What do you think?
Rate this book
Paranormal Detectives #1
Stake-Out
Detective Danny Mancini is on a case, following a murder suspect. When he catches him, he finds out that the perp isn't even human: he's a 200 year old rogue vampire!
The department doesn't believe him, and puts him on early retirement, despite his many years of service to the Chicago Police Department, which sends him into a downward spiral.
Two years later, Danny gets an invitation from the beautiful, young and very attractive Detective Angelica Cross to join a secret branch of the FBI to help her track down Vincent, the wayward vamp.
But renegade werewolves, meddling immortal witches and Danny's strange visions of a life lived a century ago with Angelica make things more difficult than it should be.
The department doesn't believe him, and puts him on early retirement, despite his many years of service to the Chicago Police Department, which sends him into a downward spiral.
Two years later, Danny gets an invitation from the beautiful, young and very attractive Detective Angelica Cross to join a secret branch of the FBI to help her track down Vincent, the wayward vamp.
But renegade werewolves, meddling immortal witches and Danny's strange visions of a life lived a century ago with Angelica make things more difficult than it should be.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2015
51 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Lily Luchesi
75 books366 followersLily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the Paranormal Detectives Series, published by Vamptasy Publishing. She also has short stories included in multiple bestselling anthologies, and a successful dark erotica retelling of Dracula.
She also compiled and edited the bestselling anthology Damsels of Distress, which focuses on strong female characters in horror and paranormal fiction.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And drinking copious amounts of coffee.
2017 Best Horror Author from Reality Bites Magazine
2016 1st Place Best Paranormal Author at the Virtual Fantasy Con Awards
2016 2nd Place Best Dark/Horror Author at the Virtual Fantasy Con Awards
2015 3rd Place Best Male Villain (Vincent from Stake-Out) at the DNSB Reader's Choice Awards and the SNSBAH Awards
She also compiled and edited the bestselling anthology Damsels of Distress, which focuses on strong female characters in horror and paranormal fiction.
She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And drinking copious amounts of coffee.
2017 Best Horror Author from Reality Bites Magazine
2016 1st Place Best Paranormal Author at the Virtual Fantasy Con Awards
2016 2nd Place Best Dark/Horror Author at the Virtual Fantasy Con Awards
2015 3rd Place Best Male Villain (Vincent from Stake-Out) at the DNSB Reader's Choice Awards and the SNSBAH Awards
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 25, 2017
How about a great mystery thriller that walks on the dark side of the street? What if that mystery contains vampires, too? I agree, sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? When a veteran detective claims to have fought off a murder suspect who later escaped, well, that is part of the job. When Danny Mancini says the perp is a vampire, the department decided it was time to put Mancini out to pasture. Broken, depressed and often three sheets to the wind, he has spent the last two years feeling lost, useless and at odds with life.
Then came the knock at the door by a beautiful young detective who asks Danny to join a secret government agency to track down, you guessed it, a vampire named Vincent. It seems Danny is about to learn about everything that goes bump in the night, firsthand and he would like nothing better than to find the vampire that cost him his job and his inner identity.
Of course things are never that simple and when romance begins to bloom, Danny must choose between his hatred for all things paranormal and Angelica, the woman he is drawn to like metal to a magnet.
Welcome to STAKE OUT by Lily Luchesi! Where a hard-boiled detective faces blood sucking vampires head on while discovering that not all vampires are created equal. Ms. Luchesi has done a marvelous job of blending genres, creating characters filled with dimension and personality, while adding a bit of mystery that runs deeper than just the present day events! Forget the perfect hero type, Danny is flawed, sometimes very narrow-minded and certainly a bit aggravating, but Angelica make up for all that just by putting up with his flawed ways! Perfect start to what looks to be a fabulous series!
I received this copy from Lily Luchesi in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Paranormal Detectives - Book 1
Publisher: Vamptasy Publishing (May 17, 2015)
Publication Date: May 17, 2015
Genre: Paranormal
Print Length: 128 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Then came the knock at the door by a beautiful young detective who asks Danny to join a secret government agency to track down, you guessed it, a vampire named Vincent. It seems Danny is about to learn about everything that goes bump in the night, firsthand and he would like nothing better than to find the vampire that cost him his job and his inner identity.
Of course things are never that simple and when romance begins to bloom, Danny must choose between his hatred for all things paranormal and Angelica, the woman he is drawn to like metal to a magnet.
Welcome to STAKE OUT by Lily Luchesi! Where a hard-boiled detective faces blood sucking vampires head on while discovering that not all vampires are created equal. Ms. Luchesi has done a marvelous job of blending genres, creating characters filled with dimension and personality, while adding a bit of mystery that runs deeper than just the present day events! Forget the perfect hero type, Danny is flawed, sometimes very narrow-minded and certainly a bit aggravating, but Angelica make up for all that just by putting up with his flawed ways! Perfect start to what looks to be a fabulous series!
I received this copy from Lily Luchesi in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Paranormal Detectives - Book 1
Publisher: Vamptasy Publishing (May 17, 2015)
Publication Date: May 17, 2015
Genre: Paranormal
Print Length: 128 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 12, 2019
A great twisty
A great twisty ride, with many of the characters being of the undead variety. This grabbed me from the beginning and kept me engrossed throughout. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. If it continues with the same wonderful story telling, I’ll be one happy person. I believe this is my first time reading a book by this Author, but I can assure you it wont be my last. I really enjoyed how she put the story together and kept it interesting throughout. I never felt like it hit a lull, it was continuously moving forward at a great rate. Really excellent first book, that has drawn me in completely.
A great twisty ride, with many of the characters being of the undead variety. This grabbed me from the beginning and kept me engrossed throughout. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. If it continues with the same wonderful story telling, I’ll be one happy person. I believe this is my first time reading a book by this Author, but I can assure you it wont be my last. I really enjoyed how she put the story together and kept it interesting throughout. I never felt like it hit a lull, it was continuously moving forward at a great rate. Really excellent first book, that has drawn me in completely.
June 26, 2018
5 stars - English Ebook - I have dyslexia -
june 2012
- Cause if my eyes don't deceive me/There's something going wrong around here. Joe Jackson-
june 2012
- Cause if my eyes don't deceive me/There's something going wrong around here. Joe Jackson-
June 15, 2017
You think anything not human is an enemy. You kill first and ask questions never. Not every paranormal creature is evil...
-Stake-Out
Rating: 4.25/5
Detective First Grade Daniel Mancini was supposed to be following a possible homicide suspect, but what he found instead was a far cry from the supposed human killer. Alarmingly, he discovered a bloodthirsty, murdering vampire with no qualms when it came to slaughtering the human population. Daniel has no idea who to tell about this sudden and unnerving development, but when he finally does describe what he witnessed, Daniel is forced into early retirement. Now this formerly skilled detective is sitting at home, depressed from being let go after failing his psychological evaluation. No one can possibly understand what he has been through or even comprehend that he is telling the truth . . . until two years later.
One evening, the beautiful Detective Angelica Cross knocks on Daniel's door and asks him the unthinkable: to join the Paranormal Investigations Department, a secret branch of the FBI. She believes without hesitation that Daniel really did see a vampire, a supposedly fictional creature of the night that should only exist in legends and works of fiction. Angelica even knows who the vampire was. The creature that ruined Daniel's career was none other than the 200 year old Vincent, a rogue and viciously bloodthirsty vamp. Daniel's not sure if he wants to delve into this new world where make-believe creatures actually exist, but he's sure as heck not going to let an immoral thing strike an innocent victim again, especially if that thing ruined his career.
Together, Angelica and Daniel must work as a team to take down one of the maddest, blood-crazed vamps to roam the streets. However, the two have to battle with their differences, prejudices, and feelings towards their work and each other. It doesn't help either that one of them has secrets harbored and festering in the dark. Daniel can't fathom the idea of supernatural creatures being anything other than evil, but Angelica understands that only certain ones are corrupt and have fallen into immoral practices. However, despite their obvious differences, the growing attraction between the two partners can only mean trouble. On top of that, Daniel is beginning to have sudden, unexplainable visions from the past. What do these mean? Can Daniel and Angelica really put a stop to Vincent? Are the two falling in love? Are all supernatural creatures vile things? Who is the enemy here? Read Stake-Out to uncover the answers if you dare!
"That's the difference between you and I -- you see life as a game to win, no matter the cost. I see it as a precious gift to cherish."
-Angelica
Our Thoughts: (Please note that this is a dual review.)
Lily Luchesi has created a story full of paranormal thrills, including vampires, werewolves, witches, hunters, supernatural powers, danger, heartbreak, excitement, and a devastating love story! What more can a girl ask for? All of our favorite things were combined into one story. From page one, the novel held our attention, and our breath caught as we read the last page. It can easily be agreed upon that vampire lore has been heavily explored these past several years, but we believe that Stake-Out holds its own. The characters were kick-butt and intriguing, creating both a strong atmosphere and reading experience.
Angelica added a depth to the story and proudly represented females everywhere. C and I have an extremely hard time finding female characters that we actually enjoy reading about. Too many of them are whiny, unpleasant, indecisive, passive, or are just blind followers. Others have low self-esteem or retain this complex where they think they need a man to rescue them instead of saving themselves. Now, we're not saying that these are terrible qualities or characteristics that lesson someone's worth; it's just that they are often qualities that are exploited or implemented so frequently that a girl seems weak. Angelica was just the opposite, though. She a true breath of fresh air. Angelica Cross can easily be described as headstrong and independent. However, she also doesn't fit in among humans or supernatural creatures extremely well, a fact that she doesn't let bring her down.
There were quite a few elements that made Stake-Out unique for us. For one, there were several lovely references to the fantastic show Supernatural. (Cue the fangirling!)
There were also quotes/lyrics at the beginning of each chapter. This made for a distinctive reading experience, smoothly setting the mood and tone for the pages it was representing. The flashbacks were also a favorite of ours. Yes, it was easy for us to guess Angelica's secret before it was revealed, but this surprisingly didn't ruin the story for us in any way.
If you're looking for a quick, satisfying paranormal read, Stake-Out is the perfect book for you! There were great characters, backstories, and romance. Lily Luchesi has won two fans today, and we eagerly anticipate the sequel!
Please note that we received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Our thoughts were in no way influenced and are strictly our own. We would sincerely love to thank the author, Lily Luchesi, for allowing us to read a copy of her wonderful novel!
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com/.
-Stake-Out
Rating: 4.25/5
Detective First Grade Daniel Mancini was supposed to be following a possible homicide suspect, but what he found instead was a far cry from the supposed human killer. Alarmingly, he discovered a bloodthirsty, murdering vampire with no qualms when it came to slaughtering the human population. Daniel has no idea who to tell about this sudden and unnerving development, but when he finally does describe what he witnessed, Daniel is forced into early retirement. Now this formerly skilled detective is sitting at home, depressed from being let go after failing his psychological evaluation. No one can possibly understand what he has been through or even comprehend that he is telling the truth . . . until two years later.
One evening, the beautiful Detective Angelica Cross knocks on Daniel's door and asks him the unthinkable: to join the Paranormal Investigations Department, a secret branch of the FBI. She believes without hesitation that Daniel really did see a vampire, a supposedly fictional creature of the night that should only exist in legends and works of fiction. Angelica even knows who the vampire was. The creature that ruined Daniel's career was none other than the 200 year old Vincent, a rogue and viciously bloodthirsty vamp. Daniel's not sure if he wants to delve into this new world where make-believe creatures actually exist, but he's sure as heck not going to let an immoral thing strike an innocent victim again, especially if that thing ruined his career.
Together, Angelica and Daniel must work as a team to take down one of the maddest, blood-crazed vamps to roam the streets. However, the two have to battle with their differences, prejudices, and feelings towards their work and each other. It doesn't help either that one of them has secrets harbored and festering in the dark. Daniel can't fathom the idea of supernatural creatures being anything other than evil, but Angelica understands that only certain ones are corrupt and have fallen into immoral practices. However, despite their obvious differences, the growing attraction between the two partners can only mean trouble. On top of that, Daniel is beginning to have sudden, unexplainable visions from the past. What do these mean? Can Daniel and Angelica really put a stop to Vincent? Are the two falling in love? Are all supernatural creatures vile things? Who is the enemy here? Read Stake-Out to uncover the answers if you dare!
"That's the difference between you and I -- you see life as a game to win, no matter the cost. I see it as a precious gift to cherish."
-Angelica
Our Thoughts: (Please note that this is a dual review.)
Lily Luchesi has created a story full of paranormal thrills, including vampires, werewolves, witches, hunters, supernatural powers, danger, heartbreak, excitement, and a devastating love story! What more can a girl ask for? All of our favorite things were combined into one story. From page one, the novel held our attention, and our breath caught as we read the last page. It can easily be agreed upon that vampire lore has been heavily explored these past several years, but we believe that Stake-Out holds its own. The characters were kick-butt and intriguing, creating both a strong atmosphere and reading experience.
Angelica added a depth to the story and proudly represented females everywhere. C and I have an extremely hard time finding female characters that we actually enjoy reading about. Too many of them are whiny, unpleasant, indecisive, passive, or are just blind followers. Others have low self-esteem or retain this complex where they think they need a man to rescue them instead of saving themselves. Now, we're not saying that these are terrible qualities or characteristics that lesson someone's worth; it's just that they are often qualities that are exploited or implemented so frequently that a girl seems weak. Angelica was just the opposite, though. She a true breath of fresh air. Angelica Cross can easily be described as headstrong and independent. However, she also doesn't fit in among humans or supernatural creatures extremely well, a fact that she doesn't let bring her down.
There were quite a few elements that made Stake-Out unique for us. For one, there were several lovely references to the fantastic show Supernatural. (Cue the fangirling!)
There were also quotes/lyrics at the beginning of each chapter. This made for a distinctive reading experience, smoothly setting the mood and tone for the pages it was representing. The flashbacks were also a favorite of ours. Yes, it was easy for us to guess Angelica's secret before it was revealed, but this surprisingly didn't ruin the story for us in any way.
If you're looking for a quick, satisfying paranormal read, Stake-Out is the perfect book for you! There were great characters, backstories, and romance. Lily Luchesi has won two fans today, and we eagerly anticipate the sequel!
Please note that we received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Our thoughts were in no way influenced and are strictly our own. We would sincerely love to thank the author, Lily Luchesi, for allowing us to read a copy of her wonderful novel!
You can see reviews like this one and more at http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.com/.
August 13, 2015
This is an impressive debut from a promising young author.
Let's start with the negatives. STAKE-OUT suffers from a bit of firstnovelitis. That means some showing more than telling, some characters outright stating their feelings, and some behavior that was either lampshaded, over-explained, or undercooked. And a few worldbuilding issues. I'm not going to pretend like this is a perfect novel, but these are all kinks that can be ironed out over time. If this series goes on long enough I could see it becoming another Sookie Stackhouse-, Harry Dresden-, or Anita Blake-type series, where the author grows into her voice after a few books.
That being said, what's really impressive here is the rock-solid foundation of a good book series. So let's look at some of the positives. This was a short, punchy, exciting novel. I'm probably most impressed by the romantic subplot. The scenes when Danny and Angelica were either simmering in their attraction to each other or giving in to it were the most convincing and sweetest parts of the novel. (Yeah, I never thought I'd say this either, but more romance next time, please.) The action, mystery, and romance blended in a way that felt unique to me. I really think STAKE-OUT is an auspicious start to a promising career, and I look forward to reading more from Luchesi in the future.
Let's start with the negatives. STAKE-OUT suffers from a bit of firstnovelitis. That means some showing more than telling, some characters outright stating their feelings, and some behavior that was either lampshaded, over-explained, or undercooked. And a few worldbuilding issues. I'm not going to pretend like this is a perfect novel, but these are all kinks that can be ironed out over time. If this series goes on long enough I could see it becoming another Sookie Stackhouse-, Harry Dresden-, or Anita Blake-type series, where the author grows into her voice after a few books.
That being said, what's really impressive here is the rock-solid foundation of a good book series. So let's look at some of the positives. This was a short, punchy, exciting novel. I'm probably most impressed by the romantic subplot. The scenes when Danny and Angelica were either simmering in their attraction to each other or giving in to it were the most convincing and sweetest parts of the novel. (Yeah, I never thought I'd say this either, but more romance next time, please.) The action, mystery, and romance blended in a way that felt unique to me. I really think STAKE-OUT is an auspicious start to a promising career, and I look forward to reading more from Luchesi in the future.
May 18, 2015
A fast paced vampire hunting novel. At only 100 pages it had to pack quite the punch to get to the end. It may have been short but that doesn't mean it was lacking in any department.
The characters were great and even in only 100 pages you still got enough details about all of them to know them. Though things seemed a little rushed at times, I know it was just because it was so short. I did think Danny trusted everything Angelica told him too quickly. I don't think I would just say okay and hop in the car with a woman that told she was basically a vampire hunter. That's just me though.
I wasn't surprised by the revelation about Angelica. I knew something was up with her and the fact that Danny didn't see that was weird. Though she did hide it well, you can't get things like that passed me.
There was a lot of action in this small little book. I read it in an hour because I couldn't put it down. I actually gave 3.5 stars on my blog.
For more of my reviews visit :http://www.hyperashley.com/
The characters were great and even in only 100 pages you still got enough details about all of them to know them. Though things seemed a little rushed at times, I know it was just because it was so short. I did think Danny trusted everything Angelica told him too quickly. I don't think I would just say okay and hop in the car with a woman that told she was basically a vampire hunter. That's just me though.
I wasn't surprised by the revelation about Angelica. I knew something was up with her and the fact that Danny didn't see that was weird. Though she did hide it well, you can't get things like that passed me.
There was a lot of action in this small little book. I read it in an hour because I couldn't put it down. I actually gave 3.5 stars on my blog.
For more of my reviews visit :http://www.hyperashley.com/
August 5, 2016
My collaborative review with B can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This review can also be found on Knightingale Reviews: http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.c...
This review can also be found on Knightingale Reviews: http://knightingalereviews.blogspot.c...
May 7, 2015
Lily Luchesi gives readers her own twist on a classic genre in her debut novel, Stake Out (Paranormal Detectives, #1). Tough, somewhat hot-tempered Detective Daniel Mancini has a lot of experience as a cop, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw one dark Chicago night: a psychopathic vampire, sucking the blood from a helpless victim. Little does he know that this will be the turning point of his life. Though the experience leads to his dismissal from the police department (they think he's nuts when he tries to tell them what he saw), two years later, it leads the FBI's paranormal division to his doorstep. The psycho vampire he saw is still out there – and they need him to stop the creature.
Luchesi's take on the vampire genre draws influence from many sources, and I rather enjoyed her cheeky nod to the TV show Supernatural (one of my personal favorites). She takes a known and well-loved subject and gives it a unique take, building a new world around an old concept. She's also not afraid to delve into the ugly side of vampires – the blood, the killing, the mayhem. These aren't your sparkly Edwards Cullens. These are creatures to be feared. But also creatures with lives of their own – not all of them are evil, and this creates an interesting dilemma for Danny, whose first, traumatic encounter with one shapes the way he thinks.
Co-starring in this book is Detective Angelica Cross, who has an almost femme-fatale-ish introduction as the woman who pulls Danny into the FBI, with her Marilyn Monroe looks and sultry mannerisms. It's not hard to see why Danny would be smitten, but, like in all good fiction, the romance is never easy. With dark and disturbing forces closing in around him – not only vampires, but werewolves, witches, and weird visions as well – Danny finds himself in situations that all the police training in the world couldn't have prepared for.
Stake Out is a quick read that takes the reader in many different directions, following Danny's adventures into the unknown. Luchesi's descriptive skills are on full display as she depicts both paranormal horrors and the relatable instances in Danny's life. Dark, fast-paced, and full of mystery, Stake Out is more than just another vampire story. This book is Luchesi's debut novel, and I expect readers who enjoy Stake Out will be eager to read its sequels.
Luchesi's take on the vampire genre draws influence from many sources, and I rather enjoyed her cheeky nod to the TV show Supernatural (one of my personal favorites). She takes a known and well-loved subject and gives it a unique take, building a new world around an old concept. She's also not afraid to delve into the ugly side of vampires – the blood, the killing, the mayhem. These aren't your sparkly Edwards Cullens. These are creatures to be feared. But also creatures with lives of their own – not all of them are evil, and this creates an interesting dilemma for Danny, whose first, traumatic encounter with one shapes the way he thinks.
Co-starring in this book is Detective Angelica Cross, who has an almost femme-fatale-ish introduction as the woman who pulls Danny into the FBI, with her Marilyn Monroe looks and sultry mannerisms. It's not hard to see why Danny would be smitten, but, like in all good fiction, the romance is never easy. With dark and disturbing forces closing in around him – not only vampires, but werewolves, witches, and weird visions as well – Danny finds himself in situations that all the police training in the world couldn't have prepared for.
Stake Out is a quick read that takes the reader in many different directions, following Danny's adventures into the unknown. Luchesi's descriptive skills are on full display as she depicts both paranormal horrors and the relatable instances in Danny's life. Dark, fast-paced, and full of mystery, Stake Out is more than just another vampire story. This book is Luchesi's debut novel, and I expect readers who enjoy Stake Out will be eager to read its sequels.
May 21, 2015
This paranormal detective series starts out with a dangerous and alarming situation for the detective when he witnesses a murder by a vicious vampire. This is a great beginning for the book because it captures the reader's attention and bonds us with the main character as we root for him to catch the vamp and survive in the process. Nicely done on the author's part. The detective's downward spiral from this experience gives him the opportunity to join a force that fights monsters such as these.
I think the idea of a faction of the government fighting paranormal activity, though not original in nature, is nicely illustrated and written in a way that is just different enough to not seem repetitive or plagiaristic. Daniel's partner, Angee is kind and compassionate while recognizing that killing bad paranormal creatures is simply part of the solution to keeping order between the humans and the supernatural. Their attraction to one another is believable though I sometimes felt frustrated by how underdeveloped it was. The idea that they were lovers in a previous life is something that should, I think, be a huge deal, but that reveal is made in a rather off-handed statement by Daniel, and then the story moves on from there. As if they were discussing the weather rather than the fact that they knew and loved each other in a previous life. In order for us to believe in this connection and this relationship there needs to be much more development, and definitely more of a set-up and reaction to the idea that they were lovers in previous lives.
Another example of this is Daniel's precognitive ability which seems to show up in the story as if the author decided right then and there that it would be cool for the detective to have a super power rather than something that had been decided long before the story was written when the author was creating the characters in the first place. This also needs to be set-up for us in the beginning. Maybe a mention of him having strange dreams and visions all of his life, an awesome ability to see the past and future which has helped him to be such an effective cop. This would have added some depth and dimension to his character while simultaneously giving him something to hide if anyone, up to that point, had discovered his secret, upping the stakes, if you will. More angst and conflict for the character and more reason for us to be intrigued with Daniel.
In other words the author has some fabulous ideas for the plot and characters, but she doesn't utilize them in a way that makes them work for her or her character's benefit. A few rewrites with these ideas in mind would make this awesome storyline stand out.
The fighting sequences rock, the mystery behind our rogue vamp's origins and how and why he killed his wife is engrossing, and trying to figure out how Angee ties into all of this will keep you tethered to this story in the hopes that you will gather all of the answers you're looking for. Guess you'll have to buy the book to understand what I'm talking about.
I think with a few rewrites to help with some of the underdeveloped themes in the storyline, this book would be perfect. It's a solid first installment to what promises to be an interesting, paranormal detective series.
I think the idea of a faction of the government fighting paranormal activity, though not original in nature, is nicely illustrated and written in a way that is just different enough to not seem repetitive or plagiaristic. Daniel's partner, Angee is kind and compassionate while recognizing that killing bad paranormal creatures is simply part of the solution to keeping order between the humans and the supernatural. Their attraction to one another is believable though I sometimes felt frustrated by how underdeveloped it was. The idea that they were lovers in a previous life is something that should, I think, be a huge deal, but that reveal is made in a rather off-handed statement by Daniel, and then the story moves on from there. As if they were discussing the weather rather than the fact that they knew and loved each other in a previous life. In order for us to believe in this connection and this relationship there needs to be much more development, and definitely more of a set-up and reaction to the idea that they were lovers in previous lives.
Another example of this is Daniel's precognitive ability which seems to show up in the story as if the author decided right then and there that it would be cool for the detective to have a super power rather than something that had been decided long before the story was written when the author was creating the characters in the first place. This also needs to be set-up for us in the beginning. Maybe a mention of him having strange dreams and visions all of his life, an awesome ability to see the past and future which has helped him to be such an effective cop. This would have added some depth and dimension to his character while simultaneously giving him something to hide if anyone, up to that point, had discovered his secret, upping the stakes, if you will. More angst and conflict for the character and more reason for us to be intrigued with Daniel.
In other words the author has some fabulous ideas for the plot and characters, but she doesn't utilize them in a way that makes them work for her or her character's benefit. A few rewrites with these ideas in mind would make this awesome storyline stand out.
The fighting sequences rock, the mystery behind our rogue vamp's origins and how and why he killed his wife is engrossing, and trying to figure out how Angee ties into all of this will keep you tethered to this story in the hopes that you will gather all of the answers you're looking for. Guess you'll have to buy the book to understand what I'm talking about.
I think with a few rewrites to help with some of the underdeveloped themes in the storyline, this book would be perfect. It's a solid first installment to what promises to be an interesting, paranormal detective series.
May 3, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I'd never before read anything about vampires in a modern-day setting, and this makes me want to read more. Lily Luchesi has a real gift for storytelling, particularly in keeping the action moving and making you want to know what will happen next. I enjoyed getting to know the two central characters, Danny and Angelica, and they make a good foil for one another. Their age-difference is also a nice addition. One interesting thing is how you get to know things that Danny does not know, and this pulls you along as he becomes more aware of his past. There were some neat touches of humour throughout the story, which I felt were nicely judged and not overplayed. One thing I liked a lot is that the reality of these supernatural beings is a given, and the rest of the world is just going on as normal. Song quotes at the beginnings of chapters acted as an enticement to the next part of the story. I enjoyed the flashbacks, and the epilogue is certainly a hook for the next installment of this series. A very enjoyable read, and this has indeed whetted my appetite for this genre as a whole.
August 20, 2015
I really enjoyed this story all the up to the cliffhanger ending. The conclusion was just a bit too rushed, and I was disappointed that the book just sort of ended, and I have to wait for the next installment. I loved the characters. The writing style was just about perfect. The action was fast, and every chapter propelled the story along so I was never bored. I loved the hidden supernatural sub-culture that exists in this author’s imagination. I just bought right into the whole paranormal sha-bang . I also enjoyed the pop culture references and had to laugh out-loud a few times. I look forward to reading more with these characters by this author.
I got this book via Kindle Unlimited.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
I got this book via Kindle Unlimited.
Reviewed by Laurie-J
May 19, 2015
This was a very entertaining and interesting book to read for I thought that the author had a lot of twists and turns in her story. I thought her writing was very intriguing and there were parts that kinda kept me guessing until the end of the story. It's not your ordinary love /hate paranormal story book read so you got to get a copy of the book and read the story of Det. Daniel Mancini and Det. Angelica Cross for it is a very entertaining book to read. All the things they do for love and all that they have to do in order to survive all that comes their way.
March 31, 2016
A great start to a promising series!
A killer on the loose, a doomed romance, and paranormal creatures functioning in modern society make for an exciting story. It has issues that usually accompany an author's first book like head-hopping confusion and showing versus telling, but the story itself shines through. I enjoyed the bit of mystery and romance just as much as the action and fight scenes.
Very well done and can't wait to read the sequel!
A killer on the loose, a doomed romance, and paranormal creatures functioning in modern society make for an exciting story. It has issues that usually accompany an author's first book like head-hopping confusion and showing versus telling, but the story itself shines through. I enjoyed the bit of mystery and romance just as much as the action and fight scenes.
Very well done and can't wait to read the sequel!
February 7, 2017
Finished reading: January 25th 2017
“Who would've guessed that, in this world, there were vampires, werewolves and specters lurking around every corner; that evil witches who lived for centuries were being burned to to death a few miles away?”
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
September 25, 2017
Detective Danny Mancini is quickly approaching retirement but after a night of tracking a murder suspect, witnessing a murder, being attacked and wakening in hospital, he is assessed as being unfit to return to work. The outside wounds may have healed fine but perhaps telling the story of a vampire attacking the victim and himself probably wasn’t the best idea in the world. No, I mean how can the Police Force keep this rambling ageing Detective on when he has obviously reached his sell by date before his time. So Danny was forced to quit early and vegetated over the next couple of years until he was head hunted, in the best possible way, by a covert operation working within the FBI that have no problem in believing his story.
Now when this little town sleeps there are other inhabitants that walk the streets and Danny’s new partner, Detective Angelica Cross knows how to spot them and ensure that they don’t get up the following day. She is some super cool lady that can pack and despatch these creatures and wastes no time in teaching Danny. They make a pretty cool team.
This is quite a dark horse story with far more to it than just recruiting for a supernatural hunt. It seems that for some the job was just second nature. The book falls into two-time lines which gives the whole story purpose. Lily Luchesi has created a fascinating plot that promises so much more in the series that is to continue from this book. The mix of thriller and murder mystery to supernatural is very well-balanced and goes between both with ease. I feel that the surface here has only just been scratched and that the author has so much more to offer and draw readers back as the books are published.
Now when this little town sleeps there are other inhabitants that walk the streets and Danny’s new partner, Detective Angelica Cross knows how to spot them and ensure that they don’t get up the following day. She is some super cool lady that can pack and despatch these creatures and wastes no time in teaching Danny. They make a pretty cool team.
This is quite a dark horse story with far more to it than just recruiting for a supernatural hunt. It seems that for some the job was just second nature. The book falls into two-time lines which gives the whole story purpose. Lily Luchesi has created a fascinating plot that promises so much more in the series that is to continue from this book. The mix of thriller and murder mystery to supernatural is very well-balanced and goes between both with ease. I feel that the surface here has only just been scratched and that the author has so much more to offer and draw readers back as the books are published.
April 29, 2018
Read my full review at https://blackwords-whitepages1977.blo...
What an amazing story this was! This author has a new fan!!
The characters were phenomenal! The story between Danny and Angelica felt so real. I had become connected with feelings that both characters went through. I felt so bad for Danny and how conflicted his feelings were for Angelica. He was for sure fighting his own inner demons along with the real ones. And Angelica, well, she was such a strong character with a soft heart. These two characters just made the perfect couple.
The story-line was remarkable. I am beginning love Investigation stories with a Paranormal twist thanks to this story alone. This author did an incredible job of keeping me in suspense and on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I loved how the author captured the character's past while still in the present time and how everything just fell in together the more I read this story. I also felt as if I was part of the story. I could picture everything so clearly as if I was watching a movie in my head. I highly recommend this read.
What an amazing story this was! This author has a new fan!!
The characters were phenomenal! The story between Danny and Angelica felt so real. I had become connected with feelings that both characters went through. I felt so bad for Danny and how conflicted his feelings were for Angelica. He was for sure fighting his own inner demons along with the real ones. And Angelica, well, she was such a strong character with a soft heart. These two characters just made the perfect couple.
The story-line was remarkable. I am beginning love Investigation stories with a Paranormal twist thanks to this story alone. This author did an incredible job of keeping me in suspense and on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I loved how the author captured the character's past while still in the present time and how everything just fell in together the more I read this story. I also felt as if I was part of the story. I could picture everything so clearly as if I was watching a movie in my head. I highly recommend this read.
April 27, 2015
From the beginning it is easy to care about Danny – A detective doing his job and doing it well, who witnesses’ something unbelievable. And of course no one believes him; he is pushed out of the CPD, labelled as crazy and unfit for work.
Danny is barely surviving, living on bottle after bottle of booze when along comes Angelica Cross and the PID (The secret paranormal investigation department of the FBI). A Vamplet, Angelica is the daughter of a human male and a vampire female. Angelica is sexy, strong and determined to catch the bad guys.
Though the whole book Danny struggles, he’s had so much thrown at him and never really recovers. I hope that in the next or third book his life can come together for him. At the very end of the epilogue, I felt like there was hope of that, as he’d realised his mistakes.
Even though it was easy to guess Angelica Cross’s big secret early on, I loved that Danny didn’t. There are all sorts’ twists and turns along the way, some expected, some not. The story was fast paced, action packed, entertaining and emotional. I was swept up in Danny and Angelica’s world.
In this the first book, we meet two villains, but only one of them dealt with, leaving what could be an epic show down between Angelica and the powerful and malicious witch Fiona Gullifoyle.
I am really looking forward to the next installment. Bring It On.
My favourite parts:
The flash backs to Danny’s previous life, I loved the whole epilogue (even read it twice).
The vampiric history lesson Angelica gives Danny – Fascinating.
All the little snippets of song lyrics that accompany each chapter break – It is a really lovely, quirky touch. The emotion in the song lyrics matched the chapters perfectly each time.
Danny is barely surviving, living on bottle after bottle of booze when along comes Angelica Cross and the PID (The secret paranormal investigation department of the FBI). A Vamplet, Angelica is the daughter of a human male and a vampire female. Angelica is sexy, strong and determined to catch the bad guys.
Though the whole book Danny struggles, he’s had so much thrown at him and never really recovers. I hope that in the next or third book his life can come together for him. At the very end of the epilogue, I felt like there was hope of that, as he’d realised his mistakes.
Even though it was easy to guess Angelica Cross’s big secret early on, I loved that Danny didn’t. There are all sorts’ twists and turns along the way, some expected, some not. The story was fast paced, action packed, entertaining and emotional. I was swept up in Danny and Angelica’s world.
In this the first book, we meet two villains, but only one of them dealt with, leaving what could be an epic show down between Angelica and the powerful and malicious witch Fiona Gullifoyle.
I am really looking forward to the next installment. Bring It On.
My favourite parts:
The flash backs to Danny’s previous life, I loved the whole epilogue (even read it twice).
The vampiric history lesson Angelica gives Danny – Fascinating.
All the little snippets of song lyrics that accompany each chapter break – It is a really lovely, quirky touch. The emotion in the song lyrics matched the chapters perfectly each time.
June 5, 2015
I was given a copy of this book by the Lovers of the Paranormal group for an honest review.
A WILD RIDE RIGHT OVER THE CLIFF
Poor Detective Danny Mancini's life is turned upside down when he witnesses a real-live vampire attack. No one believes him and he's forced into an early retirement. He's busy drowning his sorrows in alcohol when there's a knock at the door. The beautiful woman standing on his porch tells him what he saw was real and her organization needs his help hunting this creature down.
The story is intriguing and I enjoyed it. Danny cries a little too often for a hard nosed detective but his life is certainly going through a lot of upheaval. At only 100 pages there's not much I can say that won't spoil the hot and heavy action.
All in all it's a quick and satisfying read - right up to the last page. I hate cliffhangers. Even in serial form it is possible to give the reader some form of resolution. I want a sense of closure, leave the characters sharing a moment in the eye of the storm, give me something to hang onto while waiting for the next installment.
A WILD RIDE RIGHT OVER THE CLIFF
Poor Detective Danny Mancini's life is turned upside down when he witnesses a real-live vampire attack. No one believes him and he's forced into an early retirement. He's busy drowning his sorrows in alcohol when there's a knock at the door. The beautiful woman standing on his porch tells him what he saw was real and her organization needs his help hunting this creature down.
The story is intriguing and I enjoyed it. Danny cries a little too often for a hard nosed detective but his life is certainly going through a lot of upheaval. At only 100 pages there's not much I can say that won't spoil the hot and heavy action.
All in all it's a quick and satisfying read - right up to the last page. I hate cliffhangers. Even in serial form it is possible to give the reader some form of resolution. I want a sense of closure, leave the characters sharing a moment in the eye of the storm, give me something to hang onto while waiting for the next installment.
May 28, 2015
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review (Lovers of Paranormal). I really liked this book. Danny is a detective on a murder case. When he closes in on the "guy", he sees that he has fangs! That is the last thing he remembers before waking up in the hospital. After telling what he saw, a drugged-out psycho biting the victim, he is required to undergo a psych evaluation. The results and this particular case will change the course of his life. I am looking forward to the next book!! I have to know what happens next.
June 17, 2016
This book grabbed my attention on page one and didn't let go until the last page.
Stake Out is a short book that that packs a great deal into it... vampires, werewolves and witches plus visions, danger and intrigue.
The authors descriptive details immerse you in the action. and pull you through the twists and turns in the story.
This book is an impressive start to what will most likely be an awesome series.
Stake Out is a short book that that packs a great deal into it... vampires, werewolves and witches plus visions, danger and intrigue.
The authors descriptive details immerse you in the action. and pull you through the twists and turns in the story.
This book is an impressive start to what will most likely be an awesome series.
October 6, 2015
Loved the twists and turns. Vampires, werewolves, and humans Oh My! Follow Detective Daniel as he helps the PID track down their most wanted. Follow Danny as he encounters love and lust. Fantastic story of love through the ages and dammit, you left me/us hanging! Tastes like more please! :D
November 18, 2017
I have recently begun reading Lily Luchesi's lore, and I have to say that I am eating up voraciously. When I reached The Paranormal Detectives Series, the self-proclaimed "Pride and Joy" of the author herself, I had high hopes and expectations.
And man, was I pleased.
The book is a master class in paranormal fiction. The twists, the turns, the dark decadence, the complexity of the characters...every savory morsel of material was interwoven magnificently into a wonderful paranormal story. And I love the female protagonist. She is such a far cry for the fluffy, formulaic characters that have been popularized as of late, and that is a positive thing. So nice to see a flawed, but wonderful woman, with layers, defined motives, and her very own unique sense of right and wrong. I know this will be the king of the understatement, but she is awesome. As is her story.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was like waking from an epic dream when I reached the last page. Thankfully, there is book 2, which I have happily already begun!
Five stars all the way!
And man, was I pleased.
The book is a master class in paranormal fiction. The twists, the turns, the dark decadence, the complexity of the characters...every savory morsel of material was interwoven magnificently into a wonderful paranormal story. And I love the female protagonist. She is such a far cry for the fluffy, formulaic characters that have been popularized as of late, and that is a positive thing. So nice to see a flawed, but wonderful woman, with layers, defined motives, and her very own unique sense of right and wrong. I know this will be the king of the understatement, but she is awesome. As is her story.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. It was like waking from an epic dream when I reached the last page. Thankfully, there is book 2, which I have happily already begun!
Five stars all the way!
June 16, 2018
I really like books with paranormal qualities. This book was a little different. PID is a branch of the FBI that hunts paranormal creatures that become dangerous to humans. Angelica is a vampire (half human/half vamp) she started the PID mostly because her vamp father is a phycho. Danny was a regular Chicago police detective until he saw a vampire attack and when he told his supervisor, they thought he was nuts. So Angelica recruits Danny and there's more to their story.
I liked this book a lot. I liked that the paranormal creatures were not all good and not all bad. I like the rebirth part, that's pretty original.
I didn't care for the level of judgement Danny shows. For the most part, this was a good read.
I liked this book a lot. I liked that the paranormal creatures were not all good and not all bad. I like the rebirth part, that's pretty original.
I didn't care for the level of judgement Danny shows. For the most part, this was a good read.
September 12, 2017
I like the story as a whole. The plot was really good. Tho I disliked Danny in the first few chapters, I got used to him after that.
The biggest problem I had with the book was its pace. Everything happens way too fast. The relationships and the action scenes start and end so fast, the reader doesn't get the chance to get emotionally involved in the story.
Tho I almost gave up on the book after chapter 4, I'm glad I continued reading because the overall plot was not like anything I'd read before.
The biggest problem I had with the book was its pace. Everything happens way too fast. The relationships and the action scenes start and end so fast, the reader doesn't get the chance to get emotionally involved in the story.
Tho I almost gave up on the book after chapter 4, I'm glad I continued reading because the overall plot was not like anything I'd read before.
November 3, 2017
Loved. I always love vampire books. And hearing about a hunting group is a perfect read. Lily put so much emotion into this book. I felt the pain Danny felt with his final vision in the book. Cannot wait to see what happens next
March 14, 2016
STAKE OUT is the first in the series and sets up the story really well . These are the first set of books I have read and was in love with the characters from the very first page . The author puts a neat twist on the vampire genre . Which to me is a good thing, you need to have a twist every now and then or the genre will grow stale. The characters are complex but yet flawed. The story is different and when you start to read you will be cheering for Danny . He stumbles onto a crime scene that defies all logic and no one believes him and basically fire his butt off the force . Until the day a beautiful FBI agent walks into his life and turns it upside down and brings him into the world of vampires, werewolves and witches. Will they survive and will they survive the feelings that they have for each other The characters are so complex and yet you see the flaws that they each have . Danny Mancini is a veteran detective has seen some weird things going on . He is a tough detective that you can't help but love . He is brash and hard working , trying to put together what he saw. You see him go through so much in this book. He has so much trouble believing in some things and then starts to realize that holy crap there is more out there in the world. He also realizes a few other things like he is a sensitive and can see things. He is the type of man that one moment you want to hug him and cuddle him and then the next min you want to climb him like a spider monkey . Angelica is such a strong female character . She is the head of an off shoot of the FBI but there is more to this branch of the government . She is strong and intelligent and a fierce. But she has her secrets that come up in the novella. She is reluctant to tell Danny but as the novella goes on you see them start to fall for each other . And they fall hard, its awesome to see them head into a romance fast , like all novellas you want to see them develop the romance fast. There is also a great villain named Vincent that is going around killing people and there is more to him then meets the eye too . There is also a connection between Angelica and Vincent that we find out about as we read . But there is more to every story then meets the eyes and these characters are going through it all. Hope they all come out the other side better . This was a great fast read for me. I love the story line and the characters were well developed and complex. The story left us with a cliff hanger but the second book was out right away . There was one little thing that had me scratching my head , Danny gave up his alcoholism really fast . I wish the author would of let us see him struggle for just a bit Over all this was a great set up for the rest of the story . The author laid out the ground work on the characters really well and the story has a great twist on the genre . You will love the premise and the characters you will fall in love with them . So if you want a good read , you can read at the beach this summer , check out THE STAKE OUT
September 1, 2016
Stake-Out by Lily Luchesi
Stake-Out has an interesting storyline with well-developed characters. Past information was doled out, when needed, at a nice pace. Detective Danny Mancini had been ostracized from the Chicago Police Department for two years after his report involving a rogue vampire. Why it took Angelica Cross two years to approach Danny is left more or less unclear, especially after learning their past history.
Angelica is an agent in a special FBI unit that investigates, monitors, and controls paranormal creatures who don’t live within the law, known as the PID (Paranormal Investigative Division). Danny reluctantly agrees to join forces with the young beautiful agent to bring justice for the victims of this one rogue vampire, known as Vincent.
I think this story has promise, however I ran into a few problems that a good editor and a few beta readers should have or could have cleared up. First, but not foremost, were all of the exclamation points during the narrative. At first they were laughable but they quickly became an irritation. Exclamation points are acceptable in dialogue, not so much in the narrative portions of the story. Second, there were a few wrong words or missing words. Third, and foremost, was the small nest of vampires in Lombard. Despite being told the nest used to include six vampires Danny and Angelica learn that there was now a new leader, which took the number down to five. However, our heroes end up fighting six vampires, who Ms. Lechesi was kind enough to give names to as they were destroyed. Honestly, five is not that hard of a number to keep track of and I had a big issue with this. This was a continuity problem that should have been picked up during the editing process.
In spite of the editing issues I came across, I think this was a good story that deserves some more attention. The main plot came to a successful close, more or less. There was a big info dump at the end as Danny was overtaken by precognitive insight, which explained why he felt so strongly drawn to Angelica. Their relationship was left in limbo at the end, which offered a continuation to the story. I have decided to call endings like this a soft cliffhanger. Fortunately there is a second book ready for those who want to jump right back in for more.
FYI: Stake-Out is book one of the Paranormal Detectives Series. For those who are concerned, there are a few F-bombs and sexual situations are behind closed doors. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** August 1, 2016
Format/Typo Issues: These are mentioned above in the body of my review and did result in the loss of a star.
Stake-Out has an interesting storyline with well-developed characters. Past information was doled out, when needed, at a nice pace. Detective Danny Mancini had been ostracized from the Chicago Police Department for two years after his report involving a rogue vampire. Why it took Angelica Cross two years to approach Danny is left more or less unclear, especially after learning their past history.
Angelica is an agent in a special FBI unit that investigates, monitors, and controls paranormal creatures who don’t live within the law, known as the PID (Paranormal Investigative Division). Danny reluctantly agrees to join forces with the young beautiful agent to bring justice for the victims of this one rogue vampire, known as Vincent.
I think this story has promise, however I ran into a few problems that a good editor and a few beta readers should have or could have cleared up. First, but not foremost, were all of the exclamation points during the narrative. At first they were laughable but they quickly became an irritation. Exclamation points are acceptable in dialogue, not so much in the narrative portions of the story. Second, there were a few wrong words or missing words. Third, and foremost, was the small nest of vampires in Lombard. Despite being told the nest used to include six vampires Danny and Angelica learn that there was now a new leader, which took the number down to five. However, our heroes end up fighting six vampires, who Ms. Lechesi was kind enough to give names to as they were destroyed. Honestly, five is not that hard of a number to keep track of and I had a big issue with this. This was a continuity problem that should have been picked up during the editing process.
In spite of the editing issues I came across, I think this was a good story that deserves some more attention. The main plot came to a successful close, more or less. There was a big info dump at the end as Danny was overtaken by precognitive insight, which explained why he felt so strongly drawn to Angelica. Their relationship was left in limbo at the end, which offered a continuation to the story. I have decided to call endings like this a soft cliffhanger. Fortunately there is a second book ready for those who want to jump right back in for more.
FYI: Stake-Out is book one of the Paranormal Detectives Series. For those who are concerned, there are a few F-bombs and sexual situations are behind closed doors. **Originally written for "BigAl’s Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** August 1, 2016
Format/Typo Issues: These are mentioned above in the body of my review and did result in the loss of a star.
May 9, 2016
**Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
The story line in this book is great, featuring my favourite concept of a regular human discovering that there's more to this world than they'd ever expected.
Danny finds himself enlisted by a paranormal investigation branch of the FBI and teamed up with a mysterious and unsubtly gorgeous woman, following his early forced retirement from the police department. Their bond grows both professionally and romantically (obviously) and then BOOM! events get in the way and they have to engage in some serious violence to come out the other side.
As it's first book in the Paranormal Detectives series, I may be being a little harsh only awarding it 3 stars (there may be guilt later that I have to assuage with vanilla clotted cream fudge) but I have high hopes for the rest fthe series and don't want to peak too soon with the stars.
I'm a big fan of subtlety in books and this definitely lacked that but that is part of its charm, even if I was disappointed that it lacked the seduction that I love in paranormal romance/thrillers. The characters are very blunt and it takes a while for them to develop in depth and complexity.
One thing that I did find weird was the numerous and forced references to pop culture series like Lord of the Rings and Supernatural (specifically Season 10, the episode where Dean is possessed by a Demon) - there were too many of them and definitely date the book, in a few years time no-one will know the Crowley/Mark Sheppard link.
As the book went on, the characters started moving in the right direction towards complexity and all the feely-brainy stuff I like. The action was brilliant and the story really gripped me, now I just look forward to seeing the author's voice coming into its own and catching up with the brilliance of her ideas.
The story line in this book is great, featuring my favourite concept of a regular human discovering that there's more to this world than they'd ever expected.
Danny finds himself enlisted by a paranormal investigation branch of the FBI and teamed up with a mysterious and unsubtly gorgeous woman, following his early forced retirement from the police department. Their bond grows both professionally and romantically (obviously) and then BOOM! events get in the way and they have to engage in some serious violence to come out the other side.
As it's first book in the Paranormal Detectives series, I may be being a little harsh only awarding it 3 stars (there may be guilt later that I have to assuage with vanilla clotted cream fudge) but I have high hopes for the rest fthe series and don't want to peak too soon with the stars.
I'm a big fan of subtlety in books and this definitely lacked that but that is part of its charm, even if I was disappointed that it lacked the seduction that I love in paranormal romance/thrillers. The characters are very blunt and it takes a while for them to develop in depth and complexity.
One thing that I did find weird was the numerous and forced references to pop culture series like Lord of the Rings and Supernatural (specifically Season 10, the episode where Dean is possessed by a Demon) - there were too many of them and definitely date the book, in a few years time no-one will know the Crowley/Mark Sheppard link.
As the book went on, the characters started moving in the right direction towards complexity and all the feely-brainy stuff I like. The action was brilliant and the story really gripped me, now I just look forward to seeing the author's voice coming into its own and catching up with the brilliance of her ideas.
June 29, 2015
We have a classic cop named Danny Marcini. He has an overbearing Captain, freaks out at said Captain and so on, encouraging the classic Italian cop from our favorite films and TV shows. He, of course, is no longer a detective with the Chicago police because of something he witnessed, a vampire.
The only people who'd believe him are the PID (Paranormal Investigative Devision) which is where he meets Angelica Cross. It wasn't hard to figure her out, and I thought the last name was funny in an ironic way. But then, I was a fan of the Alex Cross series and then there's the fact that they're fighting vampires. Lily had a few sneaky things like that in the book which were entertaining to come across.
The pacing felt a bit rushed and I had a hard time latching onto the characters, but the action and gore was always a treat. Marcini is a hot-head alcoholic and a shut-in with a wicked gag reflex. When the author tossed him into a group setting at the PID, I thought he'd lose his mind. He did pretty good and with Angelica at his side they made a great butt-kicking duo.
There were a few coveted deaths that I found to be a bit anti-climatic, but Vincent's taunting proved him to be the most suitable bad-guy.
CONCLUSION
I never thought I'd say this, but the pacing was too fast for me. It felt like a to-do list rather than interacting with the scenes. However, it's a fast book so for those looking for a quick crime/horror, I'd toss you this one in a heartbeat. A fun part I want to point out are numerous references to songs, and the TV show Supernatural. Who isn't a fan of that show? So there's plenty of familiarity in the book.
The only people who'd believe him are the PID (Paranormal Investigative Devision) which is where he meets Angelica Cross. It wasn't hard to figure her out, and I thought the last name was funny in an ironic way. But then, I was a fan of the Alex Cross series and then there's the fact that they're fighting vampires. Lily had a few sneaky things like that in the book which were entertaining to come across.
The pacing felt a bit rushed and I had a hard time latching onto the characters, but the action and gore was always a treat. Marcini is a hot-head alcoholic and a shut-in with a wicked gag reflex. When the author tossed him into a group setting at the PID, I thought he'd lose his mind. He did pretty good and with Angelica at his side they made a great butt-kicking duo.
There were a few coveted deaths that I found to be a bit anti-climatic, but Vincent's taunting proved him to be the most suitable bad-guy.
CONCLUSION
I never thought I'd say this, but the pacing was too fast for me. It felt like a to-do list rather than interacting with the scenes. However, it's a fast book so for those looking for a quick crime/horror, I'd toss you this one in a heartbeat. A fun part I want to point out are numerous references to songs, and the TV show Supernatural. Who isn't a fan of that show? So there's plenty of familiarity in the book.
July 5, 2016
Half human and half vampire, Detective Angelina Cross teams up with Danny Mancini, a human who is a retired former Chicago Police detective, to hunt down and kill Victor, an old rogue vampire wreaking havoc in the city. The organization they work in is the Paranormal Investigations Department (PID), a secret division of the FBI that works to solve paranormal cases. Danny agrees to work as a detective for the PID on a temporary basis because the vampire they are hunting is one that he witnessed murder a young woman and was the reason for his early retirement.
The vampires in this series are pretty traditional in their physiological characteristics, but, rather than being unrestrained predators, most are law abiding citizens who have integrated into society and do not prey on humans, rather, surviving on animals and blood banks instead. Angelina, being a dhampir, is not as constrained by the limitations of full vampires, she can eat human food and must, she can be out during the day but must be protected from the sun, and her powers are not as strong as a full vampire.
The character development was well done. Angelina has human emotions and it easy to empathize with the feelings she has. Plot development was a good mix of paranormal activity and detective work. The story line flowed nicely at a pace that was quick to read without feeling rushed and kept me turning the pages.
I did see a few copy edits that were missed but nothing that made me stumble in my reading or have to reread the section.
The vampires in this series are pretty traditional in their physiological characteristics, but, rather than being unrestrained predators, most are law abiding citizens who have integrated into society and do not prey on humans, rather, surviving on animals and blood banks instead. Angelina, being a dhampir, is not as constrained by the limitations of full vampires, she can eat human food and must, she can be out during the day but must be protected from the sun, and her powers are not as strong as a full vampire.
The character development was well done. Angelina has human emotions and it easy to empathize with the feelings she has. Plot development was a good mix of paranormal activity and detective work. The story line flowed nicely at a pace that was quick to read without feeling rushed and kept me turning the pages.
I did see a few copy edits that were missed but nothing that made me stumble in my reading or have to reread the section.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews