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Dreams and Reality #10
Mutilated Dreams
Tourists and natives trolling bars and the scenic places that make up the French Quarter are being hunted. A mutilator intent on gathering trophies made up of swatches of skin laden with tattoos and scars is the hunter. The victims, left drugged but alive, are unable to help the police with a description of the perpetrator. With no clues and a serial criminal at large, the local police have no choice but to turn to the Serial Crimes Tracking Unit.
The Serial Crimes Tracking Unit, better known as SCTU, is used to dealing with dead bodies, so they are unsure their hunting skills will be useful. While the perpetrator might fit a profile, the living are of little help. After all, they don’t even remember being attacked. Dealing with the living, especially those who have been victimized has never been a strong point of Aislinn Cain's. As Aislinn and her team go to work at solving this case, they find themselves in a race against the clock. It is only a matter of time before their serial mutilator escalates into a serial killer.
The Serial Crimes Tracking Unit, better known as SCTU, is used to dealing with dead bodies, so they are unsure their hunting skills will be useful. While the perpetrator might fit a profile, the living are of little help. After all, they don’t even remember being attacked. Dealing with the living, especially those who have been victimized has never been a strong point of Aislinn Cain's. As Aislinn and her team go to work at solving this case, they find themselves in a race against the clock. It is only a matter of time before their serial mutilator escalates into a serial killer.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2016
33 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Hadena James
45 books247 followersHadena James began writing at the age of eight. As a teenager, she had several short stories published in literary magazines. She completed writing her first novel at the age of 17.
Hadena graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in European History with minors in German and Russian studies. She has always wanted to be a writer so she also took several classes in creative writing.
Hadena’s primary literary genre is action/thriller. She currently writes two series, both use action/thriller. “The Brenna Strachan Series” uses fantasy and the “Dreams & Reality Series” uses murder mystery as its secondary genre. She continues to explore and expand her writing and hopes to soon produce a comedic action/thriller.
When she isn’t busy writing or running her business, Hadena enjoys playing in a steel-tip dart league. She also loves to travel throughout North America and Europe. Her favorite cities are Chicago, Illinois and Berlin, Germany. She is an avid reader, reading everything from the classics like Jane Austen to modern writers like Terry Pratchett. One of her all-time favorite books is “Good Omens” by Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett. She writes all of her books while listening to music and the bands tend to get “honorable mentions” within the pages.
Hadena graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in European History with minors in German and Russian studies. She has always wanted to be a writer so she also took several classes in creative writing.
Hadena’s primary literary genre is action/thriller. She currently writes two series, both use action/thriller. “The Brenna Strachan Series” uses fantasy and the “Dreams & Reality Series” uses murder mystery as its secondary genre. She continues to explore and expand her writing and hopes to soon produce a comedic action/thriller.
When she isn’t busy writing or running her business, Hadena enjoys playing in a steel-tip dart league. She also loves to travel throughout North America and Europe. Her favorite cities are Chicago, Illinois and Berlin, Germany. She is an avid reader, reading everything from the classics like Jane Austen to modern writers like Terry Pratchett. One of her all-time favorite books is “Good Omens” by Neil Gaimen and Terry Pratchett. She writes all of her books while listening to music and the bands tend to get “honorable mentions” within the pages.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 18, 2021
** Reread May 2021 **
Phew!! I can't remember the last time I chewed through this many books (10!!) this quickly. This one ended with my heart in my mouth - who is orchestrating this call to arms to all serial killers to destroy the SCTU and the VCU?
Marathon reading effort on this one - I just can't put these books down! (Actually I can't put any of Hadena's books down) The book flows wonderfully, it's just a joy to read.
This one was quite juicy & had a lot of lovely little subplots. Aislinn is still struggling with reconciling her "monster" with her newfound emotions & her loss of ability at times to control her rage & bloodlust. She is at war with herself - the struggle is quite palpable.
You also get a real sense that the SCTU & VCU are having great trouble keeping up with the sheer volume of serial killers & the effect their decimated ranks are having in trying to deal with them. You get a feeling that it's all a bit too much & things are starting to unravel.
Lots of juicy teases throughout that leave quite a few avenues open as to where the series could go.
Who is plotting against them? Will Aislinn go to the dark side? And just what the feck is Hunter up to? Now there's a shifty bugger that could do with a Taser or 10!!
It's now "waaaah" time - I have to wait as patiently as I can until the next book comes out.
Phew!! I can't remember the last time I chewed through this many books (10!!) this quickly. This one ended with my heart in my mouth - who is orchestrating this call to arms to all serial killers to destroy the SCTU and the VCU?
Marathon reading effort on this one - I just can't put these books down! (Actually I can't put any of Hadena's books down) The book flows wonderfully, it's just a joy to read.
This one was quite juicy & had a lot of lovely little subplots. Aislinn is still struggling with reconciling her "monster" with her newfound emotions & her loss of ability at times to control her rage & bloodlust. She is at war with herself - the struggle is quite palpable.
You also get a real sense that the SCTU & VCU are having great trouble keeping up with the sheer volume of serial killers & the effect their decimated ranks are having in trying to deal with them. You get a feeling that it's all a bit too much & things are starting to unravel.
Lots of juicy teases throughout that leave quite a few avenues open as to where the series could go.
Who is plotting against them? Will Aislinn go to the dark side? And just what the feck is Hunter up to? Now there's a shifty bugger that could do with a Taser or 10!!
It's now "waaaah" time - I have to wait as patiently as I can until the next book comes out.
Read
March 7, 2016I really enjoyed writing this one. Some books I like more than others and this one is definitely in the top 3.
The story isn't really over, Mutilated Dreams is just the beginning of something much bigger. Valerie McGregor unwittingly stumbled upon something that the SCTU and VCU will need to explore much deeper in the upcoming books.
And I've enjoyed writing them too. With book 11, Fortified Dreams, finished and book 12 now in progress, I found Mutilated Dreams to be a great jumping off point.
The story isn't really over, Mutilated Dreams is just the beginning of something much bigger. Valerie McGregor unwittingly stumbled upon something that the SCTU and VCU will need to explore much deeper in the upcoming books.
And I've enjoyed writing them too. With book 11, Fortified Dreams, finished and book 12 now in progress, I found Mutilated Dreams to be a great jumping off point.
March 8, 2019
I love, love this series but not a fan of the mid life crisis Aislinn is having during this book. I know its all about her character evolving but not sure if it was really needed. I like the Serial Killers boogeyman Aislinn Cain, the gal who is who she is and is ok with it and found that the soul searching dilemma she is having throughout the book kind of made it drag. Thank goodness the boogeyman finds her way back and now I will read on.
August 24, 2019
Am really enjoying this series
I have to say I will miss this series when I finish it and the end is near. I have enjoyed the characters and the educational! Info that comes along with each novel. I'm so glad I picked up the first novel free thru BookBub because it has been a great time reading it over the past year or two. I tend to read 4 or 5 different books of different subjects at one time and one of this series is always available on my tablet/phone.
I have to say I will miss this series when I finish it and the end is near. I have enjoyed the characters and the educational! Info that comes along with each novel. I'm so glad I picked up the first novel free thru BookBub because it has been a great time reading it over the past year or two. I tend to read 4 or 5 different books of different subjects at one time and one of this series is always available on my tablet/phone.
April 3, 2021
Following Aces story has been really fun, I really like her character and the characters of those around her - her journey of self discovery gets better with every book.
This one is about a victim turned killer who takes tattoos, birthmarks and scars as trophies, but she herself was horribly mutilated by someone when she was young.
Now something is coming for the agents, they have to buckle down and prepare, I can’t wait to see what it is!
This one is about a victim turned killer who takes tattoos, birthmarks and scars as trophies, but she herself was horribly mutilated by someone when she was young.
Now something is coming for the agents, they have to buckle down and prepare, I can’t wait to see what it is!
April 7, 2018
This book happened so fast. I read it in one day. Ace is beginning to accept her flaws and strengths. She understands that she is a sociopath but one that has control over the madness. It was scary when Ace and Fiona were drugged and videotaped. Who is after the Serial killer hunters? Moving on to the next book!
September 17, 2019
Great books !!
These books will definitely keep you up at night, I am hooked! Thanks so much writing such a intriguing,sitting on the edge of your seat series. So far I owe my daughter about $35.00 because my kindle decided to use her account lol But these books are worth it!!!!!!
These books will definitely keep you up at night, I am hooked! Thanks so much writing such a intriguing,sitting on the edge of your seat series. So far I owe my daughter about $35.00 because my kindle decided to use her account lol But these books are worth it!!!!!!
August 21, 2017
Still enjoying
Obviously building towards something, looks like I need the next two books as soon as possible. This book felt more like filler while the author builds towards the crisis about to befall the team.
Obviously building towards something, looks like I need the next two books as soon as possible. This book felt more like filler while the author builds towards the crisis about to befall the team.
Read
February 10, 2020MUTILATED???
Is this book a gathering of Evil who'll came for the SCTU & VCU?
Vulnerability, Hate, Special Killers...a little confusing in somebparts but good. They target Lucas, Malachi, etc. Aislinn Caine, in this book, are working a few issues that could derail the future..
Is this book a gathering of Evil who'll came for the SCTU & VCU?
Vulnerability, Hate, Special Killers...a little confusing in somebparts but good. They target Lucas, Malachi, etc. Aislinn Caine, in this book, are working a few issues that could derail the future..
May 5, 2017
Great book!
Another great book by Hadena James. The story takes a new twist. One that I feel was needed. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Another great book by Hadena James. The story takes a new twist. One that I feel was needed. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 16, 2017
One of the best series that I have ever read about serial killers. Love it.
March 27, 2019
I love love love this series!!! Always can't wait to start the next!
April 9, 2019
Fab
These are stories you can't put down the team drama to be falling apart but who is behind it? ?
These are stories you can't put down the team drama to be falling apart but who is behind it? ?
April 13, 2019
Good
So much information some times to much. I like these books but it's to much information sometimes. I just don't know if I'll keep reading them
So much information some times to much. I like these books but it's to much information sometimes. I just don't know if I'll keep reading them
February 3, 2017
Another home run....
Sure hope she continues this series... I find it enthralling
Sure hope she continues this series... I find it enthralling
March 11, 2017
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed all nine of the Dreams & Reality series and was excited to see that another book had joined the series. I'm sad to say that I was very disappointed. Not only was the book littered with typos, grammatical errors and even repetitive phrases, it was disjointed and didn't seem to have much direction. I was 2/3 of the way through the book and still wondering when something beyond personal introspection and reiteration of previous stories, was going to happen. I will give the next book a read only because I've enjoyed all of Ms. James' books up to, but not including, this one. I hope she takes a little more care with the mechanics of writing even if it takes a little longer between publishing dates.
March 1, 2016
I'm a huge fan of the Dreams series.
There's just something about sociopaths and psychopaths hunting sociopaths and psychopaths that makes things so interesting. And I have gotten to know and love each of these characters, flaws included.
This book wasn't like that though. This book was a bit more emotional for me. And I truly felt empathy. However, there's nothing else I can say without giving spoilers.
This series has become one of my favourites.
The only downside is the wait in between books!
Can't wait for the next one to come out!
There's just something about sociopaths and psychopaths hunting sociopaths and psychopaths that makes things so interesting. And I have gotten to know and love each of these characters, flaws included.
This book wasn't like that though. This book was a bit more emotional for me. And I truly felt empathy. However, there's nothing else I can say without giving spoilers.
This series has become one of my favourites.
The only downside is the wait in between books!
Can't wait for the next one to come out!
August 9, 2017
marvelously complicated uncomfortable heroine. half sociopath, half psychopath bit functional and great control over her bloodlust. incredibly intelligent and unusual family support. she works in a unit of psychopaths and sociopaths hunting serial killers. this case puzzles her because the perpetrator isn't killing
.yet. at the end, several disturbing incidents reveal that someone is hunting the hunters. wonderful series, read from the beginning. can't wait for the sequel. Re-read in august, 2017.
.yet. at the end, several disturbing incidents reveal that someone is hunting the hunters. wonderful series, read from the beginning. can't wait for the sequel. Re-read in august, 2017.
March 5, 2016
As with the other books in the Dreams series, this did not disappoint. I can't wait for the next Dreams book to hit the Kindle! Fortified Dreams should be even more nail bitingly good! Anything to do with Patterson and Eric and the Fortress can't be bad!
March 20, 2016
Brilliant
I loved this. The main story was good but the background story buds up for the next book. Can't wait for it too be released because I have a feeling its going to be massive!!!!
I loved this. The main story was good but the background story buds up for the next book. Can't wait for it too be released because I have a feeling its going to be massive!!!!
March 4, 2016
Another great addition
So many questions and waiting impatiently for answers. Another great book and an amazing series. Keep them coming Hadena! Thanks
So many questions and waiting impatiently for answers. Another great book and an amazing series. Keep them coming Hadena! Thanks
April 25, 2017
I have totally fallen for this series. What an ending
Love love love. This series had my attention page after page. Looking forward to the Reality and Dream series. Will start as soon as I finish this review
Love love love. This series had my attention page after page. Looking forward to the Reality and Dream series. Will start as soon as I finish this review
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews