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PsyCop #11
Bitter Pill
There’s a new drug on the streets called Kick. The side effects are so brutal, most folks only try it once…unless they’re psychic. Then they do it until it kills them.
Psychic medium Victor Bayne is well acquainted with pharmaceuticals, from the Auracel that blocks his ghosts to the Seconal that offers him a blissful nights’ sleep. But he’s managed to steer clear of street drugs…so far.
Jacob Marks has a medicine cabinet filled with every over-the-counter remedy known to man, but none of them are doing much for his mood—and his long, fruitless days of combing through records at The Clinic are taking a heavy toll.
But their lackluster investigation does have one silver lining: a front row seat at The Clinic when the first Kick overdose comes in. And as scary as the drug might be, if it truly does augment psychic ability, the appeal is not lost on Vic.
Because the very first hit never killed anyone.
Where did Kick come from? Why is it so addictive? And why is everyone at The Clinic acting so darn shady? That’s what Vic intends to find out. And if he’s lucky, he can also expose a shadowy figure from Camp Hell.
Unfortunately, the demons of his pill addiction might prove just as deadly as his long-buried history. He thought he’d managed to ditch that pernicious habit. But what if it was only lurking in the shadows, waiting for the best time to rear its ugly head?
Psychic medium Victor Bayne is well acquainted with pharmaceuticals, from the Auracel that blocks his ghosts to the Seconal that offers him a blissful nights’ sleep. But he’s managed to steer clear of street drugs…so far.
Jacob Marks has a medicine cabinet filled with every over-the-counter remedy known to man, but none of them are doing much for his mood—and his long, fruitless days of combing through records at The Clinic are taking a heavy toll.
But their lackluster investigation does have one silver lining: a front row seat at The Clinic when the first Kick overdose comes in. And as scary as the drug might be, if it truly does augment psychic ability, the appeal is not lost on Vic.
Because the very first hit never killed anyone.
Where did Kick come from? Why is it so addictive? And why is everyone at The Clinic acting so darn shady? That’s what Vic intends to find out. And if he’s lucky, he can also expose a shadowy figure from Camp Hell.
Unfortunately, the demons of his pill addiction might prove just as deadly as his long-buried history. He thought he’d managed to ditch that pernicious habit. But what if it was only lurking in the shadows, waiting for the best time to rear its ugly head?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2020
89 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Castillo Price
138 books2,133 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 214 reviews
February 8, 2020
Let's all just face the truth: Homer Simpson got dumber as the show went on. I know, I know. It's hard to get hit with those truth bombs about controversial topics, but someone needs to have the brevity to say it. But, that's the deal, right? Characters evolve and change in every series. And, if they didn't, it would be lame and ridiculous, like, you know, there might be a hamster that is 40 years old by now. And, what the hell happened to Roarke? We were just chatting about that over at Kelly's review. He used to be this hot/sexy/alpha/dangerous billionaire. Now he's the gopher for Eve with a side of sex.
Ask Roarke.
So, Victor, our ghost whispering hero, has changed quite a bit over the series. He started as a nervous, socially awkward PsyCop who could see ghosts and now he's a nervous, socially awkward Fed Medium who is afraid of ghosts. Yes, I know it doesn't seem like much, but it bothers me. See, he was never a fan of the seeing ghosts thing, but he was a cop who could question dead people and that was cool. Then at one point in the series there was a ghost possessing people. It should have been an unusual thing. I mean, he had never had that happen in his years of working as a cop. But, now he's so afraid of ghosts that he runs away like Scooby Doo instead of interviewing them. And, early in the series he was able to just talk to ghosts casually, but now it's like he's preparing to leave for war every time he has to deal with a ghost.
He's one beard away from this.
So, I really hope that this direction will change a bit. And, maybe he won't be continually getting hurt either. This guy takes more hits than a bong at a Phish concert. He is always walking around hurt. Maybe along with his salt, Florida water, candles, crystals, herbs, and white light, he can throw one of those suits that the K-9 dog testers wears into his kit. He's already carrying that much shit around. Why not something useful?
She'll walk that off.
I do like the relationship between Vic and Jacob, though. They are a great couple. I wish there was more romantic interaction between them in this book, especially since they were parted in the last book, because their relationship was the main thing that drove the beginning of this series. There was one down and dirty sex scene that was over before it started and that was it. No romantic stuff at all - not even a freaking hug.
This one was all about them staking out a clinic where overdose victims keep dying. They are supposed to find out where the new killer drug is coming from. I like police work kind of books, so that worked for me. The resolution was a little wonky... but that's the way paranormal is sometimes.
On the whole, I like the series and will keep reading as they come out.
Ask Roarke.
So, Victor, our ghost whispering hero, has changed quite a bit over the series. He started as a nervous, socially awkward PsyCop who could see ghosts and now he's a nervous, socially awkward Fed Medium who is afraid of ghosts. Yes, I know it doesn't seem like much, but it bothers me. See, he was never a fan of the seeing ghosts thing, but he was a cop who could question dead people and that was cool. Then at one point in the series there was a ghost possessing people. It should have been an unusual thing. I mean, he had never had that happen in his years of working as a cop. But, now he's so afraid of ghosts that he runs away like Scooby Doo instead of interviewing them. And, early in the series he was able to just talk to ghosts casually, but now it's like he's preparing to leave for war every time he has to deal with a ghost.
He's one beard away from this.
So, I really hope that this direction will change a bit. And, maybe he won't be continually getting hurt either. This guy takes more hits than a bong at a Phish concert. He is always walking around hurt. Maybe along with his salt, Florida water, candles, crystals, herbs, and white light, he can throw one of those suits that the K-9 dog testers wears into his kit. He's already carrying that much shit around. Why not something useful?
She'll walk that off.
I do like the relationship between Vic and Jacob, though. They are a great couple. I wish there was more romantic interaction between them in this book, especially since they were parted in the last book, because their relationship was the main thing that drove the beginning of this series. There was one down and dirty sex scene that was over before it started and that was it. No romantic stuff at all - not even a freaking hug.
This one was all about them staking out a clinic where overdose victims keep dying. They are supposed to find out where the new killer drug is coming from. I like police work kind of books, so that worked for me. The resolution was a little wonky... but that's the way paranormal is sometimes.
On the whole, I like the series and will keep reading as they come out.
July 30, 2022
Reread 30/07/2022
My original review still stands, except for the part where I said If I were the drinking type, I’d know what to blame, but since I’m not, I have no idea what I was talking about.
-------------------------------
First read 22/01/2020
3.5 stars
First thing, a small clarification on the rounding down. The book isn’t bad, at all, and I enjoyed reading it a lot, but it didn’t reach the “Victor Bayne potential.” Not to the fullest, anyway, and certainly not like Murder House did. Understandably so, Vic undercover is difficult to top.
That said…
What I liked:
- The ending. was a WTF moment if I ever read one. I need the next book, like, yesterday. I’m so glad it’s supposed to come out this year.
- Jackie’s storyline.
- Seeing
- The conclusion of the investigation, everything came together in a really nice scene. I wasn’t expecting
What I tolerated:
- Most of the investigation. It wasn’t bad, but the only aspect that really interested me was how things would play out in relation to
-
As usual, the BR with Linda and Rosa gets all the stars.
My original review still stands, except for the part where I said If I were the drinking type, I’d know what to blame, but since I’m not, I have no idea what I was talking about.
-------------------------------
First read 22/01/2020
3.5 stars
First thing, a small clarification on the rounding down. The book isn’t bad, at all, and I enjoyed reading it a lot, but it didn’t reach the “Victor Bayne potential.” Not to the fullest, anyway, and certainly not like Murder House did. Understandably so, Vic undercover is difficult to top.
That said…
What I liked:
- The ending. was a WTF moment if I ever read one. I need the next book, like, yesterday. I’m so glad it’s supposed to come out this year.
- Jackie’s storyline.
- Seeing
- The conclusion of the investigation, everything came together in a really nice scene. I wasn’t expecting
What I tolerated:
- Most of the investigation. It wasn’t bad, but the only aspect that really interested me was how things would play out in relation to
-
As usual, the BR with Linda and Rosa gets all the stars.
January 23, 2020
It's always fun to hang out with Vic again. He's grown a lot from those early days when he was a young, confused and unsure man fumbling to figure out his talent, and had just met Jacob. Now Vic has a lot of tricks up his sleeve, and yet, there are always antagonists that challenge his abilities. And being Vic, he's still looking to get a better grip on his abilities and find a new advantage, a new technique, to control and expand what he can do. From chair yoga to drugs he definitely shouldn't touch, Vic's not willing to let either embarrassment or fear stop him, but uncertainty about the right choice dogs his steps.
It was also fun to watch Jacob finding more confidence and more power in this story. He's also come a long way from the stiff with no talent who wanted to be around the weird stuff, to a man with his own highly useful abilities and qualities. It's warm too, to watch him and Vic settles into their relationship, making the accommodations and having the little arguments all couples do, but with certainty of love as its base.
I also enjoyed some time with Crash and Red, Carolyn and Zigler. And best of all, after the excitement and action, we find out this isn't the end of the series. There's a wedding that didn't get much planning time amid the crisis of ghosts and addiction in this story, and some new possibilities for Vic to track down something about his past. More good stuff to come.
This is a series to read in order. The characters, their abilities, and the complexity of the worldbuilding develop and grow over time. But it's great to find that even here in book 11, these are people I care about, and a world I'm fascinated to spend time in. Looking forward to the next one.
It was also fun to watch Jacob finding more confidence and more power in this story. He's also come a long way from the stiff with no talent who wanted to be around the weird stuff, to a man with his own highly useful abilities and qualities. It's warm too, to watch him and Vic settles into their relationship, making the accommodations and having the little arguments all couples do, but with certainty of love as its base.
I also enjoyed some time with Crash and Red, Carolyn and Zigler. And best of all, after the excitement and action, we find out this isn't the end of the series. There's a wedding that didn't get much planning time amid the crisis of ghosts and addiction in this story, and some new possibilities for Vic to track down something about his past. More good stuff to come.
This is a series to read in order. The characters, their abilities, and the complexity of the worldbuilding develop and grow over time. But it's great to find that even here in book 11, these are people I care about, and a world I'm fascinated to spend time in. Looking forward to the next one.
May 28, 2021
***** 4.5 stars *****
This was awesome! Eleven books into the series, and we're still getting character growth and revelations (from both Vic and Jacob), and relationship growth too. Plus there are enough new plot developments being teased to keep my full attention. And believe me, my attention is hard to keep these days. But there was literally never a dull moment here. Victor Bayne is becoming (has become?) one of my all-time favorite characters, in ANY genre.
This was awesome! Eleven books into the series, and we're still getting character growth and revelations (from both Vic and Jacob), and relationship growth too. Plus there are enough new plot developments being teased to keep my full attention. And believe me, my attention is hard to keep these days. But there was literally never a dull moment here. Victor Bayne is becoming (has become?) one of my all-time favorite characters, in ANY genre.
August 1, 2020
Read in August 2020
Okay, that was awesome. We find out about lots of interesting stuff in this one, like Jackie's backstory and more about the habit demons. And oh boy the cliffhanger at the end? That was just mean!
=================
Pre-release:
Time for another series re-read? Yes it is!
Okay, that was awesome. We find out about lots of interesting stuff in this one, like Jackie's backstory and more about the habit demons. And oh boy the cliffhanger at the end? That was just mean!
=================
Pre-release:
Time for another series re-read? Yes it is!
October 23, 2020
Wow, Vic is practically competent at this point! At least, compared to how he was when we met him years earlier. It's nice to see other old characters again, too, although Crash is boring with Red.
Looking forward to the presumed continuation of finding out about Camp Hell and other secret background stories.
Looking forward to the presumed continuation of finding out about Camp Hell and other secret background stories.
January 24, 2020
3.5 stars
There were things I really enjoyed about this one, but there were also things I was kind of meh about. It was probably too much to hope this would continue on with the highs of the previous book, which took PsyCop - and Vic - into new territory, and thus gave it a fresh, shiny feel. This one goes right back to the grind, and it's a case of been there, done that. Or, more accurately, nearly been there, almost done that. There are a few twists, but they weren't quite enough to pull it out of the doldrums.
What I loved:
Jacob. I really love how he's been getting fleshed out in the last few books. The chinks are starting to show in the armor and he's more human as a result. He's vulnerable, and his concern and anxiety over Vic was touching.
Vic. Naturally. This story had a lot of potential for seriously messing up Vic, given his personal history, and it was nerve wracking being privy some of Vic's inner dialogue.
Jackie. I actually completely forgot about her, but this finally allows her story to be told and it's so much worse/better than I would have thought.
What annoyed me:
The Clinic
While the ending dropped quite the bomb - so did the ending of the previous book. And the one before that. Guess how many answers we've gotten at this point? This is why I stopped watching LOST - nothing but questions, very few answers. Stop dangling the carrot.
Dr. Kamal.
The mystery was just sort of there and never really gelled. It was kind of disjointed. It's painful especially because I liked nearly everyone attached to the mystery and Vic's continued growth in dealing with the workers at The Clinic. But the mystery itself was just not that interesting.
Oh, and what the hell is up with Vic
Thanks for the BR, Rosa and Ele! Can't wait to dissect this one more in our group chat. :D
There were things I really enjoyed about this one, but there were also things I was kind of meh about. It was probably too much to hope this would continue on with the highs of the previous book, which took PsyCop - and Vic - into new territory, and thus gave it a fresh, shiny feel. This one goes right back to the grind, and it's a case of been there, done that. Or, more accurately, nearly been there, almost done that. There are a few twists, but they weren't quite enough to pull it out of the doldrums.
What I loved:
Jacob. I really love how he's been getting fleshed out in the last few books. The chinks are starting to show in the armor and he's more human as a result. He's vulnerable, and his concern and anxiety over Vic was touching.
Vic. Naturally. This story had a lot of potential for seriously messing up Vic, given his personal history, and it was nerve wracking being privy some of Vic's inner dialogue.
Jackie. I actually completely forgot about her, but this finally allows her story to be told and it's so much worse/better than I would have thought.
What annoyed me:
The Clinic
While the ending dropped quite the bomb - so did the ending of the previous book. And the one before that. Guess how many answers we've gotten at this point? This is why I stopped watching LOST - nothing but questions, very few answers. Stop dangling the carrot.
Dr. Kamal.
The mystery was just sort of there and never really gelled. It was kind of disjointed. It's painful especially because I liked nearly everyone attached to the mystery and Vic's continued growth in dealing with the workers at The Clinic. But the mystery itself was just not that interesting.
Oh, and what the hell is up with Vic
Thanks for the BR, Rosa and Ele! Can't wait to dissect this one more in our group chat. :D
April 8, 2020
I'm grateful for the day I picked up Among the Living because it was the gateway to a great writer and IMO one of the best series around. What Jordan Castillo Price has done is trace not just the love story of two unique individuals but, more importantly, one man's sometimes tortuous, but always relatable, journey from abandoned boy to a (as of this installment) forty year old man who's finally coming to terms with his past and his true worth. The interesting cases and compelling cast of characters that people the PsyCop universe are just gravy as is Gomez Pugh's always masterful performance in the audiobooks. You should really read them in order to get a whole picture, each installment is like a step in a ladder. You won't regret it.
In this outing Jacob & Vic are racing to find the source of a drug that's killing the psych community, working on an ongoing case, and trying to figure out when/how to bring about their wedding. Along the way Vic continues to deal with his past, seeing it through the prism of his new experiences, and still a bit dumbfounded that people trust his abilities without question and that he does too. Vic coming into his power is a beautiful thing, particularly since he continues to be such an empathetic person.
Another thing that makes this series so great is the incorporation of storylines for characters who would just be part of the background elsewhere. For those who've been following along you know about Jackie and the development in her story had my eyes watering.
I'll say no more but leave you with this quote, the love here is strong and unwavering:
"But Jacob ... if it's ever a choice between me and you ... it's gotta be me."
He knew exactly what I meant. If someone's gotta go ... "Why would you say something like that?"
"You have family."
He balled my jacket in his fist. "Damn it, Vic, so do you. I am your family."
We sized each other up with our bloody eyeballs, Jacob and me. Each of us aching to throttle the other. Both of us breathing raggedly, waterlogged with emotion. When our mouths crashed together, it was more in desperation than love. A realization that neither one of us was invincible.
And neither was expendable.
In this outing Jacob & Vic are racing to find the source of a drug that's killing the psych community, working on an ongoing case, and trying to figure out when/how to bring about their wedding. Along the way Vic continues to deal with his past, seeing it through the prism of his new experiences, and still a bit dumbfounded that people trust his abilities without question and that he does too. Vic coming into his power is a beautiful thing, particularly since he continues to be such an empathetic person.
Another thing that makes this series so great is the incorporation of storylines for characters who would just be part of the background elsewhere. For those who've been following along you know about Jackie and the development in her story had my eyes watering.
I'll say no more but leave you with this quote, the love here is strong and unwavering:
"But Jacob ... if it's ever a choice between me and you ... it's gotta be me."
He knew exactly what I meant. If someone's gotta go ... "Why would you say something like that?"
"You have family."
He balled my jacket in his fist. "Damn it, Vic, so do you. I am your family."
We sized each other up with our bloody eyeballs, Jacob and me. Each of us aching to throttle the other. Both of us breathing raggedly, waterlogged with emotion. When our mouths crashed together, it was more in desperation than love. A realization that neither one of us was invincible.
And neither was expendable.
July 28, 2022
What an ending! When you think nothing else can surprise you after everything we've learnt in the last few books, that bomb drops. I can barely wait for the next book to see what all that would imply.
I loved this new more self assured Vic, and his humour. The momment when he realized he managed to close his "white light faucet" doing some... let's call it "yoga", was hilarious. And what to say about Jacob, I like him because he is so good for Vic, despite wanting to throttle him for being reckless and act first and think in the consequences later.
I also liked seeing some old friends despite some of them acting as they were five, and it was really good learning the story behind an old ghost and finally getting some kind of closure.
Awesome BR with Ele and Linda, we still have so many things to discuss! <3
I loved this new more self assured Vic, and his humour. The momment when he realized he managed to close his "white light faucet" doing some... let's call it "yoga", was hilarious. And what to say about Jacob, I like him because he is so good for Vic, despite wanting to throttle him for being reckless and act first and think in the consequences later.
I also liked seeing some old friends despite some of them acting as they were five, and it was really good learning the story behind an old ghost and finally getting some kind of closure.
Awesome BR with Ele and Linda, we still have so many things to discuss! <3
January 4, 2020
5 stars
“But, Jacob…if it’s ever a choice between me and you…it’s gotta be me.”
He knew exactly what I meant. If someone’s gotta go….
“Why would you say something like that?”
“You have a family.”
He balled my jacket in his fist. “Damn it, Vic, so do you. I am your family.”
Oh my heart! <3 <3 <3
I was fortunate enough to receive an arc for Bitter Pill and I quickly and eagerly devoured it, despite trying to savour every moment. What can I say? I’m not much good at delayed gratification when it comes to eagerly anticipated books.#sorrynotsorry
Thankfully, this latest instalment in my favourite series finds Victor and Jacob working the same case, a nice switch from the last book when they were apart for most of it (although endearingly forlorn about it all). I absolutely love how Vic has gained confidence in his own abilities with each book, not only his psychic ones, but also as an FPMP agent. Jacob is, as always, Vic’s biggest fan and it brings me such joy to see them together, with their relationship as strong as ever.
I’m not going to rehash the plot (you can read the blurb) and I’m not going to give away any spoilers. I’m just going to say that this was a fantastic read that does the series proud. The plot is solid, the pacing is excellent and the ending just keeps you wanting more. I never want this series to end.
“But, Jacob…if it’s ever a choice between me and you…it’s gotta be me.”
He knew exactly what I meant. If someone’s gotta go….
“Why would you say something like that?”
“You have a family.”
He balled my jacket in his fist. “Damn it, Vic, so do you. I am your family.”
Oh my heart! <3 <3 <3
I was fortunate enough to receive an arc for Bitter Pill and I quickly and eagerly devoured it, despite trying to savour every moment. What can I say? I’m not much good at delayed gratification when it comes to eagerly anticipated books.#sorrynotsorry
Thankfully, this latest instalment in my favourite series finds Victor and Jacob working the same case, a nice switch from the last book when they were apart for most of it (although endearingly forlorn about it all). I absolutely love how Vic has gained confidence in his own abilities with each book, not only his psychic ones, but also as an FPMP agent. Jacob is, as always, Vic’s biggest fan and it brings me such joy to see them together, with their relationship as strong as ever.
I’m not going to rehash the plot (you can read the blurb) and I’m not going to give away any spoilers. I’m just going to say that this was a fantastic read that does the series proud. The plot is solid, the pacing is excellent and the ending just keeps you wanting more. I never want this series to end.
October 17, 2022
Re-read September 2022
More Vic and Jacob!!
-------------------------------
I loved the first couple of books of this series. Then there were a couple in the middle I liked just a little less, but it looks like the Vic and Jacob I love are back, because I loved these last two books.
In this we have Vic and Jacob not only working a case together, but joining forces with Carolyn and Zig as well.
People are dying left and right, and Vic and Jacob are trying to find out who is selling the psyactive drug Kick.
It did take me a little while to get into this. But once the case took off and Vic and Jacob were working together smoothly, I couldn’t put it down.
I wasn’t a fan of the animosity between Carolyn and Jacob at first, and I didn’t feel as if they really talked it out in the end, but they did end up working quite well together.
Overall I really like these new additions to the series, and I hope there will be plenty more books.
More Vic and Jacob!!
-------------------------------
I loved the first couple of books of this series. Then there were a couple in the middle I liked just a little less, but it looks like the Vic and Jacob I love are back, because I loved these last two books.
In this we have Vic and Jacob not only working a case together, but joining forces with Carolyn and Zig as well.
People are dying left and right, and Vic and Jacob are trying to find out who is selling the psyactive drug Kick.
It did take me a little while to get into this. But once the case took off and Vic and Jacob were working together smoothly, I couldn’t put it down.
I wasn’t a fan of the animosity between Carolyn and Jacob at first, and I didn’t feel as if they really talked it out in the end, but they did end up working quite well together.
Overall I really like these new additions to the series, and I hope there will be plenty more books.
May 19, 2020
Take two aspirin and read ‘til morning!
Did I actually forget to write a review for this marvelous book?!!
Shame on me!
I loved this! This series is my jam! I not only preporder the ebook and read it as soon as it comes out, but I then also buy the audiobook when it releases. This time, I went a slightly different route and listened to the entire series before downloading Bitter Pill.
What a ride! Gomez Pugh is awesome 👏 no one can voice Vic like he does!
In Bitter Pill, we have a lot more of Vic and Jacob. If you recall Murder House, we got Jacob as thoughts in Vic’s head and in small scenes. For those missing Jacob, you get him aplenty as the two work together to solve a new mystery involving a deadly, addictive psyactive that’s burning up Chicago’s psychics.
It’s fabulous!!
My rec? No doubt about it: Yessssssss!
Did I actually forget to write a review for this marvelous book?!!
Shame on me!
I loved this! This series is my jam! I not only preporder the ebook and read it as soon as it comes out, but I then also buy the audiobook when it releases. This time, I went a slightly different route and listened to the entire series before downloading Bitter Pill.
What a ride! Gomez Pugh is awesome 👏 no one can voice Vic like he does!
In Bitter Pill, we have a lot more of Vic and Jacob. If you recall Murder House, we got Jacob as thoughts in Vic’s head and in small scenes. For those missing Jacob, you get him aplenty as the two work together to solve a new mystery involving a deadly, addictive psyactive that’s burning up Chicago’s psychics.
It’s fabulous!!
My rec? No doubt about it: Yessssssss!
March 23, 2020
Gah, I love this series so much, and it seems to get better and better! So much going on here besides the actual plot, about the investigation into a deadly psyactive drug (Kick) that is killing psychics. I'm loving Vic's character growth, especially over the last few books as he's finally realising what it's like to work with people who respect him and is really gaining in confidence as a result. He still can't quite believe it, and is still as endearingly self-deprecatingly shambolic as ever, but we - and Jacob of course - see it and appreciate it. And I like that we get to see Jacob's more vulnerable side; he's one of those people who, by virtue of his good looks, imposing physique, intelligence and charisma has come up against little in his life that he hasn't been able to deal with, but that's changing, and although he's still very much the Jacob we all know and love, that extra dimension to him is great to see.
Vic and Jacob's relationship continues to grow and their love for each other to deepen; they get to work with Zig and Carolyn again, and we get some closure for one of the characters who's been around since book one; Jackie, the ghost who spasmodically haunted Vic's old appartment. Her story is a tragic one, and the author does an amazing job in the scenes where Vic and Jacob find out the truth of what happened to her and then help her to move on - they're incredibly poignant and Gomez Pugh is simply brilliant in them and captures every single drop of emotion.
On the subject of Mr. Pugh - his portrayal of Vic is so absolutely perfect that it's easy to forget sometimes just how good he is at the rest of it. He can produce an amazing variety of character voices for what is, after eleven books, a large secondary cast, many of whom have appeared in several books throughout the series, and his inventiveness (and consistency) is remarkable.
And - whoa, that ending! When's the next book out?!
Vic and Jacob's relationship continues to grow and their love for each other to deepen; they get to work with Zig and Carolyn again, and we get some closure for one of the characters who's been around since book one; Jackie, the ghost who spasmodically haunted Vic's old appartment. Her story is a tragic one, and the author does an amazing job in the scenes where Vic and Jacob find out the truth of what happened to her and then help her to move on - they're incredibly poignant and Gomez Pugh is simply brilliant in them and captures every single drop of emotion.
On the subject of Mr. Pugh - his portrayal of Vic is so absolutely perfect that it's easy to forget sometimes just how good he is at the rest of it. He can produce an amazing variety of character voices for what is, after eleven books, a large secondary cast, many of whom have appeared in several books throughout the series, and his inventiveness (and consistency) is remarkable.
And - whoa, that ending! When's the next book out?!
July 30, 2022
Narration: 5 stars
Story: 3.5 stars
Reread review: I get less annoyed with this one each time I read it, lol. But the plot is still a somewhat scattered mess so despite feeling more generous to it, I'm leaving the rating at 3.5 stars. I really hope Carolyn and Laura grow up and get over themselves sometime soon though. As the only prominent females in this series left, it's grating to see them acting like irrational children, what with Get over it and grow up, ladies.
Original review:
As always, Gomez Pugh's narration is stellar, but even he wasn't quite enough to lift this book out of the myriad issues I had with the basic plot. I was less annoyed with it though, so that's a plus. :D
Original review here.
Story: 3.5 stars
Reread review: I get less annoyed with this one each time I read it, lol. But the plot is still a somewhat scattered mess so despite feeling more generous to it, I'm leaving the rating at 3.5 stars. I really hope Carolyn and Laura grow up and get over themselves sometime soon though. As the only prominent females in this series left, it's grating to see them acting like irrational children, what with Get over it and grow up, ladies.
Original review:
As always, Gomez Pugh's narration is stellar, but even he wasn't quite enough to lift this book out of the myriad issues I had with the basic plot. I was less annoyed with it though, so that's a plus. :D
Original review here.
September 8, 2022
09/08/2022 reread
I finally caught up with entire series and read this book! There are a lot of things I love when reading a series about one couple: the familiarity, the same cast of characters and the same level of suspense. What I loved the most here was how much Victor changed since the beginning, how much he matured and how it changed his everyday actions and thoughts.
This time Vic and Jacob worked closely together. As always, both men held each other through disappointments, pain, anger and fear. I liked their routine, how they anticipated each others needs and how much trust they had in each other. It was a joy to read. I really like how in every book Vic's mind flashes back to his youth - it helps to put things into perspective and see how Vic has grown since.
While the case at times slowed down, the book picked up the pace and intensity. Ms Price wrote a fantastic finale. It was engrossing, slightly creepy, totally wild, and Vic and Jacob were amazing! In the end the author really surprised me with that revelation! I expect the next book will be even better!
I finally caught up with entire series and read this book! There are a lot of things I love when reading a series about one couple: the familiarity, the same cast of characters and the same level of suspense. What I loved the most here was how much Victor changed since the beginning, how much he matured and how it changed his everyday actions and thoughts.
This time Vic and Jacob worked closely together. As always, both men held each other through disappointments, pain, anger and fear. I liked their routine, how they anticipated each others needs and how much trust they had in each other. It was a joy to read. I really like how in every book Vic's mind flashes back to his youth - it helps to put things into perspective and see how Vic has grown since.
While the case at times slowed down, the book picked up the pace and intensity. Ms Price wrote a fantastic finale. It was engrossing, slightly creepy, totally wild, and Vic and Jacob were amazing! In the end the author really surprised me with that revelation! I expect the next book will be even better!
March 17, 2021
I hope the adventures never stop coming, I'll never get tired of Jordan Castillo Price's take on this universe - it's fabulous. The details they include, and bring up from earlier parts of the story, it just blows me away every time!
I won't say it's ends in a cliff-hanger, but holy smokes! There are so many ways Price can play this, I can't wait to see what happens next.
Audio performed by the marvelous Gomez Pugh, I can't imagine enjoying these novels any other way than by his spectacular narration.
I won't say it's ends in a cliff-hanger, but holy smokes! There are so many ways Price can play this, I can't wait to see what happens next.
Audio performed by the marvelous Gomez Pugh, I can't imagine enjoying these novels any other way than by his spectacular narration.
May 21, 2020
After completely binging this series in a matter of days I cannot believe I have to wait for the next one with that ending!! This series has one hundred percent become one of my favorites.
January 1, 2020
Loved it! Great to see Vic and Jacob back in action together, after they were separated much of the last book. The mystery is good and I didn't figure out how it was going to play out. I particularly enjoyed that the boys got to work with Carolyn and Zig again, and we also get appearances by Crash and Red. Vic will always be Vic, but it was nice to see his personal growth from earlier in the series when you know he would have made more self-destructive choices. We also find out more about Jackie and I had to really get a hold of myself so I didn't cry in the middle of the airport when she gets some closure. The final pages have a big reveal and I can't wait to see where this series goes next.
March 24, 2024
Re-read March 2024
I cried when I got to . :/
Re-read May 2022
Finished in one day! Only read it once before so I didn't remember it as much - it was almost like reading it for the first time again. The ending made me want to read the sequel right away, and this time I can :) The audio by Gomez Pugh was excellent as always.
Original read ebook edition August 2020
I cried when I got to . :/
Re-read May 2022
Finished in one day! Only read it once before so I didn't remember it as much - it was almost like reading it for the first time again. The ending made me want to read the sequel right away, and this time I can :) The audio by Gomez Pugh was excellent as always.
Original read ebook edition August 2020
January 27, 2022
4.5 Stars
I had a hard time putting this one down!
I had a hard time putting this one down!
January 21, 2020
I am a huge fan of this series so it’s no surprise that I enjoyed this book. This was a fantastic read and a great addition to the series. As usual, JCP really grabbed me and took me for a ride with her great storytelling skills. She had me frantically turning pages till the wee hours of the morning. I love the humor, wit, and twists and turns this book took.
F-pimp still plays a big part in Vic’s growth and it was nice to see Vic & Jacob working a case together, again. It’s so refreshing to watch and feel the amount of growth for both Vic & Jacob throughout this series especially Vic’s continued personal growth as he gains more confidence in his abilities. There is nothing better than a book featuring Victor Bane. He continues to fascinate and amaze…he is the perfect blend of talent, obliviousness, self-doubt, and humor. I loved seeing him find his place at his new job and doing yoga! Man oh, Man! I love being inside Vic's insecure & socially awkward head.
Plus, the guys got to work with Carolyn and Zig again. Kudos to JCP for creating such an amazing group of characters and keeping us on the edge of our seats. I know I am not alone in wanting more. The plot is a solid one and kept me guessing until the very end.
I can NOT wait for the audiobook and the next book in the series. I will re-listen to the series again and again because it's so addicting.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed. If you haven’t started the PsyCop series yet, what are you waiting for? You’re in for a treat because of the great writing and storytelling of JCP.
F-pimp still plays a big part in Vic’s growth and it was nice to see Vic & Jacob working a case together, again. It’s so refreshing to watch and feel the amount of growth for both Vic & Jacob throughout this series especially Vic’s continued personal growth as he gains more confidence in his abilities. There is nothing better than a book featuring Victor Bane. He continues to fascinate and amaze…he is the perfect blend of talent, obliviousness, self-doubt, and humor. I loved seeing him find his place at his new job and doing yoga! Man oh, Man! I love being inside Vic's insecure & socially awkward head.
Plus, the guys got to work with Carolyn and Zig again. Kudos to JCP for creating such an amazing group of characters and keeping us on the edge of our seats. I know I am not alone in wanting more. The plot is a solid one and kept me guessing until the very end.
I can NOT wait for the audiobook and the next book in the series. I will re-listen to the series again and again because it's so addicting.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed. If you haven’t started the PsyCop series yet, what are you waiting for? You’re in for a treat because of the great writing and storytelling of JCP.
January 25, 2020
A solid installment. It was nice to see Vic & Jacob work a case together, along with some familiar faces from previous books. But I'm getting impatient for more info on Vic's past. It's time for more than tantalizing teasers.
February 23, 2025
3rd re-read February 2025
February 15, 2021
I've let so much time gone by between one PsyCop book and another that all details escape me. I don't even remember who Con Dreyfuss was or what the GhosTV exactly did.
And still, my love Vic makes me happy. After 11 books and a plot I no longer give a shit about, Vic is what keeps me here and what will continue to force me onto the next one.
Also, we finally got Jackie's story and that I did love. Meeting up with Carolyn and Zig was cool too.
I'm now ready for Other Half!
And still, my love Vic makes me happy. After 11 books and a plot I no longer give a shit about, Vic is what keeps me here and what will continue to force me onto the next one.
Also, we finally got Jackie's story and that I did love. Meeting up with Carolyn and Zig was cool too.
I'm now ready for Other Half!
May 9, 2020
Messy entry in a generally good series
I'd loved Murder House (the previous book in this long-running series), possibly because it was an outlier in the series: the relationship between Vic and Jacob was to the fore, and the mystery less dependent on having followed all the twists and turns of all the previous books.
To enjoy "Bitter Pill" though I'd have had to take a crash course again in the long cast list assembled over the series, and remember exactly where all the plots had got to. Not impossible, though it's a good couple of years since Agent Bayne, but there really needs to be some sort of pay-off for the work.
I don't think there is here. Vic and Jacob have scarcely any relationship time together - it felt like no more than two or three pages. So strike one: I'm invested in them, the last book left them in a good place and now they're...treading water.
The plot is unsatisfactory because it doesn't (except at the very end) make use of Vic's psychic abilities. It's also cluttered up with plot cul-de-sacs that feel increasingly like page count fillers without playing into the main plot or raising the stakes. I lost interest very quickly in exactly how Vic creates white light or loses it: it's not terribly plot relevant. There were, though, some very effective Price touches along the way - addicts are barnacled about with psychic "habit demons" which are responsible for their addictions.
One of the things I'd particularly enjoyed about earlier books is how Vic interacts with colleagues. Price is good at creating credible foils for him, who are interesting in their own right, and because they illuminate Vic's character too. Here though the secondary characters appear, fill up some page time, and disappear. Opportunity wasted.
tl;dr - Disappointing entry in the series. We want more Vic & Jacob. Hopefully a rare dud.
I'd loved Murder House (the previous book in this long-running series), possibly because it was an outlier in the series: the relationship between Vic and Jacob was to the fore, and the mystery less dependent on having followed all the twists and turns of all the previous books.
To enjoy "Bitter Pill" though I'd have had to take a crash course again in the long cast list assembled over the series, and remember exactly where all the plots had got to. Not impossible, though it's a good couple of years since Agent Bayne, but there really needs to be some sort of pay-off for the work.
I don't think there is here. Vic and Jacob have scarcely any relationship time together - it felt like no more than two or three pages. So strike one: I'm invested in them, the last book left them in a good place and now they're...treading water.
The plot is unsatisfactory because it doesn't (except at the very end) make use of Vic's psychic abilities. It's also cluttered up with plot cul-de-sacs that feel increasingly like page count fillers without playing into the main plot or raising the stakes. I lost interest very quickly in exactly how Vic creates white light or loses it: it's not terribly plot relevant. There were, though, some very effective Price touches along the way - addicts are barnacled about with psychic "habit demons" which are responsible for their addictions.
One of the things I'd particularly enjoyed about earlier books is how Vic interacts with colleagues. Price is good at creating credible foils for him, who are interesting in their own right, and because they illuminate Vic's character too. Here though the secondary characters appear, fill up some page time, and disappear. Opportunity wasted.
tl;dr - Disappointing entry in the series. We want more Vic & Jacob. Hopefully a rare dud.
January 24, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Bitter Pill is the 11th book in Jordan Castillo Price’s wonderful Psy Cops series. This is one of my all time favorite series, one I have been enjoying since my earliest days reading LGBTQ romance, and getting a new installment is always a treat. While each book has a discrete mystery, the overall plot builds across the series, and you are going to want to have read earlier books to best enjoy this one.
This latest installment gives us an engaging mystery that really keep me intrigued. Kick is a devastating drug and figuring out what it does, who is creating and selling it, and what the paranormal element is makes for a great investigation. I loved that we get Carolyn and Zig back into the mix with Jacob and Vic, and it was fun seeing the former partners reconnecting and working the case together. The story has some nice twists and gives us a chance to see both Vic and Jacob digging deeper into their abilities. The case also ends up connecting nicely to some big picture issues and we get a whopper of a close to the story that sets things up really nicely for the next book.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Bitter Pill is the 11th book in Jordan Castillo Price’s wonderful Psy Cops series. This is one of my all time favorite series, one I have been enjoying since my earliest days reading LGBTQ romance, and getting a new installment is always a treat. While each book has a discrete mystery, the overall plot builds across the series, and you are going to want to have read earlier books to best enjoy this one.
This latest installment gives us an engaging mystery that really keep me intrigued. Kick is a devastating drug and figuring out what it does, who is creating and selling it, and what the paranormal element is makes for a great investigation. I loved that we get Carolyn and Zig back into the mix with Jacob and Vic, and it was fun seeing the former partners reconnecting and working the case together. The story has some nice twists and gives us a chance to see both Vic and Jacob digging deeper into their abilities. The case also ends up connecting nicely to some big picture issues and we get a whopper of a close to the story that sets things up really nicely for the next book.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
February 3, 2020
Super nice to see some old faces - I especially loved that we got Jackie's story (😭). Vic & Jacob were as wonderful as ever. All in all, another solid instalment in a favourite series. Yay!
January 29, 2020
4.5 stars - Vic and Jacob are back again with the story continuing on from the previous book. They are engaged now but just can't seem to find the time to make a wedding happen yet. They are still working together, and this installment has them on the case of the Bitter Pill, a drug known as "Kick." Kick is a highly addictive and deadly drug where you are not likely to live past a few hits. It can apparently enhance psych abilities, so the victims are both psych and regular people as well. Jacob and Vic are teamed back up with Carolyn (Jacob's old partner who was not happy about losing Jacob as a partner) and Zig (who was partnered with Vic on their undercover stint). They are in a race for time to get to the bottom of who is peddling Kick and where it is coming from.
That's the gist of the story. What we also have is classic Psycop with various ghosties and Vic trying to figure out how to control and get the most out of his abilities. We get memories of Camp Hell and Heliotrope Station and all the baddies that came with that, and we get some classic Vic and Jacob banter. It is easy to see how attuned they are to each other at this stage of their relationship. Vic and all his insecurities and internal ramblings are a comfort as well. It is great to see how much they have evolved, yet they are still the same guys.
The excitement ramps up as the try to uncover the mystery, hitting various stumbling blocks along the way. The GhostTV makes an appearance and does what it does best - mainly causes problems. I was a bit surprised by how it all played out but was really happy to see Vic get some closure on his past. That is, until the very end, where we are left with an inkling of what's still to come. Just when you think the story is settling to give you a chance to relax and catch your breath, it shows another door that is soon to be open, and I'm super excited all over again to know that this isn't the end for Vic and Jacob. There is a lot of history in this long-running series, but it is a wonderful story to get lost in, and I highly recommend you start at book 1 so you don't miss any of the juicy and ghostly psychic details.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
February 27, 2021
Found this disappointingly boring! Very slow, too esoteric or ethoric. White light, chakras, sound waves... Vic has completely changed from where he was seeing ghosts everywhere and medicating to escape them, to where he's jonesing to try psyactives to get an extra push. At any hint of a ghost he was gathering white light, it got tedious to read.
Nice seeing the team back together, the almost detecting. Carolyn was acting incredibly childish for someone who made her own decisions. Found I was confusing some of the side characters.
Jacob, what he did was stupid.
The plot -it's hardly shocking when it's reusing a plot device and maybe I'm getting on confued but they were researching a Mr K_ then blindsided by Dr K _ and I was distracted by all the white light and gathering globs.
All the effort to contact the homeless woman, for what?
Poor Jackie, not sure why he couldn't see her when he keeps telling us he's visual focused.
Nice seeing the team back together, the almost detecting. Carolyn was acting incredibly childish for someone who made her own decisions. Found I was confusing some of the side characters.
Jacob, what he did was stupid.
The plot -it's hardly shocking when it's reusing a plot device and maybe I'm getting on confued but they were researching a Mr K_ then blindsided by Dr K _ and I was distracted by all the white light and gathering globs.
All the effort to contact the homeless woman, for what?
Poor Jackie, not sure why he couldn't see her when he keeps telling us he's visual focused.
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