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Judah Black #3
Chasing Ghosts
How far is too far? Every cop has a case that keeps them up at night. For BSI agent Judah Black, it's the disappearance of a little girl named Mia. But when the shady vampire, Marcus Kelley, bullies Judah into an off-the-books job tracing the source of a mysterious supernatural illness, Judah learns that Mia has been under her nose the whole time. And the child's life hangs in the balance by a thread. To save her, Judah must put her own life on the line as collateral. Even if she succeeds in curing Mia, Judah may have to hand her over to an even worse monster. With the bodies piling up and the clock ticking, Judah may find she's on the wrong side after all.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
414 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 23, 2017
If Guilty by Association and Blood Debt, the first two novels in E.A. Copen's Judah Black series, were worldbuilding affairs, the third book -- Chasing Ghosts -- puts all the puzzle pieces together in an emotionally fraught, highly intense adventure that wraps up the initial arc and sets up what promises to be an exciting future.
Everything that made Guilty and Blood fantastic novels is back for Chasing Ghosts; Copen is clearly growing and maturing as a storyteller, and she's fine-tuned each of the characters' voices. Judah is quintessentially herself, but she is so much more, as she progresses both on her own and with regards to several of the relationships she keeps.
Chasing Ghosts is, fair warning, an emotional gut punch. There are at least three occasions where this book practically moved me to tears, and there's something viscerally satisfying about that. Yes, we often read to escape, but we also read to feel. Copen gets us to feel for several of the key players in this tale, while simultaneously taking us on a journey that twists and turns far more than I had anticipated.
The depth Copen has given not just Judah, but several of the other important characters, really helps flesh out Paint Rock -- a world that, on its own, doesn't really amount to much. Paint Rock makes Sunnydale seem like a bustling metropolis, but the reservation's inhabitants more than make up for the lack of scenery.
I'm excited to see where this series goes from here, even though Chasing Ghosts would make a fitting end to a trilogy. Judah Black is one of my favorite characters, and Copen has established herself as one of my favorite independently-published authors. If TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural tickle your fancy, then this is a series you should be reading.
And if not? Hell, read it anyway. Cause it's really, really good.
Everything that made Guilty and Blood fantastic novels is back for Chasing Ghosts; Copen is clearly growing and maturing as a storyteller, and she's fine-tuned each of the characters' voices. Judah is quintessentially herself, but she is so much more, as she progresses both on her own and with regards to several of the relationships she keeps.
Chasing Ghosts is, fair warning, an emotional gut punch. There are at least three occasions where this book practically moved me to tears, and there's something viscerally satisfying about that. Yes, we often read to escape, but we also read to feel. Copen gets us to feel for several of the key players in this tale, while simultaneously taking us on a journey that twists and turns far more than I had anticipated.
The depth Copen has given not just Judah, but several of the other important characters, really helps flesh out Paint Rock -- a world that, on its own, doesn't really amount to much. Paint Rock makes Sunnydale seem like a bustling metropolis, but the reservation's inhabitants more than make up for the lack of scenery.
I'm excited to see where this series goes from here, even though Chasing Ghosts would make a fitting end to a trilogy. Judah Black is one of my favorite characters, and Copen has established herself as one of my favorite independently-published authors. If TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural tickle your fancy, then this is a series you should be reading.
And if not? Hell, read it anyway. Cause it's really, really good.
February 8, 2017
More reviews available at my blog, Beauty and the Bookworm.
These Judah Black novels are some of my favorite paranormal fantasy ones right now. They follow the eponymous Judah Black, a federal paranormal enforcement/regulatory/investigative agent who lives and works on the paranormal reservation of Paint Rock in Concho County, Texas. She has a "real" job and a son, and now she even has a boyfriend--the werewolf Sal, who lives next door and is part of the local pack, and who Judah kissed in the last book, which I guess makes him her boyfriend even though they never actually discussed anything or went out and just kissed once during a fight? I dunno, that seemed kind of strange--I love some romance in a book, but there seemed to be a leap here that didn't really connect properly.
Anyway. this book picks up immediately after the last one. Judah is told by local vampire higher-up Marcus Kelley to investigate a paranormal illness plaguing a toddler--said toddler being the daughter of wendigo Zoe, featured in the first book. And it turns out that the little girl's father isn't another wendigo, as Judah had thought, but Sal--because Zoe is Sal's ex-wife. Oh boy... She wants to tell Sal, but also doesn't, because it's kind of Judah's fault (a little) that this situation happened, and she's afraid that it'll drive him away. Meanwhile, she also tries to balance her new relationship with Sal with his involvement in a biker club of questionable legality and with her son Hunter.
While Hunter was an integral part of the first book, he continues to be shoved aside in this one, constantly left with minor side characters or even stuck in a hospital room, unconscious. Though Judah is a busy woman, it does rather feel like Copen didn't know what to do with a kid in this situation, so she just sidelined him. How Hunter was actually a character in the first book was one of its big draws to me, so I'm extra disappointed to see the sidelining of the second book continued here.
The plot itself also wasn't as compelling to me. Copen used this as a "relationship" book, and it felt like that came at the expense of a strong central plot, which doesn't have to be the case--you really can have both! But the main plot and the "big bad" here seemed, for the most part, pretty apparent from the beginning. There were a few minor surprises that popped up, but nothing that really made my jaw drop or made me re-examine other parts of the book. It was more like, "Ah, yes," moments, than "Aha!" moments, if that makes any sense. I did, however, like the integration of the spirit world and how Marcus and his family played into the plot here. It made him much more "human," for a vampire, and also gave me a much better understanding of how vampires work in Copen's world. So that was very well done.
Overall, I liked this, but not as much as the previous books. I do think that, now that Copen's got some of the relationship stuff out of the way (I say relationship and not romance, because it's not really a romance at all) she might come back with a stronger focus and better balance in the next book.
3 stars out of 5.
These Judah Black novels are some of my favorite paranormal fantasy ones right now. They follow the eponymous Judah Black, a federal paranormal enforcement/regulatory/investigative agent who lives and works on the paranormal reservation of Paint Rock in Concho County, Texas. She has a "real" job and a son, and now she even has a boyfriend--the werewolf Sal, who lives next door and is part of the local pack, and who Judah kissed in the last book, which I guess makes him her boyfriend even though they never actually discussed anything or went out and just kissed once during a fight? I dunno, that seemed kind of strange--I love some romance in a book, but there seemed to be a leap here that didn't really connect properly.
Anyway. this book picks up immediately after the last one. Judah is told by local vampire higher-up Marcus Kelley to investigate a paranormal illness plaguing a toddler--said toddler being the daughter of wendigo Zoe, featured in the first book. And it turns out that the little girl's father isn't another wendigo, as Judah had thought, but Sal--because Zoe is Sal's ex-wife. Oh boy... She wants to tell Sal, but also doesn't, because it's kind of Judah's fault (a little) that this situation happened, and she's afraid that it'll drive him away. Meanwhile, she also tries to balance her new relationship with Sal with his involvement in a biker club of questionable legality and with her son Hunter.
While Hunter was an integral part of the first book, he continues to be shoved aside in this one, constantly left with minor side characters or even stuck in a hospital room, unconscious. Though Judah is a busy woman, it does rather feel like Copen didn't know what to do with a kid in this situation, so she just sidelined him. How Hunter was actually a character in the first book was one of its big draws to me, so I'm extra disappointed to see the sidelining of the second book continued here.
The plot itself also wasn't as compelling to me. Copen used this as a "relationship" book, and it felt like that came at the expense of a strong central plot, which doesn't have to be the case--you really can have both! But the main plot and the "big bad" here seemed, for the most part, pretty apparent from the beginning. There were a few minor surprises that popped up, but nothing that really made my jaw drop or made me re-examine other parts of the book. It was more like, "Ah, yes," moments, than "Aha!" moments, if that makes any sense. I did, however, like the integration of the spirit world and how Marcus and his family played into the plot here. It made him much more "human," for a vampire, and also gave me a much better understanding of how vampires work in Copen's world. So that was very well done.
Overall, I liked this, but not as much as the previous books. I do think that, now that Copen's got some of the relationship stuff out of the way (I say relationship and not romance, because it's not really a romance at all) she might come back with a stronger focus and better balance in the next book.
3 stars out of 5.
May 25, 2017
This Judah Black novel is one of those books you don't want to set down. Prepare to feel your heartstrings jerked on throughout this book.
In Chasing Ghosts, Copen returns the reader to their unanswered questions from book one. Judah finds herself tossed into several frays all at once and a series of moral conflicts where she's not sure what to do.
This book isn't just about finding the monster. It also makes you question your definition of monster. The tense political setting of her world in this book is something everyone can relate to.
You also get some romance in Chasing Ghosts. I like that it's a realistic relationship where both parties are trying to awkwardly figure out how their relationship will work because both come from different worlds and have histories.
I really can't wait to see how the set-up future problems are taken care of and how some of the unresolved background issues play out.
If you aren't reading Judah Black yet, you should be! This is an author to watch!
In Chasing Ghosts, Copen returns the reader to their unanswered questions from book one. Judah finds herself tossed into several frays all at once and a series of moral conflicts where she's not sure what to do.
This book isn't just about finding the monster. It also makes you question your definition of monster. The tense political setting of her world in this book is something everyone can relate to.
You also get some romance in Chasing Ghosts. I like that it's a realistic relationship where both parties are trying to awkwardly figure out how their relationship will work because both come from different worlds and have histories.
I really can't wait to see how the set-up future problems are taken care of and how some of the unresolved background issues play out.
If you aren't reading Judah Black yet, you should be! This is an author to watch!
February 19, 2017
Once again, Ms. Copen has outdone herself. Each book gets better with the telling and I am totally hooked on this series. Judah Black is my kind of heroine, she's real. While you pull for her at every turn, you groan when she messes up. This book threw a couple of curves at me and I ended up liking who I thought was one of the bad guys. Seems there are even badder on the horizon for BSI agent Judah Black. If you want a fast-paced urban fantasy that is similar to Patricia Brigg's Mercy Thompson series, then you found it right here. I can't recommend this series highly enough.
March 19, 2018
Yet another amazing continuation of the Judah Black series. As always, this book kept me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put the book down. Judah tries to solve what's ailing a baby while dealing with werewolf politics as well as human politics. There's an increased number of vandalizm and killings toward the paranormal kind by a hate group causing increased animosity between those who want to do what's right by legal means and those who want to seek immediate revenge. Interesting turn of events and I wouldn't have guessed on Mia's condition as well as other things involved.
January 21, 2019
Such a mix of emotions! Wow, this story really had me twisted up. First finding out about Mia and Zoe, that was a little heartbreaking, but then Hunter getting shot and Chanter dying literally had me sobbing. Then of course after all of that, she still had to kill the beast. I love that Hunter is a beautiful white wolf and that he saved her, but Seamus coming back into the picture definitely wasn't anything I wanted to see. So a year and a day to figure out how to beat him. I'm sure the next book in this series is going to be great. Can't wait to get started on it!
October 1, 2017
Just when some questions are answered, more pop up. This is exactly what you want from any author. I laughed and I cried. This one was a rollar coaster ride that leaves me guessing and impatiently waiting. Thank you E.A. Copen for another amazing ride into Judah Blacks life. I can't wait to see what happens next. (It was worth waiting for some of my medical issues to loosen up so I could pay proper attention to what I was reading)
October 7, 2018
This is the third book in the Judah Black series and each one just gets better than the next. I love the way the author builds the tension and makes it so hard for you to stop reading. Character development just keeps building right along with the suspense and mystery. I would highly recommend this book.
August 5, 2019
4⭐️
Enjoying this series very much. Book 1 took me a bit to get into but I’m glad I stuck with it. Now I’ve finished #3 and the books have only gotten better. I recommend this series.
Enjoying this series very much. Book 1 took me a bit to get into but I’m glad I stuck with it. Now I’ve finished #3 and the books have only gotten better. I recommend this series.
July 15, 2017
Worthy successor
Copen has upped the ante. I could not put it down. The writing is top notch. Now onto the next.
Copen has upped the ante. I could not put it down. The writing is top notch. Now onto the next.
April 13, 2018
Really loved this third installment of E.A. Copen's Judah Black series. So much at stake in this one that I kept turning pages to find out what would happen next.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
July 19, 2018
The third book does not disappoint!
March 20, 2017
Wow! Must read
Another solid 5 stars rating.
I loved how this installment started right where the second book left off. Judah is making quite the name for herself and kicking butt left and right while juggling her personal life. Loads is suspense, action and drama. And...you gotta love the romance build up. It's not one of those instant love novels. The H/h gets to know each other and build a friendship first.
My only question to the author is, when's the next one coming out?
Another solid 5 stars rating.
I loved how this installment started right where the second book left off. Judah is making quite the name for herself and kicking butt left and right while juggling her personal life. Loads is suspense, action and drama. And...you gotta love the romance build up. It's not one of those instant love novels. The H/h gets to know each other and build a friendship first.
My only question to the author is, when's the next one coming out?
February 27, 2017
Chasing Ghosts is the third book in Copen’s Judah Black series. Judah Black is a tough as nails federal agent who’s been relegated to the Paint Rock reservation by the Bureau of Supernatural Investigations. She’s between a rock and a hard place as she works to help save a child that shouldn’t even be alive. As she works to find answers for questions she never even knew existed she is forced to decide whose side she’s on and if it’s the right one.
I love Judah. She’s tough and independent, without being so tough I can’t identify with her. She’s a single parent who wants the best for her son and knows that she can’t give him everything he needs because of who his father was. (I won’t spoil it for you if you haven’t read book 1 yet!) What I will say is that Judah Black is a tough believable protagonist who doesn’t back down, even when she knows she should. Does this causes problems for her? Of course it does, but then it causes problems for all of us who are like that.
EA Copen is another Indie Author that I love. She consistently delivers good books worth my time to read. (In case you think I’m not picky I’ve put down four books already this year that I just couldn’t face finishing. Life is too short to read books that don’t wow me.)
I love Judah. She’s tough and independent, without being so tough I can’t identify with her. She’s a single parent who wants the best for her son and knows that she can’t give him everything he needs because of who his father was. (I won’t spoil it for you if you haven’t read book 1 yet!) What I will say is that Judah Black is a tough believable protagonist who doesn’t back down, even when she knows she should. Does this causes problems for her? Of course it does, but then it causes problems for all of us who are like that.
EA Copen is another Indie Author that I love. She consistently delivers good books worth my time to read. (In case you think I’m not picky I’ve put down four books already this year that I just couldn’t face finishing. Life is too short to read books that don’t wow me.)
March 3, 2017
Kindle Unlimited. Paranormal investigative agent named Judah, working for a government agency BSI {Bureau of Supernatural Investigations}. Reminds me of a little darker Special Unit 2, which was one of my favorite shows when it was on. I don't do synopsis; read the books.
Guilty by Association (Judah Black Novels Book 1)
Blood Debt (Judah Black Novels Book 2)
Chasing Ghosts (Judah Black Novels Book 3)
The Judah Black Novels: Boxed Set of books 1-3
Guilty by Association (Judah Black Novels Book 1)
Blood Debt (Judah Black Novels Book 2)
Chasing Ghosts (Judah Black Novels Book 3)
The Judah Black Novels: Boxed Set of books 1-3
February 27, 2017
Judah has her hands full investigating the case of Mia, the little girl who is missing. There's a vampire involved , and that's not always a good thing. Great urban fantasy and a not to be missed read.
October 26, 2017
Copen continues to impress by delivering difficult social topics in easy to digest suburban fantasy package. The characters deepen as their backstories unravel before the readers. The blend of more traditional fantasy elements within a real world setting are so well done, and I continue to applaud Copen's writing when it comes to the love interest. In a world of fairies, vampires and werewolves, romance and sex still aren't a distraction of excitement in an otherwise boring story. No, we don't come for the sex; the story excites the senses enough as it is. Keep up the good work!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews