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Quentin Black Mystery #16
Black Curtain
Everything is different for Black and his mate, Miri, again. Everything.
The dragon is gone. The doors are all closed. Charles “Lucky Lucifer,” accused of trying to enslave the human race, of demanding fealty from other seers, of attempting to wipe out every vampire, must finally answer for his crimes.
Quentin’s agency is even taking cases again. Normal cases. Human cases.
Black’s hodge-podge band of seers, humans, and vampires might finally get what they want: for the races to co-exist peacefully, for everyone to embrace a new, less violent, less reactionary way of existence.
Funnily enough, it turns out Black is the optimist.
Even among his own people, however, who witnessed how badly things can go wrong between seers and humans on another, now-destroyed world, Black’s idealistic wish for a “live and let live” society generates more than as small amount of resistance. Even to those who want peace, Black’s goals of a transparent, world-wide racial nirvana strikes many as naïve in the extreme.
Black’s wife, Miri, also worries things won’t go the way her husband hopes… and that’s before they take a case that tests Black’s new world before it’s even begun.
(Full, final description coming soon!)
The dragon is gone. The doors are all closed. Charles “Lucky Lucifer,” accused of trying to enslave the human race, of demanding fealty from other seers, of attempting to wipe out every vampire, must finally answer for his crimes.
Quentin’s agency is even taking cases again. Normal cases. Human cases.
Black’s hodge-podge band of seers, humans, and vampires might finally get what they want: for the races to co-exist peacefully, for everyone to embrace a new, less violent, less reactionary way of existence.
Funnily enough, it turns out Black is the optimist.
Even among his own people, however, who witnessed how badly things can go wrong between seers and humans on another, now-destroyed world, Black’s idealistic wish for a “live and let live” society generates more than as small amount of resistance. Even to those who want peace, Black’s goals of a transparent, world-wide racial nirvana strikes many as naïve in the extreme.
Black’s wife, Miri, also worries things won’t go the way her husband hopes… and that’s before they take a case that tests Black’s new world before it’s even begun.
(Full, final description coming soon!)
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2022
65 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Andrijeski
212 books714 followersAlso publishes under the name Julie Light
JC Andrijeski is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes sexy, apocalyptic and cyberpunk-y science fiction romance and mystery books, often with a metaphysical bent. Current works include the gritty, epic, psychic warfare romance, ALLIE'S WAR, which follows Allie Taylor and her antihero partner, Revik, in their attempts to save the world from a dark, psychic force. Her dystopian science fiction romance series, ALIEN APOCALYPSE, features Jet Tetsuo, survivor and slave under alien conquerors, and her GATE SHIFTER series is about a shape-shifting alien and a tough-girl PI from Seattle. Her newest launch is QUENTIN BLACK, a science fiction romance and mystery series that’s a spin-off from Allie’s War but set in our own version of Earth.
JC has a background in journalism, history and politics, travels extensively and has lived abroad in Europe, Australia and Asia, and from coast to coast in the continental United States. She currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
To learn more about me and my writing, please visit http://jcandrijeski.com. For more about the Allie's War series, visit http://allieswarseries.com
If you want to get an automatic email when JC's next book is released, join THE REBEL ARMY at tinyurl.com/JCAndrijeski.
JC Andrijeski is a USA TODAY bestselling author who writes sexy, apocalyptic and cyberpunk-y science fiction romance and mystery books, often with a metaphysical bent. Current works include the gritty, epic, psychic warfare romance, ALLIE'S WAR, which follows Allie Taylor and her antihero partner, Revik, in their attempts to save the world from a dark, psychic force. Her dystopian science fiction romance series, ALIEN APOCALYPSE, features Jet Tetsuo, survivor and slave under alien conquerors, and her GATE SHIFTER series is about a shape-shifting alien and a tough-girl PI from Seattle. Her newest launch is QUENTIN BLACK, a science fiction romance and mystery series that’s a spin-off from Allie’s War but set in our own version of Earth.
JC has a background in journalism, history and politics, travels extensively and has lived abroad in Europe, Australia and Asia, and from coast to coast in the continental United States. She currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
To learn more about me and my writing, please visit http://jcandrijeski.com. For more about the Allie's War series, visit http://allieswarseries.com
If you want to get an automatic email when JC's next book is released, join THE REBEL ARMY at tinyurl.com/JCAndrijeski.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 8, 2022
I thought I'd get a nice, cozy, joy filled wedding feast, with no interruptions this time, with a few unexpected little incidents and a hea for all concerned.
I should have known! After all, it's Ms. Andrijeski's devious brain cooking up these stories!
What I got instead was a twisted, insane, absolutely gut wrenching, what... 24 hours?
And at the end I got a... kinda hfn?
But who am I to complain, the door is open, just a tiny bit, but still...
I should have known! After all, it's Ms. Andrijeski's devious brain cooking up these stories!
What I got instead was a twisted, insane, absolutely gut wrenching, what... 24 hours?
And at the end I got a... kinda hfn?
But who am I to complain, the door is open, just a tiny bit, but still...
September 17, 2023
5 Stars
Black Blood is Book #5.5 in the Quentin Black Mystery series by J.C. Andrijeski. WHY? WHY? WHY? Have I not discovered this author before now? I have seriously been missing out on some stellar reads, and that is something I plan to remedy starting immediately. This turned out to be quite the epic book binge- and I enjoyed every single second- even if the author constantly had my heart in my mouth, or had me pulling my hair out in frustration, or seemed to delight in toying with my emotions pretty much the entire time- I willingly went back for more each and every time. Sixteen books in and I can’t wait for more!!!
Seriously, this series truly is a MUST-READ, especially for anyone who loves really original paranormal mysteries with incredible world-building and scene setting. If you love immersive reads, then this is definitely the series for you!
But be warned, this isn’t a ‘light and fluffy’ cozy paranormal mystery- this has plenty of gritty, raw, violent, emotive, and a ‘hang on to your seat’ and brace yourselves because this is going to get INTENSE situations. There are potential triggers contained through the series- such as violence, murder, abuse, sexual abuse, manipulation, graphic language and more. So keep that in mind if you are sensitive to any of those subjects.
I stumbled on this series purely by accident, and this is another fortuitous find of late, because not only was I hooked on the story within the first few pages and practically inhaled the entire series back-to-back…. it is also turned out to be entirely addictive reading, with Ms. Andrijeski’s stellar storytelling talents, her clever and intriguing touches, the many well-developed and interesting characters, the brilliant ‘world’ creation, and all the other rich layers and ‘flavours’ she poured into her pages, made the real world fade away as I was swept along on adventure after adventure.
J.C. Andrijeski’s world building skills are sheer perfection, putting me front and centre to all the action-packed developments in this immersive, captivating, and addictive book/series. I am so hooked on her work now and will happily devour anything she ever produces- so I see plenty of book binges in my future.
This is a heart-stopping, action-packed, intense, mystery with tension, intrigue, seers, vampires, chemistry, sizzle, science fiction, crime, investigation, deadly games of cat and mouse, murder, violence drama, danger, friendship, politics, agendas, and so much more that I won’t get into here because I really don’t want to spoil it for you.
Ms. Andrijeski has a bold, dynamic, and very vivid writing style that easily brings her story to life- it was like watching a movie play out before my eyes, The descriptions are quite detailed and painted a powerful picture- I really could see this making a fantastic movie or television series.
Highly Recommended Reading!!!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, J.C. Andrijeski!
Black Blood is Book #5.5 in the Quentin Black Mystery series by J.C. Andrijeski. WHY? WHY? WHY? Have I not discovered this author before now? I have seriously been missing out on some stellar reads, and that is something I plan to remedy starting immediately. This turned out to be quite the epic book binge- and I enjoyed every single second- even if the author constantly had my heart in my mouth, or had me pulling my hair out in frustration, or seemed to delight in toying with my emotions pretty much the entire time- I willingly went back for more each and every time. Sixteen books in and I can’t wait for more!!!
Seriously, this series truly is a MUST-READ, especially for anyone who loves really original paranormal mysteries with incredible world-building and scene setting. If you love immersive reads, then this is definitely the series for you!
But be warned, this isn’t a ‘light and fluffy’ cozy paranormal mystery- this has plenty of gritty, raw, violent, emotive, and a ‘hang on to your seat’ and brace yourselves because this is going to get INTENSE situations. There are potential triggers contained through the series- such as violence, murder, abuse, sexual abuse, manipulation, graphic language and more. So keep that in mind if you are sensitive to any of those subjects.
I stumbled on this series purely by accident, and this is another fortuitous find of late, because not only was I hooked on the story within the first few pages and practically inhaled the entire series back-to-back…. it is also turned out to be entirely addictive reading, with Ms. Andrijeski’s stellar storytelling talents, her clever and intriguing touches, the many well-developed and interesting characters, the brilliant ‘world’ creation, and all the other rich layers and ‘flavours’ she poured into her pages, made the real world fade away as I was swept along on adventure after adventure.
J.C. Andrijeski’s world building skills are sheer perfection, putting me front and centre to all the action-packed developments in this immersive, captivating, and addictive book/series. I am so hooked on her work now and will happily devour anything she ever produces- so I see plenty of book binges in my future.
This is a heart-stopping, action-packed, intense, mystery with tension, intrigue, seers, vampires, chemistry, sizzle, science fiction, crime, investigation, deadly games of cat and mouse, murder, violence drama, danger, friendship, politics, agendas, and so much more that I won’t get into here because I really don’t want to spoil it for you.
Ms. Andrijeski has a bold, dynamic, and very vivid writing style that easily brings her story to life- it was like watching a movie play out before my eyes, The descriptions are quite detailed and painted a powerful picture- I really could see this making a fantastic movie or television series.
Highly Recommended Reading!!!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, J.C. Andrijeski!
August 8, 2022
Quentin Black and I, we go way back, as back as “Black in White” (QB#1) which came unexpectedly into my hands and promptly ‘inspired me’ to buy the next four book in a row, and read all five through, allowing only for life-mandatory activities. Afterward I have been devouring every new instalment and experiencing the improvement which every new book in the series; thus, even after fifteen book, I was already sure “Black Curtain” will be the be ever better than the last, and believe when I tell you that “Black is Magic” (QB#15) is ‘magical’.
Everything has changed, the doors are closed, and the dragon is gone, and Lucky Lucifer finally behind bars. It’s time to be merry and celebrate, let us finally have that wedding that got so harsh interrupted. It will be bliss, a dream-wedding, nobody will get hurt, Black promised, he should have known better, every celebration attracts party crashers and the ones crashing Quentin’s wedding bring centuries-old riddles to be solved.
Quentin is, has always been, larger than life, being a dragon made that very clear for everybody, the dragon might be gone but Quentin is, and remains, still larger than life. The ‘lure of Quentin’ is very real, thus clear your schedule, and enjoy the ride once more, good news is it will be fast (hard to allows for breaks when dealing with Quentin), the bad news is…. it will be fast and will let you screaming for more, but I guess after 16 rounds, you already know the drill. But despair not… revisiting Quentin’s adventures is a delight in itself, thus – when in need, reread 😉.
J.C. Andrijeski’s writing style is – as always! - delightful, fluid, fast paced, and vivid, with the right dosage of action and romantic to let the characters develop before our eyes with seemingly no effort at all, in a world so similar to our own and yet so different. Quentin’s world is our favourite retreat, with ever-changing brand-new developments, and characters that have become our best friends and worst enemies, and whose only downside is that eventually the book will end, it dares to end 😉 it always does, and it baffles me every single time 😊, every! single! time! but those are the stories that never end, they linger on forever and we love them for that.
Everything has changed, the doors are closed, and the dragon is gone, and Lucky Lucifer finally behind bars. It’s time to be merry and celebrate, let us finally have that wedding that got so harsh interrupted. It will be bliss, a dream-wedding, nobody will get hurt, Black promised, he should have known better, every celebration attracts party crashers and the ones crashing Quentin’s wedding bring centuries-old riddles to be solved.
Quentin is, has always been, larger than life, being a dragon made that very clear for everybody, the dragon might be gone but Quentin is, and remains, still larger than life. The ‘lure of Quentin’ is very real, thus clear your schedule, and enjoy the ride once more, good news is it will be fast (hard to allows for breaks when dealing with Quentin), the bad news is…. it will be fast and will let you screaming for more, but I guess after 16 rounds, you already know the drill. But despair not… revisiting Quentin’s adventures is a delight in itself, thus – when in need, reread 😉.
J.C. Andrijeski’s writing style is – as always! - delightful, fluid, fast paced, and vivid, with the right dosage of action and romantic to let the characters develop before our eyes with seemingly no effort at all, in a world so similar to our own and yet so different. Quentin’s world is our favourite retreat, with ever-changing brand-new developments, and characters that have become our best friends and worst enemies, and whose only downside is that eventually the book will end, it dares to end 😉 it always does, and it baffles me every single time 😊, every! single! time! but those are the stories that never end, they linger on forever and we love them for that.
August 8, 2022
Finally Black and Miri can have the seer wedding they dreamed of which is what was planned before the mess in California which concluded with one of Black's best friends dead and Miri's uncle Charles in custody. This time it is officiated by the "oldest soul" who is Dalejem who has painstakingly prepared everyone a special seer cake that provides hallucinations and so the night promises crazed debauchery and mystical visions, wanders in the desert and prescient glimpses of the future. Black promised Miri that no one would get hurt, that good fun would be had, and they could then ride off into the sunset and have their delayed honeymoon. But after the final cake is eaten unwanted visitors crash the party and Black and Miri find themselves inside a grim centuries-old puzzle involving death, black magic, murder and tragedies. As they are locked inside with no way to escape they have to solve the puzzle if they ever want to see their friends alive again.
Wow - life never runs smoothly for Quentin and Miri and this was definitely a prime example of that. The centuries-old puzzle was hard to solve especially as they were still stoned from the cake. They did their best to use their different skillsets and it was fascinating to see their methods and process through the puzzle solution. Some of the history and the experiences that were observed definitely gave a better understanding of one character and the final item to resolve seemed to be something that should have been asked before they became ordinary. Easy to read and understand I loved that they did eventually get their honeymoon although it did feel like an ending. I really enjoy the ability of this author to paint a picture of the world that their books are set in and that was definitely ramped up in this book as it concentrated on what happened centuries ago.
Wow - life never runs smoothly for Quentin and Miri and this was definitely a prime example of that. The centuries-old puzzle was hard to solve especially as they were still stoned from the cake. They did their best to use their different skillsets and it was fascinating to see their methods and process through the puzzle solution. Some of the history and the experiences that were observed definitely gave a better understanding of one character and the final item to resolve seemed to be something that should have been asked before they became ordinary. Easy to read and understand I loved that they did eventually get their honeymoon although it did feel like an ending. I really enjoy the ability of this author to paint a picture of the world that their books are set in and that was definitely ramped up in this book as it concentrated on what happened centuries ago.
August 10, 2022
This book is to be the last for this series but has left the door open if the author decides to revisit this world. We did get some sort of resolution and a good look into Brick’s past, which I found fascinating.
Black and Miri are doing the wedding thing for a second time, this time a Seer ceremony. After they eat their cake, which is suppose to bring hallucinations, they get kidnapped along with a few of their friends. They get locked down in a creepy haunted house with a mystery to solve. But none of them can figure out exactly what that mystery is.
The ending seemed kind of abrupt. And in the end, everything they went through in the house had nothing to do with what Brick wanted them to do. Still, it was a good book and this is one of my favorite series. I’m sad to see it end.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.
Black and Miri are doing the wedding thing for a second time, this time a Seer ceremony. After they eat their cake, which is suppose to bring hallucinations, they get kidnapped along with a few of their friends. They get locked down in a creepy haunted house with a mystery to solve. But none of them can figure out exactly what that mystery is.
The ending seemed kind of abrupt. And in the end, everything they went through in the house had nothing to do with what Brick wanted them to do. Still, it was a good book and this is one of my favorite series. I’m sad to see it end.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.
September 20, 2022
Trapped In A Murder House.😳👿🪓🔨🪝⛓️
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Black Curtain: Quentin Black Mysteries, Book 16
Finally able to complete their Seer vows they're about to enjoy the individual cakes Jem made everyone, when they're split up and kidnapped. Mini, Black, Jem, Nick, Kiko, Jax and Dex are transported to a evil feeling house that they can't escape from. Brick has left them a recording.
This storyline felt almost wasteful to me. The only bit that mattered was the basement really.🤷🏻♀️ It was often dark and horrifying.🥺 Unfortunately this last book in the series wasn't for me.💔
Debbie, 1970, UK
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Black Curtain: Quentin Black Mysteries, Book 16
Finally able to complete their Seer vows they're about to enjoy the individual cakes Jem made everyone, when they're split up and kidnapped. Mini, Black, Jem, Nick, Kiko, Jax and Dex are transported to a evil feeling house that they can't escape from. Brick has left them a recording.
This storyline felt almost wasteful to me. The only bit that mattered was the basement really.🤷🏻♀️ It was often dark and horrifying.🥺 Unfortunately this last book in the series wasn't for me.💔
Debbie, 1970, UK
August 16, 2022
Black Curtain
Wow! What an exciting book. When Black, Miriam, Nick and 4 others are kidnapped by the vampire Brick at their wedding reception, things get really strange when past events are shown to them through Brick's video recollections and photos. What they don't understand is what they are supposed to solve for Brick. I was so engrossed in this book and couldn't put it down. Loved it.
Wow! What an exciting book. When Black, Miriam, Nick and 4 others are kidnapped by the vampire Brick at their wedding reception, things get really strange when past events are shown to them through Brick's video recollections and photos. What they don't understand is what they are supposed to solve for Brick. I was so engrossed in this book and couldn't put it down. Loved it.
November 1, 2022
I'm disappointed at the final book of the Quentin Black series. Charles' end was very anticlimactic for the havoc he caused throughout this long series. The whole "haunted house" of Brick almost seemed like just a tag-on plot. And the vague "happily ever after, maybe" for our heroes was not enough resolution for me. And too much repetition as a style ploy...or maybe I'm just tired of it. C'mon JC, don't leave us hanging like this!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2022
I loved this series…but this book is not a satisfying ending Quentin & Miri’s story. At least not for me. It gives a great deal of background and history on Brick’s life prior to his conversion to vampire…but hardly any story revolving around Q & M. Just not how I would have expected their epic tale to wrap up.
April 4, 2023
New Beginnings
Many loose ends are tied up in this story & many are left hanging. I wouldn't call this the end but perhaps a door to a new beginning. This author weaves many layers in her stories and this is simply another one. It will be interesting to read her new series and see how it intersects.
Many loose ends are tied up in this story & many are left hanging. I wouldn't call this the end but perhaps a door to a new beginning. This author weaves many layers in her stories and this is simply another one. It will be interesting to read her new series and see how it intersects.
November 23, 2022
Another great story with plenty of suspense and intrigue. When Quentin is on the job to solve a mystery, you know that it will be solved. Well written, to grip you and keep you guessing. Binge worthy. Can’t wait for more by this talented writer.
August 6, 2022
The End (maybe)
Great ending for a fascinating, thought provoking and engrossing series; however, the end seems to leave the door open for so much more.
Great ending for a fascinating, thought provoking and engrossing series; however, the end seems to leave the door open for so much more.
March 2, 2023
So sad
I can’t believe I’m done with this series. I’m gonna miss the people and action so much. I feel so close to them now. But the prequel is going to make up for the loss.
I can’t believe I’m done with this series. I’m gonna miss the people and action so much. I feel so close to them now. But the prequel is going to make up for the loss.
August 13, 2024
Amazing!!
Loved the characters, fast pace plot, picked up book one on a whim than I was hooked. Looking forward to Quentin Black book 17!
Loved the characters, fast pace plot, picked up book one on a whim than I was hooked. Looking forward to Quentin Black book 17!
September 5, 2023
This was bad enough. Tedious . Disappointed .
October 9, 2023
The series started with Black in White and is now ending with Black Curtain. I don't want this series to end! Yes, even after 16+ books I am not tired of Quentin and Miri and it's not only about them, but also about all the other characters who support them. Let's start with Nick and Angel who met Black as Miri's friends on the police force. Just recognize how much these two characters have evolved from the first book. Add to that Cowboy, Dexter, Jem, Jax and Kiko and you have a multitude of character utilization. Oh, and let's not forget the bad guys Lucky and Brick to name a few. I feel like J.C. has left Black Curtain open just in case she decides to take the time to continue this story. I hope she does cause I am hooked, yes, I'm addicted to this series and have been a loyal reader since I read the first book in 2017.
In this book Quentin and Miri are kidnapped along with their wedding party. They will not see freedom until the kidnapper is satisfied. The problem? Although, they do determine who the kidnapper is, they don't know what the kidnapper wants. What makes the situation worse is that Jem made special individualized wedding cakes that have them all high as a kite and vulnerable. I liked that some of my most favorite characters are together for this last book. I especially liked getting a special glimpse at Jem and Nick who I can't get enough of. I can't get enough of Nick whose character has gone from good guy to bad guy, then back to good guy. Same for Angel. I just love her and Cowboy and got a little more of them in this book.... but I'm greedy and want even more romance.
I read this book in one day and really enjoyed it. My only wish, as I have mentioned in prior reviews, is for more romance. There was lots of romance in the earlier books but not so much in the last few books and I miss it. Especially between Black and Miri cause they feel so deeply when they love on each other.
This may sound a little grumpy but I'm not happy with J.C. right now. She is writing all over the place and even started a series with a futuristic Nick during a time when his life was questionable in the Quentin Black series. I'm not interested in a storyline with a futuristic Nick who is without Jem, Black and Miri so I will probably never read that series. What DO I want? I WANT more Quentin Black! Maybe if I reread one Quentin Black book a month, by the time I'm done all 16+ books J.C. may have book #17 ready??!!!! Just hopeful wishing....
In this book Quentin and Miri are kidnapped along with their wedding party. They will not see freedom until the kidnapper is satisfied. The problem? Although, they do determine who the kidnapper is, they don't know what the kidnapper wants. What makes the situation worse is that Jem made special individualized wedding cakes that have them all high as a kite and vulnerable. I liked that some of my most favorite characters are together for this last book. I especially liked getting a special glimpse at Jem and Nick who I can't get enough of. I can't get enough of Nick whose character has gone from good guy to bad guy, then back to good guy. Same for Angel. I just love her and Cowboy and got a little more of them in this book.... but I'm greedy and want even more romance.
I read this book in one day and really enjoyed it. My only wish, as I have mentioned in prior reviews, is for more romance. There was lots of romance in the earlier books but not so much in the last few books and I miss it. Especially between Black and Miri cause they feel so deeply when they love on each other.
This may sound a little grumpy but I'm not happy with J.C. right now. She is writing all over the place and even started a series with a futuristic Nick during a time when his life was questionable in the Quentin Black series. I'm not interested in a storyline with a futuristic Nick who is without Jem, Black and Miri so I will probably never read that series. What DO I want? I WANT more Quentin Black! Maybe if I reread one Quentin Black book a month, by the time I'm done all 16+ books J.C. may have book #17 ready??!!!! Just hopeful wishing....
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews