Years. I also liked that the whole time I bounced between two characters as the suspect and in the end, one was a victim and I was wrong on the other! Hardly ever happens, so it's great when the author surprises me.
First, I'd like to say this was the first book I'd read in this series. I didn't know when I bought it that there was another that came before, I just saw a new book by a beloved author. The first scene hooked me by reminding me of two of my favorite shows: Bones and Sherlock.
Kendra Michaels is on a blind date set up by her mom when we meet her. In little time she reveals far more knowledge about the man than he's given and asks to be taken to an accident scene. Intrigued, as is the reader, he complies. Kendra shows the accident is actually a murder scene, utilizing gifts developed during her sightless years. The investigation changes course and soon Kendra is pulled in.
A killer is attempting to replicate all of the killers she has already put away. It's a dangerous game that cuts close to home for her, with Kendra having to dive out of a second story window to get away from him the first time. Agent Lynch comes in (Booth to her Brennan) to try and help put the maniac away quicker. But the game is afoot and he's only just begun to play.
I really enjoyed this book. As I've mentioned before, it was like reading an episode of Bones, the Early Years. I also liked that the whole time I bounced between two characters as the suspect and in the end, one was a victim and I was wrong on the other! Hardly ever happens, so it's great when the author surprises me.
May 6, 2017
The second book in the Kendra Michaels series is quite the page-turner!
I love the characters of Kendra and the rogue agent Adam Lynch. This reads like a romantic suspense novel without any sex but plenty of sexual tension. It also has quite a bit of suspense and danger and intrigue.
This author is very good at throwing out red herrings and making you care about the characters. I really wish, though, that Adam & Kendra would act on the aforementioned sexual tension!
I love the characters of Kendra and the rogue agent Adam Lynch. This reads like a romantic suspense novel without any sex but plenty of sexual tension. It also has quite a bit of suspense and danger and intrigue.
This author is very good at throwing out red herrings and making you care about the characters. I really wish, though, that Adam & Kendra would act on the aforementioned sexual tension!
February 26, 2018
Okay, so, I originally started this series out of order and went back after reading the last one in the series to start from the top because I enjoyed the last one so much. I was highly disappointed at the first one and held out hope that the second would be better and I am SO happy that I decided to keep going because this one was awesome!
Kendra Michaels was given her sight back after 20 years of being blind and her fine tuned senses help the FBI solve various cases involving serial killers. In this particular book, some of Kendra's past cases come back to haunt her through one of the most horrific killers she has ever put behind bars and his accomplice on the outside.
One thing I really loved about this was seeing Kendra and Lynch really hit it off. I was getting so frustrated reading this at first because the chemistry between them is so strong I just wanted them to act on it already and we get a glimpse of that in this book. I love how Lynch protects Kendra and is there for her even though he knows she does not want that kind of protection. I can't wait to see where their relationship goes.
The ending of this book is another thing that I loved, the authors leave you wanting more and I can't wait to go and get my hands on the next one in this series! I have so many unanswered questions and have to know what happens next!
Kendra Michaels was given her sight back after 20 years of being blind and her fine tuned senses help the FBI solve various cases involving serial killers. In this particular book, some of Kendra's past cases come back to haunt her through one of the most horrific killers she has ever put behind bars and his accomplice on the outside.
One thing I really loved about this was seeing Kendra and Lynch really hit it off. I was getting so frustrated reading this at first because the chemistry between them is so strong I just wanted them to act on it already and we get a glimpse of that in this book. I love how Lynch protects Kendra and is there for her even though he knows she does not want that kind of protection. I can't wait to see where their relationship goes.
The ending of this book is another thing that I loved, the authors leave you wanting more and I can't wait to go and get my hands on the next one in this series! I have so many unanswered questions and have to know what happens next!
November 28, 2014
I always enjoy the Kendra Michaels books and this is not exception. Kendra is a fascinating character, driven and gifted and as always, these gifts of her extraordinary senses are of use to the police and the FBI. Here, we see Kendra caught in a ever closing trap of seeing her past cases recreated. The dynamic between the characters, as always is nicely written and flows well. This book is engrossing. I did not want to put this down and ended up reading until well after I had planned to go to bed because I had to know who, what and why of the story. The book does read fast but it pulls you in fully.
August 8, 2014
This book was really good! Predictable in parts but not too predictable to ruin the reading experience. Can't wait for part 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2014
Totally enjoyed it! Can't wait to read previous and future ones of this storyline.
June 20, 2018
I'm a fan of Iris Johansen's books and really enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to this one. The story line was good, the characters likable and it was great seeing many from the frist book again and meeting new ones.
What I did not enjoy was how inept some of the FBI agents and procedures were. Some things are just common sense, but then sense really isn't common.
You have a serial killer. You know he's targeting one of the team but you don't check for bugs and tracking devices? You move family members for safety but allow a civilian to be a part of where you're taking them, actually getting the address and phone number from him. Additionally you don't watch for a potential tail when transporting them.
Then you allow the death row prisoner to Skype with Dr. Michaels'. At the end he says that's enough time. Somethings up.
Finally, the "safe house" is attacked and you let the injured, including an FBI agent, go to the hospital without backup, knowing the killer has not been caught and you have no clue who it is.
While the story line is good and I realize it's a set up for the next book I was ready for it to be over because I just knew some of these things are going to come back and bite them in the butt, and it didn't have too!
There are more inconsistencies that I do not believe professionals would have made. For me this took away from the overall enjoyment. It's still a good whodunit and worth the read, just overlook the moments where some steps cause you to want to just roll your eyes and say, really?
Did the author want us to check our brains at the door? LOL! It's a good book but it has a few moments that cause you to want to shake your head because you can't believe that just happened. At one point I found myself talking to them while wanting to shake them!
I just started the third book in this series and I hope it reflects more of the writing I saw in the frist book.
The story some surprising moments, including who did it. I give it and overall rating of 3 because some of the things I see as rookie mistakes and none of these agents were rookies.
What I did not enjoy was how inept some of the FBI agents and procedures were. Some things are just common sense, but then sense really isn't common.
You have a serial killer. You know he's targeting one of the team but you don't check for bugs and tracking devices? You move family members for safety but allow a civilian to be a part of where you're taking them, actually getting the address and phone number from him. Additionally you don't watch for a potential tail when transporting them.
Then you allow the death row prisoner to Skype with Dr. Michaels'. At the end he says that's enough time. Somethings up.
Finally, the "safe house" is attacked and you let the injured, including an FBI agent, go to the hospital without backup, knowing the killer has not been caught and you have no clue who it is.
While the story line is good and I realize it's a set up for the next book I was ready for it to be over because I just knew some of these things are going to come back and bite them in the butt, and it didn't have too!
There are more inconsistencies that I do not believe professionals would have made. For me this took away from the overall enjoyment. It's still a good whodunit and worth the read, just overlook the moments where some steps cause you to want to just roll your eyes and say, really?
Did the author want us to check our brains at the door? LOL! It's a good book but it has a few moments that cause you to want to shake your head because you can't believe that just happened. At one point I found myself talking to them while wanting to shake them!
I just started the third book in this series and I hope it reflects more of the writing I saw in the frist book.
The story some surprising moments, including who did it. I give it and overall rating of 3 because some of the things I see as rookie mistakes and none of these agents were rookies.
July 22, 2014
This is actually kind of gruesome, the nature of the crimes, and the mind of the killer takes the reader to a disturbing place. I love Kendra's enhanced senses. It makes her a great detective. I think I would have rated it higher, except the cat and mouse game got wearing after a while.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
August 3, 2014
I have a problem with books that are violent in a sadistic way. Some authors seem to need to go way too far in the horror of their killers, and this story is an example of the technique. I found the first Kendra Michaels tale excellent, but this one really put me off. If you don't have a strong stomach, stay away.
July 21, 2014
enjoyed this book, I was hooked from the very beginning. I really like the characters, and I'm pretty sure I just found a new favorite author!! I'm going to be getting all the other Kendra Michaels books, and try the Eve ones! :)
July 16, 2017
“Sight Unseen” opens with an unusual blind date when Kendra Michaels sweeps Professor Dean Halley off to a multi- vehicle pileup on Cabrillo State bridge which she instinctively knows isn’t an accident, it’s a serial killing. In a deadly game of copy-cat murders Kendra gets caught up in a perverse matching of wits with a serial killer on death row and his accomplice. Partnering with Adam Lynch they begin an investigation that has Kendra rattled and seeking sanctuary in his fortified home until they can discover the identity of the vicious killer.
In an investigation that has Kendra remembering the agony of a brutal confrontation with convicted serial killer Eric Colby four years earlier, emotions ignite when the FBI links the murders to a copy-cat killer who wants to undermine her self-confidence by fueling her fear as he duplicates killings from her past cases. Armed with only Kendra’s acute senses and keen observation she and Lynch pursue dangerous clues that have her jumping out of a victim’s bedroom window and going to the penitentiary where a deadly foe wants vengeance before facing his execution.
With twists and turns as her friends and family are targeted, Kendra throws down a gauntlet with her refusal to be victimized. Yet vulnerable and uncertain she clings to the support of Adam Lynch the ex-FBI agent turned freelancer who not only helps keep her strong, but stands by her as they look for evidence that will lead them to the killer. With every step in their investigation their sexual chemistry intensifies and threatens to explode especially when she seeks refuge in his home while refusing to succumb to his humorous wit and sensual magnetism. Well-structured and exciting from beginning to end, the plot is gripping as events unfold that lead to a shocking ending that begs for another book.
The characters like the plot are fascinating and complex especially Kendra Michaels who blind for decades has regained her sight and is pursued by the FBI and CIA for her gift of observation. Wanting a normal life as a music therapist she’s constantly roped into helping bring serial killers to justice. Although intelligent, perceptive and independent, Kendra can often be rude and uncompromising. Sexy and tough Adam Lynch (the Puppetmaster) is sharp, calculating, and charismatic, his protectiveness triggered by the woman who continually eludes his advances. Yet it’s the devious evil and dark, sinister cruelty of an imprisoned serial killer and his lackey that add a terrifying chill to the plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Sight Unseen” and can’t wait to read the third book in this captivating series.
In an investigation that has Kendra remembering the agony of a brutal confrontation with convicted serial killer Eric Colby four years earlier, emotions ignite when the FBI links the murders to a copy-cat killer who wants to undermine her self-confidence by fueling her fear as he duplicates killings from her past cases. Armed with only Kendra’s acute senses and keen observation she and Lynch pursue dangerous clues that have her jumping out of a victim’s bedroom window and going to the penitentiary where a deadly foe wants vengeance before facing his execution.
With twists and turns as her friends and family are targeted, Kendra throws down a gauntlet with her refusal to be victimized. Yet vulnerable and uncertain she clings to the support of Adam Lynch the ex-FBI agent turned freelancer who not only helps keep her strong, but stands by her as they look for evidence that will lead them to the killer. With every step in their investigation their sexual chemistry intensifies and threatens to explode especially when she seeks refuge in his home while refusing to succumb to his humorous wit and sensual magnetism. Well-structured and exciting from beginning to end, the plot is gripping as events unfold that lead to a shocking ending that begs for another book.
The characters like the plot are fascinating and complex especially Kendra Michaels who blind for decades has regained her sight and is pursued by the FBI and CIA for her gift of observation. Wanting a normal life as a music therapist she’s constantly roped into helping bring serial killers to justice. Although intelligent, perceptive and independent, Kendra can often be rude and uncompromising. Sexy and tough Adam Lynch (the Puppetmaster) is sharp, calculating, and charismatic, his protectiveness triggered by the woman who continually eludes his advances. Yet it’s the devious evil and dark, sinister cruelty of an imprisoned serial killer and his lackey that add a terrifying chill to the plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Sight Unseen” and can’t wait to read the third book in this captivating series.
August 6, 2018
Kendra Michaels was blind for many, many years and though she has regained her sight, all of her senses have been honed to the point that she can tell you what you had for dinner the last time you wore your blazer. But while she has gained some notoriety as an FBI adjunct on serial killer cases, she really prefers to work with her clients in her music therapy clinic. That is her true calling. But sometimes, fate has other ideas. While on a blind date, she is witness to a multi-car accident and realizes immediately it is a set-up. It isn't long before the FBI is at her door. It wasn't merely a set-up it was a specific set-up, one that she had seen before in a prior case. And by the way, there had been a few other incidents that were set-ups from her other cases. Despite her best intentions she has no choice but to get involved. If only it were that easy. The killer is trying to make a point but she isn't sure that she or the FBI can figure out before it is too late. The story grabbed you and held on tight until the last words. The best kind of book.
December 7, 2019
Whew, great characters but a tad gory for my tastes. Maybe the next one is better?
April 5, 2021
This is a fast paced easy read but with a cliffhanger :(
August 29, 2018
So, who here has heard of the "Stupid Sexy Flanders" meme? If not, here's an explanation:
In an episode of "The Simpsons," Homer is skiing down a hill with his legs painfully spread apart. As he tries to remember what his ski instructor told him, an image of his neighbor, Ned Flanders, in body-tight ski gear appears. He recalls Flander saying, "It feels like I'm wearing nothing at all!" while shaking his booty in a completely innocent, Christian manner. The phrase "Nothing at all" repeats in Homer's head, and each time it zooms in closer on Flanders' butt. Homer screams, "Stupid sexy Flanders!"
That's how I felt reading this book, except it was "Stupid suspenseful Johansen!"
Homer is straight. And if he wasn't, he wouldn't be attracted to Flanders. Flanders is annoying, religious, and unforgivably friendly. Homer doesn't want to admit that Flanders has a great butt. But he does. Dang it, he does.
I feel the same way about Johansen's ability to write. Despite the fact that I can't stand her writing...I have to admit, she really knows how to pull a reader in. It's like watching those paternity tests episodes on Maury. (Does anyone remember that guy?) "This is garbage. I shouldn't be watching this," you say, as your heart pumps and you stuff popcorn into your mouth while waiting for Maury to state his catchphrase "You are (NOT) the father!"
Thus was my experience with Johansen's "Sight Unseen."
So, I now know why Kendra knows so much stuff. Apparently, from the time she was a kid, every time she encountered a new sound or smell, she would investigate it. When she had her sight restored, she did the same with sights. We're treated to a scene where Kendra visits a used car dealer and listens to all the cars start up so she can learn which cars' engines make which sounds. But I still don't buy this. Think about how much stuff there is in the world. And she doesn't just have to know about products. She has to know a ridiculous amount about human anatomy and psychology, about behavior, about linguistics. Not only can she pick out every accent in the United States, but she can even tell what accent they originally had as a child, and when and where they acquired their new accent. Yet she claims she doesn't Google anything, because "life's too short." So I'm guessing she doesn't sit around reading Wikipedia all day, either. You mean to tell me, then, that she's managed to pick up stuff in hundreds of different fields that people take years learning about before she's had her 30th birthday? Yeah, not buying it.
I was surprised to find this was only the second Kendra Michaels book. I would have expected more books before the appearance of a fanatic who reproduces several of her most famous cases, but I was still impressed by the premise of the story. People with extraordinary abilities are often idolized, and sometimes stalked, by rabid fans. It's also true that many serial killers are thrill seekers and believe they will never get caught. I'm not a huge fan of reading about serial killers, but at least this one didn't include any sexual assault, and the hunt for the killer was exciting to read.
I really do think that Johansen's son is better at characterization and dialogue than she is. Some of the banter between Kendra and Adam Lynch, her on-again-off-again love interest, was actually enjoyable to read, and a few lines even made me chuckle. Perhaps Roy just hasn't written for so long that he's become too formulaic. I rag on Iris a lot, but honestly, most super prolific authors are no different. There are exceptions, but most authors who are cranking out a novel a year (or more) aren't doing so because they're good. They have a horde of "ride or die" fans, and they've learned what pays, so they stick with what's "safe."
That doesn't mean I have anything against their fans. I mean, I'm the same way with the Sims franchise. I know, deep down in my heart, that The Sims 4 is a pretty crummy game compared to its predecessors. But I keep spending money on it.
While the premise was interesting, and the writing quality was better than Johansen's solo works, "Sight Unseen" was still a tedious read. A huge chunk of the novel is spent arguing about the same tired things, over and over again. Kendra wants to risk her neck at every possibility. Adam wants to make sure she's safe. Griffin wants Kendra to risk her neck at every possibility, but Kendra doesn't want to take orders from him and Adam hates him because he's putting Kendra in danger. Kendra wants her mother, Diane, and best friend, Olivia, to go somewhere safe while the serial killer is on the loose. They don't want to. Et cetera, et cetera.
Every time Kendra refuses to do something, she ends up doing it anyway, either because she "has to" or because it will be "easier" than arguing. And look. I know conflict is essential to storytelling. But when ever argument is written the same way and has the same outcome, it makes for a very boring and tiring read.
There's also the issue of consent. There hasn't been any sex in the books written with Roy Johansen (which I'm fine with, by the way), but they still found ways to make Adam creepy. At one point in the book, he hires a doctor to show up while Kendra's working to perform a complete medical exam. He even says that if she refuses, he'll continue to stalk her until she agrees. Seriously. And he has her change into a hospital gown, so I'm thinking we're really going "full body" here, if you catch my drift. Why this is necessary for a bunch of bruises and a sprained wrist, I have no idea. (Was the joke about the "surprise" rectal exam really necessary? Although I suppose it's possible the same was done to her by the doctor. Gross.)
What's worse is that, even as Kendra's annoyed, she's also touched that, although many people told her to see a doctor, Adam was the only one to actually send one to her. Oh, and did I mention that she only "consented" to the exam because she decided it would be "easier" than to fight? Yeah. That happened. I think someone needs to lose his medical license.
By far, the most annoying thing about Kendra herself is her attitude. She doesn't like Griffin because he doesn't like her, since he's under the impression that she thinks the police and FBI are idiots. And you know what? He's right. When a murder is reported as a (very believable) traffic accident, she mentions to her date that they're "idiots" for not realizing that it wasn't an accident. Well, excuse me, but not everyone has your superpowers!
And they are superpowers. In addition to Kendra being an asshole to the police force and the FBI (and trust me, I'm not quick to be sympathetic toward either), she constantly insists that her abilities are just a "party trick" and not a huge deal. The implication is that anybody could do the things she does if they just tried hard enough. Hmmm, I wonder why so many people don't like her?
At this point, I don't even know if Johansen's "twists" are predictable anymore. They worked for me, although I was already aware of one of them because I've already read the book after this one.
Sadly, the woman Adam is dating doesn't make an appearance in this book, but I like her even more than I did in "The Naked Eye" (she doesn't appear in that one, either) thanks to something that you really have to read yourself to appreciate. She may actually be the most likable character in the Kendra Michael series. I hope she finds a better guy to date, because Lynch is, indeed, a creeper, just like the men in all of Johansen's other books. He just took a little longer to get there.
I probably would have given this book three stars if it weren't so danged similar to all of her other books. If she had just taken out all the repetitive dialogue, or even just adjusted all the various conflicts so that it didn't feel like I was reading the same thing sixteen different times.
In an episode of "The Simpsons," Homer is skiing down a hill with his legs painfully spread apart. As he tries to remember what his ski instructor told him, an image of his neighbor, Ned Flanders, in body-tight ski gear appears. He recalls Flander saying, "It feels like I'm wearing nothing at all!" while shaking his booty in a completely innocent, Christian manner. The phrase "Nothing at all" repeats in Homer's head, and each time it zooms in closer on Flanders' butt. Homer screams, "Stupid sexy Flanders!"
That's how I felt reading this book, except it was "Stupid suspenseful Johansen!"
Homer is straight. And if he wasn't, he wouldn't be attracted to Flanders. Flanders is annoying, religious, and unforgivably friendly. Homer doesn't want to admit that Flanders has a great butt. But he does. Dang it, he does.
I feel the same way about Johansen's ability to write. Despite the fact that I can't stand her writing...I have to admit, she really knows how to pull a reader in. It's like watching those paternity tests episodes on Maury. (Does anyone remember that guy?) "This is garbage. I shouldn't be watching this," you say, as your heart pumps and you stuff popcorn into your mouth while waiting for Maury to state his catchphrase "You are (NOT) the father!"
Thus was my experience with Johansen's "Sight Unseen."
So, I now know why Kendra knows so much stuff. Apparently, from the time she was a kid, every time she encountered a new sound or smell, she would investigate it. When she had her sight restored, she did the same with sights. We're treated to a scene where Kendra visits a used car dealer and listens to all the cars start up so she can learn which cars' engines make which sounds. But I still don't buy this. Think about how much stuff there is in the world. And she doesn't just have to know about products. She has to know a ridiculous amount about human anatomy and psychology, about behavior, about linguistics. Not only can she pick out every accent in the United States, but she can even tell what accent they originally had as a child, and when and where they acquired their new accent. Yet she claims she doesn't Google anything, because "life's too short." So I'm guessing she doesn't sit around reading Wikipedia all day, either. You mean to tell me, then, that she's managed to pick up stuff in hundreds of different fields that people take years learning about before she's had her 30th birthday? Yeah, not buying it.
I was surprised to find this was only the second Kendra Michaels book. I would have expected more books before the appearance of a fanatic who reproduces several of her most famous cases, but I was still impressed by the premise of the story. People with extraordinary abilities are often idolized, and sometimes stalked, by rabid fans. It's also true that many serial killers are thrill seekers and believe they will never get caught. I'm not a huge fan of reading about serial killers, but at least this one didn't include any sexual assault, and the hunt for the killer was exciting to read.
I really do think that Johansen's son is better at characterization and dialogue than she is. Some of the banter between Kendra and Adam Lynch, her on-again-off-again love interest, was actually enjoyable to read, and a few lines even made me chuckle. Perhaps Roy just hasn't written for so long that he's become too formulaic. I rag on Iris a lot, but honestly, most super prolific authors are no different. There are exceptions, but most authors who are cranking out a novel a year (or more) aren't doing so because they're good. They have a horde of "ride or die" fans, and they've learned what pays, so they stick with what's "safe."
That doesn't mean I have anything against their fans. I mean, I'm the same way with the Sims franchise. I know, deep down in my heart, that The Sims 4 is a pretty crummy game compared to its predecessors. But I keep spending money on it.
While the premise was interesting, and the writing quality was better than Johansen's solo works, "Sight Unseen" was still a tedious read. A huge chunk of the novel is spent arguing about the same tired things, over and over again. Kendra wants to risk her neck at every possibility. Adam wants to make sure she's safe. Griffin wants Kendra to risk her neck at every possibility, but Kendra doesn't want to take orders from him and Adam hates him because he's putting Kendra in danger. Kendra wants her mother, Diane, and best friend, Olivia, to go somewhere safe while the serial killer is on the loose. They don't want to. Et cetera, et cetera.
Every time Kendra refuses to do something, she ends up doing it anyway, either because she "has to" or because it will be "easier" than arguing. And look. I know conflict is essential to storytelling. But when ever argument is written the same way and has the same outcome, it makes for a very boring and tiring read.
There's also the issue of consent. There hasn't been any sex in the books written with Roy Johansen (which I'm fine with, by the way), but they still found ways to make Adam creepy. At one point in the book, he hires a doctor to show up while Kendra's working to perform a complete medical exam. He even says that if she refuses, he'll continue to stalk her until she agrees. Seriously. And he has her change into a hospital gown, so I'm thinking we're really going "full body" here, if you catch my drift. Why this is necessary for a bunch of bruises and a sprained wrist, I have no idea. (Was the joke about the "surprise" rectal exam really necessary? Although I suppose it's possible the same was done to her by the doctor. Gross.)
What's worse is that, even as Kendra's annoyed, she's also touched that, although many people told her to see a doctor, Adam was the only one to actually send one to her. Oh, and did I mention that she only "consented" to the exam because she decided it would be "easier" than to fight? Yeah. That happened. I think someone needs to lose his medical license.
By far, the most annoying thing about Kendra herself is her attitude. She doesn't like Griffin because he doesn't like her, since he's under the impression that she thinks the police and FBI are idiots. And you know what? He's right. When a murder is reported as a (very believable) traffic accident, she mentions to her date that they're "idiots" for not realizing that it wasn't an accident. Well, excuse me, but not everyone has your superpowers!
And they are superpowers. In addition to Kendra being an asshole to the police force and the FBI (and trust me, I'm not quick to be sympathetic toward either), she constantly insists that her abilities are just a "party trick" and not a huge deal. The implication is that anybody could do the things she does if they just tried hard enough. Hmmm, I wonder why so many people don't like her?
At this point, I don't even know if Johansen's "twists" are predictable anymore. They worked for me, although I was already aware of one of them because I've already read the book after this one.
Sadly, the woman Adam is dating doesn't make an appearance in this book, but I like her even more than I did in "The Naked Eye" (she doesn't appear in that one, either) thanks to something that you really have to read yourself to appreciate. She may actually be the most likable character in the Kendra Michael series. I hope she finds a better guy to date, because Lynch is, indeed, a creeper, just like the men in all of Johansen's other books. He just took a little longer to get there.
I probably would have given this book three stars if it weren't so danged similar to all of her other books. If she had just taken out all the repetitive dialogue, or even just adjusted all the various conflicts so that it didn't feel like I was reading the same thing sixteen different times.
September 16, 2014
Good mystery with original characters and an interesting main theme.
I would have given it 4 stars, but "lips are twisting", and there were a couple of errors. Kendra and Lynch make a great couple. I loved Kendra's mother and her best friend, Olivia. I probably won't buy any more of I.J.s book. She's too well published for errors. I can't remember ever finding errors in her books at the library. But, quality doesn't seem to mean much for ebooks. I hope Roy finds his own niche and cares about releasing quality ebooks, both in story and language.
I would have given it 4 stars, but "lips are twisting", and there were a couple of errors. Kendra and Lynch make a great couple. I loved Kendra's mother and her best friend, Olivia. I probably won't buy any more of I.J.s book. She's too well published for errors. I can't remember ever finding errors in her books at the library. But, quality doesn't seem to mean much for ebooks. I hope Roy finds his own niche and cares about releasing quality ebooks, both in story and language.
July 30, 2016
This book was fabulously written and had kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was mysterious, brutal at times, and extremely addictive with lots of suspense throughout the whole story. I highly recommend this read. I am anxious to backtrack and read book one now.
January 24, 2025
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This book is the second book in the Kendra Michaels series. I liked the first book better (5 stars) and this book soured me on the series a bit. The book is jointly written by two people, and I did wonder if book 1 had one author write a bit more while this book might have had the second author write more. Not sure if that is true, but the tone felt a little different.
Kendra is a Sherlock Holmes type protagonist who gets drawn into an investigation because a serial killer is copying mysteries that she has solved. The killer considers himself to be an artist at doing so and uses the nickname Myatt, who was an art forger of the highest level. Small spoiler…later, you find out the killer has an association with another serial killer that is featured in the third book.
Kendra did not take much from anyone, which was impressive, but there were times when she was insulting or snarky with others. However, when they would do the same back, it was taken as disrespect and in a negative way. It felt like a one way street. I thought the author should have toned this down.
Kendra has amazing observation skills, and she has the ability to understand what she is seeing. She is also confident, caring, and honorable. Much of her approach to life comes from her mother, Diane, who did not let Kendra be less because she was blind and has a no holds barred approach to life herself. Kendra works as a music therapist for people with difficulties, such as autism. She takes a break from her work to help solve this case.
Kendra was blind from birth to 20 and while she was blind, she learned to smell, hear, and taste things that those who are not blind do not notice. But it isn’t just that she notices those things, she studies them. In this book, she hears a car and is determined to listen to different engines to figure out which type of car she heard. Once she started seeing, she also looked at details, for example in this case, she notices indentations in the carpet that give a clue.
She is notified of the case by Adam Lynch, a freelance investigator associated with the Justice Department who appeared in the first book. He is known as a Puppetmaster and a manipulator who sometimes works outside the law to get things. Kendra usually pushes back when he tries to manipulate her. However, there is one place where she did not, and I felt it was out of character. She had been injured and an ambulance technician had looked at her on the spot and determined nothing was wrong. Adam sends a doctor to look at her and she simply gives in to it. She had previously declined medical care and the pushing of other people but accepted it from him.
In addition, at one point, he tells her security guard that he is taking over without telling Kendra anything about it in advance. He simply tells her that he wants her to stay at his highly secure home. She simply says ok and moves in. It would have been more respectful for him to discuss it with her in advance and let her make the decision. The character belongs to the author of course but it seemed really inconsistent with her character as I understood her particularly as she was presented in the first book.
He was attracted to her in the previous book and still is. However, he is dating someone and yet kisses Kendra and clearly indicates that he would be willing to have sex. I did not like the cheater vibe.
Spoiler… a friend of Adam Lynch is asked to help with the case. When something happens to him, Kendra says “He had to know what he was doing when he took this job.” Without giving away further context, her comment was cold. It also was not like her at all. Throughout the book, she always thought about the victims of the killer and wanted to find the killer for their sake.
California has a death penalty, but it has not carried out any of those sentences since 2006. This book was published in 2014. There is a reference to a serial killer being scheduled for execution which would not have happened. It was a careless research error.
I loved Diane, Kendra’s mother. She is absolutely fabulous. As a nitpick, however, in the first book her name was Deanna. It seemed like a careless error to not remember her name.
I also loved Olivia, Kendra’s friend. Olivia is also blind, and they met when they were children. Olivia is also awesome, living independently, and able to give Kendra perspective when she needs it.
In the first few pages, Kendra is on a date set up by her mother. On the date, she realizes that the person, Dean, had been in prison. Given that this case revolves around someone in prison, it seemed surprising to me that Kendra did not think to have him checked out. This is not a spoiler as I am not revealing whether or not he was involved, just stating that it seemed like an oversight.
The story is mostly told from Kendra’s point of view but there are scenes from the POV of the villain. The book moves at a fast pace but with the right amount of detail, action, and adventure.
The ending seemed overly dramatic in its tone.
I plan to read the third book in the series but as I mentioned the first book is better. I am crossing my fingers about the third book.
This book is the second book in the Kendra Michaels series. I liked the first book better (5 stars) and this book soured me on the series a bit. The book is jointly written by two people, and I did wonder if book 1 had one author write a bit more while this book might have had the second author write more. Not sure if that is true, but the tone felt a little different.
Kendra is a Sherlock Holmes type protagonist who gets drawn into an investigation because a serial killer is copying mysteries that she has solved. The killer considers himself to be an artist at doing so and uses the nickname Myatt, who was an art forger of the highest level. Small spoiler…later, you find out the killer has an association with another serial killer that is featured in the third book.
Kendra did not take much from anyone, which was impressive, but there were times when she was insulting or snarky with others. However, when they would do the same back, it was taken as disrespect and in a negative way. It felt like a one way street. I thought the author should have toned this down.
Kendra has amazing observation skills, and she has the ability to understand what she is seeing. She is also confident, caring, and honorable. Much of her approach to life comes from her mother, Diane, who did not let Kendra be less because she was blind and has a no holds barred approach to life herself. Kendra works as a music therapist for people with difficulties, such as autism. She takes a break from her work to help solve this case.
Kendra was blind from birth to 20 and while she was blind, she learned to smell, hear, and taste things that those who are not blind do not notice. But it isn’t just that she notices those things, she studies them. In this book, she hears a car and is determined to listen to different engines to figure out which type of car she heard. Once she started seeing, she also looked at details, for example in this case, she notices indentations in the carpet that give a clue.
She is notified of the case by Adam Lynch, a freelance investigator associated with the Justice Department who appeared in the first book. He is known as a Puppetmaster and a manipulator who sometimes works outside the law to get things. Kendra usually pushes back when he tries to manipulate her. However, there is one place where she did not, and I felt it was out of character. She had been injured and an ambulance technician had looked at her on the spot and determined nothing was wrong. Adam sends a doctor to look at her and she simply gives in to it. She had previously declined medical care and the pushing of other people but accepted it from him.
In addition, at one point, he tells her security guard that he is taking over without telling Kendra anything about it in advance. He simply tells her that he wants her to stay at his highly secure home. She simply says ok and moves in. It would have been more respectful for him to discuss it with her in advance and let her make the decision. The character belongs to the author of course but it seemed really inconsistent with her character as I understood her particularly as she was presented in the first book.
He was attracted to her in the previous book and still is. However, he is dating someone and yet kisses Kendra and clearly indicates that he would be willing to have sex. I did not like the cheater vibe.
Spoiler… a friend of Adam Lynch is asked to help with the case. When something happens to him, Kendra says “He had to know what he was doing when he took this job.” Without giving away further context, her comment was cold. It also was not like her at all. Throughout the book, she always thought about the victims of the killer and wanted to find the killer for their sake.
California has a death penalty, but it has not carried out any of those sentences since 2006. This book was published in 2014. There is a reference to a serial killer being scheduled for execution which would not have happened. It was a careless research error.
I loved Diane, Kendra’s mother. She is absolutely fabulous. As a nitpick, however, in the first book her name was Deanna. It seemed like a careless error to not remember her name.
I also loved Olivia, Kendra’s friend. Olivia is also blind, and they met when they were children. Olivia is also awesome, living independently, and able to give Kendra perspective when she needs it.
In the first few pages, Kendra is on a date set up by her mother. On the date, she realizes that the person, Dean, had been in prison. Given that this case revolves around someone in prison, it seemed surprising to me that Kendra did not think to have him checked out. This is not a spoiler as I am not revealing whether or not he was involved, just stating that it seemed like an oversight.
The story is mostly told from Kendra’s point of view but there are scenes from the POV of the villain. The book moves at a fast pace but with the right amount of detail, action, and adventure.
The ending seemed overly dramatic in its tone.
I plan to read the third book in the series but as I mentioned the first book is better. I am crossing my fingers about the third book.
January 5, 2019
It Was nice to get back to some authors I've not read in awhile . This is a very good book very descriptive murder scenes. Very good plot a good book to read.
Read
March 2, 2020I am struggling with how to rate this one. I feel like when I think of this book, I only see things that could have been done better, or were handled poorly. But I can't tell if it was the book itself, or if my expectations for this were off.
Serial killer in this book is replicating Kendra's "greatest hits". All this leads back to her first serial killer who is currently sitting in jail. Great concept but this is book 2 of the series. And that first serial killer gets his first mention in this book. This book could have been so much more suspenseful if it came later in the series and was an actual throwback to either the first killer or other cases we've read before. But all the emotional drama/trauma that Kendra is experiencing is told to us and I felt like I was reading a jacket of her greatest hits staying on the surface of this entire case.
Second issue I had with this book was Dean. What should have been a fascinating and intriguing character, again I felt like I was given a sparknotes bullet summary of him. Most of his character reveal came from random one sentence drops (often interrupted sentences at that). . What should have been a great character was treated abysmally.
Finally, and where I think I fell the most due to misplaced expectations, I was able to get in board with this series in book one because they explained how Kendra studied and took the time to learn and absorb things making her Sherlock rip off acceptable to me. This one trashed that idea. Kendra tries to locate the sound of an engine she heard as the getaway vehicle. So she travels to the auto mall and listens to all the cars start up. I have no problem with this. After she leaves, she declares that these are now all memorized and then demonstrates her ability to recall each engine sound with make model and 4 wheel drive of a random car. No. This is not study. This is whatever equivalent eidactic memory is for sounds and smells and whatever. Just because you love life and absorb details doesnt make your memory encyclopedic.
And her 'nemesis' literally called himself Kendra's Moriarty. Too on the nose for me.
Serial killer in this book is replicating Kendra's "greatest hits". All this leads back to her first serial killer who is currently sitting in jail. Great concept but this is book 2 of the series. And that first serial killer gets his first mention in this book. This book could have been so much more suspenseful if it came later in the series and was an actual throwback to either the first killer or other cases we've read before. But all the emotional drama/trauma that Kendra is experiencing is told to us and I felt like I was reading a jacket of her greatest hits staying on the surface of this entire case.
Second issue I had with this book was Dean. What should have been a fascinating and intriguing character, again I felt like I was given a sparknotes bullet summary of him. Most of his character reveal came from random one sentence drops (often interrupted sentences at that). . What should have been a great character was treated abysmally.
Finally, and where I think I fell the most due to misplaced expectations, I was able to get in board with this series in book one because they explained how Kendra studied and took the time to learn and absorb things making her Sherlock rip off acceptable to me. This one trashed that idea. Kendra tries to locate the sound of an engine she heard as the getaway vehicle. So she travels to the auto mall and listens to all the cars start up. I have no problem with this. After she leaves, she declares that these are now all memorized and then demonstrates her ability to recall each engine sound with make model and 4 wheel drive of a random car. No. This is not study. This is whatever equivalent eidactic memory is for sounds and smells and whatever. Just because you love life and absorb details doesnt make your memory encyclopedic.
And her 'nemesis' literally called himself Kendra's Moriarty. Too on the nose for me.
May 30, 2022
Kendra Michaels has honed her senses to extraordinary capabilities. Even when she is gifted with the ability to finally see after spending most of her life blind, she has retained these almost superhuman skills. As a result, she has assisted law enforcement in bringing down ruthless serial killers. But a new serial killer has emerged, and he’s copycatting her previous cases. When it’s revealed there’s a link between him and her oldest and worst case, the stakes are raised as people around Kendra are targeted.
This is my introduction into the Kendra Michaels series, and I’m in love with the fascinating tale. Kendra is like a modern day Sherlock Holmes, though she denies it. It’s fascinating watching we he deductive reasoning through incredible observations. It’s surprising how much can be learned about someone through observing simple details.
The story itself is definitely thrilling to say the least. You have no idea who the killer is until the end, and the list of suspects grows. Adam Lynch as the deadly agent-for-hire serves as a powerful ally who doesn’t take away from the fact that the protagonist is the heroine, not the hero. Myatt as the killer is pure evil, an animal with a one-track mind which is bringing down Kendra. All of the other characters are fantastic and dynamic. This is a series I will be keeping track of.
This is my introduction into the Kendra Michaels series, and I’m in love with the fascinating tale. Kendra is like a modern day Sherlock Holmes, though she denies it. It’s fascinating watching we he deductive reasoning through incredible observations. It’s surprising how much can be learned about someone through observing simple details.
The story itself is definitely thrilling to say the least. You have no idea who the killer is until the end, and the list of suspects grows. Adam Lynch as the deadly agent-for-hire serves as a powerful ally who doesn’t take away from the fact that the protagonist is the heroine, not the hero. Myatt as the killer is pure evil, an animal with a one-track mind which is bringing down Kendra. All of the other characters are fantastic and dynamic. This is a series I will be keeping track of.
October 12, 2017
Intriguing character, Kendra Michaels, recovers her sight and uses the other finely-honed senses she developed in her blind years to assist police in solving crimes. In this case, she senses a traffic accident is not but, in fact, the work of a serial killer. Chilling evil in the bad guys! This is my third
Johansen and Johansen book to listen to (this one read by Elisabeth Rodgers--very good narrator). I find the gritty, obstinate, know-it-all women in all of them are beginning to get annoying, but I'm going to read another one and see if the technique changes! AND, this book had NO ending; so I have to see if there is a sequel! Great plots in all three I've read and good for listening while driving!
Johansen and Johansen book to listen to (this one read by Elisabeth Rodgers--very good narrator). I find the gritty, obstinate, know-it-all women in all of them are beginning to get annoying, but I'm going to read another one and see if the technique changes! AND, this book had NO ending; so I have to see if there is a sequel! Great plots in all three I've read and good for listening while driving!
December 15, 2018
I listened to the audio book. This is the 2nd in the Kendra Michaels series. Kendra is a music therapist, blind from birth for the first 20 yrs of her life, now with sight fixed, she’s super observant to many things that most people aren’t.
This starts with a car pileup on Cabrillo Bridge (San Diego), which she realizes watching the TV news coverage has been a staged multi-murder, not the accident that it appears. After volunteering this info to the police and the FBI, she gets involved in helping solve this. She’s being targeted for past cases she’s helped authorities solve. Someone is killing people duplicating Kendra’s notorious cases. The villain views himself not as a “monster”, but an artist and he’s not working alone. He goes after Kendra’s friends, customers, and family.
She has some very interesting observations, including being able to train herself to identify a number of car engine sounds by car manufacturer and model. Also she identifies an obscure colorless fire accelerant by the sweet smell residue.
I’m definitely going to read or listen to the next in this series (The Naked Eye). I would have rated this as 4.5 if Goodreads.com allowed 1/2 stars.
This starts with a car pileup on Cabrillo Bridge (San Diego), which she realizes watching the TV news coverage has been a staged multi-murder, not the accident that it appears. After volunteering this info to the police and the FBI, she gets involved in helping solve this. She’s being targeted for past cases she’s helped authorities solve. Someone is killing people duplicating Kendra’s notorious cases. The villain views himself not as a “monster”, but an artist and he’s not working alone. He goes after Kendra’s friends, customers, and family.
She has some very interesting observations, including being able to train herself to identify a number of car engine sounds by car manufacturer and model. Also she identifies an obscure colorless fire accelerant by the sweet smell residue.
I’m definitely going to read or listen to the next in this series (The Naked Eye). I would have rated this as 4.5 if Goodreads.com allowed 1/2 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2022
Although this was a decent suspense/serial killer novel, there were parts that just didn't make sense. It's entirely believable for someone who was blind to have their other senses enhanced. That's how they survive the loss of an important sense. I didn't believe a civilian (even if they worked with police before) being able to just run up and into a crime scene. Lynch lives in this fortress but doesn't do something as simple as scan for GPS devices or bugs? Kendra knows Lynch is a playboy but wants to get involved with him? Kendra puts her mom and friend into a safe house but tells a civilian she barely knows where they are going? Just some of those little things that bothered me about the story. Much of it was predictable, but overall it wasn't too bad of a story.
June 25, 2021
Such an intriguing premise -- a woman who has an encyclopedic memory of sights, sounds, smells, textures, fibres -- all from having been blind and lived by her other senses, who then regains her sight and puts it all together to solve crimes.
The entire book felt like being yelled at constantly by immature, ill-tempered brats. If you can't find the right word to use, swear, throw a tantrum, argue with your mother. Who cares what Kendra What's-Her-Name solves if you don't care about her and can hardly wait until someone else comes on the scene. Even the soft-spoken serial killer is more likable than she is.
Did Iris Johansen start out as a decent writer and evolve into this banshee?
The entire book felt like being yelled at constantly by immature, ill-tempered brats. If you can't find the right word to use, swear, throw a tantrum, argue with your mother. Who cares what Kendra What's-Her-Name solves if you don't care about her and can hardly wait until someone else comes on the scene. Even the soft-spoken serial killer is more likable than she is.
Did Iris Johansen start out as a decent writer and evolve into this banshee?
August 5, 2022
It seems that Johansen books are getting more predictable. All the main characters are going to do whatever they feel like, they are not going to listen to those around them, they are not going to listen to good advise or logic. There is going to be a lot of sadistic violence over the course of the book. It doesn't matter if the main character is Eve Duncan, Catherine Ling, Kendra Michaels, Cara, Michael, whoever. All this has been to my attention recently, I scored nine Johansen books that I hadn't read at an estate sale , placed them in date-published order and started reading. I'm nearly done and in the back-to-back Johansen read-a-thon this has really been brought to my attention.
July 2, 2024
4 Stars
Sight Unseen is the second book in the Kendra Michaels Series by Iris Johansen. This is a tense mystery thriller series with crime and investigation, dramatic developments, Intrigue, action, and more.
We follow music therapist turned FBI/CIA asset, who has regained her sight, with the use of a cutting-edge therapy, after 20 years of being vision impaired. Learning to navigate life without vision for so long had given Kendra unique abilities which make her a valuable asset to have on your side....
I wasn't sure how I would feel about Kendra after loving the Eve Duncan series - But the authors don't disappoint.
Sight Unseen is the second book in the Kendra Michaels Series by Iris Johansen. This is a tense mystery thriller series with crime and investigation, dramatic developments, Intrigue, action, and more.
We follow music therapist turned FBI/CIA asset, who has regained her sight, with the use of a cutting-edge therapy, after 20 years of being vision impaired. Learning to navigate life without vision for so long had given Kendra unique abilities which make her a valuable asset to have on your side....
I wasn't sure how I would feel about Kendra after loving the Eve Duncan series - But the authors don't disappoint.
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