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Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #11
Pecado Eterno
Young, vulnerable, attractive, Tessa Gray made the perfect victim. Which was why Noah Bishop of the FBI's Special Crimes Unit recruited her to play the role of grieving widow. As the supposed new owner of property coveted by the Church of the Everlasting Sin, she'd be irresistible bait for the reclusive and charismatic Reverend Samuel. His fortified compound in the mountains near Grace, North Carolina, had been the last known residence of two women murdered in ways that defied scientific explanation. Though hardly as naive or as vulnerable as she appears, Tessa knows she has a lot to learn about using her unique gift. She also knows that Bishop and the SCU have to be desperate to rely on an untried psychic agent in an undercover operation so dangerous. And desperate they are. For the killer they're hunting is the most terrifying they've ever faced and shakes even the most seasoned agents: a soulless megalomaniacal cult leader who can use their own weapons, talents, and tactics against them.
By entering the cult's well-guarded compound, Tessa will be exposing herself to the dark magnetism of a psychopath on an apocalyptic crusade of terror that spares no one, not even the youngest victims. And Samuel has protected himself within a fanatically loyal congregation, many of whom occupy surprising positions of power within the community. Even Grace's chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh a a man Tessa will have to trust with her life a may be unable to protect her. Because no one, not even Tessa herself, can guarantee she's strong enough to resist a or powerful enough to battle a a killer who's less than human.
By entering the cult's well-guarded compound, Tessa will be exposing herself to the dark magnetism of a psychopath on an apocalyptic crusade of terror that spares no one, not even the youngest victims. And Samuel has protected himself within a fanatically loyal congregation, many of whom occupy surprising positions of power within the community. Even Grace's chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh a a man Tessa will have to trust with her life a may be unable to protect her. Because no one, not even Tessa herself, can guarantee she's strong enough to resist a or powerful enough to battle a a killer who's less than human.
304 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2008
204 people are currently reading
2790 people want to read
About the author
Kay Hooper
97 books2,448 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
December 9, 2015
4,5 stars
Blood Sins, the 11th book in Kay Hooper’s brilliant Bishop/Special Crimes Unit Series, kicks off just after the ending in the previous book, Blood Dreams, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... , where the serial killer had been caught but discovered that he had just been used by a very powerful and dangerous puppet master.
The mastermind behind the horrific killings is thought to be a man named Rev Samuel, leader of the Church of the Everlasting Sin, situated in the mountains near the small town of Grace, North Carolina.
The SCU and Haven, work together to find out more about the church compound and its leader and members.
Tessa Gray, member of Haven, has the unique gift of being able to identify and connect with other psychics and their abilities is asked to go undercover as a wealthy widow living in Grace and use that status to infiltrate the church and find out more about its leader and members.
This was a really scary read.
An evil psychic whose powers are increased by draining other psychic’s powers that make him even more powerful.
What Tessa discovers in the church compound is so malevolent and evil and seeing how people are manipulated and used in the name of religion is so terrifying. The fear and the abuse that the children there go through is frightening and more than fearful.
I liked Tessa and Grace’s chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh, who helps her with her mission. I would have liked more romance between these two characters, but I have a feeling that the connection they have with each other will progress in the series.
And Noah Bishop finally discovering who the person behind the conspiracy to bring harm to the SCU was more than unexpected. I never had a clue!!!
Loved the appearances made in this book – Gallen, Quentin and Hollis, who I am still eagerly waiting for her book!!!
Filled with tension, mystery, suspense and ambiguity that keep you turning the pages, wanting to know – what next!!!!
A great addition to a great series.
Blood Sins, the 11th book in Kay Hooper’s brilliant Bishop/Special Crimes Unit Series, kicks off just after the ending in the previous book, Blood Dreams, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... , where the serial killer had been caught but discovered that he had just been used by a very powerful and dangerous puppet master.
The mastermind behind the horrific killings is thought to be a man named Rev Samuel, leader of the Church of the Everlasting Sin, situated in the mountains near the small town of Grace, North Carolina.
The SCU and Haven, work together to find out more about the church compound and its leader and members.
Tessa Gray, member of Haven, has the unique gift of being able to identify and connect with other psychics and their abilities is asked to go undercover as a wealthy widow living in Grace and use that status to infiltrate the church and find out more about its leader and members.
This was a really scary read.
An evil psychic whose powers are increased by draining other psychic’s powers that make him even more powerful.
What Tessa discovers in the church compound is so malevolent and evil and seeing how people are manipulated and used in the name of religion is so terrifying. The fear and the abuse that the children there go through is frightening and more than fearful.
I liked Tessa and Grace’s chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh, who helps her with her mission. I would have liked more romance between these two characters, but I have a feeling that the connection they have with each other will progress in the series.
And Noah Bishop finally discovering who the person behind the conspiracy to bring harm to the SCU was more than unexpected. I never had a clue!!!
Loved the appearances made in this book – Gallen, Quentin and Hollis, who I am still eagerly waiting for her book!!!
Filled with tension, mystery, suspense and ambiguity that keep you turning the pages, wanting to know – what next!!!!
A great addition to a great series.
December 17, 2008
Holy crap! I'm hoping I don't dream tonight...but if I do, I just hope this book doesn't influence my dreams or they'll be some doozy of a nightmare. "Blood Sins" is Kay Hooper's second in her 'Blood' trilogy and her 11th starring the 'Bishop/Special Crimes Unit'. This unit is a special FBI unit composed of agents with 'special' abilities--mediums, seers, telepaths, etc. They operate as quietly as possible when crimes seem to have some unusual aspects. I've got all of this series in my permanent library, even the ones I didn't care that much for, because they all have that something...even when they scare the crap out of me!
This time Bishop's unit is facing a psychic who can, apparently, kill without touching, or even being close to, his victim. The body count is already too high and when one of their own goes down, Bishop and his unit will need to decide whether their intent is justice...or destruction.
This villain creeped me out--big time. I don't want to give too much away, but think Jim Jones or David Koresh WITH almost unstoppable psychic powers. Still makes my skin crawl! So if you like paranormal mysteries with some really twisted bad guys...you'll probably enjoy this series, and the shudders it produces, as much as I do. My only big disappointment with this one was the lack of a real romance in the plot. But I didn't actually 'miss' it until I finished the book, so that should tell you something!
This time Bishop's unit is facing a psychic who can, apparently, kill without touching, or even being close to, his victim. The body count is already too high and when one of their own goes down, Bishop and his unit will need to decide whether their intent is justice...or destruction.
This villain creeped me out--big time. I don't want to give too much away, but think Jim Jones or David Koresh WITH almost unstoppable psychic powers. Still makes my skin crawl! So if you like paranormal mysteries with some really twisted bad guys...you'll probably enjoy this series, and the shudders it produces, as much as I do. My only big disappointment with this one was the lack of a real romance in the plot. But I didn't actually 'miss' it until I finished the book, so that should tell you something!
July 23, 2016
Blood sins is a continuation of the Blood series of Noah Bishop . This is was one scary and creepy novel about a cult running in the Church of Everlasting Sin.People who go against the cult leader Samuel are getting killed in mysterious ways without him laying a hand on them .Special unit agent Tessa Grey is sent inside the compound to investigate .What she finds is even more scarier with people walking in the compound looking like Stepford wives . Noah Bishop and his team may have found an enemy with tremendous psychic abilities that might be difficult to defeat
It was a good scary book with unanswered questions at the end .I just wish the book had a little more romance between Tessa and the chief Sawyer but overall a great read and I cannot wait to start the last book in this series .
It was a good scary book with unanswered questions at the end .I just wish the book had a little more romance between Tessa and the chief Sawyer but overall a great read and I cannot wait to start the last book in this series .
December 22, 2008
Sheriff Sawyer knows in his gut that Reverend Samuel and his Church of the Eternal Sin is responsible for the deaths of the women who have washed up in his territory but he is completely stymied trying to prove it. Bishop and the SCU also know that Samuel is responsible and this time, they are going to prove it. Bishop has sent Haven operative Tessa Grey to infiltrate the compound. She doesn't read as psychic so she can move undetected. However, she detects Sheriff Sawyer and explains that he is psychic even if he hasn't put it together. There's a lot more of Bishop in this novel but he seems a little out of character, weaker than he should have been. The novel should have been longer. There were sub-plots that never went anywhere and neither did the romance between Tessa and Sawyer. There were other sub-plots that should be the focus of the third book of this trilogy. Good but not great, which is too bad because Hooper has created a wonderful series in Noah Bishop and the Special Crimes Unit. I still eagerly await the next book.
May 14, 2010
Sometimes it takes a little while for the fact that a book is terribly written to make itself clear. Other times, the very first page gives you dialogue such as the following:
When the dialogue starts out that clumsy, one might hope that it can't get any worse, but it doesn't exactly fill one with confidence that it's going to get any better.
And it didn't. The whole thing was filled with overwrought, awkwardly expository dialogue that made absolutely none of these characters seem even remotely real. And there were a hell of a lot of these ultra-flat characters. Apparently this is the middle book of a trilogy, so Hooper can perhaps be forgiven for some of the less-than-clear references to past events and characters (such as repeated unexplained references to Samuel's "pet monster"), but still. Too many of them, and too many of them had silly, hard-to-guess-the-gender names (Hollis, Quentin, Reese, etc.) that made it very difficult to figure out and keep track of who was doing what at any given time.
Then there's the fact that they're all a bunch of psychics, constantly babbling pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo about how their brains supposedly work. If I'd known that, I don't think I would have picked this book up. I think particularly after having read The Program so recently, the whole psychic layer of things kind of made it seem even less real or threatening than the bad dialogue was already making it. Hurwitz's TD was sinister. Hooper's Samuel was just laughable. Hell, he even had the cliched past of being a sexually-abused bastard son of a whore. Bo-ring. The Program, as a story of taking down a cult, had a lot of tension, a lot of build, a lot of genuinely scary aspects that made the whole thing believable and intensely disturbing, as well as extremely compelling. As the final showdown approached, you were nervous, you couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This one had none of that. There was barely even a hint of tension or build toward the final climax, and I wasn't nervous for any of these people. Samuel could have successfully achieved his apocalypse and I don't think I would have cared. The final climax itself was fast and flat, and with so much deus ex machina that the stakes, despite what the bad dialogue would have you believe, were ridiculously low. Suddenly everyone who managed to get themselves "killed" by Samuel has the ability to heal themselves. The fight between him and the psychic who was able to destroy him was barely even a fight. He tosses a few people around (who subsequently reanimate), she shows up, goes, "Surprise!" and blasts his brains out. Show over.
This was the first Kay Hooper book I've read, and I'm quite sure it will also be the last. A solid pass on this one.
"And the monster who pulled his strings? The cold, calculating mind behind him?"
"We never saw him," Bishop answered. "Even though we believe he was close enough to watch. Close enough to affect some of us. Close enough to hunt and capture the... prey... for his pet killer."
When the dialogue starts out that clumsy, one might hope that it can't get any worse, but it doesn't exactly fill one with confidence that it's going to get any better.
And it didn't. The whole thing was filled with overwrought, awkwardly expository dialogue that made absolutely none of these characters seem even remotely real. And there were a hell of a lot of these ultra-flat characters. Apparently this is the middle book of a trilogy, so Hooper can perhaps be forgiven for some of the less-than-clear references to past events and characters (such as repeated unexplained references to Samuel's "pet monster"), but still. Too many of them, and too many of them had silly, hard-to-guess-the-gender names (Hollis, Quentin, Reese, etc.) that made it very difficult to figure out and keep track of who was doing what at any given time.
Then there's the fact that they're all a bunch of psychics, constantly babbling pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo about how their brains supposedly work. If I'd known that, I don't think I would have picked this book up. I think particularly after having read The Program so recently, the whole psychic layer of things kind of made it seem even less real or threatening than the bad dialogue was already making it. Hurwitz's TD was sinister. Hooper's Samuel was just laughable. Hell, he even had the cliched past of being a sexually-abused bastard son of a whore. Bo-ring. The Program, as a story of taking down a cult, had a lot of tension, a lot of build, a lot of genuinely scary aspects that made the whole thing believable and intensely disturbing, as well as extremely compelling. As the final showdown approached, you were nervous, you couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This one had none of that. There was barely even a hint of tension or build toward the final climax, and I wasn't nervous for any of these people. Samuel could have successfully achieved his apocalypse and I don't think I would have cared. The final climax itself was fast and flat, and with so much deus ex machina that the stakes, despite what the bad dialogue would have you believe, were ridiculously low. Suddenly everyone who managed to get themselves "killed" by Samuel has the ability to heal themselves. The fight between him and the psychic who was able to destroy him was barely even a fight. He tosses a few people around (who subsequently reanimate), she shows up, goes, "Surprise!" and blasts his brains out. Show over.
This was the first Kay Hooper book I've read, and I'm quite sure it will also be the last. A solid pass on this one.
Read
January 17, 2017It was a great book but it is part of a series so i recommend for you to read Blood Dreams before reading this and then after u have read the last book in thew series is Blood Lines
March 3, 2017
The creepy in this one is excellent: a cult led by a dangerous psychic. And its power is spreading to the entire town. In addition, the leader is not only an old and very, very powerful enemy but also someone who is after the Bishop unit personally.
So the plot I enjoyed. A lot. Sadly, and very much surprisingly, the characters did not measure up. Or, rather, they did not get nearly enough screen time to even try. To the point where both Tessa and Sawyer felt almost... unnecessary. It wasn't even that other characters stole the spotlight, though Reese and Hollis can somewhat be accused of trying. It's more like they didn't even get to do anything up until the final confrontation. Which... was tragically anticlimactic, I must say.
I guess the whole point of this book is the transition between the previous one and the next. It does tie up the plot of Blood Dreams, somewhat, but at the same time brings to light all these other loose ends that hint at a whole another enemy entirely. Needless to say, I am looking forward to reading Blood Ties.
So the plot I enjoyed. A lot. Sadly, and very much surprisingly, the characters did not measure up. Or, rather, they did not get nearly enough screen time to even try. To the point where both Tessa and Sawyer felt almost... unnecessary. It wasn't even that other characters stole the spotlight, though Reese and Hollis can somewhat be accused of trying. It's more like they didn't even get to do anything up until the final confrontation. Which... was tragically anticlimactic, I must say.
I guess the whole point of this book is the transition between the previous one and the next. It does tie up the plot of Blood Dreams, somewhat, but at the same time brings to light all these other loose ends that hint at a whole another enemy entirely. Needless to say, I am looking forward to reading Blood Ties.
August 5, 2023
Blood Sins
3 Stars
The Special Crime Unit's investigation into the Church of the Everlasting Sin takes a turn after the bodies of two women are found in a nearby river with inexplicable injuries. Haven operative, Tessa Gray, is recruited to infiltrate the church's remote compound, but in doing so she exposes herself to the cult leader's enigmatic magnetism. Are Tessa's shields strong enough to protect her?
Series note: There are numerous references to events in the previous book, and one particular recurring character plays a pivotal role. Thus, the books must be read in order.
Similar to book #1 in this trilogy, the focus is on the paranormal mystery elements rather than the romance aspects. In fact, the romance is virtually non-existent aside from Tessa and the sheriff's apparent interest in one another.
The suspense plot, however, is gripping. Presented from several different perspectives ranging from the agents to the cult leader to various members, including a young girl well aware of the danger the "Reverend" poses, the story becomes increasingly more intense with every chapter. There are also several surprising twists along the way and it will be interesting to see how these play out in the next book.
In sum, despite the action-packed storyline, it is unfortunate that the romantic elements are so underdeveloped as there is definite potential here.
3 Stars
The Special Crime Unit's investigation into the Church of the Everlasting Sin takes a turn after the bodies of two women are found in a nearby river with inexplicable injuries. Haven operative, Tessa Gray, is recruited to infiltrate the church's remote compound, but in doing so she exposes herself to the cult leader's enigmatic magnetism. Are Tessa's shields strong enough to protect her?
Series note: There are numerous references to events in the previous book, and one particular recurring character plays a pivotal role. Thus, the books must be read in order.
Similar to book #1 in this trilogy, the focus is on the paranormal mystery elements rather than the romance aspects. In fact, the romance is virtually non-existent aside from Tessa and the sheriff's apparent interest in one another.
The suspense plot, however, is gripping. Presented from several different perspectives ranging from the agents to the cult leader to various members, including a young girl well aware of the danger the "Reverend" poses, the story becomes increasingly more intense with every chapter. There are also several surprising twists along the way and it will be interesting to see how these play out in the next book.
In sum, despite the action-packed storyline, it is unfortunate that the romantic elements are so underdeveloped as there is definite potential here.
April 9, 2018
Could hardly put this book down! The author does a great job of walking the line between plausible and sci fi.
February 25, 2020
Love this series.
January 21, 2019
This book is creepy and incredulous! Can’t wait to start on the third book in this trilogy.
December 29, 2020
It is always a hit or miss when I pick up a Kay Hooper book. but I will keep picking them up.
February 16, 2021
A lot of rambling about what if's and very little action, but had to read it through see what happen.
July 8, 2020
Hmmm... Not as much of a thriller as I expected.
The whole story line seemed a bit too disconnected.
The whole story line seemed a bit too disconnected.
April 14, 2014
I really enjoy this Bishop series. The book I have enjoyed the less are those with a higher lever of ghost and paranormal activities and with little romance. So, this story, shouldn't really have been a favourite for me. But I have to admit that I read it almost in one sitting and couldn't wait to reach the end.
This is single handedly the investigation into a religious organisation and it's preacher - a psychic who keeps his flock under strict control and can actually kill without touch. Hooper keeps us on the edge if our seat following the activities of the FBI agents and those within the flock who fight against the preacher and are exposed to great danger. There is a sense of urgency in most of the plot that I enjoyed.
The action is fast and goes so smoothly that I really didn't notice the lack of the romantic aspect. One can guess that two of the main characters will eventually be a couple but nothing happened in this story. I do have a few complaints however namely that Bishop doesn't appear as much as usual and that there is a sub plot about someone who is trying to discredit him that isn't closed in the final chapter. The ending also felt a bit rushed.
The story is connected to the previous book in the series as the preacher here is the mastermind behind the killer they caught in that book and one guesses that it is strongly connected with the next book as I'm sure we won't be left in the dark long about who wants to harm Bishop and his unit.
Grade: 4/5
This is single handedly the investigation into a religious organisation and it's preacher - a psychic who keeps his flock under strict control and can actually kill without touch. Hooper keeps us on the edge if our seat following the activities of the FBI agents and those within the flock who fight against the preacher and are exposed to great danger. There is a sense of urgency in most of the plot that I enjoyed.
The action is fast and goes so smoothly that I really didn't notice the lack of the romantic aspect. One can guess that two of the main characters will eventually be a couple but nothing happened in this story. I do have a few complaints however namely that Bishop doesn't appear as much as usual and that there is a sub plot about someone who is trying to discredit him that isn't closed in the final chapter. The ending also felt a bit rushed.
The story is connected to the previous book in the series as the preacher here is the mastermind behind the killer they caught in that book and one guesses that it is strongly connected with the next book as I'm sure we won't be left in the dark long about who wants to harm Bishop and his unit.
Grade: 4/5
April 19, 2020
Blood Sins is book eleven in the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit and book two in Blood series by Kay Hooper. Tessa Gray was recruited by Noah Bishop to go undercover as a grieving widow to investigate the Church of the Everlasting Sin. Grace's Chief of Police Sawyer Cavenaugh knew something was off with Father Samuel but could not find proof. Tessa Gray and Sawyer Cavenaugh decided to join forces. The readers of Blood Sins will continue to follow Tessa Gray and Sawyer Cavenaugh to find out what happens.
I always engage with the characters and the plot of Kay Hooper's books and reading Blood Sins continued the tradition of being another enjoyable book to read. Blood Sins is well written and researched by Kay Hooper. I loved the portrayal of the characters by Kay Hooper and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. I like the description of the settings of Blood Sins by Kay Hooper and the way it complimented the plot.
The readers of Blood Sins will understand the devastation cults have on the people who are involved. Also, the readers of Blood Sins will learn about law enforcement procedures in small rural community in North Carolina.
I recommend this book.
I always engage with the characters and the plot of Kay Hooper's books and reading Blood Sins continued the tradition of being another enjoyable book to read. Blood Sins is well written and researched by Kay Hooper. I loved the portrayal of the characters by Kay Hooper and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. I like the description of the settings of Blood Sins by Kay Hooper and the way it complimented the plot.
The readers of Blood Sins will understand the devastation cults have on the people who are involved. Also, the readers of Blood Sins will learn about law enforcement procedures in small rural community in North Carolina.
I recommend this book.
July 22, 2020
Kay Hooper tells us another story of Noah Bishop's psychic group, the Special Crimes Unit called Haven. This time, Tessa Gray is sent to investigate a cult in the northeast whose leader seems to be able to drain power not only from other psychics, but young women as well. He influences the members of his group to the point that they seem to be empty shells of their former selves.
The local sheriff, also possessed of some psychic ability, joins in the chase to set a trap for the charismatic psychotic pastor.
The local sheriff, also possessed of some psychic ability, joins in the chase to set a trap for the charismatic psychotic pastor.
March 4, 2019
25/2017/330
I have never read a worse book in my life. In the beginning of the book, a lot of sentences didn’t make sense. I had to reread them, and they still didn’t make any sense. I was tempted to put it down, but I didn’t. Lesson learned. When you’re not into a book partly because of its subject, cut your loss and put it down. It took me forever to finish because it was so uninteresting I didn’t want to finish it, but I did. What a waste of time. Its 4+* rating totally baffles me!
0*
I have never read a worse book in my life. In the beginning of the book, a lot of sentences didn’t make sense. I had to reread them, and they still didn’t make any sense. I was tempted to put it down, but I didn’t. Lesson learned. When you’re not into a book partly because of its subject, cut your loss and put it down. It took me forever to finish because it was so uninteresting I didn’t want to finish it, but I did. What a waste of time. Its 4+* rating totally baffles me!
0*
January 8, 2009
The book wasn't bad (except the ending felt rushed) but I think I've just reached the end of my interest in this series. I really liked the early trilogy, but these last two books have been difficult for me to finish.
August 7, 2013
I loved this book to pieces! Including the gorgeous front cover I might add. I also love all the characters and the mystery in all the pages of the book. This is a very addicting series to read and I'm glad I am!
November 2, 2011
great read...very intense
September 20, 2019
Now the members of Haven (and the SCU, however unofficially) are looking into the source of the evil in the last book...the psychic who can usurp others powers. They've focused their sights on the Church of Everlasting Sin's leader, Reverend Samuel, who is a very powerful cult leader with amazing, yet hidden and unreadable psychic skills. Tessa Gray is in the town of Grace undercover to try to infiltrate the religious compound...to be invited in. She's pretty successful and once she's in, attempts to read the compound...and all she feels is pain and a dark voice that says, "I'm hungry." Hollis Templeton tries to warn Tessa that she's being pulled in by something in the compound, but Tessa is determined to stop the monster. Sheriff Sawyer Cavenaugh, investigating the murder of several women whose bodies washed downstream, probably from the compound, begins to assist with Tessa and Hollis (having his own kind of psychic power). Once Agent Quentin Hayes has a disastrous vision, all team members, hidden and known, come together to make a plan...destroy this evil whatever it takes. But will all of them come out alive?
No matter what, not everyone comes out unchanged. That's a really big theme happening here...the more negative and powerful energy these psychics are exposed to, the more powerful and evolved their psychic powers become. And that is REALLY cool in the case of Hollis Templeton, whose book I cannot wait to read. Quentin was another example. I was a bit disappointed in Tessa as the main character...I couldn't pinpoint what I didn't like so much, but she seemed bland in comparison to the rest of the cast of characters. And it frustrated me that she kept insisting on trying to drop her shields in a place where she knows she's vulnerable to psychic attack.
This story was pure suspense and it was definitely gripping...an unputdownable read. From the beginning, you are hooked . and the ride doesn't really slow down. Tessa's undercover work, Sawyer's investigation (and their very under the radar romance developing...you could almost ignore it), Bishop's subtle movements and machinations (and his issues with the director), not to mention the horrific happenings in the church compound. We're given a glimpse into Reverend Samuel's past (which ends up making him less pure evil, as in past books, and more of a monster who was created). We also follow the storyline of Ruby, a 12-year-old, powerful psychic who is trapped in the compound, can see what's happening, and is drawing the attention of Reverend Samuel (who wants to harvest her powers). It all adds up to a pretty thrilling read.
No matter what, not everyone comes out unchanged. That's a really big theme happening here...the more negative and powerful energy these psychics are exposed to, the more powerful and evolved their psychic powers become. And that is REALLY cool in the case of Hollis Templeton, whose book I cannot wait to read. Quentin was another example. I was a bit disappointed in Tessa as the main character...I couldn't pinpoint what I didn't like so much, but she seemed bland in comparison to the rest of the cast of characters. And it frustrated me that she kept insisting on trying to drop her shields in a place where she knows she's vulnerable to psychic attack.
This story was pure suspense and it was definitely gripping...an unputdownable read. From the beginning, you are hooked . and the ride doesn't really slow down. Tessa's undercover work, Sawyer's investigation (and their very under the radar romance developing...you could almost ignore it), Bishop's subtle movements and machinations (and his issues with the director), not to mention the horrific happenings in the church compound. We're given a glimpse into Reverend Samuel's past (which ends up making him less pure evil, as in past books, and more of a monster who was created). We also follow the storyline of Ruby, a 12-year-old, powerful psychic who is trapped in the compound, can see what's happening, and is drawing the attention of Reverend Samuel (who wants to harvest her powers). It all adds up to a pretty thrilling read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2022
So, it looks like this series would be mostly about the case, and not the characters - which is kinda a bummer, because to me that was the main attraction. The romance between Tessa and Sawyer hardly grazed the pages - another bummer, I would have loved to see more of it! Glad to see Hollis coming into her own, becoming a great investigator, and also gaining more powers! Also glad to finally find out what Galen's power is - I really like this guy! He always adds extra umph to the story. Where is Tony in all this?! He is such a great sidekick! Also, where are the other people from the earlier books - Isabel, Nell, Rafe, Beau, Maggie? I can totally live without Luke - he did not make a great impression on me, but the rest are really cool characters.
Why is Bishop all of the sudden not so sure of himself? We know that he is human and fallible, but he is a leader par excellence! Nice little vignette about him having special touch with children and animals - and, yes, that's because he is an exceptional person, not because he is a telepath!
Samuel is an absolute evil - not only is he a horrible molester and a serial killer, but he is convinced that he was chosen by a higher power, and everything and everyone is destined to be in service of his mission. Personally, I think that we could have done with less scenes of his evil deeds - but that's just me.
Senator LeMott's angle was probably supposed to caution us against vigilantisms - another thing I disagree with; a lot of times vigilante justice is the best there is...
The end was a bit rushed and slightly murky - too many unanswered questions; also, very interested to know whom did Bishop piss of this time, and to such degree - another nice sideline, by the way - some powerful entity choses the FBI director in order to get rid of his perceived enemy...so, on to the next book, which, hopefully, will answer all the questions.
Why is Bishop all of the sudden not so sure of himself? We know that he is human and fallible, but he is a leader par excellence! Nice little vignette about him having special touch with children and animals - and, yes, that's because he is an exceptional person, not because he is a telepath!
Samuel is an absolute evil - not only is he a horrible molester and a serial killer, but he is convinced that he was chosen by a higher power, and everything and everyone is destined to be in service of his mission. Personally, I think that we could have done with less scenes of his evil deeds - but that's just me.
Senator LeMott's angle was probably supposed to caution us against vigilantisms - another thing I disagree with; a lot of times vigilante justice is the best there is...
The end was a bit rushed and slightly murky - too many unanswered questions; also, very interested to know whom did Bishop piss of this time, and to such degree - another nice sideline, by the way - some powerful entity choses the FBI director in order to get rid of his perceived enemy...so, on to the next book, which, hopefully, will answer all the questions.
June 20, 2018
When the need for a beautiful, vulnerable, and young victim Noah Bishop of the FBI's Special Crimes Unit recruited Tessa Gray, a member of Haven which is an organization that he co-founded, is the perfect fit to play the role the role of grieving widow. Reverend Samuel is the founder of Church of the Everlasting Sin and desperately wants property that Tessa has inherited from her late husband's family. Bishop is interested in Samuel because 2 women who have been murdered in ways that science can not explain were not only members of Reverend Samuel's church but also live in the compound in the mountains near Grace, North Carolina.
Tessa is hardly naive or as vulnerable as she appears, and she relizes that there is much she needs to learn about using her unique gift. And she knows dangerous it to go in but knows she must in order to save lives because this unique
killer is the most "terrifying they've ever faced and shakes even the most seasoned agents" because he is powerful, soulless megalomaniacal cult leader who can use their own weapons, talents, and tactics against them by channeling electric from the storms and the his followers who are in positions of power, and can take his victims psychic powers and by going into "well-guarded" compound, she exposes herself to the dark magnetism of a psychopath who is on an apocalyptic crusade of terror that spares no one, not even the youngest victims that " even Grace's chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh,a man Tessa will have to trust with her life, may be unable to protect her."
Tessa is hardly naive or as vulnerable as she appears, and she relizes that there is much she needs to learn about using her unique gift. And she knows dangerous it to go in but knows she must in order to save lives because this unique
killer is the most "terrifying they've ever faced and shakes even the most seasoned agents" because he is powerful, soulless megalomaniacal cult leader who can use their own weapons, talents, and tactics against them by channeling electric from the storms and the his followers who are in positions of power, and can take his victims psychic powers and by going into "well-guarded" compound, she exposes herself to the dark magnetism of a psychopath who is on an apocalyptic crusade of terror that spares no one, not even the youngest victims that " even Grace's chief of police, Sawyer Cavenaugh,a man Tessa will have to trust with her life, may be unable to protect her."
July 19, 2019
The investigation into the psychic mastermind behind the deaths in Boston and Venture continues, partly helped by a grieving and angry Senator Lemott and using Haven, the civilian organization of psychic investigators. Bishop knows that Reverend Samuel is behind it all, but getting proof is another matter entirely. In fact, other than knowing his Church of the Everlasting Sin is a cult, there is no read on exactly what type of psychic Samuel is.
Haven operative Tessa Gray, a veritable rookie, is sent as bait for Samuel and his followers, assisted by medium Hollis Templeton. The town of Grace appears to be mostly uninterested in bodies appearing downriver from the Compound, other than Police Chief Sawyer Cavenaugh. In fact, Stepford comes immediately to mind.
Bishop's enemies are all conspiring to bring him and the SCU down, no matter what the cost. Things are obviously getting deadlier and nastier, but new allies are also showing up. This is a deep dive into what could happen if cult leaders also had real psychic power. Intense and frightening from start to finish. 4.5 out of 5.
Haven operative Tessa Gray, a veritable rookie, is sent as bait for Samuel and his followers, assisted by medium Hollis Templeton. The town of Grace appears to be mostly uninterested in bodies appearing downriver from the Compound, other than Police Chief Sawyer Cavenaugh. In fact, Stepford comes immediately to mind.
Bishop's enemies are all conspiring to bring him and the SCU down, no matter what the cost. Things are obviously getting deadlier and nastier, but new allies are also showing up. This is a deep dive into what could happen if cult leaders also had real psychic power. Intense and frightening from start to finish. 4.5 out of 5.
June 6, 2016
Blood Sins is every bit the bridging second book to a story's trilogy, but at the same time, it still managed it's own plot and story. While the story line was fairly straight forward, it had a lot of dragging moments and a lot of confusing WTF moments that gave me pause.
While it is probably the weaker of the Blood trilogy books in the Bishop/SCU world, Blood Sins was still every bit as enjoyable as you'd expect it to be.
The Story:
Blood Sins picks up right off from where the previous book ended. The serial killer had been found out to be merely a string puppet pet monster being set up and controlled to massacre women at the behest of a powerful psychic. Noah Bishop's worst nightmare has come to pass in realizing that an almost perfect psychic--someone who may have absolutely control of his or her powers--is in existence, but is playing for the other team.
This Big Baddie has been traced to a religious cult in North Carolina called the Church of the Everlasting Sin where a Reverend Adam Deacon Samuel is leading his people to salvation, as any other isolated religious cult is wont to do. But within this community, people begin to go missing without those disappearances being questioned, members of this church seem almost lifeless, and now dead bodies are beginning to surface downstream (literally).
Tessa Gray, a Haven operative, has been recruited by Bishop to infiltrate the religious community. She exhibits the physical appearance of a stereotypical victim and is tasked to play the part in order to lure the church's attention in inviting her into the community. But once inside, Tessa's job is to gather as much information as she can on Reverend Samuel that can help the SCU and Haven bring down this Universally Evil psychic who has been the cause of many deaths and lots of suffering.
My Thoughts:
While there seems to be a straight forward murder mystery in Blood Dreams, we are merely using the deaths of two women as a springboard to continue the Blood trilogy's story arc. Two women's deaths are such that defy scientific logic: all of their bones have been shattered without so much as a mark on their bodies. One of these women was a Haven operative who had gotten careless, but who had found out significant information that could help the SCU and Haven bring down the evil psychic.
Tessa has to infiltrate the community to find out what happened to her murdered comrade as well as figure out what kind of evil the psychic good guys are dealing with. Along the way, we meet Police Chief Sawyer Cavanagh who isn't fooled by the peaceful claims of the Church of the Everlasting Sin... and who also seems to have secrets of his own.
The book was rolling strong from the beginning, but a little before midpoint things seemed to start stuttering a little bit. I feel like our investigative team may or may not spend too much time rehashing facts and information, and while reading about a bunch of investigators batting information and ideas around is intriguing... it can get kind of monotonous if that is ALL they are doing and if they just keep repeating the same things over and over again.
By midpoint, it just feels like we're getting way too much exposition and lots of theory building, with no answers and no action. Boring stuff.
I'm also a little disappointed that Tessa doesn't seem to be a strong enough presence to be the main character in this book. Granted, she's very much front and center and has a lot more scenes than anyone else aside from the Chief of Police, but I had a hard time grasping what her role was aside from doing a little undercover work.
But almost as soon as I thought Tessa was less of a main character than Hollis (who's presence was much stronger), things start picking up and Tessa starts developing a more significant presence in the book. As does Sawyer.
What I liked:
-- As already stated, Hollis's presence is very welcoming and probably because of her personality. The trilogy so far feels like Hollis Templeton is the main character and is merely waiting out the passing anecdotes until her center stage performance in the last book.
-- The introduction of Ruby as a strong child psychic.
What I would have liked:
-- The balance of character relations, interactions, and such stuff amidst the murder mystery and paranormal happenings and main conflict felt kind of weak. I mean, they talk and they communicate, but I never much feel like they connect to each other. In essence, I don't feel like I connected with them.
-- The characters of the SCU world are so fleshed out and wonderfully likable that it would have been nice to feel their significance. It would have been nice to be able to relate with them properly rather than just watching them go through the motions.
-- In conjunction, the romance was pretty weak for a book that is partly romance. While there is a definite attraction and a probably spark between Tessa and Sawyer, I think I would have liked a more well-rounded Happily Ever After™ for them, even if it would have been an open-ended one.
Final Thoughts:
Blood Sins, like the rest of Kay Hooper's Bishop/SCU book is familiar, well-written, has great characters, and tries its darndest to stay on track with the main conflict. While there were some things lacking that I would have liked to have elaborated on, that doesn't negate the fact that I DID find enjoyment reading this book.
The ending conclusion may have been a bit haphazard, requiring a slight working of those Suspension of Disbelief muscles; however, I'm not really complaining, because at least things still tied up properly even with all the new unsubtle twists and all the new secrets being brought to surface.
While Blood Sins feels like a conclusion of sorts, we soon learn that the story continues on in Blood Ties.
While it is probably the weaker of the Blood trilogy books in the Bishop/SCU world, Blood Sins was still every bit as enjoyable as you'd expect it to be.
The Story:
Blood Sins picks up right off from where the previous book ended. The serial killer had been found out to be merely a string puppet pet monster being set up and controlled to massacre women at the behest of a powerful psychic. Noah Bishop's worst nightmare has come to pass in realizing that an almost perfect psychic--someone who may have absolutely control of his or her powers--is in existence, but is playing for the other team.
This Big Baddie has been traced to a religious cult in North Carolina called the Church of the Everlasting Sin where a Reverend Adam Deacon Samuel is leading his people to salvation, as any other isolated religious cult is wont to do. But within this community, people begin to go missing without those disappearances being questioned, members of this church seem almost lifeless, and now dead bodies are beginning to surface downstream (literally).
Tessa Gray, a Haven operative, has been recruited by Bishop to infiltrate the religious community. She exhibits the physical appearance of a stereotypical victim and is tasked to play the part in order to lure the church's attention in inviting her into the community. But once inside, Tessa's job is to gather as much information as she can on Reverend Samuel that can help the SCU and Haven bring down this Universally Evil psychic who has been the cause of many deaths and lots of suffering.
My Thoughts:
While there seems to be a straight forward murder mystery in Blood Dreams, we are merely using the deaths of two women as a springboard to continue the Blood trilogy's story arc. Two women's deaths are such that defy scientific logic: all of their bones have been shattered without so much as a mark on their bodies. One of these women was a Haven operative who had gotten careless, but who had found out significant information that could help the SCU and Haven bring down the evil psychic.
Tessa has to infiltrate the community to find out what happened to her murdered comrade as well as figure out what kind of evil the psychic good guys are dealing with. Along the way, we meet Police Chief Sawyer Cavanagh who isn't fooled by the peaceful claims of the Church of the Everlasting Sin... and who also seems to have secrets of his own.
The book was rolling strong from the beginning, but a little before midpoint things seemed to start stuttering a little bit. I feel like our investigative team may or may not spend too much time rehashing facts and information, and while reading about a bunch of investigators batting information and ideas around is intriguing... it can get kind of monotonous if that is ALL they are doing and if they just keep repeating the same things over and over again.
By midpoint, it just feels like we're getting way too much exposition and lots of theory building, with no answers and no action. Boring stuff.
I'm also a little disappointed that Tessa doesn't seem to be a strong enough presence to be the main character in this book. Granted, she's very much front and center and has a lot more scenes than anyone else aside from the Chief of Police, but I had a hard time grasping what her role was aside from doing a little undercover work.
But almost as soon as I thought Tessa was less of a main character than Hollis (who's presence was much stronger), things start picking up and Tessa starts developing a more significant presence in the book. As does Sawyer.
What I liked:
-- As already stated, Hollis's presence is very welcoming and probably because of her personality. The trilogy so far feels like Hollis Templeton is the main character and is merely waiting out the passing anecdotes until her center stage performance in the last book.
-- The introduction of Ruby as a strong child psychic.
What I would have liked:
-- The balance of character relations, interactions, and such stuff amidst the murder mystery and paranormal happenings and main conflict felt kind of weak. I mean, they talk and they communicate, but I never much feel like they connect to each other. In essence, I don't feel like I connected with them.
-- The characters of the SCU world are so fleshed out and wonderfully likable that it would have been nice to feel their significance. It would have been nice to be able to relate with them properly rather than just watching them go through the motions.
-- In conjunction, the romance was pretty weak for a book that is partly romance. While there is a definite attraction and a probably spark between Tessa and Sawyer, I think I would have liked a more well-rounded Happily Ever After™ for them, even if it would have been an open-ended one.
Final Thoughts:
Blood Sins, like the rest of Kay Hooper's Bishop/SCU book is familiar, well-written, has great characters, and tries its darndest to stay on track with the main conflict. While there were some things lacking that I would have liked to have elaborated on, that doesn't negate the fact that I DID find enjoyment reading this book.
The ending conclusion may have been a bit haphazard, requiring a slight working of those Suspension of Disbelief muscles; however, I'm not really complaining, because at least things still tied up properly even with all the new unsubtle twists and all the new secrets being brought to surface.
While Blood Sins feels like a conclusion of sorts, we soon learn that the story continues on in Blood Ties.
July 8, 2022
Wow, just wow, this is the 4th Kay Hooper book I have read and also the 4th in her Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series I have read and they just keep getting better and better. What would you do to save peoples lives from a madman? Noah Bishop and his team along with the team at Haven regularly pit their intelligence, stamina, courage, strength, and abilities against the darkest souls the worst of the worst. Very good series (19 books so far in it) and I am soooo much looking forward to reading more of them if you want a phycological thrill ride with some psychic stuff thrown in Ms. Hooper will not disappoint.
January 30, 2020
I believe I should be able to pick up any book in any series and be able to follow along without too much effort. I could not do this with this book. It took me nearly half the novel just to figure out who the players are and what significance they have in the story. I didn't like the "lost" feeling I got being a newcomer. Once I got into the swing of things, this was decent. I like the mind powered Special Crimes Unit and the characters in it. The story was large scale good vs evil, which is another plus to me. I'll probably try another in the series.
May 7, 2024
I did not care for the finale. It seemed rushed. The investigation part of this series entry was fine.
Too many psychic characters to keep track of. And this time, Bishop and his crew were going after Samuel, a psychic cult leader. When we meet him, we know right away that he's an evil guy. Through the entire book, I just wanted him to meet his deadly end. There were too many characters who could somehow fake their way around the energy of a psychopathic psychic reverend.
Most of the time, I like these Bishop books, but this one felt a little over the top and, at times, unsettling.
Too many psychic characters to keep track of. And this time, Bishop and his crew were going after Samuel, a psychic cult leader. When we meet him, we know right away that he's an evil guy. Through the entire book, I just wanted him to meet his deadly end. There were too many characters who could somehow fake their way around the energy of a psychopathic psychic reverend.
Most of the time, I like these Bishop books, but this one felt a little over the top and, at times, unsettling.
May 29, 2017
Just okay for me. Darker than I like, and I never have been able to tolerate anything that even hints at pedophilia. I'm guessing at least part of the reason I didn't particularly care for this book is because I didn't read #10, which must lead into it. Moderate swearing, moderate-to-severe innuendo.
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