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Handy One
Reba Rose Parker is a completely ordinary photographer from Oklahoma, except for the fact that she has psychic abilities burgeoning more by the day and that she keeps stumbling upon crimes scenes. Her life is turned upside down one morning when she goes on a typical photoshoot, but she stumbles upon an unusual murder scene, accidentally becoming the key witness in a criminal investigation. With an eye for design, a serious sweet tooth, and a knack for trouble, Reba works to unravel the mysteries of a murder, navigate her personal life, and keep her little dachshund sidekick from destroying every last shoe she owns. Will she be able to help find the murderer before they strike again? Or worse, before they take her down with them.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2019
6 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Jenna B. Neece
15 books26 followersJenna B. Neece is a multi-genre author from Oklahoma, a proud dog mom/human aunt, and fighter of many chronic illnesses. Jenna has two creative writing degrees from Oklahoma State University. She taught college for five years. She is author of RAISE A GLASS TO MY BODY and THE REBA ROSE PARKER PSYCHIC MYSTERY SERIES. She spends her time writing, reading, gaming, watching tv and movies, and can be found on twitter @jennabneece.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 8, 2019
Reba Rose is a very interesting character from page one. You immediately find out who she is and get completely dragged in to her thoughts and the unravelling mystery.
Some of the supporting characters are also incredibly well written, I'll be very surprised if a certain dog doesn't steal everyone's hearts.
The overall plot of the story, and the wider world is incredible interesting and results in the book being a complete page turner.
If you want an easy to read, but addictive mystery, then I would highly recommend.
Some of the supporting characters are also incredibly well written, I'll be very surprised if a certain dog doesn't steal everyone's hearts.
The overall plot of the story, and the wider world is incredible interesting and results in the book being a complete page turner.
If you want an easy to read, but addictive mystery, then I would highly recommend.
May 15, 2019
I don’t usually read detective stories. It really isn’t my genre, but I really enjoyed reading Handy One. I especially enjoyed Reba who is fun and sweet. She is formidable with all of her psychic abilities (some she already had, and many she is just discovering), but at the same time she is also vulnerable. I love her “cursing.”
You’ll love her pet dog Ozzie. I mean I personally would drowned the little yapper in a bathtub, but I’m not a pet person. The rest of America will love him though!
I look forward to reading more Reba Rose Parker novels in the future.
You’ll love her pet dog Ozzie. I mean I personally would drowned the little yapper in a bathtub, but I’m not a pet person. The rest of America will love him though!
I look forward to reading more Reba Rose Parker novels in the future.
May 3, 2019
This was one heck of a book! The main character is quirky, and she’s super fun to read. I love that this book is in first person...it makes the main character that much more fun. You really feel like you know her...highly recommend.
May 4, 2019
This psychic mystery is a keeper!
Reba Rose Parker, the protagonist in Jenna B. Neece’s debut novel, is an irascible but loveable and irresistible character that takes her small town in Oklahoma by storm. Out walking one morning engaging in her profession as a photographer, she stumbles upon a grisly crime scene. Back at home, while editing her photos, she notices a hand in one of the shots. So she decides to return to the scene of the crime, if you will, to further investigate. That one move kicks off a series of startling and life-threatening events that Reba, although a psychic, doesn’t see coming.
To her chagrin, the police want to bring her in for questioning. Kicking and screaming all the way, she soon learns that she’s not the only one in town with psychic abilities. It’s obvious that Jenna put a lot into how the paranormal element of the book would play out in the story and with each character. She is brilliant in how she uses the phenomenon to move the story forward as well as help Reba and the police, many of whom also have abilities, navigate their way through all the twists and turns as they try to solve the murders.
Handy One will have you laughing out loud one moment and cringing the next. Reba is a hoot and when she gets agitated you better not touch her—literally. Ozzie, her dog and best friend, is a wonderful addition to the story and certain scenes with him will tug at your heart. I also love the romance that has been sprinkled in, just at the right times, so as not to take away from the main story. There are other likeable characters, including Calvin who’s smitten with Reba and Annie, a police woman who Reba views as a sister. There’s also plenty of action and as the story climaxes, I was biting my nails, wondering if Reba was going to survive the nerve-racking and blood curdling situation she was encountering.
Will Reba survive long enough to help stop the murderer? You have to read the book to find out.
This is a great start to what I believe can be a promising series.
Reba Rose Parker, the protagonist in Jenna B. Neece’s debut novel, is an irascible but loveable and irresistible character that takes her small town in Oklahoma by storm. Out walking one morning engaging in her profession as a photographer, she stumbles upon a grisly crime scene. Back at home, while editing her photos, she notices a hand in one of the shots. So she decides to return to the scene of the crime, if you will, to further investigate. That one move kicks off a series of startling and life-threatening events that Reba, although a psychic, doesn’t see coming.
To her chagrin, the police want to bring her in for questioning. Kicking and screaming all the way, she soon learns that she’s not the only one in town with psychic abilities. It’s obvious that Jenna put a lot into how the paranormal element of the book would play out in the story and with each character. She is brilliant in how she uses the phenomenon to move the story forward as well as help Reba and the police, many of whom also have abilities, navigate their way through all the twists and turns as they try to solve the murders.
Handy One will have you laughing out loud one moment and cringing the next. Reba is a hoot and when she gets agitated you better not touch her—literally. Ozzie, her dog and best friend, is a wonderful addition to the story and certain scenes with him will tug at your heart. I also love the romance that has been sprinkled in, just at the right times, so as not to take away from the main story. There are other likeable characters, including Calvin who’s smitten with Reba and Annie, a police woman who Reba views as a sister. There’s also plenty of action and as the story climaxes, I was biting my nails, wondering if Reba was going to survive the nerve-racking and blood curdling situation she was encountering.
Will Reba survive long enough to help stop the murderer? You have to read the book to find out.
This is a great start to what I believe can be a promising series.
May 4, 2019
Hilariously brilliant!
From the very beginning, I fell in Love with Reba Rose Parker! I love a book that you can laugh and gasp in the same scene! Jenna B. Neece definitely kept my interest peaked throughout this book! The suspense towards the end kept me turning the pages to see what would happen! The flirting back and forth was a good touch and the recipes were a huge bonus! I’m excited to see where this author goes from here! I will definitely be watching.
From the very beginning, I fell in Love with Reba Rose Parker! I love a book that you can laugh and gasp in the same scene! Jenna B. Neece definitely kept my interest peaked throughout this book! The suspense towards the end kept me turning the pages to see what would happen! The flirting back and forth was a good touch and the recipes were a huge bonus! I’m excited to see where this author goes from here! I will definitely be watching.
May 6, 2019
Fun read
It moves kind of fast but a good story. I certainly want to read more. I also live in Stillwater Ok.
It moves kind of fast but a good story. I certainly want to read more. I also live in Stillwater Ok.
September 20, 2019
DNF at 57%. I just didn’t care what happened. I wasn’t attached to any of the characters or the story.
quite a few errors. needs to be scrubbed for edits. these are just a few examples: Edit ch 5 "i`d known him". Edit chapter 3 last page, "please call me calvin."
things I liked: Clever dialogue, love the recipes in this book.
things I didn’t like: not hooked on characters or story, similar subject in other crime/thriller books made me kinda “ho-hum” about it, this theme of male/female working together and always sex. what abt m/m or they/they or the entire police department going full-on orgy mode?
hit me with something that’s so different with depth that it owns me.
quite a few errors. needs to be scrubbed for edits. these are just a few examples: Edit ch 5 "i`d known him". Edit chapter 3 last page, "please call me calvin."
things I liked: Clever dialogue, love the recipes in this book.
things I didn’t like: not hooked on characters or story, similar subject in other crime/thriller books made me kinda “ho-hum” about it, this theme of male/female working together and always sex. what abt m/m or they/they or the entire police department going full-on orgy mode?
hit me with something that’s so different with depth that it owns me.
July 11, 2019
Very fun read!
The story was really great! I enjoyed the pacing, though it did at times feel as though it moved a little fast with some jumps, but nothing terrible.
Reba is a wonderful character. She just sort of grabs you and lets you know everything about her thoughts and mannerisms rather quickly, and you love her for it. The amazing powers she has also leaves you thinking she is such a badass, but she also feels rather fragile or vulnerable with her flaws. Also, her creative swearing was fun. I liked her a lot!
The plot was great, and quite intriguing in a wider scope of an Earth with people who have these powers, and I thought it ended decently. It wasn't a strong end, but it wasn't bad, and it left it very much open for a second novel of the series which I hope it continues.
It was an easy to read, page turner of a novel with a bit of mystery. If that sounds up your alley, I highly recommend it.
The story was really great! I enjoyed the pacing, though it did at times feel as though it moved a little fast with some jumps, but nothing terrible.
Reba is a wonderful character. She just sort of grabs you and lets you know everything about her thoughts and mannerisms rather quickly, and you love her for it. The amazing powers she has also leaves you thinking she is such a badass, but she also feels rather fragile or vulnerable with her flaws. Also, her creative swearing was fun. I liked her a lot!
The plot was great, and quite intriguing in a wider scope of an Earth with people who have these powers, and I thought it ended decently. It wasn't a strong end, but it wasn't bad, and it left it very much open for a second novel of the series which I hope it continues.
It was an easy to read, page turner of a novel with a bit of mystery. If that sounds up your alley, I highly recommend it.
May 31, 2019
The book started out great, and for the first 25%, I couldn't stop reading. But the pace dropped in the middle, and stayed there till the end. I'm a little disappointed because the story had great promise, but failed to deliver with the rather contrived climax.
I loved the characters. Reba is quirky and fun, and the ever-dependant Calvin has some interesting layers.
The writing is exceptional at times. I especially loved the intimate scenes for they were so delicate and well-written. The action scenes could do with some work though, as I felt the words somehow failed to do justice to what was happening on-screen. There were some minor typos, but given that this is an indie book, those are forgiven.
Overall, this is a great crime thriller for anyone looking for a quick read, and for the effort and imagination alone, I'd give it 4/5.
I loved the characters. Reba is quirky and fun, and the ever-dependant Calvin has some interesting layers.
The writing is exceptional at times. I especially loved the intimate scenes for they were so delicate and well-written. The action scenes could do with some work though, as I felt the words somehow failed to do justice to what was happening on-screen. There were some minor typos, but given that this is an indie book, those are forgiven.
Overall, this is a great crime thriller for anyone looking for a quick read, and for the effort and imagination alone, I'd give it 4/5.
November 12, 2023
A for Effort, E for Execution
Overall, the storyline was interesting and is the main reason I finished this book. The book could use about 100 more pages to give everything time to progress. Everything happened so fast. Also, the book needs some polishing. There were many typos and grammatical errors.
Overall, the storyline was interesting and is the main reason I finished this book. The book could use about 100 more pages to give everything time to progress. Everything happened so fast. Also, the book needs some polishing. There were many typos and grammatical errors.
September 10, 2024
New author, light supernatural mystery
I like to check out new authors, so this was a fun find. This reads a bit YA, but the mystery and suspense followed a good plot. There’s a lot of psychic elements which add a new spin
I like to check out new authors, so this was a fun find. This reads a bit YA, but the mystery and suspense followed a good plot. There’s a lot of psychic elements which add a new spin
June 5, 2019
This book was awesome. Can’t wait for the next.
August 18, 2019
The right amount of quirky; engaging characters.
November 3, 2022
Excellent read. Funny characters. Can’t wait for book two.
August 8, 2025
A great introduction!
I found Reba and the entire crew to be an interesting cast of characters. This first book was a fast read, and that was only a problem for me because I’ll have to wait for the next one. Hope there’s more coming from Reba and company soon!
I found Reba and the entire crew to be an interesting cast of characters. This first book was a fast read, and that was only a problem for me because I’ll have to wait for the next one. Hope there’s more coming from Reba and company soon!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews