Solve the clue and save yourself!

I've reached the end (so far) in this series and do not want to wait for another. This is book four in the Shaye Archer series, I would recommend reading this series in order as each book builds on the previous and relationships develop and become more intimate.
In this book a young woman approaches Shaye because a close friend of hers (Ethan) has gone missing. He's a geeky college student studying accounting. He doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs. When she goes to the police they blow her off and tell her he's probably off on a bender. She knows he wouldn't do that and asks Shaye for help. What Shaye uncovers initially appears to be a prank. Someone abducted a college student and sent Ethan a text with a strange message to solve the clue & save the girl. If he doesn't she'll die and he'll be next. The girl's body is found a few days later. Then Ethan disappears and another person gets a similar text.

As in her other books, Jana DeLeon steers the reader to an obvious suspect and then springs the real perpetrator on you. This person is not unknown through out the book, just someone you would never guess could be a killer.
The other thing DeLeon does is leave you with a cliffhanger that stays with you long after you have finished the book. Don't you just hate waiting to find out how that gets resolved?
Julie McKay does an excellent job narrating.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and the entire series.
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Thank You.

28 people found this helpful

Narrator ruined it.

I couldn't get past the 2nd chapter. The narrator was stilted and paused in awkward places.

4 people found this helpful

Not my favorite of the series but still good.

This was my least favorite of the series. But it was good. It seemed like a quick story. But it also felt unfinished like the next book is going to have some continuation to this story. It was NOT a cliffhanger, I just think there is more to come in the next book (being released tomorrow).

I also think we are going to get more of what happened to Shaye over those years she was held captive, so that will be interesting. That Jackson Shaye romance is heating up a bit.

I hope we get more Hustile in this next book too.

I do recommend this series for sure, its fast paced, easy to follow and flows well.

As for the narration, seriously Julie McKay STOP READING THE CHARACTERS LIKE THEY ARE ABOUT TO CRY OR ARE IN PANIC MODE ALL THE TIME! UGH it would be such a great narration if you would stop doing that. Thanks.

3 people found this helpful

Great suspense mystery series set in NOLA!

Private investigator Shaye Archer is a very wealthy young woman who can choose the cases that interest her without regard for the client's ability to pay. She is also the victim of a horrible crime that has left her with partial amnesia. Wicked is the 4th novel in the series. All four were released in audio format one month ago. The 5th novel in the series titled Unseen was released two weeks earlier in ebook and paperback formats, but not in audio. I hope Unseen will be released soon in audio format.

All four Shaye Archer novels released so far in audio are solid 5 star suspense mysteries with outstanding narration by Julie McKay. This series has my highest recommendation.

10 people found this helpful

Love the Series

All the books are great with stories that keep your attention. The main character is very likable and you really for her.

2 people found this helpful

Engaging

This series is very different from the other series by Ms. Nelson which I have enjoyed. This series is serious it shows the ugliness of humanity, what ones evil mind conjures up but lack the where with all to just stop. I was sad in the previous book Diabolical when the grandfather killed himself I believe he could've put a twist on the story to survive, the police chief was a different story.

1 person found this helpful

really great book! the shaye archer story line is riviting! i can't wait to see where it goes from here!

1 person found this helpful

great!

this was a great story. did not figure out the killer until revealed. more revealed about shaye at the end.

1 person found this helpful

Action Packed and Enjoyable, Though a Little Predictable

So I’ll start by saying I love love Jana DeLeon’s books. I’ve read many of the different series including my faves the Fortune series. The Shaye Archer series has also won my heart. I’ve read them all so far in order. I would read them all again, including this one because I enjoy the character development and the continuing storyline woven throughout the series. The mystery in this book is good. There is a good amount of action and the women here are strong (even when portrayed as some type of victim). However, I was a little disappointed that I knew who the villain was as soon as they entered the scene, and never once thought otherwise. Others didn’t seem to say so in the reviews, so maybe I’m just extra alert. But for me it was obvious from the start.
That being said, I still enjoyed watching the story unfold and the dramatic pursuits that followed. A few out of character actions by Shaye and this books main new character which made me say why, since while those actions moved the storyline, they were not in character with the personality traits and actions of that person. Normally I give Jana 5 in everything, but here I’m docking a point for the above critiques. I would still read and listen to this book again because I enjoyed it, and so would anyone as these books are suspenseful, action packed, filled with characters you love, and interesting enough that I finish them in a day even with work.
I also love that they are not too dark for suspense books, and don’t leave you feeling gloomy and sad. I appreciate that this storyline was a little less complicated, because the ending in the last book was painful, the subject heavier, and the surprises made me a little sad.

I truly am so glad I first stumbled across Jana in the Mother in Law Ghost series, then Fortune, and here I am.

Finally, I enjoy the narrator a lot, but she made Terra (Tara) constantly sound like the world’s biggest basket case, so I would tone down the hysteria panic-filled voice a little in the scenes that’s it was not so necessary.
Please read in order as there is an ongoing storyline, and make sure you include Wicked in your Audible library, you won’t regret it!

3 people found this helpful

Figured this one out, but still a great story

I love this series. I enjoy the puzzle and thrilling nature the books have. This book is the only one I figured out early early on. Still liked it tho.