Surrounded by death, a man with a terrible gift reaches for life." A horrific tragedy blasted open a door in young Michael O'Rourke's mind cursing him with the ability to talk with the Dead. Nearly two decades later, Michael has moved from victim to survivor, using his abilities to seek out those who would go unjudged. With his gift, he talks to those who've died violently and seeks out their killers. Only once he's found the murderer, can the victims be at rest. After his last case, the only thing he wants is peace and he hopes to find it in the small town of Mitchell, Indiana. But something is horribly wrong the dead are waiting for him there, as well. Small town sheriff Daisy Crandall is frustrated. The murder investigation she's leading is going nowhere, the few leads she's had haven't panned out. She needs a break this case is personal and when a stranger arrives, turning up where he shouldn't be, she's suspicious. Finding out that he is more than what he appears to b, should shock her but doesn't. The fact she's highly attracted to him at the worst possible time is a hindrance. Unfortunately, teaming up with Michael is the only way. Now it's a race against time before the killer destroys the life of his next victim..."This book has been previously published but has been re-released with new packaging."
Warning:
Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, violence
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And an experimental me that I put to sleep. J. Dallas
Bio...
Shiloh Walker has been writing since she was a kid. She fell in love with vampires with the book Bunnicula and has worked her way up to the more...ah...serious vampire stories. She loves reading and writing anything paranormal, anything fantasy, and nearly every kind of romance. Once upon a time she worked as a nurse, but now she writes full time and lives with her family in the Midwest.
It had that brooding, miserable, dark undertone through out. I wanted know more about killer’s past victims, motive etc. for me it was still not clear and then there hero’s brother. That issue wasn’t resolved either . No epilogue or ‘I love you’ just an HFN ending.
Imagine Fox Mulder mixed with the Winchester brothers mixed with Jack Reacher.
Paranormal FBI agent Michael O'Rourke is part of a division of the FBI that not many people know exists. Instead of being given cases, he basically drives around the country and his instincts lead him to his next case. It's very Supernatural of him. He reminds me more of Jack Reacher though, in the strong silent type. He's an excellent homicide investigator because the ghosts find him.
In this novella, he's trying to go on leave, when he's drawn to a small town in Indiana. Something's going on, his instincts are going crazy, but he isn't sure what the problem is. Yet.
His brother Lucas was killed as a teen and when Mike was 12, and he's stuck around ever since. So he and his brother realize very quickly that someone was killed, and it's linked to a serial killer.
Meanwhile, the sheriff Daisy, catches a stranger in her small town hanging out in the field where the latest body has been found. She's not catching serial killer vibes from him, but she knows he's dangerous. And she knows he's not telling her everything.
One thing I love is that Daisy checked out who he is. When he told her he was a fed, she wanted confirmation. Another thing I really like is that Shiloh Walker is an amazing author. She's everything you'd want in a supernatural romantic suspense. I really feel like this series would make an amazing television series. I need to read more!
Poor Michael, what a sad life he had. It would be awful to see dead people all the time. I wanted more background of why the villain did what he did. I also wanted to know what happened at the end to Lucas and what Daisy and Michael decided to do.
This book was only okay for me. It did not have what I would call a real plot. The story seemed to jump around more then I would like and everything was tied up with a nice little bow by the end of the story but not what I am use to reading and what I enjoy.
While the FBI unit persists in this realm and familiar names occasionally surface, the emphasis remains on fresh recruits. The introduction of this character is quite harsh, affecting not only him but potentially the reader as well. The rest of the new characters are developed enough to evoke emotions about their identities and fates.
Encircled by death, a man burdened with a dreadful ability strives for life.
A terrible calamity unlocked a portal in young Michael O'Rourke's psyche, endowing him with the power to communicate with the Dead. Nearly twenty years on, Michael has transitioned from victim to survivor, harnessing his powers to track down those who would otherwise escape justice.
He converses with those who have met violent ends and pursues their murderers. Only after identifying the killer can the deceased find solace. Following his most recent case, all he desires is tranquility, which he hopes to discover in the quaint town of Mitchell, Indiana. However, something is amiss—the deceased await him there too.
Small-town sheriff Daisy Crandall is exasperated. Her murder investigation is at a standstill, with scant leads to follow. She's in dire need of a breakthrough—this case is personal, and the arrival of a mysterious stranger, appearing where he shouldn't, raises her suspicions. Learning that he's more than meets the eye should astonish her, yet it doesn't. Her strong attraction to him comes at the most inopportune moment, complicating matters.
Regrettably, collaborating with Michael is imperative.
It becomes a desperate race against the clock to prevent the killer from claiming another life.
Michael is profoundly affected and scarred by his childhood trauma but ultimately carves out his path. I appreciate this because I have grown fond of Michael and believe he merits a fuller life, regardless of his own beliefs.
Warning, this title includes: explicit sexual content, graphic language, and violence.
Michael O'Rourke and his older brother Lucas live with their mother, Rachel whose only talent is as a con artist. Lucas tries to protect Mike as much as possible, but when Rachel tries to trade Mike to pay for a debt, Lucas does the only thing that he can and takes his place, leading to his death. Mike and Lucas always had a connection though a psychic link and that continues after Lucas's death, but now Mike not only has the ability to speak to Lucas, he can communicate with other ghosts, especially those who have died through violence. Mike takes a job with Oz and the FBI, helping to solve unsolvable cases using his gift. When he feels himself sinking into the world of the ghostly victims, he escapes to a little town in Indiana, but instead of a vacation, his gift has led him to the sight of several unsolved murders. He meets Daisy, the town sheriff, who has been dealing with issues of her own. She doesn't want to believe in Mike's gifts, but when he is able to tell her things he shouldn't know about the recent deaths, she begins to believe that he might be able to help her. Talking With the Dead is the prequel novella to The FBI Psychics series. It is short, and to the point leaving several unanswered questions by the end as well as underdeveloped characters, but the frustration, loneliness, and despair come through clearly as the two protagonists deal with a serial killer who leaves no clues behind except for the ghostly victims that are too traumatized to help. A good first book, but as with the others in this series, just too short.
Micheal/Mikey has lived a solitary life, he had done ever since the only person he loved was taken from him.....
Daisy moved from the Louisiana to Mitchell in Indiana for a slower pace of life, but wouldn’t you know it, that’s not going to happen, six murders in her town and no damn clues as to who is it, or where he will stroke next. It’s so frustrating, all she needs is one lucky break, then she’s going to hunt this bastard down and take him out .....
Driving into Mitchell, (Indiana) Micheal thinks he’ll get a break, he needs a little peace and solitude. He’s a cop, and a good one, but his last case was a bad one, a rapist and a killer, but the killer got his comeuppance (his last victim literally stopped his heart!)
Daisy is both irritated and intrigued at the stranger before her. He seems like an ok guy, but is it a coincidence that he’s here? Could he have knowledge of the murders? Or is he part of it?
I really liked this prequel, I had wished it to be longer, there was a few things wrong with it, in parts it felt a little jumpy, and things were wrapped up a little too quick and neat. I understand it’s a novella, but we could have had a little more of the murders background and thought process.
Much better than the average novella. Walker managed to write a fairly satisfying story within a short number of pages, which is no easy feat. Prose was good, pacing was decent for once, and while the character’s backstories were somewhat lacking, they had enough personality and depth to keep me happy and invested in their relationship (Lord knows that doesn’t always happen in full-length novels). The book’s downfall comes in a lack of time to world-build. I know it’s a prequel, so all the important details will be fed to the reader during the actual series, but the “magic system” and other important bits of info regarding the world and what Mike and Daisy were up to before the story started, were not explored to my satisfaction. I know it won’t happen, but I wouldn’t mind reading a sequel of sorts featuring these characters. Overall, I would recommend it if you need something short and a bit steamy.
After a tragic event, Michael’s life is changed forever. He can talk to ghost which makes him a good FBI agent. He arrives in a little town called Mitchell. He finds a ghost roaming in a field and the way for her to get to the other side is to stop him. Daisy is the Sheriff and is hunting down a serial killer. He is killing her friends and neighbors and will stop at nothing to catch him, even if she has to team up with a man who talks with the ghosts. The closer they get to the killer, Daisy realizes she might not know her townspeople as good as she thought. Short, spooky, and sexy. A man who thinks he must live to atone for those taken too soon. * Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Bookfunnel *
I just love a romantic suspense book with a paranormal twist. This book was not full of red herrings and complicated explanations about the psychic events happening during the investigation into the murders of several women. I liked the main characters who "liked" each other, too. The storyline was a prequel to the FBI Psychics series and as such was a fairly quick read. Give this story a try and enjoy. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. At the time I'm writing this, the author is offering the first three books in the series at a discount. Only available on her website.
3.5 stars - Thank you Steamy Calendar Girls Book club for this free book. I really enjoyed the story! it was a bit spooky and scary and a bit sexy. I was a little disappointed that they jumped into bed right away. but it was a novella so things had to move quickly. but I do have to say it didn't feel disjointed from the storynline. there were some parts that were disjointed. every time the section changed viewpoints it took me a little bit to figure out. other than that it was a good story. it makes me want to continue the series. I especially want to read the I P coming Pieces Of Me that's coming out in July
3.25 stars An interesting romance/thriller. Michael is a lonely tortured man. He is a slave to finding justice for the dead. Helping ghosts is his penance for whatever happened when he was 12 years old. Unfortunately, the author left the reader out. He is constantly talking to his brother's ghost, but we are never privy to what happened.. His brother won't cross over until Michael finds happiness. Again, we are left hanging. It was not hard to figure out who the killer was. The author pointed to only one person, but the reader is left with no answers....how many murders, why...? This could have been a really good book with more input from the author. There was so many loose ends.
Prequel to Shiloh Walker's The FBI Psychics series. Michael O'Rourke can talk to ghosts. After a case, FBI Agent O'Rourke finds himself in small town, Mitchell, Indiana, talking to a newly deceased woman. Mitchell's sheriff, Daisy Crandall, is faced with the investigation of the murder of a friend. When Michael shows up she has her suspicions but eventually finds herself working with him to catch the baddie.
Short but nice. I liked the concept and the style of writing. Looking forward to reading more in this series.
Michael O’Rourke’s life has never been easy but add to that the ability to communicate with the dead and he doesn’t lead a peaceful life. As an FBI agent, this helps him solve many cases, however he needs a break. When he ends up in the small town of Mitchell, he finds that there is a murder investigation. Unfortunately for Michael, local sheriff Daisy Crandall has set her suspicions on this mysterious stranger. A great short story but I wish it had been longer with much more detail. Still, looking forward to the next book in this series.
It has been a while since immersing myself in this particular series.
I liked how the abilities Michael had worked and loved the fact that even though he acquired them in a horrific life changing moment when only 12 the grown man learned how to apply them and also use them in a way that helped take down criminals.
The romance angle that is beginning with he and Daisy was an added bonus to this short story.
I have been reading this author for well over 10 years. I love how she can suck you in within the first couple of paragraphs. Her characters are so real and they're emotions become yours. If you've experienced child abuse or sexual assualt, this may not be your read. The scenes are not graphic but you may be triggered. You don't have to read the series in order but it helps.
SO many trigger warnings on this book, yall. Just like. a lot of murder and rape, ok? children, adults, and minors. so.... go into it knowing that.
I have a personal distaste for serious thrillers with explicit sex. I am too busy with the LOOSE MURDERER to care if they bone omg don't you have MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT? but its not gratuitous sex, and the book is overall compelling and decently written, although largely super sad.
I think this is probably an earlier foray into what became the FBI Psychics series.
Michael sees ghosts and has done since he mentally watched and felt his brother die. Just coming off a long child killer case he is looking for peace and quiet and a ghost free zone. What he finds is a sheriff with a killer on a murder spree and ghosts demanding revenge.
A little short, but good story. There was some backstory, so that was good, but not enough chemistry between Michael and Daisy. I liked Lucas and the way he tried to protect Michael. It is only 7 chapters, so I just needed more to invest in the characters. Not the authors best work, but it was a good enough read.
Wow Good read. Mike finds himself in a small town in Indiana hoping for some peace and quiet, but he stumbles upon a ghost who needs his help.
Daisy, the local Sheriff, knows there are 4 dead bodies and no evidence, not even a hint. She also has a feeling that Mike is trustworthy. Can they stop the killer in time to save the next girl?
My first time reading 'ghost stories' and I totally loved this book. An absolute page turner. Read it in one night. Loved that Mikey had a lookout in his brother and Lucas stuck around for him for as long as two decades. Not much romance was written between Michael and Daisy, yet hoping he will stay with her as per Lucas's hopes. Well written and easy read.
The purpose of Thrifty Thursday is to read a book which was free (at some point). Newsletter freebie on June 2, 2019 (currently $2.99 and in Kindle Unlimited as of writing this post)
Honestly, I started with Talking with the Dead as it was the shortest book I had on the list. I try to be selective on the front end and not take freebies which are less than 3.5 ratings on Goodreads. I've also read this author previously.
I was very excited because one of my favorite things is psychics. That aspect was fine although a bit murky as to how it worked. I was just disappointed by the police procedures which seemed very lax and disorganized. While the characters were competent, they didn't seem like other police in detail and methods. There may have been a factor of some of this being in a smaller town.
The romance was very insta-lust-love which had to be fast in short, sort of half book. Yet it seemed to take half the page time and I'd rather have it be a background element in a book this short. I'm also more in a mood to focus on the police procedural which isn't big here, which is on me. I should have looked at the romantic suspense labeling as opposed to mystery. Others may enjoy a book with more romance. I'm not yet sure if I will go on to the next full length book in the FBI Psychics series or not.
Interesting story. Some editing to catch missed or wrong words (first the vehicle is a convertible then it's a truck a paragragh later) but overall good. May read more in the series if my library has them.