Barbara S. (barbsis) -
Helpful Score: 2
Bonnie Torres gets recruited for PUPI - Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations - an FBI-type group that investigates magical crimes. PUPI is started by Ian Stosser and Ben Venec. Sharon, Pietr, Nick, Nifty and Bonnie are all recruited the same day and extensively trained in magical investigation skills. The training gets boring at times but there is enough push and pull between the crew to provide some tension and comic relief. The real fun starts when they actually get a client and investigate the apparent suicide of two old people.
I enjoyed the story and was very interested in who the murderer was and why but the journey to this ending got on my nerves at times. I think part of the problem is that this is a spin-off from the Retrievers series and the author left out some crucial details, I guess assuming the reader had read the previous books too. I don't think the first series is an imperative read but I bet it would have made this one more understandable.
I enjoyed the story and was very interested in who the murderer was and why but the journey to this ending got on my nerves at times. I think part of the problem is that this is a spin-off from the Retrievers series and the author left out some crucial details, I guess assuming the reader had read the previous books too. I don't think the first series is an imperative read but I bet it would have made this one more understandable.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed Hard Magic (Paranormal Scene Investigations, Bk 1) on + 724 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Was ok,hopefully I will enjoy Pack of Lies more
Susan W. (sweb4us) -
Bonita (Bonnie) Torres is a Talent with no allegiance. Born and raised by her lonejack father but mentored by Joseph (J), an elite member of Council, she has allegiances to both sides and to neither.
Recently graduated from college and somewhat desperately searching for employment, a cryptic telephone message instructing her to be at a certain address at 2pm the following day is the beginning of a whole new life for Bonnie.
When she arrives at the designated location, Bonnie meets 4 other Talents: Nick, Sharon, Nifty, and Pietr. All of them had been summoned in the same mysterious way, and none of them have any idea why or by whom. After waiting quite a while with nobody coming for them or telling them anything, an impatient Bonnie decides she is going to find out what is going on and opens the only door in the room other than the one they had all entered through. Behind that door, they discover a dead man, and in doing so, embark on a new chapter in all their lives. They unite with two other Talents, Ian and Ben, the ones who summoned them, to form PUPI: Private, Unaffiliated, Paranormal Investigations.
PUPIs first case involves the deaths of a very highly placed Council couple, which were ruled a double suicide by the Null police force. Their daughter disagrees, and hires PUPI to ferret out the truth through their magic abilities. But somebody out there doesnt want PUPI to succeed, and the group is plagued by attacks and mishaps that not only fail to hinder them but actually fuel their determination to persist in their investigation. What they discover and who they suspect along the way provides the basis for the remainder of this intriguing and visceral story.
I enjoyed Hard Magic by Laura Anne Gilman greatly, and am definitely looking forward to further installments in this series. Bonnie was a likeable and believable character, despite the paranormal aspects of the story, her interaction with the other individuals was entertaining, and the action and narrative of the entire story was engaging.
Recently graduated from college and somewhat desperately searching for employment, a cryptic telephone message instructing her to be at a certain address at 2pm the following day is the beginning of a whole new life for Bonnie.
When she arrives at the designated location, Bonnie meets 4 other Talents: Nick, Sharon, Nifty, and Pietr. All of them had been summoned in the same mysterious way, and none of them have any idea why or by whom. After waiting quite a while with nobody coming for them or telling them anything, an impatient Bonnie decides she is going to find out what is going on and opens the only door in the room other than the one they had all entered through. Behind that door, they discover a dead man, and in doing so, embark on a new chapter in all their lives. They unite with two other Talents, Ian and Ben, the ones who summoned them, to form PUPI: Private, Unaffiliated, Paranormal Investigations.
PUPIs first case involves the deaths of a very highly placed Council couple, which were ruled a double suicide by the Null police force. Their daughter disagrees, and hires PUPI to ferret out the truth through their magic abilities. But somebody out there doesnt want PUPI to succeed, and the group is plagued by attacks and mishaps that not only fail to hinder them but actually fuel their determination to persist in their investigation. What they discover and who they suspect along the way provides the basis for the remainder of this intriguing and visceral story.
I enjoyed Hard Magic by Laura Anne Gilman greatly, and am definitely looking forward to further installments in this series. Bonnie was a likeable and believable character, despite the paranormal aspects of the story, her interaction with the other individuals was entertaining, and the action and narrative of the entire story was engaging.
Angela M. (dukesangel002) reviewed Hard Magic (Paranormal Scene Investigations, Bk 1) on + 91 more book reviews
This book was so original and entertaining. Although there really wasn't much action, or suspense until near the end, the whole premise of the book was entertaining enough not to need it. Bonnie is thrown into this group to try to help solve crimes commited by Talents (regular people who can use current to do magic).
Bonnie and the rest of the team spend alot of time trying to figure out how to take regular CSI routines, and find a magical way to perform them, to find magical clues. Once they get a case it's all on the line as they have to use those new spells to prove that a high-profile suicide was actually a high-profile murder. If they can't solve this one than Bonnie's new career, and only source of income, will disappear.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They are all regular people with their own strengths, but put together in this group all of their strengths blend well to make a really great team. With only a little bit of sexual tension, and not much romance, it was a great investigation book. I'm excited for the next in the series since it was left wide open with alot of different directions that it could go. I definitely recommend this one.
Bonnie and the rest of the team spend alot of time trying to figure out how to take regular CSI routines, and find a magical way to perform them, to find magical clues. Once they get a case it's all on the line as they have to use those new spells to prove that a high-profile suicide was actually a high-profile murder. If they can't solve this one than Bonnie's new career, and only source of income, will disappear.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. They are all regular people with their own strengths, but put together in this group all of their strengths blend well to make a really great team. With only a little bit of sexual tension, and not much romance, it was a great investigation book. I'm excited for the next in the series since it was left wide open with alot of different directions that it could go. I definitely recommend this one.
Nancy E. (baja45) reviewed Hard Magic (Paranormal Scene Investigations, Bk 1) on + 174 more book reviews
This book uses the same venue as the Retrievers series. The characters use current but the concept, though similar, uses a different cast so it is a great read, especially if you are familiar with her other books.
