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Walk-In Investigation: Streaming Sarah
Detective Katie Hanson awakens from a coma with a rare advantage over her peers. She can crack open another dimension of reality and channel the dead.
Detective Katie Hanson's life takes a supernatural turn when she emerges from a coma with the ability to connect with the spirits of cold case murder victims. As the restless souls begin to haunt her, Katie becomes obsessed with the unsolved murders of Sarah Alexander and her two children.
With the help of her otherworldly visions and a mysterious doppelgänger from a parallel reality, Katie delves into the Alexander case, only to find herself caught between two worlds. As she unravels the threads of the investigation, Katie must confront the ghosts of her own troubled past and vanquish her inner darkness to bring justice to the victims.
This isn’t your Mother’s channeling... In "Streaming Sarah," author Joyce Kostakis masterfully weaves together the genres of detective fiction and paranormal suspense, creating a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With richly drawn characters, intricate plot lines, and a thought-provoking exploration of parallel universes, this novel is a must-read for fans of shows like "Ghost Whisperer" and "Fringe."
As Katie Hanson navigates the blurred lines between the living and the dead, she embodies the unbreakable human spirit and the relentless pursuit of truth. "Streaming Sarah" is a testament to the enduring power of justice and the unshakable bonds that tie us to the ones we love, even across the boundaries of life and death.
Detective Katie Hanson's life takes a supernatural turn when she emerges from a coma with the ability to connect with the spirits of cold case murder victims. As the restless souls begin to haunt her, Katie becomes obsessed with the unsolved murders of Sarah Alexander and her two children.
With the help of her otherworldly visions and a mysterious doppelgänger from a parallel reality, Katie delves into the Alexander case, only to find herself caught between two worlds. As she unravels the threads of the investigation, Katie must confront the ghosts of her own troubled past and vanquish her inner darkness to bring justice to the victims.
This isn’t your Mother’s channeling... In "Streaming Sarah," author Joyce Kostakis masterfully weaves together the genres of detective fiction and paranormal suspense, creating a gripping narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With richly drawn characters, intricate plot lines, and a thought-provoking exploration of parallel universes, this novel is a must-read for fans of shows like "Ghost Whisperer" and "Fringe."
As Katie Hanson navigates the blurred lines between the living and the dead, she embodies the unbreakable human spirit and the relentless pursuit of truth. "Streaming Sarah" is a testament to the enduring power of justice and the unshakable bonds that tie us to the ones we love, even across the boundaries of life and death.
- GenresParanormalMystery
225 pages, ebook
First published June 29, 2016
51 people are currently reading
1582 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Kostakis
8 books19 followersAward-winning author and screenwriter Joyce Kostakis weaves compelling stories across genres, creating emotionally resonant tales that keep readers turning pages late into the night.
Joyce Kostakis spent her childhood exploring storybook castles and wandering charming German villages while moving between military bases with her family. Those early adventures sparked a lifelong love of storytelling that followed her from the sun-soaked beaches of Florida to the misty mountains of Oregon, before she finally found her home in Ohio.
Now she balances her days as a project manager with moonlit writing sessions, creating worlds of mystery and romance with her faithful companions - an amazingly patient husband, a playful pup named Max, and a cat named Sissy who firmly believes she should be the true main character of every story.
Her rich tapestry of life experiences - from being raised an Army brat and serving in the Air Force to working as a legal assistant - weaves through her writing, bringing authenticity to every page.
In 2023, Joyce's creative journey took an exciting turn when "The Nurse," her debut as both writer and director, captivated film festival audiences and garnered multiple awards. The success of this short film inspired her to expand it into a novel, proving that powerful stories can find their way to readers' hearts through multiple paths.
Whether she's crafting upmarket commercial romance that makes hearts melt or paranormal mysteries that keep readers guessing until dawn, Joyce brings emotional depth and relatable characters to every story. Her first novel, "Streaming Sarah," is now being adapted for the screen, with filming set to begin in early 2025 - a testament to her ability to tell stories that resonate across mediums.
When she's not writing or managing projects, you might find Joyce curled up with a good book, plotting her next story over a cup of coffee, or sharing writing tips with aspiring authors. Her graduate degree in project management might help her plot the perfect novel, but it's her passion for authentic storytelling that truly brings her characters to life.
Notable Achievements
Screenwriting Success
"The Nurse" (2023) - Award-winning short script, writer and director. Now expanded into a novel.
Upcoming Projects
"Streaming Sarah" adaptation into feature-length script, filming to begin in early 2025.
Professional Background
- Project Manager - Served in the Air Force - Legal Assistant - Graduate Degree in Project Management
Joyce Kostakis spent her childhood exploring storybook castles and wandering charming German villages while moving between military bases with her family. Those early adventures sparked a lifelong love of storytelling that followed her from the sun-soaked beaches of Florida to the misty mountains of Oregon, before she finally found her home in Ohio.
Now she balances her days as a project manager with moonlit writing sessions, creating worlds of mystery and romance with her faithful companions - an amazingly patient husband, a playful pup named Max, and a cat named Sissy who firmly believes she should be the true main character of every story.
Her rich tapestry of life experiences - from being raised an Army brat and serving in the Air Force to working as a legal assistant - weaves through her writing, bringing authenticity to every page.
In 2023, Joyce's creative journey took an exciting turn when "The Nurse," her debut as both writer and director, captivated film festival audiences and garnered multiple awards. The success of this short film inspired her to expand it into a novel, proving that powerful stories can find their way to readers' hearts through multiple paths.
Whether she's crafting upmarket commercial romance that makes hearts melt or paranormal mysteries that keep readers guessing until dawn, Joyce brings emotional depth and relatable characters to every story. Her first novel, "Streaming Sarah," is now being adapted for the screen, with filming set to begin in early 2025 - a testament to her ability to tell stories that resonate across mediums.
When she's not writing or managing projects, you might find Joyce curled up with a good book, plotting her next story over a cup of coffee, or sharing writing tips with aspiring authors. Her graduate degree in project management might help her plot the perfect novel, but it's her passion for authentic storytelling that truly brings her characters to life.
Notable Achievements
Screenwriting Success
"The Nurse" (2023) - Award-winning short script, writer and director. Now expanded into a novel.
Upcoming Projects
"Streaming Sarah" adaptation into feature-length script, filming to begin in early 2025.
Professional Background
- Project Manager - Served in the Air Force - Legal Assistant - Graduate Degree in Project Management
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 24, 2020
Quickly drawing me in, the first third of the details the aftermath of Katie Hanson's suicide on what should have been her wedding day, kept me riveted and the pages flew by as she observed herself and her rescuers. While the story hit a speed bump for me in the middle, the wrapping up of the mystery was well done as was the ending. I enjoy paranormal mysteries, but this took some unexpected turns. Still, I've rounded up from 3 and a half stars based on the voice and the writing, overcoming the going off the rails in the middle. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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August 27, 2024Enjoyable. Easy, quick read. It's the start of a series but it doesn't end on a cliff hanger so if you don't want to continue the series, you are good!
April 18, 2020
This is a compelling book that puts a new twist on the typical detective novel. By adding the paranormal element of channeling spirits to solve crimes and even contact parallel worlds, Joyce Kostakis has written a unique story. Lead character, Katie Hanson, is a troubled detective who is on the brink of suicide at the beginning of the book, so how can she possibly be up for helping the murdered Sarah Alexander and finding who really is responsible for her death? With surprises along the way and great character development, you'll want to keep reading this story and will look forward to the next in the series.
November 23, 2019
Wow, I loved this book. I know it was only 5 hours and 42 minutes but once I started the story I had to play it all the way through and I heard it all in one day. I really liked everything about the book and hope the author is writing her next book, as I will definitely be keeping an eye out for book two. The whole plot idea was intriguing. I don't normally choose sci-fi stories my genre is mystery but this sounded different and I have listened to the odd sci-fi for a change so thought I would give it ago. So glad I did. I really liked the characters and felt the author tried hard to make you connect with them. I had worked out who the killer was but found it fascinating getting to the same conclusion and I loved all the ghostly goings on.
Kate has reason to hate her wedding day, as it is also the day her twin brother and mother died. So it is not surprising when she can't take the walk down the aisle. Things sprial out of control and she ends up waking up in a hospital bed. She has always had an open mind, well she is best friends with a psychic but her life will never be the same again. Kate is a cop and she finds that now she can speak for the dead, literally. When she died she connected with a parallel universe and the spirit world at the same time and a ghost needs her help solving her family's death. At the same time parallel Kate (P Kate) is working on the same case. Can the two find a way to work together and solve the murder? Talking to ghosts should make it easier, right?
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good job of putting emotion into her reading making an exciting listen.
Kate has reason to hate her wedding day, as it is also the day her twin brother and mother died. So it is not surprising when she can't take the walk down the aisle. Things sprial out of control and she ends up waking up in a hospital bed. She has always had an open mind, well she is best friends with a psychic but her life will never be the same again. Kate is a cop and she finds that now she can speak for the dead, literally. When she died she connected with a parallel universe and the spirit world at the same time and a ghost needs her help solving her family's death. At the same time parallel Kate (P Kate) is working on the same case. Can the two find a way to work together and solve the murder? Talking to ghosts should make it easier, right?
I liked the narrator and thought she did a good job of putting emotion into her reading making an exciting listen.
November 12, 2020
Okay, so this starts off with a botched suicide, it seems. Then it segues to a wedding with a bunch of names thrown here and there. It has a really odd narrative (more like insane rantings, really.) It kind of goes all over the place, and I really don’t know what’s what. I guess Vicky is the psychic in the story. It’s so chaotic that it loses the reader almost entirely. The suicide was kind of interesting. Too bad we just couldn’t concentrated on that.
March 18, 2020
I listened to this book on Audible. The production was well done and the narrator did a good job of breathing life into the characters. This story pulled me in early on. I thoroughly enjoy a mystery and if you add a paranormal element to it, that's even better! The main character's ability to speak to dead people because she herself has experienced near-death is a perfect match! The author did a great job of creating and displaying the chemistry between best friends, Katie and Vicky.
The story flowed well. The friendship between Katie and Vicky was relatable and enjoyable to experience. I think the story was true to the mystery genre. I enjoyed trying to figure out the murder and loved the courtroom scenes! The interaction between the attorneys and witnesses definitely holds my attention.
I do have one criticism. There is a section in this book where Katie must locate her body and it had nothing to do with the mystery at the forefront of this story. It bothered me just a little but I feel that since this is book 1, it sets the foundation for future books in the series. There were no notable errors that took me out of the story. I would recommend this book to mystery lovers who love a dash of paranormal.
review provided by kaybee's bookshelf member @theambitiousreader
The story flowed well. The friendship between Katie and Vicky was relatable and enjoyable to experience. I think the story was true to the mystery genre. I enjoyed trying to figure out the murder and loved the courtroom scenes! The interaction between the attorneys and witnesses definitely holds my attention.
I do have one criticism. There is a section in this book where Katie must locate her body and it had nothing to do with the mystery at the forefront of this story. It bothered me just a little but I feel that since this is book 1, it sets the foundation for future books in the series. There were no notable errors that took me out of the story. I would recommend this book to mystery lovers who love a dash of paranormal.
review provided by kaybee's bookshelf member @theambitiousreader
September 18, 2019
I like detective mysteries. I like murder mysteries. I like local authors. Streaming Sarah delivers all three.
Paranormal isn't usually my genre. But! Streaming Sarah is certainly a page-turner. I finished it rather quickly and found myself wanting to get back to it, even during the workday...
At one point, the main character says "I was certain that the world wasn't ready to believe in parallel universes and the fact we could get help from another world." I am certain she's right.
I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters, how they interacted with one another and with the world Joyce has created. The premise is a new one (to me, anyway!) and it seems quite intriguing.
The book is well-written. It is self-published and, if you've seen many of my other reviews, you won't be surprised to see me point out that it could benefit from one last edit to address a few orthographical errors and a couple of jarring font changes.
I'm planning on sending it on to a dear friend of mine who curates a crime novel book club. I'm certain she'll enjoy it!
Paranormal isn't usually my genre. But! Streaming Sarah is certainly a page-turner. I finished it rather quickly and found myself wanting to get back to it, even during the workday...
At one point, the main character says "I was certain that the world wasn't ready to believe in parallel universes and the fact we could get help from another world." I am certain she's right.
I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters, how they interacted with one another and with the world Joyce has created. The premise is a new one (to me, anyway!) and it seems quite intriguing.
The book is well-written. It is self-published and, if you've seen many of my other reviews, you won't be surprised to see me point out that it could benefit from one last edit to address a few orthographical errors and a couple of jarring font changes.
I'm planning on sending it on to a dear friend of mine who curates a crime novel book club. I'm certain she'll enjoy it!
February 28, 2020
Sharp investigative details, expert plotting, and a heavy dose of paranormal mark Kostakis’s first installment in the Walk-In Investigations series.
A near death experience not only changes Homicide Detective Katie Hanson’s perspective about the traumatic events of her childhood but also bequeaths her the ability of streaming a dead person’s consciousness. But solving murder cases using her newfound ability is entirely another matter as the dead’s memory of the events surrounding their death is as flawed as those of the living’s.
Kostakis neatly installs the intrigue of a police procedural into the elements of paranormal, constructing a smoothly flowing mystery. The measured prose, a stirring atmosphere filled with all sorts of odd occurrences, and the increasingly complex life of Katie make this a compelling read as Kostakis skillfully weaves the disparate plot strands into a wholly satisfying ending.
Fans of paranormal mysteries will be greatly rewarded.
A totally engrossing read!
A near death experience not only changes Homicide Detective Katie Hanson’s perspective about the traumatic events of her childhood but also bequeaths her the ability of streaming a dead person’s consciousness. But solving murder cases using her newfound ability is entirely another matter as the dead’s memory of the events surrounding their death is as flawed as those of the living’s.
Kostakis neatly installs the intrigue of a police procedural into the elements of paranormal, constructing a smoothly flowing mystery. The measured prose, a stirring atmosphere filled with all sorts of odd occurrences, and the increasingly complex life of Katie make this a compelling read as Kostakis skillfully weaves the disparate plot strands into a wholly satisfying ending.
Fans of paranormal mysteries will be greatly rewarded.
A totally engrossing read!
May 9, 2020
Walk-in Investigations Streaming Sarah was a very interesting book and I love the mix of detective work with the addition of the paranormal. I loved the concept of the ability to stream messages from the deceased and this book was very well written.
The overall story-line and plot is very suspenseful and convoluted making for an excellent mystery.
The MC Katie is a detective and we learn that she is fraught with emotional issues stemming from a difficult family dynamic. Katie's best friend Vicky finds Katie just as she is about to die from a suicide attempt. This really ramps things up because as Katie struggles between life and death she has an out of body experience that gives her (or activates) her paranormal ability to stream the dead. Katie is an excellent MC and I really enjoyed her character growth through the book and I would read more from this author.
I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an honest review.
#WalkInInvestigations
#NetGalley
The overall story-line and plot is very suspenseful and convoluted making for an excellent mystery.
The MC Katie is a detective and we learn that she is fraught with emotional issues stemming from a difficult family dynamic. Katie's best friend Vicky finds Katie just as she is about to die from a suicide attempt. This really ramps things up because as Katie struggles between life and death she has an out of body experience that gives her (or activates) her paranormal ability to stream the dead. Katie is an excellent MC and I really enjoyed her character growth through the book and I would read more from this author.
I highly recommend this book.
I received this book from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an honest review.
#WalkInInvestigations
#NetGalley
May 3, 2020
Walk-In Investigations is a paranormal mystery. The story revolves around Detective Katie Hanson who has always been an advocate for the dead. She has to be after losing her mother and her twins.
Every year on the anniversary of their death she tries to kill herself. This year though was different. She did not want to die she wanted to live. But she does die at least for several minutes and when she returns the door to the spirit world remains open.
Surviving her suicide attempt, Detective Katie finds that the murder victims of her police department's cold cases are haunting her for answers.
The author's description of the attempted suicide was so real I actually found myself holding my breath.
This is an excellent written psychic novel. Highly recommend.
Every year on the anniversary of their death she tries to kill herself. This year though was different. She did not want to die she wanted to live. But she does die at least for several minutes and when she returns the door to the spirit world remains open.
Surviving her suicide attempt, Detective Katie finds that the murder victims of her police department's cold cases are haunting her for answers.
The author's description of the attempted suicide was so real I actually found myself holding my breath.
This is an excellent written psychic novel. Highly recommend.
March 9, 2020
I'm undecided as to how I feel about this book. The mystery is good. There are plenty of twists and suspects to keep you guessing. The characters are interesting. I expected a paranormal story involving ghosts. What this is, it's more of a science fiction mystery. It takes place in the future but doesn't tell you that until many chapters in. Yes there are ghosts. I felt like it was almost a physics lesson at several points though. If it was being marketed as a scifi instead of mystery/thriller I feel like it would be better. As a reader I didn't realize what I was getting and ended up being disappointed.
April 20, 2020
Streaming Sarah is a paranormal mystery set in the future. It opens with a suicide attempt; Katie is a police detective who ran away from her own wedding. Now she’s in a coma, it’s a safe place and she is in no rush to leave the family that she has reconnected with in the spirit world.
Katie’s near death experience opens up her psychic channels; she’s visited by a spirit from a cold case murder who gives her clues to new evidence. See here for full review
Katie’s near death experience opens up her psychic channels; she’s visited by a spirit from a cold case murder who gives her clues to new evidence. See here for full review
April 26, 2020
Interesting concept
This book is, I hope, the first in a series of mysteries to be solved using paranormal methods. There was a good set up in book one of background and character of the heroine, Kate, as well as solving their first cold case mystery. I found myself turning page after page as I became more immersed in the story.
This book is, I hope, the first in a series of mysteries to be solved using paranormal methods. There was a good set up in book one of background and character of the heroine, Kate, as well as solving their first cold case mystery. I found myself turning page after page as I became more immersed in the story.
May 6, 2024
I loved every minute of this book. It was captivating from front to back. Stayed up all night just to finish it ❤️ I absolutely loved how the author seamlessly intertwined the paranormal with a crime thriller. It truly had me going back and forth on whodunnit! The twist caught me by surprise. *chefs kiss*
August 6, 2017
Walk-In Investigations
I love paranormal books. This was fantastic. I would do a little housework or a little laundry & my mind was constantly on this story & what was going to happen next. I can't wait to start another one by this same author!
Thank you!
I love paranormal books. This was fantastic. I would do a little housework or a little laundry & my mind was constantly on this story & what was going to happen next. I can't wait to start another one by this same author!
Thank you!
July 16, 2019
Nice
I don't usually write reviews, although, I read constantly and love mysteries! This book is a real page turner that's hard to put down. Very thought provoking with great characters and twists. I truly recommend!
I don't usually write reviews, although, I read constantly and love mysteries! This book is a real page turner that's hard to put down. Very thought provoking with great characters and twists. I truly recommend!
September 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Kept me guessing all the way through. Unexpected criminal(s). Very different feel with a parallel Universe consultant.
I also enjoyed that there's a lot of healing involved in the multiple relationships in the book. Very realistic.
I also enjoyed that there's a lot of healing involved in the multiple relationships in the book. Very realistic.
June 21, 2018
Good
For a first novel this was well written a few typos but nothing that would throw the story flow off, I’m really looking foreword to your next book in this series.
For a first novel this was well written a few typos but nothing that would throw the story flow off, I’m really looking foreword to your next book in this series.
March 3, 2019
Great book! First time reading by this author. Can’t wait to read another one
January 31, 2020
Great read!
Suspenseful and engaging, a good read with twists along the way. Interesting to follow the combination of paranormal and detective work. Looking forward to the author’s next book!
Suspenseful and engaging, a good read with twists along the way. Interesting to follow the combination of paranormal and detective work. Looking forward to the author’s next book!
April 29, 2020
Definitely different
The stage is confidently set and the players tidily in place. The who, how and why were set up well enough; I had no idea which suspect was guilty.
The stage is confidently set and the players tidily in place. The who, how and why were set up well enough; I had no idea which suspect was guilty.
May 25, 2020
Something a little difference
A combination of 2 genres I enjoy, crime and the supernatural. The characters were likeable and real, well written and easy to read, recommended
A combination of 2 genres I enjoy, crime and the supernatural. The characters were likeable and real, well written and easy to read, recommended
September 29, 2022
This was good and Amazon has it for free right now.... warning.... suicide survivor heroine... I am still not sure how I feel about that....
May 14, 2024
Streaming Sarah
Loved the story line, although at times I got confused with the small time jumps it seemed to go fast. Characters are well thought out.
Loved the story line, although at times I got confused with the small time jumps it seemed to go fast. Characters are well thought out.
December 12, 2019
I was totally into this story within the first 5 minutes. This was a great start to this series. I cannot wait for book 2 and the rest if the series.
The book does start with a suicide attempt but she does learn from her mistake and gains psychic powers. She is then able to assist in solving cold case murders with the help of people on this side as well as the other side and another demention.
I was given this copy by the author and chose to leave this review.
The book does start with a suicide attempt but she does learn from her mistake and gains psychic powers. She is then able to assist in solving cold case murders with the help of people on this side as well as the other side and another demention.
I was given this copy by the author and chose to leave this review.
August 21, 2016
This was a wonderful book. It had twists at the end that I didn't see coming! I just sat and read the last 60 pages or more because I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the sequel.
December 16, 2016
I won this book through Goodreads. Very interesting and exciting story. I loved the whole plot. I read in one sitting..so many twists I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews