Eyes with No Soul

by Sheri Chapman

Laurie is a high school student who has been blessed with a touch of precognition. When she bumps into a stranger at the mall, her psychic door is thrown wide open, unlocking it for eternity! The action triggers a bloody murder scene to explode in her mind, numbing her ability to think... Unfortunately for Laurie, the stranger notices her peculiar reaction and beings staking her...she's his perfect victim. With no "proof" for the police, Laurie and her friends must try to survive. In a race against life and death, there can only be one winner.

66 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2014

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurie Bowman is a high schooler with a secret: she feels uncanny premonitions that are inexplicably real. One day, while visiting the nearby mall with her friends, Laurie accidentally bumps into a stranger. Turning to apologize, she is immediately overcome with the dramatic realization that this man has killed and she is desperate to get away from him. The murder Laurie witnessed in the man’s eyes is reported on the news later on, and the victim’s resemblance to Laurie is remarkable. Fearing the worst, Laurie must rely even more on her intuition and her friends to evade the clutches of a murderous madman.

This fast-paced short story is an entertaining diversion for readers who enjoy action and suspense in a wholesome setting. Laurie is the only child of a single mother, and they are financially comfortable living in the quiet suburb of Ozark, Missouri. Her friends are supportive throughout every frightening ordeal, never questioning Laurie’s intuitive abilities. With additional assistance from the local police and a bounty hunter friend, Laurie has protection on many sides. Though the overarching intent of the murderer is not explicitly clear, the action sequences will keep readers on the edges of their seats.

This book is written in a superficial manner, focusing more on telling the story to readers than allowing the story to unfold on its own. While this can limit readers’ connection to the characters and the plot, it allows the narrative to continue uninhibited. Ample dialogue and occasional descriptions make up the majority of the book itself, and a text message conversation adds a contemporary layer to the story. Light swearing and references to violence and blood are limited, increasing the accessibility of this story to young adult and adult readers, alike.

Action-packed and unsettling, this murder mystery adventure is a compelling read. It leaves many questions unanswered, but the story itself is open to a sequel or even a series to accompany this installment. A good fit for reluctant readers, this fast-paced, dialogue-centered story is an enjoyable diversion from everyday life.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.

[Suzanne Montigny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, quite honestly, I must say that I find this author is still an emerging writer in that her choice of words doesn't always fit the tone she's trying to portray, and that it looks as though she's using her Thesaurus to come up with bigger words, but ... she's a good storyteller. Even though I was annoyed by vocal tags like 'he stated' in casual conversations, I found myself being drawn to the story, wondering when I'd get to sit down and find out what happens next. The other thing I liked about the story is that it doesn't drag anywhere. It moves smoothly from one scene to the next. It will be interesting to see where this author will take us next. I know I'd sure like to know.