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201st out of 268 books
—
164 voters
The Gift of Illusion: A Paranormal Thriller
by
Richard Brown (Goodreads Author)
ELMWOOD'S BEST DETECTIVE IS ABOUT TO MEET ITS WORST VILLAIN!
An ancient evil has returned to continue the study it began over a century ago, and it's looking for volunteers. Isaac Winters is the perfect test subject. He's a detective with a damaged past, and something to prove.
On the night of his wife's murder sixteen years ago, which left him a single father, Isaac though...more
An ancient evil has returned to continue the study it began over a century ago, and it's looking for volunteers. Isaac Winters is the perfect test subject. He's a detective with a damaged past, and something to prove.
On the night of his wife's murder sixteen years ago, which left him a single father, Isaac though...more
Paperback, First , 258 pages
Published
May 17th 2011
by Richard Brown Books
(first published May 15th 2011)
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For sixteen years, Detective Isaac Winters hasn't found peace. He blames himself for the murder of his wife Linda. He has raised their daughter Amy alone ever since.
His new partner, Daniel Simmons, is a bit of a green-horn, but Isaac takes him under his wing. When a young girl dies, Isaac and Daniel are on the case. She burned to death on her bed, there is nothing left but ashes. All of her surroundings are untouched. Isaac is sure the parents did it, and pursues his investigation in that direc...more
His new partner, Daniel Simmons, is a bit of a green-horn, but Isaac takes him under his wing. When a young girl dies, Isaac and Daniel are on the case. She burned to death on her bed, there is nothing left but ashes. All of her surroundings are untouched. Isaac is sure the parents did it, and pursues his investigation in that direc...more
** For the full review please check out www.read2review.com **
The story starts with Isaac witnessing the death of his wife and saving his daughter Amy. Not much more detail is given in the opening part of the book so I was left wondering what is going on and what will happen next.
The next chapter is set 16 years on when a series of horrifying deaths take place, each person dying the same exact way as the one before. The death like virus transfers to a different person through touch and the prev...more
The story starts with Isaac witnessing the death of his wife and saving his daughter Amy. Not much more detail is given in the opening part of the book so I was left wondering what is going on and what will happen next.
The next chapter is set 16 years on when a series of horrifying deaths take place, each person dying the same exact way as the one before. The death like virus transfers to a different person through touch and the prev...more
Author, Richard Brown opens this his debut novel with a sharp kick.
Detective Isaac Winters… relives the memory of the night 16 years before when his beloved wife Linda was murdered by an intruder. The intruder shoots and almost kills Isaac… before shooting Isaac’s wife Linda four times in the chest. Isaac manages to save his baby daughter, and kill the intruder: then spends the ensuing 16 years punishing himself for not being able to save his wife.
The author has a gift for description, which he...more
Detective Isaac Winters… relives the memory of the night 16 years before when his beloved wife Linda was murdered by an intruder. The intruder shoots and almost kills Isaac… before shooting Isaac’s wife Linda four times in the chest. Isaac manages to save his baby daughter, and kill the intruder: then spends the ensuing 16 years punishing himself for not being able to save his wife.
The author has a gift for description, which he...more
"Illusion is the first of the pleasures." - Voltaire
when his wife Linda was murdered sixteen years ago, Isaac Winters was left with a daughter to raise and protect. as a detective for the Elmwood Police Department, he has seen his fair share of man's dark side as well. nothing prepares Isaac though for the biggest case of his career when bodies end up as piles of ashes all over his town.
surreal is one word to summarize how i generally feel about this book. bizaare events take place after a young...more
when his wife Linda was murdered sixteen years ago, Isaac Winters was left with a daughter to raise and protect. as a detective for the Elmwood Police Department, he has seen his fair share of man's dark side as well. nothing prepares Isaac though for the biggest case of his career when bodies end up as piles of ashes all over his town.
surreal is one word to summarize how i generally feel about this book. bizaare events take place after a young...more
My thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are interesting and the plot is chilling. I found two underlying ideas: that people are willing to let their humanity fall by the wayside and can be ruled by emotions that they are either unwilling or unable to understand or sometimes even look closely at.
The story flows smoothly. One constant is that all of the characters in the book appear to be driven by emotions. Isaac is driven by guilt over the murder of his wife, the need to protect...more
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters are interesting and the plot is chilling. I found two underlying ideas: that people are willing to let their humanity fall by the wayside and can be ruled by emotions that they are either unwilling or unable to understand or sometimes even look closely at.
The story flows smoothly. One constant is that all of the characters in the book appear to be driven by emotions. Isaac is driven by guilt over the murder of his wife, the need to protect...more
Isaac Winters is a troubled man. Sixteen years prior, a man broke into his house, shot him in the chest and his wife four times in the chest. Luckily Isaac was able to stop the gunman before he finished the job on Isaac’s daughter, Amy. Now Isaac is a detective that is looking into the strange case. A little girl was found burned in her bed, but it is a strange burning with no accelerant and part of a foot left intact. It resembles photographs of spontaneous human combustion.
Then the mother is f...more
Then the mother is f...more
I wanted to like this book more because of the good beginning but even though I got drawn in from the start, the excitement slowly went away.
Now, I'm totally on board with things supernatural mixed in with the "normal" contemporary world but in this story it did not reach its full potential.
The beginning didn't seem to have much to do with the rest of the story besides sucking us in, the tragedy being described so well. Sure, the trauma shaped Isaac but not really to the point that it would ha...more
Now, I'm totally on board with things supernatural mixed in with the "normal" contemporary world but in this story it did not reach its full potential.
The beginning didn't seem to have much to do with the rest of the story besides sucking us in, the tragedy being described so well. Sure, the trauma shaped Isaac but not really to the point that it would ha...more
A paranormal thriller along the likes of Stephen King, Peter Straub and Dean Koontz. If you like any of their works you will not want to miss this one. Richard Brown has really shown that there is good new paranormal thrillers coming out.
His characters are interesting and you are pulled into the story from the beginning. And it turns into a roller coaster ride that doesnt let you off until you reach the end of the line.
You have the detective that is haunted by his past with a daughter he will do...more
Aug 11, 2011
Jenn of Frequent Reader, Infrequent Blogger
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
review-written,
mystery-thriller
RECEIVED FROM: Bewitching Book Tours For Review
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Isaac Winters is a single father and veteran police detective in the city of Elmwood. At the top of his game, even Isaac can't explain why citizens of his city are dying from mysterious fires that originate inside their bodies and leave little else damaged besides the victim. When he learns his killer was dead before the spree began and is now focusing on Isaac and his loved ones Isaac must learn how to ba...more
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Isaac Winters is a single father and veteran police detective in the city of Elmwood. At the top of his game, even Isaac can't explain why citizens of his city are dying from mysterious fires that originate inside their bodies and leave little else damaged besides the victim. When he learns his killer was dead before the spree began and is now focusing on Isaac and his loved ones Isaac must learn how to ba...more
Hmm. What did I think? What did I think?
I actually spent a good deal of time pondering over how I would review this book even before I was finished reading it. I really, really wanted to like it. I thought it would've been an interesting concept -- a mysterious illusionist resurrecting his powers to wreck havoc in modern-day society. I love paranormal detective novels. The first chapter was gripping. A mysterious statue! Spontaneous human combustion! What next?
Sadly, the only illusion was how th...more
I actually spent a good deal of time pondering over how I would review this book even before I was finished reading it. I really, really wanted to like it. I thought it would've been an interesting concept -- a mysterious illusionist resurrecting his powers to wreck havoc in modern-day society. I love paranormal detective novels. The first chapter was gripping. A mysterious statue! Spontaneous human combustion! What next?
Sadly, the only illusion was how th...more
Review by Karen: There are some weird things happening in Elmwood. Detective Isaac Winters is assigned to investigate and just when he thinks he knows who the guilty party is, that person goes missing.
When finally found, the manner of death was bizarre, adding more mystery. The tension increases when Isaac’s daughter, Amy, is taken and continues to escalate as Isaac learns more about what is happening. Will Isaac be able to find his daughter in time? Can evil be defeated? This is a story that wi...more
When finally found, the manner of death was bizarre, adding more mystery. The tension increases when Isaac’s daughter, Amy, is taken and continues to escalate as Isaac learns more about what is happening. Will Isaac be able to find his daughter in time? Can evil be defeated? This is a story that wi...more
Today's review is on The Gift of Illusion by Richard Brown
The Gift of Illusion was an intricately written thriller that keeps the reader guessing "who done it?"
You find yourself instantly concerned with the main characters Issac and his daughter Amy after the very first chapter, hoping that nothing bad will come to them as the book continues. However, the book is not left without flaws.
You enter the story line as Issac's home is invaded and his wife is brutally murdered, leaving Issac to care fo...more
The Gift of Illusion was an intricately written thriller that keeps the reader guessing "who done it?"
You find yourself instantly concerned with the main characters Issac and his daughter Amy after the very first chapter, hoping that nothing bad will come to them as the book continues. However, the book is not left without flaws.
You enter the story line as Issac's home is invaded and his wife is brutally murdered, leaving Issac to care fo...more
My first taste of this book drew me right in. The opening scenes of a crime in progress committed against our lead character and his family is attention grabbing, no doubt....it's the next chapter that created a bit of confusion for this reader. There's this time jump...not futuristic as in Scifi-ish, but just "X" number of years...that left me feeling disconnected from the story. I wasn't certain who was who anymore and why we were learning about them...it was like the reception I get on my cel...more
I received this e-book for review from Bewitching Book Tours as part of the author's virtual book tour. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.
Isaac Winters is a police officer, whose wife was brutally murdered in their home. Although Isaac was shot, he survived the incident that claimed his wife and their infant daughter was left unscathed.
Sixteen years later, local residents in Elmwood are dying in a mysterious fashion: The bodies are compl...more
Isaac Winters is a police officer, whose wife was brutally murdered in their home. Although Isaac was shot, he survived the incident that claimed his wife and their infant daughter was left unscathed.
Sixteen years later, local residents in Elmwood are dying in a mysterious fashion: The bodies are compl...more
Full review at imabookshark
The prologue is heartbreaking but it sucks you in. Then the story moves on to a little girl who is being bullied at school. The reader hopes for the best, but no.. disaster strikes. And it continues to do so at every turn. This little town gets a taste of evil in a big way! I did stay interested until the end, and I did have those, "OH NO!" moments throughout the novel. There is some truly evil and disturbing stuff in here. I wasn't totally expecting that, so beware if...more
The prologue is heartbreaking but it sucks you in. Then the story moves on to a little girl who is being bullied at school. The reader hopes for the best, but no.. disaster strikes. And it continues to do so at every turn. This little town gets a taste of evil in a big way! I did stay interested until the end, and I did have those, "OH NO!" moments throughout the novel. There is some truly evil and disturbing stuff in here. I wasn't totally expecting that, so beware if...more
Once up on a time, there was an odd man who was an Illusionist. Not a Magician, that’s a whole other thing. An Illusionist does more than slight of hand, he is the slight of hand. Lucius tortured people in his basement to see how they died and then he burned the bodies. It appears that Lucius may have returned.
Isaac Walker lost his wife sixteen years ago and has raised his daughter alone. Done a good job, too. But now, someone is trying to kill Isaac and Amy and many others as well. It all began...more
Isaac Walker lost his wife sixteen years ago and has raised his daughter alone. Done a good job, too. But now, someone is trying to kill Isaac and Amy and many others as well. It all began...more
This was an average thriller.
There were some good points and some poor ones.
For example, I found the writing uneven and the dialogue forced. The characters were thin and improperly developed.
However, I enjoyed the ending. The ending was, I think, the best written part of the book as it relied on plot resolution as opposed to dialogue and character development.
I think this author showed tremendous creativity and a good sense of atmosphere and drama. I think some of the writing could be refine...more
There were some good points and some poor ones.
For example, I found the writing uneven and the dialogue forced. The characters were thin and improperly developed.
However, I enjoyed the ending. The ending was, I think, the best written part of the book as it relied on plot resolution as opposed to dialogue and character development.
I think this author showed tremendous creativity and a good sense of atmosphere and drama. I think some of the writing could be refine...more
Goodreads Description- An ancient evil has returned to continue the study it began over a century ago, and it's looking for volunteers. Isaac Winters is the perfect test subject. He's a detective with a damaged past, and something to prove.
On the night of his wife's murder sixteen years ago, which left him a single father, Isaac thought he had seen the worst mankind had to offer.
Until now.
It moves like a virus from person to person, carefully selecting its next host, and leaving a trail of in...more
On the night of his wife's murder sixteen years ago, which left him a single father, Isaac thought he had seen the worst mankind had to offer.
Until now.
It moves like a virus from person to person, carefully selecting its next host, and leaving a trail of in...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Aug 22, 2011
Sarah (Workaday Reads)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2011
Isaac is a police detective haunted by the murder of his wife sixteen years ago. When he catches a mysterious case involving a little girl who burned to death, things get serious. Isaac must figure out what evil is destroying lives before it takes the one he considers most precious: his daughter.
This was not really what I expected, but it was enjoyable in a sad and scary sort of way. The story opens with the story of the death of Isaac's wife. It is easy to see why Isaac is haunted by it. It's a...more
This was not really what I expected, but it was enjoyable in a sad and scary sort of way. The story opens with the story of the death of Isaac's wife. It is easy to see why Isaac is haunted by it. It's a...more
Aug 17, 2011
Laurie Jenkins
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
action,
adventure,
contemporary,
demons,
fantasy,
horror,
kindle,
mystery,
paranormal,
read-in-2011,
suspense,
thriller
I started reading this book then literally could not put it down. The characters were drawn well and with outstanding emotional depth. The story was thrilling from start to finish. The action was intense – the inexplicable deaths, mysterious. At first, there were a few rather disconcerting changes in POV, but, honestly, I got so caught up in the characters and the story, that I became almost totally oblivious to any flaws after just a few pages. The author has an exceptionally engaging way of co...more
This book keep me interested from the very beginning. It does keep you guessing who is responsible for all of the murders. In most books I read, I need to enjoy the main character. The Gift Illusion delivered. Detective Isaac Winters was a witty, sarcastic, over protective father who had awesome ability to seek out clues and was driven to solve the case no matter what. I would reccomend this book to people who really enjoy Detective stories with an interesting Twist.
I was hoping for so much more with this story and it never happened. Isaac could have been such a strong character but he never reached that level. I enjoy reading about supernatural things however, Lucius was just blah with no real substance.
Sep 15, 2011
Dana ****Reads Alot****
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-in-2011
I liked this book it kept me reading the suspense was great. A very short enjoyable read.
Good storyline. The ending seemed abrupt and lacked a true sense of closure.
Wow...what an amazingly demented and evil idea for a plot. Chilling writing style captivates the reader and draws you in to the most darkest of evil. Very sadistic and morbid. Personally, I really enjoyed reading this book. This is definately not for the faint of heart though. Makes me wonder how twisted of a mind the writer that wrote this book must have. I now know what the epitamy of a Paranormal Thriller book is. This book gave me goosebumps and made me look over my shoulder in paranoia seve...more
At first I was a little confused about what was going on in this book. As I continued to read the story started making more and more sense. This is an exciting thriller and I would have never guessed the outcome. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery. This book is truly captivating and I did not want to stop reading until I finished it.
i had no idea what to expect, but as i kept reading it, i was totally drawn in!!
it was interesting & i loved the way each 'segment' was introduced.........
it was interesting & i loved the way each 'segment' was introduced.........
Terrible.
This book proves to me that "a book is in the eye of the beholder". My friend just read this book a couple of hours before me AND LOVED IT. I just finished it and was like "Meh". I thought the book had its' creepy moments but, imho, the book just dragged on. Pretty difficult for being less than 250 pages. I also felt that there were def. aspects to it that came off as choppy.
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Richard is the author of Dead Highways, Titanic with Zombies, The Gift of Illusion, and a collection of poetry called The Rebirth. When he’s not banging his head on the keyboard trying to make sentences out of words, he enjoys spending time with his family, studying philosophy, watching mixed martial arts, singing his face off, and generally being a know-it-all.
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