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Crystal Cave #3
Out of Body
Bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert returns with the third novella in her bewitching Crystal Cave series.
Ruby Wilcox has a rare gift for seeing things that others can’t . . .
It’s Halloween and Ruby is looking forward to a party at China Bayles’ house and a busy holiday weekend at her New Age shop, the Crystal Cave. But her holiday plans are interrupted when Jessica Nelson, crime reporter at the Pecan Springs Enterprise, shows up with a hard-to-believe story about a serial killer who is targeting the terminally ill. Jessica claims that the killer’s calling card—a card picturing Azrael, the Angel of Death—comes from a deck Ruby once carried in her shop.
But Jessica’s story turns out to be true, and Ruby has to use her psychic ability to discover the killer’s identity before he chooses another victim. When Detective Ethan Connors gets involved in the mystery, and when Jessica herself is threatened, Ruby’s psychic abilities are put to the test in ways she could never have predicted. And at the same time, she finds herself falling in love with a detective who seems to know her better than she knows herself.
Ruby Wilcox has a rare gift for seeing things that others can’t, but it doesn’t guarantee that she knows her own heart. Can she honor her psychic talents and find powers within herself that she never imagined, while she builds a life of desire and love?
Ruby Wilcox has a rare gift for seeing things that others can’t . . .
It’s Halloween and Ruby is looking forward to a party at China Bayles’ house and a busy holiday weekend at her New Age shop, the Crystal Cave. But her holiday plans are interrupted when Jessica Nelson, crime reporter at the Pecan Springs Enterprise, shows up with a hard-to-believe story about a serial killer who is targeting the terminally ill. Jessica claims that the killer’s calling card—a card picturing Azrael, the Angel of Death—comes from a deck Ruby once carried in her shop.
But Jessica’s story turns out to be true, and Ruby has to use her psychic ability to discover the killer’s identity before he chooses another victim. When Detective Ethan Connors gets involved in the mystery, and when Jessica herself is threatened, Ruby’s psychic abilities are put to the test in ways she could never have predicted. And at the same time, she finds herself falling in love with a detective who seems to know her better than she knows herself.
Ruby Wilcox has a rare gift for seeing things that others can’t, but it doesn’t guarantee that she knows her own heart. Can she honor her psychic talents and find powers within herself that she never imagined, while she builds a life of desire and love?
Audiobook
Published October 2, 2019
112 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wittig Albert
121 books2,381 followersSusan is the author/co-author of biographical/historical fiction, mysteries, and nonfiction. Now in her 80s and continuing to write, she says that retirement is not (yet) an option. She publishes under her own imprint. Here are her latest books.
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.
Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.
THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL
THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.
LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters
A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon
THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter
DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert
TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE
AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS
WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 18, 2025
I’m psyched out - no more Susan Albert.
This book could have been 25 pages or less if the author didn’t repeat everything a hundred times and rehash all the previous book. I would think her editor would say c’mon, enough is enough!!
This book could have been 25 pages or less if the author didn’t repeat everything a hundred times and rehash all the previous book. I would think her editor would say c’mon, enough is enough!!
June 18, 2019
Great short story!
I enjoyed this 3 book short stories about Ruby’s improved psychic ability. Susan needs to write full books about Ruby working with friends and her Ethan to solve mysteries and crimes.
I enjoyed this 3 book short stories about Ruby’s improved psychic ability. Susan needs to write full books about Ruby working with friends and her Ethan to solve mysteries and crimes.
February 12, 2022
Not one of her better novellas.
September 9, 2023
This trilogy of novellas featuring China's friend & business partner, Ruby Wilcox, allowed Ruby a chance to shine & she was interesting. She always is in the novels, but has only had a couple where she's more of a main character. In the main novels, Ruby's psychic sense has always been a liability to her that she suppresses. But a recent biking accident gave her a head injury that has let her sense out & she's dealing with the consequences in these novellas. Which are helping the police with cases she doesn't want to be involved with at all. This one has her teaming up with intrepid reporter Jessica Nelson, another minor character in the novels.
October 6, 2021
I didn't find this story as satisfying as the first two for several reasons. I did listen to the audiobook. The first is the story was frequently interrupted by see (a book in the Chyna Bayles series) whose cases were referenced in this book. Secondly the ending was not as satisfying as it could have been. I try to not include spoilers but this may be considered that so beware. The culprit was never identified, his motivation was not revealed, how he chose victims, how he decided when and where were never explained either. This would have wrapped up the story in a much more satisfying way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2020
I really like Ruby. She's a true psychic but doesn't brag about it or try to make money off it. She just wants to solve murders - actually she doesn't want to but feels obligated to since they keep falling in her lap.
A serial killer turns up in Pecan Springs and although the victims are dying anyway - the killer decides that they are probably impatient to die so he takes matters into his own hands.
A quick weekend trip to PS, Texas for me. Love.
A serial killer turns up in Pecan Springs and although the victims are dying anyway - the killer decides that they are probably impatient to die so he takes matters into his own hands.
A quick weekend trip to PS, Texas for me. Love.
January 18, 2024
I've enjoyed this series of short tales about Ruby and her abilities, and hope there will be more. I wish this particular one had more of a satisfying wrap up, in terms of finding out more about the ramifications/aftermath of Ruby calling the police based on her feelings. Also, were all the families involved informed of the truth? These are minor complaints, but I would love to know the answers to lingering questions like that.
June 22, 2019
Out of Body
We get to see Ruby’s physic powers up close and personal in this story. Ruby saves the day after a twisting story of a serial killer emerges from various sources.
The killer thinks he is smarter than everyone else and has a way to explain all the deaths without anyone noticing they were murdered. Read is novella to get the story.
We get to see Ruby’s physic powers up close and personal in this story. Ruby saves the day after a twisting story of a serial killer emerges from various sources.
The killer thinks he is smarter than everyone else and has a way to explain all the deaths without anyone noticing they were murdered. Read is novella to get the story.
July 7, 2019
She Does It Again!
Writer Susan Wittig Albert does it again with this novella following psychic Ruby and her friend and business partner China Bayles.
Well written, as always, this short but sweet mystery adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The only problem remains the hunger for more!
Keep them coming!
Writer Susan Wittig Albert does it again with this novella following psychic Ruby and her friend and business partner China Bayles.
Well written, as always, this short but sweet mystery adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The only problem remains the hunger for more!
Keep them coming!
July 13, 2019
A compelling entry in the series!
The only thing wrong with this novella is that it ended too soon. I wanted a wee bit more about what happened the next day. Other than that, this has been another great story with the group down in Pecan Springs, Texas. It is a stand alone novella, but there is more satisfaction after reading all 3 stories in order.
The only thing wrong with this novella is that it ended too soon. I wanted a wee bit more about what happened the next day. Other than that, this has been another great story with the group down in Pecan Springs, Texas. It is a stand alone novella, but there is more satisfaction after reading all 3 stories in order.
January 28, 2020
I read these three novellas featuring Ruby from the China Bayles series. I enjoyed reading more about Ruby as she's one of my favorite characters. The stories were well written, just a little rushed in the storylines. But it was fun to see Ruby grow and stretch in her psychic abilities. All three novellas were a nice light read. Overall I would give the stories a 3.5
September 15, 2020
Book 3 and the fun doesn't end. It just gets better with Halloween entertainment. Ruby's physic abilities continue to grow though backfire just enough to keep things real. Will she solve the puzzle in time? Well I think we all know the answer to that but the fun is in the unfolding.
Please Susan don't stop now, keep them coming!
Please Susan don't stop now, keep them coming!
December 31, 2021
Another short but wonderful glimpse into Ruby's gift. I've always been intrigued by the Angel of Death-type murders, where the killer feels justified in the act because they are ending the suffering of others. This was a well written investigation into finding one of these killers using Ruby's gifts and it was a thrilling ride. I love these and wish there were more.
May 15, 2025
Not worth it. This and the two novellas before it are middling to bad. This last one has too much repetition and reminders of what happened in the other stories to pad it out. That plus a sprinkle of casual fat phobia makes it a no for me. It's not dreadful, so not a one star. But ultimately truly forgettable.
June 28, 2019
I love ruby.
Ruby was always a quirky character that had my attention. However with this series we delve more into her personality. These novellas explore her psychic abilities and keep your interest from the first sentence. I can’t wait til the next one!
Ruby was always a quirky character that had my attention. However with this series we delve more into her personality. These novellas explore her psychic abilities and keep your interest from the first sentence. I can’t wait til the next one!
November 1, 2019
Little EXP, little serial killer, little small Texas town
Another good story from Albert. I have been reading her China bayles and dar!ing dahlias series for years. Finally ruby get a starring role😊
Good read.
Another good story from Albert. I have been reading her China bayles and dar!ing dahlias series for years. Finally ruby get a starring role😊
Good read.
November 27, 2019
Ruby is pulled into a possible serial killer case by friend, Jessica, a newspaper reporter. This was a fast paced and very suspenseful tale with a great ending. Ethan and Ruby romantically is still a question.
November 9, 2023
The main character of the Susan With Albert books I have read is China Bayles, an herbalist. This book's main character is her friend Ruby. Ruby is psychic. Jessica, a crime reporter has enlisted Ruby to help capture a mercy killer.
July 6, 2019
Great suspense, kept me wanting more.
I love that Ruby is the star of the story and that she grows more confident in each book. Thanks
I love that Ruby is the star of the story and that she grows more confident in each book. Thanks
July 20, 2019
wish it was longer and not in present tense
August 21, 2019
If you enjoy well-written mysteries, read Susan Wittig Albert's books. I'm following her so that I won't miss any new ones!u
December 10, 2019
I liked it
December 30, 2019
Great end to this trilogy of novellas about Ruby from the Crystal Cave. Ruby uses her gift to save a friend's life and help the police capture a serial killer.
June 7, 2020
It is Halloween and Ruby's friend Jessica has found the trail of a most unusual serial killer. Ruby is the only one standing between Jessica and the killer.
September 29, 2020
Another great short and sweet mystery.
December 15, 2020
There is just something magical about Ruby, from the Crystal Cave. I love that the author has this series of books exploring Ruby's special skills.
January 3, 2021
Really loved this miniseries of novellas. I love Ruby and glad to see her get more character development. Fun characters that we meet in other books.
February 4, 2021
It won’t be one of my favorite series by this author but I liked the familiar characters.
June 4, 2021
This book is okay. I rounded my 2.5 up to 3.
July 19, 2021
Best of this short series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews