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A reluctant psychic, a troubled detective… and a deeply twisted serial killer.
Moving to the city, Cass Lehman hoped to leave her recent notoriety behind her. Her ability to experience the final moments of a violent death helped the local police capture a serial killer, but also meant she was almost his first victim…
With a place of her own and a new job, things are looking up for Cass. But just as she starts to feel settled, Cass is targeted by a deranged stalker.
Are the personal attacks linked to a string of unsettling deaths that have left the police stumped?
Her ‘gift’ is called on yet again by the one man she vowed she would never contact. Cass and police Detective Ed Dyson are thrown back into each other’s lives but can they overcome their feelings to put an end to the terror?
Will her experiences of death reveal the mind of the killer… or is there no such thing as a happy ending?
Moving to the city, Cass Lehman hoped to leave her recent notoriety behind her. Her ability to experience the final moments of a violent death helped the local police capture a serial killer, but also meant she was almost his first victim…
With a place of her own and a new job, things are looking up for Cass. But just as she starts to feel settled, Cass is targeted by a deranged stalker.
Are the personal attacks linked to a string of unsettling deaths that have left the police stumped?
Her ‘gift’ is called on yet again by the one man she vowed she would never contact. Cass and police Detective Ed Dyson are thrown back into each other’s lives but can they overcome their feelings to put an end to the terror?
Will her experiences of death reveal the mind of the killer… or is there no such thing as a happy ending?
- GenresCrimeParanormal
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
5 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Casey
8 books39 followersMelanie Casey was born and lives in South Australia with her two young children and her husband (who didn’t know he was marrying a writer when he walked down the aisle).
After studying English Literature and Classical Studies, Melanie shifted in to Law, and now works in government.
A chance meeting with a highschool English teacher in the supermarket made Melanie realize that she should be doing what she’d always loved, writing! Another period of study, this time at the Professional Writing School of Adelaide’s College of the Arts ensued, helping Melanie acquire the skills she needed to put her plan into action.
Hindsight is her debut novel, and is the first in a series of crime novels featuring Cass Lehman and Detective Ed Dyson.
After studying English Literature and Classical Studies, Melanie shifted in to Law, and now works in government.
A chance meeting with a highschool English teacher in the supermarket made Melanie realize that she should be doing what she’d always loved, writing! Another period of study, this time at the Professional Writing School of Adelaide’s College of the Arts ensued, helping Melanie acquire the skills she needed to put her plan into action.
Hindsight is her debut novel, and is the first in a series of crime novels featuring Cass Lehman and Detective Ed Dyson.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 15, 2016
Cass Lehman is back with a vengeance. She's moved out of her family's home determined to come to terms with her special abilities and learn how to live on her own. She's working at the university as a tutor and enjoying it until someone discovers that she's the psychic that helped police catch a serial killer.
She's also coming to terms with the on and off again relationship with Detective Ed Dyson. Right now it's off and she's dealing with it. But now it seems she's being targeted by a stalker. First her car is tinkered with, tires are slashed, and now someone has broken in and trashed her apartment.
Meanwhile, Detective Dyson and his new partner following the deaths of several people. What looks like accidents may be murder... by drowning, by jumping off a building, by snakebite, by overdose, by being buried alive.
It takes Cass to make the connections that these people died by their worst fears. And as they seem to get closer to finding the person or persons responsible, they don't see how close they are to confronting their own deepest fears.
Solid performances by Cass and Ed. Ed is kicking himself for not committing to Cass. Cass has made a new friend, Claire, who plays a big part in this particular story. Dave, Ed's new partner is an arrogant ladies man .. but a fairly good detective. I look at him as the comedic relief.
I like this particular series. I think the characters are portrayed believably well. The suspense starts at the beginning and just builds and builds until it erupts in violence. A very satisfying conclusion.
Looking forward to reading the third and most recent in this series .. MISSING.
She's also coming to terms with the on and off again relationship with Detective Ed Dyson. Right now it's off and she's dealing with it. But now it seems she's being targeted by a stalker. First her car is tinkered with, tires are slashed, and now someone has broken in and trashed her apartment.
Meanwhile, Detective Dyson and his new partner following the deaths of several people. What looks like accidents may be murder... by drowning, by jumping off a building, by snakebite, by overdose, by being buried alive.
It takes Cass to make the connections that these people died by their worst fears. And as they seem to get closer to finding the person or persons responsible, they don't see how close they are to confronting their own deepest fears.
Solid performances by Cass and Ed. Ed is kicking himself for not committing to Cass. Cass has made a new friend, Claire, who plays a big part in this particular story. Dave, Ed's new partner is an arrogant ladies man .. but a fairly good detective. I look at him as the comedic relief.
I like this particular series. I think the characters are portrayed believably well. The suspense starts at the beginning and just builds and builds until it erupts in violence. A very satisfying conclusion.
Looking forward to reading the third and most recent in this series .. MISSING.
March 1, 2021
I read this book without having read the first book in the series, and I have to say the author did a really good job of making sure that you didn't need miss anything from skipping it, given how much I loved this book I will go back and read the first one.
This is a really interesting mystery with a really great plot twist that I did not see coming. The characters are really engaging and I was really invested in what happened to them. The writing is crisp and clear.
All in all a great read.
This is a really interesting mystery with a really great plot twist that I did not see coming. The characters are really engaging and I was really invested in what happened to them. The writing is crisp and clear.
All in all a great read.
January 18, 2018
Craven is book two of the Cass Lehman and Detective Ed Dyson series by Melanie Casey. Cass Lehman decided to be more independent and move to Adelaide to become an editing tutor at Flinders University. Also, Cass Lehman chose not to get involved with law enforcement investigation anymore. However, Detective Ed Dyson who has moved to major crimes in Adelaide had other ideas when he found out Cass Lehman was living in Adelaide. The readers of Craven will follow to see if Detective Ed Dyson convenience Cass Lehman to help him in his latest murder case.
After reading Hindsight I had to read the next book in this series. Reading Craven did not disappoint. I like Melanie Casey main characters Cass Lehman and Detective Ed Dyson and the way Melanie entwines them throughout Craven. I enjoy the way, Melanie Casey describes her settings and plots. Also, I like Melanie Casey portrayal of her characters. Melanie Casey engaged me from the first page, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series called Missing.
The readers of Craven will learn about the consequences of stalking on everyone involved. Also, readers of Craven will learn about law enforcement procedures in South Australia. Craven will highlight the effects sceptics can have on psychics.
I recommend this book.
After reading Hindsight I had to read the next book in this series. Reading Craven did not disappoint. I like Melanie Casey main characters Cass Lehman and Detective Ed Dyson and the way Melanie entwines them throughout Craven. I enjoy the way, Melanie Casey describes her settings and plots. Also, I like Melanie Casey portrayal of her characters. Melanie Casey engaged me from the first page, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series called Missing.
The readers of Craven will learn about the consequences of stalking on everyone involved. Also, readers of Craven will learn about law enforcement procedures in South Australia. Craven will highlight the effects sceptics can have on psychics.
I recommend this book.
March 6, 2022
Another good read. Easy to pick up and put down
May 24, 2017
This was one of the books I was most looking forward to in my to-read pile, and it ended up a disappointment. All the chemistry Ed and Cass had in the first book is almost completely gone, and ended in one of the most awful sex scenes I've ever read. Unsexy sex. Urgh.
Add that to a twisty plot that didn't seem to go anywhere. and I was one unhappy reader. I may still read the next book, if only to see more of Cass' gift. I don't think I want to see anymore Cass and Ed though. :S
Two disappointed stars :/
Add that to a twisty plot that didn't seem to go anywhere. and I was one unhappy reader. I may still read the next book, if only to see more of Cass' gift. I don't think I want to see anymore Cass and Ed though. :S
Two disappointed stars :/
January 15, 2022
Good sequel to the series.
April 13, 2016
Can I just start this review off by saying that I am really loving this series! I’ve never really been a fan of stories told in series but these days I find myself reading more and more of them and, in particular, anticipating Melanie Casey’s next release.
With the third, Missing , already having arrived on my doorstep, I was compelled to read this one before venturing into the third so that I didn’t lose my way in terms of how reluctant clairvoyant Cass Lehman has developed.
Continuing the story a few months after Hindsight (my review here - http://bookmusterdownunder.blogspot.c...) left off and Cass and Ed Dyson parted ways, Cass is still trying to come to grips with her gift of retrocognition and it seems that the more she uses it, the more she discovers about it, even if it does involve reliving the final moments of a victim’s death at the scene of a crime.
Having left the safe confines of her childhood home in Jewel Bay, she now lives in Adelaide (two hours away) and is currently a tutor at the Uni. When one of her new students recognises her, her tutoring position becomes entwined in her past and she finds herself the victim of a stalker.
Ed, the detective with whom she worked on a case in Jewel Bay (the one that made her a household name) is currently on secondment with the Major Crime Investigative Branch (MCIB), a division of the Adelaide Police, and has recently been presented with a case that’s proving to be far more complicated than he and his new partner, Dave, first thought. When Cass calls him for help after her car is defaced on the Uni’s premises, he’s not only surprised that she has moved to Adelaide but happy that she is trying to forge her way to independence.
It’s not long though before Ed’s undeniably familiar pull has Cass becoming embroiled in his investigation which involves trying to figure out the murder of a young man who appears to have been linked to a local Narcotics Anonymous Group. If there is a deranged serial killer on the loose how is Cass’ gift going to aid her and the police in bringing them to book?
Melanie Casey is an author that gets me as a reader. She might write crime cum police procedural cum suspense with a touch of the supernatural but her characters are not stereo-typical of most of this genre. Both Cass and Ed are people I can empathise and sympathise with because they are both flawed, thus making them real and relatable.
Written from the perspectives of Cass in the first person and Ed in the third, we get a good feel for both of these characters as well as some spine-tingling moments that had me not wanting to go near any of the windows in my house while it was dark! Seriously!
Her characters are believable and she doesn’t take Cass’ gift over the top. Perhaps that’s what I like about the struggles and challenges that Cass is faced with in not only learning to accept that what she has been gifted with is important but that she is also pretty much an average human being.
Melanie is a great storyteller and, while she doesn’t know what it’s like to be a psychic, she conveys Cass’ ability and fears well. She also knows how to maintain the pace and suspense and there’s no denying that this series is going to take her places with lovers of the genre.
A well-balanced story that will take you along for a ride through the sights, smells and sounds of Adelaide as Cass and Ed follow the procedures of an investigation while discovering more about one another, this is a well written, fast-paced and engrossing second addition to the series.
With the third, Missing , already having arrived on my doorstep, I was compelled to read this one before venturing into the third so that I didn’t lose my way in terms of how reluctant clairvoyant Cass Lehman has developed.
Continuing the story a few months after Hindsight (my review here - http://bookmusterdownunder.blogspot.c...) left off and Cass and Ed Dyson parted ways, Cass is still trying to come to grips with her gift of retrocognition and it seems that the more she uses it, the more she discovers about it, even if it does involve reliving the final moments of a victim’s death at the scene of a crime.
Having left the safe confines of her childhood home in Jewel Bay, she now lives in Adelaide (two hours away) and is currently a tutor at the Uni. When one of her new students recognises her, her tutoring position becomes entwined in her past and she finds herself the victim of a stalker.
Ed, the detective with whom she worked on a case in Jewel Bay (the one that made her a household name) is currently on secondment with the Major Crime Investigative Branch (MCIB), a division of the Adelaide Police, and has recently been presented with a case that’s proving to be far more complicated than he and his new partner, Dave, first thought. When Cass calls him for help after her car is defaced on the Uni’s premises, he’s not only surprised that she has moved to Adelaide but happy that she is trying to forge her way to independence.
It’s not long though before Ed’s undeniably familiar pull has Cass becoming embroiled in his investigation which involves trying to figure out the murder of a young man who appears to have been linked to a local Narcotics Anonymous Group. If there is a deranged serial killer on the loose how is Cass’ gift going to aid her and the police in bringing them to book?
Melanie Casey is an author that gets me as a reader. She might write crime cum police procedural cum suspense with a touch of the supernatural but her characters are not stereo-typical of most of this genre. Both Cass and Ed are people I can empathise and sympathise with because they are both flawed, thus making them real and relatable.
Written from the perspectives of Cass in the first person and Ed in the third, we get a good feel for both of these characters as well as some spine-tingling moments that had me not wanting to go near any of the windows in my house while it was dark! Seriously!
Her characters are believable and she doesn’t take Cass’ gift over the top. Perhaps that’s what I like about the struggles and challenges that Cass is faced with in not only learning to accept that what she has been gifted with is important but that she is also pretty much an average human being.
Melanie is a great storyteller and, while she doesn’t know what it’s like to be a psychic, she conveys Cass’ ability and fears well. She also knows how to maintain the pace and suspense and there’s no denying that this series is going to take her places with lovers of the genre.
A well-balanced story that will take you along for a ride through the sights, smells and sounds of Adelaide as Cass and Ed follow the procedures of an investigation while discovering more about one another, this is a well written, fast-paced and engrossing second addition to the series.
September 5, 2014
Craven, by Melanie Casey, is the sequel to Hindsight, featuring Cass Lehman, a woman with the psychic gift of retrocognition, and South Australian police detective, Ed Dyson.
As the book opens we learn that Cass has taken the leap and left home, securing a teacher's position at a college in Adelaide. Cass is hoping for a fresh start but during her very first lesson she is recognised by her students and almost immediately becomes a target of gossip and derision.
Ed is conspicuously absent, it seems their romance stalled in the intervening months, though we soon learn that Ed is also in Adelaide, working with a local command on a year long secondment, and when Cass's car is painted in blood with 'Freak' scrawled across the windshield he is the first person she calls. Thrown together as Cass's stalker grows more violent, Cass is inevitably drawn into Ed's latest case - a search for a serial killer.
Though I still really like concept of this series I was disappointed by the execution of this novel. I had issues with the uneven pacing and with what I felt were several underdeveloped elements in the plot. There was too much focus on the mundane details of Ed's often circular investigation, and the obnoxiousness of his new partner. The identification of the stalker taunting Cass seemed come from nowhere since he barely rated a mention in the story.
The killer did have an interesting story and his motivations were suitably dark and twisted. There were moments of high tension, though much of the real action is crammed into the last few chapters when Cass is once again at the mercy of an insane murderer.
Despite the flaws in Craven I am still intrigued by the potential of this series and I hope Casey regains her footing in the third installment.
July 27, 2014
*Copies courtesy of Pantera Press *
Craven by Melanie Casey is the second in the series to feature Cass Lehman, and follows directly on from Hindsight.
Just a reminder that Cass has retrocognition, and when she occupies the space where a person has died, she experiences a detailed vision of their death and in particular how they died.
In Hindsight, Cass worked closely with Detective Ed Dyson using her gift to capture a serial killer, however their budding relationship hasn't survived into Craven.
Since then, Cass has left home, started a new job and is living in the city of Adelaide looking for a fresh start. Cass makes a welcomed new friend in Claire however she's also acquired a creepy stalker and soon needs to call on Ed for his assistance.
I loved the character development in Craven and in particular seeing Cass achieve her independence and leave the protective cocoon of her family. It was also refreshing to discover (along with Cass) more about her gift and how she can use it.
In summary, Craven can be read as a mystery and crime novel and has an unmistakeable Australian feel. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Cass' life once again and I really hope there's another planned in the series.
I'm giving away a copy, click here to enter: http://www.carpelibrum.net/2014/07/re...
Craven by Melanie Casey is the second in the series to feature Cass Lehman, and follows directly on from Hindsight.
Just a reminder that Cass has retrocognition, and when she occupies the space where a person has died, she experiences a detailed vision of their death and in particular how they died.
In Hindsight, Cass worked closely with Detective Ed Dyson using her gift to capture a serial killer, however their budding relationship hasn't survived into Craven.
Since then, Cass has left home, started a new job and is living in the city of Adelaide looking for a fresh start. Cass makes a welcomed new friend in Claire however she's also acquired a creepy stalker and soon needs to call on Ed for his assistance.
I loved the character development in Craven and in particular seeing Cass achieve her independence and leave the protective cocoon of her family. It was also refreshing to discover (along with Cass) more about her gift and how she can use it.
In summary, Craven can be read as a mystery and crime novel and has an unmistakeable Australian feel. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in Cass' life once again and I really hope there's another planned in the series.
I'm giving away a copy, click here to enter: http://www.carpelibrum.net/2014/07/re...
December 21, 2014
Having read and enjoyed Hindsight I was eager to read its sequel Craven. We are reunited with Cass who is blessed/cursed with the psychic gift of retrocognition and has taken the big step of moving to Adelaide and taking a job at a university. Given that she re-lives the death of person if she happens to be where it happened, her daily existence can be challenging. Hoping for anonymity Cass is hugely disappointed when she is recognised in her first lesson and then becomes a target of gossip.
The fledgling romance with (detective) Ed which began in Hindsight had faded as the story began, although he too is working in Adelaide. It is Ed who Cass calls, however, when she becomes the victim of a vicious hate campaign. Drawn back together under these less than ideal circumstances Cass inevitable gets caught up in Ed's latest case investigating a serial killer.
There are the usual elements of suspense and intrigue as Cass's stalker becomes increasingly violent and menacing. I thought the pacing of the story was a little bit uneven, with most of the action taking place in the latter section of the book, however this did not detract too much from the telling of the story.
I was a little bit disappointed that Cass's mother and grandmother were not as present in this book as I really enjoyed them as characters in Hindsight.
I did enjoy Craven and the ongoing development of Cass as a character and look forward to further titles in the series.
The fledgling romance with (detective) Ed which began in Hindsight had faded as the story began, although he too is working in Adelaide. It is Ed who Cass calls, however, when she becomes the victim of a vicious hate campaign. Drawn back together under these less than ideal circumstances Cass inevitable gets caught up in Ed's latest case investigating a serial killer.
There are the usual elements of suspense and intrigue as Cass's stalker becomes increasingly violent and menacing. I thought the pacing of the story was a little bit uneven, with most of the action taking place in the latter section of the book, however this did not detract too much from the telling of the story.
I was a little bit disappointed that Cass's mother and grandmother were not as present in this book as I really enjoyed them as characters in Hindsight.
I did enjoy Craven and the ongoing development of Cass as a character and look forward to further titles in the series.
June 8, 2014
I love reading about Adelaide in a book. It is so good to finally see an Australian author writing about Australia and it is even better for them to include the best city, Adelaide.
In 'Craven', we are reunited with Cass and Ed three months after the events in 'Hindsight'. Cass has a job tutoring students and Ed is working with a new partner on a new case. After a series of strange happenings, Cass and Ed are thrown back together and Cass discovers a new side to her ability.
The characters are well written and likeable and you get to see some growth happening between them. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to see where the author takes Cass and Ed next!
In 'Craven', we are reunited with Cass and Ed three months after the events in 'Hindsight'. Cass has a job tutoring students and Ed is working with a new partner on a new case. After a series of strange happenings, Cass and Ed are thrown back together and Cass discovers a new side to her ability.
The characters are well written and likeable and you get to see some growth happening between them. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to see where the author takes Cass and Ed next!
September 16, 2014
Cass can see violent death... happening in front her... but her visions leave her physically debilitated. She takes on a teaching job in Adelaide but her students initially only want details of her abilities.
Ed is still settling into his new role and adjusting to his new partner..
then their lives collide..
They did not part on the best of terms and following their trials and tribulations was entertaining.
I had not read the first book but I will definitely be looking for the next one.
Some of the things that Cass's mum says are super funny.. (she can read futures)
Ed is still settling into his new role and adjusting to his new partner..
then their lives collide..
They did not part on the best of terms and following their trials and tribulations was entertaining.
I had not read the first book but I will definitely be looking for the next one.
Some of the things that Cass's mum says are super funny.. (she can read futures)
January 27, 2016
For a woman with an unnerving psychic ability to experience the feelings and emotions of someone who has died, Cass Lehmann doesn't have much of s handle on her own emotions and for most of the time struggles to share her true feelings with the man she loves. Again a good murder mystery set in parochial Adelaide. Ed has a new partner and Cass finds a girlfriend as she makes a late in life move away from home. Well done to Mel Casey, our SA writer.
June 18, 2017
Every bit as good as the first instalment of this series. It had me gripped from the first page.
Soon after cracking their first serial killer case together, Detective Ed Dyson and psychic Cass Lehman have both relocated to Adelaide - separately. When Cass is 'outed' as the Fleurieu serial killer psychic at her new workplace, and her car is subsequently vandalised, she is forced to swallow her pride and ask Ed for his help. Meanwhile Ed has been investigating a suspicious death, with links to some missing people. And before we know it, Cass and Ed are on the hunt for another serial killer.
This unlikely pair is fast becoming my favourite crime-solving duo. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into #3 before too long.
Soon after cracking their first serial killer case together, Detective Ed Dyson and psychic Cass Lehman have both relocated to Adelaide - separately. When Cass is 'outed' as the Fleurieu serial killer psychic at her new workplace, and her car is subsequently vandalised, she is forced to swallow her pride and ask Ed for his help. Meanwhile Ed has been investigating a suspicious death, with links to some missing people. And before we know it, Cass and Ed are on the hunt for another serial killer.
This unlikely pair is fast becoming my favourite crime-solving duo. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into #3 before too long.
February 3, 2019
An easy, fast paced read with likeable characters and a plot that only works if you don't mind coincidences and are able to suspend belief.
This one is in the 'nice escape from reality' category and is the literary equivalent of junk food. Tasty, quick and easy but not all that good for you. Reading it provided several hours of guilty pleasure.
This one is in the 'nice escape from reality' category and is the literary equivalent of junk food. Tasty, quick and easy but not all that good for you. Reading it provided several hours of guilty pleasure.
February 11, 2018
Good voice, but some issues. Too often characters would talk about events we'd just read unfold. Also, the psychic is astonishingly accurate and reliable. Finally, the situation to place the protagonist in peril is very forced.
July 21, 2018
Reading Melanie’s books and living in Adelaide is kind of creepy as you can picture where the places are. When I am in. a place mentioned in the book the hair rises up on the back of your neck and your senses are heightened! I enjoyed the series.
July 12, 2021
I love the characters of this series. Definately I look forward to #3
October 5, 2022
Much better than hindsight, no fluffing around just straight into the story. Interesting read
August 6, 2016
As guessed in 1st book, heroine turned to be an irritating specimen. She is quick to jump to conclusions and she seems to be the MOST laziest person in the world. In the whole book, she doesn't do any work except eating the food prepared by her gran. I agree her talent leaves her drained of energy but she lived in her house for 19 years and she still doesn't do any chores at home! Lazy with the capital L!
July 22, 2015
I didn't like this one as much as the first, but I still found it very enjoyable. It just seemed a little TOO far fetched towards the end, and it didn't seem to get going for a little while. The twist with the stalker (no spoilers) was really good though. I'll definitely read the next one. Would be nice to have the main character a little bit less wimpy though.
September 21, 2014
A bit predictable..... not a whole lot of character development. I didn't particularly care about any of them at all. Bit of a disappointment.
November 18, 2014
This was a great read and I liked it more than the first one, but the ending was a bit of a let down. Sorry.
February 8, 2015
3.5 well written
June 6, 2016
Easy read. Enjoyed it, maybe a bit predictable though.
June 2, 2016
Enjoyable mystery set in Adelaide.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews