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Dead in Time: The Sara Jones Cycle
When successful London psychiatrist Sara Jones's relationship breaks down, she returns to the remote part of Wales she grew up in, keen to clear her head and start afresh. Soon, though, her former boyfriend, Metropolitan Police detective Jamie Harding, is back in her life - investigating a series of murders with links to the occult. Sara is drawn into assisting the investigation - much to the chagrin of her childhood friend, Ceri Lloyd, the detective in charge.As more bodies are found, a series of clues makes Sara realise that the killer believes they have psychic powers. Soon, the killer confronts Sara and offers a shocking explanation for their crimes - one that could have a massive impact on her life and, crucially, allow her to come to terms with the tragedy that haunts her past...but at what price?A sharp, clever thriller with a paranormal twist, Dead in Time is the first novel featuring Sara Jones by up-and-coming crime writer Terence Bailey.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 16, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 30, 2017
Disclaimer: While I aim to be unbiased, I received a copy of this for free to review.
This book impressed me because I wasn’t sure whether I was going to like it. In fact, I accepted it for review for two key reasons – it’s a crime novel and it’s set predominantly in Wales. I like crime novels, and I also like crime novels that are set in Britain – especially when they’re not set in London. That’s why I like Peter James’ Roy Grace series – he does a great job of portraying Brighton and it evokes a real sense that you’re wandering along the seafront.
What I didn’t realise – at least, not until I started reading this – is that it has elements of the supernatural, touching on psychic abilities and even using it as a main plot device. For me, that would usually be a turn off, but Bailey did a great job of blending supernatural elements with a police procedural, and the result is a page-turner of a book that makes it easy for you to suspend your disbelief and to just enjoy the book for what it is, rather than trying to pick it apart.
It’s also the first book of the series, and while I won’t spoil the plot by telling you what happens, I can say it ends in such a way that it left me wanting more, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. This book, then, whets the readers appetite, but it also leaves you feeling hungry for the main course. There are plenty of different directions that the author could take this, so I guess we’ll see.
This book impressed me because I wasn’t sure whether I was going to like it. In fact, I accepted it for review for two key reasons – it’s a crime novel and it’s set predominantly in Wales. I like crime novels, and I also like crime novels that are set in Britain – especially when they’re not set in London. That’s why I like Peter James’ Roy Grace series – he does a great job of portraying Brighton and it evokes a real sense that you’re wandering along the seafront.
What I didn’t realise – at least, not until I started reading this – is that it has elements of the supernatural, touching on psychic abilities and even using it as a main plot device. For me, that would usually be a turn off, but Bailey did a great job of blending supernatural elements with a police procedural, and the result is a page-turner of a book that makes it easy for you to suspend your disbelief and to just enjoy the book for what it is, rather than trying to pick it apart.
It’s also the first book of the series, and while I won’t spoil the plot by telling you what happens, I can say it ends in such a way that it left me wanting more, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. This book, then, whets the readers appetite, but it also leaves you feeling hungry for the main course. There are plenty of different directions that the author could take this, so I guess we’ll see.
September 25, 2017
Guardian Angel or a cold-blooded killer? You decide.
This is the first book in a new series entitled 'The Sara Jones Cycle'. Sara Jones has recently moved back to her hometown of Aberystwyth following a traumatic period in London. Although she is a qualified psychiatrist, for the time being, she volunteers at a drop-in centre.
Sara seems to be stalked by tragedy; her parents were murdered when she was a young teenager and the murderer has never been caught. There are theories about what happened but the lack of closure on the case leaves Sara unable to make sense of what happened and to move on.
Then there is a spate of ritualistic killings in Aberystwyth and Sara's ex-boyfriend, Special Branch detective Inspector Jamie Harding, arrives to assist the local police. This is not appreciated by Inspector Ceri Lloyd, Sara's best friend and the person who was there for her when her parents died.
As the murders come in thick and fast Sara finds herself being drawn into the investigations, as the police make use of her skills around ritualistic killings. Then the unthinkable happens and the killer contacts Sara claiming he has been psychically drawn to her.
From that point, the suspense builds to a shattering crescendo which rocks Sara's world and leaves her questioning where her loyalties lie. Sooner or later she is going to have to decide whether she herself has psychic powers and if so, how she should put them to use.
This is a multi-faceted crime thriller which requires the reader to buy into the psychic phenomena or to refute it, in which case credibility is compromised.
I thoroughly enjoyed this new twist on the standard crime novel.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
This is the first book in a new series entitled 'The Sara Jones Cycle'. Sara Jones has recently moved back to her hometown of Aberystwyth following a traumatic period in London. Although she is a qualified psychiatrist, for the time being, she volunteers at a drop-in centre.
Sara seems to be stalked by tragedy; her parents were murdered when she was a young teenager and the murderer has never been caught. There are theories about what happened but the lack of closure on the case leaves Sara unable to make sense of what happened and to move on.
Then there is a spate of ritualistic killings in Aberystwyth and Sara's ex-boyfriend, Special Branch detective Inspector Jamie Harding, arrives to assist the local police. This is not appreciated by Inspector Ceri Lloyd, Sara's best friend and the person who was there for her when her parents died.
As the murders come in thick and fast Sara finds herself being drawn into the investigations, as the police make use of her skills around ritualistic killings. Then the unthinkable happens and the killer contacts Sara claiming he has been psychically drawn to her.
From that point, the suspense builds to a shattering crescendo which rocks Sara's world and leaves her questioning where her loyalties lie. Sooner or later she is going to have to decide whether she herself has psychic powers and if so, how she should put them to use.
This is a multi-faceted crime thriller which requires the reader to buy into the psychic phenomena or to refute it, in which case credibility is compromised.
I thoroughly enjoyed this new twist on the standard crime novel.
Pashtpaws
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
May 11, 2022
Easy read, plot was good with a few unsurprising twists. Not a difficult read other than formatting/structural issues with writing. There should have been more obvious definition between flashbacks and historical events eg. An asterisk before the paragraph. This improved towards the end of the book. Overall an enjoyable quick read, not something to get your teeth into but it does have some distressing topics.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews