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PsyCop #9
Agent Bayne
Victor Bayne is through with the Chicago PD. Can he handle the FPMP?
After years of frustration as a PsyCop, Victor Bayne reports for duty at the Federal Psychic Monitoring Program. As a fledgeling agent, he’s ready to smoke out a few ghosts and be home each night in time for dinner. But is he prepared to add a professional dimension to his romantic partnership with Jacob Marks?
Jacob has already established his territory in the Program—he’s competent, he’s respected, and he’s pretty much fearless. The last thing Vic wants to do is screw up in front of him.
When fellow agents start turning up dead, Vic is expected to do more than just lay their ghosts to rest. But what if his psychic talent isn’t quite enough? As the death toll rises, he and Jacob scramble to determine who’s in danger, and who’s a killer.
Using all the resources at their disposal, they close in on their suspect. But as they do, their past comes back to haunt them…and even Jacob worries they’ve tampered with forces they should have left alone. Are their combined talents enough to protect them from enemies both living and dead?
After years of frustration as a PsyCop, Victor Bayne reports for duty at the Federal Psychic Monitoring Program. As a fledgeling agent, he’s ready to smoke out a few ghosts and be home each night in time for dinner. But is he prepared to add a professional dimension to his romantic partnership with Jacob Marks?
Jacob has already established his territory in the Program—he’s competent, he’s respected, and he’s pretty much fearless. The last thing Vic wants to do is screw up in front of him.
When fellow agents start turning up dead, Vic is expected to do more than just lay their ghosts to rest. But what if his psychic talent isn’t quite enough? As the death toll rises, he and Jacob scramble to determine who’s in danger, and who’s a killer.
Using all the resources at their disposal, they close in on their suspect. But as they do, their past comes back to haunt them…and even Jacob worries they’ve tampered with forces they should have left alone. Are their combined talents enough to protect them from enemies both living and dead?
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2018
110 people are currently reading
576 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Castillo Price
139 books2,134 followersAuthor and artist Jordan Castillo Price writes paranormal sci-fi thrillers colored by her time in the Midwest, from inner city Chicago, to various cities across southern Wisconsin. She’s settled in a 1910 Cape Cod near Lake Michigan with tons of character and a plethora of bizarre spiders. Any disembodied noises, she’s decided, will be blamed on the ice maker.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
May 9, 2022
Audiobook - 4 stars
Story - 4.5 Vic rocks and Jacob Gaaahhh! Stars
Thank you my buddy readers for taking this journey with me. 🤩
Story - 4.5 Vic rocks and Jacob Gaaahhh! Stars
Thank you my buddy readers for taking this journey with me. 🤩
August 23, 2019
Nine novels in, and the action & revelations just keep on coming! SO glad this series isn't done!
Bayne's adjustment to his new job is so... So very, very Vic that, aside from trying to figure out the mystery, and laughing at his sarcasm, (and 'awww'ing at him with Jacob), I reveled in the very Victor Bayne-ness of it all. (I hope we get another Crash story some time, too.)
My fellow writers: I read the 'about this story' by Price, and it made me feel a lot better about my own writing attempts. If, like me, your process includes more questions than answers, don't skip this part.
I recommend this series every time I finish one of the novels. This one's no exception. There are major plot elements revealed about Vic's childhood, something that speaks to every aspect of his story and makes me want to re-read them now.
If YOU happened across this review and now want to start the series, the first one, Among the Living, is free in ebook on amazon now, you lucky dog.
Bayne's adjustment to his new job is so... So very, very Vic that, aside from trying to figure out the mystery, and laughing at his sarcasm, (and 'awww'ing at him with Jacob), I reveled in the very Victor Bayne-ness of it all. (I hope we get another Crash story some time, too.)
My fellow writers: I read the 'about this story' by Price, and it made me feel a lot better about my own writing attempts. If, like me, your process includes more questions than answers, don't skip this part.
I recommend this series every time I finish one of the novels. This one's no exception. There are major plot elements revealed about Vic's childhood, something that speaks to every aspect of his story and makes me want to re-read them now.
If YOU happened across this review and now want to start the series, the first one, Among the Living, is free in ebook on amazon now, you lucky dog.
February 4, 2021
review to come ;) Gotta love Victor !!
November 14, 2018
4 Stars
Classic Victor Bayne.
It’s been a little over 3 years since I last read Spook Squad, and I definitely have missed this original character. He’s the antithesis of an alpha male, he’s without any sort of swagger, all of which makes him more real, more relatable.
Here, we find Victor at his new job at the FPMP, a government overwatch agency for the psychic population, where perhaps he can do more good with his immense powers than he could as a homicide detective. What he’s presented with though, is the murder of several fellow agents, and Victor and Jacob must race against time to prevent more deaths.
Vic’s voice continues to ring true, always tinged with some insecurity and a lot of self deprecation. He’s still awkward, he still doubts his abilities but every once in awhile, he makes some bold moves, always with a great sense of justice.
This latest installment brings the paranoia and the conspiracies, as well as more truths about the psychic world and Vic’s past, all lending additional depth to this series. Though it’s taken a long time for Vic to realize his worth, he’s slowly wrapping his brain around it here, and JCP can’t write fast enough as we discover along with Vic and Jacob, just how deep the secrets go!
Classic Victor Bayne.
It’s been a little over 3 years since I last read Spook Squad, and I definitely have missed this original character. He’s the antithesis of an alpha male, he’s without any sort of swagger, all of which makes him more real, more relatable.
Here, we find Victor at his new job at the FPMP, a government overwatch agency for the psychic population, where perhaps he can do more good with his immense powers than he could as a homicide detective. What he’s presented with though, is the murder of several fellow agents, and Victor and Jacob must race against time to prevent more deaths.
Vic’s voice continues to ring true, always tinged with some insecurity and a lot of self deprecation. He’s still awkward, he still doubts his abilities but every once in awhile, he makes some bold moves, always with a great sense of justice.
This latest installment brings the paranoia and the conspiracies, as well as more truths about the psychic world and Vic’s past, all lending additional depth to this series. Though it’s taken a long time for Vic to realize his worth, he’s slowly wrapping his brain around it here, and JCP can’t write fast enough as we discover along with Vic and Jacob, just how deep the secrets go!
January 22, 2022
So good. So amazingly good. Victor Bayne doesn't feel like a fictional character — it's more like JCP channels him from real life right onto the page.
I almost gave it 5 stars, but there was something I felt was just a little too obvious. The series itself deserves 5 stars, though. I cringe to remember that I almost gave up after book 1, thinking it was okay but feeling no need to continue. I owe big-time thanks to the friends who pushed me to keep going, because this is simply one of the best m/m series out there.
I almost gave it 5 stars, but there was something I felt was just a little too obvious. The series itself deserves 5 stars, though. I cringe to remember that I almost gave up after book 1, thinking it was okay but feeling no need to continue. I owe big-time thanks to the friends who pushed me to keep going, because this is simply one of the best m/m series out there.
May 10, 2022
Reread review 2022:
Now that I finally read that Crash monstrosity posing itself as a "book," I can say definitively that all it did was muck up the continuity of this series, all in an effort to bore me silly. As if I needed another reason to be annoyed by the peroxide irritation. And why is Vic envious of Crash and Red's barely-a-relationship? WTF? Stop trying to sell us on this ultimate love, JCP. I ain't buying.
Anyway, it was great to be back with the real voice of PsyCop, Victor Bayne, as he navigates his new job and the new challenges it brings to him. I really adore how much he and Jacob are opening up to each other too, finally. And a vulnerable Jacob is a sight to behold.
I didn't appreciate how much this sets up for the next several books until now. Although JCP does fudge up some details in order to make this plot work, which annoyed me a bit this time around but not enough to get in the way of my overall enjoyment.
Thanks for the BR Rosa, Elena, and Shile!
Original review Jan 2018:
LOL Vic's face. He’s like what the hell have I gotten myself into.
Edit:
*happy sigh*
I didn't read Skin After Skin, so the last new PsyCop book I read was Spook Squad which was FOREVER ago. To say that I've been impatiently awaiting this book is not an exaggeration, and it did not disappoint.
This is around the time in most long-running series where the author runs out of steam (if they hadn't already) and just start phoning in their books. Not JCP though. She keeps this series fresh, keeps finding new ways to challenge her characters and push their boundaries, and keeps delivering hilarious commentary on the absurdities of life. (Vic vs smartphone is my new favorite.)
I loved seeing Vic in this new environment at the FPMP. He finally starts to realize just how toxic things were at the precinct when his new coworkers are not only nice to him but actually excited to work with him, and some are genuinely in awe of him. It's a lot for him to adjust to. Along with that, he has a new assignment unlike anything he did when working homicide and he has to figure out how to work with Darla.
Darla is a great addition to the cast, and her history with Vic has a lot of possibilities for exploring not just their shared pasts but their ever-changing understanding of what it means to be a medium. Jacob also does some growing here, though not quite to the degree as Vic. He is not okay after the events in Spook Squad and has some anxiety to deal with. It's the first chink in his armor that we've seen and it brings him more down to Earth in his view of psychic abilities.
As for the mystery, the perp was pretty obvious from the get-go, and while we expect Vic to be clueless and obtuse, I was rather bemused that Jacob didn't start asking the necessary questions sooner. Thankfully, the mystery isn't the sole focus here. Vic's got his mediumship project and he's also starting to unearth some memories of his childhood and realizing that his fuzzy memories don't mean what he always expected they did. But they all tie together and it opens this whole new realm for exploration in future books.
Audiobook review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Now that I finally read that Crash monstrosity posing itself as a "book," I can say definitively that all it did was muck up the continuity of this series, all in an effort to bore me silly. As if I needed another reason to be annoyed by the peroxide irritation. And why is Vic envious of Crash and Red's barely-a-relationship? WTF? Stop trying to sell us on this ultimate love, JCP. I ain't buying.
Anyway, it was great to be back with the real voice of PsyCop, Victor Bayne, as he navigates his new job and the new challenges it brings to him. I really adore how much he and Jacob are opening up to each other too, finally. And a vulnerable Jacob is a sight to behold.
I didn't appreciate how much this sets up for the next several books until now. Although JCP does fudge up some details in order to make this plot work, which annoyed me a bit this time around but not enough to get in the way of my overall enjoyment.
Thanks for the BR Rosa, Elena, and Shile!
Original review Jan 2018:
LOL Vic's face. He’s like what the hell have I gotten myself into.
Edit:
*happy sigh*
I didn't read Skin After Skin, so the last new PsyCop book I read was Spook Squad which was FOREVER ago. To say that I've been impatiently awaiting this book is not an exaggeration, and it did not disappoint.
This is around the time in most long-running series where the author runs out of steam (if they hadn't already) and just start phoning in their books. Not JCP though. She keeps this series fresh, keeps finding new ways to challenge her characters and push their boundaries, and keeps delivering hilarious commentary on the absurdities of life. (Vic vs smartphone is my new favorite.)
I loved seeing Vic in this new environment at the FPMP. He finally starts to realize just how toxic things were at the precinct when his new coworkers are not only nice to him but actually excited to work with him, and some are genuinely in awe of him. It's a lot for him to adjust to. Along with that, he has a new assignment unlike anything he did when working homicide and he has to figure out how to work with Darla.
Darla is a great addition to the cast, and her history with Vic has a lot of possibilities for exploring not just their shared pasts but their ever-changing understanding of what it means to be a medium. Jacob also does some growing here, though not quite to the degree as Vic. He is not okay after the events in Spook Squad and has some anxiety to deal with. It's the first chink in his armor that we've seen and it brings him more down to Earth in his view of psychic abilities.
As for the mystery, the perp was pretty obvious from the get-go, and while we expect Vic to be clueless and obtuse, I was rather bemused that Jacob didn't start asking the necessary questions sooner. Thankfully, the mystery isn't the sole focus here. Vic's got his mediumship project and he's also starting to unearth some memories of his childhood and realizing that his fuzzy memories don't mean what he always expected they did. But they all tie together and it opens this whole new realm for exploration in future books.
Audiobook review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 21, 2020
It's been way too long since I've taken the time to listen to a book from this series. Glad I found my way back. Gomez Pugh's voices are so perfect for Vic and Jacob :).
January 19, 2018
The pleasure of this book is seeing Vic struggling to reinvent himself, and finding out more about his past. He's in a new job, with new people around him, and old ones in different roles. He's trying to do a research project that's very different from his past murder investigations, and has to work with Dead Darla - a past frenemy from Camp Hell. Along the way, he digs up some fascinating odds and ends from the many blank spots in his memory.
Vic has way less self-confidence than he should, and that plays a significant role. The bad guy outs himself pretty clearly to the reader early on, but Vic doesn't see it, over and over, mainly because of his own warped self-perceptions and expectations. I found that frustrating, but plausible.
His bits of past as they are revealed make him a more rounded character, and I loved how he gained some added depth. His relationship with Jacob strengthens too, although it's not the main focus of this installment, but more of a comfort zone that the story goes to.
I was unconvinced by the climax action, but in the context of fascinating world-building, a story I really enjoyed, a mystery that is slowly developing book by book, and the chance to spend time with favorite characters - it all added up to another good installment in a favorite series. (And yes, you must read this series in order.) Looking forward to the next, and more revelations of the underpinnings of this world and Vic's life.
Vic has way less self-confidence than he should, and that plays a significant role. The bad guy outs himself pretty clearly to the reader early on, but Vic doesn't see it, over and over, mainly because of his own warped self-perceptions and expectations. I found that frustrating, but plausible.
His bits of past as they are revealed make him a more rounded character, and I loved how he gained some added depth. His relationship with Jacob strengthens too, although it's not the main focus of this installment, but more of a comfort zone that the story goes to.
I was unconvinced by the climax action, but in the context of fascinating world-building, a story I really enjoyed, a mystery that is slowly developing book by book, and the chance to spend time with favorite characters - it all added up to another good installment in a favorite series. (And yes, you must read this series in order.) Looking forward to the next, and more revelations of the underpinnings of this world and Vic's life.
January 17, 2018
It’s been eight years since I picked up Among the Living, book the first in the PsyCop series, and eight years since I discovered that author Jordan Castillo Price had not only brought two fantastic protagonists to life, but that she’d done so with intricate detail and precise execution in an alternate reality that isn’t only intense and densely woven but is also a love story tucked in between murder investigations and ghost encounters on the streets of Chicago. Every time I open a PsyCop book and Vic starts speaking, it’s like hopping back into the middle of a chat with an old friend—albeit a usually oddish, non-sequitur sort of conversation—but no matter how long it’s been, I fall back in sync with him in no time at all.
Much like real estate, Victor Bayne’s ability to track down a ghost is about location, location, location. Agent Bayne, formerly Detective Bayne of the Chicago PD’s Fifth Precinct, is the new kid on the block at the FPMP. Con Dreyfuss is out, Laura Kim is in as the new Director, Jacob is in the ‘Oversight Division’ now, and just when Vic thinks he’s found a place to fit in, where cops won’t give him the side-eye or steer clear of him altogether because they’re creeped out by him, things start to go arse over tea kettle.
And that’s just on his first day.
I love that things feel as if they are starting to converge now, past meeting present. From the bad old days at Camp Hell, to discovering Stefan’s betrayal, to Dead Darla being called in from the Indianapolis F-PiMP office to work with her nemesis Hardcore Vic, it feels as if we’re reaching a turning point. And Darla and Vic working together turns into so much more than first intended. Darla is still grinding an old ax from the Heliotrope Station days, and poor Vic… He’s not great at the communication, which is such a brilliant dichotomy in his characterization because he always tells us readers one helluva story. He also struggles to remember things from his past, which causes the tension between him and Darla to continue festering. When they’re saddled together to figure out who murdered two FPMP agents, it’s going to take man hours, cooperation, and their vast metaphysical powers to find the killer.
When it begins to look like the murders are an inside job, who’s pulling the strings, and why, eludes the team, and when readers get an inkling of who the mole is, the cat and mouse of it adds to the fun and tension of watching the investigative team pick up on the cues and clues, and then catch up with us. The supernatural scenes are described with a dynamic awareness that has made me a long-time fan of both the author and this series. Everything is so fully realized and detailed without it ever being cumbersome.
While Vic is decidedly the established hero of this series, one of the best character evolutions has to be that of Jacob Marks. Beginning as a Psych groupie, and Crash’s former boyfriend, Jacob is the sexy steamroller who insinuated his way into Vic’s life from the moment they…‘met’ in the bathroom at a retirement party for Vic’s former partner, to moving in with Vic a week later, to discovering he’s not your run-of-the-mill Stiff (Non-Psych). For so long, Jacob has come across as rather impervious to the supernatural goings-on that he and Vic confront on a daily basis, but we see now that he’s reached a point where his armor has developed a chink which makes him just a bit more vulnerable to his emotions, and I loved it. Jacob, along the course of these books, has become the one man Vic trusts, unequivocally, and it’s that trust that says so much about Jacob. When we try to pin down the broad definition of romantic, where Victor Bayne is concerned, it’s when he tells Jacob he trusts him. That’s worth more than any ‘I love you,’ because, from a deeper emotional perspective, Vic doesn’t give up anything easily, least of all his trust, and Jacob has just kept earning it over and over again.
The true testament of the adroit storytelling here, however, is the author’s disappearance into her narrator. Victor Bayne is given full agency, is a fully realized character who’s motivated by external voices and events to draw the listener into his story. Something that, in reality, would probably make him feel uncomfortable, being the center of our attention, and is one of the reasons I love him—that in his efforts not to draw attention to himself, we readers are drawn to him in every single way.
There are any number of couples out there—those characters we love, the ones who, when we mention them by first name, everyone else knows exactly who we’re talking about—Vic and Jacob are that couple. The completionist in me is salivating for the revelations and events that will bring this series to a close. The sentimentalist in me will be crushed to see this series comes to its natural conclusion. That time isn’t yet, though, and cripes, that makes me happy.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
Much like real estate, Victor Bayne’s ability to track down a ghost is about location, location, location. Agent Bayne, formerly Detective Bayne of the Chicago PD’s Fifth Precinct, is the new kid on the block at the FPMP. Con Dreyfuss is out, Laura Kim is in as the new Director, Jacob is in the ‘Oversight Division’ now, and just when Vic thinks he’s found a place to fit in, where cops won’t give him the side-eye or steer clear of him altogether because they’re creeped out by him, things start to go arse over tea kettle.
And that’s just on his first day.
I love that things feel as if they are starting to converge now, past meeting present. From the bad old days at Camp Hell, to discovering Stefan’s betrayal, to Dead Darla being called in from the Indianapolis F-PiMP office to work with her nemesis Hardcore Vic, it feels as if we’re reaching a turning point. And Darla and Vic working together turns into so much more than first intended. Darla is still grinding an old ax from the Heliotrope Station days, and poor Vic… He’s not great at the communication, which is such a brilliant dichotomy in his characterization because he always tells us readers one helluva story. He also struggles to remember things from his past, which causes the tension between him and Darla to continue festering. When they’re saddled together to figure out who murdered two FPMP agents, it’s going to take man hours, cooperation, and their vast metaphysical powers to find the killer.
When it begins to look like the murders are an inside job, who’s pulling the strings, and why, eludes the team, and when readers get an inkling of who the mole is, the cat and mouse of it adds to the fun and tension of watching the investigative team pick up on the cues and clues, and then catch up with us. The supernatural scenes are described with a dynamic awareness that has made me a long-time fan of both the author and this series. Everything is so fully realized and detailed without it ever being cumbersome.
While Vic is decidedly the established hero of this series, one of the best character evolutions has to be that of Jacob Marks. Beginning as a Psych groupie, and Crash’s former boyfriend, Jacob is the sexy steamroller who insinuated his way into Vic’s life from the moment they…‘met’ in the bathroom at a retirement party for Vic’s former partner, to moving in with Vic a week later, to discovering he’s not your run-of-the-mill Stiff (Non-Psych). For so long, Jacob has come across as rather impervious to the supernatural goings-on that he and Vic confront on a daily basis, but we see now that he’s reached a point where his armor has developed a chink which makes him just a bit more vulnerable to his emotions, and I loved it. Jacob, along the course of these books, has become the one man Vic trusts, unequivocally, and it’s that trust that says so much about Jacob. When we try to pin down the broad definition of romantic, where Victor Bayne is concerned, it’s when he tells Jacob he trusts him. That’s worth more than any ‘I love you,’ because, from a deeper emotional perspective, Vic doesn’t give up anything easily, least of all his trust, and Jacob has just kept earning it over and over again.
The true testament of the adroit storytelling here, however, is the author’s disappearance into her narrator. Victor Bayne is given full agency, is a fully realized character who’s motivated by external voices and events to draw the listener into his story. Something that, in reality, would probably make him feel uncomfortable, being the center of our attention, and is one of the reasons I love him—that in his efforts not to draw attention to himself, we readers are drawn to him in every single way.
There are any number of couples out there—those characters we love, the ones who, when we mention them by first name, everyone else knows exactly who we’re talking about—Vic and Jacob are that couple. The completionist in me is salivating for the revelations and events that will bring this series to a close. The sentimentalist in me will be crushed to see this series comes to its natural conclusion. That time isn’t yet, though, and cripes, that makes me happy.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
May 8, 2022
Reread 08/05/2022
I don’t have much to add to my original review, except that Vic dealing with a smartphone is always hilarious. It almost makes me appreciate how little my auto-correct sabotages me, in comparison.
-------------------------------
First read 14/02/2018
Another great addition to a series that shows no sign of time. Nine books in, JCP manages to keep things interesting and evolving with every new book, setting everything up for what seem to be very promising future developments.
Vic is as always the perfect blend of talent, obliviousness, self-doubt and humor. I loved seeing him tentatively find his place at his new job and of course it’d be just his luck that
Jacob’s vulnerable side was an unexpected surprise, although I suppose it was only a matter of time before his perfect armor started to crack a little, and I loved all the little exchanges between him and Vic showing how rock-solid their relationship is.
Darla was also a nice addition to the cast of characters, not at all as I would have imagined her adult version from the little of her we knew from past books. But then, Vic is certainly very different from the punk kid he was at Camp Hell.
I don’t have much to add to my original review, except that Vic dealing with a smartphone is always hilarious. It almost makes me appreciate how little my auto-correct sabotages me, in comparison.
-------------------------------
First read 14/02/2018
Another great addition to a series that shows no sign of time. Nine books in, JCP manages to keep things interesting and evolving with every new book, setting everything up for what seem to be very promising future developments.
Vic is as always the perfect blend of talent, obliviousness, self-doubt and humor. I loved seeing him tentatively find his place at his new job and of course it’d be just his luck that
Jacob’s vulnerable side was an unexpected surprise, although I suppose it was only a matter of time before his perfect armor started to crack a little, and I loved all the little exchanges between him and Vic showing how rock-solid their relationship is.
Darla was also a nice addition to the cast of characters, not at all as I would have imagined her adult version from the little of her we knew from past books. But then, Vic is certainly very different from the punk kid he was at Camp Hell.
December 24, 2018
I think this is the best PsyCop book yet in the series. But then again, I have said that to every single book I read in this series. 😂 Why, you ask me? Because this is an awesome, awesome series. Except if they are short ABO shifter novels, I was never one for extremely long series. There are too many good books and too little free time I have. 🙂 However, I find myself defying everything I thought I believed in with this striking series. 9 books and one collection of short stories, and after a total of almost 87 hours of listening awesome narration by Gomez Pugh, 😱 I found myself still wanting and desperate for everyone’s favorite couple Victor Bayne and Jacob Marks. 😉
Personally, this is the book where everything came together for me. The mysteries of Vic being unable to remember his past. Is FPMP really the puppeteer behind every psyche related incidents in the country? A new villain and an old villain coming together to make everyone’s life at the new psyche big brother miserable. And the challenges of finding a balance between the work life and the personal life when you and your partner works for the same job. And connecting and rediscovering things and people from your forgotten past. And don’t forget about a murderer roaming free at your work place and killing your coworkers like a man crushing ants. The drama, the mystery, the horror, the paranormal activities, it’s mind blowing to even think about how one person thought of everything and make them all go together. Jordan Castillo Price, my author crush! *happy sigh* 😌
And don’t forget, all hail the amazing, one and only, the voice of Vic, one of my favorite narrators Gomez Pugh for his consistent beautiful narration and portrayal of this fan-favorite series. I just can’t get enough. 😍 I’m very glad that I only started this series this year because I’d die with frustration if I have to wait for years in between books. That being said, I absolutely cannot wait for 10th book in the series to come out soon. Because I need Vic, I need Jacob and I need my clueless, naive newly anointed federal agent fumbling and solving bone-chilling paranormal crimes. Love, loooooved, looooooooooved this book and this series. 🥰💜
5 I heard hickies are a great way to destress stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio rating
Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Disclaimer: An audio copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest and unbiased review.
Personally, this is the book where everything came together for me. The mysteries of Vic being unable to remember his past. Is FPMP really the puppeteer behind every psyche related incidents in the country? A new villain and an old villain coming together to make everyone’s life at the new psyche big brother miserable. And the challenges of finding a balance between the work life and the personal life when you and your partner works for the same job. And connecting and rediscovering things and people from your forgotten past. And don’t forget about a murderer roaming free at your work place and killing your coworkers like a man crushing ants. The drama, the mystery, the horror, the paranormal activities, it’s mind blowing to even think about how one person thought of everything and make them all go together. Jordan Castillo Price, my author crush! *happy sigh* 😌
And don’t forget, all hail the amazing, one and only, the voice of Vic, one of my favorite narrators Gomez Pugh for his consistent beautiful narration and portrayal of this fan-favorite series. I just can’t get enough. 😍 I’m very glad that I only started this series this year because I’d die with frustration if I have to wait for years in between books. That being said, I absolutely cannot wait for 10th book in the series to come out soon. Because I need Vic, I need Jacob and I need my clueless, naive newly anointed federal agent fumbling and solving bone-chilling paranormal crimes. Love, loooooved, looooooooooved this book and this series. 🥰💜
5 I heard hickies are a great way to destress stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio rating
Story - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Disclaimer: An audio copy of this book was provided by the author for an honest and unbiased review.
June 26, 2019
First of all - every time I see that cover I LOL.
That does mean "love it a lot", right?
;-)
Apart from adoring Vic trying to figure out who the hell he is supposed to be in this context, I pretty much adored what JCP did here under a technical aspect. In Skin After Skin we get an inkling that Vic is not the most reliable of narrators because there are parts of the story arc re-told by Crash that paint a wholly different picture of certain aspects of the narrative, especially Jacob.
In this book it turns out that Vic is also an unreliable narrator because he can't remember a lot of things because of *spoiler* (I'm too tired to actually write the spoiler but - good yarn, people, good yarn).
I think it would be against the laws of story-telling in romance to have a narrator who is truly impartial because the reader wants to know what is what. Still, to introduce a truly unreliable narrator (which is a thing readers abhor because WTF? You lied to me?! How could you?!) not only because he is biased (which everybody can relate to because that's human nature) but because he simply doesn't know that he doesn't know the facts about his own story - that's ballsy - and also highly entertaining.
So, I loved that and I enjoyed the heck out of this book. Coming to the actually pertinent points in this review, this is (as per usual) a highly entertaining book and if you like the series you absolutely must read it - and if you don't know the series but are curious, you have to start with the first book Among the Living. It's not quite as absolutely brilliant as the later ones but they get better and better. Promise.
That does mean "love it a lot", right?
;-)
Apart from adoring Vic trying to figure out who the hell he is supposed to be in this context, I pretty much adored what JCP did here under a technical aspect. In Skin After Skin we get an inkling that Vic is not the most reliable of narrators because there are parts of the story arc re-told by Crash that paint a wholly different picture of certain aspects of the narrative, especially Jacob.
In this book it turns out that Vic is also an unreliable narrator because he can't remember a lot of things because of *spoiler* (I'm too tired to actually write the spoiler but - good yarn, people, good yarn).
I think it would be against the laws of story-telling in romance to have a narrator who is truly impartial because the reader wants to know what is what. Still, to introduce a truly unreliable narrator (which is a thing readers abhor because WTF? You lied to me?! How could you?!) not only because he is biased (which everybody can relate to because that's human nature) but because he simply doesn't know that he doesn't know the facts about his own story - that's ballsy - and also highly entertaining.
So, I loved that and I enjoyed the heck out of this book. Coming to the actually pertinent points in this review, this is (as per usual) a highly entertaining book and if you like the series you absolutely must read it - and if you don't know the series but are curious, you have to start with the first book Among the Living. It's not quite as absolutely brilliant as the later ones but they get better and better. Promise.
August 30, 2019
The last book was like touring the sausage factory and this book is you trying to eat sausage again afterwards. It's just not the same, man.
Sorry for the dad joke. It needed to be said.
So now that we read the side character's book last time and realize that he sees our hero, Vic, as kind of a selfish prima donna, it changes things. I saw Vic being a little bitch here and there, and I didn't like it. Vic is awesome! Stop ruining Vic for me!
Vic starts his new job and is having a hard time adjusting. He has to come up with a way to test people for being a medium, and he has to figure out who is the company spy who is killing people. Now, I figured out the company spy within minutes, so I'm not sure how much trust people should be putting in law enforcement with how long it took these bozos to figure it out.
At least I'm giving them the respect of calling them a famous clown.
This federal agency with the most talented cops and psychics in the world didn't figure out who the bad guy was until he literally told them he was the bad guy. It really made me think about all of those evil villains who end up confessing everything and go into a monologue of how they were going to take over the world. Maybe they aren't doing it because they are megalomaniacs after all. Maybe they just realize that people are stupid and need to be told the most basic things in order to understand what's going on.
Still, even if he's a little bit selfish, I love Vic. I will read all of his stories.
Sorry for the dad joke. It needed to be said.
So now that we read the side character's book last time and realize that he sees our hero, Vic, as kind of a selfish prima donna, it changes things. I saw Vic being a little bitch here and there, and I didn't like it. Vic is awesome! Stop ruining Vic for me!
Vic starts his new job and is having a hard time adjusting. He has to come up with a way to test people for being a medium, and he has to figure out who is the company spy who is killing people. Now, I figured out the company spy within minutes, so I'm not sure how much trust people should be putting in law enforcement with how long it took these bozos to figure it out.
At least I'm giving them the respect of calling them a famous clown.
This federal agency with the most talented cops and psychics in the world didn't figure out who the bad guy was until he literally told them he was the bad guy. It really made me think about all of those evil villains who end up confessing everything and go into a monologue of how they were going to take over the world. Maybe they aren't doing it because they are megalomaniacs after all. Maybe they just realize that people are stupid and need to be told the most basic things in order to understand what's going on.
Still, even if he's a little bit selfish, I love Vic. I will read all of his stories.
January 24, 2018
9th book of the PsyCop series and it's hard to believe this just gets better and better!. No, actually it's not that hard to believe, Jordan Castillo Price has been showing us over the years what a good storyteller she is and how much she cares about bringing complex characters into her books.
When i started the book i was curious about what was it going to be about, questions started to appear, a mystery unfolded, and i found myself glued to the book avid to see who was the bad guy, how will Victor and Jacob resolve the problems in the FPMP, and i was intrigued by Victor's childhood. It was a smooth build up, the plots intertwined though never got convoluted, the tension by the end was palpable, and the twists were unexpected.
I really enjoyed this book, i loved to see Victor grow as a person and connect with people from his past, getting to know those new characters was satisfying. I always find myself awed by Jordan's ability to portray characters with distinct personalities in so few words, and how you can't put any of them in a "likeable" "no-likeable" box because despite how problematic they might appear they are humans, make mistakes, own their actions, or are comming from a complicated background, and in the end you can only give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm also glad i'm leaving the story with many unresolved and new questions, because that means we're going to have more PsyCop in the future :).
First fav of the year, YAY!
PS. Read JCP's work if you haven't!!! honestly the best in the genre
When i started the book i was curious about what was it going to be about, questions started to appear, a mystery unfolded, and i found myself glued to the book avid to see who was the bad guy, how will Victor and Jacob resolve the problems in the FPMP, and i was intrigued by Victor's childhood. It was a smooth build up, the plots intertwined though never got convoluted, the tension by the end was palpable, and the twists were unexpected.
I really enjoyed this book, i loved to see Victor grow as a person and connect with people from his past, getting to know those new characters was satisfying. I always find myself awed by Jordan's ability to portray characters with distinct personalities in so few words, and how you can't put any of them in a "likeable" "no-likeable" box because despite how problematic they might appear they are humans, make mistakes, own their actions, or are comming from a complicated background, and in the end you can only give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm also glad i'm leaving the story with many unresolved and new questions, because that means we're going to have more PsyCop in the future :).
First fav of the year, YAY!
PS. Read JCP's work if you haven't!!! honestly the best in the genre
August 24, 2022
08/24/2022 reread
As always Vic's sarcasm and self effacing humor won me over. This chapter in his life found him in the midst of FPMP trying to orient himself and figure out his own worth as an agent and medium. Many things stand in his way: his preconceived notions, his past and possibly fear of the unknown, but by the time book ends he finds himself on equal footing with Jacob, the agent, and ready to take on the job he was always meant to.
What I liked the most about this one was how slowly Vic's mind set shifted, how he finally came into his own as a medium and a friend. He had a lot of surprises, some good and some bad, and he faced some hard truths about himself. I liked how he handled it all. The suspense level amped up somewhere in the middle of the book. I knew the who of it, but I enjoyed how Ms Price led the narrative to its glorious conclusion.
Jacob and Vic were awesome working together, and now that I read Crash's story I kind of looked at him differently, maybe in a more favorable light. Red still weirds me out though. All in all, this book was great. I loved all the parts - the slow and calm as well as fast paced and edgy. Can't wait to dig in to the next one.
As always Vic's sarcasm and self effacing humor won me over. This chapter in his life found him in the midst of FPMP trying to orient himself and figure out his own worth as an agent and medium. Many things stand in his way: his preconceived notions, his past and possibly fear of the unknown, but by the time book ends he finds himself on equal footing with Jacob, the agent, and ready to take on the job he was always meant to.
What I liked the most about this one was how slowly Vic's mind set shifted, how he finally came into his own as a medium and a friend. He had a lot of surprises, some good and some bad, and he faced some hard truths about himself. I liked how he handled it all. The suspense level amped up somewhere in the middle of the book. I knew the who of it, but I enjoyed how Ms Price led the narrative to its glorious conclusion.
Jacob and Vic were awesome working together, and now that I read Crash's story I kind of looked at him differently, maybe in a more favorable light. Red still weirds me out though. All in all, this book was great. I loved all the parts - the slow and calm as well as fast paced and edgy. Can't wait to dig in to the next one.
June 23, 2018
4.2 Stars
Another solid installment in the PsyCop 'verse.
RTC...
Another solid installment in the PsyCop 'verse.
RTC...
October 8, 2019
This is when you know you're in the hands of a real artist, a writer with a vision, and a unflagging grasp of the world they've created. We're 9 (nine) books into the PsyCop world and Jordan Castillo Price's stories are as fresh as day one. Victor Bayne is now a full time agent for the FPMP, and life is different. In a good way.
Seeing Vic navigating his new status as someone wanted and appreciated for his talent is revelatory. As in recent entries to the series the past comes back, perhaps not to bear directly on the case at hand, but to stir memories all but lost to Vic, and have him see cast new light on relationships he had cast in stone. I love that. How JCP knows that the past isn't a static thing, how it breathes into the present, but we can also learn to let it go, without forgetting.
The mystery isn't too complex but it isn't meant to be. The genius of it is that threads that have been teased some entries back come together seamlessly and we get to see an adult relationship flourish and develop. Bearing witness to how utterly Jacob loves Vic, how they navigate their day to day life, how sometimes (mostly) Vic is the strong one, and then cats? Sheer joy.
This is a world that I'm happy to revisit again and again. It hasn't gone stale. The relationships have gotten stronger, they run deeper, and true. I'll eagerly continue this journey.
As usual Gomez Pugh provides the perfect audio companion to this series. He is Vic's voice.
Seeing Vic navigating his new status as someone wanted and appreciated for his talent is revelatory. As in recent entries to the series the past comes back, perhaps not to bear directly on the case at hand, but to stir memories all but lost to Vic, and have him see cast new light on relationships he had cast in stone. I love that. How JCP knows that the past isn't a static thing, how it breathes into the present, but we can also learn to let it go, without forgetting.
The mystery isn't too complex but it isn't meant to be. The genius of it is that threads that have been teased some entries back come together seamlessly and we get to see an adult relationship flourish and develop. Bearing witness to how utterly Jacob loves Vic, how they navigate their day to day life, how sometimes (mostly) Vic is the strong one, and then cats? Sheer joy.
This is a world that I'm happy to revisit again and again. It hasn't gone stale. The relationships have gotten stronger, they run deeper, and true. I'll eagerly continue this journey.
As usual Gomez Pugh provides the perfect audio companion to this series. He is Vic's voice.
April 6, 2025
And then I’m finally all caught up with my re-reads and have finally ventured into the land of unread Psycop books. And I was quite glad that the tone was still the same! Sometimes when a new book comes out after several years, the characters change a lot, but I was glad to see it still felt as the same series.
So… Vic finally joined F-PiMP. I don’t really like that F-PiMP is so different now, but I especially had a hard time with it, because Vic had a hard time with it. There was so much inner angst in this that the first half kind of dragged.
I do have to say that it picked up in the second half and I started to enjoy it more. Vic finally finds out more about his missing memories and he even shares a thing of two about himself with other people.
I do hope the next book is action-filled and that Vic is a bit done with all his inner angsting (at least regarding his job at F-PiMP).
And I want him to be the biggest baddest medium again, not just another F-PiMP agent.....
So… Vic finally joined F-PiMP. I don’t really like that F-PiMP is so different now, but I especially had a hard time with it, because Vic had a hard time with it. There was so much inner angst in this that the first half kind of dragged.
I do have to say that it picked up in the second half and I started to enjoy it more. Vic finally finds out more about his missing memories and he even shares a thing of two about himself with other people.
I do hope the next book is action-filled and that Vic is a bit done with all his inner angsting (at least regarding his job at F-PiMP).
And I want him to be the biggest baddest medium again, not just another F-PiMP agent.....
January 16, 2018
The PsyCop series and I are old friends. It was on the first series I read in the m/m genre (It was one of 10 books recommended to new m/m readers on a blog I came across). The first PsyCop book--and later the entire series--completely pulled me in. Vic is such a cranky but compelling character. I love that he is so innately talented and damaged. And I love his relationship with Jacob.
Similar to the MC's in JD Robb's Eve Dallas series, I appreciate reading each new book in this series to see how Vic and Jacob's relationship grows, strengthens, and changes over time. All in all, it's a series that I am fond of and love. The PsyCop world and the characters that inhabit it seem as real to me as the actual world I inhabit it. And when I inevitably finish a book in the series, I find myself cursing that Price can't write faster. I HATE the delay between books but inevitably squeal like a fangirl when a new books finally comes out.
As soon I received notification that this book had been released, I dropped the course prep I was working on and immediately began reading. Four hours later, at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, I finished this book. This is well past my bedtime (I've been yawning a lot the past hour) but I kept reading the book to the end because I couldn't put it down. Fair warning--you really can't read this book unless you read the whole series--but for fans of the series, it's great to see Vic, Jacob, Crash, and others once again. It's also fun to run into old frenemies like Stefan and meet new and intriguing characters like Darla. This story doesn't feel like it has a traditional ending which I normally hate--but in this case, it excites me because it means we'll definitely get a book #10.
It's waaay too late (early?) for me to form more coherent thoughts about this book, so I'll plan on revising this review after I take a nap. In any case, thank you Jordan Castillo Price for another great book in this series! Also, extra thanks for the preview of the PsyCop short at the end of the book!
Similar to the MC's in JD Robb's Eve Dallas series, I appreciate reading each new book in this series to see how Vic and Jacob's relationship grows, strengthens, and changes over time. All in all, it's a series that I am fond of and love. The PsyCop world and the characters that inhabit it seem as real to me as the actual world I inhabit it. And when I inevitably finish a book in the series, I find myself cursing that Price can't write faster. I HATE the delay between books but inevitably squeal like a fangirl when a new books finally comes out.
As soon I received notification that this book had been released, I dropped the course prep I was working on and immediately began reading. Four hours later, at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, I finished this book. This is well past my bedtime (I've been yawning a lot the past hour) but I kept reading the book to the end because I couldn't put it down. Fair warning--you really can't read this book unless you read the whole series--but for fans of the series, it's great to see Vic, Jacob, Crash, and others once again. It's also fun to run into old frenemies like Stefan and meet new and intriguing characters like Darla. This story doesn't feel like it has a traditional ending which I normally hate--but in this case, it excites me because it means we'll definitely get a book #10.
It's waaay too late (early?) for me to form more coherent thoughts about this book, so I'll plan on revising this review after I take a nap. In any case, thank you Jordan Castillo Price for another great book in this series! Also, extra thanks for the preview of the PsyCop short at the end of the book!
March 30, 2018
Updated for audiobook review
Read Kris’ audio review in its entirety here.
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
I am always thrilled when a new PsyCops series book comes out. This is one of my all time favorite series and I really think it keeps getting better and better. Jordan Castillo Price has created a fabulous and sometimes creepy world here and combined it with one of my all time favorite couples in Vic and Jacob. This book is the ninth in the series and they need to be read in order. Not only does it continue the story of Victor and Jacob, but this book connects back to plot threads from earlier in the series.
The title of this book is Agent Bayne and that perfectly reflects the focus of this story. It is about Victor becoming an FPMP agent and adapting to the new job, as well as about him as a person and the new revelations about his life and his past that come to light over the course of the story. I really liked seeing Vic find his way in the new job. Now Victor is not a guy brimming with self confidence in the best of times, but here is he is finding his footing in a new job. In some ways, it is a refreshing change. He doesn’t have to hide his relationship with Jacob, he is accepted as a medium — and even admired for his abilities. So it is a real change for him over the police force. But at the same time, he was good at that job and suddenly he can’t quite get settled into his new position. Half the time he can’t even find his way around the building. And as he struggles with both of his cases, Victor worries he is just not cut out for the job and fears he can’t be successful. So I enjoyed seeing him find himself here, especially toward the end as he gets his stride and is able to make a real difference. I particularly liked him coming to terms with things with Darla and the way that working together made them both stronger.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
Read Kris’ audio review in its entirety here.
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
I am always thrilled when a new PsyCops series book comes out. This is one of my all time favorite series and I really think it keeps getting better and better. Jordan Castillo Price has created a fabulous and sometimes creepy world here and combined it with one of my all time favorite couples in Vic and Jacob. This book is the ninth in the series and they need to be read in order. Not only does it continue the story of Victor and Jacob, but this book connects back to plot threads from earlier in the series.
The title of this book is Agent Bayne and that perfectly reflects the focus of this story. It is about Victor becoming an FPMP agent and adapting to the new job, as well as about him as a person and the new revelations about his life and his past that come to light over the course of the story. I really liked seeing Vic find his way in the new job. Now Victor is not a guy brimming with self confidence in the best of times, but here is he is finding his footing in a new job. In some ways, it is a refreshing change. He doesn’t have to hide his relationship with Jacob, he is accepted as a medium — and even admired for his abilities. So it is a real change for him over the police force. But at the same time, he was good at that job and suddenly he can’t quite get settled into his new position. Half the time he can’t even find his way around the building. And as he struggles with both of his cases, Victor worries he is just not cut out for the job and fears he can’t be successful. So I enjoyed seeing him find himself here, especially toward the end as he gets his stride and is able to make a real difference. I particularly liked him coming to terms with things with Darla and the way that working together made them both stronger.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
January 24, 2022
4.5 Stars
We learn so much about Vic's past and we see him so out of his element that he questions his own worth. I just wanted to hug him.
I was also surprised by Darla. I mean, she wasn't very likable at first, but she was struggling, too, at least where Vic was concerned. Turns out, though, I really do like her and I hope we see more of her.
I kind of missed Crash's ever-presence, though. He is in the story, but not as much as before and he's all happily coupled up, now, so his snark level was pretty low.
On to book 10!
We learn so much about Vic's past and we see him so out of his element that he questions his own worth. I just wanted to hug him.
I was also surprised by Darla. I mean, she wasn't very likable at first, but she was struggling, too, at least where Vic was concerned. Turns out, though, I really do like her and I hope we see more of her.
I kind of missed Crash's ever-presence, though. He is in the story, but not as much as before and he's all happily coupled up, now, so his snark level was pretty low.
On to book 10!
May 22, 2022
Loved!
I really love what working at the FPMP did to Vic. He seems to have more confidence and is much friendlier. Looking forward to more!
I really love what working at the FPMP did to Vic. He seems to have more confidence and is much friendlier. Looking forward to more!
March 6, 2018
Well hell....what am I supposed too read now? Review to follow.
Overall book rating: 4.5
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
I feel like part of the family just immigrated. I won’t say “die” because I’ve got high hopes for a book 10.
This was one of my favourite books in the series. I just really got to love Victor Bayne throughout the series. He is UNIQUE and simply fabulous.
I don’t have much to say yet. I’m still kind of floating on cloud nine.
So basically, it all comes down to this:
I’m so happy I read this series!
I LOVE the MC’s - Jacob really "floats my boat"
I Love Con Dreyfuss and I’m still ticked off that he wasn’t in this book.
The rest? Well the rest I can live without. Except maybe Zigg and Agent Bly. I really started to like Agent Bly.
Overall book rating: 4.5
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 4
I feel like part of the family just immigrated. I won’t say “die” because I’ve got high hopes for a book 10.
This was one of my favourite books in the series. I just really got to love Victor Bayne throughout the series. He is UNIQUE and simply fabulous.
I don’t have much to say yet. I’m still kind of floating on cloud nine.
So basically, it all comes down to this:
I’m so happy I read this series!
I LOVE the MC’s - Jacob really "floats my boat"
I Love Con Dreyfuss and I’m still ticked off that he wasn’t in this book.
The rest? Well the rest I can live without. Except maybe Zigg and Agent Bly. I really started to like Agent Bly.
March 5, 2018
This was such a joy to read. You would think that at this point, there wouldn't be much more to add to the PsyCop series. But I was Very Much Wrong. The things I really enjoyed:
- More exploration into Vic's past - which was something that was always in the back of my mind, but finally explored
- Introduction of a particular character - I won't say more, since it would be spoilery; but I very much like!
- New relationship dynamic and development between Vic and Jacob
- More information into the over-arching plot
I can't say there was much, or anything, I didn't like. The pacing was great, the characters still enjoyable, and there is definitely still more unresolved issues. Which hopefully means more entries in the future!
- More exploration into Vic's past - which was something that was always in the back of my mind, but finally explored
- Introduction of a particular character - I won't say more, since it would be spoilery; but I very much like!
- New relationship dynamic and development between Vic and Jacob
- More information into the over-arching plot
I can't say there was much, or anything, I didn't like. The pacing was great, the characters still enjoyable, and there is definitely still more unresolved issues. Which hopefully means more entries in the future!
March 9, 2021
Fantastic. Best of an outstanding series. Review of ARC with the understanding a review would be written.
My love for this book has no boundaries. The amount of growth Vic undergoes, something that has been building through the books, is so moving. Vic has been so stunted in his emotional life because of his experiences as a kid/teen/young adult, as this book shows, due, in large part to his talent. and to see him finally blossoming, letting people in, having friends (or more accurately admitting to those friends), his love for Jacob just made me feel so warm. JCP isn't known for writing fuzzy, warm feelings, she is a gritty writer, but this is as close as I have ever seen her write warm. The fact that it is Vic that is getting that treatment? Happy sighs. I also enjoyed seeing him realize that he's not as lazy and useless as he's often presented himself. It was also great to see some of the cracks in Jacob's armour. Which isn't to say the hard edge that is part of her trademark isn't present because it is. As much as this is Vic's book it is also an ensemble of the people in his life. I love that we're also seeing how much is still shifting sands at the FPMP, I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
I have trouble writing reviews of books I love this much, normally I don't review them because I just feel like I'm gushing about All. The. Love. I have for the book, and while I think I could have done better with this review, the reality is that my overwhelming response is just that, I love it unabashedly.
I will re-read this even more than I do the series in general. And I am SO excited for the audio, I can't even.
Fans of the series need to read this immediately.
Audio: As always Gomez Pugh does an outstanding job. I read the books with his voice in my head, which just makes it all the better.
My love for this book has no boundaries. The amount of growth Vic undergoes, something that has been building through the books, is so moving. Vic has been so stunted in his emotional life because of his experiences as a kid/teen/young adult, as this book shows, due, in large part to his talent. and to see him finally blossoming, letting people in, having friends (or more accurately admitting to those friends), his love for Jacob just made me feel so warm. JCP isn't known for writing fuzzy, warm feelings, she is a gritty writer, but this is as close as I have ever seen her write warm. The fact that it is Vic that is getting that treatment? Happy sighs. I also enjoyed seeing him realize that he's not as lazy and useless as he's often presented himself. It was also great to see some of the cracks in Jacob's armour. Which isn't to say the hard edge that is part of her trademark isn't present because it is. As much as this is Vic's book it is also an ensemble of the people in his life. I love that we're also seeing how much is still shifting sands at the FPMP, I'm looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
I have trouble writing reviews of books I love this much, normally I don't review them because I just feel like I'm gushing about All. The. Love. I have for the book, and while I think I could have done better with this review, the reality is that my overwhelming response is just that, I love it unabashedly.
I will re-read this even more than I do the series in general. And I am SO excited for the audio, I can't even.
Fans of the series need to read this immediately.
Audio: As always Gomez Pugh does an outstanding job. I read the books with his voice in my head, which just makes it all the better.
March 6, 2018
5 stars
Vic is back! <3
The best part of following an ongoing series is getting to watch your favourite characters grow, and that couldn't be more true of the grumptastic Victor Bayne. I, for one, couldn't be happier.
Agent Bayne sees Vic trying to settle into a new job with the FPMP while trying to piece together the tattered memories (or complete lack thereof) of his childhood. Vic never seems to make things easy on himself, and in that respect at least, he hasn't changed a bit. Stressing about his new job, his new phone (!) and the very odd feeling of being respected by his new co-workers, gives him a sense of vulnerability that we don't see from him very often. Much of it stems from not wanting to let Jacob down, but it's that chink in his SaverPlus armour that forces him to accept help from both his friends and co-workers to not only find out who is killing FPMP agents, but to find out what really happened to him as a child.
(Just as an aside, I finally picked up all the available PsyCop audiobooks and was listening to them prior to and during my reading of Agent Bayne. It definitely helped to have past events fresh in my mind, but it also gave voice to all the PsyCop characters. Gomez Pugh is phenomenal as Vic and truly inhabits his character.)
There's still so much Vic needs to discover about himself and I'm eager to see where the next story takes us. I'm dreading the end of the series, of course, but I would love to see Victor in a place where he is truly content. Well, grumpy and content. I can't wait!
Vic is back! <3
The best part of following an ongoing series is getting to watch your favourite characters grow, and that couldn't be more true of the grumptastic Victor Bayne. I, for one, couldn't be happier.
Agent Bayne sees Vic trying to settle into a new job with the FPMP while trying to piece together the tattered memories (or complete lack thereof) of his childhood. Vic never seems to make things easy on himself, and in that respect at least, he hasn't changed a bit. Stressing about his new job, his new phone (!) and the very odd feeling of being respected by his new co-workers, gives him a sense of vulnerability that we don't see from him very often. Much of it stems from not wanting to let Jacob down, but it's that chink in his SaverPlus armour that forces him to accept help from both his friends and co-workers to not only find out who is killing FPMP agents, but to find out what really happened to him as a child.
(Just as an aside, I finally picked up all the available PsyCop audiobooks and was listening to them prior to and during my reading of Agent Bayne. It definitely helped to have past events fresh in my mind, but it also gave voice to all the PsyCop characters. Gomez Pugh is phenomenal as Vic and truly inhabits his character.)
There's still so much Vic needs to discover about himself and I'm eager to see where the next story takes us. I'm dreading the end of the series, of course, but I would love to see Victor in a place where he is truly content. Well, grumpy and content. I can't wait!
January 24, 2018
Love this series! Love this book!
Vic rocks, and he doesn’t even realize.
Vic rocks, and he doesn’t even realize.
October 19, 2018
Review of book here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Still as enjoyable as the first time. Gomez Pugh once again performs brilliantly.
I'm eager to see where this series is going to go next after the reveals made here with Vic's past and the pre-runner to the FPMP.
Still as enjoyable as the first time. Gomez Pugh once again performs brilliantly.
I'm eager to see where this series is going to go next after the reveals made here with Vic's past and the pre-runner to the FPMP.
March 5, 2018
And now I've got a case of Bayne brain. MORE PSYCOP PLEEZ.
January 19, 2018
“But boredom was fine by me. I’d had enough excitement to last a lifetime.”
It’s been a while since I read the last Psycop book by Jordan Castillo Price. I’d forgotten just how good her writing is. I’d also forgotten what a great character Victor Bayne is. And in this book, which in some ways is the start of a different series, lets us watch a personal transformation, a kind of intimate epiphany in Victor Bayne’s convoluted mind.
Victor leaves the Chicago Police Department, the “Spook Squad,” to become a federal agent of the FPMP. No longer is he the freak, the lone psychic who sees dead people. At FPMP, his talent is admired, he has a role among others of his kind. He’s no longer automatically branded a weird loser by his co-workers.
With one exception: Darla Davis, known to him as a “Dead Darla.” Into his new reality drops a blast from the past, an agent he knew when they were both teenagers at Heliotrope Station, known to him as Camp Hell.
And she seems to hate him.
Even as Victor begins to adjust to this new normal, things begin to get weird. An agent is murdered, then another. Victor finds his homicide cop skills once again in demand as well as his psychic abilities. At the same time, provoked by agent Davis, he finds himself obsessed with his past, large chunks of which he seems to have forgotten.
What makes this book so compelling is not the murder mystery at its center, but the development of Bayne’s inner self—that part of him he’s largely kept at bay due to his own low self-esteem. “Agent Bayne” is really a book about relationships, past and present. It’s about Victor and his partner, Jacob Marks, seeing each other in a new light as they work side by side. It’s about Victor dealing with his co-workers, from his boss, Laura Kim, to the nerdy operations manager, Patrick Barley. But the most crucial relationships he has to confront are those from his past, as he struggles to remember what happened to him as a child, and what his past means in light of how far he’s come as he approaches his fortieth birthday. The most powerful thing about this story is watching Victor Bayne realize his own value.
Always, Price’s terse, noir-ish writing has a consistent wry undertone, part self-deprecation, part ironic commentary. The cover image she chose to represent Victor Bayne is, for me, unusually interesting. I kept referring back to it as I read. At first glance he looks like a doofus, confused and slightly disheveled. But you also see a kind of wounded innocence in those big dark eyes, that intense stare. You see a man struggling to make sense of a life that has been filled with confusion and anxiety. You also see beauty, and determination.
I hope this really is the beginning of a whole new Victor Bayne series, because a new man emerges here; one I want to get to know better.
It’s been a while since I read the last Psycop book by Jordan Castillo Price. I’d forgotten just how good her writing is. I’d also forgotten what a great character Victor Bayne is. And in this book, which in some ways is the start of a different series, lets us watch a personal transformation, a kind of intimate epiphany in Victor Bayne’s convoluted mind.
Victor leaves the Chicago Police Department, the “Spook Squad,” to become a federal agent of the FPMP. No longer is he the freak, the lone psychic who sees dead people. At FPMP, his talent is admired, he has a role among others of his kind. He’s no longer automatically branded a weird loser by his co-workers.
With one exception: Darla Davis, known to him as a “Dead Darla.” Into his new reality drops a blast from the past, an agent he knew when they were both teenagers at Heliotrope Station, known to him as Camp Hell.
And she seems to hate him.
Even as Victor begins to adjust to this new normal, things begin to get weird. An agent is murdered, then another. Victor finds his homicide cop skills once again in demand as well as his psychic abilities. At the same time, provoked by agent Davis, he finds himself obsessed with his past, large chunks of which he seems to have forgotten.
What makes this book so compelling is not the murder mystery at its center, but the development of Bayne’s inner self—that part of him he’s largely kept at bay due to his own low self-esteem. “Agent Bayne” is really a book about relationships, past and present. It’s about Victor and his partner, Jacob Marks, seeing each other in a new light as they work side by side. It’s about Victor dealing with his co-workers, from his boss, Laura Kim, to the nerdy operations manager, Patrick Barley. But the most crucial relationships he has to confront are those from his past, as he struggles to remember what happened to him as a child, and what his past means in light of how far he’s come as he approaches his fortieth birthday. The most powerful thing about this story is watching Victor Bayne realize his own value.
Always, Price’s terse, noir-ish writing has a consistent wry undertone, part self-deprecation, part ironic commentary. The cover image she chose to represent Victor Bayne is, for me, unusually interesting. I kept referring back to it as I read. At first glance he looks like a doofus, confused and slightly disheveled. But you also see a kind of wounded innocence in those big dark eyes, that intense stare. You see a man struggling to make sense of a life that has been filled with confusion and anxiety. You also see beauty, and determination.
I hope this really is the beginning of a whole new Victor Bayne series, because a new man emerges here; one I want to get to know better.
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