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Claire Beckett: Protector of Crescent City #1
Claire Beckett and the Transfer of Power
My new ability could get me killed.
I’m Claire Beckett, the newest detective in Crescent City. And I can see runes around dead bodies. Life would be perfect if I didn’t have to deal with the werewolf mayor and finding out that my mother lied to me about her ties to this place.
Bodies are dropping throughout the city, similar to a group of cold cases I’ve found. The killer’s ready to kill again and if history has anything to do with it, he’ll continue to hunt until he’s had his revenge.
But the more we keep digging, connections to both me and my partner amp up the need to find this killer and get him behind bars before the city begins to panic.
I’m Claire Beckett, the newest detective in Crescent City. And I can see runes around dead bodies. Life would be perfect if I didn’t have to deal with the werewolf mayor and finding out that my mother lied to me about her ties to this place.
Bodies are dropping throughout the city, similar to a group of cold cases I’ve found. The killer’s ready to kill again and if history has anything to do with it, he’ll continue to hunt until he’s had his revenge.
But the more we keep digging, connections to both me and my partner amp up the need to find this killer and get him behind bars before the city begins to panic.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2021
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216 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
January 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this book from a new-to-me author. Claire Beckett is a police officer in Boston, desperate to return to the beat after recovering from a gunshot wound. After chasing a thief on her first day back, she ends up finding herself in the same alley where she found her mother's body, but this time she notices something strange on the wall. A comment from someone of importance about her mother soon has Claire raging and she's in trouble!
Later on something else happens and she sees more of these symbols. Claire thinks she must be going crazy, but upon investigating this crime, she is caught by her Captain after being told to stay out of it and ends up being transferred to Crescent City. As the new kid on the block, she wants to make good impressions, but she is also desperate to find justice for those who she has loved and lost.
Mentioning that she can see these symbols close to dead bodies, Claire is soon transferred again, but this time it comes with a promotion to Detective in the Homicide department. It may have seemed like a quick promotion but Claire's new found skills are much needed in Homicide, especially with the murders that are taking place in the city! Claire is exposed to a world of supernatural creatures and beings, one she never knew existed and luckily for her she embraces it better than expected. Many secrets about her past are revealed, ones she didn't even know herself!
A lot of other reviewers didn't like Claire, but I had lots of empathy for her, so understood why she came across as rude and disrespectful at times. Her father had left when she was young, her mother had been killed, her best friend was killed, she was transferred to a completely new city with no friends or family and then after two days, was transferred to yet another job role. I totally get why she was angry! Hopefully now she has found someone who can give her some answers, she will find the peace she needs!
I will definitely be reading more in this series as I want to see if anything will happen between Claire and Heath now they seem to have reached more of an understanding. I also want to see how Claire learns to use her powers and whether they will manifest any further!
I received a copy of this book through Booksprout but this review is all mine own, honest one!
Later on something else happens and she sees more of these symbols. Claire thinks she must be going crazy, but upon investigating this crime, she is caught by her Captain after being told to stay out of it and ends up being transferred to Crescent City. As the new kid on the block, she wants to make good impressions, but she is also desperate to find justice for those who she has loved and lost.
Mentioning that she can see these symbols close to dead bodies, Claire is soon transferred again, but this time it comes with a promotion to Detective in the Homicide department. It may have seemed like a quick promotion but Claire's new found skills are much needed in Homicide, especially with the murders that are taking place in the city! Claire is exposed to a world of supernatural creatures and beings, one she never knew existed and luckily for her she embraces it better than expected. Many secrets about her past are revealed, ones she didn't even know herself!
A lot of other reviewers didn't like Claire, but I had lots of empathy for her, so understood why she came across as rude and disrespectful at times. Her father had left when she was young, her mother had been killed, her best friend was killed, she was transferred to a completely new city with no friends or family and then after two days, was transferred to yet another job role. I totally get why she was angry! Hopefully now she has found someone who can give her some answers, she will find the peace she needs!
I will definitely be reading more in this series as I want to see if anything will happen between Claire and Heath now they seem to have reached more of an understanding. I also want to see how Claire learns to use her powers and whether they will manifest any further!
I received a copy of this book through Booksprout but this review is all mine own, honest one!
January 8, 2021
Claire is a young police officer in Boston who is still thinking about her mother's murder 8 years before. One day she sees some strange signs at the place her mother died. After a transfer to Crescent City she is suddenly promoted from patrol cop to detective (?!) and sees even more of those signs. Mayor Heath Langton explains the signs are 'tvary' - made by wizards and witches. And as Claire can see them, she must be a witch.. While Claire is investigating some gruesome murders she is also still investigating her mother and roommate's murder.
The book is rather fast, easy to read. The premise is interesting, with the tvary and Claire's history. The book ends with solving one thing but holding out on the rest - as it is of course a series.
Why the lower rating? I absolutely disliked the heroine! Claire is unprofessional, rude, aggressive. As the characters are not really fleshed out (yet?) it is really hard to relate to someone. She intensely dislikes Heath, but also fancies him it seems. But their conversations are not banter or flirting as Claire is extremely rude every time she sees him. We don't know much about Heath either, he is just the handsome mayor who keeps turning up.
Overall she is rude to everyone so Heath is not the only victim. She meets her new captain (why does he travel to see a patrol cop?) and ignores him, she talks back to her old captain, she breaks into rooms, ignores colleagues and rips things out of their hands, accuses the mayor she just met of being corrupt etc. etc. No, she is not feisty or badass. Just someone I would not like as a colleague at all (or be interested in as a love interest - Heath... hint hint).
Conclusion: I think the plot has merit as it is an interesting premise. But the execution of the story could be better. Give the characters some depth and feelings and please make Claire more likeable! Let them have real conversations. Then it could be a really good series!
*** I requested and received an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review. ***
The book is rather fast, easy to read. The premise is interesting, with the tvary and Claire's history. The book ends with solving one thing but holding out on the rest - as it is of course a series.
Why the lower rating? I absolutely disliked the heroine! Claire is unprofessional, rude, aggressive. As the characters are not really fleshed out (yet?) it is really hard to relate to someone. She intensely dislikes Heath, but also fancies him it seems. But their conversations are not banter or flirting as Claire is extremely rude every time she sees him. We don't know much about Heath either, he is just the handsome mayor who keeps turning up.
Overall she is rude to everyone so Heath is not the only victim. She meets her new captain (why does he travel to see a patrol cop?) and ignores him, she talks back to her old captain, she breaks into rooms, ignores colleagues and rips things out of their hands, accuses the mayor she just met of being corrupt etc. etc. No, she is not feisty or badass. Just someone I would not like as a colleague at all (or be interested in as a love interest - Heath... hint hint).
Conclusion: I think the plot has merit as it is an interesting premise. But the execution of the story could be better. Give the characters some depth and feelings and please make Claire more likeable! Let them have real conversations. Then it could be a really good series!
*** I requested and received an ARC and this is my honest and voluntary review. ***
September 24, 2022
Veel andere recensenten mochten Claire niet, maar ik had veel empathie voor haar, dus ik begreep waarom ze soms onbeleefd en respectloos overkwam. Haar vader was vertrokken toen ze jong was, haar moeder was vermoord, haar beste vriend was vermoord, ze was overgeplaatst naar een compleet nieuwe stad zonder vrienden of familie en na twee dagen werd ze overgeplaatst naar weer een andere baan. Ik snap helemaal waarom ze boos was! Hopelijk heeft ze nu iemand gevonden die haar wat antwoorden kan geven, ze zal de rust vinden die ze nodig heeft!
February 20, 2025
Loved this one! Fast paced read that pulls you in! Claire is tough and has been through a lot. I’m looking forward to watching her learn more about her powers and maybe A relationship with Heath? They have such great chemistry!
January 28, 2021
Inconceivably Inconsistent
The female protagonist of this book, Claire, comes off like a young, immature tweenager. The author, herself, describes Claire has a toddler having a tantrum. She has zero impulse control and violently attacks strangers at random because she is mentally and emotionally unstable from her mother’s death 8 years earlier. How she could have passed a psychological evaluation to become a cop in the first place is an anathema. The author vacillates wildly between having Claire act professionally before having her take a swan dive off the proverbial cliff to swim around in the deep end.
The female protagonist of this book, Claire, comes off like a young, immature tweenager. The author, herself, describes Claire has a toddler having a tantrum. She has zero impulse control and violently attacks strangers at random because she is mentally and emotionally unstable from her mother’s death 8 years earlier. How she could have passed a psychological evaluation to become a cop in the first place is an anathema. The author vacillates wildly between having Claire act professionally before having her take a swan dive off the proverbial cliff to swim around in the deep end.
January 23, 2021
This was my first ARC and also my first review in English (I'm Belgian).
I loved the book, it really is my kind a story, a detective, a few murders with some fantasy. I started reading the book on de 3rd of January and today we are the 5th and I have finished it so that points out how easy it was to read this book. I loved the character of Claire Beckett, she reminds me a bit of myself. I loved how you get to know Claire throughout the story but it still leaves some questions for a next book. I hope in the next book we also learn more about Heath and Tork and the inhabitants of Cresent City. It also reminded me a bit of House of earth and blood by Sarah J. Maas but it was also very different.
I hope my review can convince future readers. If not or if you have tips so I can improve future reviews I would love to hear from you either via goodreads,https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5... or Facebook (messenger)https://www.facebook.com/sigrid.ackx.52
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the book, it really is my kind a story, a detective, a few murders with some fantasy. I started reading the book on de 3rd of January and today we are the 5th and I have finished it so that points out how easy it was to read this book. I loved the character of Claire Beckett, she reminds me a bit of myself. I loved how you get to know Claire throughout the story but it still leaves some questions for a next book. I hope in the next book we also learn more about Heath and Tork and the inhabitants of Cresent City. It also reminded me a bit of House of earth and blood by Sarah J. Maas but it was also very different.
I hope my review can convince future readers. If not or if you have tips so I can improve future reviews I would love to hear from you either via goodreads,https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5... or Facebook (messenger)https://www.facebook.com/sigrid.ackx.52
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2023
So this is a new author for me. The plot was intriguing so I gave it a go. While I do like the plot, the main character needs some attention.. she's not truly likable...her snark is more rude, her action-immature and unprofessional for a police officer. She did take to paranormals as reality a little to quick/easily. Also, especially toward the end, some information was just thrown at the reader out of nowhere. I'm willing to give it another try due to where the plot seemed to be leading, but I hope the main character's personality, etc smooths out.
October 31, 2021
This is book one of the Claire Beckett: Protector of Crescent City series and begins with Beckett’s first day back at work after being shot in the leg. She is at the Mayors Convention in Boston, back on patrol at last but just on a security detail, not exactly where she thought she would be. She ends up stopping a thief who had grabbed the bag of Heath Langton, the Mayor of Crescent City a town she has never heard of. The alley she stopped him in, is the exact one she found her mother’s lifeless body in, eight years ago when she was supposed to be meeting her and the case is still unsolved to this day. She looks over where her mother’s body had been and sees some faint marks on the wall beside where she was found, but is disturbed by Mayor Langton, who asks her what she saw. He mentions something about her mother’s murder and this is like a red rag to a bull, when he won’t tell her what he knows and soon gets her in to trouble with her own Captain! When a close friend is murdered and she refuses to let go of the investigation, she is caught out and transferred to the only police department that will have her and gets to meet Captain Woods of Crescent City, in her captain’s office. She has been a hard patrol officer to coral during her twelve months there and she has already gone through ten partners in that time. Captain Southwick kept giving her more chances to stay as an officer, because of his own guilt about her mother’s murder.
After arriving in Crescent City, she starts to think she must be hallucinating, as streets and houses appear before her eyes and others are suddenly hidden. There seems to be nobody on the streets or in the parks of what is supposed to be a city of a million people, with only one police department. Her starting paperwork mentions things like keeping species together and other odd things, but she is just told to find her new partner and get shown around. She will learn more about the city as she goes. When she and her partner are on night shift, she gets one of her strange feelings that something is about to happen. Shortly after they hear gunshots and get called to a body in the street, with half of its face missing. She sees similar symbols around the body, as she did in Boston, around her mother’s crime scene and her friends! She tries to look up this symbols and runs into the Mayor in the library, who explains the language of the book she is looking at is called Seres Script, which he can read and the symbols only she can see are called tvary. The next day she is called into Captain Woods’ office and given a promotion to a new department, but it isn’t special treatment, more like a baptism of fire! She is now going to be working in their homicide department, which means a promotion to detective that is if she doesn’t mess things up!
She is now in the Underground sector, where the real detective work is done and her new partner is Detective Tork, who just happens to be about seven feet tall, with hands like shovels. No one has quite explained what is so odd about the city, so Tork just shows her a partial shift to is wolf, nearly scaring her silly. The power to see these symbols or runes he explains, means that she is a bruixa, a witch, something she clearly has never known anything about! She does some research in this sections hidden records and son finds out that everything she ever knew about her mother seems to have been a lie! She and Tork have to chase down a serial killer, who has been killing groups of three every six months. Her ability allows her to link a lot of the unit’s cold cases as being by this same killer. They need to figure out who it is and put a stop to them, before the city begins to panic and retribution is carried out by factions blaming the other for the crimes. Claire is putting herself in danger, by jumping head first into the investigation just when she shouldn’t, eager to catch a killer and keep people safe. If it allows her to get closer to finding out who killed her mother and her best friend, then all the better! This case is closer to Claire and her partner Tork, than either of them realise and the killer is about to reel them in. A great introduction to this special city, filled with beings of all kinds and which changes depending on whether you are allowed to see into each part or not, which helps to protect the humans from crossing into areas they shouldn’t. The mayor is taking a great interest in Claire and whether this is because of a connection to her mother or because he is guilty of something, she is yet to discover. The past has triggered her abilities and there is lots more to come from this character and I look forward to reading more about er and Crescent City. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
After arriving in Crescent City, she starts to think she must be hallucinating, as streets and houses appear before her eyes and others are suddenly hidden. There seems to be nobody on the streets or in the parks of what is supposed to be a city of a million people, with only one police department. Her starting paperwork mentions things like keeping species together and other odd things, but she is just told to find her new partner and get shown around. She will learn more about the city as she goes. When she and her partner are on night shift, she gets one of her strange feelings that something is about to happen. Shortly after they hear gunshots and get called to a body in the street, with half of its face missing. She sees similar symbols around the body, as she did in Boston, around her mother’s crime scene and her friends! She tries to look up this symbols and runs into the Mayor in the library, who explains the language of the book she is looking at is called Seres Script, which he can read and the symbols only she can see are called tvary. The next day she is called into Captain Woods’ office and given a promotion to a new department, but it isn’t special treatment, more like a baptism of fire! She is now going to be working in their homicide department, which means a promotion to detective that is if she doesn’t mess things up!
She is now in the Underground sector, where the real detective work is done and her new partner is Detective Tork, who just happens to be about seven feet tall, with hands like shovels. No one has quite explained what is so odd about the city, so Tork just shows her a partial shift to is wolf, nearly scaring her silly. The power to see these symbols or runes he explains, means that she is a bruixa, a witch, something she clearly has never known anything about! She does some research in this sections hidden records and son finds out that everything she ever knew about her mother seems to have been a lie! She and Tork have to chase down a serial killer, who has been killing groups of three every six months. Her ability allows her to link a lot of the unit’s cold cases as being by this same killer. They need to figure out who it is and put a stop to them, before the city begins to panic and retribution is carried out by factions blaming the other for the crimes. Claire is putting herself in danger, by jumping head first into the investigation just when she shouldn’t, eager to catch a killer and keep people safe. If it allows her to get closer to finding out who killed her mother and her best friend, then all the better! This case is closer to Claire and her partner Tork, than either of them realise and the killer is about to reel them in. A great introduction to this special city, filled with beings of all kinds and which changes depending on whether you are allowed to see into each part or not, which helps to protect the humans from crossing into areas they shouldn’t. The mayor is taking a great interest in Claire and whether this is because of a connection to her mother or because he is guilty of something, she is yet to discover. The past has triggered her abilities and there is lots more to come from this character and I look forward to reading more about er and Crescent City. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
January 2, 2021
I will admit I was changing pages rapidly because the story and world building had my interest. So why the just OK rating? Instead of being a feisty go getter, Claire was just rude and unprofessional to everyone. She wouldn't have lasted as long as she did in any job. There were also a few mistakes an editor should have caught which I didn't deduct for, she for a male character, house when she lived in an apartment etc.
The real shortfall, besides Claire being so unlikable, is that the story doesn't make sense. From about 80% onward (the climax and follow up) it's like details were thrown in a blender. Some explanations were given, but they didn't make sense given other information. Why on earth were there fleece blankets laying around (on top of a pile that looked like rocks) outside a factory? (That's a minor one, but why? And clean enough to use?).
It kept my interest enough that I got to the rather abrupt end and would be interested in reading the next book. I would just hope it clears up some of the wobbly plot points and that the new story itself makes more sense in the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The real shortfall, besides Claire being so unlikable, is that the story doesn't make sense. From about 80% onward (the climax and follow up) it's like details were thrown in a blender. Some explanations were given, but they didn't make sense given other information. Why on earth were there fleece blankets laying around (on top of a pile that looked like rocks) outside a factory? (That's a minor one, but why? And clean enough to use?).
It kept my interest enough that I got to the rather abrupt end and would be interested in reading the next book. I would just hope it clears up some of the wobbly plot points and that the new story itself makes more sense in the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 27, 2022
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Claire Beckett starts out as our average run-of-the-mill officer. Events transpire in which she gets herself into some trouble and she ends up transferred to being an officer in Crescent City. Here, she learns about a whole new side of the world she never knew existed, one that she just happens to be part of.
This book was a fast, fun read. It was very well written and everything tied up nicely, except of course the main mystery that carried over into the next book.
I’m torn between liking and being annoyed with Claire. She’s a strong protagonist but at the same time is very annoying. She deliberately goes out of her way to break the rules and seems surprised when she gets caught. She’s rude to almost everyone she interacts with. However, she has a lot going on. From the deaths of her mother and best friend to finding out she’s a witch, it’s a lot for a girl to handle. Hopefully her character will develop better in the subsequent books.
The story itself was great. It moved along quickly and was utterly entertaining. I enjoyed the X-Files feel to it. It left off perfectly to tie into the next book in the series.
I rate this book 5 stars.
Claire Beckett starts out as our average run-of-the-mill officer. Events transpire in which she gets herself into some trouble and she ends up transferred to being an officer in Crescent City. Here, she learns about a whole new side of the world she never knew existed, one that she just happens to be part of.
This book was a fast, fun read. It was very well written and everything tied up nicely, except of course the main mystery that carried over into the next book.
I’m torn between liking and being annoyed with Claire. She’s a strong protagonist but at the same time is very annoying. She deliberately goes out of her way to break the rules and seems surprised when she gets caught. She’s rude to almost everyone she interacts with. However, she has a lot going on. From the deaths of her mother and best friend to finding out she’s a witch, it’s a lot for a girl to handle. Hopefully her character will develop better in the subsequent books.
The story itself was great. It moved along quickly and was utterly entertaining. I enjoyed the X-Files feel to it. It left off perfectly to tie into the next book in the series.
I rate this book 5 stars.
January 16, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
-this is the first in a series & must be read in order
-this is told from Claire’s point of view
-Claire is on the police force; she witnesses some violence as well as some blood & dead bodies (most ‘gruesome’ it gets is one body being mentioned that the face is torn half off & that it had gaping holes in it)
-there are about 18 curse words & 1 mention of a character flipping someone off
Review:
I’ve been wanting to read more urban fantasy books so I was glad to learn about this one! I enjoyed getting to learn about this world and seeing it through the eyes of Claire: someone who was being introduced to this world within hers. I loved following her puzzling out the mystery of who the killer was and her determination to finish what she’d started. I loved that she surprised a few of the people she had to work with with that determination.
I’m very interested to see what happens going forward in all aspects of her life in Crescent City!
Summary:
Claire Beckett has wanted to be a detective since her mother was murdered and no one could figure out who killed her. But after trying to pursue her mother’s case in all the wrong ways, Claire finds herself being transferred from her position as a Boston police officer to one in the town of Crescent City.
With someone murdering people around town and Claire seeing runes surrounding the dead bodies, she is thrown into an unexpected world. And according to some cold cases she’s uncovered, the killer will strike again if he or she wasn’t caught soon. Claire isn’t about to have the families of those already lost to go through what she has with her own mother’s death.
If only the mysterious mayor would tell her what he knows about her mother’s death that no one else seems to know about it…
-this is the first in a series & must be read in order
-this is told from Claire’s point of view
-Claire is on the police force; she witnesses some violence as well as some blood & dead bodies (most ‘gruesome’ it gets is one body being mentioned that the face is torn half off & that it had gaping holes in it)
-there are about 18 curse words & 1 mention of a character flipping someone off
Review:
I’ve been wanting to read more urban fantasy books so I was glad to learn about this one! I enjoyed getting to learn about this world and seeing it through the eyes of Claire: someone who was being introduced to this world within hers. I loved following her puzzling out the mystery of who the killer was and her determination to finish what she’d started. I loved that she surprised a few of the people she had to work with with that determination.
I’m very interested to see what happens going forward in all aspects of her life in Crescent City!
Summary:
Claire Beckett has wanted to be a detective since her mother was murdered and no one could figure out who killed her. But after trying to pursue her mother’s case in all the wrong ways, Claire finds herself being transferred from her position as a Boston police officer to one in the town of Crescent City.
With someone murdering people around town and Claire seeing runes surrounding the dead bodies, she is thrown into an unexpected world. And according to some cold cases she’s uncovered, the killer will strike again if he or she wasn’t caught soon. Claire isn’t about to have the families of those already lost to go through what she has with her own mother’s death.
If only the mysterious mayor would tell her what he knows about her mother’s death that no one else seems to know about it…
January 21, 2021
✴️✴️ONE ADDICTIVE BEGINNING✴️✴️
Jumping jupiter jasper! Molly hit the motherload, issuing one helluva smackdown with this tumultuous rollercoaster, serving up some harsh facts, thrilling lessons and relentless drive, grabbing your attention from start to finish, skyrocketing this jewel to incredible heights. Swapping hats as shenanigans and mishaps explode with such turbulent intrigue, one action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, nailbiting, block busting tilt-her-world, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never envisioned, merging this hot little gem together perfectly. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity with enough spice to add an extra kick to the mix. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Remarkable job Molly, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Jumping jupiter jasper! Molly hit the motherload, issuing one helluva smackdown with this tumultuous rollercoaster, serving up some harsh facts, thrilling lessons and relentless drive, grabbing your attention from start to finish, skyrocketing this jewel to incredible heights. Swapping hats as shenanigans and mishaps explode with such turbulent intrigue, one action packed, hard hitting, heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, nailbiting, block busting tilt-her-world, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never envisioned, merging this hot little gem together perfectly. The characters are complex, genuine and realistic with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity with enough spice to add an extra kick to the mix. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Remarkable job Molly, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
June 11, 2021
Good
After a start that quite frankly, made me want to strangle the heroine for her stupidity; the book picked up and actually became rather interesting.
Claire is a police officer in Boston as the book starts and despite having a few years experience, she is a victim of her own bad temper. She actually notes the fault later, so at least there is some self realization going on!
After a series of events, she finds herself in Crescent City, where she is introduced to the paranormal world. A world she actually takes in her stride.
A little personal growth (but not a lot- she still does some stupid stuff), some interesting new traits, and a few new acquaintances, and Claire is ready to buckle down and start her new life.
This is the first in a series, which means the overarching background story is unfinished, and the book ends in a book hook for the next in series.
Worth reading past the annoying beginning, this is a fun paranormal mystery book, with an interesting take on magical talents.
After a start that quite frankly, made me want to strangle the heroine for her stupidity; the book picked up and actually became rather interesting.
Claire is a police officer in Boston as the book starts and despite having a few years experience, she is a victim of her own bad temper. She actually notes the fault later, so at least there is some self realization going on!
After a series of events, she finds herself in Crescent City, where she is introduced to the paranormal world. A world she actually takes in her stride.
A little personal growth (but not a lot- she still does some stupid stuff), some interesting new traits, and a few new acquaintances, and Claire is ready to buckle down and start her new life.
This is the first in a series, which means the overarching background story is unfinished, and the book ends in a book hook for the next in series.
Worth reading past the annoying beginning, this is a fun paranormal mystery book, with an interesting take on magical talents.
December 31, 2020
„Claire Beckett and the Transfer of Power” is the first installment in the “Claire Beckett. Protector of Crescent City” series by Molly Chase a clever mix of paranormal urban fantasy, police procedural and thriller, that follows the path of the eponymous heroine as – obviously – protector of Crescent City. While the titles are a bit of a mouthful, the story is fresh, easy to read, interesting and enjoyable.
Crescent City is exactly what you expect such a paranormal location to be, and despite its various supernatural denizens, a most identifiable town.
Molly Chase’s story is an interesting start into a brand-new series that blends elements of fantasy with police procedural into a fast-paced and thrilling plot, with unexpected twists, a realistic and enjoyable setting, a most relatable MC, good written secondary characters and a credible clairvoyant backstory. A highly satisfying UF series!
Crescent City is exactly what you expect such a paranormal location to be, and despite its various supernatural denizens, a most identifiable town.
Molly Chase’s story is an interesting start into a brand-new series that blends elements of fantasy with police procedural into a fast-paced and thrilling plot, with unexpected twists, a realistic and enjoyable setting, a most relatable MC, good written secondary characters and a credible clairvoyant backstory. A highly satisfying UF series!
January 20, 2021
3.5 stars Claire single minded, stubborn and reckless with poor impulse control and no life outside her job and obsession with finding her mothers killer. But I was with here for every step of the way. Although I was screaming 'No Claire, stop! Think.' about that warrant.
She is also tough as nails and that single mindness pays off for her in catching the current killer.
I was annoyed on Claire's behalf how people with information she needed just kept saying - you'll figure it out and leaving her to stumble along. Why? Why not TELL her what she needs to know. Basically only Tork did her the courtsey of giving her any relevant info about the town and its supernatural inhabitants even though she is dealing woth them and investigating. And Heath's constant smirking and hinting was just plain annoying. Especially given what he does know about Claire and her mother.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She is also tough as nails and that single mindness pays off for her in catching the current killer.
I was annoyed on Claire's behalf how people with information she needed just kept saying - you'll figure it out and leaving her to stumble along. Why? Why not TELL her what she needs to know. Basically only Tork did her the courtsey of giving her any relevant info about the town and its supernatural inhabitants even though she is dealing woth them and investigating. And Heath's constant smirking and hinting was just plain annoying. Especially given what he does know about Claire and her mother.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 21, 2021
Overall I liked the story but Claire has issues. It's ridiculous that she's allowed to get away with as much as she has. I was going to say that she doesn't think things through before she acts but that isn't exactly the case. She is smart and she knows that she's not making the right choices but her anger blinds her to the consequences. Her job has been in peril because of her rash actions several times but she still doesn't learn her lessons. She should have been going to therapy a long time ago because obviously she's suffering from PTSD from losing loved ones. The way she cavalierly treats people that are trying to help her is so wrong. I will allow that Heath is shady because he won't level with her about her mother and he keeps showing up everywhere but he hasn't done anything to hurt her and has actually helped her several times so she needs to cut him some slack. I really hope her character grows up a little because she can be very annoying.
January 19, 2021
I really liked this story. It had a bit of mystery mixed with a dash of the paranormal. Claire, the main character, is a patrol officer in Boston who just wants to solve the crime of her mother's death and protect others from crime. But thing do not go the way she predicted and ends up in a town on the other side of Mass. And thus starts an entertaining story that made me laugh and groan. I read in in one sitting to find out what was going on, who the bad guy was, and if Claire would find some leads on her mother's cold case. It did a great job of introducing the paranormal, the series main characters, adding in some questions and raising more questions when answers were found. Cannot wait to see what happens next and to see how Claire deals with the discovers from this book and what must be coming.
January 19, 2021
All Claire ever wanted was to be a police officer, at least partly in order to solve her mother’s years old murder case. When she transfers from Boston PD to a small town Claire finds life and police work to be very different. Her partner is a werewolf, as is the annoyingly attractive mayor, and there are also vampires and witches in town. On top of all that Claire starts displaying hitherto unknown powers and discovers her mother had secrets she’s just now learning. Claire is a great character - driven, stubborn, a bit mouthy, and totally committed to her job. I really like the building relationships between Claire and Heath and between Claire and Tork. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
February 8, 2022
This author was new to me when I started this book so I wasn't sure what to expect but the blurb read with an amazing premise and I was intrigued. The start of the book, for me, read a slow. The FLC made me want to reach into my Kindle and smack the living daylights right out of her. Claire was missing some very obvious hints and clues, making odd choices and doing things that felt off for a cop. However, I stuck with it, and I have to say, the author really pulled it out. The story picked up, the mystery got so intense and I was hooked! Of course, this being the first in a series, there is a cliffhanger and the overall arch of the series isn't solved, but this is a great book and if the series continues as this one got going, I'm sure it will be great. I will be reading the rest!
January 2, 2023
Claire, police officer and maybe witch?
This was an enjoyable story. There are several elements that I love, like the secret police department that solves paranormal crimes. I like the idea of Crescent City, and all the mystery to be unravelled still. Claire is an interesting character. She honestly annoyed me at times, but I see this as a way to show her character development and growth in future books. As a police officer who wants to make detective, some of the things she does (and gets away with) doesn’t sit well with me. I am looking forward to the next book, to see how her (possibly-maybe) relationship with Heath and her detective partner. There’s plenty of potential.
This was an enjoyable story. There are several elements that I love, like the secret police department that solves paranormal crimes. I like the idea of Crescent City, and all the mystery to be unravelled still. Claire is an interesting character. She honestly annoyed me at times, but I see this as a way to show her character development and growth in future books. As a police officer who wants to make detective, some of the things she does (and gets away with) doesn’t sit well with me. I am looking forward to the next book, to see how her (possibly-maybe) relationship with Heath and her detective partner. There’s plenty of potential.
January 11, 2023
Nothing is as it seems
Clair is a cop that just got back to duty after being shot. On her first day back she get in trouble for accosting a major. Things take a turn for the worse and her friend gets murdered. Trying to investigate she gets caught braking into the morgue. Which leads to her being transferred to another city.
There she learns nothing is as it seems and that shifters and magical creatures exist. There is a killer on the loose and they have to catch him before he strikes again.
I am not going to give any spoilers so trust me you have to read it to find out what happens next.
This was a great read and I cant wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
I reccommend it to anyone who loves books about the paranormal!
Clair is a cop that just got back to duty after being shot. On her first day back she get in trouble for accosting a major. Things take a turn for the worse and her friend gets murdered. Trying to investigate she gets caught braking into the morgue. Which leads to her being transferred to another city.
There she learns nothing is as it seems and that shifters and magical creatures exist. There is a killer on the loose and they have to catch him before he strikes again.
I am not going to give any spoilers so trust me you have to read it to find out what happens next.
This was a great read and I cant wait to read the rest of the books in the series.
I reccommend it to anyone who loves books about the paranormal!
October 23, 2025
4.5 Stars.
I'm being wishy-washy. My criterium for 5 star vs 4 is that I would absolutely read the book again. I'm honestly not sure on this series!
I loved it, and binge read the entire series until I hit the end of those available. (Have I mentioned I HATE unfinished series?)
Loved the setting - I grew up south of Boston, so it was fun to have it in the area. Her reaction to the hidden world was relatively believable.
Did not like a few things hidden from her (trying to avoid spoilers!).
I also think the romance could have been done a little better. Yes, it's barely a subplot, but still, if you are going to put it in, put some effort in.
So, somewhere between 4 and 5 star. Do read them - you won't regret it.
January 1, 2021
I was given this book as an ARC for an honest review.
Oh my god, how to summarize this book. What do I love more, the world she has created, the characters or the story itself? I think all!
The story revolves around Claire Beckett and her fiery temperament. She gets in hot water and is reassigned as a police officer to Crescent City. The story revolves around murders that may be connected to her mother and roomate murder, her coming into power and an hot as hell mayor that irritates her every chance she get.
If you love paranormal mystery, enemies to maybe something more, and an overall great story read this book!
Oh my god, how to summarize this book. What do I love more, the world she has created, the characters or the story itself? I think all!
The story revolves around Claire Beckett and her fiery temperament. She gets in hot water and is reassigned as a police officer to Crescent City. The story revolves around murders that may be connected to her mother and roomate murder, her coming into power and an hot as hell mayor that irritates her every chance she get.
If you love paranormal mystery, enemies to maybe something more, and an overall great story read this book!
January 17, 2021
An enjoyable paranormal mystery with an excellent premise. I enjoy detective stories and this worked very well, the city of paranormals and the two separate police departments is a nice touch. The main character Claire is rather abrasive and I winced at the way she speaks to superiors accusing the mayor of being corrupt the moment they met, but otherwise the character is good and improves as the book develops. The book has a great climax but with a lot still to come.
I look forward to finding out more about the characters and this world in future novels.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and am leaving a voluntary honest review
I look forward to finding out more about the characters and this world in future novels.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and am leaving a voluntary honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2021
This is the second book in a row, I could not finish. Maybe it got better, I do not know. But the core personality traits of the main character made it a hard read.
I hated the character of Claire Beckett. She definitely should have been fired from the police force after her actions in the first 10 pages. She is beyond abrasive, violent, and unprofessional. I get that she wants answers for the death of her mother, but she seems to not have the common sense of a gnat. Her character would have been better off as a street fighter with her impulse problems.
I love strong, smart, and witty main characters. This is not one.
I hated the character of Claire Beckett. She definitely should have been fired from the police force after her actions in the first 10 pages. She is beyond abrasive, violent, and unprofessional. I get that she wants answers for the death of her mother, but she seems to not have the common sense of a gnat. Her character would have been better off as a street fighter with her impulse problems.
I love strong, smart, and witty main characters. This is not one.
May 29, 2021
Is Claire really going crazy?
Claire Beckett is a cop with attitude. That attitudeis going to get her killed or sacked if she is not careful. A costing a mayor probably isn't the best way to keep her job, sent to Crescent City, Claire finds the same mayor. What is she going to do? The murders start as soon as she gets there and she soon finds herself embroiled in with her partner over who is responsible.
What does the mayor know about these murders? How does he know her mother? These things and many others needs answers.
A must read for all lovers of the supernatural world.
Claire Beckett is a cop with attitude. That attitudeis going to get her killed or sacked if she is not careful. A costing a mayor probably isn't the best way to keep her job, sent to Crescent City, Claire finds the same mayor. What is she going to do? The murders start as soon as she gets there and she soon finds herself embroiled in with her partner over who is responsible.
What does the mayor know about these murders? How does he know her mother? These things and many others needs answers.
A must read for all lovers of the supernatural world.
January 21, 2021
Claire Beckett, while an interesting character, is not what I'd call a good police officer. She's arrogant, reckless, foolhardy, impatient, and willing to make the evidence fit her theory. Nonetheless, it is a good story with plenty of wild geese and red herring. But it appears this is simply part of a much larger story the way it ends.
Action-packed. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Page-turner. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
Action-packed. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Page-turner. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
January 25, 2021
I liked this book and I struggled with this book. First of all it had a great mystery with lots of suspense and it was fast paced. The problem I had was with the heroine. Instead of snarky I found her rude and impossible to like. Maybe she bugged me so much because I know someone who acts like that and it makes for very awkward and embarrassing moments. Other than that, the story is tight and a few errors. Open to reading more to get some answers to questions left hanging.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2021
Claire Beckett's temper gets the best of her and as a consequence she ends up exiled to a strange new city, on a new police force and then in the basement division no one has heard of. She is introduced to her new life and the existence of the paranormal through a rude awakening, her new partner and the mayor of her new city. This was a fun beginning to what I think will be a fantastic series - lots of unanswered questions in this book that leave you wondering what is to come.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 19, 2021
This was a really fun first book in a new UF series. Claire is surrounded by secrets, a lot of them she has no idea until the very end. This isn't a cliff hanger book, more of a multiple unanswered questions and some possible, maybe, I hope, unresolved feelings. Looking forward to book 2 and finding out more answers and more about this world and this very special city.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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