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Jason Callahan, Psychic Detective #1
Murder, Sometimes
Fresh off the NYPD, Jason Callahan has his own detective agency, a nice apartment, and a secretary who doesn't drive him crazy. Jason is happy with his life. Until he meets Trina Dane, that is. Trina is that crazy lady you always worry about meeting. She's also psychic. From the minute Jason meets her, he finds himself spiraling downward into a world of ghosts, spells and demons. But Trina is also beautiful and funny and Jason can't quite force himself to stay away.
Jason and Trina's first case: The repeated attempted murder of one of the city's high rollers. Alarms haven't helped. Even video surveillance can't seem to detect the would-be assassin. Now, it's up to Jason and Trina. Can they catch the killer before he succeeds, or is he something beyond human, something beyond capture?
Jason and Trina's first case: The repeated attempted murder of one of the city's high rollers. Alarms haven't helped. Even video surveillance can't seem to detect the would-be assassin. Now, it's up to Jason and Trina. Can they catch the killer before he succeeds, or is he something beyond human, something beyond capture?
- GenresMysteryParanormalFantasy
4 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 19, 2014
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20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 19, 2016
The book could best be described, I suppose as a supernatural mystery. Jason Callahan is a private detective, and his first case (in this story, at least) involves someone selling baseball cards signed by the appropriate great player. The problem is, they were signed after the player died. OK, straightforward fraud, but when Jason confronts Benny, the seller, in the presence of Trina, who claims to be a psychic, Benny signs another card, claiming it is a ghost who is guiding his hands. The argument is, the signature is genuine as far as the player is concerned, but not the hand signing it. Now what? Jason is shown evidence that Trina is not a fraud, and in any case, Benny offers to fully refund if the person wishes. This is the prelude to a crime investigation. Who or what is responsible? Is it a person? Is it a ghost? The story is quite well-written, and it is original. My major criticism is that when Jason is given evidence he cannot refute, the next few scenes did not really gel with me. When it comes to the crime, there are some seriously original parts there, which I admit I did not see coming, and more to the point, they are obvious, so there was some well-disguised writing. The story is too slight for me, and there were plenty of opportunities to take this concept further. The author is apparently promising more, so, maybe some was saved up. The book is quite easy to read, and is quite entertaining. Good for a light vacation read.
January 2, 2021
An entertaining and engrossing paranormal mystery that kept me hooked.
It's a well written novella and i liked the fleshed out characters, the atmosphere and the plot.
I hope to read other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a well written novella and i liked the fleshed out characters, the atmosphere and the plot.
I hope to read other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 2, 2020
Jason a detective with an unusual partner Trina, case is just as unusual. Baseball cards, with an authentic signature, problem the guy is dead. Has a Humerous twist with ghosts. The audio was good, good voice added to the story. Given audio for my voluntary review
December 18, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Murder, Sometimes is the first book in the Jason Callahan paranormal cozy series by Patricia Lee Macomber. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release is 176 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is an unevenly written and oddly put together book. The style never manages to settle on slapstick comedy, paranormal cozy, romance, PI murder mystery, or light surreal horror. I found the dialogue choppy and stilted, the pacing felt off to me and I found myself constantly yanked out of my suspension of disbelief by oddly written passages, purple prose, and wrenching similes (a smile sat on his fat lips like a hastily perched bird). I did finish the book (it's short), but it was a slog in some places. The ending alone is so bizarrely placed that I literally checked to see if my review copy was missing content (it wasn't).
There are many wonderful long running series which got off to a rocky start. This could possibly be one of them. There are glimmers of an interesting and engaging story. Mostly, it's a short novel in desperate need of a ruthless editor or three and some serious plot tightening.
The author/publisher have included a 2 chapter preview of the 2nd book in the series Dead, Sometimes which did not, alas, fill me with desire to chase down and read any further.
Two and a half stars. Possibly worth a look for fans of the subgenre (very very light paranormal comic cozies).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Murder, Sometimes is the first book in the Jason Callahan paranormal cozy series by Patricia Lee Macomber. Originally released in 2014, this reformat and re-release is 176 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is an unevenly written and oddly put together book. The style never manages to settle on slapstick comedy, paranormal cozy, romance, PI murder mystery, or light surreal horror. I found the dialogue choppy and stilted, the pacing felt off to me and I found myself constantly yanked out of my suspension of disbelief by oddly written passages, purple prose, and wrenching similes (a smile sat on his fat lips like a hastily perched bird). I did finish the book (it's short), but it was a slog in some places. The ending alone is so bizarrely placed that I literally checked to see if my review copy was missing content (it wasn't).
There are many wonderful long running series which got off to a rocky start. This could possibly be one of them. There are glimmers of an interesting and engaging story. Mostly, it's a short novel in desperate need of a ruthless editor or three and some serious plot tightening.
The author/publisher have included a 2 chapter preview of the 2nd book in the series Dead, Sometimes which did not, alas, fill me with desire to chase down and read any further.
Two and a half stars. Possibly worth a look for fans of the subgenre (very very light paranormal comic cozies).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
March 21, 2024
Fresh off the NYPD, Jason Callahan has his own detective agency, a nice apartment, and a secretary who doesn't drive him crazy. Jason is happy with his life—until he meets Trina Dane. Trina is that crazy lady you always worry about meeting. She's also psychic. From the minute Jason meets her, he finds himself spiraling downward into a world of ghosts, spells, and demons. But Trina is also beautiful and funny, and Jason can't quite force himself to stay away.
What a fun read. I really liked it. There are so many Laugh Out Loud moments.
I loved the reference to Bewitched- a definite favorite.
I was into the story right away, and it was over too soon. But I have to say it surely could have used a really good editor. Lots of potential.
Can't wait for the next one.
NOTE** Right in the middle, the audio did something weird. It sounded like the narrator was in a tunnel. And it repeated a couple of sentences. It was distracting.
What a fun read. I really liked it. There are so many Laugh Out Loud moments.
I loved the reference to Bewitched- a definite favorite.
I was into the story right away, and it was over too soon. But I have to say it surely could have used a really good editor. Lots of potential.
Can't wait for the next one.
NOTE** Right in the middle, the audio did something weird. It sounded like the narrator was in a tunnel. And it repeated a couple of sentences. It was distracting.
January 20, 2015
Publishers' Summary
Fresh off the NYPD, Jason Callahan has his own detective agency, a nice apartment, and a secretary who doesn't drive him crazy. Jason is happy with his life. Until he meets Trina Dane, that is. Trina is that crazy lady you always worry about meeting. She's also psychic. From the minute Jason meets her, he finds himself spiraling downward into a world of ghosts, spells and demons. But Trina is also beautiful and funny and Jason can't quite force himself to stay away.
Jason and Trina's first case: The repeated attempted murder of one of the city's high rollers. Alarms haven't helped. Even video surveillance can't seem to detect the would-be assassin. Now, it's up to Jason and Trina. Can they catch the killer before he succeeds, or is he something beyond human, something beyond capture?
©2014 Patricia Lee Macomber (P)2014 David N. Wilson
My Review
Only a 4 hour listen, but my goodness, this murder mystery is just chock-a-block full of lovely entertainment. There's no time wasted " getting in to the story" here, it hooks the listener in from the start. From the very beginning I had kind thoughts towards this audiobook, it reminded me of the plays they air on the wireless, Afternoon Theatre or Book at Bedtime, a touch of nostalgia on my part maybe, but nevertheless, it worked for me.
It's also a darned good story, a mystery, a whodunit, and clever too. You see, the plot was not so very complicated that those who insist on solving it all out would be left foiled and frustrated, nor was it so easy that the mystery eejits such as myself could accidentally work it out before the end.
I'm not too fond of the old psychic/ paranormal/spirit type genre, as all too often the paranormal nature of the tale allows for incredible plots with head scratching outcomes. Not so here, this is a story full of interesting characters such as Trina, there is something very special about Trina Dane, a woman with a prosaic flamboyance - which is, of course, grammatically meaningless nonsense, but there is something about her, something with which the ordinary mundane non- paranormal person can identify. She seemed to know just how to deal with everybody! Including the grumpy disbelieving side of Jason, I also loved the way she dealt with his brother.
The unlikely duo of Trina and Jason work so very well together despite the fact that Jason hates to think so. I enjoyed the presence of his brother in the tale, a bit of a lad with his own interesting story, and I look forward to more of their post case dinners together.
I thought this to be a quirky, interesting, funny and absorbing story, cleverly written. This audio book was a freebie, but if subsequent books are longer, ( by a lot) then I shall be spending my precious Audible credits on them.
The Narrator: Scott Test.
The narrator was well chosen, and I thoroughly enjoyed Scott's narration of this book, his voice seemed just the right one to portray the weary ex cop. After the first few lines I hardly noticed him! Believe me that is one big compliment, there's nothing worse, nothing, I say, than an bad narrator intruding so rudely into a story. Scott Test has mastered all the aspects a difficult job admirably, I just hope he is chosen to narrate all the Jason Callahan books or I won't be listening. Seems he's quite musical too, pop along here and have a listen. http://www.scotttestmusic.com
Fresh off the NYPD, Jason Callahan has his own detective agency, a nice apartment, and a secretary who doesn't drive him crazy. Jason is happy with his life. Until he meets Trina Dane, that is. Trina is that crazy lady you always worry about meeting. She's also psychic. From the minute Jason meets her, he finds himself spiraling downward into a world of ghosts, spells and demons. But Trina is also beautiful and funny and Jason can't quite force himself to stay away.
Jason and Trina's first case: The repeated attempted murder of one of the city's high rollers. Alarms haven't helped. Even video surveillance can't seem to detect the would-be assassin. Now, it's up to Jason and Trina. Can they catch the killer before he succeeds, or is he something beyond human, something beyond capture?
©2014 Patricia Lee Macomber (P)2014 David N. Wilson
My Review
Only a 4 hour listen, but my goodness, this murder mystery is just chock-a-block full of lovely entertainment. There's no time wasted " getting in to the story" here, it hooks the listener in from the start. From the very beginning I had kind thoughts towards this audiobook, it reminded me of the plays they air on the wireless, Afternoon Theatre or Book at Bedtime, a touch of nostalgia on my part maybe, but nevertheless, it worked for me.
It's also a darned good story, a mystery, a whodunit, and clever too. You see, the plot was not so very complicated that those who insist on solving it all out would be left foiled and frustrated, nor was it so easy that the mystery eejits such as myself could accidentally work it out before the end.
I'm not too fond of the old psychic/ paranormal/spirit type genre, as all too often the paranormal nature of the tale allows for incredible plots with head scratching outcomes. Not so here, this is a story full of interesting characters such as Trina, there is something very special about Trina Dane, a woman with a prosaic flamboyance - which is, of course, grammatically meaningless nonsense, but there is something about her, something with which the ordinary mundane non- paranormal person can identify. She seemed to know just how to deal with everybody! Including the grumpy disbelieving side of Jason, I also loved the way she dealt with his brother.
The unlikely duo of Trina and Jason work so very well together despite the fact that Jason hates to think so. I enjoyed the presence of his brother in the tale, a bit of a lad with his own interesting story, and I look forward to more of their post case dinners together.
I thought this to be a quirky, interesting, funny and absorbing story, cleverly written. This audio book was a freebie, but if subsequent books are longer, ( by a lot) then I shall be spending my precious Audible credits on them.
The Narrator: Scott Test.
The narrator was well chosen, and I thoroughly enjoyed Scott's narration of this book, his voice seemed just the right one to portray the weary ex cop. After the first few lines I hardly noticed him! Believe me that is one big compliment, there's nothing worse, nothing, I say, than an bad narrator intruding so rudely into a story. Scott Test has mastered all the aspects a difficult job admirably, I just hope he is chosen to narrate all the Jason Callahan books or I won't be listening. Seems he's quite musical too, pop along here and have a listen. http://www.scotttestmusic.com
September 30, 2015
I only read the first chapter, because it was just really dumb. The protagonist is investigating this guy who's selling fake autographed baseball cards. At his stall he has several cards supposedly signed by players, but the cards were printed after the players died. Case closed, right? Nope, the guy says he's a medium, he channelled their spirits to get them to sign the cards.
Well, guess what, mate? That does not hold up in court. For some reason, the protagonist feels like he needs more proof than this, so he takes him to an ex-player he knows to check if his signatures are genuine. They are. So he gives up and goes home.
The impossible signatures were all the proof you needed! This isn't set in a world where psychics are known to exist, the protagonist clearly believes that it's bullshit, so it makes no sense for him to just accept that and leave. Report the guy for fraud, take him to court to recover your client's money; saying you're a psychic isn't any form of protection!
Anyway, it was all just too stupid so I stopped reading,
Well, guess what, mate? That does not hold up in court. For some reason, the protagonist feels like he needs more proof than this, so he takes him to an ex-player he knows to check if his signatures are genuine. They are. So he gives up and goes home.
The impossible signatures were all the proof you needed! This isn't set in a world where psychics are known to exist, the protagonist clearly believes that it's bullshit, so it makes no sense for him to just accept that and leave. Report the guy for fraud, take him to court to recover your client's money; saying you're a psychic isn't any form of protection!
Anyway, it was all just too stupid so I stopped reading,
May 17, 2016
Patricia Lee Macomber has formed a terrific combination with Jason Callahan and Trina Dane. Patricia’s forte obviously is science fiction. With her novel Murder, Sometimes- A Jason Callahan Mystery, we begin with Jason who was a NYPD, now working his own detective agency. His secretary, Joy, comes in late to work on days there is a sale on shoes, but she always comes through when he needs her the most. He meets Trina when he is working a case that involves a man who channels signatures from deceased ball players. Jason is a critic even after Trina proves to him Benny can speak to the deceased.
It irritates Jason that Trina is often right, because she is a psychic. When Jason gets a case that involves the deceased trying to kill his client, he must work with Trina. They work well together, but they are both too stubborn to see what is before their faces.
I enjoyed this book and found myself laughing out loud a couple of times, quite entertaining!
It irritates Jason that Trina is often right, because she is a psychic. When Jason gets a case that involves the deceased trying to kill his client, he must work with Trina. They work well together, but they are both too stubborn to see what is before their faces.
I enjoyed this book and found myself laughing out loud a couple of times, quite entertaining!
April 13, 2015
Not bad but pretty unbelievable.....if you are looking for escapist paranormal mysteries you will probably like this series
April 22, 2015
Subtracted 1 star for the final few pages.
May 21, 2015
Great fun! Unusual and original storyline to this novella. I'm going to really love this series!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews