Bet you can't... FIND ME:
Catherine Mans' Suspense
By Linda Prather
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...
About Linda Prather:
Born in Kentucky in 1955, I currently live in Lexington, Kentucky with my fiancé, Coby W. Fuson. I have two wonderful sons, Charles and Steven.
I have always loved reading and writing. And although perhaps not a great literary work, I loved and was inspired by Old Yeller. The characters in that book were real to me. When I started writing, my greatest desire was to write characters that readers could love and hate, laugh and cry with.
Knowledge was another love. I wanted to learn about everything. I studied metaphysics, delving into touch healing, dream analysis, meditation, and hypnosis. I received my associate’s degree in metaphysics in 1992 and continued from there to become a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. I spent several years studying the effects of hypnosis on cancer and pain. I taught meditation, dream analysis, and self-hypnosis through Eastern Kentucky University’s Special Programs for four years. The power of the mind has always fascinated me. I’ve recently become a paranormal investigator, and love old houses that go bump in the night.
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
Born in Kentucky in 1955, I currently live in Lexington, Kentucky with my fiancé, Coby W. Fuson. I have two wonderful sons, Charles and Steven.
I have always loved reading and writing. And although perhaps not a great literary work, I loved and was inspired by Old Yeller. The characters in that book were real to me. When I started writing, my greatest desire was to write characters that readers could love and hate, laugh and cry with.
Knowledge was another love. I wanted to learn about everything. I studied metaphysics, delving into touch healing, dream analysis, meditation, and hypnosis. I received my associate’s degree in metaphysics in 1992 and continued from there to become a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. I spent several years studying the effects of hypnosis on cancer and pain. I taught meditation, dream analysis, and self-hypnosis through Eastern Kentucky University’s Special Programs for four years. The power of the mind has always fascinated me. I’ve recently become a paranormal investigator, and love old houses that go bump in the night.
Thank you again, Glenda. I always look forward to your wonderful reviews of books you've read, and I've picked up many you've recommended. I'm thrilled you liked this one.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I'm a fan! You write "my" kind of books, so all I have to do is try to share about them...LOL
ReplyDelete