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Mortal Insight
Detective Sergeant Steve Keller has begun to see things. He desperately hopes the visions mean something and not that he's going crazy. But the visions don't go away, and when they start meaning something more, Steve finds himself caught in an investigation way bigger than he ever imagined. As the pieces begin to fit together, something dangerous emerges. He can't hide what he knows, but to expose it doesn't just stir up controversy, it provokes someone who lurks in the shadows; someone who will kill to keep this information quiet. Mortal Insight, E.B. James new novel, brings you conspiracy, crime, action and asks the question: when your life is at stake, are some truths worth bringing out into the open?
254 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 13, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this unpredictable plot. It was great having no idea what might happen next. It's categorised as a detective/mystery story, and there's also a touch of the supernatural.
Detective Sergeant Steve Keller has started to see some weird phenomena on the job at sexual assault scenes. Although some believe his visions to be a stress reaction following a break-up with his wife, the accuracy with which he's able to predict potential perpetrators and victims indicates that there's more to it. He also has a very personal reason to believe the introduction of a new 'feel good' chemical, tanordebetian (TDB), added to non-alcoholic party drinks and the mains water supply, may help explain a heightened wave of sexual crime.
Steve is one of a handful of Davids trying to fathom the Goliath behind TDB. Others include his mother-in-law, Dorothy, who leads a group of social activists, Isaac, a local politician and his personal assistant, Nicole. It doesn't take long for them to work out that whoever wants them silenced is prepared to stoop to murder.
Are Steve's supernatural visions integral to the plot? I think the main storyline of the research being conducted could stand without this element, especially as he decides early on to keep quiet about it. However, it does make things more intense by revealing deeper truths which emphasise the stakes of their quest. Anyone who wonders about the significance of the front cover image will quickly figure it out.
I like the questions this book raises about the nature of our society. We've got to love the sort of novel that challenges us to think. Do groups, such as the Community Aware Group, cause more harm than good through the way they operate? Does their input extend to the reputations of others who side with their issues? Anybody would have to wonder whether they would even want the well-intentioned help of the CAG. And is it possible for anybody with integrity to last in politics over the long term?
May we sometimes be too quick to judge individuals for crimes without delving into all the extenuating facts? And to what extent does the media filter and spoon feed exactly what they want the public to know? To quote Steve's superior officer, Alan Pryor, in this story, 'they are notorious for twisting the facts to represent the agenda of whoever is paying their bills.' Do Davids really stand a chance against huge, corporate Goliaths?
If asked whether this story finishes with a 'good' or 'bad' ending, I have to say there's good reason to say both. That's just one of the surprises of this story. I hope E. B. James has more of this genre up her sleeve.
Detective Sergeant Steve Keller has started to see some weird phenomena on the job at sexual assault scenes. Although some believe his visions to be a stress reaction following a break-up with his wife, the accuracy with which he's able to predict potential perpetrators and victims indicates that there's more to it. He also has a very personal reason to believe the introduction of a new 'feel good' chemical, tanordebetian (TDB), added to non-alcoholic party drinks and the mains water supply, may help explain a heightened wave of sexual crime.
Steve is one of a handful of Davids trying to fathom the Goliath behind TDB. Others include his mother-in-law, Dorothy, who leads a group of social activists, Isaac, a local politician and his personal assistant, Nicole. It doesn't take long for them to work out that whoever wants them silenced is prepared to stoop to murder.
Are Steve's supernatural visions integral to the plot? I think the main storyline of the research being conducted could stand without this element, especially as he decides early on to keep quiet about it. However, it does make things more intense by revealing deeper truths which emphasise the stakes of their quest. Anyone who wonders about the significance of the front cover image will quickly figure it out.
I like the questions this book raises about the nature of our society. We've got to love the sort of novel that challenges us to think. Do groups, such as the Community Aware Group, cause more harm than good through the way they operate? Does their input extend to the reputations of others who side with their issues? Anybody would have to wonder whether they would even want the well-intentioned help of the CAG. And is it possible for anybody with integrity to last in politics over the long term?
May we sometimes be too quick to judge individuals for crimes without delving into all the extenuating facts? And to what extent does the media filter and spoon feed exactly what they want the public to know? To quote Steve's superior officer, Alan Pryor, in this story, 'they are notorious for twisting the facts to represent the agenda of whoever is paying their bills.' Do Davids really stand a chance against huge, corporate Goliaths?
If asked whether this story finishes with a 'good' or 'bad' ending, I have to say there's good reason to say both. That's just one of the surprises of this story. I hope E. B. James has more of this genre up her sleeve.
December 3, 2014
Though not new to fiction, this is E.B. James first foray into the crime/detective genre.
Detective Sergeant Steven Keller finds himself under fire when he starts seeing people's emotional states in visual form. Already struggling with an alcohol problem and estrangement from his wife, his position as a police officer is put under question. Then, when a non-alcoholic party drink EN+ pushes him into uncharacteristic out of control behaviour, Steve begins investigating the mysterious active ingredient Tanordebetian TDB, making unlikely allies and finding that those responsible for TDB are prepared to use deadly force to stop all opposition.
This fast-paced book is part crime fiction, part political thriller. It is thought provoking, raising issues of freedom of choice, public safety, political integrity and media responsibility. I enjoyed the characterizations, the realism and suspense. Towards the end of the book, I found it hard to put down. While the Steve's visions are intriguing and give a strong visual metaphor for the effects of TDB and sexual assault, they are not strictly necessary for the plot and the basis for them is never really explained. About half-way through the book, I realised that very little information is given about the concrete setting - with generic names used for just about everything. I guess this means the story could happen any big city in the Australia - or maybe even the USA - but I did miss the local colour of locating a book in a real place with recognisable and distinct landmarks.
The climax was satisfying dramatically though I found the ending a little bit of a let down - not because there wasn't a satisfying HEA - there definitely was - but because the main issue wasn't really resolved (which is perhaps part of the message of the book) and not all had yet been revealed about the shadowy figures behind TDB. More disappointing for me was that the main characters (with one notable exception) who had risked careers, reputations, even injury and death to find the truth, seem now to move on even though the major issues were still unresolved. For me the heroes rest on their laurels too quickly (maybe a little less HEA needed) - which makes me think this is a book crying out for a sequel.
Overall, Mortal Insight was an enjoyable, thought provoking and gripping read. I look forward to other books by E.B.James.
Detective Sergeant Steven Keller finds himself under fire when he starts seeing people's emotional states in visual form. Already struggling with an alcohol problem and estrangement from his wife, his position as a police officer is put under question. Then, when a non-alcoholic party drink EN+ pushes him into uncharacteristic out of control behaviour, Steve begins investigating the mysterious active ingredient Tanordebetian TDB, making unlikely allies and finding that those responsible for TDB are prepared to use deadly force to stop all opposition.
This fast-paced book is part crime fiction, part political thriller. It is thought provoking, raising issues of freedom of choice, public safety, political integrity and media responsibility. I enjoyed the characterizations, the realism and suspense. Towards the end of the book, I found it hard to put down. While the Steve's visions are intriguing and give a strong visual metaphor for the effects of TDB and sexual assault, they are not strictly necessary for the plot and the basis for them is never really explained. About half-way through the book, I realised that very little information is given about the concrete setting - with generic names used for just about everything. I guess this means the story could happen any big city in the Australia - or maybe even the USA - but I did miss the local colour of locating a book in a real place with recognisable and distinct landmarks.
The climax was satisfying dramatically though I found the ending a little bit of a let down - not because there wasn't a satisfying HEA - there definitely was - but because the main issue wasn't really resolved (which is perhaps part of the message of the book) and not all had yet been revealed about the shadowy figures behind TDB. More disappointing for me was that the main characters (with one notable exception) who had risked careers, reputations, even injury and death to find the truth, seem now to move on even though the major issues were still unresolved. For me the heroes rest on their laurels too quickly (maybe a little less HEA needed) - which makes me think this is a book crying out for a sequel.
Overall, Mortal Insight was an enjoyable, thought provoking and gripping read. I look forward to other books by E.B.James.
October 26, 2014
Actually would have given it 4.5 stars if I could have.
Though this is EB James first foray into crime fiction, this is an extremely entertaining and thought-provoking read that follows the best practices of the genre. The pace is fast, the characters sympathetic and the underlying themes thought-provoking.
I suspect some will complain that the not so HEA (happily ever-after) ending feels a bit false (surely our heroes could have gotten all they wanted) but when one thinks about what the story's mystery chemical is a metaphor for… there really is no other choice for the ending without diluting the very important message about one of society's greatest ills today.
Well done E. B… keep them coming!
Though this is EB James first foray into crime fiction, this is an extremely entertaining and thought-provoking read that follows the best practices of the genre. The pace is fast, the characters sympathetic and the underlying themes thought-provoking.
I suspect some will complain that the not so HEA (happily ever-after) ending feels a bit false (surely our heroes could have gotten all they wanted) but when one thinks about what the story's mystery chemical is a metaphor for… there really is no other choice for the ending without diluting the very important message about one of society's greatest ills today.
Well done E. B… keep them coming!
November 19, 2014
Mortal Insight begins with a murder . . . or does it? Main character, Detective Steve Keller thinks it is, and that's when his already dysfunctional life becomes even stranger.
Right from the start, the reader is thrown into an intriguing story. A little bit Grisham; a little bit political; a little bit thriller; a teensy bit supernatural. It all comes together in an absorbing and thought provoking story where all the characters are a tiny bit flawed, making them very believable.
A reasonably quick read, the end does seem to come fairly fast when it comes, but I wasn't disappointed when some things were left unresolved. Life is like that. The author wrapped up enough things to keep me satisfied, while leaving a tantalizing question mark over other aspects.
This novel is written under a pen name, and is quite different from the author's other books, but she handled it very well. Although there are a few Christian characters, there is no religious message or preaching, making this an ideal book for all lovers of crime/legal/political novels.
I hope this isn't the last E B James book.
Right from the start, the reader is thrown into an intriguing story. A little bit Grisham; a little bit political; a little bit thriller; a teensy bit supernatural. It all comes together in an absorbing and thought provoking story where all the characters are a tiny bit flawed, making them very believable.
A reasonably quick read, the end does seem to come fairly fast when it comes, but I wasn't disappointed when some things were left unresolved. Life is like that. The author wrapped up enough things to keep me satisfied, while leaving a tantalizing question mark over other aspects.
This novel is written under a pen name, and is quite different from the author's other books, but she handled it very well. Although there are a few Christian characters, there is no religious message or preaching, making this an ideal book for all lovers of crime/legal/political novels.
I hope this isn't the last E B James book.
December 28, 2014
Author EB James delivers a great plot with more twists and turns than the Great Ocean Road.
The premise of the book is really imaginative. James writes about a chemical (TDB) that has been added to drinks and even to the water supply that causes increased sexual aggression among men. The storyline was well developed and full of tension right to the last page.
I found it difficult at times to get my head around the large cast of characters and didn't especially warm to any of them, however they were all well developed and mostly believable. Except perhaps the nutty Merle Winters!
I was disappointed that James didn't elaborate more on the "visions" that Keller saw right from the opening chapter and explore this theme/idea more. It wasn't until the end of the book that a discussion of his visions was revisited and by then I'd almost forgotten about them.
I don't usually read this type of book but James writes under another name and I was keen to see if this book was as good as her others. I wasn't disappointed.
If you're looking for an easy, page-turning read, you might find this book is what you're looking for.
The premise of the book is really imaginative. James writes about a chemical (TDB) that has been added to drinks and even to the water supply that causes increased sexual aggression among men. The storyline was well developed and full of tension right to the last page.
I found it difficult at times to get my head around the large cast of characters and didn't especially warm to any of them, however they were all well developed and mostly believable. Except perhaps the nutty Merle Winters!
I was disappointed that James didn't elaborate more on the "visions" that Keller saw right from the opening chapter and explore this theme/idea more. It wasn't until the end of the book that a discussion of his visions was revisited and by then I'd almost forgotten about them.
I don't usually read this type of book but James writes under another name and I was keen to see if this book was as good as her others. I wasn't disappointed.
If you're looking for an easy, page-turning read, you might find this book is what you're looking for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2015
Moral Insight is a thought provoking insight into human nature and political corruption. At a deeper level it subtly shows the hope that sustains Christians.
Steve Keller is a workaholic whose family have suffered his long hours and over commitment to his work as a Detective Sergeant with the Sexual Crime Investigation Unit. A fantasy element is introduced into the story line which allows Steve to have more insight in sexual crimes than is normally possible. When Steve realizes he is part of the problem rather than the bringer of justice, his investigations go to a whole new level.
This is a well written intriguing story with many twists and turns until Steve reaches a place of peace but not in the way one might expect. I found the ending realistic, but also hopeful because I grasped the Christian implications (otherwise it could have been rather depressing).
It's a book that makes you think more deeply about society, its priorities and the drift away from Judeo-Christian ethics. It makes you realize how entrenched is the belief that making people happy is more important than other considerations. It makes you consider the implications of the choices governments make on behalf of its people.
Meredith Resce has written this book under the penname E. B. James to distinguish it from her other more romantic books. It is a much more gritty book than her previous ones and includes the occasional swear word to fit the context.
Overall a great read.
Steve Keller is a workaholic whose family have suffered his long hours and over commitment to his work as a Detective Sergeant with the Sexual Crime Investigation Unit. A fantasy element is introduced into the story line which allows Steve to have more insight in sexual crimes than is normally possible. When Steve realizes he is part of the problem rather than the bringer of justice, his investigations go to a whole new level.
This is a well written intriguing story with many twists and turns until Steve reaches a place of peace but not in the way one might expect. I found the ending realistic, but also hopeful because I grasped the Christian implications (otherwise it could have been rather depressing).
It's a book that makes you think more deeply about society, its priorities and the drift away from Judeo-Christian ethics. It makes you realize how entrenched is the belief that making people happy is more important than other considerations. It makes you consider the implications of the choices governments make on behalf of its people.
Meredith Resce has written this book under the penname E. B. James to distinguish it from her other more romantic books. It is a much more gritty book than her previous ones and includes the occasional swear word to fit the context.
Overall a great read.
January 13, 2015
I have read and enjoyed all this author's books written as Meredith Resce. She has been wise to change her author name for this book as it is quite different from her usual stories. It is very well written with good suspense, crime and action for readers who enjoy this kind of story.
March 21, 2016
Fascinating expose of the kind of political/criminal issues that plague our current society. Sometimes reading more like a documentary than a novel, but always engaging, I recommend this to any interested in politics, cover ups in big business, moral issues in our society.
May 3, 2020
Steve Keller has started to see visions: he's called for the Homicide Squad because he saw a dead woman. She had a great gaping wound over her heart. Yet in reality, she was still very much alive and needed the urgent attention of paramedics. His good friend Mike covers for him. But then it happens again.
Steve's ability to head up a unit of the Sexual Crimes division is under serious threat. He's under stress because his wife has walked out on him, but he can't account for the increasing weirdness of the visions: men whose skin has turned red as if they are boiling just below the surface, women who have blue electric sparks dancing around them. And others with great gaping wounds over their hearts. He comes to realise there is a pattern in what he's seeing: he can almost predict when someone is about to perpetrate a sexual assault. But he's out of action, seeing a psychiatrist because of his previous miscalls.
Mike and his wife Gianne set him up for a blind date. Steve goes along reluctantly, makes sure as the designated driver he isn't drinking any alcohol, chuggs down a few energy drinks and suddenly finds himself not just uninhibited but a serious sexual predator. Only Mike and Gianne's intervention saves him from serious charges by his own squad.
Steve wakes up the next morning to see the same red on himself that he's been seeing on other men. He can't understand it.
Surprisingly the one person who is helpful to him is the mother-in-law he's always despised. She alerts him to the fact that the active ingredient of the energy drink he consumed is seriously addictive, is a hallucinogen and has a reputation amongst the Amazonian tribes who first used it as a massive aphrodasiac. Her community action group is regarded as religious nutters by the government and she's finding it hard to gather sufficient evidence to call for an independent inquiry into its effects.
Steve has an uphill battle on his hands as potential witnesses are murdered and his own family receive serious death threats...
Steve's ability to head up a unit of the Sexual Crimes division is under serious threat. He's under stress because his wife has walked out on him, but he can't account for the increasing weirdness of the visions: men whose skin has turned red as if they are boiling just below the surface, women who have blue electric sparks dancing around them. And others with great gaping wounds over their hearts. He comes to realise there is a pattern in what he's seeing: he can almost predict when someone is about to perpetrate a sexual assault. But he's out of action, seeing a psychiatrist because of his previous miscalls.
Mike and his wife Gianne set him up for a blind date. Steve goes along reluctantly, makes sure as the designated driver he isn't drinking any alcohol, chuggs down a few energy drinks and suddenly finds himself not just uninhibited but a serious sexual predator. Only Mike and Gianne's intervention saves him from serious charges by his own squad.
Steve wakes up the next morning to see the same red on himself that he's been seeing on other men. He can't understand it.
Surprisingly the one person who is helpful to him is the mother-in-law he's always despised. She alerts him to the fact that the active ingredient of the energy drink he consumed is seriously addictive, is a hallucinogen and has a reputation amongst the Amazonian tribes who first used it as a massive aphrodasiac. Her community action group is regarded as religious nutters by the government and she's finding it hard to gather sufficient evidence to call for an independent inquiry into its effects.
Steve has an uphill battle on his hands as potential witnesses are murdered and his own family receive serious death threats...
January 27, 2015
Steve Keller is seeing dead people. Only they aren’t dead—an error which means he finds himself on leave from his job as a detective with the Sexual Crimes unit, and on the psychiatrist’s couch. This isn’t helping his non-relationship with his ex-wife, or her kooky mother.
But a blind date and a chance encounter force Steve to look deeper into a new soft drink, and he doesn’t like what he finds: evidence of unsafe additives in the food chain, a high-level cover-up.
Mortal Insight is a fast-paced suspense novel. There are two unique hooks: Steve’s unexplained visions, and the mystery ingredient in EN+, the new non-alcoholic drink which is taking the nightclub scene by storm. It is well-plotted, with plenty of twists and turns as Steve and his colleagues try and puzzle out the mystery.
The writing was solid, and although Mortal Insight isn’t specifically Christian fiction, the author is a Christian and this is reflected in some of the characters. I think my favourite character was Dorothy, the mother-in-law who turns out to be not as crazy as Steve first thought (her friends, on the other hand …).
Mortal Insight is the first novel from author EB James, who is actually Australian author Meredith Resce, best known for her Christian historical romance novels. I thought Mortal Insight was her best yet, and I hope we see more novels from EB James. Recommended for fans of fast-paced suspense.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
But a blind date and a chance encounter force Steve to look deeper into a new soft drink, and he doesn’t like what he finds: evidence of unsafe additives in the food chain, a high-level cover-up.
Mortal Insight is a fast-paced suspense novel. There are two unique hooks: Steve’s unexplained visions, and the mystery ingredient in EN+, the new non-alcoholic drink which is taking the nightclub scene by storm. It is well-plotted, with plenty of twists and turns as Steve and his colleagues try and puzzle out the mystery.
The writing was solid, and although Mortal Insight isn’t specifically Christian fiction, the author is a Christian and this is reflected in some of the characters. I think my favourite character was Dorothy, the mother-in-law who turns out to be not as crazy as Steve first thought (her friends, on the other hand …).
Mortal Insight is the first novel from author EB James, who is actually Australian author Meredith Resce, best known for her Christian historical romance novels. I thought Mortal Insight was her best yet, and I hope we see more novels from EB James. Recommended for fans of fast-paced suspense.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
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August 16, 2022So good! Have now read it many times over!
January 17, 2023
This book was genuinely amazing. It's such an easy read, and I was constantly eager for the next time I'd pick this book back up every time I had to set it down.
Though dealing with heavy topics and real life issues plus possible underlying causes for certain behaviours, it explores it in a way that it doesn't have you forgiving the MC for his actions, but doesn't leave you despising him either. It brings up concepts and themes surrounding religion, morality, transparency, and connection, all done so fairly subtly, so if you're here just to read the book by itself without reading deeper, you very much can do so. So many books I find bore themselves down by trying to wrap themselves up in deeper meaning that the initial read of the story loses its charm, but that isn't the case with this novel at all.
I would read this again in a heartbeat if I didn't have a million other books to read as of right now. Definitely one of my favourites of all time, especially to pick myself up out of a reading slump with.
Though dealing with heavy topics and real life issues plus possible underlying causes for certain behaviours, it explores it in a way that it doesn't have you forgiving the MC for his actions, but doesn't leave you despising him either. It brings up concepts and themes surrounding religion, morality, transparency, and connection, all done so fairly subtly, so if you're here just to read the book by itself without reading deeper, you very much can do so. So many books I find bore themselves down by trying to wrap themselves up in deeper meaning that the initial read of the story loses its charm, but that isn't the case with this novel at all.
I would read this again in a heartbeat if I didn't have a million other books to read as of right now. Definitely one of my favourites of all time, especially to pick myself up out of a reading slump with.
April 26, 2017
3.5 stars.
This is a really hard book to rate. The writing is great and I read straight through in a day. Lots of interesting ideas ...I find myself still thinking about it a few days later which I seldom do. This is not a forgettable book and for me that makes it better than most.
It reads on two levels - a story and also the deeper meaning.
This is a really hard book to rate. The writing is great and I read straight through in a day. Lots of interesting ideas ...I find myself still thinking about it a few days later which I seldom do. This is not a forgettable book and for me that makes it better than most.
It reads on two levels - a story and also the deeper meaning.
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