Wednesday, July 15, 2020

On My Radar: Spencer Kope's Shadows of the Dead



When I read Spencer Kope's Collecting the Dead, I became a fan and eagerly awaited the next book in his Special Tracking Unit series, Whispers of the Dead. That second book was a good'un, too, so you know I did a happy dance when I found out that the third book will be released at the end of August.

Here's more about Shadows of the Dead:


Available August 25, 2020
"A woman―abducted and found in the trunk of a car after a high-speed chase―regains consciousness in the ICU to reveal two crucial pieces of information: the man who kidnapped her is not the same as the man who left her in the woods, and she's not the first victim―in fact, she is number eight.

Magnus “Steps” Craig is part of the elite three-man Special Tracking Unit of the FBI. Known for his ability to find and follow trails over any surface, Steps is called in on cases that require his unparalleled skills. But there’s a secret to his talent. Steps has a kind of synesthesia where he can see the ‘essence’ of a person―what he calls ‘shine’―on everything they’ve touched.

Brought in to track the driver through a dense forest after the blood hounds have lost his trail, Steps and his partner Jimmy find the driver laughing maniacally, babbling about souls, and hiding a pristinely maintained box of eight posed rats. Now the Special Tracking Unit must chase two villains―through not just the real world, but the dark web as well―tracking an enemy they can't see, as time runs out for the unknown victims.
"


I really enjoy this series for the marvelous voice of its main character, for the strong, fast-paced mysteries, its multi-faceted cast, and for its often lyrical descriptions. If you aren't acquainted with Steps Craig, I highly recommend this series. I suggest that you begin with Collecting the Dead, and since there are only three books in the series so far, you won't have trouble catching up. (Hey-- it's better than my suggesting you start with book one of a twenty-five volume series!)


10 comments:

  1. That's the thing about a (so far) shorter series, Cathy. It's easier to catch up! And I'm glad you mentioned this one. I haven't tried the series yet, but I keep hearing good things about it. I've been meaning to see what I think, and I will, when I'm ready for that sort of fast-paced suspense sort of a mystery.

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    1. I've been entering a new phase in my reading life the past couple of years. I've been able to dip my toe in a new-to-me series midway in, read the book, and decide whether or not I want to read more. Always in the past, I'd have to start with book one and read them all in order. I don't know if this means I feel that time is running short or what!

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  2. I liked this one, even though I had not read the previous books. The way Steps and Jimmy interacted was a big part of the reason I enjoyed the book. I read it in April, and my review is scheduled for Aug. Still haven't gotten around to the first two books.

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    1. It's good news to me that you enjoyed this third book without having read the other two.

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  3. I've been waiting for this one. The series is good on audio as well. It's one that my husband and I enjoy listening to on trips. In fact, we listened to the second book, Whispers of the Dead, on our recent trip to New Mexico. Now we'll have one more for a 'who knows when we'll get to go again' trip. LOL

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    1. Denis and I have been nowhere. He goes to work. I *might* get out of the house once a month. I love my homestead, believe me I do, but...!

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  4. I enjoyed the first 2 in the series. Thanks for putting this one on my radar too!

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  5. Take care. I read the coronavirus is spiking in Phoenix, so hopefully you and Denis are safe.

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    1. I'm basically housebound, and Denis is being very careful.

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