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Joe Bailey, Spirit Basher #1
Beyond Belief
The New York Times Book Review hailed Roy Johansen's debut, The Answer Man, as "offbeat [and] fascinating." Now the Edgar Award winner and Shamus Award finalist once again "keeps the pages turning" (Los Angeles Times) in a new thriller that pits a professional skeptic against something inexplicable — and undeniably lethal.
Joe Bailey is the Spirit Basher. Formerly a professional magician, he's become an ace police detective in Atlanta, debunking phony psychics and spiritualists who prey on the gullible. And he's just caught his first sensational murder case.
The victim is someone Joe knew. Dr. Robert Nelson was a professor at Landwyn University, head of the parapsychology program. He was killed in his own home, a sculpture of massive chrome spikes driven through his body and into a wall. A sculpture that no one could possibly have lifted. But Nelson's girlfriend claims to know the murderer: an eight-year-old boy.
Jesse Randall is not just any child. Some people say he can move objects using nothing more than his will. Nelson had been studying the boy, and Jesse's anger at the professor was erupting in "shadow storms" — violent telekinetic activity — while Jesse slept. Nelson's girlfriend swears that one of these episodes was responsible for Nelson's brutal death.
Joe is far from convinced. He's certain that Jesse's power is a hoax and Nelson's killer is a master of deception. Driven to seek out the truth that surely lies behind the psychic fakery, Joe must rely on his wits to separate what's real from what's illusion — even if it means drawing Jesse's anger on himself. Soon mysterious incidents thrust him and his own child into grave peril. Are they examples of Jesse's shadow storms? Or deadly warnings from someone who cannot allow the Spirit Basher to discover the truth? Joe cannot abandon his search for answers. And he'd better find them fast before whoever — or whatever — impaled Robert Nelson like an insect does the same to him and his daughter.
Joe Bailey is the Spirit Basher. Formerly a professional magician, he's become an ace police detective in Atlanta, debunking phony psychics and spiritualists who prey on the gullible. And he's just caught his first sensational murder case.
The victim is someone Joe knew. Dr. Robert Nelson was a professor at Landwyn University, head of the parapsychology program. He was killed in his own home, a sculpture of massive chrome spikes driven through his body and into a wall. A sculpture that no one could possibly have lifted. But Nelson's girlfriend claims to know the murderer: an eight-year-old boy.
Jesse Randall is not just any child. Some people say he can move objects using nothing more than his will. Nelson had been studying the boy, and Jesse's anger at the professor was erupting in "shadow storms" — violent telekinetic activity — while Jesse slept. Nelson's girlfriend swears that one of these episodes was responsible for Nelson's brutal death.
Joe is far from convinced. He's certain that Jesse's power is a hoax and Nelson's killer is a master of deception. Driven to seek out the truth that surely lies behind the psychic fakery, Joe must rely on his wits to separate what's real from what's illusion — even if it means drawing Jesse's anger on himself. Soon mysterious incidents thrust him and his own child into grave peril. Are they examples of Jesse's shadow storms? Or deadly warnings from someone who cannot allow the Spirit Basher to discover the truth? Joe cannot abandon his search for answers. And he'd better find them fast before whoever — or whatever — impaled Robert Nelson like an insect does the same to him and his daughter.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
26 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Roy Johansen
27 books214 followersRoy Johansen is a New York Times-bestselling mystery/suspense author and screenwriter.
He was awarded the Edgar Allen Poe award from the Mystery Writers of America in the Best Television Miniseries or Movie category for his original screenplay "Murder 101". He continues to write screenplays for Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Disney, and MGM.
He has written several mystery/suspense novels on his own, but Roy Johansen also collaborates with his mother, Iris Johansen, on several best-selling mystery novels, including Storm Cycle, The Hannah Bryson series, and The Kendra Michaels series.
He was awarded the Edgar Allen Poe award from the Mystery Writers of America in the Best Television Miniseries or Movie category for his original screenplay "Murder 101". He continues to write screenplays for Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Disney, and MGM.
He has written several mystery/suspense novels on his own, but Roy Johansen also collaborates with his mother, Iris Johansen, on several best-selling mystery novels, including Storm Cycle, The Hannah Bryson series, and The Kendra Michaels series.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 14, 2013
Audio Book narrated by Richard Ferrone: A mystery with telekinetics, parapsychology, murder and a little romance topped off with the gravely, expressive voice of Ferrone make a great formula for this cliff hanger with a happy ending.
March 16, 2020
Kind of dragged a bit, but the overall story was good.
March 20, 2020
Beyond Belief cements Roy Johansen's ability as a writer of stories with a lead character who has some uncanny skills, a character-type his mother Iris Johansen has excelled at creating.
August 26, 2012
Since I'm not a paranormal fan, I was a little hesitant about reading this book. However, I'd read one of Roy Johansen's books before and had enjoyed it. I've also read and liked the books he's written with his mother, Iris Johansen.
Joe Bailey has lost his wife, Angela, to cancer and is father to a daughter, Nikki. When he was younger, he used to work as a professional magician; now he's a police detective debunking all things paranormal. His current case is the first murder he's investigated. Why? This is a murder in which the victim has been killed in a way that is only "possible" by supernatural means. The suspect in the murder? An eight-year-old boy named Jesse Randall. The victim: a university researcher of paranormal.
There are a great number of people involved in this case, so many that I had some problems keeping track of them all.
Joe Bailey has lost his wife, Angela, to cancer and is father to a daughter, Nikki. When he was younger, he used to work as a professional magician; now he's a police detective debunking all things paranormal. His current case is the first murder he's investigated. Why? This is a murder in which the victim has been killed in a way that is only "possible" by supernatural means. The suspect in the murder? An eight-year-old boy named Jesse Randall. The victim: a university researcher of paranormal.
There are a great number of people involved in this case, so many that I had some problems keeping track of them all.
January 13, 2010
Some of things things were definitely beyond belief--most notably the actions of news organizations. It's hard to believe that any newspaper would publish a bloody picture of a murder victim on the front page, or that a TV crew would accost a child on a playground.
Spoiler: Also, that all the bad guys die so there's no concern about bringing anyone to trial.
But other than that, I liked it pretty well. Lots of interesting info about the equipment used to pull off illusions. Nice, low-key romance.
Spoiler: Also, that all the bad guys die so there's no concern about bringing anyone to trial.
But other than that, I liked it pretty well. Lots of interesting info about the equipment used to pull off illusions. Nice, low-key romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2008
ok, i think this guy is an even better writer than his mother! he kept me QUITE spellbound, from the beginning right to the very last page!! kind of disappointed that he dispelled some of the "magic", but then again ... i was still amazed at how that all was engineered also!!!
definitely on to HIS next book
definitely on to HIS next book
July 4, 2008
Picked this up from a book club listing. About a magician who helps the police debunk phony psychics. Enjoyable, but not riveting. When my library gets full I will donate this without a qualm.
Want to read
January 16, 2012I have to read this because I went to high school with Roy and his sister Tamara. Can't wait to see how this reads!
August 6, 2013
Good book. Hope he continues with the series.
February 22, 2015
Exhilarating book!
I. Just couldn't put it down, I loved the twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
I. Just couldn't put it down, I loved the twists and turns, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
September 8, 2015
Fast read! Enjoyed it very much!
February 3, 2019
I really didn't like it. But since it is the first in a series I'll try #2 for some of the loose ends.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews