Review: not bad
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 14, 2012
I was plesently surprised with this work.  I much preferred this over the first I read from author.  This book is a stand alone (part or start of series not withstanding).  I admit I cannot find link to the "Dark Earth" book - though it is listed as a Dark Earth book.  That bit is a tad confusing (though not off putting).  While I was interested in finding out what happens to Eric and Jessica and only got this as appeared (based on title with Dark Earth (seeming) connection) it may be continuation of their tale. It is not.  And while it may serve the author better to remove the Dark Earth connection (in this book the "dark earth" is referred to as "otherworld") I do not find issue in not furthering Eric and Jessica at this point.  This story is a much more cohesive presentation with the author actually making the characters work FOR him.  In Dark Earth it was more about things happening TO the characters.  Thus, I found this story much more fulfilling as a reader.Kat is a girl (in future) with some enhancements.  The oddity I found with the enhancements is NOT what they are, nor what they do (this is fantasy and the future so suspension issues are not there).  The oddity that was never explained is how /why the enhancements make her beholden to longer contract as law enforcement.  It reminded me (somewhat) of the six million dollar man or the bionics woman.  Except Kat was law enforcement and the enhancements we encounter here are related to work injury - one would not expect her to owe more of her life /time in a work contract when harmed in line of duty.Kat is trying to solve a case related to missing girls.  While she is stalled on that case things transpire that lead her to department shrink and a new side case to work on while waiting for something to break on the other.  This new case brings new dangers and incidents that ultimately drive toward conclusion of both.  Along the way she fits bits and pieces together and questions how some things occur.  These questions bring about a bit too much information and lend some predictibilty to tale unfortunately.  Just a bit too much foreshadowing in some places. Although many who do not read a lot may miss the "tells."There is a pretty substantial inconsistency.  While relaying a thought she states something to reader about how 9 years had passed since an event occurred when she was 14.  That would make her current age 23.  Several pages later, she tells someone she is 27.  Later significant thing occurred at 16 - making age 25 (if adding the 9).  So, that should be corrected for consistency sake.  There is something said (early on) about occasional side jobs for added money - then is said this case for shrink is first side job worked.  That is another inconsistency in tale.  Those were only two of note I found though.This story, like the other read, has a number of grammar and punctuation errors.I recommend this author and have obtained another 2 books to read.Christine