Review: Rosetta and Catherine - Two Great Characters to Love!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 13, 2012
Linda Prather has certainly surpassed her first writing activity! Her first novel, The Gifts, was wonderful, but readers will definitely notice a major improvement in her expertise, both in writing, and in story development. This writer is just beginning her career, but take a look at her credentials below... She's not only writing in her field, but constantly upgrading her skills...Isn't the cover beautifully chilling? And I was pleased to note that the book was rated outstanding in genre by Red Adept Select...Couldn't agree more! In fact, although I loved her first book, I have to say this one was much more thrilling and exciting for me...and I'm sure for other readers...I think it was the two lead female characters and their interaction that most caught my attention...The Prologue is provocative...it is a memory ... that still haunts her today. Why was her mother being told about a dog? The words kept coming back to her: "You can't cure a mad dog, Aggie; you can only put it down."But then, Catherine Mans often heard voices in her head. This time, it was a little boy that everybody, including his parents, thought was dead. But where was his body if he was, and what had happened to him? The search party was about to give up, but Catherine still heard his words, "Please don't leave me here." Cody, who was head of the homicide department, told Catherine that he was going to stop the search and she acknowledged him but indicated she would be staying, that she felt he was near.And then, as if guided, she started walking toward the edge of the cliff! If Cody hadn't stopped her, he felt she would have walked off!  But as they talked, Cody carefully moved toward the edge and looked over. Timmy was there! Although Catherine began to feel better, the scar on her chest continued to burn. For, even now after he had been found, she heard "Find me" and laughter... Needing to go home, she left Cody to ensure Timmy also got home.Catherine had been helping the police for over six years now and Cody and she had become friends--and perhaps something more. It was thanks to Cody that she had worked her first case there and was able to establish a larger business opportunity. She was fortunate--not everybody was willing to accept that a psychic could be useful in both solving crimes, but also with other business and personal issues.In fact, she had been able to open an office and hire Rosetta--A character who adds greatly in providing both humor and love to the book. Interestingly, Cody claimed she was like "Garcia" from Criminal Minds, only better. LOL But she had hooked me when she came for her interview and immediately dismissed all the other applicants because the position was closed! And before long, it was, as Catherine was quickly won over with Rosetta's personality as well as expertise... The addition of Rosetta to the book added greatly in ensuring readers began to care for the individual characters and, in particular, Catherine, who by nature is quiet and withdrawn, although Cody wishes that was not so...But now, Cody had to face reality as he received a visit from the FBI who was looking for her... And is surprised and confused when they tell him that Catherine Mans did not exist prior to her moving there. And, further, that she was a person of interest in a multiple murder case! Cody wanted to call her in immediately, but the FBI was in charge--with Cody being required to report directly to Agent Brian Wilkes. Worse, he was to be staying with Cody as his "cousin" until they knew more about Catherine...And then he was shown the murder scenes of 8 bodies--each body had been stabbed 21 times. They had not yet been able to verify what the "21" could mean, other than the possibility that there would be 21 victims in total. But they had determined that all of them had a present or past connection to Sweetport, Indiana. Cody again requested that they bring in Catherine and the Agent refused...And then Catherine had a vision--of her mother...She immediately left for their home...in Sweetport, Indiana. But it was too late... And when she saw Cody there later, she blamed him for not telling her sooner. Because as soon as the Agent showed her the pictures, she psychically knew what the serial killer's message was--and it was for her!If you like mystery and suspense added with the paranormal, you should read Linda Prather! The thing I most like about Prather's writing is that she affirmatively writes about being psychic and allows her character to scornfully respond when her skills are questioned. In my opinion, this makes for a more believable and exciting character as she forcefully shares her skills and takes the lead in working through the case...But in this latest one, with her family now gone, she was going to solve and find the killer herself! And to do that, she had to go back--back into her childhood to her home place, but not to the house where her parents lived, no, to a small shed behind it... And there she found the first clue...Scary good is this one! The author has given strong passion and more to her main character, Catherine Mans--I, for one, can't wait to see her in the future! Hurry, Linda!GABixlerReviews