Mind Game

Eve Duncan #22

by Iris Johansen

Mind Game takes Jane MacGuire back to Scotland where she continues her search for the treasure she’s been chasing for years. But now she’s being plagued by dreams of a girl in danger. Who is this girl, and what is she trying to tell Jane? And will Jane figure it out before it’s too late—for her and the mysterious young woman? Things are further complicated when Seth Caleb comes back into Jane’s life. This time he’s the one in trouble, and Jane will find herself pulled unexpectedly into his world as she fights to save him.

With the adventure, intrigue, and explosive energy that Iris Johansen fans love, Mind Game is a high-octane thriller that readers won’t be able to put down.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Audiobook, Romance, Crime

384 pages, ebook

First published October 24, 2017

About the author

Iris Johansen is a New York Times bestselling author. She began her writing after her children left home for college. She first achieved success in the early 1980s writing category romances. In 1991, Johansen began writing suspense historical romance novels, starting with the publication of The Wind Dancer. In 1996 Johansen switched genres, turning to crime fiction, with which she has had great success.

She lives in Georgia and is married. Her son, Roy Johansen, is an Edgar Award-winning screenwriter and novelist. Her daughter, Tamara, serves as her research assistant.

IRIS JOHANSEN is The New York Times bestselling author of Night and Day, Hide Away, Shadow Play, Your Next Breath, The Perfect Witness, Live to See Tomorrow, Silencing Eve, Hunting Eve, Taking Eve, Sleep No More, What Doesn't Kill You, Bonnie, Quinn, Eve, Chasing The Night, Eight Days to Live, Blood Game, Deadlock, Dark Summer, Pandora's Daughter, Quicksand, Killer Dreams, On The Run, and more. And with her son, Roy Johansen, she has coauthored Night Watch, The Naked Eye, Sight Unseen, Close Your Eyes, Shadow Zone, Storm Cycle, and Silent Thunder.

http://www.irisjohansen.com

Reviews

[Theresa Alan · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you need everything explained to you because you have no critical thinking skills and don’t mind crappy writing, this is the book for you! Johansen writes a lot of stuff in dialogue that should be exposition. What I mean by this is, when two people are having a discussion in which they know the background but the reader doesn’t yet, they don’t have to explain things to each other, but the author has to let the reader know, ideally in a far more adept fashion. This is some of the worst dialogue I’ve read in a long time. She also does that thing where she has only two people in the conversation, and yet they feel the need to address each other by their first names all the time, which never happens in real life. “Good night, Jane.” “Good night, Eve.”

If you like simplistic writing, you may be able to get through this.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book and discover an author I never need to squander my time on.

For more of my reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane MacGuire has begun to be plagued by dreams of a girl that she feels that she should know but just can't quite grasp who this is that has been visiting her night after night. Jane does know one thing however and that is she feels this girl is in some kind of trouble and needs Jane's help. Drawing out the scenes of what she's seen in her dreams of the girl and her surroundings Jane is determined to find out just who the girl is and what she needs.

As Jane starts out on her quest to find the mysterious young woman that has somehow connected with her she finds herself meeting up with Seth Caleb yet again. This time Seth is the one in trouble and needing Jane's help and he knows just who Jane's mystery woman is. The pair find themselves working together to figure it all out before it’s too late.

Mind Game by Iris Johansen is the twenty second book in the Eve Duncan series. The series in a highly intense thrill ride with each installment from start to finish with the added element of supernatural/paranormal touch to each book with characters having some sort of ability. Eve herself was a forensic sculptor that could actually communicate with the dead. While Eve Duncan is involved a bit in this installment of the series she has become more of a background character and Jane has jumped to the forefront of the story with her abilities.

I jumped into this series rather late myself several books ago but have gotten to know the characters and how the stories work since I've joined and this one is no exception. There's always plenty of fast paced action with plenty of danger while you may have some romance on the side along with that touch of supernatural which ends up being a rather interesting tale each time from start to finish. I kind of missed having Eve at the forefront this time but was satisfied with her involvement and overall thought this was a solid addition to the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....

[Maureen Carden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-two books in and finally we have a....no, I'm not telling. But there could be several ways to finish that sentence and all could be right. Could be, because frankly, my dear, Johansen is never in any hurry to end a good story line. Even though she is expert at adding new lines that just, well…hear that giant sucking noise? That's me being sucked back in and enjoying every moment.
This is mostly Jane Macguire’s book. Eve and Joe’s adopted daughter all growed (sic) up. She is back in Scotland helping to find Cira’s treasure.
But she is also being bothered by a pesky young woman demanding her help.
Only this pest is reaching out to Jane through her drawings and dreams. Jane would like to help her since she seems to be in dire straits, but she is not giving Jane much to go on.
Jane receives some clarity when Seth Caleb shows up. Because that is what Seth does, clarifies everything. Okay, I’m lying because he just messes with Jane’s head.
The locales and the trips back in the dark mists of time (literally dark mists) are fascinating. It’s hard not to want to book a trip to Scotland after you finish this book.
The characters are all beautiful, intelligent, with amazing talents, and some with mysterious powers. Despite all of those negatives, it’s easy to care about these characters. They all have great heart and it’s been great to watch their journey through the years. Not a problem for first time readers, it’s easy to figure out a who’s who.
Occasionally the writing, especially when family members or friends have heart to heart talks gets a bit mawkish, bogs down a usually fast paced story.
With Johansen we know what to expect, family, danger, intrigue, sex and maybe hints of new story lines. Nothing wrong with this, it’s why we follow beloved authors. For newcomers to the author, there is nothing wrong with starting here and then going back to earlier books. This is a great series, with other series branching out from the original Eve Duncan books. I’m already looking forward to the book following this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review.

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing read from iris Johansen! In this new read Jane and Caleb are in a new game of cat and mouse with villains who are holding his sister to get to him.their are many twists and turns and its all hands on deck with some great returning characters like eve and Joe,,jock,Margaret,macduff and cara. And we find out some more about Caleb and his sister Lisa and also the new addition to the family Michael eve and joes son, a very special little boy who is adorable and who seems to be special like his momma and shares a special bond with Jane. And also we find out if Cira's treasure is real or just a legend. I don't know how iris Johansen does it but even after all these years she still makes every book she writes new and awesome!!!!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed to get out of my reading slump, an afternoon spent with these characters I know so well and totally adore.

For long time readers, this is the book you've been waiting for. The usual romance, danger, and deadly skills mixed with some surprising revelations and such a satisfying ending. So much of the book's effect is in the build up of history, the deep and often complicated relationships between the characters, and the ways in which they all come together in this instalment. As always, perils abound, but the reason I come back to this series is the rosy warmth given by the everlasting family bonds, friendships, and love the characters share. It might be unrealistic at times (most of the time), but who cares? Sometimes you just need the kind of boost this book provides.

Plus, who wouldn't want some of these fun 'talents' Johansen's people always display. I could do with a bit of Seth Caleb's skill, that's for sure...


ARC via Netgalley.

[Magdalena · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Eve Ducan series is a new favorite of mine. MIND GAME is book 22 in the series and pulls focuses to Jane MacGuire and Seth Caleb. I love when Iris Johansen lets other characters take the front seat for a book, allowing Eve enough time to breathe.

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!

[Jeanette]

HUH!! People do like these books!!

Can't do it. This book has made me rethink some time of my present agenda. Because I could write a better story which contains more rational or possible conversations than occur in this book. And Iris Johansen is a NY Times best seller author?? For robots? For what audience with this writing style and forms of address does she write?

She has gotten to #22 with this Eve Duncan??

I know, so many questions and I sound so arrogant. But forgive me for I am shocked. Truly shocked that this could sell. It's so simplistic and childish with terrible "not of this earth" interchange.

Real people do not talk this way. Not in any language, do they speak in such declaratives. They don't address friends OR enemies or strangers with a bio or history of their kid's death or past body count murder as a subjective phrase added to a general conversation. Nor do they repeatedly address each other with their name before speaking in a continued conversation as if they forgot who the other person is. And the rest is so beyond far-fetched that it is laughable. I only got to page 11.

Could you imagine if a friend of years, adopted kin yet- would name themselves to you as if they were a third person, calling themselves "the budding artist"?

There is a memory I hold of a past soap opera (Do any of you remember Dark Shadows?)that was actually a spoof performed for the double meanings and laughs of obvious over acting. Tragedy and horror played as humor in the visuals.

This is similar in conversations. But it really is childish over-explaining everything in English as if it were another unknown context language. Human beings just do NOT speak that way.

No stars. No rating. I'll be sure to never venture into Eve Duncan territory.

[Rissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind game 3.75⭐️
We follow Jane and she keeps having visions or dreams of this face this woman and she cant help but think that this woman needs her help.
Jane gives this face a name once Eve says it might help her bring this woman into reality more. Jane names the face Lisa and soon Jane begins to communicate with Lisa and tries to help her, find her, save her.

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mistake number one - reading the 22nd book in a series, when I have never read anything by this author, let alone anything in this series. Mistake number two - failing to realize how poor of a writer Iris Johansen is before I started reading this. Just because someone is a New York Times bestselling authors with millions of book sold does not guarantee they will know how to write. Mistake number three - reading and completing this book. It was utter tripe. I have such contempt for this book that I don't even want to bother with the summary. There was like twenty different things happening and none of them were very connected. Also, I had no idea that this was a supernatural series. The characters were flat, the writing was crap, and the plot was.... whack. Also according to Amazon the word "drily" was used 31 times. That is 30 times too many. Avoid this book.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway, thanks to St. Martin's Press and Goodreads for the opportunity. This book is part of a series of Eve Duncan novels of which I had read a couple of the books years ago, but this one focused on a different character, Jane MacGuire. It was interesting in the beginning with Jane's dreams and drawings of the girl in danger, but then lost me about halfway through with her trip to Scotland and Seth Caleb. It wasn't the engaging murder mystery I expected and I didn't care for paranormal aspect of it. It was a challenge for me to get to the end.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...

[Aletris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won the giveaway for a copy of this ARC book. It has been quite some time since I've read a book in the Eve Duncan series. I remember enjoying the early books in the series, but I was flatly disappointed with this one. As this was an ARC uncorrected proof, I could easily overlook the few minor errors, and they do not factor in my rating.

The idea behind this book was great, and it was interesting enough for me to finish, though at times I was tempted not to. I had several issues with the book:

1. The dialogue was incredibly contrived. There were only two 'voices' for the characters, with all the females sounding the same, and all the males sounding the same.

2. The main character, who is a young woman, seems to think of people who can only be a few years younger than her as being "very young". She thinks of a 19 yr old with special abilities as being unable to fend for herself.

3. Almost all of the characters have special abilities. It's as if the abilities fairy was running around saying "you get an ability, you get an ability, everyone gets an ability!"Some of the abilities seem forced to work into the story. Others are just odd, not seeming to match with the character. The young boy Michael is able to 'mind speak' with his mom like a full-grown adult and though he speaks 'older' than his age, it's not as grown up as in the 'mind-speak'.

4. The behavior of the characters is baffling, sudden 'connection' to a person just because they are in your dreams or helped you out. Yet, in spite of feeling connected to the person, and feeling protective of them, the characters don't trust each other. Instant caring and 'love' for a person you don't even know is odd. (The 'love' I'm talking about is the friendship sort of love, but still - you don't have instant friendship and love before even getting to know the person)

5. Gratuitous, forced seeming sex scene at the end, which was a little graphic and jarring for the otherwise mild book. She still doesn't trust him, but hey! Let's have sex! and though he has willpower through the book, he doesn't here even though he feels she's only doing it because she feels pity for him.

6. The male counterpart, Seth Caleb, is alternately called Caleb or Seth throughout the book, and though it seems to coincide with which character is talking about him, it can be confusing. My thoughts at the first switch were "is this a new character?" then I realized that the main character had referred to him by full name earlier.

I can usually complete a novel this size over a weekend, but sadly it took me a full week to complete because the story just couldn't hold me.

[Aisling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Sorry long time fans of this series but meh is all I can give. Johansen can pull a reader along but this one gets a little silly with all the psychic powers. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for believing. Usually Johansen's writing can get you to swallow anything but this time I found much of the dialogue repetitive and simplistic. That detracted enormously from the otherwise interesting and at times downright exciting plot. I spent most of the book rolling my eyes at, well, everyone. But I still kept reading.

[Anke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book Iris Johansen never disappoints

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed the Eve Duncan books, but I think enough is enough. This story tied up a lot of loose ends and brought together many of the characters we met along the way, so perhaps this is the last one in the series. Once again the extra-sensory powers of mind melding, controlling a person's blood and dreams sending messages play into the story. We meet Michael, Eve's and Joe's young son, who seems to be super intelligent and have "a way" about him to calm and learn things quickly. He is two but seems to have a vocabulary of one much older. We end up back in Scotland for part of the story as well as in Dubai, where the evil foster mother of Seth Caleb's sisters hatches her plot that involved Jane. It was okay and I did finish it, but it was not one that I devoured like others in the series. Based on the reviews, there are many that are die-hard Johansen fans and loved it, so I would recommend it to those readers. If you have not read others in this series, this would not be the one to start with. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent installment in the Eve Duncan series. This one focused more on Jane McGuire and Seth Caleb which I greatly enjoyed. I simply love the dynamic between these two strong, determined and lonely characters.

[Tia Tucker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a stand alone book. You have to read the whole series to understand connections and references but overall enjoyable. Characters tend to “explain” a lot so be prepared for that.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cira is back! That is Cira not Cara. Well, Cara is back too, but only for a short while. For those of you not familiar with Cira, she was a slave girl turned actress during the times of Ancient Rome. She was also a real life person in the dreams of modern day Jane McGuire. Cira was introduced in the fifth book of the series, Blind Alley, when Jane was an adolescent and found that she had the ability to see into the past life of Cira through her dreams. McGuire also found that Cira had hidden away a massive treasure in Scotland on what is now the property of Angus MacDuff which was the focus in the sixth novel of the series, Countdown. MacDuff has been searching for that treasure for some time and over several novels. Well, he is back at it again in Mind Game and this time he has help from Cira through Jane McGuire. So maybe, just maybe, MacDuff will find his treasure.

Dreams about Cira are not the only dreams that Jane is having, she is also dreaming about someone else and that person has a connection to Seth Caleb. Seth Caleb is this quasi-vampire like character that was introduced to the series in the ninth book of the series, Blood Game. Seth has had his eyes on Jane for some time, but McGuire has had this teasing relationship with him. She wants to be with him, but at the same time she doesn’t. In Mind Game, Jane finds that Seth has a vulnerability and, of course, women like it when strong men show they can be vulnerable. So is this the thing that will get McGuire to say yes to Caleb? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

Even though this is an Eve Duncan book, Eve has taken a back seat on this one, but she is not gone. In fact, Eve is planning a big event that will be the highlight in Mind Game. Those that have read the previous book in the series, Night and Day, knows that Duncan is about to give birth to a baby boy which she named Michael. In Mind Game, the baby has not only been born but is now a toddler at the age of two. I mentioned in my review of Night and Day that Michael seemed to be special and he is starting to show how special in Mind Game.

The Eve Duncan series is my trashy novel indulgence which I hate to love, but yes, I do love it. I look forward to the next novel to see what spectacular new character that Johansen cooks up. Ghosts, vampires, and a character that can mind meld with animals are all there. So what will be next? I guess we will get to find out soon as the next novel, Scattered Mirror, is expected to be released next April.

I would like to thank NetGalley for my Advance Reader Copy of Mind Game.

If you are interested in learning more about the Eve Duncan Series check it out on my blog A-Thrill-A-Week

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 22nd book in the Eve Duncan series seemed to bring a number of long-running plot threads to a conclusion. It begins with Jane having dreams about a young woman in danger. She goes to Joe to help her find out who the girl is. Then Seth Caleb comes back into Jane's life and throws it into confusion again. She and Seth have a very difficult relationship. Seth is one person that Jane really doesn't understand but who fascinates her too.

Things are also moving along in Scotland in the hunt for Cira's lost treasure. Additional visions from Cira help Jane know where to hunt. MacDuff is still looking for a technological solution to pierce the fog that covers the lake where the treasure is hidden.

Eve also makes a decision that also will bring lots of changes and leads to a reunion with many of the characters from earlier novels in this series. Fans of the series won't want to miss this latest (but not final) episode.

The story has a lot of suspense. Between rescuing Lisa, figuring out who wanted to kidnap her, and why Jane is also kidnapped, the action is frequent and harrowing. I liked that Jane and Seth are getting to know each other better. Seth's backstory explains a lot about his actions and his views.

I have been reading this series from the earliest days and have only missed a few books. The books are compelling suspense novels and filled with characters who have various psychic gifts. I find the dialog to be different from many other stories. Sometimes the conversations feel like shorthand or that the characters are talking in code.

Fans of the series won't want to miss this one.

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

I am an Iris Johansen fan. The Eve Duncan series has become one of my must-read series. It is nice that this is a series that you can start at anytime, with any book, and get an entire story within one book. The characters are familiar from book to book but each story has a finished ending. There is a bonus of reading the books in order since it gives you the extra history of the characters and a little more understanding of their relationships.

The story of Seth and Jane is one that I have been waiting for. The sizzling heat between them was undeniable and I knew it would eventually push them together. I liked that they worked for it; they circled each other, pushed each other, and made sure the time was right before they took their friendship any farther.

Mind Game is not my favorite but I found myself looking forward to picking it up and reading, whether it was a few pages or a few chapters. If you are an Eve Duncan fan I definitely recommend picking up your own copy.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may have been listed as an Eve Duncan book, but she only plays a sideline character in it. It is a Jane MacGuire book and a well done one at that. Jane is back in Scotland looking for Ciara’s treasure when Caleb enters her life once again. They begin searching for his half-sister, Lisa, and the people who have kidnapped her. The plots (there are several story lines running through this novel) are intricate and remarkably well woven. The characters are not your ordinary neighbors. All in all it was excellent reading and will capture the reader from the onset. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.

[Bob]

Iris Johansen is back with the continuing saga of Jane MacGuire and the search for Cira's treasure b the lake of mists in the Scottish Highlands. Along with that she gets dream contacts with an unknown girl being held prisoner who seems to be asking for help, but Jane is not to involve Caleb. What transpires is another whole story and puts Jane, Joe Quin, Eve and the rest of the group of friends in danger. Another good tale with some surprises and a new character introduced.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting a series on the 22nd book is not always a good idea, however from page 1 I felt like I already knew the characters. This book was full of everything you need to keep you turning the pages. My suggestion is to start it on a Friday night because you won't put it down until you've finished.

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY...

I love Seth, absolutely love everything about his character. His dark side, his gift and his devotion. And while I mourned Trevor I always rooted for Seth & Jane.

Intricate and complicated story befitting them. I also loved the back story of Eve & Joe.

I’m so excited for more. I need more.

[Sandra Jeffs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had stopped reading Johansen's "Eve Duncan" series because her character of Eve was unrealistically obsessed with her lost child-to the point of mental illness, in my opinion. Also, all the characters where gorgeous and amazing which is equally unrealistic.
This novel focused more on the character of Jane, so I thought it might be better. It was to a degree. While Johansen writes extremely well, and her plots are great, her characters arr too one-dimensional for me. All of them are beautiful and amazing and the undying love is cliched and gushy. The writing was so good that I read the entire book, but I doubt I'll read another novel by her due to the unrealistic characters.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I've picked up an Eve Duncan book. Decades ago i couldn't read them fast enough, or often enough, all these years later there is a little less dazzle, but it's still nice to revisit this cast of characters. The lack of reality gets a bit harder to ignore, but I'm still in Eve's corner, as she defends her growing family against Evil.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next installment!

Fantastic adventure mixed with an emotional rollercoaster. As long as Iris Johansen is writing I'll keep reading. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

This was meh...There were repetitive storylines; how many times can people be kidnapped in a series? I’ve always enjoyed Seth and Jane, but their relationship seemed stalled. Thankfully, I only have one more book for this story arc.

[Joann 'bartunek' prashek · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I'm used to reading from Iris Johansen. I've read most of the Eve Duncan series years ago and enjoyed them immensely, but Mind Game definitely did nothing for me. It was a little far fetched. I do not get into clairvoyant/paranormal stories.

[Sally Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

You really don’t have to read this series in order but it would help. I had read just enough of the books before this one to know some of what was going on. I will definitely go back and try to read the ones I have missed.