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PsyCop #13

Subtle Bodies

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“It’s probably nothing….” Usually, when Victor Bayne is called upon to investigate a ghostly apparition, the “haunting” can be chalked up to a perfectly mundane cause. When he’s sent to check out some suspicious phenomena in small-town Iowa—and no one seems unduly alarmed—he’s hoping for more of a weekend getaway. Especially since he’s bringing along Jacob as his Stiff. He ends up finding way more than he bargained for. Women undressing in public—with no memory of doing so. A car rental agent who knows far more than she should. And a shocking discovery they must keep to themselves at all costs. Instead of merely supporting Vic, Jacob finds himself thrust into the driver’s seat, using a talent that’s clumsy and untested. And when Vic starts acting just as strange as the stripping women, all bets are off. Can Vic and Jacob get a handle on the situation before FPMP National storms in and shuts them down for good?

PsyCop is an ongoing series filled with supernatural action and delightfully awkward humor–with a steady undercurrent of gay romance. It’s best read in order, so if you’re new to the series, start with PsyCop #1, Among the Living …and prepare for a hauntingly good read.

326 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2022

68 people are currently reading
306 people want to read

About the author

Jordan Castillo Price

138 books2,135 followers
Author 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.

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5 stars
415 (45%)
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343 (37%)
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129 (14%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
Profile Image for Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus.
1,120 reviews1,072 followers
November 11, 2022
4.5 stars🤩🤩

Book 13 and JCP still delivers. That is what I call talent. 🥳

Vic has come so far and Jacob? I am having fun how he is discovering his own 'talent'.

This one was tooooo creepy.👻☠ We are entering horror territory but I liked everything about it.

The romance is so realistic and effortless that it give me butterflies. Yaap!! I am a baby. 🥺🥺

Overall I had fun.

Thanks to my buddy readers💕💕 I made it to book 13. Otherwise I would have been stuck at 7. 🙈Which would have been a shame. 😔😤
Profile Image for Trio.
3,624 reviews209 followers
December 18, 2022
So glad I waited for the audio, nobody is better than Gomez Pugh!

I enjoy Vic and Jacob working together... Vic is so patient with Jacob as he's discovering his talents. LOL, I could imagine him literally rolling his eyes as Jacob is explaining everything he's seeing. Too funny.

Super creepy episode (aka simply perfect).
Profile Image for Elena.
973 reviews120 followers
November 25, 2022
3.5 stars

Vic and Jacob weren’t at their smartest in this book, but I guess we can blame it on all that post-wedding sex. So they get a pass. This time.
Aside from that, I liked how they got to and the whole subtle-bodies thing was interesting.
Profile Image for Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~.
1,899 reviews140 followers
November 10, 2022
I do admit, I spent the first quarter or so of this book wondering what the hell more JCP can do with this universe. Surely, it's getting a little long in the tooth. But dang it, if Vic and Jacob don't do it for me every time. They've come a long way, and Jacob especially in the last few books has been exploring more of himself and being tested more than ever before.

The mystery was a bit convoluted at first, and I couldn't make heads or tails of where it was going. But it all got ironed out by the end. I liked the new side character Amy, and I'm interested to see where that goes. Same with Garcia. It's good they have someone else at FPMP they can trust, though I am worried/curious

JCP circles back a bit to earlier territory with the but then she amps it up by adding more layers - literally - But he needs to stay away from , if he knows what's good for him. 🤭
Profile Image for Gabi.
705 reviews112 followers
November 19, 2022
This series reached a point for me where I want the plot to move forward faster and not be derailed by random cases. And I feel like we're at a standstill. But I had fun. Vic and Jacob still figuring out how their powers work and you know nothing goes smoothly when it's Vic. .^^.
Profile Image for Joyfully Jay.
9,116 reviews520 followers
August 22, 2022
A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars


Subtle Bodies is the thirteenth (!) book in Jordan Castillo Price’s fabulous PsyCops series. I have been reviewing this series since 2013 (and reading it even longer) and I am still just as hooked on Vic and Jacob and this incredible world the author has created as I was when I first started it. The series follows the same couple, as well as including some big picture series arcs, so you really need to read this one from the start. It may seem daunting with so many books, but trust me when I say this series is worth it.

Ok, so Subtle Bodies shifts focus somewhat from the events of the last few books that delved into uncovering the secrets of the journal and how Jacob and his family were involved. I don’t think that thread is totally closed, as we do have a few unresolved issues, but this story moves to a more discrete case in small town Iowa. That said, it does still explore Jacob’s talent and we start seeing him gain some control over what exactly it is he can do.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.



Profile Image for Rosa.
808 reviews6 followers
November 12, 2022
I liked this new adventure a lot. There's some interesting developments here, and I'm ready for

And I'm looking forward to the discussion with my fellow BReaders, I think it will be very interesting.
Profile Image for Linda ~ they got the mustard out! ~.
1,899 reviews140 followers
January 15, 2023
Review for audiobook:

Gomez Pugh really is perfect for this series, and he always gets Vic so right. He was born to voice him. He does a great job with the other characters too.

I was a little less annoyed with the guys this time around, although I still have to raise my eyebrows at them

Review of book:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Profile Image for Jax.
1,118 reviews36 followers
August 30, 2022
This was entertaining, as always, but I’m getting impatient for more info on Vic’s past. I’m just not as interested in Jacob’s journey with his talent. I trust JCP as a writer so it’ll probably lead somewhere great, but Vic’s my guy.
Profile Image for Iz.
988 reviews19 followers
September 7, 2022
4.5

I missed these two!!! So damn much.
Victor and Jacob's latest adventure on behalf of the FPMP was thoroughly entertaining, and as ridiculously funny as you'd expect. And also, surprisingly intense and keen.

"Subtle Bodies" was not my favourite Victor Bayne mystery, but I still enjoyed the hell out of it.
I adored the plot: the mystery left me guessing at every turn and it also had that small-town atmosphere that make mysteries, of any kind, 100% better. Plus, Victor in a small-town? The results were unforgettable. "Subtle Bodies" also featured JCP's usual brand of creepy paranormal elements, and let me tell you, I am NOT a fan of those habit demons *shudders*.

I think this book serves as a sort of milestone for Jacob, because he's finally coming to terms with his limits as a True Stiff and even though I kind of wished Victor's past and his abilities were centre-stage again, I really enjoyed getting to see the extent of Jacob's capabilities (and also, Victor's ongoing commentary on his extreme competitiveness was HILARIOUS). The side characters were all as ridiculous as Victor and I'm very excited to see if a certain mortician will appear in the next one.
Anyway, Victor, as usual, was utterly ridiculous and totally lovable. My favourite.
Profile Image for Jordan Lombard.
Author 1 book58 followers
December 28, 2022
Boy, was this good. JCP always manages to do awesome things with each Psycop book. I keep expecting this series to plateau and take a nose dive considering this is book 13 I think, but they never do. Each book is always fresh, and we learn new things about Vic and Jacob. This one was a rough one, heartbreaking at points, and highly creepy and Dark once I got into it. If you know this series, part of this story reminded me of Jackie’s story. But it was sooooooo good!

I have to admit that I wanted the one apartment manager to get what was coming to him for the state of that boiler room. I certainly hope he gets his due, even if it’s off the page. Lol.

I listened to the audiobook, and as always, I loved Gomez’s narration. He always does a fabulous job and it feels like listening to an old friend by now.

In short, I’m super excited to see what comes next and I highly recommend this one.
Profile Image for Bizzy.
621 reviews
May 29, 2024
May 2024 reread: This was a bit better the second time, since I read it as part of a whole-series re-read. I still agree with the comment in my earlier review that this book felt a bit like wheel-spinning in terms of progress in the overall series, but Vic and Jacob did make some progress with their powers here. And reading this right after the others helped me see some of the more subtle (no pun intended) developments in Vic’s character. Plus exasperated etheric Vic was funny.
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Original review: 3.5/5 stars. I always enjoy spending time with Vic and I’m glad he hasn’t dialed down the cynicism despite growing as a person in many other ways. The mystery in this one was creative and kept me guessing, and there were some interesting new developments for both Vic and Jacob’s powers.

However, I feel like the series is currently spinning its wheels a bit. In earlier books, there were overarching plots with recurring bad guys, plus a lot of mysteries about the scope of Vic’s powers. But in this book, there wasn’t much tension outside the standalone mystery they were investigating. Vic’s power development is mostly stalled out (and I think Price has confirmed he’s explored most of his limits at this point), FPMP National is a vague threat in the background but isn’t actually doing anything, and Jacob is exploring his powers but making very little progress in each book.

I love that Jacob is getting his time to shine, but if that’s going to be the overarching plot thread for the time being, then I wish the books would spend more time on it. Right now it feels like Jacob makes tiny amounts of progress and it’s all based on haphazard, unintentional discoveries. These two have a lot of resources and experience at their disposal now, so I wish they’d use them more systematically and make bigger strides – otherwise, it feels like progress is being kept to a minimum on purpose so the series can keep going indefinitely.

Despite those issues, I had fun with this one and look forward to the next.
Profile Image for Mónica BQ.
884 reviews135 followers
April 11, 2023
Like 3 books ago I said I had stayed because of Vic. At the moment I only stay because of nostalgia.
PsyCop was really good years ago. Right now it is kind of redundant but still fun. I will most likely keep at it, I can't say for how long.

Subtle Bodies is a novel that could have been a short story, not much worldbuilding is done and nothing new comes out of the woodwork for Vic or Jacob. It has a feel of an in-between plot story, but that's fine. We have small cameos from known and expected characters but there is no Lisa or Caroline.

And that is it. It is an okay book.
Profile Image for Ronie Reads.
1,568 reviews29 followers
October 16, 2023
I can see how. Ending this here would be satisfactory. Leaving the audience to wonder.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,357 reviews461 followers
October 17, 2022
3.5 stars

I wasn't as bored as I was in Other Half, but I was still missing the spark I felt with Murder House and Bitter Pill. Still, it was Vic and Jacob and I will always love them.
Profile Image for PaperMoon.
1,840 reviews85 followers
November 21, 2022
The tone of the first several chapters got me a little confused as I thought I was reading a Spellcraft title instead of a PsyCop one; probably due to the sheer cray-cray with possessed strip-teasing and some of the wacky townsfolk of Beauchamp. But then ... the author reintroduces yet another of those awful TV sets we're right back into PsyCop territory.

Both Jacob and Vic get to further explore/develop/understand their paranormal 'talent's and I for one am glad to see them 'working together' again ... there's something about their arrogant/confident - neurotic/snarky dynamic that appeals to me. However, I could never have imagined that I would become 'bored' with a PsyCop read but alas ... somewhere around mid-way mark, I started to fast-forward pages. Just barely a 3 star read this time.
Profile Image for Meep.
2,171 reviews229 followers
November 12, 2022
Liked this more than the previous few, felt more mystery/plot driven than personal entanglements. Jacob showed some strength without taking over.
The psy is complicated.

...only now I want to read more!
244 reviews6 followers
January 10, 2023
I don't know if I can give an objective review anymore because I heart Vic! hahaha

I can relate to Vic's neuroticism, paranoia, impostor syndrome, flawed personality and so much more. I'm curious to see more of Jacob's psych skills. Hopefully there are more PsyCop books in the future.
Profile Image for Gerbera_Reads.
1,703 reviews155 followers
November 20, 2022
It took me a while to read this one. I love Vic and Jacob and there were plenty of sweet and naughty moments between them. The story just didn't grab me even with a revelation that tied to the earlier in the series books. I kept loosing interest. I did manage to finish. What kept me going was the last 30% of the book when things actually started happening and Vic's humor. I just love how he jokes and it gets me every time. I do not know if I will continue with the series since it does not look like the author is stopping. Maybe the fact that the actual relationship ARC of Vic and Jacob was completed and now it's hard to pick up that momentum the series used to have for me. I do not know. I am on the fence about reading more. I love this author's writing and hope they start a new amazing series. Vic and Jacob will always have a spot in my book loving heart, I just don't know if I want more of them.
Profile Image for Allison.
1,868 reviews13 followers
June 7, 2024
**I received an ARC with the understanding that I would post an unbiased review.**

I think I say something like this about every new book in this series, but it makes me so happy that I still eagerly anticipate each new book, and that I am always falling more in love with Vic and Jacob and their story. Normally by now with a series that has lasted so long I've lost interest and stopped reading the books, but that's never happened here. I really love the later books more than the original ones. JCP has taken the world and made it so much more nuanced and involved. Another thing about paranormal books is that the main character starts out with little power and over the series often grows their power to almost ridiculous levels, which really ends up boring me because too much power isn't very interesting. Vic hasn't done that, he keeps learning more about what he can do and how he can do it, but he is almost less powerful in some ways because he recognizes the limits of what his abilities offer, plus other characters, like Jacob are coming into their abilities now so they can work together. And that is probably what I love most about these books, Vic and Jacob are a true love story, they have gotten to the point in their relationship where they are partners in every sense and I love seeing that.

Now that I've babbled about how much I love the series, I should talk about this book specifically. I think it's fantastic that the ghosts aren't really the bad guys, generally they are just trying to work out their lives and get the help they needed in life that they didn't get (that's a World thing really). The true bad guys are living people and the habit demons, I'm really curious where she is going to take the habit demons. I loved that Vic and Jacob were the main focus in this book, seeing them working together to solve everything was wonderful. The whole thing with the bodies just being basically driven by their ID while their spirit was basically their Ego (in that school of thought about personality) was delicious and fun, I hope we will see more of that.

Possibly the best part of this book is that it introduced so many more opportunities for future stories, I have so much curiosity about where the world is going and I am also looking forward to seeing how much stronger Vic and Jacob will grow together.

Another outstanding book in a series that I still love all these years and books later!

Audio: Pugh inhabits these characters perfectly. I hear them in the voices he uses.
Profile Image for Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*.
2,969 reviews1,198 followers
September 17, 2023
So nice to revisit Vic, who has calmed down on his phobias and worries but is still the awkward fun guy we all know to love. Jacob gets a lot of shining moments here also as he navigates his powers and is by Vic's side the entire time they visit a small town in Iowa with it's eccentric stripping townsfolks. The mystery added into some layers with new potentials of these powers, and looks like we have a new character most likely for future books. Her personality is honestly just so-so, so I'm meh on that, but the mystery with this one was good if not a little confusing.
Profile Image for John.
461 reviews21 followers
October 12, 2022
4 1/2 stars. Another great story. I really liked where this one went and am hoping this series continues.
Profile Image for Shelby.
3,380 reviews93 followers
November 27, 2022
Yay! More Vic and Jacob! This story felt a lot more like some of the earlier books as it was Vic and Jacob together on a mystery. Sure they weren't partners early on when they were on the force, but I always felt like they were a team working together. This time they're out of town investigating some unusual activity that might have a paranormal origin. Figuring out what's going on leads to more than they could have ever expected.

I loved this story. I loved seeing these guys working things out together. I adore Jacob finding out more about what exactly his powers do. The paranormal world is opening up more to their senses in a way as they understand more of the differences between Vic's and Jacob's powers. Vic's may be a power that has been explored more, but Jacob's might be just as powerful in its' own right.

I adore these boys and will come back for any story they're involved in. They've had to make some choices on who to trust and hopefully that will be a good thing for them moving forward. There's a lot that can potentially be learned ...
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,987 reviews39 followers
August 22, 2022
Well, you know that you are in for a treat when as soon as you begin to read there are plasticized cadavers *laughs*

After the events in Other Half Jacob is, quite understandingly, upset. So investigating some random stripping that it's happening in a town in Iowa seems like the perfect way to distract him for the weekend. Right?

Of course, when Vic is involved, nothing is as simple as it looks ~sighs~

Beware of spoilers!

So, what we have here is a fantastic adventure, a tiny bit of advancement in understanding Jacob's gift, and a skilfully crafted mystery. All mixed with very funny moments, brought by Vic's particular brand of sarcasm.

Your usual PsyCop book, I'd say. ♥

And yes, I still get a wonderful kick out of seeing Vic interacting with Jacob, by comparing this Vic, who allows himself to be vulnerable in front of his husband (♥) and the one in 'Coffee O'Clock', who was ready to kick him out from his department over a creamer disagreement. On principle *laughs*

There are some quotes I really want to add, but I'll wait until the book goes up, because they are spoiler-y and I don't want to spoil even the tiniest thing :P

Oh, I can't wait until the next book comes!
Profile Image for Donna.
3,399 reviews42 followers
May 17, 2023
This was good, of course, it was good! Every book in this series has been intriguing and entertaining... but, seriously, I could have done without the whole "smashing habit demon" descriptions! 🤢🤢🤢

Victor and Jacob are constantly growing and learning about their individual magic powers and also the powers of others that they meet along the way. This has been a long-running series that has kept us coming back for more with the twisted and tangled storylines. But, what has fascinated me the most is watching Vic and Jacob discover the little things about each other that make a relationship work.

I find myself wondering if this is where it will end, or if another book will pop up one day in the future. I guess only time will tell!

And, now... I feel the need to go track down some chocolate cherry ice cream... 🤣🤣🤣

Profile Image for Wusswoo.
117 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2022
I have immense love for Vic and Jacob and could happily read a book about them living in domestic bliss doing all the mundane little tasks, however, I do love a good mystery, and this book provided one. I very much enjoyed getting reacquainted with the characters, Vic, of course, is my favorite, he’s a little less grumpy, and a little more self-aware, but he’s still ‘my’ Vic at heart. Interestingly Jacob is a little less self-confident and I enjoyed watching Vic being a supportive boyfriend.

This was a great book; I would give it all the stars if I could. I came for grumpy Vic, but stayed for the intimacy, romance and mystery.

I received an ARC for an honest review, but I honestly would've bought it, and I'm getting the audiobook once it's out!
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