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NightShade Forensic FBI Files #1
Under Dark Skies
This nail-biter from USA Today Best Selling author AJ Scudiere will have you on the edge of your seat. In NightShade nothing is as it seems…
Eleri Eames didn’t think she’d ever be allowed to work for the FBI again, so the special FBI division of NightShade seems like an amazing opportunity. But all too soon, her chance to start over starts to disturb her.
When the FBI offers Donovan a chance to leave his job as a medical examiner and try his hand at something new, he takes a chance on the NightShade division. Somehow, he has to try to escape from his shadows, but can he trust Eleri with the truth?
Thrown together on their first case, Eleri and Donovan must deal with a charismatic cult leader and his true-believers. The cult is mixed up with several decade-old kidnapping cases and the missing daughter of a prominent FBI Agent. As Eleri and Donovan dig deeper, they discover that NightShade’s mysteries aren’t coincidence.
Their secrets will save them . . . or destroy them.
Beverly Hills Book Awards for New Fiction 2015
Eleri Eames didn’t think she’d ever be allowed to work for the FBI again, so the special FBI division of NightShade seems like an amazing opportunity. But all too soon, her chance to start over starts to disturb her.
When the FBI offers Donovan a chance to leave his job as a medical examiner and try his hand at something new, he takes a chance on the NightShade division. Somehow, he has to try to escape from his shadows, but can he trust Eleri with the truth?
Thrown together on their first case, Eleri and Donovan must deal with a charismatic cult leader and his true-believers. The cult is mixed up with several decade-old kidnapping cases and the missing daughter of a prominent FBI Agent. As Eleri and Donovan dig deeper, they discover that NightShade’s mysteries aren’t coincidence.
Their secrets will save them . . . or destroy them.
Beverly Hills Book Awards for New Fiction 2015
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2014
4381 people are currently reading
2609 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Scudiere
65 books389 followers📖𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘆, 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲
♟️stories you can't outguess! 𝘎𝘰 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘵𝘳𝘺!
🏆USA TODAY bestselling author
🎁grab a FREE BOOK at my website ReadAJS.com
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝟥𝟢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳!
GET YOUR FREE BOOK FROM ME HERE
https://www.readajs.com/book-series/n...
"Install a seatbelt in your favorite reading chair!" - ★★★★★
♟️stories you can't outguess! 𝘎𝘰 𝘢𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘵𝘳𝘺!
🏆USA TODAY bestselling author
🎁grab a FREE BOOK at my website ReadAJS.com
𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝟥𝟢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳!
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"Install a seatbelt in your favorite reading chair!" - ★★★★★
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 417 reviews
August 5, 2024
Caveats first. What I expected from this novel was your standard prototypical FBI, murder mystery, police procedural investigation, and what I received was so much weirder and better. Think Scully and Mulder, and you might approach what Scudiere has done with the first book of the NightShade Forensic Files series. Mystery, Horror, Police Procedural make a nice blend like pasteurized milk.
Here, a hospitalized agent is prematurely signed out of a hospital, because a case requiring her unique skillset has hastened her discharge. She has been partnered with a former coroner who also has a distinct set of skills. They both believe that the FBI is unaware of these special skills, but in fact the NightShade division intends to capitalize on those idiosyncrasies.
Eleri and Donovan have partnered to find missing children, investigate a cult, and the cult leader who seems to be way worse than other cult leaders. Along the way, the investigation becomes way darker when Eleri gets a possible "kill" order from her boss, and she begins to recognize that she is not completely aware of the NightShade mission statement.
I really got an X-Files vibe, throughout. The supernatural, paranormal touches didn't smash you over the head with the oddity. I think the subtlety added to the believability. I will not spoil the spooky bits so that a reader might be surprised spontaneously, although the paranormal is predictable IMHO. I enjoyed it and might check out more from this series when I thin my TBR a good bit more.
Here, a hospitalized agent is prematurely signed out of a hospital, because a case requiring her unique skillset has hastened her discharge. She has been partnered with a former coroner who also has a distinct set of skills. They both believe that the FBI is unaware of these special skills, but in fact the NightShade division intends to capitalize on those idiosyncrasies.
Eleri and Donovan have partnered to find missing children, investigate a cult, and the cult leader who seems to be way worse than other cult leaders. Along the way, the investigation becomes way darker when Eleri gets a possible "kill" order from her boss, and she begins to recognize that she is not completely aware of the NightShade mission statement.
I really got an X-Files vibe, throughout. The supernatural, paranormal touches didn't smash you over the head with the oddity. I think the subtlety added to the believability. I will not spoil the spooky bits so that a reader might be surprised spontaneously, although the paranormal is predictable IMHO. I enjoyed it and might check out more from this series when I thin my TBR a good bit more.
September 18, 2020
"O" to the "M" to the "G"!
That was a DAMN fine read. Highly recommended for fans of Criminal Minds with a covert urban fantasy mash.
That was a DAMN fine read. Highly recommended for fans of Criminal Minds with a covert urban fantasy mash.
April 11, 2021
Exciting Read
This book was surprising. NightShade , is there more than one reason why this agency has this name? Is it due to being seperate from the FBI and the unique agents? The author knows how to keep you surprised and compelled to keep reading until the ending. I received this from the author and Amazon Prime.
This book was surprising. NightShade , is there more than one reason why this agency has this name? Is it due to being seperate from the FBI and the unique agents? The author knows how to keep you surprised and compelled to keep reading until the ending. I received this from the author and Amazon Prime.
February 19, 2016
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
Cover
It’s kind of a creepy cover isn’t it? I think it’s pretty cool though. I love the Nightshade Forensic Files part. It looks really cool.
Initial Thoughts
Have you ever started a book and could immediately tell it was going to be good? That’s exactly how this book made me feel after reading the first paragraph. Maybe it’s the writing style or the author just made a really good impression, but I knew I was going to like this book.
My New BFF
I love Eleri so much! She’s really interesting to me because we get little peeks into her life but it’s just enough to keep me wanting more. She also has a great personality and it fits well with the personality of her partner. I also love how she seems really perfect until you really get to know her. It’s almost like getting to know an actual person, slow and steady. Nothing is pushed at you all at once. Even at the end after finding out she isn’t perfect, she’s still such a great character with so much personality that you can’t help but love her.
My Crush
I don’t know if I’d say Donovan is my crush or not. Maybe a little bit because he is also a great character. It was harder getting to know him because he’s much more reserved than Eleri. It’s actually Eleri that starts to figure stuff out about him instead of him telling anyone else. I think his personality goes great with Eleri’s. They aren’t completely opposite but they both see things in different ways and it helps them put the pieces of their case together.
Writing Style
At the very start of this book I could tell it was going to be quirky and fun just by the writing style. It’s well written but it also has so much personality in the writing. I found it was easy to read and the information really stuck in my head. I really loved that there was no romance in this book. Maybe there will be later on but realistically there’s no way the two characters would fall in love so quick. I’m really grateful that the author kept their relationship simple and realistic.
Closing Thoughts
I really, really loved this book. I could not put it down. The characters were great and both had different personalities. I really loved how subtle the supernatural parts were. We didn’t even know there was going to be supernatural aspects until a little ways into the book. It was like a mystery within a mystery! It was so much fun trying to figure out the supernatural parts but then trying to figure out the case they were working on too. I was never bored because I was constantly trying to figure everything out. This will not be the last book in this series that I read. I can’t wait to see where Eleri and Donovan go next!
5 out of 5 stars
Cover
It’s kind of a creepy cover isn’t it? I think it’s pretty cool though. I love the Nightshade Forensic Files part. It looks really cool.
Initial Thoughts
Have you ever started a book and could immediately tell it was going to be good? That’s exactly how this book made me feel after reading the first paragraph. Maybe it’s the writing style or the author just made a really good impression, but I knew I was going to like this book.
My New BFF
I love Eleri so much! She’s really interesting to me because we get little peeks into her life but it’s just enough to keep me wanting more. She also has a great personality and it fits well with the personality of her partner. I also love how she seems really perfect until you really get to know her. It’s almost like getting to know an actual person, slow and steady. Nothing is pushed at you all at once. Even at the end after finding out she isn’t perfect, she’s still such a great character with so much personality that you can’t help but love her.
My Crush
I don’t know if I’d say Donovan is my crush or not. Maybe a little bit because he is also a great character. It was harder getting to know him because he’s much more reserved than Eleri. It’s actually Eleri that starts to figure stuff out about him instead of him telling anyone else. I think his personality goes great with Eleri’s. They aren’t completely opposite but they both see things in different ways and it helps them put the pieces of their case together.
Writing Style
At the very start of this book I could tell it was going to be quirky and fun just by the writing style. It’s well written but it also has so much personality in the writing. I found it was easy to read and the information really stuck in my head. I really loved that there was no romance in this book. Maybe there will be later on but realistically there’s no way the two characters would fall in love so quick. I’m really grateful that the author kept their relationship simple and realistic.
Closing Thoughts
I really, really loved this book. I could not put it down. The characters were great and both had different personalities. I really loved how subtle the supernatural parts were. We didn’t even know there was going to be supernatural aspects until a little ways into the book. It was like a mystery within a mystery! It was so much fun trying to figure out the supernatural parts but then trying to figure out the case they were working on too. I was never bored because I was constantly trying to figure everything out. This will not be the last book in this series that I read. I can’t wait to see where Eleri and Donovan go next!
5 out of 5 stars
December 28, 2017
Not Your Everyday FBI
Rated PG 13
No sex
No gruesome violence, but plenty of action and tension
Strong language - including F-bombs
Newly partnered agents Eleri and Donovan are sent to small town Texas to find and bring to justice a kidnapper-psychopath who leads a religious cult.
Complicating yet helping their mission are their special abilities. Just how wolfish is Donovan? Does Eleri's recent hospitalization for a breakdown signal an ongoing problem, and is there more to her intuition than meets the eye?
This book is neither fantasy-centered nor is it science fiction. Yet, it might be vaguely compared to the X-Files.
Read and enjoy.
Rated PG 13
No sex
No gruesome violence, but plenty of action and tension
Strong language - including F-bombs
Newly partnered agents Eleri and Donovan are sent to small town Texas to find and bring to justice a kidnapper-psychopath who leads a religious cult.
Complicating yet helping their mission are their special abilities. Just how wolfish is Donovan? Does Eleri's recent hospitalization for a breakdown signal an ongoing problem, and is there more to her intuition than meets the eye?
This book is neither fantasy-centered nor is it science fiction. Yet, it might be vaguely compared to the X-Files.
Read and enjoy.
November 4, 2018
Under Dark Skies
Nightshade Forensic Files #1
When things aren't what they seem...
Godly people in the community --
The FBI
Missing women and children
Lies and Betrayal
What is going on ?
This writer knows how to make the impossible -- possible
and the fantasy -- a reality
She is an excellent story teller -- and makes
you wonder are her stories based on actual cases?
They very well could be.. An Excellent read.
July 20, 2019
A rare but deserved 2 star
I have been on a thriller/procedural binge lately and thought I would try a new author. This one was a mistake.
Absurd plot
Unreal characters (FBI agents are not this dumb)
Wasted time with what appears to be food obsession
Oh, and if you looked at this because someone said it is like the X-Files? They deceived you.
Do not waste your time, even if you get it free.
I have been on a thriller/procedural binge lately and thought I would try a new author. This one was a mistake.
Absurd plot
Unreal characters (FBI agents are not this dumb)
Wasted time with what appears to be food obsession
Oh, and if you looked at this because someone said it is like the X-Files? They deceived you.
Do not waste your time, even if you get it free.
August 24, 2018
A secret covert division of the FBI made up of unusually talented agents ? Why not ? This was a blast to read. If you like a good FBI thriller with a dose of the truth is out there you will enjoy this book immensely. Great characters with loads of action and a plot you will eagerly devour, you won’t be able to put this one down.
May 15, 2019
***Spoiler alert!***
Agent Eleri Eames and former medical examiner, Donovan Heath are exclusively recruited into a new FBI division called NightShade - an elite division that doesn't exist in the Bureau's official roster and doesn't follow the Bureau's standard protocol either. Their first case involves an ominous cult which may be responsible for the disappearances of some of its members and the death of a girl.
Any story that involves cult is right up my alley and that was the reason I picked up this book; diving into it with high expectations but ended up sorely disappointed with the book. It started off great but the plot meanders after that. The story building is dreadfully slow and there is really not much going on until halfway of the book, and the plot meanders again. I was really hoping for a fantastic plot but the story focused so much on the two protagonists that I lose interest. Honestly, this book needs a lot more editing work. It was way too descriptive to a point that it describes EVERYTHING what the characters were doing or thinking. It was overwhelming and frustrating! In the end, the mystery was so obscured that I just don't really care anymore; I just want it to be over.
I will not be reading the next book in this series. Besides the dreadfully slow paced and meandering plot, I was totally put off by the supernatural/paranormal elements thrown in (which also took a painfully long time revealing that). This was not in the synopsis, and even in this genre, this book did not work out for me.
Agent Eleri Eames and former medical examiner, Donovan Heath are exclusively recruited into a new FBI division called NightShade - an elite division that doesn't exist in the Bureau's official roster and doesn't follow the Bureau's standard protocol either. Their first case involves an ominous cult which may be responsible for the disappearances of some of its members and the death of a girl.
Any story that involves cult is right up my alley and that was the reason I picked up this book; diving into it with high expectations but ended up sorely disappointed with the book. It started off great but the plot meanders after that. The story building is dreadfully slow and there is really not much going on until halfway of the book, and the plot meanders again. I was really hoping for a fantastic plot but the story focused so much on the two protagonists that I lose interest. Honestly, this book needs a lot more editing work. It was way too descriptive to a point that it describes EVERYTHING what the characters were doing or thinking. It was overwhelming and frustrating! In the end, the mystery was so obscured that I just don't really care anymore; I just want it to be over.
I will not be reading the next book in this series. Besides the dreadfully slow paced and meandering plot, I was totally put off by the supernatural/paranormal elements thrown in (which also took a painfully long time revealing that). This was not in the synopsis, and even in this genre, this book did not work out for me.
January 8, 2023
I'd give this a generous 3.8/5
The thing is, I really liked the idea, but it needs more action. I know it's built realistically (funny with the supernatural touch) but still i think it needs more as a book. It would make for a good Hollywood movie though. I would read the other books in the series.
The thing is, I really liked the idea, but it needs more action. I know it's built realistically (funny with the supernatural touch) but still i think it needs more as a book. It would make for a good Hollywood movie though. I would read the other books in the series.
June 21, 2017
"An oddball FBI pairing that could well catch on"
This rattles along at a satisfying pace, the forensic details are well-handled and the cult aspect always adds a voyeuristic interest. Are they crazy or is it us on the outside looking in that have got things all wrong? What sets the FBI pairing apart in this tale are their alter-egos. Initially, I thought we were in a re-run of the short-lived 80's series 'Manimal' and wondered whether to bale out. I'm glad I didn't. This was a well-constructed story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the shape-shifting ..
This rattles along at a satisfying pace, the forensic details are well-handled and the cult aspect always adds a voyeuristic interest. Are they crazy or is it us on the outside looking in that have got things all wrong? What sets the FBI pairing apart in this tale are their alter-egos. Initially, I thought we were in a re-run of the short-lived 80's series 'Manimal' and wondered whether to bale out. I'm glad I didn't. This was a well-constructed story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the shape-shifting ..
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October 10, 2025Rating minus 15. That is on a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
I am writing my actual reaction to the book and to the commenters. My former milder reviews have offended the poorly socialised but I am hoping that these more honest rewrites shock them.
Before I begin, I need a pause on the YouTube. This rewrite was made possible by the channels Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, Anark, NCMI, aidan knight, LuckyBlackCat, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, FAFO, Red Glasgow, The New Enlightenment with Ashley, LydLoves, Keffals, Broken Peach, Terrible Writing Advice, Shades of Orange, ScaredKetchup, Real Vintage Dolls House, Welcome to Ukraine, According to Alina, Dr Fatima, Kazachka, Reese Waters, TallGirl6234, Kopke613,
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I saw a Village Idiot recently who whilst insulting a favourite essayist, complained to her that I list other trans creators. The Snowflake (poorly socialised, vicious, arrogant US man-baby) never ceases to amaze me. A trigger warning then.
The channels I mention include astronomer, primatologist, lesbian, political historian, anarchist, paleontologist, married, cis, Kenyan, redhaired, modeller, asexual, WOC, marine biologist, architect, tall, intersex, communist, archaeologist, Irish, linguist, trans, writer, autist, queer, cosplayer, military boardgamer, painter, boat builder, bi, Canadian, mathematician, fashion historian, het, RPG player, book reviewer, farmer and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening are the anthropologist, socialist, Austrian, other LGBTQI+, miniatures gamer, physicist, farmer, other BIPOC, Indian, philosopher, ginger, other fashion historian, wood worker, miniatures painter, other neurodivergent, short, Danish, economist, chemist, train historian, engineer, zoologist, logician, reenactor, film maker and other creators known (outside the USA) as Human Beings.
If the voices persist, seek emergency therapy, learn a language (English, for instance), and/or repeat several times daily "I will not be a bellend today".
My feelings towards idiots is akin to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their famous response "Russian warship, go F@ck yourself". Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
This is another come for the racism, stay for the misogyny pretence of near future science fiction. The book opens with suspect shot while surrendering and a mangled attempt at AAVE.
Having some respect for others, I would never attempt it but I were I to of some strange necessity, I would do a better job. The writer did capture the Hollywood approved ghetto black portrayal very well.
I will not waste more ink on the quality of the writing. The reactions of the two commenters are more interesting.
The first idiot in sad Karen imitation of the posh, explained that I forfeited my right to have an opinion. It must be exhausting to police and correct all the many DNF reviews to be found on the site.
She also explained that racist portrayals of wealthy "biracial characters" are impossible. This from a woman whose country is based on a carefully crafted racial hierarchy from first nation to East Asian.
I am certain from her reaction that she lives vicariously through the main character. She also is not able to imagine that some might find fantasies of shooting non-whites without justification, while suffering no consequences might not be healthy.
I also fail to see female empowerment in needing to bask in the praise of white men, who are social inferiors and unattractive (which is important in these stories).
The second Snowflake was so removed from any non-US social norm, he seems to have not understood my comments were not debate but mockery.
He was not the first to comment that critical readers have "ruined Goodreads for everyone". That comment sealed my negative opinion of the site. I finally admitted that some members are proud in their limited worldview and read solely to reinforce same.
From my scan of US YouTube, both commenters would be horrified to see this story on screen with brown faces. US citizens were shocked by a brown mermaid. I am not certain that Americans realise that mermaids are mythical, not historical.
If the book were labelled misogynistic, overtly racist romantic fantasy with non-white characters for extra spice, I would have no quarrel. I simply would have avoided it.
US readers can be delightfully American.
Fun facts.
Those two are product's of a society which produced a degree of whiteness scale, which
awarded perks such as murder by police not being allowed. They also exported the myth of white value (for certain values of White) across the globe.
In World War Two, US soldiers demanded with violence segregation of businesses in Australia, England and Northern Ireland.
During the First World War, the US army flooded Europe with flyers urging men to protect their wives and other women from sex-crazed black soldiers including depictions of black men sporting tails.
Both France and Britain (two notoriously progressive empires) pointed to their hundreds of thousands Indian and African soldiers (yes dear child, there were that many) across the entire Western Front without which the lines would crumble and demanded that the flyers be withdrawn. A fun search would be the "Battle of Verdun", the casualties and colonial unit deployment.
I saw part of a clip of five or six black Memphis (city in some US state) policemen enthusiastically beat a young black motorist to death. The police officially were protecting him from himself. Fortunately the police and victim were black and the racism did not occur.
I did not have the heart to discover whether the police were convicted for murder or even charged. It was not a national scandal but a local story of Wednesday in America.
The promise to end participation of small businesses owned by marginalised groups in corporate supply chain or any management galvanised 75% of White males and 52-54% of white females to support the promised destruction of their government and the ending of services on which they themselves depend. Scarily the racism almost happened.
The USA is only country which have never experienced racism according to a majority of US whites.
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Consider treating this site as hostile. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written, juvenile salute to the sociopathic January 6, 2021 hero.
The writer, Travis Corcoran self-described as a libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions?) and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance supported by proposed legislation and policy), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (popular US stance in favour of one man rule).
He and six other patriots took issue with my opinion that the book's glorification of the US government's overthrow with the aid of the military in order that the newly rich not pay taxes was unhealthy and dangerous.
This is a popular theme in the Kindle rubbish bin. That a communist should generate that much hate beyond ironic and fits MAGA universe. These patriots spent a year of posts demanding a response to increasingly unhinged comments.
The final comment was sent by Claes Rees Jr aka Cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. He wrote referring to the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend and declared that They had "won" (?).
It seems that They had launched a year long campaign of vile sexual, anti-LGBTQ, anti-socialist and racist comments against every female creator which I referenced, it continues to the present.
While the physicist, book reviewer, midteen boater and her mother, pensioner and other female creators were unimpressed, They certainly increased the world's store of ugliness. They also delivered an accurate self-portrait of the snowflake (twisted US man-child craving attention) to a multinational audience.
That appears a Victory. Goodreads discourse, Yay ??
I need another YouTube visit. This last was brought to you by Twelfth Doctor/Be Kind -TheGaroStudios, NCMI, Betty on a Boat, Northern Narrowboaters, Cruising Crafts, Stanzipotenza, Offizier Amira, The Enemy from Within, Anne Applebaum, Chloe Daniels, Blooms and Greens by Chloe, Artificial Idiots, Today I Learned Science, Canada Today, Minimal List, Narrowboat Pirate, May, The Mindful Narrowboat
Tod Maffin, Queen Penguin, Really American, Farm To Taber, BurbNBougie, Business Basics, Austin Archer, Samantha Lux, Josh Johnson, Quinn's Ideas, Leeja Miller, Mary Trump Show, Miranda Mills, Artur Rehi, Planet D, Sons of Liberty, TinyGirlBigShow, Garron, Breaking Points, Evans Documentaries, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, Lorna Jane Adventures, English Addict with Mr Duncan.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The gangs vary from smallish to as many as a dozen but They wage campaigns involving many more. Ten years+ past, a PBS literature presenter used the term "male gaze" as part of a critique and thousands of US white males launched attacks, doxxing attempts and more against her, colleagues and friends. Lindsay Ellis survived the several year ordeal but it demonstrates the underlying lynch mob US mentality. It replaced community centuries ago.
They are organised against one of two star reviewers, especially any who address racism, ableism, misogyny or other anti-human themes or elements. That should be profile enough. Their activities include the doxxing, the stalking, the threats even and saw that at least two BookTubers have received those.
Amazon do not acknowledge incidents, discipline disturbed members, punish deranged writers who sometimes organise them or dismiss the employees who enable them. The comments to this review were offensive and condescending with an unsupported arrogance which was stunning when I first encountered such. They are far milder than I and other romance, speculative fiction readers have received.
My limited message history was given over to those nutters with the result that Pine Gap Centre requested that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my personal information failed but successfully created two outraged customers.
Amazon only became concerned as we began sharing our experience very broadly. Instead of explanation of apology, visible harassment was removed from my pages. All comments were masked, all Lurkers whom Amazon would not previously Permit me to remove were disappeared and the like. In my humble opinion, it seems Amazon might consider a customer service protocol review.
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for the harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel deemed unkind to EBay. They were awarded several millions of pounds and the ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. All the above occurred before the US officially provided cover for US data corporations. These may be things worth considering.
My suggestions for a bit more safety on Goodreads. Remove all personal information from the Goodreads profile and avoid the messaging function. Remove the lurker, those who never post. They are likely monitors for gangs or employee created dummies not admirers. Given the Goodreads penchant for Altering customer pages, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening are invaluable. There are BookTubers to direct the reader to better, safer reader forums.
Kindle is the more serious. Do Not use Contacts, Calendar, Email or Files. Amazon employees read emails without permission or notice. Make of that what you will.
Do Not "purchase" Amazon e-books, which may be deleted at will, you own only the device not downloads. It is a mistake, I also made. BookTubers will direct a reader to alternative e-book and reader vendors. They also discuss alternatives to e-book purchases.
Certain Kindle/Goodreads employees and members alike lack healthy socialisation but are freedom loving, free speech obsessed, US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be well and May we all enjoy Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
NCMI, Sarah C M Paine, Some More News, Bobbing Along, Biz, Ship Happens,Yanis Varoufakis, Munecat, Ben and Emily, TVP News, Mercado Media, Keffals, Tara Mooknee, Viva La Dirt League, DUST, Delamer, Kathy's Flog in France, Dr Ben Miller, Physics Girl, Philosophy Tube, Dreamloop Cinema,
AllShorts, Novara Media, Belle of the Ranch, Patrick is a Navajo, Sabine Hossenfelder, Raw News and Politics, Tale Foundry, Book Furnace, Dan Davis History, NerdForge, Matriarchetype, Double Down News, Ukrainian Jenny, Sarah Millican, Artur Rehi, Starbound Extra, Roads with Belle, Kahta Yamamoto, Canada Pressroom,
Cover in French, Serena Skybourne, Ukraine Daily News, Brigitte Empire, Fall of Civilisations, Dark Skies, Answer in Progress, MellBells, Travelling K, Cruising the Cut, Engineering with Rosie, Jabzy, Anna from Ukraine, Haropones, Wolfgang Twins, Kirkpattiecake, Dr Becky, DW News, Prime of Midlife, Joe Blogs, It's Black Friday, UATV English, Think Ukraine, Reese Waters,
Science Fiction with Damien Walter, Queen Penguin, The People Profiles, The Closet Historian, Amanda Rae, The Dice Hour, Discourse Minis, Democratic Penguins Republic, Anna Cramling, With Olivia, Ultimate Public Entertainment, A Day of Small Things, Sarah Dawn Moore, Cleo Abrams, JimmyTheGiant, Alizee, Anton Petrov, Ancient Americas, Ukraine Matters, Tanya Fiona, Cossack and Caucasus Sword Dance, Swell Entertainment,
Omeleto, Katie Colson, Omeleto, Red Viburnam Song, Honest Government Ads, Molly Tuttle, Steve Shives, Amodelwhosread, Leena Norms, Ember Green, Jean's Thoughts, Abby Cox, Shannon Makes, Jessie Gender, Bernadette Banner, Engineering Knits, Kat Blacque, Jack Edwards, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Think that Through, Reads with Rachel, Hailey Hughes, Gingers are Black, Feral Historian.
May you have a wonderful morning, a productive afternoon, a serene evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Denial of Evil is not Courtesy but Complicity.
A thought about my failings
I am writing my actual reaction to the book and to the commenters. My former milder reviews have offended the poorly socialised but I am hoping that these more honest rewrites shock them.
Before I begin, I need a pause on the YouTube. This rewrite was made possible by the channels Doctor Who/Never Cruel or Cowardly - Ozar, Anark, NCMI, aidan knight, LuckyBlackCat, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, FAFO, Red Glasgow, The New Enlightenment with Ashley, LydLoves, Keffals, Broken Peach, Terrible Writing Advice, Shades of Orange, ScaredKetchup, Real Vintage Dolls House, Welcome to Ukraine, According to Alina, Dr Fatima, Kazachka, Reese Waters, TallGirl6234, Kopke613,
Kyiv Post, Kozak Siromaha, Geo Girl, Gracey D, Dark Brandon, Hetty and the Jazzalato Band, Sailing Melody, Ship Happens, Well Deck Diaries, Book Chats with Shelley, Inside Russia, NFKRZ, TIKHistory, The Great War, Cold Fusion, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, TimeGhost History, Canadian Updates, Gutsick Gibbon, Honest2Betsy, Riverboat Jack,
Cindy's Villa, The Hat Historian, Historia Civilis, Up and Atom, Jess Owens, Harbo Wholmes, Fit 2B Read, Petrik Leo, Combat Veteran News, The Gaze, J Draper, OrangeRiver, Deerstalker Pictures, Brandon Fisichella, Jay Exci, Princess Weekes, ThePrimeChronus, Library of a Viking, Renegade Cut, Jean's Thoughts, Nomadic Crobot, Northern Narrowboaters, Lady of the Library, Central Crossing,
Grace McGuire, Nerdy Kathi, Kings and Generals, Nini Music, Dominic Noble, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, Knowing Better, Dark Docs, Dark Seas, Historical Fashion, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Ukraine News TV, HBomberGuy, Eugenia from Ukraine, Veritas et Caritas, Atun Shei Films, Vlad Vexler, France 24, Rowan Ellis, Kiko1006, Make Better Media, RFU News, I'm Rosa, Alysotherlife, Guard the Leaf, Diary of a Ditch Witch, Skip Intro, Tom Nicholas.
I saw a Village Idiot recently who whilst insulting a favourite essayist, complained to her that I list other trans creators. The Snowflake (poorly socialised, vicious, arrogant US man-baby) never ceases to amaze me. A trigger warning then.
The channels I mention include astronomer, primatologist, lesbian, political historian, anarchist, paleontologist, married, cis, Kenyan, redhaired, modeller, asexual, WOC, marine biologist, architect, tall, intersex, communist, archaeologist, Irish, linguist, trans, writer, autist, queer, cosplayer, military boardgamer, painter, boat builder, bi, Canadian, mathematician, fashion historian, het, RPG player, book reviewer, farmer and other creators known as Women.
Almost as threatening are the anthropologist, socialist, Austrian, other LGBTQI+, miniatures gamer, physicist, farmer, other BIPOC, Indian, philosopher, ginger, other fashion historian, wood worker, miniatures painter, other neurodivergent, short, Danish, economist, chemist, train historian, engineer, zoologist, logician, reenactor, film maker and other creators known (outside the USA) as Human Beings.
If the voices persist, seek emergency therapy, learn a language (English, for instance), and/or repeat several times daily "I will not be a bellend today".
My feelings towards idiots is akin to that of the 13 Ukrainian marines defending Snake Island when their surrender was demanded by the Russian navy. Their famous response "Russian warship, go F@ck yourself". Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
This is another come for the racism, stay for the misogyny pretence of near future science fiction. The book opens with suspect shot while surrendering and a mangled attempt at AAVE.
Having some respect for others, I would never attempt it but I were I to of some strange necessity, I would do a better job. The writer did capture the Hollywood approved ghetto black portrayal very well.
I will not waste more ink on the quality of the writing. The reactions of the two commenters are more interesting.
The first idiot in sad Karen imitation of the posh, explained that I forfeited my right to have an opinion. It must be exhausting to police and correct all the many DNF reviews to be found on the site.
She also explained that racist portrayals of wealthy "biracial characters" are impossible. This from a woman whose country is based on a carefully crafted racial hierarchy from first nation to East Asian.
I am certain from her reaction that she lives vicariously through the main character. She also is not able to imagine that some might find fantasies of shooting non-whites without justification, while suffering no consequences might not be healthy.
I also fail to see female empowerment in needing to bask in the praise of white men, who are social inferiors and unattractive (which is important in these stories).
The second Snowflake was so removed from any non-US social norm, he seems to have not understood my comments were not debate but mockery.
He was not the first to comment that critical readers have "ruined Goodreads for everyone". That comment sealed my negative opinion of the site. I finally admitted that some members are proud in their limited worldview and read solely to reinforce same.
From my scan of US YouTube, both commenters would be horrified to see this story on screen with brown faces. US citizens were shocked by a brown mermaid. I am not certain that Americans realise that mermaids are mythical, not historical.
If the book were labelled misogynistic, overtly racist romantic fantasy with non-white characters for extra spice, I would have no quarrel. I simply would have avoided it.
US readers can be delightfully American.
Fun facts.
Those two are product's of a society which produced a degree of whiteness scale, which
awarded perks such as murder by police not being allowed. They also exported the myth of white value (for certain values of White) across the globe.
In World War Two, US soldiers demanded with violence segregation of businesses in Australia, England and Northern Ireland.
During the First World War, the US army flooded Europe with flyers urging men to protect their wives and other women from sex-crazed black soldiers including depictions of black men sporting tails.
Both France and Britain (two notoriously progressive empires) pointed to their hundreds of thousands Indian and African soldiers (yes dear child, there were that many) across the entire Western Front without which the lines would crumble and demanded that the flyers be withdrawn. A fun search would be the "Battle of Verdun", the casualties and colonial unit deployment.
I saw part of a clip of five or six black Memphis (city in some US state) policemen enthusiastically beat a young black motorist to death. The police officially were protecting him from himself. Fortunately the police and victim were black and the racism did not occur.
I did not have the heart to discover whether the police were convicted for murder or even charged. It was not a national scandal but a local story of Wednesday in America.
The promise to end participation of small businesses owned by marginalised groups in corporate supply chain or any management galvanised 75% of White males and 52-54% of white females to support the promised destruction of their government and the ending of services on which they themselves depend. Scarily the racism almost happened.
The USA is only country which have never experienced racism according to a majority of US whites.
I have earned a reset on the YouTube. This next was brought to you by "Where I Fall"/ Doctor Who, NCMI, Russian Media Monitor, Eco Cosplayer, Fun Size Reader, A Lil Bit Mads, Yarmak, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Postmodern Jukebox, The Cambrian Chronicles, Then & Now, Larry&Paul, Julie Nolke, Sarah Z, JingXuan, Reads With Cindy, Authors Behaving Badly, Supertanskiii, BobbyBroccoli, Girls Rock Asia, Emilie's Literary Corner, Times Radio, ChuliGirl,
Silicon Curtain, WokeGardener, Sunny Book Nook, IMY2, Parkrose Permaculture, Our Shiny Day Music Battle, FAFO, Bella Ciao - Kutuzov, Kazachka, Hej Sokoly, Eileen, Rachel Oates, The Authentic Observer, Haropones, Inside Russia, Truth to Power, Liz Webster, Political X, Professor Gerdes Explains, JKLN, Caroline Ricke,
Depressed Russian, Unlearning Economics, Anna from Ukraine, Cruising Crafts, Winging it on a Budget, OliviaReadsaLatte, Kyiv Independent, Tale Foundry, T A Summers, Victoria Rose, Amie's Literary Empire, Raw News and Politics, Some More News, Belinda Strnad, ScaredKetchup, Dami Lee, Teresa Mycelia, Answer in Progress,
Welsh Viking, Media Death Cult, Mercado Media, Demon Mama, Verilybitchie, Council of Geeks, Venom Geek Media, The Friendly Atheist, Megalithhunter, History with Kayleigh, Knowing Better, Stevie Emerson, BobbyBroccoli, Yoyomi, No Justice, Told in Stone, Ryan McBeth, The Juice Media, Honest Government Ads, Lady of the Library, Renegade Cut, The Story Department, Mom on the Spectrum, Lily Simpson, Aid Thompsin, Harbo Wholmes. ThatDaneshGuy.
Consider treating this site as hostile. 🤔
Goodreads discourse does not exist. As example, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written, juvenile salute to the sociopathic January 6, 2021 hero.
The writer, Travis Corcoran self-described as a libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions?) and advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular US stance supported by proposed legislation and policy), veteran, employee of an unnamed US agency and admirer of Putin (popular US stance in favour of one man rule).
He and six other patriots took issue with my opinion that the book's glorification of the US government's overthrow with the aid of the military in order that the newly rich not pay taxes was unhealthy and dangerous.
This is a popular theme in the Kindle rubbish bin. That a communist should generate that much hate beyond ironic and fits MAGA universe. These patriots spent a year of posts demanding a response to increasingly unhinged comments.
The final comment was sent by Claes Rees Jr aka Cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. He wrote referring to the contents of my last message to a Goodreads friend and declared that They had "won" (?).
It seems that They had launched a year long campaign of vile sexual, anti-LGBTQ, anti-socialist and racist comments against every female creator which I referenced, it continues to the present.
While the physicist, book reviewer, midteen boater and her mother, pensioner and other female creators were unimpressed, They certainly increased the world's store of ugliness. They also delivered an accurate self-portrait of the snowflake (twisted US man-child craving attention) to a multinational audience.
That appears a Victory. Goodreads discourse, Yay ??
I need another YouTube visit. This last was brought to you by Twelfth Doctor/Be Kind -TheGaroStudios, NCMI, Betty on a Boat, Northern Narrowboaters, Cruising Crafts, Stanzipotenza, Offizier Amira, The Enemy from Within, Anne Applebaum, Chloe Daniels, Blooms and Greens by Chloe, Artificial Idiots, Today I Learned Science, Canada Today, Minimal List, Narrowboat Pirate, May, The Mindful Narrowboat
Tod Maffin, Queen Penguin, Really American, Farm To Taber, BurbNBougie, Business Basics, Austin Archer, Samantha Lux, Josh Johnson, Quinn's Ideas, Leeja Miller, Mary Trump Show, Miranda Mills, Artur Rehi, Planet D, Sons of Liberty, TinyGirlBigShow, Garron, Breaking Points, Evans Documentaries, Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, Lorna Jane Adventures, English Addict with Mr Duncan.
Ominous music begins. 😊 The gangs vary from smallish to as many as a dozen but They wage campaigns involving many more. Ten years+ past, a PBS literature presenter used the term "male gaze" as part of a critique and thousands of US white males launched attacks, doxxing attempts and more against her, colleagues and friends. Lindsay Ellis survived the several year ordeal but it demonstrates the underlying lynch mob US mentality. It replaced community centuries ago.
They are organised against one of two star reviewers, especially any who address racism, ableism, misogyny or other anti-human themes or elements. That should be profile enough. Their activities include the doxxing, the stalking, the threats even and saw that at least two BookTubers have received those.
Amazon do not acknowledge incidents, discipline disturbed members, punish deranged writers who sometimes organise them or dismiss the employees who enable them. The comments to this review were offensive and condescending with an unsupported arrogance which was stunning when I first encountered such. They are far milder than I and other romance, speculative fiction readers have received.
My limited message history was given over to those nutters with the result that Pine Gap Centre requested that Australian Security interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged. The attempt at my personal information failed but successfully created two outraged customers.
Amazon only became concerned as we began sharing our experience very broadly. Instead of explanation of apology, visible harassment was removed from my pages. All comments were masked, all Lurkers whom Amazon would not previously Permit me to remove were disappeared and the like. In my humble opinion, it seems Amazon might consider a customer service protocol review.
Recently a seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for the harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel deemed unkind to EBay. They were awarded several millions of pounds and the ex-employee had been the EBay Chief of Global Security or some such. All the above occurred before the US officially provided cover for US data corporations. These may be things worth considering.
My suggestions for a bit more safety on Goodreads. Remove all personal information from the Goodreads profile and avoid the messaging function. Remove the lurker, those who never post. They are likely monitors for gangs or employee created dummies not admirers. Given the Goodreads penchant for Altering customer pages, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening are invaluable. There are BookTubers to direct the reader to better, safer reader forums.
Kindle is the more serious. Do Not use Contacts, Calendar, Email or Files. Amazon employees read emails without permission or notice. Make of that what you will.
Do Not "purchase" Amazon e-books, which may be deleted at will, you own only the device not downloads. It is a mistake, I also made. BookTubers will direct a reader to alternative e-book and reader vendors. They also discuss alternatives to e-book purchases.
Certain Kindle/Goodreads employees and members alike lack healthy socialisation but are freedom loving, free speech obsessed, US patriots with all that implies. Ominous music ends. 😊
Be well and May we all enjoy Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
NCMI, Sarah C M Paine, Some More News, Bobbing Along, Biz, Ship Happens,Yanis Varoufakis, Munecat, Ben and Emily, TVP News, Mercado Media, Keffals, Tara Mooknee, Viva La Dirt League, DUST, Delamer, Kathy's Flog in France, Dr Ben Miller, Physics Girl, Philosophy Tube, Dreamloop Cinema,
AllShorts, Novara Media, Belle of the Ranch, Patrick is a Navajo, Sabine Hossenfelder, Raw News and Politics, Tale Foundry, Book Furnace, Dan Davis History, NerdForge, Matriarchetype, Double Down News, Ukrainian Jenny, Sarah Millican, Artur Rehi, Starbound Extra, Roads with Belle, Kahta Yamamoto, Canada Pressroom,
Cover in French, Serena Skybourne, Ukraine Daily News, Brigitte Empire, Fall of Civilisations, Dark Skies, Answer in Progress, MellBells, Travelling K, Cruising the Cut, Engineering with Rosie, Jabzy, Anna from Ukraine, Haropones, Wolfgang Twins, Kirkpattiecake, Dr Becky, DW News, Prime of Midlife, Joe Blogs, It's Black Friday, UATV English, Think Ukraine, Reese Waters,
Science Fiction with Damien Walter, Queen Penguin, The People Profiles, The Closet Historian, Amanda Rae, The Dice Hour, Discourse Minis, Democratic Penguins Republic, Anna Cramling, With Olivia, Ultimate Public Entertainment, A Day of Small Things, Sarah Dawn Moore, Cleo Abrams, JimmyTheGiant, Alizee, Anton Petrov, Ancient Americas, Ukraine Matters, Tanya Fiona, Cossack and Caucasus Sword Dance, Swell Entertainment,
Omeleto, Katie Colson, Omeleto, Red Viburnam Song, Honest Government Ads, Molly Tuttle, Steve Shives, Amodelwhosread, Leena Norms, Ember Green, Jean's Thoughts, Abby Cox, Shannon Makes, Jessie Gender, Bernadette Banner, Engineering Knits, Kat Blacque, Jack Edwards, Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Think that Through, Reads with Rachel, Hailey Hughes, Gingers are Black, Feral Historian.
May you have a wonderful morning, a productive afternoon, a serene evening, a splendid night and may we all continue learning.
Denial of Evil is not Courtesy but Complicity.
A thought about my failings
October 14, 2018
I’d call this 4.5 stars. I like police procedurals in general but I’m not usually a fan of anything with werecritters. Wolves, bears, all that kind of stuff...it just doesn’t thrill me. Usually because they’re romances and that squicks me out. Anyway, back on the subject...
I like these because I really like the way they use the paranormal to advance the investigation. That was a kick for me.
I especially like the working relationship between the partners.
The .5 star deduction came from me feeling like the Big Bad was too much of a cipher, more of a crossword puzzle than a threat, until the last part of the novel.
I like these because I really like the way they use the paranormal to advance the investigation. That was a kick for me.
I especially like the working relationship between the partners.
The .5 star deduction came from me feeling like the Big Bad was too much of a cipher, more of a crossword puzzle than a threat, until the last part of the novel.
September 9, 2022
Non-stop action. Interesting and engaging story
so well done that the slight sci-fi part is compelling and enjoyable. I intend to read more of this series.
so well done that the slight sci-fi part is compelling and enjoyable. I intend to read more of this series.
May 4, 2015
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Good:
The character development. I can't stress to authors enough how important this is!!! I felt like Eleri and Donovan were real people I could eventually meet one day. I know about their upbringings, what makes them tick, their strengths, weaknesses, how they interact in social situations... even what they like to eat. Some readers might see this overkill, that it makes the story drag in places, but when done right, building your characters into believable, relatable people is what makes readers invest in a story. Because when readers feel like they know the characters, they care what happens to them, and I love these characters enough that I'll be impatiently waiting the next book in the series! And that ending!!! Hopefully Book Two will pick right up where it left off.
The writing. While her writing can be a bit wordy in places, Ms. Scudiere has a way with descriptions. She inserts you right into the scenes and you experience everything as the character does. For specific examples within the story, when Eleri feels betrayed by Donovan, you feel betrayed. When Donovan goes on his runs *wink* you're right there with him. When they're both exhausted and malnourished and spread thin while they're trying to solve the case, you'll feel as if you need a power nap and a dose of vitamins to keep going.
The storyline. It's obvious that the author took the time to plot out a meticulous storyline with little twists and turns along the way. When an author plots everything out down to the smallest of details, and executes it flawlessly, I feel like that story is worth my time. Nothing ruins my reading mojo like a sloppy story rife with plot holes and inconsistencies. Yet another reason why this book with grab hold of you, pull you beneath the surface and won't let go until the end.
The Bad:
While Ms. Scudiere has all the details covered in Under Dark Skies, I did feel a sense that something was missing. In thrillers and mysteries, I look for grit and tension. The story delivered in the suspense category, and yes, I felt like I was a part of the story, but sometimes I found myself wanting more. There were no major twists, no major difficulties, and other than the one betrayal (and quick forgiveness) there was no major tension with any of the main characters. I kept thinking, "oh, here's where they'll learn that they were wrong about who's responsible for the killings." Or, "here's where this person will also be involved, but they didn't see it to begin with." Or, "here's where an attraction will happen." Or, "here's where they'll find something horrifying and it will knock me on my butt." Nothing like that really happened.
I will add, though, that the ending was satisfying, and all the things I'd been craving throughout the story I found a little bit of in the end. So I wouldn't say the the story didn't deliver at all in the grit and tension departments, just not as much as I prefer. Of course, it could just be a matter of personal preference.
Also, if you're expecting any kind of romance/ attraction/ lovemaking in any capacity between the opposite sex POV characters, or with any other characters for that matter, you've been forewarned that there is zilch. Not saying this is necessarily a bad thing - romance doesn't necessarily have to be in a story for me to enjoy it. Afterall, my favorite movie is Kill Bill lol - but just wanted to let readers know in case they're hoping for it.
The Ugly:
Nothing to say in this category.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a character-driven paranormal thriller with a good helping of suspense, then Under Dark Skies is for you!!!
Favorite Quote:
Eleri didn't hate much. She knew people got into bad things, knew that most people were either too stupid to know what they were getting into or just got tangled and struggled their way deeper and deeper into their problems. But this man in front of her? Eleri hated him.
The Good:
The character development. I can't stress to authors enough how important this is!!! I felt like Eleri and Donovan were real people I could eventually meet one day. I know about their upbringings, what makes them tick, their strengths, weaknesses, how they interact in social situations... even what they like to eat. Some readers might see this overkill, that it makes the story drag in places, but when done right, building your characters into believable, relatable people is what makes readers invest in a story. Because when readers feel like they know the characters, they care what happens to them, and I love these characters enough that I'll be impatiently waiting the next book in the series! And that ending!!! Hopefully Book Two will pick right up where it left off.
The writing. While her writing can be a bit wordy in places, Ms. Scudiere has a way with descriptions. She inserts you right into the scenes and you experience everything as the character does. For specific examples within the story, when Eleri feels betrayed by Donovan, you feel betrayed. When Donovan goes on his runs *wink* you're right there with him. When they're both exhausted and malnourished and spread thin while they're trying to solve the case, you'll feel as if you need a power nap and a dose of vitamins to keep going.
The storyline. It's obvious that the author took the time to plot out a meticulous storyline with little twists and turns along the way. When an author plots everything out down to the smallest of details, and executes it flawlessly, I feel like that story is worth my time. Nothing ruins my reading mojo like a sloppy story rife with plot holes and inconsistencies. Yet another reason why this book with grab hold of you, pull you beneath the surface and won't let go until the end.
The Bad:
While Ms. Scudiere has all the details covered in Under Dark Skies, I did feel a sense that something was missing. In thrillers and mysteries, I look for grit and tension. The story delivered in the suspense category, and yes, I felt like I was a part of the story, but sometimes I found myself wanting more. There were no major twists, no major difficulties, and other than the one betrayal (and quick forgiveness) there was no major tension with any of the main characters. I kept thinking, "oh, here's where they'll learn that they were wrong about who's responsible for the killings." Or, "here's where this person will also be involved, but they didn't see it to begin with." Or, "here's where an attraction will happen." Or, "here's where they'll find something horrifying and it will knock me on my butt." Nothing like that really happened.
I will add, though, that the ending was satisfying, and all the things I'd been craving throughout the story I found a little bit of in the end. So I wouldn't say the the story didn't deliver at all in the grit and tension departments, just not as much as I prefer. Of course, it could just be a matter of personal preference.
Also, if you're expecting any kind of romance/ attraction/ lovemaking in any capacity between the opposite sex POV characters, or with any other characters for that matter, you've been forewarned that there is zilch. Not saying this is necessarily a bad thing - romance doesn't necessarily have to be in a story for me to enjoy it. Afterall, my favorite movie is Kill Bill lol - but just wanted to let readers know in case they're hoping for it.
The Ugly:
Nothing to say in this category.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a character-driven paranormal thriller with a good helping of suspense, then Under Dark Skies is for you!!!
Favorite Quote:
Eleri didn't hate much. She knew people got into bad things, knew that most people were either too stupid to know what they were getting into or just got tangled and struggled their way deeper and deeper into their problems. But this man in front of her? Eleri hated him.
April 13, 2019
Nebulous needed thesaurus
I loved the concept of the book if not the entire execution. I read it all but there were many problems.
First and foremost, an author ALWAYS needs a thesaurus. He not only needs to know how to use it, but is willing to use it. When an author gets a word stuck in his head like an old familiar tune, it is not good for his writing chops or his readers. The word "nebulous" is not an everyday word but it is a good one in the right place. But surely only once. Thereafter, the author has the use of over thirty really dandy words he could use for obscure, hazy, unclear -- nebulous should never have to be used probably ten times maybe more in this one book. The reader notices.
I didn't like the female character. Pare away part of the inevitable angst and not bombard the reader. Say what she's been through, touch on it to feel the pain but not bore into it with a dentist's drill. It can -- well, let's say "is" -- boring to the reader so that said reader must scan/skip whole paragraphs with a sigh of frustration. And how many times must we beat the drum or chest over the taking of a human life, even a sociopath, until we want to scream, "We get it. Enough already!" These long, drawn out dissertations are death to suspense. It can be death to even desire to continue with this obviously fictional story because the reader cannot suspend disbelief. Leave the discourses, essays, and dissertations where they belong. In some other book not dependant on suspense. If they were that good I would not have minded reading them but they sounded like what they were. Filler. Cheap filler at that.
And speaking of filler, the story sagged in the middle and climbed reluctantly back up toward the end.
But back to the female character lead. I liked the concept for her unusual gift as part of this group of FBI/Nightshade characters. I did not like her juvenile development which should have been steady with the occasional setback but not off the deep end. I would up frustrated with her little girl playing lead bossman FBI agent in charge. Her character, even flawed, should be stronger and certainly not be in charge of another flawed character, who is a man constantly having to apologize and kowtow to her whims. I'm not a big fan of leading lady characters for the simple fact hardly anyone gets them right. When they do, it makes for awesome reading. But this one sounds like just another writer jumping on the leading woman bandwagon without knowing in the least what one should look or be like as a character.
That being said I want to follow this duo, sometimes trio, to the next book to see if the characters develop into less whiny butts and more solid development of strong inner cores and their unusual gifts for getting the bad guys.
I loved the concept of the book if not the entire execution. I read it all but there were many problems.
First and foremost, an author ALWAYS needs a thesaurus. He not only needs to know how to use it, but is willing to use it. When an author gets a word stuck in his head like an old familiar tune, it is not good for his writing chops or his readers. The word "nebulous" is not an everyday word but it is a good one in the right place. But surely only once. Thereafter, the author has the use of over thirty really dandy words he could use for obscure, hazy, unclear -- nebulous should never have to be used probably ten times maybe more in this one book. The reader notices.
I didn't like the female character. Pare away part of the inevitable angst and not bombard the reader. Say what she's been through, touch on it to feel the pain but not bore into it with a dentist's drill. It can -- well, let's say "is" -- boring to the reader so that said reader must scan/skip whole paragraphs with a sigh of frustration. And how many times must we beat the drum or chest over the taking of a human life, even a sociopath, until we want to scream, "We get it. Enough already!" These long, drawn out dissertations are death to suspense. It can be death to even desire to continue with this obviously fictional story because the reader cannot suspend disbelief. Leave the discourses, essays, and dissertations where they belong. In some other book not dependant on suspense. If they were that good I would not have minded reading them but they sounded like what they were. Filler. Cheap filler at that.
And speaking of filler, the story sagged in the middle and climbed reluctantly back up toward the end.
But back to the female character lead. I liked the concept for her unusual gift as part of this group of FBI/Nightshade characters. I did not like her juvenile development which should have been steady with the occasional setback but not off the deep end. I would up frustrated with her little girl playing lead bossman FBI agent in charge. Her character, even flawed, should be stronger and certainly not be in charge of another flawed character, who is a man constantly having to apologize and kowtow to her whims. I'm not a big fan of leading lady characters for the simple fact hardly anyone gets them right. When they do, it makes for awesome reading. But this one sounds like just another writer jumping on the leading woman bandwagon without knowing in the least what one should look or be like as a character.
That being said I want to follow this duo, sometimes trio, to the next book to see if the characters develop into less whiny butts and more solid development of strong inner cores and their unusual gifts for getting the bad guys.
April 29, 2015
I enjoy crime fiction quite a bit, but it’d been a while since I’d read any when I was contacted about possibly reviewing this book. I jumped on it for two reasons: crime fiction and werewolves. I love when two genres that don’t normally mix are thrown together.
Medical examiner, Donovan Heath, and FBI agent, Eleri Eames, are recruited to a special FBI division called NightShade. It’s not as random as either of them think though, and as they begin to investigate a cult and the decade-old kidnapping cases the cult seems to be involved in, their secrets just might surface. The question is, will it “save them…or destroy them”?
Sounds cool, right? What are their secrets?! I liked figuring it all out, and A.J. Scudiere combines the supernatural with the…well, I can’t really say normal because cults aren’t exactly mundane, are they? But Scudiere weaves these two stories together in an interesting and (mostly) fast paced way. We’ve got cults, murder, kidnapping, and werewolves all thrown together in this huge, crazy, easy-to-read book.
While I really liked the story itself, I couldn’t connect with some of the characters which made the book feel pretty long. I thought Donovan was quite interesting and I liked learning about him as a werewolf, and I thought all of the things he could do and his history was super cool. Eleri was just kind of there for me. I don’t know. She wasn’t necessarily a bad character, but I didn’t connect with her as easily as I did with Donovan. I’ve always thought cults were kind of fascinating (I don’t know what this says about me), so meeting Jonah, who escapes from the cult, and learning about the cult leader kept me hooked.
I liked that while there were forensic investigations, it never got overwhelming or over-technical. Instead, Under Dark Skies focused on the abilities of the NightShade members, which were all fascinating. However, I thought the case itself was a little too easy. All of the witnesses just kind of stumbled into their path – some of them literally did just that. It made the believability factor lower quite a bit.
The bottom line: This book reads almost like a normal FBI thriller but then you’ve got the addition of werewolves (and other supernatural abilities that I won’t spoil), which is a combination you don’t normally come across. It occasionally felt drawn out and long, but overall, I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to people who’ve read a few too many cheesy paranormals and would like something new or people who like crime fiction and would like to mix it up.
NOTE: I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Medical examiner, Donovan Heath, and FBI agent, Eleri Eames, are recruited to a special FBI division called NightShade. It’s not as random as either of them think though, and as they begin to investigate a cult and the decade-old kidnapping cases the cult seems to be involved in, their secrets just might surface. The question is, will it “save them…or destroy them”?
Sounds cool, right? What are their secrets?! I liked figuring it all out, and A.J. Scudiere combines the supernatural with the…well, I can’t really say normal because cults aren’t exactly mundane, are they? But Scudiere weaves these two stories together in an interesting and (mostly) fast paced way. We’ve got cults, murder, kidnapping, and werewolves all thrown together in this huge, crazy, easy-to-read book.
While I really liked the story itself, I couldn’t connect with some of the characters which made the book feel pretty long. I thought Donovan was quite interesting and I liked learning about him as a werewolf, and I thought all of the things he could do and his history was super cool. Eleri was just kind of there for me. I don’t know. She wasn’t necessarily a bad character, but I didn’t connect with her as easily as I did with Donovan. I’ve always thought cults were kind of fascinating (I don’t know what this says about me), so meeting Jonah, who escapes from the cult, and learning about the cult leader kept me hooked.
I liked that while there were forensic investigations, it never got overwhelming or over-technical. Instead, Under Dark Skies focused on the abilities of the NightShade members, which were all fascinating. However, I thought the case itself was a little too easy. All of the witnesses just kind of stumbled into their path – some of them literally did just that. It made the believability factor lower quite a bit.
The bottom line: This book reads almost like a normal FBI thriller but then you’ve got the addition of werewolves (and other supernatural abilities that I won’t spoil), which is a combination you don’t normally come across. It occasionally felt drawn out and long, but overall, I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to people who’ve read a few too many cheesy paranormals and would like something new or people who like crime fiction and would like to mix it up.
NOTE: I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 10, 2018
For amusement I like to believe that you can sometimes suss out bits of the author's mental state from their writing. This series is totally fascinated by how little sleep the paranormal FBI investigators are getting and talks about it again and again and again and again. In my mind I imagine the author is now writing on 2 hours of sleep a night, and that explains how she went from the tightly structured book #1 to the loosey-goosey mess of the other books.
I like the combination of magic + police procedural such as we have in this first book because the procedural parts serve as a more rigorous foundation to stabilize the magic sections. Magic books where "anything-can-happen" don't work well as mysteries.
Unfortunately after the first book only the briefest lip service is paid to the police procedural aspect and, woo-hoo, anything goes even if it makes no logical, character, or narrative sense. I still found the books kind of fun but they weren't very good any longer and I eventually quit.
I like the combination of magic + police procedural such as we have in this first book because the procedural parts serve as a more rigorous foundation to stabilize the magic sections. Magic books where "anything-can-happen" don't work well as mysteries.
Unfortunately after the first book only the briefest lip service is paid to the police procedural aspect and, woo-hoo, anything goes even if it makes no logical, character, or narrative sense. I still found the books kind of fun but they weren't very good any longer and I eventually quit.
May 7, 2015
Two misfit FBI agents with secrets about their lives are put together for operation Nightshade, which is focussing in on a cult. With the body of a dead girl and a possible sighting of a missing girl, Eleri and Donovan pool their considerable skills to get to the killer and the heart of an ominous cult.
I adore crime thrillers and this FBI procedural surprised me with its supernatural twist: one of the agents is a werewolf. Far from being something that made the rest of the story unbelievable, this premise worked in this book, which focussed in on the characters of our two leading investigators. The other alluring theme of a cult and it's leader also made compulsive reading and I was hooked into solving this case with our two protagonists.
An unusual crime thriller read with bite.
I adore crime thrillers and this FBI procedural surprised me with its supernatural twist: one of the agents is a werewolf. Far from being something that made the rest of the story unbelievable, this premise worked in this book, which focussed in on the characters of our two leading investigators. The other alluring theme of a cult and it's leader also made compulsive reading and I was hooked into solving this case with our two protagonists.
An unusual crime thriller read with bite.
April 6, 2023
This is my second time through the NightShade series. A new twist on some familiar (and some not so familiar) themes. Placed together as new partners, Donovan and Eleri must learn each other's investigative styles. This proves difficult for both of them considering that Donovan is used to working alone and Eleri has a complicated past with the FBI (to put it mildly). Along the way, they make some startling discoveries about themselves and each other that test their partnership and even question reality itself. If you like the X-Files or Fringe you will love this series. I sure do.
April 2, 2019
I don't think I'll follow this series. A book where a rather big portion of the story is based on when, how and why to sleep, the kind of food the principal characters like or not and not much of an interesting case and a bad guy very poorly described and followed in the book , is definitively not my cup of tea. Slow, extremely slow flow of the story, sometimes bordering boring. Nothing to be excited about, I'm afraid. Not for me.
June 15, 2020
Hard work
For someone like me, an ardent fan of the economical writing styles of Sandford or Parker, the lengthy explanations of characters' psychological and physiological ins and outs here were turgid and over-cooked. The basic idea behind, particularly, the male lead character had me hooked for a few chapters but then everything became sooo drawn out and I estimate a 100 pages too long. No more by this author for me, I'm afraid.
For someone like me, an ardent fan of the economical writing styles of Sandford or Parker, the lengthy explanations of characters' psychological and physiological ins and outs here were turgid and over-cooked. The basic idea behind, particularly, the male lead character had me hooked for a few chapters but then everything became sooo drawn out and I estimate a 100 pages too long. No more by this author for me, I'm afraid.
September 12, 2015
Been a while since I've written a review, but I enjoyed this book so much that just had to let others know that this is an excellent book. Great FBI with a supernatural twist, excellent plot and superbly written. Highly recommend!! 5 star read.
September 22, 2017
Not an easy read stylesheet.
I thought the author's writing style was hard to read, especially in the beginning of the book. It could use some better editing. It was really long without much activity. I would not recommend it.
I thought the author's writing style was hard to read, especially in the beginning of the book. It could use some better editing. It was really long without much activity. I would not recommend it.
March 20, 2018
Not my type of book
If you like a fantasy story, you may enjoy this book. I did not. Really werewolves in the FBI unbelievable. A unit that makes the CIA look mild. Not a good story at all
If you like a fantasy story, you may enjoy this book. I did not. Really werewolves in the FBI unbelievable. A unit that makes the CIA look mild. Not a good story at all
February 19, 2020
This book was a good story but I found it didn't keep my interest as I hoped it would. It took me a long time to get through it. Usually I like stories about shifters and I love a good mystery but this one just didn't do it for me.
March 20, 2020
2.5 stars This seemed very promising in the beginning but then it just fell apart for me. It didn't keep me wanting more. the main characters were somewhat intriguing but the storyline didn't flow and was confusing.
July 20, 2018
Crap, wasted $10 buying this 4 book set. Won't be purchasing the 5th one.
January 15, 2021
“Under Dark Skies” (The Nightshade Forensic Files #1) by A.J. Scudiere. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Forensic Crime Detection with a hint of Paranormal. Location: Several small towns between Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, USA. Time: Present.-
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Eleri is an FBI agent known for her profiling skills. After a particularly difficult case, she doesn’t think the FBI will ever return her to active service. When the FBI secret unit called Nightshade chooses her, she is eager to prove herself.-
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Donovan is an MD known for his superior forensic skills. He works quietly in the morgue, and lives quietly on the edge of a forest preserve. The FBI recruits him, and assigns him to the Nightshade unit as Elari’s junior partner.-
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Their 1st case takes them to Texas to locate a cult called the City of God, which is linked to several prominent kidnappings. As they investigate, the case becomes more and more involved. They find runaways from the City, violence, guns, drugs, and graves. The story is a pretty straightforward account of an FBI forensics-based hunt and capture, and the author tells the story very well.-
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The difference in this story is that both Eleri and Donovan have special skills that help them investigate. They are not like others, but the author doesn’t tell you their secrets all at once. It comes out slowly over time. You will figure out Donovan’s secret pretty quickly; Eleri’s is more complex.-
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The unique thing for me about this book is that the paranormal aspects, while important, don’t take over the whole case. It’s a crime story with some specially-gifted characters, not a paranormal crime story. The author also spends time showing us how the 2 partners get to know each other, and learn to trust. It’s 4 stars from me for Eleri and Donovan. I can’t wait to read about their next case. 🌵📚👩🏼🦳”
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Eleri is an FBI agent known for her profiling skills. After a particularly difficult case, she doesn’t think the FBI will ever return her to active service. When the FBI secret unit called Nightshade chooses her, she is eager to prove herself.-
-
Donovan is an MD known for his superior forensic skills. He works quietly in the morgue, and lives quietly on the edge of a forest preserve. The FBI recruits him, and assigns him to the Nightshade unit as Elari’s junior partner.-
-
Their 1st case takes them to Texas to locate a cult called the City of God, which is linked to several prominent kidnappings. As they investigate, the case becomes more and more involved. They find runaways from the City, violence, guns, drugs, and graves. The story is a pretty straightforward account of an FBI forensics-based hunt and capture, and the author tells the story very well.-
-
The difference in this story is that both Eleri and Donovan have special skills that help them investigate. They are not like others, but the author doesn’t tell you their secrets all at once. It comes out slowly over time. You will figure out Donovan’s secret pretty quickly; Eleri’s is more complex.-
-
The unique thing for me about this book is that the paranormal aspects, while important, don’t take over the whole case. It’s a crime story with some specially-gifted characters, not a paranormal crime story. The author also spends time showing us how the 2 partners get to know each other, and learn to trust. It’s 4 stars from me for Eleri and Donovan. I can’t wait to read about their next case. 🌵📚👩🏼🦳”
April 20, 2018
Great Book
I really have enjoyed this book. Well constructed storyline. The forensic parts are very detailed that you get a good picture in your mind.
I really liked the characters, Donovan and Eleri. They have a good development trough the storyline, both with very different abilities and you can be sure it's not always friendly, there both are having problems to build relationships, so there are both actually quite lonely because of their abilities.
Donovan is a really shy person and always a loner. Eleri is quite different,she is not shy but always a big thinker because been a profiler her mind is never quiet. It's a good mix for get together as partners, they both need each other. The monologues on both characters a very good, as well for the speech.
The story is written very well, great plot with lot's of twist, turns and secrets. It was a enjoyable experience on some parts a bit slow, because not much happened. I would have liked a bit more humour to loosen up some situations. But overall a good book.
I really have enjoyed this book. Well constructed storyline. The forensic parts are very detailed that you get a good picture in your mind.
I really liked the characters, Donovan and Eleri. They have a good development trough the storyline, both with very different abilities and you can be sure it's not always friendly, there both are having problems to build relationships, so there are both actually quite lonely because of their abilities.
Donovan is a really shy person and always a loner. Eleri is quite different,she is not shy but always a big thinker because been a profiler her mind is never quiet. It's a good mix for get together as partners, they both need each other. The monologues on both characters a very good, as well for the speech.
The story is written very well, great plot with lot's of twist, turns and secrets. It was a enjoyable experience on some parts a bit slow, because not much happened. I would have liked a bit more humour to loosen up some situations. But overall a good book.
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