Machine City

Detective Barnes #2

by Scott J. Holliday

In this unputdownable thriller set in the new future, a detective enters the mind of a killer to find a missing child.

To ex-detective John Barnes, the machine is a dangerous and abhorrent addiction. The criminal thoughts it embedded in his brain helped him stop a serial killer, but they left him dazed—with pounding, murderous impulses. Having turned in his badge to salvage what’s left of his psyche, Barnes must return to the darkness at the request of his former partner. A little girl has gone missing. So has Adrian Flaherty, the detective in the kidnapper’s shadow.

And only Barnes can hear the clues.

But the trail is more dizzying and more personal than he feared. The voices are revealing a secret only Flaherty could have known. They’re also telling Barnes that he doesn’t have long to live. To find the girl, he must listen closely. Because the clock is ticking…and Barnes’s mind is going fast.

Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2018

About the author

Scott J. Holliday was born and raised in Detroit. In addition to a lifelong love of books and reading, he’s pursued a range of curiosities and interests, including glassblowing, boxing, and much more. His most recent novel is Machine City, the sequel to Punishment, both in the Detective Barnes series. He loves to cook and create stories for his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Mutated Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw that this book was coming out, I knew I had to read it. I was really excited, because I absolutely loved the first book. While this one is different, I'd like to think it's just as good but in a different way. Not as violent but still action packed and mysterious. I'm glad to get to know John Barnes all over again.

Check out my full review here!

https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...

[Molli B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mehhh?? I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one was...I'm not sure. Dragged a bit, maybe. Or the story wasn't super compelling. A little confusing in places. And some of the writing was clunky. Ha! The machine thing is still kinda neat, but I feel like it was neater in the first book. In this one, it kinda just felt...dirty. Like...grimy-dirty not sexy-dirty. :)

I listened to the audio of this, and JD Jackson is great (he also read The Nickel Boys, which I listened to a couple months ago). He does all of the various voices perfectly without it being super obvious that he's doing different voices until you stop to think about it.

[Sarah Mirlohi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the second book following the first book. I expected the story to be similar but it was surprisingly different. While reading the book, I found myself not enjoying but not being able to put it down either. The story made very little logical sense to me. Like, why bother Barnes at him home? Then be so insistent on him needing help? According to Barnes he was no longer on machine. Things had change why the worry? Why the insistence on him needing help? Why after all this time bring up Ricky? The story was making sense until it did and everything was reveled. However, I still feel like some plot holes existed like who was it calling Flathartley? Was it Barnes himself? Why was this riddle important? I wanted more of a bridge between the two stories but mostly the story oh Jessica and Barnes. There seemed to be an intense love but the love story was never developed. I'm glad it wasn't but how did they start dating after? When did they get married? Why the sudden change in her behavior had nothing actually gone wrong (which made sense later)? She, has always felt like an empty character that has done nothing more than to add interest to Barnes life. I also felt like the story needed more closure. The girl was saved, then what happened to Barnes? Did everything go back to normal? How, was his real life with Jessica? What happened to verbatim? Was he real or did that even happen? Did he still hold on to Ricky? Did he kill the serial killer or was he arrested and sent to the hospital? Did he go to jail? How many children had he actually killed? It felt incomplete. I loved the book and read it in 2 days which I don't often do, and it left me wanting more Barnes, Franklin, and munky's.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got the first book awhile ago and finally read it last month and HAD to get this one too! It did not disappoint, I'll come back on desktop soon and write a longer review.

We run through this book with (former) Detective Barnes again, now having left the police force, married Jessica and has a son named after his little brother, things seem great right? Then Franklin drives up to his house, with some new partner, asking John to ride the machine to help save a missing girl and another officer who has gone missing - taken by the same man who kidnapped the girl. We follow through Barnes trying to solve a riddle from his brother, losing the life he had, trying to solve this case and get everything he's losing back.
I was not at all expecting the twist at the end, even though there were spots throughout that had me questioning what was going on, because it didn't seem like that Barnes would do. I really like the characters in both books, the way Holliday tells the story and the things he's come up with in these. I don't know if he has a 3rd Detective Barnes book planned but if he does I'm here for it and will be checking out some of his other work!! Getting Punishment for my first read book ages ago might be the best pick I've gotten from there so far.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty sloppy... I guessed the "twist" ending at 30%, which is definitely a personal record. The other half of the twist felt cheap and not properly set up. It kind of explained why the main character was suddenly an idiot, but mostly just felt cheap. His main focus for most of the book was entirely pointless. The start of this book is actually the epilog for the first book, which is cool until you realize it for what it is. I'm being intentionally vague so as not to spoil, but it was really frustrating. I read Punishment and then this one back to back, and Machine City was just generally sloppy by comparison. The writing wasn't as tight, the plot, as I said, was a meandering goose chase. Clues were dropped and then ignored until much later. The "good guy" MC creepily admired a few girls half his age, which was new. The characters felt wrong, which is somewhat explained in the last 10% but up until then you're left thinking the author/editors just stopped giving a crap. Glad it was a fast book.

[Robert V. Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that so many reviews stated confusion. Scott, you're a literary genius with this series. What greatness in the twist. This book defines the word "friend". Truly the deepest writing I have had the pleasure of reading. Even the BAD GUY is a likeable individual. This read requires one to stop, take a breath, and ponder. To understand this level of addiction is incomprehensible but makes one know they would try it, given the opportunity. However, to employ it in the manner Holliday does is with such depth and insight. I must admit, however, I'm not so sure I want someone having access to all of my memories. Bone jangles! Jessica is what most every man is looking for in a woman. Franklin is what most are looking for in a partner. Flaherty is the guts most want to have. But nothing is as it seems. Enjoy the read. And, hey, if you don't get it the first time, go to the first book and read it again. You might find it's in your memories.

[joseph Yavitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading, the Title makes sense. This book is more about The Machine, and it's affect on people, than the Mystery of the Missing child, and I get Mysteries, for the Mystery, so I'd say...OK.

I read, and loved, the first book of the series, Punishment. It probably helps to have read it first, though this book does fill you in on what has happened before, without too much repetition.

I found this book to be more muddled, more confusing and even a bit fantastical. It all comes together, but...well, the actual case, a missing child, seems secondary to what else is going on. And once the reveal is made, it was still a bit of a confusing mish-mash. (Note: I 'read' the Audio version, so re-listening to sections, to absorb the full details, well it wasn't worth it).

I read Mysteries for the Solving of the Mystery and the Mystery of the missing child was really secondary to the subplot.

[sechi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a lot of the other reviews say this sequel is very different from the first book. Understandably, quite a few were disappointed by this. Me? Not so much.

I can’t help but feel the function of first book was primarily to lay the ground work for the plot of this one, as if this is the story Holliday wanted to tell all along. Don’t get me wrong the first book was a great sci-fi hard-boiled detective story but Machine City strives to be more. And for the most part, I think it pulls it off.

Reminiscent of Dune Messiah following on from Dune, Machine City depicts the slow decay of all that was fought so hard for in the first book. It’s brutal reading, as everything seems to go from bad to worse repeatedly.

The majority of this book is a saddening, slow burn devoid of the action and quips of Punishment but with the underlying melancholy of the first novel dialled up to 100. Then come the plot twists, emphasis on the s. Wow, is all I will say. Read it.

[Daniel Kupres · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re back to Detroit, the Machine has been outlawed and Detective Barnes is trying to rebuild his life with his wife and son as a construction worker until his old partner Franklin needs his help finding his new partner Flaherty. Flaherty disappeared while searching for a missing girl who has been abducted by a career criminal. He simultaneously has been sent on a scavenger hunt by his brother who died almost 30 years prior. While searching for both victims and on the scavenger hunt, Barnes learns that he his need to help has turned into an addiction with the outlawed machine and it’s ruining his family. The question remains, can he save the girl, the detective, his marriage and possible solve his brothers death?

Scott has really mastered the thriller. I couldn’t put this one down but found that with so many twists and turns, I’d have to reread a paragraph or two as this one reads so fast. This can stand alone but to truly understand it all, read the first book and come back, you will not be disappointed.

[Margit · Rating 3 out of 5]

29 Chapters of confused

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review.

I spent the first 29 chapters of the book totally confused. I could not understand how characters knew what they knew when they couldn't have known the things they knew or, more accurately, thought they knew. I also couldn't quite figure out what any of that had to do with finding a missing girl which is what the story was supposed to be about. But chapter 30 turned on the light and the book made sense. In this book's case, the end justified the means.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing!

I just finished reading this book and have so many thoughts, thousands, running through my mind but they are ... ALL ... mine. They're all good, too! Gotta confess, I was really confused more than a few times! But the story pulls at you, making you keep trying, keep reading so can maybe, hopefully figure it out! But it's not until close to the last part of the book that you "get it" - fully, completely, and in all its complexity. Abso-flipping-lutely fantastic novel! Now, onwards to find Mr. Holliday's other works.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

[Guy Lenk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the first in the series I couldn't put this thing down. I found my NEED to finish this thing somewhat disturbing as the theme of addiction runs strongly through this book. Just like the first book, Punishment, not only was it compelling but really well written too. I liked the characters and their flawed "warts and all" depiction in the book. And the end of the book was satisfying, interesting, and in many ways unexpected. Seriously, Holliday could give lessons on how to end books to many of the (much) more famous authors that I've read. I can't wait for more from this Author.

[Sunny Pisenti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did read the entire book, it took a bit of time, as I believe reading the previous one may have made it easier. A lot of depth and details. That is good in my book. not really understanding until the end that this sequel would be better off as part of a series not so good. I like to read and sometimes can not get the previous one.
I is well written and does follow plot line nicely to the end. Would have liked a disclaimer to read the previous one to quickly understand where this one took off.

May or may not read any more.

[Steven Mastroyin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. I feel most of the plot was a set-up for the twist, which is fine, it was a nice idea, but removing the twist I'm not sure there is all that much here. In fact, I think revealing the twist early instead of intentionally misleading the reader for 80% of the book would have made a better story. But, I'm not the one writing.

I liked the first one enough to check out any more that come out in the series, but this one I could take or leave. I feel like neither the story itself nor the characters in the story cared enough about the actual case.

[Diane Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reel, soft mouth...I do believe

Like a good fisherman, the story reels us in with a soft mouth, even with all the twists, I swallowed that hook, line, and sinker, and can only say, "More!"

Yeah, I noticed there was a phrase that described Jessica and was followed by a comma and then the word Barnes, as if the phrase had been describing Barnes, but while I paused to look at the speed bump, I kept on riding. Easy fix with a couple of words, it's not going to bring me down from the ride.

[Regina "Gina" Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is please write a #3. Few books take me completely away like this series has. It hit all the sweet spots for me. I read so much that I forget books from one week to the next, but I have been holding one and two in my kindle so that when I finally get another I can start over. I've said "I" and "me" way too much for a book review, but I am feeling very selfish and just want my next book in the series. Because in the end, for ME, reading really is all about me.
:-)

[Lucy Monaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first of these books and was looking forward to reading this and whilst I enjoyed he first 2/3rds of the book it then became difficult to follow and I found myself having to reread sections to keep track of what was happening. It ended well however and would certainly read any future books in the series.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway, and was excited to get started, as I really enjoyed "Punishment" the first book in the series.

Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another twist in the story was presented...then another! This book is a quick, great read. I hope Detective John Barnes and I will cross paths again!

[Jm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in the series. I was going to 2-star it, until I got to the twist. That bumped it up to three. Fast read, still an enjoyable throiller.


SPOILERS


The main villian could have been better framed. I felt like I was missing some background pieces, which is bad for a character and plot portaion that is vital to the story.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Super loved this sequel. Seriously, maybe I'm just more easily entertained than everyone else, but I loved them both. This one had an amazing twist I never saw coming, because I usually take things I read for face value and dont question too much, but I don't care cause it was all that more surprising. If you liked the first one, I think you'll really love this one.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, however it did not offer the same punch as the first in the series. The ending was a pleasant surprise and it was an easy read in a few days but again I felt compelled to compare it to the other and for that I marked is slightly down, of I could do fraction stars it would be 3.75 while "Punishment" would've been a 4.25. unique story line very worth a read.

[Jamie Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the series, I immediately bought this second book. I couldn’t put it down. The plot twist took me two times reading to get what was happening (probably because it was so late because I stayed up late reading because I HAD to finish the book!) But well done! Finally a twist I didn’t guess. Very clever.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me guessing until the end!

As complex and hard to follow as this story was, I couldn't put it down. You will question everything, every detail, wondering what is happening in the "real" world, what is happening in the "machine" world, and whether there's really any difference in the end. This story and punishment, the first novel, should be Hollywood blockbusters already!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Rating 1.5) —- I wasn’t a fan of the first book but had already bought this so decided to give it a go. It definitely helped that I knew the world setting going into this book as that is something I struggled with in the first book. But, I just couldn’t keep an interest in this and ended up listening to it in double speed just to get it over with.

[Cindi Mansell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept

I was a little skeptical at first. I am not a fan of science fiction but the concept caught me and held my interest. A little confused at the end by the plot twists but a good read after all.

[Glyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild ride

Quite the story you wrote.
The twists and turns you kept me reading as fast as I could to get to the end.
I enjoyed reading it and look look forward to reading more of your stories.
Keep up the good work.

[Dana L. Foltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Mr. Holliday has given yet another gripping, confusing , creepy page turner. Just when you think you got it, ya don't. Well done, Sir. Well done. Looking forward to book #3!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was brilliant couldn’t put it down better then the first and I’m a big fan of a good plot twist especially when I don’t see it coming like in this story. The world from punishment is built upon and could see this becoming a good tv show 👍🏻👍🏻

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally unexpected!!!!

I loved the first book so I had to read this one! I never saw the ending coming!!!! Huge twist!!! Absolutely loved this book. Barnes is fantastic! I look forward to reading more baby this author!

[Mr L G Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great twist you never see coming

I don't normally write reviews but this book had me engrossed from the get go with it's unique take on the world. The twists in the book are something else and pay off well.

Guess I better read his first book now!