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Cree Black #1
City of Masks
In City of Masks, the first Cree Black novel, parapsychologist Cree and her partner take a case in New Orleans's Garden District that leaves them fearing for their own lives. The 150-year-old Beauforte House has long stood empty, until Lila Beauforte resumes residence and starts to see some of the house's secrets literally come to life. Tormented by an insidious and violent presence, Lila finds herself trapped in a life increasingly filled with childhood terrors. It takes Cree's unconventional take on psychology and her powerful natural empathy with Lila to navigate the dangerous worlds of spirit and memory, as they clash in a terrifying tale of mistaken identity and murder.
453 pages, Paperback
First published January 8, 2003
60 people are currently reading
1524 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Hecht
14 books170 followersI was born into an artist's community founded in 1946 by my parents and their friends in the wilds of Westchester County, N.Y. Surrounded by these individualistic yet communalistic bohemians, I saw artists in every discipline working their magic, and could not help but follow in their footsteps.
I've lived all over the U.S. and have worked at every kind of job to make ends meet, and I enjoy the labor of body and hands as much as the effort of the mind. Mailman, logger, carpenter, musician, musical instrument builder, graphic designer, apple picker, farmhand, nonprofit organizational director, college administrator, educator -- the great thing about a checkered past is that you see the world from a lot of perspectives. This is the best education for a writer!
I have lived in Vermont for many years, have three kids and several cats, am active on behalf of environmental causes, and am highly reclusive.
I've lived all over the U.S. and have worked at every kind of job to make ends meet, and I enjoy the labor of body and hands as much as the effort of the mind. Mailman, logger, carpenter, musician, musical instrument builder, graphic designer, apple picker, farmhand, nonprofit organizational director, college administrator, educator -- the great thing about a checkered past is that you see the world from a lot of perspectives. This is the best education for a writer!
I have lived in Vermont for many years, have three kids and several cats, am active on behalf of environmental causes, and am highly reclusive.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
December 18, 2017
EXCERPT: Beaufort was frowning slightly, as if engaged in some internal calculus that gave him difficulty. But perhaps he wasn't really such a smug bastard. His scepticism was understandable. Likewise his unfamiliarity with Psy Research Ltd'smethods. He had every right to vet what he considered a wacky Seattle outfit before handing over money. There were plenty of idiots and con-artists in the field and, however dubious, he was going through with it, honouring the request of his sister Lila who had called Cree last week sounding very distraught and desperate. Clearly there was more to him than the persona he felt he had to project.
THE BLURB: In City of Masks, the first Cree Black novel, parapsychologist Cree and her partner take a case in New Orleans's Garden District that leaves them fearing for their own lives. The 150-year-old Beauforte House has long stood empty, until Lila Beauforte resumes residence and starts to see some of the house's secrets literally come to life. Tormented by an insidious and violent presence, Lila finds herself trapped in a life increasingly filled with childhood terrors. It takes Cree's unconventional take on psychology and her powerful natural empathy with Lila to navigate the dangerous worlds of spirit and memory, as they clash in a terrifying tale of mistaken identity and murder.
MY THOUGHTS: I admit to having a love affair with New Orleans. I love reading books set in the south. City of Masks by Daniel Hecht is no disappointment. It was everything I had hoped it would be.
Recently I read and reviewed Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and was a little disappointed. City of Masks has more than made up for it. This is a cracking good ghost story with a suspenseful story line. Although I didn't find it scary, it was definitely suspenseful with an excellent plot.
Hecht has captured the atmosphere of New Orleans beautifully and his characters are superbly crafted.
We have a family matriarch, her beloved husband dead, as is her adored younger brother. Her son is a 'man about town' feckless and bordering on alcoholic. And her daughter Lila, always a little unstable since her teenage years, is seeing ghosts and is hysterical. They say that they are a family without secrets, and to all intents, they seem to be, until Cree starts listening to the ghosts, because ghosts don't have to keep secrets. . .
4.5☆
I listened to City of Masks by Daniel Hecht, narrated by Anna Fields, on audiobook via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
THE BLURB: In City of Masks, the first Cree Black novel, parapsychologist Cree and her partner take a case in New Orleans's Garden District that leaves them fearing for their own lives. The 150-year-old Beauforte House has long stood empty, until Lila Beauforte resumes residence and starts to see some of the house's secrets literally come to life. Tormented by an insidious and violent presence, Lila finds herself trapped in a life increasingly filled with childhood terrors. It takes Cree's unconventional take on psychology and her powerful natural empathy with Lila to navigate the dangerous worlds of spirit and memory, as they clash in a terrifying tale of mistaken identity and murder.
MY THOUGHTS: I admit to having a love affair with New Orleans. I love reading books set in the south. City of Masks by Daniel Hecht is no disappointment. It was everything I had hoped it would be.
Recently I read and reviewed Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House and was a little disappointed. City of Masks has more than made up for it. This is a cracking good ghost story with a suspenseful story line. Although I didn't find it scary, it was definitely suspenseful with an excellent plot.
Hecht has captured the atmosphere of New Orleans beautifully and his characters are superbly crafted.
We have a family matriarch, her beloved husband dead, as is her adored younger brother. Her son is a 'man about town' feckless and bordering on alcoholic. And her daughter Lila, always a little unstable since her teenage years, is seeing ghosts and is hysterical. They say that they are a family without secrets, and to all intents, they seem to be, until Cree starts listening to the ghosts, because ghosts don't have to keep secrets. . .
4.5☆
I listened to City of Masks by Daniel Hecht, narrated by Anna Fields, on audiobook via OverDrive. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 13, 2024
Science-based parapsychological thriller, New Orleans setting, whodunnit.
No crystal balls, no tarot cards, just pricey equipment that can read heart rates togetherwith research and intuition. Like a lie detector but measuring witness haunt reactions.
There were mysteries to solve: was the ghost real, how many ghosts, who were they, what motivates them? And also in the living world: is the ghost witness crazy, the ghost hunter projecting their own issues, is a living person up to something? Also, why are so many people trying to thwart the ghost hunter? Did I mention the unsolved murders?
Cree, the main character was interesting. Her signature move was to outbully tough characters. Like a police negotiator. She’s also an empath. In order to see what the ghost witnesses experience, she must become them. Opens the doors for some koo-koo times. There’s also some love interest happenings. Of course, she’s a knockout and has men falling for her wherever she goes. Also, having her cake and eating it, and leading people on, breaking hearts as she goes. Reminds me of Twilight. Just pick one already.
I guessed the methods and motivations more than I did the dodgy people. The ‘mask’ relevance was pretty clear early on, so was the doublecrosser. I was left guessing re the ghosts, so that was good. I wonder if there were any characters without major secrets and scandals. If they’re the norm, I feel so boring.
Toooooo looooong. Yes, great emotional depth and interpersonal relationship brilliance, but someone get some scissors and shorten it by 100 pages.
3.5 stars rounded up and 4th completed book in my Long Book Reading Challenge.
No crystal balls, no tarot cards, just pricey equipment that can read heart rates togetherwith research and intuition. Like a lie detector but measuring witness haunt reactions.
There were mysteries to solve: was the ghost real, how many ghosts, who were they, what motivates them? And also in the living world: is the ghost witness crazy, the ghost hunter projecting their own issues, is a living person up to something? Also, why are so many people trying to thwart the ghost hunter? Did I mention the unsolved murders?
Cree, the main character was interesting. Her signature move was to outbully tough characters. Like a police negotiator. She’s also an empath. In order to see what the ghost witnesses experience, she must become them. Opens the doors for some koo-koo times. There’s also some love interest happenings. Of course, she’s a knockout and has men falling for her wherever she goes. Also, having her cake and eating it, and leading people on, breaking hearts as she goes. Reminds me of Twilight. Just pick one already.
I guessed the methods and motivations more than I did the dodgy people. The ‘mask’ relevance was pretty clear early on, so was the doublecrosser. I was left guessing re the ghosts, so that was good. I wonder if there were any characters without major secrets and scandals. If they’re the norm, I feel so boring.
Toooooo looooong. Yes, great emotional depth and interpersonal relationship brilliance, but someone get some scissors and shorten it by 100 pages.
3.5 stars rounded up and 4th completed book in my Long Book Reading Challenge.
July 12, 2012
This was a story with a lot of unrealized potential. There was an interesting start with the promise of an intriguing case in New Orleans, but then the story lost momentum pretty quickly with way too much detail about the types of equipment Cree's partner used and a totally unnecessary story arch about an elderly lady and her recently departed dog. I almost quit reading after she left the office and started rattling off lists of things she need to pack and do before leaving town. One of the things she had to do before leaving town was to visit with her sister and twin nieces which involved revealing way too many boring details about these three non-essential characters. THEN she had a long boring visit with her mother. But, when Cree FINALLY got to New Orleans the story started getting interesting again.
I enjoyed the descriptions of New Orleans and felt Hecht fleshed out all the characters very well. There were some very interesting concepts for the paranormal elements, but many background details of the situation that caused the haunting were harder to believe than the existence of ghosts. Also, the continuous insertion of "scientific" explanations/theories of paranormal events was tedious, seemed like a personal agenda on the part of the author, and threw me out of the story.
As far as the info that was actually significant to the main plot, based on the clues provided, I was pretty sure I figured out who the two ghosts were half-way through the story, but I kept reading and waiting for the investigator to figure it out hoping there would be an unexpected twist. Cree finally figured out who did what and which ghost was which about 75% of the way through the story and made the official "reveal" with all the dirty details. No surprises. And this is where Hecht should have summed up the rest of the story in a chapter or two, but the story kept going on and on and on for another 2 hours! (I was listening to an Audible version) I kept listening with an expectation that there could yet be an unexpected twist, but there wasn't.
It was as though the author really liked his characters and just couldn't bring himself to stop writing even though the story was over.
I enjoyed the descriptions of New Orleans and felt Hecht fleshed out all the characters very well. There were some very interesting concepts for the paranormal elements, but many background details of the situation that caused the haunting were harder to believe than the existence of ghosts. Also, the continuous insertion of "scientific" explanations/theories of paranormal events was tedious, seemed like a personal agenda on the part of the author, and threw me out of the story.
As far as the info that was actually significant to the main plot, based on the clues provided, I was pretty sure I figured out who the two ghosts were half-way through the story, but I kept reading and waiting for the investigator to figure it out hoping there would be an unexpected twist. Cree finally figured out who did what and which ghost was which about 75% of the way through the story and made the official "reveal" with all the dirty details. No surprises. And this is where Hecht should have summed up the rest of the story in a chapter or two, but the story kept going on and on and on for another 2 hours! (I was listening to an Audible version) I kept listening with an expectation that there could yet be an unexpected twist, but there wasn't.
It was as though the author really liked his characters and just couldn't bring himself to stop writing even though the story was over.
March 24, 2012
If you are fascinated with New Orleans, the history, the culture, the things that go bump in the night and a story of old southern snobbery resulting from inherited wealth, then this is the book for you.
I liked it so much that I had a difficult time putting it down. Cree Black is a paranormal investigator hired by a wealthy client who, because of vile things happening in her garden district mansion, feels as though she is literally going crazy.
Moving out of the mansion, still she is haunted by the events she saw. This is more than a psychological thriller, it is multi- layered and riveting. It is not hocus pocus or contrived for the sake of over the top scariness, rather is is well written and insightful.
Highly recommended.
I liked it so much that I had a difficult time putting it down. Cree Black is a paranormal investigator hired by a wealthy client who, because of vile things happening in her garden district mansion, feels as though she is literally going crazy.
Moving out of the mansion, still she is haunted by the events she saw. This is more than a psychological thriller, it is multi- layered and riveting. It is not hocus pocus or contrived for the sake of over the top scariness, rather is is well written and insightful.
Highly recommended.
February 10, 2009
"I psychoanalyze dead people."
Sorry, couldn't resist. This was actually a fine book about a trained psychologist who specializes in analyzing ghosts, and those they are haunting, to figure out what issues must be resolved to let the spirits move on.
Sorry, couldn't resist. This was actually a fine book about a trained psychologist who specializes in analyzing ghosts, and those they are haunting, to figure out what issues must be resolved to let the spirits move on.
October 3, 2012
I read this one overnight. It's a fun, disturbing not-badly-written book that balances mystery and horror fairly well.
The gist lays thusly: a multi-degreed doctor lady in her middle-ish 30's was a big wig in the field of psychology and very happily married when her husband was killed very suddenly in a car accident and she saw him manifest for a moment before she knew he was dead, making her question everything and swerve her career away from general psychology and to parapsychology.
Flash forward almost ten years. She is a member of a three-person investigative/scientific research firm that is looking for scientific proof of ghosts or the afterlife.
The rest of the story you can get from the cover flap or by, you know, reading the book.
I liked most of the characters and enjoyed the approach to ghosts that the novel takes. I also really enjoyed Daniel Hecht's writing. I didn't get much sleep last night and HAD to finish the book this morning because his writing style is emotional and precise and it freaked me right the heck out, something that is not easy to do.
It turns out that this book is the first in a series, and I think I'll be reading the rest of these.
Recommended, if you're in to this sort of thing.
The gist lays thusly: a multi-degreed doctor lady in her middle-ish 30's was a big wig in the field of psychology and very happily married when her husband was killed very suddenly in a car accident and she saw him manifest for a moment before she knew he was dead, making her question everything and swerve her career away from general psychology and to parapsychology.
Flash forward almost ten years. She is a member of a three-person investigative/scientific research firm that is looking for scientific proof of ghosts or the afterlife.
The rest of the story you can get from the cover flap or by, you know, reading the book.
I liked most of the characters and enjoyed the approach to ghosts that the novel takes. I also really enjoyed Daniel Hecht's writing. I didn't get much sleep last night and HAD to finish the book this morning because his writing style is emotional and precise and it freaked me right the heck out, something that is not easy to do.
It turns out that this book is the first in a series, and I think I'll be reading the rest of these.
Recommended, if you're in to this sort of thing.
January 21, 2018
I really enjoyed the first 2/3rds of the book. Daniel Hecht is a very accomplished writer. He really made New Orleans come alive. I could see his characters--actually felt like I was in the story.
It was the last third of the book that bothered me. Oh, I had to keep reading-- the story was that well written. The story just got too dark, too depressing. Too real. I didn't find this book scary like one would a good ghost story. But it was scary. A dark thriller that the ending just wasn't what I would choose to read.
It was the last third of the book that bothered me. Oh, I had to keep reading-- the story was that well written. The story just got too dark, too depressing. Too real. I didn't find this book scary like one would a good ghost story. But it was scary. A dark thriller that the ending just wasn't what I would choose to read.
May 10, 2023
Setting: Seattle and New Orleans, USA.
Cree (Lucretia) Black is a parapsychologist and ghost-hunter who has been tasked to investigate the apparent haunting of a fragile woman called Lila Beauforte at her family's ancestral New Orleans home. Cree always commences her investigations with detailed historical research into both the building itself and the families which have inhabited it in order to try to establish the identity of any 'ghosts'. Cree's investigations reveal an unsolved murder in the house several years before but also a series of violent acts going back to the time of the American Civil War and Cree must decide whether the apparitions haunting Lila date from one of these incidents or from a case of suppressed memory in Lila's past. Whilst Lila is co-operative, Cree finds that her husband, brother and mother are not - but is their lack of co-operation due to their scepticism or the fact that they have something to hide?...
I found this one quite slow at the beginning and it didn't really grip me until just over halfway when Cree's investigations started to produce results. By this time I was thinking of a 3-star rating and, although the final solving of the case was quite intriguing and thrilling, this didn't really up my rating enough for it to make 4 stars. I don't really think that I will be looking for any more in this series - 6.5/10.
Cree (Lucretia) Black is a parapsychologist and ghost-hunter who has been tasked to investigate the apparent haunting of a fragile woman called Lila Beauforte at her family's ancestral New Orleans home. Cree always commences her investigations with detailed historical research into both the building itself and the families which have inhabited it in order to try to establish the identity of any 'ghosts'. Cree's investigations reveal an unsolved murder in the house several years before but also a series of violent acts going back to the time of the American Civil War and Cree must decide whether the apparitions haunting Lila date from one of these incidents or from a case of suppressed memory in Lila's past. Whilst Lila is co-operative, Cree finds that her husband, brother and mother are not - but is their lack of co-operation due to their scepticism or the fact that they have something to hide?...
I found this one quite slow at the beginning and it didn't really grip me until just over halfway when Cree's investigations started to produce results. By this time I was thinking of a 3-star rating and, although the final solving of the case was quite intriguing and thrilling, this didn't really up my rating enough for it to make 4 stars. I don't really think that I will be looking for any more in this series - 6.5/10.
February 16, 2012
I really enjoyed this. Daniel Hecht wrote beautifully, and the narrator, Anna Fields, did a really great job. I got a real feel for New Orleans (one of my favorite settings) both physically and spiritually. I was engaged through the whole book and could barely stop myself from listening to take a break.
I'm not even sure how to classify this: mystery/thriller/suspense, or paranormal/urban fantasy? It was just this side of too normal to be full-blown urban fantasy, but it was definitely paranormal.
I thought it was a great device to have Cree take on the emotions (and accents/mannerisms) of the person she was working with. It was a smart way to add dimension and, yes, flaws to a character so she just couldn't breeze in, solve problems, and leave. Cree is flawed to begin with, and I liked that about her. She has her own issues to work through and it makes her very relatable to a flawed person like me. I look forward to seeing this character grow through the series.
I am very much looking forward to the second book, set in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest, another one of my favorite settings.
I'm not even sure how to classify this: mystery/thriller/suspense, or paranormal/urban fantasy? It was just this side of too normal to be full-blown urban fantasy, but it was definitely paranormal.
I thought it was a great device to have Cree take on the emotions (and accents/mannerisms) of the person she was working with. It was a smart way to add dimension and, yes, flaws to a character so she just couldn't breeze in, solve problems, and leave. Cree is flawed to begin with, and I liked that about her. She has her own issues to work through and it makes her very relatable to a flawed person like me. I look forward to seeing this character grow through the series.
I am very much looking forward to the second book, set in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest, another one of my favorite settings.
August 2, 2012
This book had soooo much potential. It's set in my hometown and the main character is a psychologist! What more could I ask for? Oh, I know- less superfluous detail and less use of the the description of someone's face as "baleful" (try a different adjective, Mr. Hecht- ever heard of a thesaurus?). The story itself is good and that's why I kept reading- I was intrigued but I had a sense that the author has never actually been to NOLA- all of his characters were so stereotypical. It's like he read a book about NOLA and based all of his characters on that. Everything felt flat, one-dimensional. As for the details- geez, how many times did they have to tell us that she was driving a Ford Taurus rental car? Just say, she jumped into the car... no need for a detailed account. There was also this whole "storyline" about a potential client that wanted to talk to her dead dog that went nowhere. Just filler. Maybe Mr. Hecht was being paid by the page because he also went on and on and on about the main character's sister, nieces and mother- totally not necessary. I should note, however, that the reader on the audio version is fabulous! That alone made the book worth reading.
November 9, 2013
I've been taking advantage of my library's digital collection of audio books and I find myself trying books on audio that wouldn't necessarily be books that would rise to the top of the pile otherwise. I’ve found some really enjoyable stories, some good mysteries and some wonderful readers. Anna Fields, who read this was terrific.
Cree Black works as a paranormal investigator living in Seattle. She travels to New Orleans to help a woman sort out what she's seen in the family home where she grew up. Lila Beaufort believes she's seen a ghost, but her family is concerned that she's come unglued and is having a mental break down, they want to hospitalize her and have her undergo medical testing.
In researching the family's history Cree is able to piece together Lila's past and discover the reason for the haunting at Beaufort House.
Though Cree is a ghost hunter she's very intelligent, logical and methodical about the way she approaches her occupation. Trained as a psychologist she entered the field of parapsychology for personal reasons. She’s very empathetic with her clients and builds a trust that helps empower them to face their fears and their ghosts.
I have always liked ghost stories, scary stories and spooky stories. I used to be able to read gory and violent stories but I haven’t been able to in a long time. While certain events are disturbing and violent they aren’t told in graphic detail. What I really enjoyed about this story was the attention to detail and the realism the author employs in telling the tale.
Daniel Hecht has created characters that are real and alive, each with their own strengths, vulnerabilities and secrets. The character of Cree Black was compelling, she is dealing with issues of her own that parallel the struggle her client Lila is facing.
The relationships between characters were well done, the dialog was realistic and the writing was very detailed and believable.
The story was suspenseful and had a satisfying resolution. Cree, her work and her life are interesting enough to make me want to read the next book in this series.
I think fans of mysteries and ghost stories will enjoy this.
Cree Black works as a paranormal investigator living in Seattle. She travels to New Orleans to help a woman sort out what she's seen in the family home where she grew up. Lila Beaufort believes she's seen a ghost, but her family is concerned that she's come unglued and is having a mental break down, they want to hospitalize her and have her undergo medical testing.
In researching the family's history Cree is able to piece together Lila's past and discover the reason for the haunting at Beaufort House.
Though Cree is a ghost hunter she's very intelligent, logical and methodical about the way she approaches her occupation. Trained as a psychologist she entered the field of parapsychology for personal reasons. She’s very empathetic with her clients and builds a trust that helps empower them to face their fears and their ghosts.
I have always liked ghost stories, scary stories and spooky stories. I used to be able to read gory and violent stories but I haven’t been able to in a long time. While certain events are disturbing and violent they aren’t told in graphic detail. What I really enjoyed about this story was the attention to detail and the realism the author employs in telling the tale.
Daniel Hecht has created characters that are real and alive, each with their own strengths, vulnerabilities and secrets. The character of Cree Black was compelling, she is dealing with issues of her own that parallel the struggle her client Lila is facing.
The relationships between characters were well done, the dialog was realistic and the writing was very detailed and believable.
The story was suspenseful and had a satisfying resolution. Cree, her work and her life are interesting enough to make me want to read the next book in this series.
I think fans of mysteries and ghost stories will enjoy this.
March 30, 2011
This is a quite well written whodunit cum ghost story with just enough scare in it to keep me on edge but not enough to truly terrify. Cree Black, the heroine, is engagingly unique and three-dimensional if a little frustrating. The empath thing somehow frustrates me. It's like, what? So you can feel things the rest of us can't? Like you're better than we are? This says more about me than it does about a character in a novel, though, doesn't it?
Anyway, pre-Katrina New Orleans is a nice back-drop to a ghost story, of course, and the Southern family ties ring very true.
I'll pick up the next in the series.
Anyway, pre-Katrina New Orleans is a nice back-drop to a ghost story, of course, and the Southern family ties ring very true.
I'll pick up the next in the series.
February 13, 2012
I found this to be a very satisfying story of the supernatural. The characters are quite well-drawn and the plotting is logical and quite seamless. There is the added plus of visions of New Orleans, one of our most intriguing cities with its rich history and present-day conflicts between modernity and superstition. The interweaving of "ghost-hunting" and applied psychology added more depth than is normally expected from this genre. All in all, a well-crafted novel by yet another Iowa Writers' Workshop author.
October 12, 2011
If you are looking for a scary ghost story this isn't for you. But I enjoyed the book and will definately read more of this series and author. I just hope it doesn't turn into 20 books of "will they or won't they" between Ed and Cree. Or 20 books of Cree being unable to move past the death of her husband 10yrs ago.
February 17, 2012
I picked up this as an audio book from the library for a road trip. At the beginning I thought maybe I wouldn't like it, I'm not into paranormal stuff. But it got better as I went along and turned out to be a very good choice.
Lots of twists and turns in the plot and the actor reading was very good. Even at 13 CDs (big book) it was very good and I plan on reading the next in the series.
Lots of twists and turns in the plot and the actor reading was very good. Even at 13 CDs (big book) it was very good and I plan on reading the next in the series.
April 1, 2017
Audiobook narrated by Anna Fields.
June 16, 2020
met veel plezier gelezen maar het had een béétje korter gekund
zo'n boek waarvan je de laatste 3 hoofdstukken uitracet
zo'n boek waarvan je de laatste 3 hoofdstukken uitracet
April 23, 2009
Having been sidelined by an injury I have gone on an escapist fiction binge. I picked up the book based on its availability and the publisher's jacket blurb.
Cree (Lucretia) Black, the heroine/protagonist of the novel and series was a serious academic psychologist whose life experience as a young widow pushed her into parapsychology as a consulting 'ghost hunter'. The story is character driven and set in New Orleans. When describing to my wife and a son I suggested thinking of some combination of Anne Rice, Flannery O'Connor and J.A. Jance, but that may not be a truly appropriate comparison. I was dubious through the first quarter or third of the novel, but I found the characters and plot more intriguing as things developed. I liked the story enough that I've picked up the third book in the same series to read while I stay off a sore foot. (The foot offends me but I am loathe to cut it off)
It's a southern Gothic story of both the supernatural and fallible human relationships. The story explores the human condition through exploring such things as repressed memories, family secrets, and the disconnect between believers in paranormal (supernatural) phenomena and rationalist skeptics. I found the mystery entertaining and was delighted to have been decoyed by the author's adept use of red herrings. I found most of the characters believable and interesting. I'm glad I read the book but I probably would not have bothered were I not trying to avoid physical activity and if I felt more interested in television or DVD's.
Cree (Lucretia) Black, the heroine/protagonist of the novel and series was a serious academic psychologist whose life experience as a young widow pushed her into parapsychology as a consulting 'ghost hunter'. The story is character driven and set in New Orleans. When describing to my wife and a son I suggested thinking of some combination of Anne Rice, Flannery O'Connor and J.A. Jance, but that may not be a truly appropriate comparison. I was dubious through the first quarter or third of the novel, but I found the characters and plot more intriguing as things developed. I liked the story enough that I've picked up the third book in the same series to read while I stay off a sore foot. (The foot offends me but I am loathe to cut it off)
It's a southern Gothic story of both the supernatural and fallible human relationships. The story explores the human condition through exploring such things as repressed memories, family secrets, and the disconnect between believers in paranormal (supernatural) phenomena and rationalist skeptics. I found the mystery entertaining and was delighted to have been decoyed by the author's adept use of red herrings. I found most of the characters believable and interesting. I'm glad I read the book but I probably would not have bothered were I not trying to avoid physical activity and if I felt more interested in television or DVD's.
September 9, 2011
I enjoyed this book. The story was original and pretty creepy but I thought the author could have drawn out the scary bits even more. It had the potential to be one of those novels that cause me to sleep with the tv on and jump at every noise in the house! I gave it a four because it did have some dull descriptive moments that I had to scan over to keep on with the story.
**********SPOILERS BELOW**********************
I didn't really like Cree's business partners. Ed is a total wuss and I don't know why Janet was trying to hook Cree up with Paul so bad when A. it would be a conflict of interest for the current case and B. he demonstrated a real shady side when plotting with Charmian. Speaking of Charmian, WTF is her problem?! She pretty much let her whole family be destroyed because the stick up her a$$ is so big she could not even talk to her daughter who has just been raped! She would rather let her children be scarred for life than tarnish the "family name". What good is a family name when after you die the only thing left is two f'd up kids?!
**********SPOILERS BELOW**********************
I didn't really like Cree's business partners. Ed is a total wuss and I don't know why Janet was trying to hook Cree up with Paul so bad when A. it would be a conflict of interest for the current case and B. he demonstrated a real shady side when plotting with Charmian. Speaking of Charmian, WTF is her problem?! She pretty much let her whole family be destroyed because the stick up her a$$ is so big she could not even talk to her daughter who has just been raped! She would rather let her children be scarred for life than tarnish the "family name". What good is a family name when after you die the only thing left is two f'd up kids?!
February 23, 2012
City of Masks follows one member (mostly) from a team of ghost hunters on a trip to New Orleans. A family there has requested her help in ridding their historic home of ghosts that have been haunting one family member in particular.
I really enjoyed this book. There was a little mystery and a little history in a fantastic setting. To be fair, I have also been known to watch Ghost Adventures, so this sort of plot has general appeal to me. At times I found the descriptions to be a bit intense and overlong, but overall I found the plot to be intriguing and very much wanted to see what happened next. AND there were parts that were actually quite creepy. FUN!
Also, as far as the mystery was concerned, there were enough hints given that you could figure it out on your own, which enhanced the experience for me.
It is not a book for everyone, but if the idea of ghosts and spirits piques your interest, it might be worth a read.
I really enjoyed this book. There was a little mystery and a little history in a fantastic setting. To be fair, I have also been known to watch Ghost Adventures, so this sort of plot has general appeal to me. At times I found the descriptions to be a bit intense and overlong, but overall I found the plot to be intriguing and very much wanted to see what happened next. AND there were parts that were actually quite creepy. FUN!
Also, as far as the mystery was concerned, there were enough hints given that you could figure it out on your own, which enhanced the experience for me.
It is not a book for everyone, but if the idea of ghosts and spirits piques your interest, it might be worth a read.
October 4, 2017
This book could probably be best described as a quieter urban fantasy. Cree Black is not the usual flashy urban fantasy protagonist that combats evildoers with magic and martial arts, and she has not been called to save the world.
Cree has been called to investigate a haunted house that harbors a painful family secret. The family greets her, polite but not entirely forthcoming with the whole story. Cree perseveres with the case anyway. The family has been haunted by the specter of a man with a pig face.
The book has a nicely atmospheric Southern flavor, and the supernatural while definitely apparent, lingers under the daily events of the real world that gives the story a creepier edge.
Cree has been called to investigate a haunted house that harbors a painful family secret. The family greets her, polite but not entirely forthcoming with the whole story. Cree perseveres with the case anyway. The family has been haunted by the specter of a man with a pig face.
The book has a nicely atmospheric Southern flavor, and the supernatural while definitely apparent, lingers under the daily events of the real world that gives the story a creepier edge.
April 10, 2010
I really cannot say enough about the writing skills of this once guitarist turned writer Daniel Hecht. I went into City of Masks looking for an easy read with no expectations for a solid plot. It seems like it is hard to find a book based on paranormal happenings that isn't just full of fluff. This book proved this theory of mine wrong.
Daniel Hecht obviously spends a lot of time researching everything he writes about. And I do mean thoroughly. From the setting to culture to the research involved in parapsychology, he nails it from every angle.
I would give this 6 stars if I could, instead I'll settle for 5 and hope that you'll read it based off my review.
Cheers.
Daniel Hecht obviously spends a lot of time researching everything he writes about. And I do mean thoroughly. From the setting to culture to the research involved in parapsychology, he nails it from every angle.
I would give this 6 stars if I could, instead I'll settle for 5 and hope that you'll read it based off my review.
Cheers.
August 8, 2016
With a solid mystery which knocks heavily on Gothic doors, this fascinating book explores both para-science and psychology from unique and thrilling angles. Hecht has created a strong cast of characters that ricochet beautifully amid family secrets, old houses, and ghosts of the past. The New Orleans setting puts the icing on the cake. I will be exploring book two.
July 25, 2017
Anna Fields does a terrific job as narrator. A ghost story with some interesting characters set in New Orleans. Unfortunately it rambles on and never really finds its way to a good story. Too bad no editors were available when this book was written.
September 18, 2017
Great Book. The author paid so much attention to detail.
February 17, 2015
SMALL SPOILER BELOW
I gave this book two stars instead of one only because I found the characters interesting. Too bad the author doesn't seem to agree with me. I felt rather bad for them as for the majority of the book, all they were given to do was wander around New Orleans, looking at the sights, eating good food, and having endless conversations and inner monologues. I nearly gave up on the book about a quarter of the way through but stuck it out because I was convinced that SOMETHING interesting was going to happen. About three-quarters of the way through, my patience was briefly rewarded. Briefly. However, by the time this exciting event finally happened, it seemed the characters were rather miffed with their lot in life, and they decided to sulk and do nothing for the remainder of the book but wander around, looking at the sights and having endless conversations and inner monologues. I only stuck it out to the end to find out which guy Our Heroine would choose.
SPOILER:
So, why does Cree end up with Paul in the end? She has a perfectly good guy in Edgar, who clearly has a thing for her as she clearly has a thing for him. They're compatible, they have the same worldview and the same interests, they even share a business for Pete's sake. But no, she goes crawling back to the guy who betrayed her, who doesn't believe in what she does for a living or her entire worldview. Because why? He's the new thing? He's more interesting just because he's different from what she already has? I call bull. I will not be re-reading this book.
I gave this book two stars instead of one only because I found the characters interesting. Too bad the author doesn't seem to agree with me. I felt rather bad for them as for the majority of the book, all they were given to do was wander around New Orleans, looking at the sights, eating good food, and having endless conversations and inner monologues. I nearly gave up on the book about a quarter of the way through but stuck it out because I was convinced that SOMETHING interesting was going to happen. About three-quarters of the way through, my patience was briefly rewarded. Briefly. However, by the time this exciting event finally happened, it seemed the characters were rather miffed with their lot in life, and they decided to sulk and do nothing for the remainder of the book but wander around, looking at the sights and having endless conversations and inner monologues. I only stuck it out to the end to find out which guy Our Heroine would choose.
SPOILER:
So, why does Cree end up with Paul in the end? She has a perfectly good guy in Edgar, who clearly has a thing for her as she clearly has a thing for him. They're compatible, they have the same worldview and the same interests, they even share a business for Pete's sake. But no, she goes crawling back to the guy who betrayed her, who doesn't believe in what she does for a living or her entire worldview. Because why? He's the new thing? He's more interesting just because he's different from what she already has? I call bull. I will not be re-reading this book.
August 12, 2012
I should say that in my star system one is sucky, two is I made it through it(sometimes), three is GOOD (I enjoyed it), four is great, it became important to me and five is I think it's a masterpiece orrrr at least it achieves everything that it wants to achieve. I say all this because even though I'm only giving City of Masks three stars, I really enjoyed it. Some parts of it were really creepy which I was pleasantly surprised by. I liked Cree herself. I liked the story that Hecht crafted. I was excited to see the mystery resolved and the final denouement carried suitable gravity and made sense. Hecht didn't let me down in the last quarter of the book, like so many (often better) books do. He doesn't have the most dazzling prose in the world or a whole lot of profound insight but he's better than Dan freaking Brown and he's a natural storyteller. I'm looking forward to reading and/or listening to others in the series.
June 26, 2017
From Amazon:
"Superb...A thoroughly satisfying, disturbing novel." -Cleveland Plain Dealer
In City of Masks, the first Cree Black novel, parapsychologist Cree and her partner take a case in New Orleans's Garden District that leaves them fearing for their own lives. The 150-year-old Beauforte House has long stood empty, until Lila Beauforte resumes residence and starts to see some of the house's secrets literally come to life. Tormented by an insidious and violent presence, Lila finds herself trapped in a life increasingly filled with childhood terrors. It takes Cree's unconventional take on psychology and her powerful natural empathy with Lila to navigate the dangerous worlds of spirit and memory, as they clash in a terrifying tale of mistaken identity and murder."
"Superb...A thoroughly satisfying, disturbing novel." -Cleveland Plain Dealer
In City of Masks, the first Cree Black novel, parapsychologist Cree and her partner take a case in New Orleans's Garden District that leaves them fearing for their own lives. The 150-year-old Beauforte House has long stood empty, until Lila Beauforte resumes residence and starts to see some of the house's secrets literally come to life. Tormented by an insidious and violent presence, Lila finds herself trapped in a life increasingly filled with childhood terrors. It takes Cree's unconventional take on psychology and her powerful natural empathy with Lila to navigate the dangerous worlds of spirit and memory, as they clash in a terrifying tale of mistaken identity and murder."
February 11, 2012
This would have been a good mystery if the author hadn't been so determined to convince the reader of the scientific reasons ghosts could be real. The plot really got bogged down by all the editorializing. Also, the protagonist was one of the wimpiest detectives around - and not in a funny way like Monk, just in an "I like to do yoga and think about my feelings, talk about my feelings and feel my feelings" way. All in all, a little too new-age and not spooky enough for me. It did get three stars for a great setting (New Orleans and a bit of Gloucester) and because I'm a sucker for anything featuring rich, old southern families and their secrets.
August 9, 2016
Cree Black walks a thin line between a mystery solver and a caller into the world of horrors that may only be real for her. This novel landed on the right side of the line for me, but I willingly acknowledge that other people may have different tastes and may have relished what I found distasteful. In her role as parapsychologist, Cree (short for Lucretia; does that predict anything for you?) determinedly makes herself vulnerable to whatever ectoplasmic being may be around and behaves accordingly. I find that a bit suspicious as a plot line. But I once again acknowledge that it may be to others' taste. The view of the novel is a matter of sensibilities.
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