Eye of the Beholder

Greer Sands #1

by Shari Shattuck

Greer Sands has always downplayed her psychic abilities, but when she moves to a sleepy Los Angeles suburb with her teenage son to open another branch of her successful salon and spa, it doesn't take long for her to sense that something deeply evil is about to break over this peaceful community. There is imminent danger in the lives of her new friends and neighbors, and Greer knows she must find a way to protect them.

Genres: Mystery

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye of the Beholder by Shari Shattuck was one of the books I had to think about my rating. The first 25-50 pages I was not enthralled, but I ended up getting into the story and enjoying the book. If you end up picking up the book, stick with it until the end. I would read more of the series. 4 stars

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m shocked this book doesn’t have more love on here! I thoroughly enjoyed it and believe it deserves loads more attention!! It features two characters with psychic abilities, but not necessarily paranormal, living in a small suburb outside of Los Angeles where they get a mix of city and rural living. The mystery itself kept me guessing the entire time. I legitimately didn’t know who the main antagonist was going to be until it was revealed towards the end as there were four possibilities at one point which I LOVED because it kept me in the seat of uncertainty the entire time.

Greer Sands and her son Joshua have moved to Shadow Hills, a small town where she and her business partner, Dario, have opened the second branch of their salon and spa, Eye of the Beholder. One day she gets a feeling that something is coming, some kind of change but tinged with darkness. The number three pops out to her, and she believe it means that she’s going to meet three women who will become good friends of hers.

In time Greer does manage to find three friends who add a lot of plot layering to the story, and it all felt entirely natural as far as the world and character buildings go! I also loved how descriptive so much of the story was, from the setting to the facial expressions to the little things characters were doing here and there. Initially I wondered if it was potentially going to be overly descriptive at times but then it made me think of the way I like to write my own stories. Giving the reader all the necessary information in order to really paint a clear picture of what's going on! Whether it was Greer trying to connect with her abilities or create a charm of protection, to Jenny working at her coffee shop next door to Greer’s salon, to Leah working at the bank and having to deal with her ex-husband who is also her boss, to Whitney, who lives next door to Greer, with her husband, Luke, and stepdaughter, Joy.

We’re also introduced to a myriad of other characters that are managed in the story quite well. We have Pistol, the mail carrier, Mike, a neighbor of Luke and Whitney's who lives on their street, Vince, Leah’s ex-husband and bank manager, Army and Paul, brothers who are plumbers that help at the salon, Sterling, an architect who’s office is in the same strip as Greer and Jenny’s shops, and Celia and Jonathan, who work at Eye of the Beholder as a receptionist and assistant, respectively.

Those paragraphs with all the characters may seem like an information dump overload but for me it’s a sign of good writing because I was effortlessly able to remember all of these characters at the time of writing this review because all of them stood out in great ways! They all added something to the story, whether it was natural progression or suspicion or kindness.

The story starts on a Thursday and before we move on to the next day we’re introduced to the POV of the main antagonist. His twisted mind in which he’s yearning for another young girl who he wants to have his way with. He’s a sick bastard and the writing really makes you hope he gets his comeuppance.

Following the disappearance of one girl in the community Greer gets even more concerned as she already is worried about one of her new friends, Leah, but she also has a feeling that she needs to worry about her new friends stepdaughter, Joy. Luckily, Greer’s son Joshua has managed to befriend Joy and the two hang out and get to know one another. In time we come to find that the gift Greer possesses, originally thought to only be passable to the women in the family, is awakening in Joshua. He sees his own visions and in time learns to control them in order to help find another girl who goes missing in their town.

This was a fantastically written mystery and, to reiterate what I said above, it had me guessing the entire time. Not only was the mystery a knockout but so were the dynamics between all of the characters! Greer going through life as a single mom with her son Joshua. Her best friend, Dario, who is basically a dad and father figure to Joshua. Greer and her interactions with Whitney, Jenny, and Leah, and the way those three come to interact with one another without Greer’s presence was a great way to see women coming together to help one another at times when they needed the help that they were too afraid to reach out for on their own.

This story had a lot of payoffs and the end was really well done! I can’t wait to pick up book two and see these characters again! As excited as I am for the second book, it is a shame that there are only two in this Greer Sands series! Perhaps Shari Shattuck wrapped everything up with a strong sense of finality? Time will tell when I get around to the second book!! Thank you Shari for this wonderful read!

[Matt Holgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy novels about realistic, intriguing characters who are placed in danger and disturbing situations, 'Eye of the Beholder' is the book for you. Psychics, haunted visions, feelings of foreboding, a sense of impending doom that may be impossible to avoid - all highlight a tale featuring characters you will genuinely care about.

There's a vibrancy to Shattuck's descriptions that really works, and in treading the line between vision and reality for her characters, this vibrancy is essential, and Shattuck pulls it off. It makes Greer, Joshua and others that much more effective as characters. At the same time, there is a pervasive and somewhat refreshing 'normalcy' to the world Shattuck has created. Greer's bond with her son and clients, in particular, showcases this effectively - the conversations and motivations of the characters come across as authentic. These facets of her writing style play well against the other, and serve to make the stakes feel all the higher once the more disturbing elements of the story begin to descend. In particular, the mother-son dynamic between Greer and Joshua really works, as does their struggles against the dark forces that intrude upon their world and the world of their friends.

I picked up 'Eye of the Beholder' as my introduction to Shari Shattuck's books, and I am definitely looking forward to reading some of her more recent works. In fact, 'Eye of the Beholder' is not the last book to feature some of these characters, and I encourage you to follow along.

5/5

[Yvonne Boag · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a small town mystery with a twist. Two of the main characters are psychic. Greer moves to town to open a hairdressing salon with her partner. She meets the neighbours and knows that something dark is happening. There is a fair bit of violence in the novel of a sexual nature. While it isn't a bad novel it isn't anything to write home about either. I found the characters too black and white, a bit more shades of grey would have made it a better read.

[Shiela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this paranormal mystery. There were so many storylines interwoven into each other that it was impossible to predict who was responsible for what crime. The characters were quite memorable, the pace and suspense kept up, After all that happened throughout the book, I found the resolution too fast and kind of anticlimactic. But other than that, it was a great read.

[Andrew Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story if you are into 'visionaries'. Greer Sands is seeing things. Upon moving to a sleepy Los Angeles suburb with her teenage son, it doesn't take long for her to sense that something evil is about to break over this peaceful community. And it does. As her son begins to see 'visions' he moves forward to solve a bizarre kidnapping.

[Sabreena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book...But I can't say if it is very memorable. I could not guess the killer but it did keep me entertained. Unfortunately, it follows a formula every crime novel would...and that is to have a twist for the sake of having a twist.

[Terrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abandoned because it was too violent. Disappointing, I enjoyed the author's "Lethal" trilogy which was a good chick lit/mystery combo.

[Mysterious · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author did a great job, keeping the reader interested and trying to figure out who the killer was up until it was finally revealed.

[Eunira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good suspense, a page turner.
Offered on BookMooch.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for edge of your seat suspense then this book is for you. Fully developed characters and plot that keeps you engaged in the story.

[Kepi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read, great summer thriller.

[Warren Stilwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot of touchy-feely, people just sensing goodness or badness, that's a little to Karma driven for my taste.

[Sue Stewart]

good book.