With Red Hands

Violet Eyes #2

by Stephen Woodworth

Natalie Lindstrom was once one of an elite group of investigators with the power to interview the dead victims of violent crime. But now Natalie has had enough. Enough of the violence. Enough of the darkness that has already gotten too close to her five-year-old daughter. Yet as she tries to build a new life and protect her child from the world she has left, Natalie still knows injustice when she sees it. And she knows that in a high-profile California trial, a young man is getting away with murder.

The case against Prescott Hyland Jr. is airtight–until a corrupt Violet delivers devastating testimony against another man. Now Natalie is being drawn back into her former career and a danger far worse than she can imagine. For while one killer is being tried in a courtroom, another has gone horribly to unleash a storm of vengeance–aimed straight for the heart of Natalie’s new life. Because, in the world of the Violets, sometimes your past can literally come back to haunt you. . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy

307 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 28, 2004

About the author

Stephen Woodworth is the author of the New York Times bestselling Violet Series of paranormal thrillers, including Through Violet Eyes, With Red Hands, In Golden Blood, and From Black Rooms. His short fiction has appeared in such publications as Weird Tales, Realms of Fantasy, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Year's Best Fantasy, Black Wings IV and V, and Midian Unmade. You may find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stephen.wood....

Reviews

[Mort · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to confess, I wasn’t looking forward to this one and had to force myself to start it. The first half was difficult going and, to be fair, it may have been my attitude toward the novel rather than the story.
But then I got into it and it took less than a day to finish the second half. I enjoyed it, was pleasantly surprised by the serial killer and his back story, as well as the cruelty of his murders.
So, for the first half I thought it would be a three star book, at best. The second half went so fast and was so enjoyable, I was thinking that it deserved five stars. To split the difference, I was thinking I was going to rate it four stars.
Until I got to the end. I’m truly sorry to say this, but I thought it was predictable and couldn’t bring myself to the four stars I was hoping for.
***SPOILER***
If there is one thing I really hate (most of the time), it’s a happy ending – the way things turned out, this was the only way it could have ended to achieve that happy ending. It makes me wonder if the author intended it that way or if it was done to placate the masses.
Not a bad book, but not a good ending either. For entertainment value, I want to rate it better than average.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't have much to say about this book. It was a disappointment. It sounded like a really good book from the description on the back but it wasn't what I expected. The plot line wasn't very exciting and I found the characters very dull.

[Carluchox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esperaba más. Estuvo mucho mejor la primera entrega.

[Marie-Theres · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beschwörung der Toten 👻

Als großer Fan der Serie "Ghost Whisperer - Stimmen aus dem Jenseits", ist mir dieses Buch vor Jahren schon auf einem Wühltisch für Mängelexemplare in die Hände gefallen. Jetzt hatte ich endlich Lust es vom SuB Stapel zu befreien.
Leider habe ich erst beim Lesen herausgefunden, dass es sich hier um den zweiten Teil einer Reihe handelt.
Band 1 wäre: Das Flüstern der Toten.

Es handelt sich hier um eine Art Urban Fantasy-Buch, in dem es die Violetten (diese Menschen haben violette Pupillen) gibt, die verstorbene sozusagen herbeirufen können. Die Verstorbenen nutzen dann den Körper der Violetten um zu kommunizieren. Wie man die Verstorbenen Seelen wieder loswerden kann, lernen die Violetten in einer Art Internat, wenn sie noch sehr jung sind. "Kontrolliert" werden die Violetten von der Nordamerikanischen Gesellschaft für Jenseitskommunikation (NAGJK).
Was passiert wenn man nicht mehr für die NAGJK arbeiten will, sieht man am Beispiel von Natalie Lindstrom. Wie es zu dem Brunch kam, wird zwar angedeutet, passierte aber wohl in Band 1.


Inez ist Staatsanwältin und bittet Natalie Lindstrom in diesem zweiten Teil um Hilfe bei einem scheinbar klaren Mordfall.
Scott Hyland hat der Beweislast der Staatsanwaltschaft zufolge seine Eltern mit einer Schrotflinte umgebracht.

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Spoiler Alert ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Scott hat nun, Dank seines Erbes, Zugang zu einem Top-Anwalt. Der engagiert einen dubiosen Violetten, der seine Unschuld bezeugen wird, dafür sperrt er die Seelen von Scotts Eltern in eine Art selbstgebauten Seelenkäfig. Damit nun aber trotzdem über die Messung angezeigt wird, dass sich eine Seele im Körper des Violetten befindet, solange er die Aussage der Verstorbenen vorgibt, nutzt er die Seele vom verstorbenen Thresher.
Dan ist Natalies verstorber Lebensgefährte, der wohl in Band 1 starb. Corrie ist Natalie und Dans Tochter. Natalie versucht die NAGJK von Corrie fern zu halten, denn sie hat ebenfalls die Begabung der Violetten von ihr geerbt.

Thresher ist ein Serienmörder, der sich gerne als Frau verkleidet hat und seine Opfer bei lebendigem Leib mit einem Stickmuster "verschönert" hat. Nun erfahren wir, dass es wohl seit Jahren Natalies Mutter in den Wahnsinn getrieben hat und sie jetzt mit seinem "neuen Körper" den er in Besitz genommen hat, sogar umbrachte. Thresher hat es allgemein auf Corrie abgesehen, denn er möchte Natalie dazu zwingen ihn ihrem Körper aufzunehmen. Vorher wird sogar noch Natalies Stiefmutter von ihm brutal ermordet.

Die Verhandlung und die Aussagen vor Gericht nehmen sehr viel Platz ein, das ist teileweise ganz schön anstrengend und ermüdet.
Dennoch freute es mich zu lesen, dass Natalie mit der Hilfe von Threshers Mutter seine Seele bannen konnte.


Es hat mich allerdings nicht so sehr begeistert, dass ich auch die anderen Bände der Reihe lesen wollen würde.

[Yolie McLaughlin McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first in the series many years ago. Once I began to do more reading, I began to remember a book that referred to characters with violet eyes. I knew I had to find the name of the author and did a search. I ordered "With Red Hands" and it was a little difficult for me when I started reading because I could not recall a lot from the first one. After reading more of the book, I became more engrossed and interested in the book. It is a bit scary! It plays with your psyche! I had nightmares, but I just couldn't put it down. Very intense!

I look forward to reading the 3rd book in the series.

Yolie McLaughlin

[Jessica Pritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. It a darker read than I read but very enjoyable. The ending was good. The ending took a turn i wasn't expecting, i was glad that a couple of the side characters that i like did not die! Can't wait for the next.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gripping continued story from Eyes.

[Lesly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silly story and characters.

[Loli Guindo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entretenido, te engancha y quieres seguir leyendo

[Jillian Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Violet Eyes series, it brings back details from the first book while showing how the born mediums can be a victim as much as the souls they speak with.

[Alice Chimera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usa, presente un poco passato per il nostro oggi. Natalie dotata dei portentosi occhi viola che le permettono di essere un tranfer per le anime dei defunti ha lasciato il Dipartimento Americano per la Comunicazione con l’Aldilà (o DACA) e sta cercando di vivere la sua vita da libera professionista con sua figlia. Dopo la morte di Dan, è rimasta sola incinta e la sua vita fuori dal mondo degli occhi viola non è così facile, come se non bastasse alcuni assassini sembrano essere assolti dalle stesse anime che hanno ucciso.
Dopo anni dalla lettura del primo libro di questa saga (Occhi viola in Italiano o Violet Saga in inglese) finalmente sono riuscita a recuperare il secondo e purtroppo ultimo volume edito in Italia.
Per chi non si ricordasse questa saga o peggio non l’avesse mai scoperta, ci troviamo in un mondo in cui poche persone, dotate appunto degli occhi viola, hanno la possibilità di comunicare con l’aldilà; questa capacità è al servizio della giustizia in quanto i transfer vengono utilizzati appunto per contattare le anime dei defunti morti per mano di assassini o peggio di serial killer. Ma questa dote non è così scontata: se si è certi del contatto con un’anima, non si è mai sicuri che essa sia quella chiamata, solo il transfer può infatti sapere chi realmente bussa alla sua mente.
Questo volume ruota appunto intorno al ragionevole dubbio che nessuno si era mai posto: siamo sicuri che l’anima che sta parlando attraverso l’uomo o la donna dagli occhi viola sia quella realmente convocata?
Sullo sfondo di nuovi omicidi e casi che hanno una dubbia risoluzione poi c’è la vita di Natalie che dopo i fatti del primo libro deve convivere con la coraggiosa scelta di lasciare il DACA per crescere la figlia e tenerla il più lontana possibile dalla scuola per ragazzi con gli occhi viola che è tutt’altro che un istituto ma un vero centro che a volte tortura e isola i ragazzi dalle famiglie.
Devo confessare che questo libro è un po’ più scontato del primo, ma per lo meno è stato bello rileggere di Natalie e di questi casi polizieschi con una componente urban fantasy. Peccato che la serie in Italia sia interrotta e che non ci siano molte speranze perché possa riprendere, in ogni caso la consiglio perché benché siano solo due volumi (che hanno comunque un loro finale chiuso), sono molto intensi e offrono una valida alternativa al panorama attuale di questo genere.
In definitiva quattro stelle e peccato che non si possa leggere altro di questa saga. La speranza non muore mai, ma in un paese come il nostro a volte è gettata al vento.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the events of Through Violet Eyes, Natalie Lindstrom has left The Corps and is working freelance. Natalie is a Violet - a rare person who can actually interview the dead by channeling their energy. During the trial of a teenage boy accused of murdering his wealthy parents, Natalie's friend (the prosecutor) asks for her help with channeling the dead parents. The prosecutor thinks there might be something fishy going on since the defendant's lawyer is a little too overconfident given the evidence.

To make matters worse, her 5 year old daughter, Callie is also a Violet and the Corps is doing it's darndest to steal her away from Natalie and indoctrinate her in Corps training. The Corps is all powerful, has no checks and balances and can basically do as they please uncontested. Natalie is terrified of leaving her daughter alone especially since helping her friend is illegal and can give the Corps a reason to take Callie.

And we must not forget about Thresher. The violent serial killer who made her mother crazy...literally. Some how he's back and more dangerous than ever AND after Natalie and Callie!

Serial killers and their actions don't usually creep me out but this one is a doozy. I found myself actually putting the book down between gruesome scenes. Stephen Woodworth has written some Stephen King worthy scenes in this one. I loved how the author seamlessly wove the serial killers horrible childhood into his current behavior. It makes you really understand where these murderers are created and who is to ultimately blame for their actions. Don't get me wrong saying "Mommy made me do it" isn't a defense but you can see why they are reduced to these actions. It's basically a way to shut up the voices in their heads temporarily since they are just not strong enough to actually kill themselves, though most of them have killed their "Mommy".

If you like your mysteries creepy and science fictiony, this series is for you but I would recommend you read the series in order as characters and themes move from book to book.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Después de leer el primer libro de esta saga, tenía muchas ganas de seguir y a pesar de pequeños puntos negativos, la tardanza en aparecer el asesino y diferentes acciones que me parecieron fuera de lugar de diferentes personajes, el libro merece la pena.

Cinco años después la ex agente del Cuerpo Natalie Lindstrom, trabaja por su cuenta debido al desgaste tanto físico como emocional de su último caso, donde su amante el agente Dan Atwaker fue asesinado, y debido a ello, tubo una hija, Callie. Por eso, hastiada y atemorizada al mismo tiempo de una sociedad de que no para de importunarla, decidió trabajar a cuenta y riesgo, pero un caso atrae su atención, un joven a todas luces culpable, es declarado inocente puesto que el Violeta asignado al caso, al llamar a los padres asesinados, lo absuelven.
Sin poderlo creer, Natalie comienza a investigar pero sus pesquisas darán con que su madre no estaba tan loca, un asesino de antaño, volverá a la vida para aterrorizar a los que más quiere.

Esta vez veremos como Natalie esta sola (ya sabía eso "gracias" al prólogo del primer libro) y aunque pueda "conjurar" a Dan, tendrá de investigar y atrapar al asesino por su cuenta. Pero no olvidemos que hay una persona real y un ocupante, en este caso Thresher.
Seguiremos viendo como el Cuerpo, hace de las suyas, que es incapaz de dejar en paz a una madre, puesto que desean llevarse a toda costa a Callie, para que esta pueda seguir los pasos de su abuela (a pesar de estar media vida ingresada en un psiquiátrico) y su madre (ahora alejada de toda esa farsa).
Un asesino que es capaz de coser a sus victimas, quizá sea un poco crudo para según que personas, pero para los amantes del género, es una pasada.

[Yolanda Sfetsos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in Stephen Woodworth's Violet series. In the first book, Through Violet Eyes, we met Natalie Lindstrom. Natalie is a Violet, born with violet eyes she's able to channel dead people and used to work for the NAACC's Crime Division. But she left several years ago to take care of her daughter. Callie is now five years old, and as much as she's tried to shield her from both the Corp's influence and what she is, everything catches up with Natalie in this installment.

After deciding to help her friend and deputy DA, Inez Mendoza, Natalie finds herself thrown back into the life she's tried so hard to escape. The trial of a young man charged with his parents' murder hooks her back into the dark and dangerous world of the Violets and into the path of a dangerous spirit. While also forcing her to face a few personal issues from the past. Things that shaped the way she is now.

Her father's reappearance in her life and all the resentment she felt towards him for dumping her in the Corps school, at the same time that she's dragged back into the life of her mentally ill mother, only add to the trouble brewing in her life.

With Red Hands was another intriguing and very interesting book that enhances this alternate world of the Violets, while also opening up Natalie a lot more than she was in the first book. With her daughter to care for, everything becomes riskier and harder to deal with. Yet, at the same time, Callie seems to become her connection to others, especially family. A connection that she needs in order to stay strong and capable.

Once again, this was a seriously great book that only hooked me further into the series.

[Maurean · Rating 3 out of 5]

In “Through Violet Eyes” we are introduced to an alternate present-day world where a small percentage of people are born with violet irises and who also have the ability to channel the dead. “With Red Hands” brings back Natalie Lindstrom, a Violet herself who was once one of an elite group of investigators, but who is now trying to build a new life for her and her five-year-old daughter. However, when a teenage boy is put on trial for shooting his wealthy parents, another well-known Violet takes the stand and channels the dead parents to clear their only son. When Natalie examines the evidence she discovers the Violet might be falsifying the postmortem testimony, something previously thought impossible. To make matters worse, her daughter, also a Violet, is being persued by "The Corps" who wants to train her as they did her mother, and grandmother before her; They are just waiting for Natalie to slip up and let her guard down.

I’ve enjoyed both this installment and its predecessor, and I will look to read “In Golden Blood” in the future. Woodworth creates compelling characters, and this sort of paranormal thriller tale offers just my kind of escapism. I would, however, suggest the series be read in order, as that would better layout the storyline for the reader, and allow one to get “more involved”…well, it did for *me*, anyway.

(sci-fi/thriller; 307pgs.)

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

' I can see how he's going to kill again.'
If you are looking for a book that will send shivers down your spine whilst saving you some time to try and find your way through, then this is it.
The story opens up with a young boy, Scott Hayland, whose rich parents have been murdered and it's made news. Scott is hesitant when he's told by his lawyer that they will summon his dead parents, courtesy of a Violet named Lyman. Violets are people who can summon dead souls. They are called Violets because of the color of their eyes.
We are introduced to Natalie, who was once a Violet working under. NAACC, but quit to be able to offer her daughter, Callie, a normal life.

The story goes on to introduce, Inez, an attorney who believes that Scott is guilty of murder and Lyman is lying.
There's a lot more that's told about Natalie's past given that she hails from a family of Violets, and her mother has long been tormented by an evil soul called 'The Thresher.'
Having murdered so many women, and used their body parts as trophies, the Thresher, is back and in so doing inhabits a body, to commit crimes, by going after Natalie's family, question is whose body is he inhabiting?

The pace is right. Nothing feels rushed or out of place. I also liked the way the Writer introduced Natalie, it's like he let me know her, through everything that was happening in the story.

It's not as scary as the cover, (that's why you should not judge a book by its cover) but when the Thresher is at work, you can get some goosebumps.

I like the idea of 'Violets' it's an original twist of Clairvoyants.

[Mika Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me with how fond I grew of it. I went from thinking it was dull and cliche to thrilling and heart-throbbing.
Which each chapter I grew more and more enticed, like I was a part of the investigation myself. From the beginning I wasn't very interested, then Woodworth impressed me with the realism of the court scene, which I found fascinating through every paragraph.
He made the phantom like idea seem plausible in his story, something I was very skeptical in the beginning.

And the serial killer's scene was shocking in many ways...It was horrifying but perfect at the same time. Woodworth knew exactly what made a killer and molded it into one sinister character. The history of the killer was sickening but oh-too-realistic with the strong connections he made from the Threshers past to his future actions. The mentality of the characters were molded together very well and I could relate them a lot.

Overall, it's an engaging book that introduces a new era of thriller with an idea that everyone has pondered before when looking over a case, "If only we could SPEAK to the victims, then we'd have the missing puzzle pieces."
"With Red Hands" answers this question in a way that seems too real to be fiction.

[Teresa mcgaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second Violet book, starts 5 yrs later, Natalie has been free lancing her job and raising her daughter. Only now it seems guilty people are going free and innocent ones are being thrown in jail. She is pressured by an old friend to take a look at what is going on and she also has to confront her father about her mother's mental condition for the last 20 yrs. With her husband Dan dead, but with her ability to summons him at will, she is comforted during this time. During the course of this book, her mother is killed by the man known as THRESHER, who tormented her in her mind for 20 yrs, her stepmother is brutally killed by this creature and Callie her daughter is kidnapped by this man also. I couldn't read this book fast enough to see how it was all going to end. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long this time to read the 2nd book, can't wait for the third From Black Roomsto be avialable at the library to be read. I highly recommend this book for a great mystery and pyshocological terror.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Natalie Lindstrom mystery, following up on Through Violet Eyes. Though Through Violet Eyes could probably have been a stand-alone novel, it is interesting to see how Natalie's life has developed since the end of the last book. Though she has now left the NAACP, she once again finds herself involved in a murder investigation at the request of her DA friend. This one hits close to home, though, because it appears that a copycat killer has struck, in the style of the killer whose case drove her mother insane. In solving this case, it may be possible for Natalie to save her Violet mother. But can she protect her daughter, also a Violet, as well?

[T.]

I have tried time and time and again to push past the invisible barrier of disinterest to get to the meat of this story where I know good things await, but I simply cannot. One of the things I can't get over is the huge gape in time between this book and the previous. I don't know why, but it bothers me to no end. And though we return to some familiar faces, they seem like entirely different people - hardly the ones I grew to love in the first book.

So I won't be finishing or rating - my buddy-reader ensures me it gets better, as they managed to push past the barrier where I simply cannot - but I'll just hold on to the memory of the fulfilling adventure that Through Violet Eyes left me with.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Minority Report, Silence of the Lambs and Fallen will enjoy this book, which tested the limits of my tolerance for very dark, very creepy stories. It reminded me most of the Denzel Washington movie as the main character eventually realizes to her horror that the serial killer who drove her mother insane has returned by possessing another psychic, with plans to get further revenge on her and her 5-year-old daughter. This was a riveting thriller that was great to read - once - but was almost too intense for my taste. Fans of dark, dark fiction will want to give this series a try.

[Drucilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthy follow up to the original. This time the danger is much closer to home. The author uses something mentioned in the first novel and expands upon it. The villian of the piece is much more scary and dangerous than the Violet killer of the first novel. You're really scared for Natalie and Callie, especially as Dan isn't physically there to protect them. I really appreciated how the reader gets much more resolution at the end of this novel, although it was a bittersweet. Bridges are re-built for/by both the dead and the living. The villian of the piece gets his just desserts even though he's dead. Heroes are rewarded for their sacrifice and the Corps gets taken down a notch.

[Beth Kluesener · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the first book (it has been quite a few years since I read that one...) the premise is so interesting. I found the writing to be a bit overdone and clunky at times, but the story keeps upir attention and had me binge-reading to find out what happened. Something that bothered me was the many implications of the NAACC that are never addressed; like their blatant violations of rights, cover ups, etc, etc. Seemed a little too unrealistic, made me question how they were formed and how they ended up with carte blanche to do as they pleased. I know its not the point of the book, and it is still a fun quick read, but it is something that took away from the book as a whole for me.

[Cmoore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Woodworth's "bad guys" are some of nastiest characters I've ever encountered in print (very creepy!). In this the second installment in the series, Natalie (a Violet) has broken from the government and it's rigid control and has gone freelance with her special ability (to speak with the dead). Little does she know that she will have to reopen a case that drove her mother insane — and in the course of the investigation, she has to face her mother's enemy, without losing her life or jeopardizing her daughter. Woodworth is already working on the next two stories in the series, and I, for one, can't wait!

[Reecie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie Lindstrom was once one of an elite group of investigators with the power to interview the dead victims of violent crime. But now Natalie has had enough. Enough of the violence. Enough of the darkness that has already gotten too close to her five-year-old daughter. Yet as she tries to build a new life and protect her child from the world she has left, Natalie still knows injustice when she sees it. And she knows that in a high-profile California trial, a young man is getting away with murder.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rating was hard to give this time. Sometimes it deserved a 3 and sometimes a 4. The concept of the story is interesting. They are called Violets and they can interview dead victims of violent crimes. There eye color is where they got their name. I'm not sure where the book fell short. Possibly because there is some strange things occurring with a young child. About 1/2 way through I got a little more into it. I am glad I read it although I don't think I'll read any more. This was the second in a series and I wonder if I would have read it if I had read the first?

[Dina_s · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much better book than the first in the series. We rejoin Natalie as she struggles to protect her Violet child from her powers and the twisted souls out to destroy her. The climax went flat at the end, but the overall pace was good. I still don't totally buy the premise and would think that with a proven certainty of the afterlife humans would either be reckless in their behaviour or drowning in religious fervour. There is a lot about the fabric of society in this alternate scenario that the author isn't exploring.

[Christal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of the series as whole. I really enjoyed these books. They were all fast-paced with a good central mystery. The world building was unique and aptly described. Natalie, a Violet, is our main character throughout the series and she can contact the dead. Mr. Woodworth created great mysteries and infused the books with tons of suspense. Following Natalie's life and adventures was really fun and I am sad there isn't a fifth book.

[Angie crosby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, though in no way a realistic one. While I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I would have liked to know how exactly having violet eyes means you can talk to dead people, how it became okay for using the words of dead murder victims as summoned by the violets, in court. Perhaps that is covered in the first book of the series. This was the second. The ending was suddenly over. Seemed a bit hasty. Still a good read

[Dascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd in a series, although I have yet to read #1 and I still really enjoyed this one.

Violets are conduits to the dead. The government has a "Violet Members" group for whom they can control and have available as needed for investigations. Natalie has chosen not to be part of this controlled group which makes her dangerous.

I found this story an exciting thriller with a paranormal twist. Fast pace and hard to put down.