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Seeing Eye: A day at the fair
". . . a humorously unsettling tone-- Rory's exaggerated Hungarian accent is a hoot--" Kirkus Reviews.
Rory is a cheap psychic in a carnival, sitting in a tent with her dog, dressed like a Gypsy and gazing into a fake crystal ball. She gives people just enough truth to earn her a living, while avoiding human relationships and strong emotions, wanting desperately not to be plunged into other people’s drama. Trying not to see things – like murder.
Unfortunately, it isn’t working. Not only did she just experience David Miller’s murder first hand, – which was not enjoyable – she now has to find his killer before his killer finds her. And she’ll have to do it while sparring with two Phoenix Police detectives who would like to pin Miller’s death on her.
Rory is a cheap psychic in a carnival, sitting in a tent with her dog, dressed like a Gypsy and gazing into a fake crystal ball. She gives people just enough truth to earn her a living, while avoiding human relationships and strong emotions, wanting desperately not to be plunged into other people’s drama. Trying not to see things – like murder.
Unfortunately, it isn’t working. Not only did she just experience David Miller’s murder first hand, – which was not enjoyable – she now has to find his killer before his killer finds her. And she’ll have to do it while sparring with two Phoenix Police detectives who would like to pin Miller’s death on her.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 22, 2016
With pithy and well observed comments, like "the most jealous men in the world are those who are cheating on their own wives," we explore the life of a carnival psychic. Rory is self-sufficient, in her late twenties but made up and padded to look older, affecting an accent and wishing at times that she didn't really have the Sight. Yes, half of her act is just that - an act. But her gift, which dangles details about her clients, also shows her the murder of a horse veterinarian, and the man's widow deserves to know what happened.
The setting is Phoenix, Arizona, and a visit with the local police to the racetrack where the missing man worked leads to further drastic events. Rory has made too many people aware of her belief, and someone is clearing up loose ends. She is advised to vanish along with her brave dog Rawlie.
Several times the point of view shifts. While Rory is first person, other characters give viewpoints in third person. Rory also has flashbacks and dreams either to her past, or to recent events she didn't literally see but can envision. This can be a little unsettling for a reader but the main story thread is simple enough to follow, and it avoids the issue of Rory having to recount her life history in one go.
With some dead animals, dead people and several separate shooting events, this is a murder mystery for adults, steeped in background and glancing respectfully at the Tarot deck. Police procedures are outlined and relationships develop in the course of the adventure. Rory is one of the more interesting sleuths on the shelves, and I could have done with more of her and less of some unsavoury characters, but readers who enjoy hard-boiled crime will be at home with those sections.
I was sent an ARC and this is an unbiased review.
The setting is Phoenix, Arizona, and a visit with the local police to the racetrack where the missing man worked leads to further drastic events. Rory has made too many people aware of her belief, and someone is clearing up loose ends. She is advised to vanish along with her brave dog Rawlie.
Several times the point of view shifts. While Rory is first person, other characters give viewpoints in third person. Rory also has flashbacks and dreams either to her past, or to recent events she didn't literally see but can envision. This can be a little unsettling for a reader but the main story thread is simple enough to follow, and it avoids the issue of Rory having to recount her life history in one go.
With some dead animals, dead people and several separate shooting events, this is a murder mystery for adults, steeped in background and glancing respectfully at the Tarot deck. Police procedures are outlined and relationships develop in the course of the adventure. Rory is one of the more interesting sleuths on the shelves, and I could have done with more of her and less of some unsavoury characters, but readers who enjoy hard-boiled crime will be at home with those sections.
I was sent an ARC and this is an unbiased review.
October 17, 2014
Liz Marshall’s debut novel, Seeing Eye, is a delightful read. Ms. Marshall balances suspense and humor like a pro and I alternated between holding my breath and laughing out loud. There is just enough romance to keep it interesting, but not so much that it overshadows the plot.
Main character Rory Wilson makes her living as a fortune teller who travels with a company of carnies (carnival workers) to state fairs throughout the country. Once she dons her disguise (fake blond hair, fake boobs, heavy make-up, and a lot of extra padding) Madam Mona and her crystal ball are open for business. Rory is a quirky character, mostly likeable, but with tons of baggage. Other than her dog Rawlie, her fellow carnies are her only family, but she has kept from them the one thing that has been a problem as long as she can remember. She really is psychic. And her visions can appear at the most inconvenient times.
When a client visits Madam Mona at the Arizona State Fair to try and find out what happened to her missing husband, Rory’s vision reveals that the race track veterinarian was murdered by the race track’s manager. The detective assigned to the missing person’s case, Michael Warrick, doubts Rory’s vision, but when the race track manager is murdered, Rory becomes essential to solving the case. I found the attraction that develops between them interesting because I love flawed protagonists. Those flaws make a character unpredictable and keep the reader turning those pages.
This is a no spoiler review, so I’ll end by saying I highly recommend this novel and I’m happy to know it looks like another Rory Wilson suspense novel in the works.
Main character Rory Wilson makes her living as a fortune teller who travels with a company of carnies (carnival workers) to state fairs throughout the country. Once she dons her disguise (fake blond hair, fake boobs, heavy make-up, and a lot of extra padding) Madam Mona and her crystal ball are open for business. Rory is a quirky character, mostly likeable, but with tons of baggage. Other than her dog Rawlie, her fellow carnies are her only family, but she has kept from them the one thing that has been a problem as long as she can remember. She really is psychic. And her visions can appear at the most inconvenient times.
When a client visits Madam Mona at the Arizona State Fair to try and find out what happened to her missing husband, Rory’s vision reveals that the race track veterinarian was murdered by the race track’s manager. The detective assigned to the missing person’s case, Michael Warrick, doubts Rory’s vision, but when the race track manager is murdered, Rory becomes essential to solving the case. I found the attraction that develops between them interesting because I love flawed protagonists. Those flaws make a character unpredictable and keep the reader turning those pages.
This is a no spoiler review, so I’ll end by saying I highly recommend this novel and I’m happy to know it looks like another Rory Wilson suspense novel in the works.
April 15, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Rory runs a psychic booth at the fair disguised as a Hungarian gypsy, complete with corny accent. In reality Rory does have somewhat of a psychic gift and is able to 'see' some things of the lives of those who come to her for readings.She 'sees' the murder of a man whose wife has come to her about his disappearance. Then one of the men involved in this disappearance is shot and killed while she watches. Is Rory next? Are they after her? The two detectives assigned to the case have their suspicions of Rory and against her better judgement she becomes involved with one of them and ends up inadvertently involving all her friends and acquaintances in the case. When her trailer is burned down and blown up,Rory knows the murderer means business. The police have their suspicions of Jack Andrade, a race track owner who is looking to get into politics but there is no proof. Can Rory help solve the case before she gets killed? Very interesting book. Quick read. Looking forward to the sequel. 5 stars.
January 15, 2015
Liz Marshall knows how to create a scene - whether it's a seedy carnival, a race track, or inside the head of someone having an unwelcome psychic experience. Rory Wilson has an interesting problem - pretending to be a psychic in a carnival while repressing her true psychic abilities. When she "sees" a murder, she goes from being a suspect to a target and the suspense never lets up. A crime/suspense/romance novel that will hold your interest because it builds believably to a surprising climax - the kind where you say, wow, you didn't see it coming but it's perfect and then then you think about all the very subtle hints were there all along. The author did a great job of creating an experience for the reader: Rory's psychic episodes are so realistically drawn you'll think they happened to you. There are no one-dimensional characters in this novel, and no one-dimensional back stories. While the crime, the perp, and the love interest are playing out in a realistic and exciting way, so is the true story of Rory - one she doesn't know herself until it's time to know. Well crafted, well written, and highly recommended.
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November 14, 2014Maybe being psychic isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Rory is complicated. She has trust issues. Something that happened when she was twelve still haunts her, and being the lone psychic in a strict Catholic family has only made things worse. Now she works as a cheap psychic in a carnival. She sits in a tent with her dog, dressed like a Gypsy, gazing into a fake crystal ball, giving people just enough truth to earn a living. Rory wants desperately not to be plunged into other people’s drama - not to see things – like murder. Unfortunately, it isn’t working. Not only did she just experience David Miller’s murder first hand, she now has to find his killer before his killer finds her. And she’ll have to do it while sparring with two Phoenix Police detectives who would like to pin Miller’s death on her.
Rory is complicated. She has trust issues. Something that happened when she was twelve still haunts her, and being the lone psychic in a strict Catholic family has only made things worse. Now she works as a cheap psychic in a carnival. She sits in a tent with her dog, dressed like a Gypsy, gazing into a fake crystal ball, giving people just enough truth to earn a living. Rory wants desperately not to be plunged into other people’s drama - not to see things – like murder. Unfortunately, it isn’t working. Not only did she just experience David Miller’s murder first hand, she now has to find his killer before his killer finds her. And she’ll have to do it while sparring with two Phoenix Police detectives who would like to pin Miller’s death on her.
March 6, 2015
Seeing Eye is a really fun read with a fantastic premise and a vivid, funny protagonist, Rory Wilson. Rory dresses up every night to play her part as a psychic reader in a traveling carnival. And though it turns out Rory does have some real psychic ability, she's been hiding it--and hiding from it. The isolation and obscurity she's built around herself like a protective wall are threatened when a murder only she can solve takes place at the carnival. Not only does this put her life in danger, but the lead detective on the case is getting closer to Rory and her secret than she could ever be comfortable with. Author Liz Marshall has managed to find the right alchemy of humor, romance, and thriller action.
January 21, 2015
This book is most entertaining. So many personalities involved together (ie) extended family makes this story move along. Keeps you anticipating "who did it?", "why them?" "Someone else?"...and you don't know until the end . I had lots of emotions during this story including a laugh or two, but mostly suspense waiting to find out "Who did it?"
For a first time author I am very impressed and can't wait for Rory's next adventure.
Pat McDonald
For a first time author I am very impressed and can't wait for Rory's next adventure.
Pat McDonald
February 17, 2015
Seeing Eye, by Liz Marshall, is a mystery set within a carnival setting, the heroine a psychic who stumbles on a murder, and becomes a target for the murderer herself. There’s also a murder mystery buried back in the main character’s family of origin. This book is the first in a series, and it’s a gem in its genre. Filled with Marshall’s pithy writing and wise-ass humor, I highly recommend it for those who enjoy sleuthing and suspense, mixed with a little sexy romance.
December 24, 2019
Different kind of psychic
A real psychic pretending to be a fake psychic and wishing she wasn't actually psychic is definitely different. I enjoyed it!
A real psychic pretending to be a fake psychic and wishing she wasn't actually psychic is definitely different. I enjoyed it!
November 13, 2014
Liz Marshal is a gifted writer and Seeing Eye is the kind of murder mystery that I love. Rory, the somewhat quirky and troubled protagonist, poses as a "carney" psychic, but has true psychic abilities. She ends up helping (and often impeding) the efforts of the dashing detective, Michael, to find out who is killing off people associated with a race track.
The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very end and her characters are real--they have flaws, good qualities, and each has something distinctive about them. In other words, she has developed a cast of characters who are memorable.
Her writing is pitch-perfect with dialog that rings true to the ear. I especially love her sense of humor that she weaves adeptly into the story and into the dialog. And the way she writes foreign accents is masterful. I'm smiling now thinking of it.
This is a murder mystery that isn't gory, but it is suspenseful. Subplots woven around the murders help the reader understand motivations behind the seemingly odd choices Rory makes. And the best part is that the ending leaves room for an obvious second book in what I hope is a series from this amazing author.
If you like a little humor to season a carefully plotted murder mystery with three-dimensional characters, I recommend you give this book a try.
The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very end and her characters are real--they have flaws, good qualities, and each has something distinctive about them. In other words, she has developed a cast of characters who are memorable.
Her writing is pitch-perfect with dialog that rings true to the ear. I especially love her sense of humor that she weaves adeptly into the story and into the dialog. And the way she writes foreign accents is masterful. I'm smiling now thinking of it.
This is a murder mystery that isn't gory, but it is suspenseful. Subplots woven around the murders help the reader understand motivations behind the seemingly odd choices Rory makes. And the best part is that the ending leaves room for an obvious second book in what I hope is a series from this amazing author.
If you like a little humor to season a carefully plotted murder mystery with three-dimensional characters, I recommend you give this book a try.
December 1, 2014
“Seeing Eye” by Liz Marshall is a well written, clever, fresh and fascinating mystery novel. The main character, Rory, is a psychic who works as Madame Mona at a fun fair where she mostly gets by with quick and superficial readings. Until a client comes in and Rory has a clear vision about a missing man, who she knows was killed and she knows by whom.
Soon the police pay her a visit and Rory gets involved into the solving of the murder and, the danger zone that surrounds the murder, too.
The book handles the mystery excellently and also the element of a psychic being involved. There is ambiguity and intrigue. Marshall fleshes the story out excellently by bringing in several sub-plots, which aren’t always immediately recognisable as connected to the case or to Rory/ Mona.
I loved the narrative voice that shines with honesty and dry wit and which makes our protagonist such a great character. The psychic element is not over-shadowing the investigations and the secondary characters and the chemistry between Rory and the police detective make this a wel- rounded read.
This is a hugely enjoyable story that I hope will turn into a series.
Soon the police pay her a visit and Rory gets involved into the solving of the murder and, the danger zone that surrounds the murder, too.
The book handles the mystery excellently and also the element of a psychic being involved. There is ambiguity and intrigue. Marshall fleshes the story out excellently by bringing in several sub-plots, which aren’t always immediately recognisable as connected to the case or to Rory/ Mona.
I loved the narrative voice that shines with honesty and dry wit and which makes our protagonist such a great character. The psychic element is not over-shadowing the investigations and the secondary characters and the chemistry between Rory and the police detective make this a wel- rounded read.
This is a hugely enjoyable story that I hope will turn into a series.
March 6, 2015
Liz Marshall’s, Seeing Eye, is a page-turner. There’s not a false note in this intriguing and exciting mystery set in the Southwest. The characters move the plot and you don’t know where they are going to take you. The inhabitants of the ‘carney’ world, with all their weird, funny, romantic goings on, get caught up in this twisty, fast-moving murder mystery. I couldn’t wait to discover “who did it” and look forward to Rory’s next adventure.
January 1, 2016
“Seeing Eye” takes readers behind the scenes of a traveling carnival as violence and death come along. A fun mystery with interesting characters.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.
January 10, 2015
I was given this book for free. Liz Marshall’s debut book, Seeing Eye, is a pleasant read. The characters are ingenious and the book had more twists and turns than I anticipated without feeling strained. I'm looking forward to the next book that involves her long estranged father.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews