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A Brandy Alexander Mystery #6
No Such Thing As a Lost Soul
“Distraction” is the name of the game for Brandy Alexander. But, a new job assisting an activist lawyer, a new fitness routine, and a slew of new hobbies including knitting, guitar, and learning Espanol, aren’t fending off her new heartbreak, as she pines for erstwhile boyfriend, enigmatic Nick Santiago, who left town mysteriously and hasn’t been heard from since.
Brandy’s not the only one with love woes. Ex-boyfriend , Bobby DiCarlo, struggles to maintain things with his new girlfriend; brother Paul and friend Janine don’t realize they’re perfect for each other; and Brandy thinks best friend John’s boyfriend hasn’t been that nice to John lately – and being mean to Brandy’s friends is a mortal sin in her book.
Brandy’s work load increases when boss Walter lands in the hospital after a snake-bite attack arranged by a vengeful ex-con from Walter’s past. As Brandy sets her sights on tracking down Walter’s attacker, she becomes the target of his vengeance.
Meanwhile, Brandy is also investigating the disappearance of Jennifer, the daughter of one of Walter’s old friends. Brandy discovers that the last person to know of Jennifer’s whereabouts was Dr. Eugene Wakefield, a spiritual guru with a checkered past. Wakefield insists that Jennifer has been sent on a “mission,” but Wakefield’s story isn’t holding holy water. When Jennifer’s body turns up, Brandy’s suspicions are confirmed. Brandy infiltrates the cult as a would-be “lost soul” to find some hard evidence on the slippery faux-pastor and his devoted following of women who would do anything to protect him.
Brandy has a lot on her plate when Nick reenters the picture. It’s rough going for the two, but at least they’ve got each other’s backs, locating Brandy’s attacker before he hunts her down, and working to expose the sinister Wakefield in No Such Thing as a Lost Soul: A Brandy Alexander Mystery.
Brandy’s not the only one with love woes. Ex-boyfriend , Bobby DiCarlo, struggles to maintain things with his new girlfriend; brother Paul and friend Janine don’t realize they’re perfect for each other; and Brandy thinks best friend John’s boyfriend hasn’t been that nice to John lately – and being mean to Brandy’s friends is a mortal sin in her book.
Brandy’s work load increases when boss Walter lands in the hospital after a snake-bite attack arranged by a vengeful ex-con from Walter’s past. As Brandy sets her sights on tracking down Walter’s attacker, she becomes the target of his vengeance.
Meanwhile, Brandy is also investigating the disappearance of Jennifer, the daughter of one of Walter’s old friends. Brandy discovers that the last person to know of Jennifer’s whereabouts was Dr. Eugene Wakefield, a spiritual guru with a checkered past. Wakefield insists that Jennifer has been sent on a “mission,” but Wakefield’s story isn’t holding holy water. When Jennifer’s body turns up, Brandy’s suspicions are confirmed. Brandy infiltrates the cult as a would-be “lost soul” to find some hard evidence on the slippery faux-pastor and his devoted following of women who would do anything to protect him.
Brandy has a lot on her plate when Nick reenters the picture. It’s rough going for the two, but at least they’ve got each other’s backs, locating Brandy’s attacker before he hunts her down, and working to expose the sinister Wakefield in No Such Thing as a Lost Soul: A Brandy Alexander Mystery.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2014
53 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 15, 2015
It's a sign of a very good book when you finish it and feel satisfied -- but also slightly disappointed that you can't keep reading the dang book! I love Shelly Fredman's characters. They feel honest and truthful; filled with hopes, and fears, and dreams. They feel so real. Job. Well. Done.
September 21, 2015
This was ok but a little weak. Not as good as the first 5 books.
The romance felt like treading water. Otherwise, it’s like “more adventures in the life of Brandy.”
Nick and Brandy:
The end of book 5 felt good because we knew Nick loved Brandy even though she wanted more commitment from him. In this story Nick is away on a job for most of the book. When he returns nothing new happens with their relationship. It felt like no story. Although the ending was feel good for them, I wanted more at the end. It felt chopped off. I hope a better romantic ending will come in the novella to be published in 2016.
Brandy is investigating two cases.
One is a killer stalking her boss. The other is a missing woman who was connected with a cult-like religious leader. Brandy does a good job investigating and fighting. One story was finished. The second story felt unfinished. I didn’t know who killed one woman. I didn’t know where, how, or why a second woman was missing.
Side stories:
Adding color are side stories about Brandy’s friends and their love lives. Those are continuing stories throughout the series.
THE SERIES:
You can read any book as a stand-alone, but I think it’s best if you read them in order. The first book sets thing up.
4 stars. No Such Thing As A Secret
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Good Blind Date
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Ride
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Lost Cause
3 stars. No Such Thing As a Lost Soul
(not read) No Such Thing As Smooth Sailing - novella to be published Feb 2016.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Brandy. Kindle count length: 4,077 (251 pages). Swearing language: strong including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 4 referred to, skipped over with no details. Setting: current day mostly Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright: 2014. Genre: mystery with a little romance.
The romance felt like treading water. Otherwise, it’s like “more adventures in the life of Brandy.”
Nick and Brandy:
The end of book 5 felt good because we knew Nick loved Brandy even though she wanted more commitment from him. In this story Nick is away on a job for most of the book. When he returns nothing new happens with their relationship. It felt like no story. Although the ending was feel good for them, I wanted more at the end. It felt chopped off. I hope a better romantic ending will come in the novella to be published in 2016.
Brandy is investigating two cases.
One is a killer stalking her boss. The other is a missing woman who was connected with a cult-like religious leader. Brandy does a good job investigating and fighting. One story was finished. The second story felt unfinished. I didn’t know who killed one woman. I didn’t know where, how, or why a second woman was missing.
Side stories:
Adding color are side stories about Brandy’s friends and their love lives. Those are continuing stories throughout the series.
THE SERIES:
You can read any book as a stand-alone, but I think it’s best if you read them in order. The first book sets thing up.
4 stars. No Such Thing As A Secret
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Good Blind Date
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Lunch
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Free Ride
5 stars. No Such Thing As A Lost Cause
3 stars. No Such Thing As a Lost Soul
(not read) No Such Thing As Smooth Sailing - novella to be published Feb 2016.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Brandy. Kindle count length: 4,077 (251 pages). Swearing language: strong including religious swear words, but not often used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: 4 referred to, skipped over with no details. Setting: current day mostly Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Copyright: 2014. Genre: mystery with a little romance.
January 7, 2023
Brandy is assisting Walt on a case when he's injured and she has to take over. It puts her in the cross hairs of a deranged killer and on the trail of a so called spiritual leader who's doing more than leading his female followers on a path to enlightenment. Brandy and DiCarlo are having problems with their relationships while Janine is starting a new one. Brandy and Nick have a long road ahead of them as long as she can stay alive. A cliffhanger of an ending that makes me want to devour the next book
January 26, 2015
This was a great ending to the series. Brandy kept growing through the course of the books, and as a reader, it was such a relief to see. Shelly did a a beautiful job of showing how Brandy was dealing with emotions left over from the last book. I loved the character interactions. While I didn't want to see the series end, I'm glad Shelly stuck to her guns to make this the final book. Character growth happened all around and I feel by ending it instead of dragging it out, she doesn't run the risk of destroying her characters. Although, an occasional visit back now and then would be just fine with me :-)
December 30, 2014
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
Love, love, love this series! Brandy is a great character! She's smart, witty, capable, yet can be sarcastic & very vulnerable especially with things that include love Nick Santiago. In this book she has to deal with a serial killer & megalomaniac cult leader all while dealing with the loss of her relationship with Nick & the twists & turns of the love lives of her friends. I don't want to spoil anything, but the ending is earth shattering! Can't wait for the next book, a novella, coming out in winter of 2015.
Love, love, love this series! Brandy is a great character! She's smart, witty, capable, yet can be sarcastic & very vulnerable especially with things that include love Nick Santiago. In this book she has to deal with a serial killer & megalomaniac cult leader all while dealing with the loss of her relationship with Nick & the twists & turns of the love lives of her friends. I don't want to spoil anything, but the ending is earth shattering! Can't wait for the next book, a novella, coming out in winter of 2015.
December 2, 2015
No Such Thing as a Lost Soul is wonderful, awesome, hilarious, terrifying, and emotional! Shelly Fredman has once again created a world that draws the reader in and makes us, in spite of the moments of terror, want to live there with Brandy and her friends.
I strongly recommend that you read the books in order starting with No Such Thing as a Secret; the characters develop though their experiences.
Heading back to read it again. I don't want to leave the story! Can't wait for the wrap up novella but I wish the series could last forever.
I strongly recommend that you read the books in order starting with No Such Thing as a Secret; the characters develop though their experiences.
Heading back to read it again. I don't want to leave the story! Can't wait for the wrap up novella but I wish the series could last forever.
February 3, 2015
This is the 6th book in this wonderful series. Brandy has grown through each book, but her antics never stop. I love the relationships between Brandy and her friends.
Nick is back and well you need to read to find out what happens!
If you have not read this series, give it a try. A series worth reading.
Nick is back and well you need to read to find out what happens!
If you have not read this series, give it a try. A series worth reading.
January 17, 2015
One of my very favorites!
I love this series, I had no clue a new one was even out! If you've grown tired of the Plum series, but crave the action-romance-and actual comedy, Shelly Fredman delivers
I love this series, I had no clue a new one was even out! If you've grown tired of the Plum series, but crave the action-romance-and actual comedy, Shelly Fredman delivers
March 15, 2019
Good addition to one of my new favourite series.
August 11, 2020
That ending with Nick was a bit abrupt. Mystery around the cult was good though. Author did an excellent job in describing a creepy cult leader.
February 17, 2017
What do I think? I think I don't like Nick, never have, and I especially don't like him with Brandy!
January 18, 2015
Love these characters
I really love this series and these characters, especially Brandy. Her inner monologues completely crack me up. The last book ended on a bit of a down note, so I was more than ready to learn what would happen next. As I started reading, it almost seemed like everything began happening all at once. Brandy starts working on a missing person case for her boss, a paroled criminal targets her due to her association with said boss, big things are happening in all of her friends' and family's lives, and to top it all off, Nick is back. Things between Brandy and Nick are hot as ever physically, but otherwise, everything is up in the air. Nick is working a dangerous case of his own but makes time to play backup for Brandy when he can. Brandy and Bobby also come to some realizations about their feelings for each other in the meantime. I completely enjoyed the story and was so glad to be back in Brandy's world. I wanted to give it a resounding 5 stars, but settles on a 4 due to some mild editing issues mostly related to the placement of quotation marks or the lack thereof. It really was not to terribly distracting, but it still should have been edited a bit better. That said, even if I knew ahead of time that the next book would have the same issues, I would still read it. I can't wait to see what happens next!
I really love this series and these characters, especially Brandy. Her inner monologues completely crack me up. The last book ended on a bit of a down note, so I was more than ready to learn what would happen next. As I started reading, it almost seemed like everything began happening all at once. Brandy starts working on a missing person case for her boss, a paroled criminal targets her due to her association with said boss, big things are happening in all of her friends' and family's lives, and to top it all off, Nick is back. Things between Brandy and Nick are hot as ever physically, but otherwise, everything is up in the air. Nick is working a dangerous case of his own but makes time to play backup for Brandy when he can. Brandy and Bobby also come to some realizations about their feelings for each other in the meantime. I completely enjoyed the story and was so glad to be back in Brandy's world. I wanted to give it a resounding 5 stars, but settles on a 4 due to some mild editing issues mostly related to the placement of quotation marks or the lack thereof. It really was not to terribly distracting, but it still should have been edited a bit better. That said, even if I knew ahead of time that the next book would have the same issues, I would still read it. I can't wait to see what happens next!
January 25, 2015
There are not a lot of series that completely obsess me but this one did. It had the perfect mix of mystery romance and humor. I adore all the characters and read all six books in three days. I love how the relationship between brandy and nick builds throughout the books and you are able to see the connection between the couple, it made it seem like a real romance and didn't have all the irritating drama. Often times these series have messy and annoying love triangles that cause you to hate the main characters but this series does not. Though each character and relationship faces challenges I really enjoyed seeing Brandi and nick stick together it gave their relationship more credibility and makes you fall in love with them. I thought brandy, though at times impulsive, to be a great lead character not to mention she is hilarious and relatable. I am very excited there will be a seventh book and cannot wait to read more and see what is next for Brandi and nick along with everyone else in the gang.
Well done Shelly Fredman, you are a new fav.
Well done Shelly Fredman, you are a new fav.
January 2, 2015
I am very very happy with this latest Brandy Alexander book. I see I have rated the other ones with a 3 star, but I really do like the series.
After I discovered the series I have read the first 5 books in a very short time. That is not always good for ratings, as sometimes it will be overwhelming. I am thinking about re-reading them and I will change my reviews accordingly.
That said: I loved this book. Brandy is sad after leaving Nick. She has not heard from him in 3 months. What is obvious is that Brandy has matured a bit. She is more aware of the danger and has bought a gun. In the other books she could do some pretty stupid things, but that is not the case in this book.
The book could be read as a stand alone, but I would not recommend it as they are best as part of the series.
I will be buying the next book!
After I discovered the series I have read the first 5 books in a very short time. That is not always good for ratings, as sometimes it will be overwhelming. I am thinking about re-reading them and I will change my reviews accordingly.
That said: I loved this book. Brandy is sad after leaving Nick. She has not heard from him in 3 months. What is obvious is that Brandy has matured a bit. She is more aware of the danger and has bought a gun. In the other books she could do some pretty stupid things, but that is not the case in this book.
The book could be read as a stand alone, but I would not recommend it as they are best as part of the series.
I will be buying the next book!
January 18, 2015
Oh my goodness!!! What can I say about Brandy Alexander? She gets into more jams than , as my granny would say, Carter has pills. This time she is looking for a lost woman and her daughter as well as playing cupid and trying to get over Nick Santiago. How does she fare in all things Brandy? Well you’ll have to read the book to see.
I love this series!! It will have you holding your breath hoping Brandy gets out of trouble. Laughing at her antics. Possibly needing a chilly shower when Nick finally does come back and yes even having a tear roll down your cheeks. I can’t wait for the next one, even if it is a novella.
I love this series!! It will have you holding your breath hoping Brandy gets out of trouble. Laughing at her antics. Possibly needing a chilly shower when Nick finally does come back and yes even having a tear roll down your cheeks. I can’t wait for the next one, even if it is a novella.
January 10, 2015
Well done!
I have been anxiously awaiting the return of Brandy and Nick for what seems like forever. I wasn't disappointed. Brandy gets into her usual escapades, as her partner, Nick always seems to be around as she gets out of them. I bought the book on its first day of release but its taken awhile for me to read it. I'm aware that this will be the last full novel about Brandy and the gang; I find it difficult to let go. That is an act of a truly good author, one in which you think the character is a part of your friend circle. Well done, Ms. Fredman!Well done!
I have been anxiously awaiting the return of Brandy and Nick for what seems like forever. I wasn't disappointed. Brandy gets into her usual escapades, as her partner, Nick always seems to be around as she gets out of them. I bought the book on its first day of release but its taken awhile for me to read it. I'm aware that this will be the last full novel about Brandy and the gang; I find it difficult to let go. That is an act of a truly good author, one in which you think the character is a part of your friend circle. Well done, Ms. Fredman!Well done!
January 5, 2015
Finally Brandy Alexander is back, a new job and a new cause or two. Brandy has grown up a bit, learning to protect herself and letting Nick back into her life. Brandy has her hands filled, a killer is targeting her because of her boss' past. A cult leader has taken a shine to Brandy as she looks for a missing woman and her daughter. Decisions need to be made fast or Brandy is dead. The best part of this story is the last page.
January 11, 2015
No such thing.
Brandy is at it again. In this sixth and "final" book In the series. This time working working in a lawyers office investigating the disappearance of Jennifer the daughter of a client all the while trying deal with on a broken heart.
I love Brandy and all her antics. There is just something so real about her. A must read
Brandy is at it again. In this sixth and "final" book In the series. This time working working in a lawyers office investigating the disappearance of Jennifer the daughter of a client all the while trying deal with on a broken heart.
I love Brandy and all her antics. There is just something so real about her. A must read
February 27, 2016
Delightful and amusing. The group of friends at the center of these books are ones that anyone would be happy to have in their own lives. They have such a wonderful dynamic. The main character, Brandy, is colorful and spunky with heaps of lovable faults. Charming series full of good humor and fun, it'll leave ya smiling.
October 28, 2016
I stayed up way too late to finish this book! I read it from start to finish in one sitting! Brandy is entertaining as always. I love the heartfelt interactions between Brandy and her friends. And then there's Nick, sigh.... I love the growing (read: not without its complications!) relationship between Nick and Brandy. My favorite so far in the series! Can't wait for the next one Shell
January 4, 2015
Nick is my book boyfriend and I want to have his babies. That's really all I have to say.
The author spends a lot of time on other story details and has to rush other parts of the book. That said, the Brandy Alexander series is a great way to avoid doing house work with light and fun reading.
The author spends a lot of time on other story details and has to rush other parts of the book. That said, the Brandy Alexander series is a great way to avoid doing house work with light and fun reading.
January 4, 2015
I love this series! Unlike some, this series just gets better and better. Shelly Fredman does a great job of creating characters that you can't help but get attached to. Everyone has a bit of Brandy in them which is probably why I enjoy the books so much. I hope she writes a million more:)
January 8, 2015
love this series!!
Brandy Alexander series is wonderful!! Shelly brings the characters alive. You root for Brady in everything she does. Great books and wonderful writing. MUST READ!!
Brandy Alexander series is wonderful!! Shelly brings the characters alive. You root for Brady in everything she does. Great books and wonderful writing. MUST READ!!
January 18, 2015
Love, love, love this series! Even though it sucked to have to wait so long for it, it was so worth it. The characters are great and there's always a good mystery. Plus Nick. He makes it worth reading even if there wasn't a plot.
January 25, 2016
Holy guacamole. That was freaking amazing. The character growth in each book as it progresses is phenomenal. And it's not only the main characters but the entire cast of friends. I can't wait until the next book top see the outcome. =D
August 11, 2016
Another one of my favorite series & I love the way Brandy & Nick's relationship grows in this book. Can't wait for the next one!
January 1, 2015
Absolutely love this series and this is the best book so far.
January 21, 2015
Very enjoyable read, can't wait for the next one.
January 15, 2015
I liked the book and am looking forward to No Such Thing As Smooth Sailing... although I hope there is such a thing as a happy ending :)
January 16, 2015
Oh goodness how I love this series. And this book was definitely up there. Brandy is maturing and Nick is committing. Love is all around x
Most of all I love the novella due out winter 2015......
Most of all I love the novella due out winter 2015......
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews