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Good Cop, Bad Cop
A prominent journalist has been found dead, a journalist investigating police corruption. I’m supposed to be working in my new P. I. firm, but the money’s not enough so I’m back consulting for the police as a telepath. Turns out this case is a doozy—the journalist was an addict, even worse than I was before I cleaned up my act. But he saved some kids from a sweatshop years ago, and then there’s this corruption thing he’s been looking into, which makes all the cops sweat.
The police’s Powers That Be would really, really like for the journalist’s death be an accident—the physical evidence even points in that direction. In Mindspace, however, it’s clearly murder. With increasing pressure on myself and Detective Freeman to drop this case, I’ll have to fight my way through to find the killer. And worse? If it’s one of the cops who did the killing, I don’t know if they’ll get justice, or I’ll get paid.
A prominent journalist has been found dead, a journalist investigating police corruption. I’m supposed to be working in my new P. I. firm, but the money’s not enough so I’m back consulting for the police as a telepath. Turns out this case is a doozy—the journalist was an addict, even worse than I was before I cleaned up my act. But he saved some kids from a sweatshop years ago, and then there’s this corruption thing he’s been looking into, which makes all the cops sweat.
The police’s Powers That Be would really, really like for the journalist’s death be an accident—the physical evidence even points in that direction. In Mindspace, however, it’s clearly murder. With increasing pressure on myself and Detective Freeman to drop this case, I’ll have to fight my way through to find the killer. And worse? If it’s one of the cops who did the killing, I don’t know if they’ll get justice, or I’ll get paid.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2015
9 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Alex Hughes
13 books417 followersAlex Hughes was born in Savannah, GA and moved to the south Atlanta area when she was eight years old. Shortly thereafter, her grandfather handed her a copy of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonrider series, and a lifelong obsession with scifi was born.
Alex is a graduate of the prestigious Odyssey Writing Workshop and a Semi-Finalist in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. Her short pieces are published in several markets including EveryDay Fiction, Thunder on the Battlefield and White Cat Magazine.
Alex’s work is smart, dark, adventurous, and a little funny, with a emphasis on great characters and interesting worlds. She gets her inspiration from history (she majored with a European history focus in college), family members, and headlines, as well as whatever book she has in her hand. Lately she’s been reading neuroscience books; the brain’s a cool, cool place and the mind even more so.
An avid cook and foodie, Alex loves great food of any stripe – even better if she can figure out how to put it together. Great food is like a great book; it has lots of layers that work together beautifully, and the result is delicious and harmonious. She’s working on figuring out Indian food right now – suggestions welcome!
Alex loves swing dancing, tetris, music of all kinds, and has been known to get into long conversations with total strangers at restaurants about the Food Network, much to the embarrassment of her sister. She can also balance a spoon on her nose while crossing her eyes, and talk for hours about absolutely nothing.
Alex is a graduate of the prestigious Odyssey Writing Workshop and a Semi-Finalist in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. Her short pieces are published in several markets including EveryDay Fiction, Thunder on the Battlefield and White Cat Magazine.
Alex’s work is smart, dark, adventurous, and a little funny, with a emphasis on great characters and interesting worlds. She gets her inspiration from history (she majored with a European history focus in college), family members, and headlines, as well as whatever book she has in her hand. Lately she’s been reading neuroscience books; the brain’s a cool, cool place and the mind even more so.
An avid cook and foodie, Alex loves great food of any stripe – even better if she can figure out how to put it together. Great food is like a great book; it has lots of layers that work together beautifully, and the result is delicious and harmonious. She’s working on figuring out Indian food right now – suggestions welcome!
Alex loves swing dancing, tetris, music of all kinds, and has been known to get into long conversations with total strangers at restaurants about the Food Network, much to the embarrassment of her sister. She can also balance a spoon on her nose while crossing her eyes, and talk for hours about absolutely nothing.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 2, 2016
There are not many authors whose books (or novellas, in this case) I automatically buy. Alex Hughes is one of them.
I was hooked on this series from the first book, and Fluid carries on the series just as well as I was expecting. The growth of the ebook has had the interesting side-effect of making novellas commercially viable again, so we get to see characters in shorter, more focused situations. This is not to say that Ms Hughes' writing is habitually less than focused - it's not - but when you've only got 72 pages to play with, you have to get pretty streamlined.
In this novella, we see Adam working with Detective Freeman following the events of Vacant. Anyone who's read the blurb knows there's political stuff (dirty cops, being investigated by the murder victim, before he got a bad case of dead). What's interesting is what Hughes does with it. It's not so much a murder-mystery as an ethical vignette. Does a victim who was a less than perfect human being still deserve justice? And if not, why don't we all pack up and go home because who's perfect? Does the end justify the means? And what is justice anyway? And is justice infinite or is there anyone a certain amount to go round, and therefore it should be doled out where it will do the most good? And whose good are we talking about here anyway? Who has the right to choose?
In a way, one of the things I liked the most about this was the ambiguity of it.
Anyone who wants to see Cherabino is likely to be disappointed, as she doesn't feature much - however, according to Hughes' website, there will be a companion novella to this one, told from Cherabino's perspective, which will fill in the gaps. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it - and to the fifth full-length book in the series, which is (again, according to Hughes' website) due in spring/summer 2016.
I was hooked on this series from the first book, and Fluid carries on the series just as well as I was expecting. The growth of the ebook has had the interesting side-effect of making novellas commercially viable again, so we get to see characters in shorter, more focused situations. This is not to say that Ms Hughes' writing is habitually less than focused - it's not - but when you've only got 72 pages to play with, you have to get pretty streamlined.
In this novella, we see Adam working with Detective Freeman following the events of Vacant. Anyone who's read the blurb knows there's political stuff (dirty cops, being investigated by the murder victim, before he got a bad case of dead). What's interesting is what Hughes does with it. It's not so much a murder-mystery as an ethical vignette. Does a victim who was a less than perfect human being still deserve justice? And if not, why don't we all pack up and go home because who's perfect? Does the end justify the means? And what is justice anyway? And is justice infinite or is there anyone a certain amount to go round, and therefore it should be doled out where it will do the most good? And whose good are we talking about here anyway? Who has the right to choose?
In a way, one of the things I liked the most about this was the ambiguity of it.
Anyone who wants to see Cherabino is likely to be disappointed, as she doesn't feature much - however, according to Hughes' website, there will be a companion novella to this one, told from Cherabino's perspective, which will fill in the gaps. I'm very much looking forward to seeing it - and to the fifth full-length book in the series, which is (again, according to Hughes' website) due in spring/summer 2016.
March 3, 2018
This novella had an interesting plot and is important to read if you want to understand the series -level arc. I found Cherabino pretty unsympathetic in this one, given her recent dismissal from the force and the level of depression and anger she exhibits. Adam is developing into quite a good detective with sound moral center. I liked seeing him work without Cherabino with the other polive personnel.
May 31, 2018
Sometimes you catch the criminal, and sometimes you don't.
This book picks up right after the forth book ended. Ward and Cherabino's relationship is still rocky. Their PI business is having a hard time getting started. For that reason Ward is still working part time for the police. Cherabino is hurt that he would go back to work with the same police department that fired her for false charges.
Ward wants to make Cherabino happy, but he cannot make her happy right now. Plus, they need the money so he goes to work for the department who fired her.
This is a short novella aka a filler or short story about Ward and Cherabino.
This book picks up right after the forth book ended. Ward and Cherabino's relationship is still rocky. Their PI business is having a hard time getting started. For that reason Ward is still working part time for the police. Cherabino is hurt that he would go back to work with the same police department that fired her for false charges.
Ward wants to make Cherabino happy, but he cannot make her happy right now. Plus, they need the money so he goes to work for the department who fired her.
This is a short novella aka a filler or short story about Ward and Cherabino.
June 6, 2019
I promise you, this is the best series you aren't reading yet.
We've been waiting a long time for the next full length novel, and realistically it doesn't seem close, but in the meantime at least I've found the novellas, which are all good.
The characters and the background in these books is excellent and the only reason this isn't a five star read is because the ending is not really that. It is probably unfair to mark down for ambiguity, but it did just take the gloss off for me, so there you are.
Nevertheless, do seek out the books as a whole and read them, I would be amazedif you don't enjoy them.
We've been waiting a long time for the next full length novel, and realistically it doesn't seem close, but in the meantime at least I've found the novellas, which are all good.
The characters and the background in these books is excellent and the only reason this isn't a five star read is because the ending is not really that. It is probably unfair to mark down for ambiguity, but it did just take the gloss off for me, so there you are.
Nevertheless, do seek out the books as a whole and read them, I would be amazedif you don't enjoy them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2015
I'm so glad to be diving into Mindspace again. Adam and Cherabino are in a new place figuratively and literally. Relationships have changed for many of the characters. Adam and Isabella are definitely in a tough, awkward time of adjustment. At the end of the last book, things had taken a turn south. Cherabino is slow to forgive.
Adam is working this one on his own, and has to find his own way with the department without Cherabino. It's interesting to see what he's learned from working with Cherabino. He's become more intent on achieving justice as well as resolving cases. Still, he doesn't always get what he wants.
Adam continues to evolve. I still remember how he was in Clean. He lacked confidence, still felt the pull of his addiction, held on to a lot of resentment. Those things are still with him, but his successes have earned him some confidence and his weaknesses have less hold over him. These changes make these stories seem very real, very genuine. I'm watching characters - people - evolve and grow over time. And I definitely can't wait for more!
I received a free ARC of this book, but of course, I'd review it regardless!
Adam is working this one on his own, and has to find his own way with the department without Cherabino. It's interesting to see what he's learned from working with Cherabino. He's become more intent on achieving justice as well as resolving cases. Still, he doesn't always get what he wants.
Adam continues to evolve. I still remember how he was in Clean. He lacked confidence, still felt the pull of his addiction, held on to a lot of resentment. Those things are still with him, but his successes have earned him some confidence and his weaknesses have less hold over him. These changes make these stories seem very real, very genuine. I'm watching characters - people - evolve and grow over time. And I definitely can't wait for more!
I received a free ARC of this book, but of course, I'd review it regardless!
July 21, 2019
This good-sized novella directly follows the events of Vacant. spoiler for vacant:
This novella is very satisfying and introduces extremely likable characters that balance out the already existing cast. Additionally, it gives additional characterization to other main-story-cast characters - essentially supplementing the main novel series in a helpful way.
The plot was well thought out, interesting, and had enough twists and turns that it felt like a shorter version of one of the main novels. I found it a pleasant read that was much longer than Rabbit Trick.
Looking forward to the next book - whenever it comes out. :)
This novella is very satisfying and introduces extremely likable characters that balance out the already existing cast. Additionally, it gives additional characterization to other main-story-cast characters - essentially supplementing the main novel series in a helpful way.
The plot was well thought out, interesting, and had enough twists and turns that it felt like a shorter version of one of the main novels. I found it a pleasant read that was much longer than Rabbit Trick.
Looking forward to the next book - whenever it comes out. :)
November 4, 2015
I've been dying for more Adam Ward since the last novel, Vacant. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. It was a wonderful sneak peak into the aftermath, the recovery from the ending of Vacant. As always I enjoyed how the investigation meandered, the clues sprinkled throughout. I think what I really enjoyed as well is the question of right and wrong and how it pertains to justice. Though only a novella, I inhaled it. I just love how Ms. Hughes crafts her stories, the voice of Adam as the narrator and the interesting futuristic world she has created and the moral dilemmas that Adam struggles with. There is always something to think about when the story is complete. I cannot wait for more in this series!
March 24, 2016
A look at Adam working a single case for the police while Cherabino stays back at the Agency, living such separate work lives. Really, the point of this is all in the name; fluid. It is about the fluidity of the world around. Relationships, morality, justice, ethics...all such endlessly fluid idea. What if one does something that is such an obvious affront to the law, but it reveals a terrible crime? Do your actions past and present, dictate how much justice should apply to you? Does the job that you have entitle you to certain respects, even if it is under question? Adam learns to work in a new and fluid world, with his job and relationships in such a new upheaval of change, and this single case captures it brilliantly. An excellent in-betweener.
November 6, 2015
A Glimpse Between Adventures
The Mass Market paperbacks in the Mindspace series are a joy to read, warm characters in cold situations.
The short Kindle only additions seem as if the author is writing fanfic in her own series. If you know my books, you know that is a compliment of the highest order.
Seeing what the characters are living through between books lets the reader savor their warmth. This is the way fiction should be presented. If you love Character centered stories, you will very likely find this method of presenting them endlessly intriguing.
The Mass Market paperbacks in the Mindspace series are a joy to read, warm characters in cold situations.
The short Kindle only additions seem as if the author is writing fanfic in her own series. If you know my books, you know that is a compliment of the highest order.
Seeing what the characters are living through between books lets the reader savor their warmth. This is the way fiction should be presented. If you love Character centered stories, you will very likely find this method of presenting them endlessly intriguing.
December 24, 2015
A fantastic short in the Mindspace Investigations series. Adam is on his own in this one, and has trouble reconciling his feelings of justice with the actual outcome of the case he's investigating. It's a chance to get to know him and his character better and I really enjoyed the story.
November 21, 2015
Another interesting case with Adam. Its interesting to see him interacting with some new colleagues this time around. Left me waiting eagerly for the next installment, as always!
July 25, 2016
Extra 1/2 star
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews