Dream State

August Chase, the Psychic Detective #1

by Charles R. Hinckley

August Chase is an ordinary man plagued by extraordinary precognitive dreams. When he foresees the brutal murder of a young woman, he tracks her down to warn her. His warnings go unheeded, and the dreamed murder becomes a reality. The victim’s sister, frustrated by slow police work, enlists August’s help, and he is launched into his first case as a private investigator. Delving deep into the victim’s life, he soon discovers a common thread in the shadowy world that may have claimed her. This is book One of the August Chase Mystery Series.

Genres: Suspense

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2016

Reviews

[Gayle Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS
The Dream, Saving Pablo Carrillo happened only after being killed several times in the same dream. The same dream of being in a large car on a suspension bridge. It was like being in a disco the way the lights flashed through the girders and then left a shadow on the guardrails. But in a second, looking down is nothing but water, deep black water. Will Pablo wake up before it's too late? Will the deep, dark, black water be his dream forever? As you read your throat tightens and your heart starts to beat faster. You're held there right with Pablo, in his dream, dying.. August Chase has no control over his visions. He's not trained and has no experience in this area, but he still has these visions. The author gives the reader a chance to follow August as he learns how to use his dreams. He has help from other interesting characters such as the Hacker King. The pace is quick but not so much that you lose touch with what's happening. The author is quite good at placing the reader right where Chase and the other characters are and what's happening. It was frustrating to me that Chase was seeing what was going to happen but he couldn't get anyone to believe him. That is until it's too late. Wake up people! Literally wake up! I liked the concept of the dreams. Dreams are a strange happening. They can put you in the past, the present and the future. If you remember the dream, then it's how you interpret it and how you might put it to someone's advantage. Are Chase's visions a good thing or bad? It's definitely a blessing if it's used in the right way and of course, if the right people believe you, or just think you're a little whacked. Everyone dreams at one time or another, Some dreams are so vivid that you remember them for a long time, some you don't remember at all. Many dreams turn into nightmares. SO if you love detective stories, dreams/nightmares, the unknown, suspense, thrills, then the author gives you all of it. Grab this first book of the series and you'll want more. Try it!

I received a copy of this book from the author and Word Slinger Publicity and voluntarily decided to review it.

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced mystery with supernatural elements, Dream State is a great introduction to the Sleeping Detective series.

The whole concept of August Chase trying to prevent the deaths of people he sees in his dreams is quite thrilling. It's a race against time, firstly to find out the identity of the person, and then to convince them that their life is in danger. This leads to a lot of suspicion, fear and confrontation between August and the people he is trying to help.
I loved the sub plot running through the novel. Chase sets up his own psychic detective business and his first client proves to be a challenge. Chase's abilities are tested as he tries to help a client find out what happened to his sister. This aspect of the novel was a source of humour but also nerve tingling and creepy!
I can't wait to read more of the Sleeping Detective series.

[Traci Co · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I thought, based on the book’s description, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Gus, with his psychic abilities to see deaths before they occur through a dream, and being a generally good sort of guy, does what he can to help alter the outcomes for the seemingly doomed. He pairs up with a likable and funny friend, Mil, as they get entrenched in investigating a death that is left feeling unresolved with too many questions unanswered.

The characters are great and likable, and very human and relatable with their habits, relationships, vulnerabilities, and self-deprecating moments. The story is unique and held my interest. I felt so compelled to finish the book and know how it all would come together! If you want a read that isn’t predictable and will keep you wondering, this book fits the bill. Knowing there is a second book in this series, I will be reading it. And I’m hoping to see some of the same great characters there!

Thank you so much to the author, Charles Hinckley, and to Voracious Readers Only, for providing me access to this adventurous read in exchange for my honest review.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

August Chase is a man that has been blessed/cursed, with dreams that help him see things before they happen. Using this knowledge he tries to help people, but what he warns of is not always believed and so people come up dead. This happens once and it leads him into working as a Private Investigator for the first time. He follows the clues from his dreams and becomes the "dream detective". In this book, he is taking on several cases and each is as intriguing as the next. 

This book was really good. It tells a fast-paced story with an interesting storyline. Private investigators are always interesting to read about, but one that uses his dreams to help find people make the interest level double. This book has action, mystery, intrigue, and great characters. 


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[KATHERINE D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable read!

The character development is rich, witty and descriptive. I love the main character, Gus, and his relationship with his best friend, Mill. They share a lively dynamic friendship, engaging in witty banter, always making jokes and finding the lighter side of things.

This story centers on a man who has premonitions of people being murdered. He tries to track them down and warn them, but they usually don't listen. He soon discovers that he also possesses a talent for detective work and becomes a psychic detective for hire. He is hired by the sister of a girl he attempted to save and is approached by a mysterious man haunted by his deceased sister. Gus learns to enhance and control his psychic abilities as he develops into an effective detective.

I'm looking forward to more from this author.

[Joe Vitucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gus gets these visions about the past and the future. For past visions, he tries to help solve a crime as an example. For future visions, he tries to "nudge" something to prevent a terrible event.
And everybody thinks he's just nuts.
He's trying to figure out who killed a woman's sister, and trying to prevent a skateboarder from being runover by a bus. And there's this one guy who couldn't prevent his little sister from drowning when they were kids, and now she is tormenting her brother. And other people and events make this an interesting story.
Read it.

[Glenda Bixler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me know what you think...

http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadershea...

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dream State

Well it was a neat little story. Characters were real good. Felt it ended a little too soon. Yes I know there's a follow up!

[Scott Alward · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read. Solid, engaging, and believable characters. A flawed main character. Decent supporting characters. The story flowed well and had enough turns to hold my interest.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dream State by Charles R. Hinckley is an interesting read. This new title is the start to The Sleeping Detective Series. Inside, readers will find a detective who has visions. These visions are new to him and he has to learn how to use them. What is even more intriguing is that the main character is an man who has yet to learn how to be a great detective. He has a skill that would come in handy...but first he has to master it. Once he does, there are more than just his visions he needs to learn...solving mysteries isn't easy. Like all detectives, August has help. A cop who also has hacking skills was a twist to the tale. I enjoyed the combination of skills set forth. August has a lot to handle and he has the determination to get through each obstacle. I loved following him as the story unfolded. He makes for an entertaining character. The plot was suspenseful. Charles R. Hinckley has captured my attention with his writing. I will definitely be looking for the next book in this series. I have to know what August deals with next and how he does. Overall, I highly recommend this thriller mystery to all.

[Emily Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The story is unique and held my interest. It grabbed my attention right from the start.
Gus has psychic abilities that allow him to see deaths before they occur through a dream. All of the characters are very likable. They are very human and relatable, especially Gus. I had a hard time putting it down as I wanted to see how it all ended. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a copy from the author through Voracious Readers. I voluntarily decided to review it.

[Stephanie Scheschy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool situation where the MC discovers his true calling as a psychic detective. The in and outs of developing his skills, and the strange dream states he goes into makes for fun reading. Great chemistry between characters. Some snappy dialogue and strange characters too.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!! The thinking man's Detective.