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Lost Touch
Lina Colella is one of the most powerful psychics in the country. She’s helped the police solve more than 180 murders and missing persons cases.
Her most dire case has just her brother-in-law was gunned down, the latest in a number of serial killings. And just when Lina needs her power most, a tragic accident puts an abrupt end to her psychic gift.
Despite losing her abilities, her faith in God, and her faith in herself, Lina vows to find the killer anyway. She keeps the loss of her powers hidden so she can work side by side with the local police.
She only has fifteen days to find the killer before another innocent victim is murdered. As she unravels the clues, she realizes the killer is close by, and her family is in mortal danger.
Can Lina confront her biggest weakness and her darkest fears to solve the most important case of her life?
Her most dire case has just her brother-in-law was gunned down, the latest in a number of serial killings. And just when Lina needs her power most, a tragic accident puts an abrupt end to her psychic gift.
Despite losing her abilities, her faith in God, and her faith in herself, Lina vows to find the killer anyway. She keeps the loss of her powers hidden so she can work side by side with the local police.
She only has fifteen days to find the killer before another innocent victim is murdered. As she unravels the clues, she realizes the killer is close by, and her family is in mortal danger.
Can Lina confront her biggest weakness and her darkest fears to solve the most important case of her life?
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2020
239 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Dave Terruso
19 books46 followersHi, I'm Dave Terruso.
I'm a mystery novelist and professional stand up comedian based in Philadelphia.
My debut novel, Cube Sleuth, was published by Full Fathom Five Digital.
As a stand up, I've opened for acts including Richard Lewis, Gilbert Gottfried, Dana Gould, Tim Meadows, Colin Quinn, and Maria Bamford.
I've been featured on the RISK! Podcast, episode 350 Out of Bounds.
I'm currently writing and publishing a novel/graphic novel hybrid mystery series called Alter Ego. It's a supernatural mystery about a detective hired to uncover the secret identity of Blue, the world's first and only superhero.
You can read the first two chapters for free at AlterEgoBlue.com and enter your email there to get notified when it goes on sale on Amazon.
I'm a mystery novelist and professional stand up comedian based in Philadelphia.
My debut novel, Cube Sleuth, was published by Full Fathom Five Digital.
As a stand up, I've opened for acts including Richard Lewis, Gilbert Gottfried, Dana Gould, Tim Meadows, Colin Quinn, and Maria Bamford.
I've been featured on the RISK! Podcast, episode 350 Out of Bounds.
I'm currently writing and publishing a novel/graphic novel hybrid mystery series called Alter Ego. It's a supernatural mystery about a detective hired to uncover the secret identity of Blue, the world's first and only superhero.
You can read the first two chapters for free at AlterEgoBlue.com and enter your email there to get notified when it goes on sale on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 7, 2020
This is the spoiler free review of Lost Touch by Dave Terruso. If you want to read the spoiler full review complete with whodunnit please visit https://amanjareads.com/2020/11/04/lo...
Lost Touch is a rare find. It's a mystery novel that is not part of a series. It stands on its own. Lina, the psychic protagonist, has this one meaningful story. Not an endless series of episodic crimes to solve. It's truly wonderful to have a story that has a complete beginning, middle, and end.
It's also rare that a mystery be a full story. Completely thought out with chracter development and everything! Too many mysteries seems to rely heavily on a twist ending and forget to add substance. Author Terruso has packed Lost Touch full to bursting with substance.
Lost Touch is about the aforementioned Lina. She's a psychic with actual psychic abilities. She's not a medium or some shyster mentalist. She's a psychic. And she uses her powers to make a modest living for herself.
She also helps to solve some murders and missing persons cases on a volunteer basis. Her latest case will prove to be her toughest one to date.
Her brother in law is murdered by a serial killer and on the way back home to help she is involved in an accident that causes her to lose her psychic powers. She's lost her touch you see.
Nevertheless, she is determined to help solve this case. The novel takes you on her journey as she comes to terms with her limitations as well as finds her family and home all over again.
Lost Touch is masterfully paced. Terruso knows when to drop clues. Just enough that the reader is engaged, not confused, and could potentially solve the mystery with just the right amount of effort.
There are no obnoxious red herrings and every twist makes sense after the fact. I cannot tell you how much I loathe a gimmicky twist ending. Lost Touch has an ending that adds up.
In addition to all of that the characters are real and interesting. Nobody is a stereotype and nothing is predictable except for the very basics of human behavior.
Lina is a model protagonist. She's powerful but has her flaws. She's relatable and her ups and downs with family and friends will certainly remind you of a personal relationship of your own.
Lost Touch doesn't shy away from sex and violence, it is not a YA thriller. But it also doesn't go over the top with the gore in order to make it seem edgy. Violence is part of the story but is not the only entertainment factor.
If you are looking for a mystery thriller that has a lot more to it than the average airport buy this is the book for you. I cannot recommend the works of Terruso enough. Please go check out his whole catalogue!
Lost Touch is a rare find. It's a mystery novel that is not part of a series. It stands on its own. Lina, the psychic protagonist, has this one meaningful story. Not an endless series of episodic crimes to solve. It's truly wonderful to have a story that has a complete beginning, middle, and end.
It's also rare that a mystery be a full story. Completely thought out with chracter development and everything! Too many mysteries seems to rely heavily on a twist ending and forget to add substance. Author Terruso has packed Lost Touch full to bursting with substance.
Lost Touch is about the aforementioned Lina. She's a psychic with actual psychic abilities. She's not a medium or some shyster mentalist. She's a psychic. And she uses her powers to make a modest living for herself.
She also helps to solve some murders and missing persons cases on a volunteer basis. Her latest case will prove to be her toughest one to date.
Her brother in law is murdered by a serial killer and on the way back home to help she is involved in an accident that causes her to lose her psychic powers. She's lost her touch you see.
Nevertheless, she is determined to help solve this case. The novel takes you on her journey as she comes to terms with her limitations as well as finds her family and home all over again.
Lost Touch is masterfully paced. Terruso knows when to drop clues. Just enough that the reader is engaged, not confused, and could potentially solve the mystery with just the right amount of effort.
There are no obnoxious red herrings and every twist makes sense after the fact. I cannot tell you how much I loathe a gimmicky twist ending. Lost Touch has an ending that adds up.
In addition to all of that the characters are real and interesting. Nobody is a stereotype and nothing is predictable except for the very basics of human behavior.
Lina is a model protagonist. She's powerful but has her flaws. She's relatable and her ups and downs with family and friends will certainly remind you of a personal relationship of your own.
Lost Touch doesn't shy away from sex and violence, it is not a YA thriller. But it also doesn't go over the top with the gore in order to make it seem edgy. Violence is part of the story but is not the only entertainment factor.
If you are looking for a mystery thriller that has a lot more to it than the average airport buy this is the book for you. I cannot recommend the works of Terruso enough. Please go check out his whole catalogue!
October 6, 2022
An accurate rating, in my opinion, would be in the negative numbers
This is my first negative review but I really disliked this book and hated that I wasted my time reading as far as 42%. The main character was extremely childish, petty, even malicious at times. I found no redeeming qualities in the main character. Also, the cursing among family members was every few words, in front of a child and totally unnecessary to the story. I would definitely NOT recommend.
This is my first negative review but I really disliked this book and hated that I wasted my time reading as far as 42%. The main character was extremely childish, petty, even malicious at times. I found no redeeming qualities in the main character. Also, the cursing among family members was every few words, in front of a child and totally unnecessary to the story. I would definitely NOT recommend.
December 22, 2022
I’m tired so I’m doing a bullet point review
- great relationships between characters
- decent mystery, a little predictable
- more cursing and innuendo than I would have preferred (it’s a murder mystery for goodness sake)
- overall very entertaining
- 4/5 ⭐️
- great relationships between characters
- decent mystery, a little predictable
- more cursing and innuendo than I would have preferred (it’s a murder mystery for goodness sake)
- overall very entertaining
- 4/5 ⭐️
Read
May 9, 2020Lost Touch by David Terruso was a suspenseful thriller. The twist and turns in the investigation of a serial killer kept you on the edge of your seat. The author kept the story line moving. An Enjoyable read.
October 23, 2022
Didn’t guess killer in advance.
A well written murder mystery, especially as the killer was not determinable until the last couple of chapters. Nice change of pace. I could have done without some of the vulgar language, as well as Lina’s sexual thoughts at the most inappropriate times and their absence wouldn’t have detracted from the story. The concept of a physic losing their “gift”, but move forward and try to covert her other natural skills into a detective is intriguing. However, I didn’t like the main character well enough to look forward her next adventure.
A well written murder mystery, especially as the killer was not determinable until the last couple of chapters. Nice change of pace. I could have done without some of the vulgar language, as well as Lina’s sexual thoughts at the most inappropriate times and their absence wouldn’t have detracted from the story. The concept of a physic losing their “gift”, but move forward and try to covert her other natural skills into a detective is intriguing. However, I didn’t like the main character well enough to look forward her next adventure.
December 12, 2023
A so-so book
One night I couldn’t sleep. I opened my phone to the Kindle app and figured I would start this book. After a while reading it I realized that there was too many descriptive stuff that was totally unnecessary. I felt that he wrote the same way as he talked. Had to skip over a lot of pages because it didn’t move the book along. I did, however, finish the book because I often have trouble sleeping, and it made me relax enough to drift off. I wouldn’t recommend this book.
One night I couldn’t sleep. I opened my phone to the Kindle app and figured I would start this book. After a while reading it I realized that there was too many descriptive stuff that was totally unnecessary. I felt that he wrote the same way as he talked. Had to skip over a lot of pages because it didn’t move the book along. I did, however, finish the book because I often have trouble sleeping, and it made me relax enough to drift off. I wouldn’t recommend this book.
September 26, 2020
Great read!
I really enjoyed this and not just because it's based in my old neighborhood. The characters were all really well fleshed out and you can't help but to really like Lina. It was suspenseful and had some good closure at the end. I expected to spend the entire book irritated that she couldn't just get power back to solve the case but I wasn't at all. Overall this was a great book.
I really enjoyed this and not just because it's based in my old neighborhood. The characters were all really well fleshed out and you can't help but to really like Lina. It was suspenseful and had some good closure at the end. I expected to spend the entire book irritated that she couldn't just get power back to solve the case but I wasn't at all. Overall this was a great book.
October 16, 2022
Full of mystery, family ties, and sacrifice
Loans us a gifted psychic who loses her ability at a crucial time after a family member's death. Desperate to solve the murder, she develops previously unused skills of observation, deductive reasoning and intuition while comforting her bereaved sister and young nephew who is beginning to discover his own psychic ability. The plot keeps you guessing while you discover clues along with Li.
Loans us a gifted psychic who loses her ability at a crucial time after a family member's death. Desperate to solve the murder, she develops previously unused skills of observation, deductive reasoning and intuition while comforting her bereaved sister and young nephew who is beginning to discover his own psychic ability. The plot keeps you guessing while you discover clues along with Li.
Read
October 18, 2022Good story but. . .
way too vulgar for my taste. I got really tired of every other paragraph containing the f-word and family members calling each other dickhead and worse just for laughs. It's too bad because the story is engaging and different. And even though the protagonist is a woman, you can tell the author is a man -- the "voice" is a man's. Definitely not another cozy mystery.
way too vulgar for my taste. I got really tired of every other paragraph containing the f-word and family members calling each other dickhead and worse just for laughs. It's too bad because the story is engaging and different. And even though the protagonist is a woman, you can tell the author is a man -- the "voice" is a man's. Definitely not another cozy mystery.
December 21, 2022
Lina Cole is a psychic. At least she was until she went and saved her nephew. She ended up with a CHI - Closed Head Injury, and it took her psychic abilities away. But she is on a mission to find her brother in law's killer. She's on limited time and uncharted waters without her powers. Can she, do it? Throughout this entire story, the writer balances out comedy with serious, good against evil. An excellent story. Hope this isn't the last of Lina and her family.
February 19, 2023
Enjoyed reading.
I enjoyed reading this and wanted to read another like it. But it’s a stand alone. Not sure about the author’s other book yet. 🤷🏻♀️ I’ll take a look. I thought this could have been a clean story. Seemed it had a lot of pointy stuff thrown in to talk about sex that hadn’t anything to do with anything. I would have preferred to not have the lead character act like she was slurry with anyone and everyone.
I enjoyed reading this and wanted to read another like it. But it’s a stand alone. Not sure about the author’s other book yet. 🤷🏻♀️ I’ll take a look. I thought this could have been a clean story. Seemed it had a lot of pointy stuff thrown in to talk about sex that hadn’t anything to do with anything. I would have preferred to not have the lead character act like she was slurry with anyone and everyone.
June 22, 2023
Lina is a psychic who sometimes helps the police solve crimes. Then she loses her gift after a head injury, but continues to solve crimes anyway. I didn't care for the main character much, the profanity was excessive and wore on me after a while, and there were poor morals all around. An OK beach read.
October 1, 2022
God, family, friends
This mystery will appeal to anyone who went to Catholic school or church. The family ties are strong and the twists and turns of the story keep you glued to the screen.
This mystery will appeal to anyone who went to Catholic school or church. The family ties are strong and the twists and turns of the story keep you glued to the screen.
October 19, 2022
It was an interesting case but the characters were very unlikable. I kept putting it to the side to read other books. This author should stick to writing men as his main characters because he doesn’t know how to accurately portray women.
Skip it
Skip it
October 19, 2022
Confusing
This was a pretty good book but I had trouble giving it a 5. The language was a little off color, but not enough to stop reading It really made me stop to consider what I would have done in the main character’s situation.
This was a pretty good book but I had trouble giving it a 5. The language was a little off color, but not enough to stop reading It really made me stop to consider what I would have done in the main character’s situation.
October 23, 2022
This is a book that really made me think. About many things. Faith, religion, family, good and evil. It was also a good story. I had no idea who the killer was. It is definitely worth the time put in to read it.
Read
November 3, 2022An interesting story with lots of twists and turns. The actual murderer was surprising and with the fact of preventing his father from continuing with his murders was an unexpected twist. However the frequent cursing, etc. was totally unnecessary and really distracted from an otherwise good book!
June 4, 2023
Fast Moving uncomplicated Will read other by this author
Fast-paced. Moves along. Characters well developed. Easy to follow. stands alone. Well done. Definitely reading more stories by this author.
Fast-paced. Moves along. Characters well developed. Easy to follow. stands alone. Well done. Definitely reading more stories by this author.
June 23, 2023
Good Plot
The story has a good plot line and a good ending. That part I enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy was the frequent cursing and sexual references, like almost every other sentence. It's obvious Lina doesn't like herself, but she's faithful to her family.
The story has a good plot line and a good ending. That part I enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy was the frequent cursing and sexual references, like almost every other sentence. It's obvious Lina doesn't like herself, but she's faithful to her family.
October 8, 2022
no longer a psychic is worth it
This was a great mystery. i would love to hang out with lina. i figured out the who, and why, just before she did. very good.
This was a great mystery. i would love to hang out with lina. i figured out the who, and why, just before she did. very good.
October 10, 2022
Soooo good
This book was so good. It had me from the very beginning. I really didn't know who the killer was until the very end.
This book was so good. It had me from the very beginning. I really didn't know who the killer was until the very end.
October 13, 2022
Good Read
A very suspensal story with good characters. It has a very different story line than many other mysteries that I have read.
A very suspensal story with good characters. It has a very different story line than many other mysteries that I have read.
November 9, 2022
Really 3.5 .Quick read. Female lead written by a male, which seemed obvious in the reading. A bit too coarse for my taste. On the plus side, the mystery was well done, the end unexpected.
December 16, 2022
Fascinating book!
Quirky main character who's snarky about everything. Plot was both intricate and refreshing, I've seen nothing like it before. Loved it totally.
Quirky main character who's snarky about everything. Plot was both intricate and refreshing, I've seen nothing like it before. Loved it totally.
May 26, 2023
Unusual
A psychic woman gets into an accident and loses her abilities just when she needs them the most, her brother-in-law has just been murdered.
A psychic woman gets into an accident and loses her abilities just when she needs them the most, her brother-in-law has just been murdered.
January 17, 2024
Fun read
Had me guessing and surprised by outcome. Loved the humor! Getting ready to read the next one!! can't wait to dive in.
Had me guessing and surprised by outcome. Loved the humor! Getting ready to read the next one!! can't wait to dive in.
May 2, 2015
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
Lina was a psychic. During a storm, Frank, an old man whose glasses fell off, got his glasses broken and Lina offers to help him get home. So much of her work involves death and violence that it was nice to help Frank. Lina had helped with 188 cases. Lina also has clients that she sees twice a year so they don't get addicted to finding out their future. She does about 20 sessions a year. Lina's sister Elyse calls. Her husband was murdered. They had an 8yr old son named Nick that was Lina's Godson. He had been shot in the back by the Hail Mary shooter. Bill was the 5th victim. All murders take place the last Friday of the month. Nicky is also gifted and already knows it. Lina saves Nicky's life but gets hurt and loses her psychic ability.
Lina was a very smart person, but she had distanced herself from her family for the hurt she caused them by doing what was right. She loved her nephew dearly. She learned to depend on herself and not her talent to find out what happened to her brother-in-law.
It was a great story. I didn't think I'd like it once she lost her power, but I was very wrong. I highly recommend this to anyone that likes thrillers and mysteries.
Lina was a psychic. During a storm, Frank, an old man whose glasses fell off, got his glasses broken and Lina offers to help him get home. So much of her work involves death and violence that it was nice to help Frank. Lina had helped with 188 cases. Lina also has clients that she sees twice a year so they don't get addicted to finding out their future. She does about 20 sessions a year. Lina's sister Elyse calls. Her husband was murdered. They had an 8yr old son named Nick that was Lina's Godson. He had been shot in the back by the Hail Mary shooter. Bill was the 5th victim. All murders take place the last Friday of the month. Nicky is also gifted and already knows it. Lina saves Nicky's life but gets hurt and loses her psychic ability.
Lina was a very smart person, but she had distanced herself from her family for the hurt she caused them by doing what was right. She loved her nephew dearly. She learned to depend on herself and not her talent to find out what happened to her brother-in-law.
It was a great story. I didn't think I'd like it once she lost her power, but I was very wrong. I highly recommend this to anyone that likes thrillers and mysteries.
August 15, 2016
The story has some great twists and turns, that kept you wondering throughout - and not just about the identity of the serial killer!
Lina was enjoyable, quirky, human, and very South Philly. Her internal dialogue is crass, often hilarious and it's really interesting to watch her return home after being gone for such a long time (and flying-blind as it were, without the psychic abilities that shaped her life in so many ways) while trying to catch the killer.
Definitely a page-turner that I was torn between tearing through and trying to pace myself to enjoy the story!
Lina was enjoyable, quirky, human, and very South Philly. Her internal dialogue is crass, often hilarious and it's really interesting to watch her return home after being gone for such a long time (and flying-blind as it were, without the psychic abilities that shaped her life in so many ways) while trying to catch the killer.
Definitely a page-turner that I was torn between tearing through and trying to pace myself to enjoy the story!
May 4, 2015
Review: LOST TOUCH by David Terruso
I really enjoyed this fast-paced mystery, with its twists and surprising conclusions. It's very down home South Philadelphia, with a (formerly) psychic heroine who is unafraid to recognize her own limitations and foibles, her precocious nephews, foul-spoken sister, bad-boy brother, and imprisoned lifer dad. The author exquisitely sets the setting, keeping suspense level high. This is a cosy with humor and realism--a cosy-plus.
I really enjoyed this fast-paced mystery, with its twists and surprising conclusions. It's very down home South Philadelphia, with a (formerly) psychic heroine who is unafraid to recognize her own limitations and foibles, her precocious nephews, foul-spoken sister, bad-boy brother, and imprisoned lifer dad. The author exquisitely sets the setting, keeping suspense level high. This is a cosy with humor and realism--a cosy-plus.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews