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Spectrum #1
The Killings Begin
After escaping her father’s threat of an arranged marriage and settling in Madrid, Spain, Gia Delgado enters into an unconventional contract with three men she meets in a bar.
In exchange for a life of luxury, she’ll act as their no-strings wife, whether they want to display her in public or lead her to the bedroom.
But there are vital rules: they are all bound to secrecy. And no one is allowed to fall in love.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Tracey Lauch, an eminent judge, is harboring his own secret. Haunted by his past, he kills, and after that first murder, he finds himself driven to do it again – and the Parking Lot Strangler is born. Desperate to break the cycle, he retires and flees to Europe, hoping a change of place will control his desire to kill.
Gia and her friends bond as fate draws them closer to Tracey. They meet on a river cruise through Ukraine, where this tranquil voyage delivers one unwitting victim to their death… giving rise to a new, international serial killer.
In exchange for a life of luxury, she’ll act as their no-strings wife, whether they want to display her in public or lead her to the bedroom.
But there are vital rules: they are all bound to secrecy. And no one is allowed to fall in love.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Tracey Lauch, an eminent judge, is harboring his own secret. Haunted by his past, he kills, and after that first murder, he finds himself driven to do it again – and the Parking Lot Strangler is born. Desperate to break the cycle, he retires and flees to Europe, hoping a change of place will control his desire to kill.
Gia and her friends bond as fate draws them closer to Tracey. They meet on a river cruise through Ukraine, where this tranquil voyage delivers one unwitting victim to their death… giving rise to a new, international serial killer.
338 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2022
About the author
Bradley Pay
12 books52 followersThe authors of the Spectrum novels, Robin Bradley and Jody Leber-Pay, formed a writing partnership in October 2016. The writing duo's backgrounds and interests were complementary, but where they truly bonded was through their love of storytelling, spinning novels of elaborate contemporary fiction that don’t follow traditional story arcs but, nonetheless, keep their readers turning ‘just one more page’ and reading ‘one more chapter’ to find out what happens next. Here they describe what inspired them to write the series...
We met on a river cruise in August 2016. One rainy day, six of us found ourselves sitting in the bar of the riverboat as we traversed a set of locks from the Danube to the Main River. We were sharing a bottle of Chianti that afternoon, when Jody leaned over, looking at the prow of the boat lashed next to ours in the lock and quipped, “Robin, what if that man over there,” she pointed to a tall man stretched out in a deck chair, his hat pulled low over his eyes, “what if he walked to the railing and looked into your eyes and you fell madly, passionately in love?”
So it began. Laughing hilariously, the six of us made up absurd, romantic tales and created names for ourselves as we chose roles in those stories. One of us became Gia, a carefree young woman who loved to hike. Robin – it had something to do with her fondness for excellent cognac in the evening after dinner – became Remy Martin (the only character with a last name at that point), who is an artist and university professor. Then came Isabelle and Penelope. Oddly, Jody never took any roles, but her husband was the inspiration for a Turkish rug dealer who wrapped his victims in Turkish rugs and dumped them overboard into the river. As we repeated this afternoon's amusement over the next several rainy afternoons, we compiled quite a set of stories and consumed at least as many bottles of Chianti.
The development of those stories into what is now the Spectrum Series began a couple of months later with an email from Jody to Robin: “By the way – you still interested in the Lock Series? … it will be fun.” That was the beginning of our friendship and long-distance collaboration on four novels about a serial killer, the women he targets, and the women he kills.
In the process, we discovered that writing with a partner is hard! But it is what keeps us motivated when what we want to do is quit. We laugh a lot and quibble over words and storylines. We’ve learned how to compromise without affecting the quality of our writing and how to keep pushing ourselves to find a better answer when we aren’t satisfied with the results of our work. In short, as two strong-willed women, we had to figure out how to collaborate.
And here we are, having published the fourth book in the Spectrum novels to bed. Yikes! How can that be? Some characters lived, some died, and some didn’t make the cut and were dropped before their stories were ever told. The stories morphed and morphed and morphed again until we got them right. Good characters turned into unlikeable ones, bad characters became good ones… and then there was Tracey – he was just all over the place. He’s creepy, we wouldn’t want to run across him in a dark alley, but there’s a kind, likable side to him too. Hmmm, we wonder where you will come down on his personality. We laughed and cried our way through these stories, tried out new wines and foods, and had lengthy debates about things like whether emotional affairs or physical affairs are more damaging to relationships and how old is middle age.
We’ve had such fun writing these stories. We think you’ll have as good a time reading them too.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 20, 2022
3.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Series ~ Spectrum #1
Setting ~ Madrid, Spain & Raleigh, NC
Publication date ~ June 25, 2022
Page Count ~ 343 (19 chapters)
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ dual story-line, fake relationship x3, age gap (30 & 18), closed door steamage, serial killer, murder (not graphic), drug use, cliffhanger~ish (not everything in wrapped up with a neat little bow)
Our main characters are: Tracey ~ serial killer, Gia ~ 18 years old on her own for the first time, Sal ~ realtor, Raul~ pediatrician, Joseph ~ stockbroker
The story begins in April 1998 with Tracey and ends in 2011 with Tracey, but the majority of the story is not about him at all. It took a long time to see how the dual plots would intertwine with each other. As the story progresses you can see how everything will eventually align though.
Jaime’s Taberna in Madrid is where Gia first meets best friends Sal, Raul and Joseph. As they get acquainted with each other Gia proposes a fake relationship with all 3. They agree and draw up terms for a four month contract, which turns into years of friendship and fun along the way.
Years after the 4th killing a reporter puts 2 and 2 together and starts thinking that there's a possible serial killer in Raleigh, NC and the honorable Judge Tracey starts to panic. What a fun idea to put the actual newspaper clipping of the article into the text.
I'm not sure I've ever read a book with so much inner monologue and talking to oneself, and honestly I'm not sure I liked it. I did appreciate the differing font to help me get used to the writing style.
Overall, a good start to a new series and I'm interested to read what will happen next with all of the remaining characters and the new ones we'll meet. Based on the title I was expecting way more murder and I hope there is much more in the next one.
*Thanks to Bradley Pay and Novel Content for my copy to read. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Series ~ Spectrum #1
Setting ~ Madrid, Spain & Raleigh, NC
Publication date ~ June 25, 2022
Page Count ~ 343 (19 chapters)
POV ~ multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ dual story-line, fake relationship x3, age gap (30 & 18), closed door steamage, serial killer, murder (not graphic), drug use, cliffhanger~ish (not everything in wrapped up with a neat little bow)
Our main characters are: Tracey ~ serial killer, Gia ~ 18 years old on her own for the first time, Sal ~ realtor, Raul~ pediatrician, Joseph ~ stockbroker
The story begins in April 1998 with Tracey and ends in 2011 with Tracey, but the majority of the story is not about him at all. It took a long time to see how the dual plots would intertwine with each other. As the story progresses you can see how everything will eventually align though.
Jaime’s Taberna in Madrid is where Gia first meets best friends Sal, Raul and Joseph. As they get acquainted with each other Gia proposes a fake relationship with all 3. They agree and draw up terms for a four month contract, which turns into years of friendship and fun along the way.
Years after the 4th killing a reporter puts 2 and 2 together and starts thinking that there's a possible serial killer in Raleigh, NC and the honorable Judge Tracey starts to panic. What a fun idea to put the actual newspaper clipping of the article into the text.
I'm not sure I've ever read a book with so much inner monologue and talking to oneself, and honestly I'm not sure I liked it. I did appreciate the differing font to help me get used to the writing style.
Overall, a good start to a new series and I'm interested to read what will happen next with all of the remaining characters and the new ones we'll meet. Based on the title I was expecting way more murder and I hope there is much more in the next one.
*Thanks to Bradley Pay and Novel Content for my copy to read. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
August 8, 2022
I received a gifted copy and am providing a review. This is book 1 in the Spectrum series.
This is an interesting take on a not-so-typical murder mystery. In this tale, you will meet Gia. Gia is a young lady who has run away from her family to escape an arranged marriage. One evening, while sitting in a bar, she meets three long-time friends – Raul, Joseph, and Sal. She comes up with an idea to help them with their predicament of never having time to date, let alone have any sort of serious relationship. She comes up with the idea of a “contract” so she can be their “date,” if you will, no strings attached.
Through this “contract,” these four individuals, over the span of a few years, become friends. As well, Gia has experiences she never would have had otherwise from galas to dinner parties to openings of businesses to travel. As well, Gia has a best friend, Mari, who encourages Gia to pursue her own dreams and not focus so much on this “contract.” Gia does just that and pursues her architectural degree as she is fascinated with and has a passion for buildings, their history, how they were made.
This is only one story contained within these pages.
There is also the story of Judge Tracey Lauch. He’s retired. He’s bored. He decides to travel. He takes a cruise where he meets Mari and Gia. He also meets Charlotte, which surprises him. There is a dark side to Judge Lauch.
If you like to travel vicariously through characters in a book, this may be just the one to help. It does, however, take a while for all the affected parties to come together, so it is a slow burn (at least for me it was), but you will finally have the a-ha moment when everything ties together. You may even find yourself wondering … why?
This is an interesting take on a not-so-typical murder mystery. In this tale, you will meet Gia. Gia is a young lady who has run away from her family to escape an arranged marriage. One evening, while sitting in a bar, she meets three long-time friends – Raul, Joseph, and Sal. She comes up with an idea to help them with their predicament of never having time to date, let alone have any sort of serious relationship. She comes up with the idea of a “contract” so she can be their “date,” if you will, no strings attached.
Through this “contract,” these four individuals, over the span of a few years, become friends. As well, Gia has experiences she never would have had otherwise from galas to dinner parties to openings of businesses to travel. As well, Gia has a best friend, Mari, who encourages Gia to pursue her own dreams and not focus so much on this “contract.” Gia does just that and pursues her architectural degree as she is fascinated with and has a passion for buildings, their history, how they were made.
This is only one story contained within these pages.
There is also the story of Judge Tracey Lauch. He’s retired. He’s bored. He decides to travel. He takes a cruise where he meets Mari and Gia. He also meets Charlotte, which surprises him. There is a dark side to Judge Lauch.
If you like to travel vicariously through characters in a book, this may be just the one to help. It does, however, take a while for all the affected parties to come together, so it is a slow burn (at least for me it was), but you will finally have the a-ha moment when everything ties together. You may even find yourself wondering … why?
August 7, 2022
When I got the publisher’s request to review The Killings Begin, I was immediately interested. The blurb called to me. But, I almost didn’t accept the invite to review because I was going on vacation and didn’t believe that I could get to the book in a timely fashion. But something kept calling me (the publisher kept emailing me for an answer), and I decided to review. I am glad I did because this book was a fantastic read.
The Killings Begin had dual plotlines. One plotline follows Gia as she flees an arranged marriage and enters into an unconventional relationship with three men in Madrid, Spain. The other follows Tracey, a respected judge in Raleigh, as he struggles to keep his serial killer lifestyle separate from his “normal” lifestyle. Gia and Tracey’s worlds collide when they meet on a Spectrum cruise. What happens on that cruise will forever shape Gia and Tracey’s life.
What I liked the most about this book was that the authors didn’t hide anything. Right from the beginning, I knew Tracey was a serial killer and that Gia lived an alternative lifestyle (polyamorous). Instead, the author focused on Gia and Tracey as individuals, which I enjoyed. I learned about their motives (or, in Tracey’s case, triggers) for their choices and how those choices affected them.
I liked Gia. She had a great outlook on life, and she cherished her friendships. My only issue is that she didn’t end her contract with Sal sooner. I understood why she didn’t do it (loving an addict is hard), but in the end, she was forced to. I also loved how supportive she was of her friends. Overall, she was a lovely person.
I thought Tracey was a fascinating character and wished the authors dedicated more book time to him. I was fascinated by how he turned into a serial killer and his reasons. That scene with his mother explained everything. He was remorseful and horrified at what he was doing, and escaping to Europe was supposed to be a reset for him. I knew that it wouldn’t be and was eager to see when he would get triggered into killing. What I wasn’t expecting was who it was.
For 90% of the book, I wondered when Tracey and Gia’s storylines would meet up. When they did, it was a little anti-climatic for me. That is my only major complaint about the book.
The thriller angle of the book was well written. The authors did a good job keeping me guessing at what was going to happen next with both Gia and Tracey.
The end of The Killings Begin was interesting. The authors did wrap up most of the storylines (giving happy endings to Raul and Joseph) but left the other storylines open. But, there was also a teaser with Tracey’s frame of mind at the very end that I couldn’t help but think about after I finished the book. That has made me very curious and excited to read book 2!!
I would recommend The Killings Begin to anyone over 21. There is sex, language, and violence.
The Killings Begin had dual plotlines. One plotline follows Gia as she flees an arranged marriage and enters into an unconventional relationship with three men in Madrid, Spain. The other follows Tracey, a respected judge in Raleigh, as he struggles to keep his serial killer lifestyle separate from his “normal” lifestyle. Gia and Tracey’s worlds collide when they meet on a Spectrum cruise. What happens on that cruise will forever shape Gia and Tracey’s life.
What I liked the most about this book was that the authors didn’t hide anything. Right from the beginning, I knew Tracey was a serial killer and that Gia lived an alternative lifestyle (polyamorous). Instead, the author focused on Gia and Tracey as individuals, which I enjoyed. I learned about their motives (or, in Tracey’s case, triggers) for their choices and how those choices affected them.
I liked Gia. She had a great outlook on life, and she cherished her friendships. My only issue is that she didn’t end her contract with Sal sooner. I understood why she didn’t do it (loving an addict is hard), but in the end, she was forced to. I also loved how supportive she was of her friends. Overall, she was a lovely person.
I thought Tracey was a fascinating character and wished the authors dedicated more book time to him. I was fascinated by how he turned into a serial killer and his reasons. That scene with his mother explained everything. He was remorseful and horrified at what he was doing, and escaping to Europe was supposed to be a reset for him. I knew that it wouldn’t be and was eager to see when he would get triggered into killing. What I wasn’t expecting was who it was.
For 90% of the book, I wondered when Tracey and Gia’s storylines would meet up. When they did, it was a little anti-climatic for me. That is my only major complaint about the book.
The thriller angle of the book was well written. The authors did a good job keeping me guessing at what was going to happen next with both Gia and Tracey.
The end of The Killings Begin was interesting. The authors did wrap up most of the storylines (giving happy endings to Raul and Joseph) but left the other storylines open. But, there was also a teaser with Tracey’s frame of mind at the very end that I couldn’t help but think about after I finished the book. That has made me very curious and excited to read book 2!!
I would recommend The Killings Begin to anyone over 21. There is sex, language, and violence.
September 11, 2022
This novel contains two different plot lines, that don’t seem to have anything in common.
Gia is a young woman who fled her family and an arranged marriage. She ends up in a polyamorous relationship with three men.
Tracey is a young man with a traumatic past who exercises his demons via murder. fleeing to Europe, he tries to change his ways.
This novel was interesting to me. I felt that somehow there wasn’t as much killing as expected based on the title.
I enjoyed following Gia and the boys’ relationship. Their personalities and outlook of life was wonderful to read. I liked how they all were so unapologetic about what their relationship was and how it come about. I do feel that the whole contract drew on a bit longer than needed, but I understand the reasoning laid out in the novel.
Tracey was an interesting character that I wish we saw more of. I feel like there was a lot of room for character history and development in this novel, and like I said there wasn’t a whole lot of killing.
As the book progressed I became distracted by thoughts of how these two very different plot lines connected. By the time they did, I expected the way it happened, which isn’t a bad thing.
I did enjoy the ending of the book. The storylines were tied up well and there was a great teaser for the next book in the series. I hope that there is more background and plot surrounding Tracey next time.
Gia is a young woman who fled her family and an arranged marriage. She ends up in a polyamorous relationship with three men.
Tracey is a young man with a traumatic past who exercises his demons via murder. fleeing to Europe, he tries to change his ways.
This novel was interesting to me. I felt that somehow there wasn’t as much killing as expected based on the title.
I enjoyed following Gia and the boys’ relationship. Their personalities and outlook of life was wonderful to read. I liked how they all were so unapologetic about what their relationship was and how it come about. I do feel that the whole contract drew on a bit longer than needed, but I understand the reasoning laid out in the novel.
Tracey was an interesting character that I wish we saw more of. I feel like there was a lot of room for character history and development in this novel, and like I said there wasn’t a whole lot of killing.
As the book progressed I became distracted by thoughts of how these two very different plot lines connected. By the time they did, I expected the way it happened, which isn’t a bad thing.
I did enjoy the ending of the book. The storylines were tied up well and there was a great teaser for the next book in the series. I hope that there is more background and plot surrounding Tracey next time.
December 5, 2022
This was a fantastic romance thriller with some unique twists! I particularly loved the dual story lines and getting to know the characters more, especially Raul, Mari, and of course, Gia.
There's a lot of complexity and multiple characters to follow but Bradley Pay does a great job structuring them all together within the main plot. It does have less action and more dialogue than I had first expected for the genre, but the buildup of suspense is greater than most and I ended up enjoying the book so much more than I had originally anticipated! Not to mention the beautifully written descriptions of Madrid and other visual details that truly made this book feel so immersive and real.
While the book does end with a cliffhanger, it also provides enough satisfaction and suspense to keep you hooked while waiting to read the second book in the sequel, especially with the mystery surrounding Tracey's character. I'm excited to see what happens next!
*I sincerely thank the author and Novel Cause for a complimentary copy of the book. My review is written voluntary and the opinions expressed are entirely my own and is in no way affiliated with the author or publisher.
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There's a lot of complexity and multiple characters to follow but Bradley Pay does a great job structuring them all together within the main plot. It does have less action and more dialogue than I had first expected for the genre, but the buildup of suspense is greater than most and I ended up enjoying the book so much more than I had originally anticipated! Not to mention the beautifully written descriptions of Madrid and other visual details that truly made this book feel so immersive and real.
While the book does end with a cliffhanger, it also provides enough satisfaction and suspense to keep you hooked while waiting to read the second book in the sequel, especially with the mystery surrounding Tracey's character. I'm excited to see what happens next!
*I sincerely thank the author and Novel Cause for a complimentary copy of the book. My review is written voluntary and the opinions expressed are entirely my own and is in no way affiliated with the author or publisher.
BookeryBliss Blog - Instagram - Facebook
July 21, 2020
Not by usual genre. But I came to enjoy the characters and the dynamics between them! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
August 4, 2022
The Killings Begin by Bradley Pay
Published: June 25, 2022
Bradley Pay
Pages: 334
Genre: Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Bradley Pay is the pen name for Robin Bradley and Jody Leber-Pay. These close friends bond over their love of storytelling, spinning elaborate contemporary fiction novels that defy genre norms and keep readers on their toes. Robin’s love of writing stems from her family, who first inspired her to write poetry, and Jody’s passion for problem-solving and leaving her comfort zone inspires their continued collaborations. When Robin and Jody are not creating their sinister Spectrum Series, Robin loves to cook, and Jody spends her free time hiking and golfing.
“I want to make the world beautiful.”
After escaping an arranged marriage, young Gia finds herself living in Madrid, where she doesn’t know anyone except her best friend, Mari. After meeting a group of friends in a local bar, Gia makes a crazy offer that will benefit her and the men she’s just met. Tracey is a legacy, living up to the promise of his Southern upbringing. He has always felt like a piece of him was missing, and just when he thinks he has found it- something dark takes over. Now, Tracey is living his life with a secret.
I enjoyed this novel. I liked the alternating storylines and the way the timeline moved. It kept things fresh without getting tedious.
The characters were all given strong introductions, and immediately we see connections between the group. Gia, Mari, Raul, Joseph, and Sal live their lives, making memories and finding adventure.
I predicted how things would connect, but I’m not disappointed. I was impressed that I was right and that the story worked so well. I wish we had spent more time getting to know Tracey and his novel, and he is going to be a big piece of the series, and his features were limited.
I assume that has been done on purpose, as this was book one of the series. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in Madrid. The Peacock was described in such vivid detail that the building is a character in its own way.
I enjoyed Gia and her trajectory as she progressed throughout the story. She started young and maybe a little naive, but she knew who she was, and she was not afraid to embrace it.
I liked Mari and the fact that she was realistic. She was also the only character able to put Gia in her place when necessary, and she did so out of love.
Joseph was delightful, loyal, and genuine. When he found Anusha, he was scared to hurt Gia with the truth. He was a great balanced character, bringing peacefulness to the group.
Sal was a complicated character. Hardworking, ambitious, and driven. He was motivated, perhaps not always by the right things, and turned to drugs and alcohol to help him maintain his image. I found his descriptions of his addiction described like a dance and felt it was handled with respect.
Raul was the most genuine and vulnerable character for me. We get to know him quickly, and he continues to captivate your heart. When David is added to the mix, you can feel the happiness radiating from the pages.
I loved the side characters, Sasha and Kisho, Lee and Fong, and for the brief time she is featured, Charlotte. The balance they brought was lovely.
This was a solid introduction to the series and a well-done debut. I am interested to see where this story leads, and I am dying to have answers!
Thank you, Robin and Jody, for sending me a copy of this special novel. I truly cannot express how amazing it is to have you share your book baby with me. I am excited to display my (signed!) copy on my bookshelf, and I look forward to reading for you ladies again.
Published: June 25, 2022
Bradley Pay
Pages: 334
Genre: Thriller
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Bradley Pay is the pen name for Robin Bradley and Jody Leber-Pay. These close friends bond over their love of storytelling, spinning elaborate contemporary fiction novels that defy genre norms and keep readers on their toes. Robin’s love of writing stems from her family, who first inspired her to write poetry, and Jody’s passion for problem-solving and leaving her comfort zone inspires their continued collaborations. When Robin and Jody are not creating their sinister Spectrum Series, Robin loves to cook, and Jody spends her free time hiking and golfing.
“I want to make the world beautiful.”
After escaping an arranged marriage, young Gia finds herself living in Madrid, where she doesn’t know anyone except her best friend, Mari. After meeting a group of friends in a local bar, Gia makes a crazy offer that will benefit her and the men she’s just met. Tracey is a legacy, living up to the promise of his Southern upbringing. He has always felt like a piece of him was missing, and just when he thinks he has found it- something dark takes over. Now, Tracey is living his life with a secret.
I enjoyed this novel. I liked the alternating storylines and the way the timeline moved. It kept things fresh without getting tedious.
The characters were all given strong introductions, and immediately we see connections between the group. Gia, Mari, Raul, Joseph, and Sal live their lives, making memories and finding adventure.
I predicted how things would connect, but I’m not disappointed. I was impressed that I was right and that the story worked so well. I wish we had spent more time getting to know Tracey and his novel, and he is going to be a big piece of the series, and his features were limited.
I assume that has been done on purpose, as this was book one of the series. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in Madrid. The Peacock was described in such vivid detail that the building is a character in its own way.
I enjoyed Gia and her trajectory as she progressed throughout the story. She started young and maybe a little naive, but she knew who she was, and she was not afraid to embrace it.
I liked Mari and the fact that she was realistic. She was also the only character able to put Gia in her place when necessary, and she did so out of love.
Joseph was delightful, loyal, and genuine. When he found Anusha, he was scared to hurt Gia with the truth. He was a great balanced character, bringing peacefulness to the group.
Sal was a complicated character. Hardworking, ambitious, and driven. He was motivated, perhaps not always by the right things, and turned to drugs and alcohol to help him maintain his image. I found his descriptions of his addiction described like a dance and felt it was handled with respect.
Raul was the most genuine and vulnerable character for me. We get to know him quickly, and he continues to captivate your heart. When David is added to the mix, you can feel the happiness radiating from the pages.
I loved the side characters, Sasha and Kisho, Lee and Fong, and for the brief time she is featured, Charlotte. The balance they brought was lovely.
This was a solid introduction to the series and a well-done debut. I am interested to see where this story leads, and I am dying to have answers!
Thank you, Robin and Jody, for sending me a copy of this special novel. I truly cannot express how amazing it is to have you share your book baby with me. I am excited to display my (signed!) copy on my bookshelf, and I look forward to reading for you ladies again.
September 8, 2022
This book was interesting, we get the story of Gla, who gets into an interesting relationship, and Tracey a judge that struggles with his dual lifestyle. I don't want to spoil it so you need to read it, but is definitely not what you expect it to be. I found this story refreshing and original. I think the authors did a fantastic job writing this book, is definitely one suspense book you might want to consider reading, is so different from my usual reads I was so entertained by it all, looking forward into reading the next.
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September 20, 2022
Thank you so much to the authors and publisher for reaching out and sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Actual rating 4.5/5
This was such an intriguing take on your typical thriller. I love the idea of having love stories intertwined within the thriller story. Learning how they mesh and mold together was such a wild ride! I think the juxtaposition of having chapters where you get those sweet love scenes or scenes with friends, next to scenes where you see murder or hear a recount of a murder is incredible. It brings you into the story and allows an investment in the material.
They did a great job with setting the scenery for each of the places gone to and talked about. I felt like I was there! I think the only downfall was that I would’ve liked a little more character development. Gia was developed nicely, as were the boys, but some of the other characters that become important weren’t as developed so I didn’t feel as attached to them. I also would’ve liked a little more on Tracey and his backstory, but I’m hopeful I’ll find out more in book two!
Actual rating 4.5/5
This was such an intriguing take on your typical thriller. I love the idea of having love stories intertwined within the thriller story. Learning how they mesh and mold together was such a wild ride! I think the juxtaposition of having chapters where you get those sweet love scenes or scenes with friends, next to scenes where you see murder or hear a recount of a murder is incredible. It brings you into the story and allows an investment in the material.
They did a great job with setting the scenery for each of the places gone to and talked about. I felt like I was there! I think the only downfall was that I would’ve liked a little more character development. Gia was developed nicely, as were the boys, but some of the other characters that become important weren’t as developed so I didn’t feel as attached to them. I also would’ve liked a little more on Tracey and his backstory, but I’m hopeful I’ll find out more in book two!
January 30, 2023
(3.5 rounded to 4) This is one of those stories that feels like its a domestic thriller, but it is actually a twisted psychological thriller!! Gia moves to Madrid seeking a lavish “free” lifestyle after escaping her arranged marriage, but when life didn’t have much style, she makes a deal with complicated people! The rules are reckless and she is bound by the secrecy. What comes next is a story of past, present, unpredictable consequences and situations that may or may not include a serial killer 🙈
I honestly thought there was a lot of themes in the story, but was surprised at how beautifully and brilliantly they were all handled. The secrets and the past that hold Gia hostage comes more clearer in the second half of the book and I loved that I had to read every single line of this story! I hate it when I have to read fast or skim through pages when the story doesn’t move much; its not the case with this book 1. The ending felt bit ambiguous for me, may be it paved a path for book-2?! I plan to read the next book soon 🤩
Thank you authors for the gifted books!
I honestly thought there was a lot of themes in the story, but was surprised at how beautifully and brilliantly they were all handled. The secrets and the past that hold Gia hostage comes more clearer in the second half of the book and I loved that I had to read every single line of this story! I hate it when I have to read fast or skim through pages when the story doesn’t move much; its not the case with this book 1. The ending felt bit ambiguous for me, may be it paved a path for book-2?! I plan to read the next book soon 🤩
Thank you authors for the gifted books!
January 8, 2023
I started reading book 1 of this series and am enjoying the setting of Spain. I’m also finding Gia to be a
very complex character. Two interesting storylines are being told, so I’m looking forward to finding out where this is headed and how they intertwine!
Thank you #novelcause and @bradleypaybooks for these gifted copies.
very complex character. Two interesting storylines are being told, so I’m looking forward to finding out where this is headed and how they intertwine!
Thank you #novelcause and @bradleypaybooks for these gifted copies.
November 21, 2022
A chance meeting leads to lasting relationships, despite the rather unusual origin, and a years-long string of murdered women instills a need for escape in Bradley Pay’s The Killings Begin (Spectrum Series, #1).
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Having fled her family home to escape an arranged marriage, Gia is new to Madrid and eager to live a life she wants, but making that life a reality has its own challenges, namely the financial security to pursue her dreams. Meeting three busy and successful men in a local bar, Gia’s luck changes when they devise a contract that will provide her with a luxury apartment and a stipend while she accompanies them to public events for their jobs and be intimate with them, if they so choose. The quartet’s relationships persist throughout the years, evolving as they make new romantic connections, allowing Gia greater freedom to pursue a new job, alongside her best friend Mari, on the Spectrum River Cruise Line, where she’ll be able to travel the world. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, Tracey Lauch, the adopted son of a high-society family, a recently retired judge, and seat holder on his family’s art museum board, appears to be a trustworthy figure, but sinister things can lurk beneath benign appearances; struggling to cope with the trauma he carries about his birth mother’s abandonment of him, a reconnection with his past, a seemingly innocuous phrase, and a specific physical attribute sets him off, leading to acts with deadly consequences. With renewed focus on the killings of red-headed women, Tracey flees to Europe on a Spectrum River Cruise with the hope that he can regain himself from the compulsion that drives his actions, which is where his path crosses with Gia’s, changing both of their lives.
Depicting several characters who want the best for those in their lives against the odds that may be stacked against them, either societal, familial, or personal pressures, and a character who grapples to suppress his baser, more heinous urges, there’s an emphasis on expressing, throughout to the story, the vast range of human emotional experiences. The writing does a good job of setting the scene, particularly as it describes details of the architecture, but the way that the character dialogue and inner thoughts are presented frequently come across as far too explanatory and verbose to feel naturally conversational or realistic. With little in the way of murderous or mysterious action, this novel seems to focus more on setting the scene and building out character backstories, which will hopefully serve a greater purpose later in and throughout the rest of the series, but, in the moment, it begs the question of what the relevance their stories have to the larger arc, which finally becomes connected in the last few chapters, slowly bringing together the two disparate storylines; while the title teases of killings and the mystery that surrounds them, the narrative is unevenly split with a greater weight given to Gia’s relationships and working toward her dreams, which are interesting, but Tracey’s struggles, which are more intriguing, and his actions are barely given any space to develop.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Having fled her family home to escape an arranged marriage, Gia is new to Madrid and eager to live a life she wants, but making that life a reality has its own challenges, namely the financial security to pursue her dreams. Meeting three busy and successful men in a local bar, Gia’s luck changes when they devise a contract that will provide her with a luxury apartment and a stipend while she accompanies them to public events for their jobs and be intimate with them, if they so choose. The quartet’s relationships persist throughout the years, evolving as they make new romantic connections, allowing Gia greater freedom to pursue a new job, alongside her best friend Mari, on the Spectrum River Cruise Line, where she’ll be able to travel the world. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, Tracey Lauch, the adopted son of a high-society family, a recently retired judge, and seat holder on his family’s art museum board, appears to be a trustworthy figure, but sinister things can lurk beneath benign appearances; struggling to cope with the trauma he carries about his birth mother’s abandonment of him, a reconnection with his past, a seemingly innocuous phrase, and a specific physical attribute sets him off, leading to acts with deadly consequences. With renewed focus on the killings of red-headed women, Tracey flees to Europe on a Spectrum River Cruise with the hope that he can regain himself from the compulsion that drives his actions, which is where his path crosses with Gia’s, changing both of their lives.
Depicting several characters who want the best for those in their lives against the odds that may be stacked against them, either societal, familial, or personal pressures, and a character who grapples to suppress his baser, more heinous urges, there’s an emphasis on expressing, throughout to the story, the vast range of human emotional experiences. The writing does a good job of setting the scene, particularly as it describes details of the architecture, but the way that the character dialogue and inner thoughts are presented frequently come across as far too explanatory and verbose to feel naturally conversational or realistic. With little in the way of murderous or mysterious action, this novel seems to focus more on setting the scene and building out character backstories, which will hopefully serve a greater purpose later in and throughout the rest of the series, but, in the moment, it begs the question of what the relevance their stories have to the larger arc, which finally becomes connected in the last few chapters, slowly bringing together the two disparate storylines; while the title teases of killings and the mystery that surrounds them, the narrative is unevenly split with a greater weight given to Gia’s relationships and working toward her dreams, which are interesting, but Tracey’s struggles, which are more intriguing, and his actions are barely given any space to develop.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2023
Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝔹𝕖𝕘𝕚𝕟
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝘆
Serial Killer Thriller
328 pages
Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
Gia runs from an arranged marriage that her father is set on. She finds herself living in a bad part of town, working as a maid at a nice hotel.
She ends up chit-chatting with three successful men on a chance encounter at a bar. As they rattle on about how hard it is to meet women when they are so busy, she proposes a wife without strings. That “wife” is her. She would go as their date to all of their important events. In exchange, she gets to live in a beautiful apartment and receives a stipend for clothing for these events. They brainstorm the details and sign a contract. Yes, it includes a set night weekly for “romance.”
As the years go by, there are ups and downs in all of their lives. She is able to save money and go to college.
There is a second plot happening as well. Tracey, a well-known judge and museum board member adopted by a high society family, is actually a serial killer in Raleigh, North Carolina. After many years, a reporter has picked up on the consistences of his murders.
Then Gia meets Tracey on a cruise. How does he fit into Gia’s world, or doesn’t he?
Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
I enjoyed The Killings Begin. The contract between Gia and the guys is rather gross when you think about it, but the authors don’t go into graphic detail with the sex scenes. The story jumps along, skipping years in between.
The three men stick to the contract, but it isn’t always easy. Gia struggles at times as well. How could there not be issues with a contract like this?
The Killings Begin does include drug use and addiction and how it can change a person. It also deals with a gay man who hides who he is due to his career goals.
I enjoyed the atmosphere of the setting, which was Madrid, Spain. Reading stories set in places I have no experience with is always interesting.
The story kept my interest, but sometimes it skipped over too much time, meaning I would have liked to know more about those years. There are two more books in this series waiting on my shelf. I am still in the air with how Tracey fits into Gia’s story. The chapters about him are scattered throughout the story as we learn a bit more about him and the murders he commits. I assume it will fit together later on.
Thank you to the authors for providing this book for me to read and review. I am looking forward to continuing the series.
~ Read more reviews at Latishaslowkeylife.com
~Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3H7g1Qh
~As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
~Visit my Amazon page to easily find books from my reviews and other items I love! https://www.amazon.com/shop/latishasl...
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝔹𝕖𝕘𝕚𝕟
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝘆
Serial Killer Thriller
328 pages
Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
Gia runs from an arranged marriage that her father is set on. She finds herself living in a bad part of town, working as a maid at a nice hotel.
She ends up chit-chatting with three successful men on a chance encounter at a bar. As they rattle on about how hard it is to meet women when they are so busy, she proposes a wife without strings. That “wife” is her. She would go as their date to all of their important events. In exchange, she gets to live in a beautiful apartment and receives a stipend for clothing for these events. They brainstorm the details and sign a contract. Yes, it includes a set night weekly for “romance.”
As the years go by, there are ups and downs in all of their lives. She is able to save money and go to college.
There is a second plot happening as well. Tracey, a well-known judge and museum board member adopted by a high society family, is actually a serial killer in Raleigh, North Carolina. After many years, a reporter has picked up on the consistences of his murders.
Then Gia meets Tracey on a cruise. How does he fit into Gia’s world, or doesn’t he?
Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
I enjoyed The Killings Begin. The contract between Gia and the guys is rather gross when you think about it, but the authors don’t go into graphic detail with the sex scenes. The story jumps along, skipping years in between.
The three men stick to the contract, but it isn’t always easy. Gia struggles at times as well. How could there not be issues with a contract like this?
The Killings Begin does include drug use and addiction and how it can change a person. It also deals with a gay man who hides who he is due to his career goals.
I enjoyed the atmosphere of the setting, which was Madrid, Spain. Reading stories set in places I have no experience with is always interesting.
The story kept my interest, but sometimes it skipped over too much time, meaning I would have liked to know more about those years. There are two more books in this series waiting on my shelf. I am still in the air with how Tracey fits into Gia’s story. The chapters about him are scattered throughout the story as we learn a bit more about him and the murders he commits. I assume it will fit together later on.
Thank you to the authors for providing this book for me to read and review. I am looking forward to continuing the series.
~ Read more reviews at Latishaslowkeylife.com
~Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3H7g1Qh
~As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
~Visit my Amazon page to easily find books from my reviews and other items I love! https://www.amazon.com/shop/latishasl...
December 24, 2022
The Killings Begin (Spectrum Series)
By
Bradley Pay
Rating:5/5
Description:
Immerse yourself in complex romance and suspenseful serial-killer psychology that bend and break all expectations. Weaving together two innovative plots and completely unforgettable characters, The Killings Begin stands out as one of the most creative takes on storytelling in the last century. Don’t miss this thrilling debut to the Spectrum Series!
Gia Delgado flips her life upside down when she escapes from her arranged marriage and moves to Madrid. Finally, she can live the life she wants… if only it were that easy. When she realizes the lifestyle she craves is just out of reach, she enters into a contract with three complicated men.
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive as well.Writing style is appreciable .This book is basically the first book in the " Spectrum " book series. It revolves around the story of the protagonist named Gia Delgado. She escapes from her arrange marriage and moves to Madrid where her life takes a sharp turn. She met three men Sal, Joseph and Raul, who were doing quite good in their profession and were quite busy to have a settled life. So all they needed was to have a no-strings wife, someone to accompany them to professional functions, parties and so on—someone they could trust to be there when they need her—someone for good sex but who has no expectations of a real relationship, marriage, family. Gia was quick enough to enter into a contract with these men by being their no-strings wife in exchange of having a good appartment to live in. They had no objection to her plans. There were certain rules that were to be followed, their relationship with Gia was to be kept private and nobody could talk about it in public. Unfortunately something happens that tears her life apart and throws her in darkness.
For complete read do order on @amazondotcom
For book link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/173452...
wow! what a book! i am in love with the book
👉i just loved reading the book ...
happy reading!.
By
Bradley Pay
Rating:5/5
Description:
Immerse yourself in complex romance and suspenseful serial-killer psychology that bend and break all expectations. Weaving together two innovative plots and completely unforgettable characters, The Killings Begin stands out as one of the most creative takes on storytelling in the last century. Don’t miss this thrilling debut to the Spectrum Series!
Gia Delgado flips her life upside down when she escapes from her arranged marriage and moves to Madrid. Finally, she can live the life she wants… if only it were that easy. When she realizes the lifestyle she craves is just out of reach, she enters into a contract with three complicated men.
Review:
👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.
👉The cover is appealing and attractive as well.Writing style is appreciable .This book is basically the first book in the " Spectrum " book series. It revolves around the story of the protagonist named Gia Delgado. She escapes from her arrange marriage and moves to Madrid where her life takes a sharp turn. She met three men Sal, Joseph and Raul, who were doing quite good in their profession and were quite busy to have a settled life. So all they needed was to have a no-strings wife, someone to accompany them to professional functions, parties and so on—someone they could trust to be there when they need her—someone for good sex but who has no expectations of a real relationship, marriage, family. Gia was quick enough to enter into a contract with these men by being their no-strings wife in exchange of having a good appartment to live in. They had no objection to her plans. There were certain rules that were to be followed, their relationship with Gia was to be kept private and nobody could talk about it in public. Unfortunately something happens that tears her life apart and throws her in darkness.
For complete read do order on @amazondotcom
For book link:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/173452...
wow! what a book! i am in love with the book
👉i just loved reading the book ...
happy reading!.
October 27, 2022
Book:-The Killings Begin
Author:- Bradley Pay
📚My Review:- If you're looking for an amazing book series to read, then believe me this is a perfect pick for you or anyone you know. This book is basically the first book in the " Spectrum " book series. It revolves around the story of the protagonist named Gia Delgado. She escapes from her arrange marriage and moves to Madrid where her life takes a sharp turn. She met three men Sal, Joseph and Raul, who were doing quite good in their profession and were quite busy to have a settled life. So all they needed was to have a no-strings wife, someone to accompany them to professional functions, parties and so on—someone they could trust to be there when they need her—someone for good sex but who has no expectations of a real relationship, marriage, family. Gia was quick enough to enter into a contract with these men by being their no-strings wife in exchange of having a good appartment to live in. They had no objection to her plans. There were certain rules that were to be followed, their relationship with Gia was to be kept private and nobody could talk about it in public. Unfortunately something happens that tears her life apart and throws her in darkness. What had destiny planned for her. On the other hand, the story of Tracey Lauch is beautifully penned down with certain twists and turns typically making the book more interesting to read. He's struggles to overcome the traumas and battles to fight all the hurdles that life offers in his path. Will Tracey be successful? What happens next? Written just under 350 pages the author has penned down a book that grips you from the very first page. Highly recommended. Overall a nice read.
Author:- Bradley Pay
📚My Review:- If you're looking for an amazing book series to read, then believe me this is a perfect pick for you or anyone you know. This book is basically the first book in the " Spectrum " book series. It revolves around the story of the protagonist named Gia Delgado. She escapes from her arrange marriage and moves to Madrid where her life takes a sharp turn. She met three men Sal, Joseph and Raul, who were doing quite good in their profession and were quite busy to have a settled life. So all they needed was to have a no-strings wife, someone to accompany them to professional functions, parties and so on—someone they could trust to be there when they need her—someone for good sex but who has no expectations of a real relationship, marriage, family. Gia was quick enough to enter into a contract with these men by being their no-strings wife in exchange of having a good appartment to live in. They had no objection to her plans. There were certain rules that were to be followed, their relationship with Gia was to be kept private and nobody could talk about it in public. Unfortunately something happens that tears her life apart and throws her in darkness. What had destiny planned for her. On the other hand, the story of Tracey Lauch is beautifully penned down with certain twists and turns typically making the book more interesting to read. He's struggles to overcome the traumas and battles to fight all the hurdles that life offers in his path. Will Tracey be successful? What happens next? Written just under 350 pages the author has penned down a book that grips you from the very first page. Highly recommended. Overall a nice read.
November 10, 2022
Book: The Killings Begin (Spectrum Series Book 1)
Author: Bradley Pay
Review: Gia Delgado moved to Madrid, after escaping from her arranged marriage, thinking that she's free now to start her life over from scratch. However, beginning again is hardly easy and this Gia will learn soon. She ended up into a contract with three suspicious men, and in exchange of an apartment and stipend she pretends to be their "no strings" wife, bound to secrecy and not allowed to love. If this wasn't complicated enough already, Gia's life is soon going to be broken into shards when she strangely gets involved with Tracey Lauch, a much troubled individual that looses his ends and becomes deadly. Will Gia be able to keep up with her circumstances and survive or will she meet a gruesome end?
A masterful plot that keeps the readers curious even after the very last page. This is part one of the spectrum series and I am sure readers won't be able to stop themselves to read the next part. The story telling and the plot of the book itself is so intriguing and thrilling. The readers will certainly enjoy this book full of crime and mystery.
I highly recommend the books to all the fans of crime mystery genre like myself. This book is not only refreshing in terms of the storytelling but the plot too is unlike anything I have ever read before and I am sure the readers will love it just as much I did.
Author: Bradley Pay
Review: Gia Delgado moved to Madrid, after escaping from her arranged marriage, thinking that she's free now to start her life over from scratch. However, beginning again is hardly easy and this Gia will learn soon. She ended up into a contract with three suspicious men, and in exchange of an apartment and stipend she pretends to be their "no strings" wife, bound to secrecy and not allowed to love. If this wasn't complicated enough already, Gia's life is soon going to be broken into shards when she strangely gets involved with Tracey Lauch, a much troubled individual that looses his ends and becomes deadly. Will Gia be able to keep up with her circumstances and survive or will she meet a gruesome end?
A masterful plot that keeps the readers curious even after the very last page. This is part one of the spectrum series and I am sure readers won't be able to stop themselves to read the next part. The story telling and the plot of the book itself is so intriguing and thrilling. The readers will certainly enjoy this book full of crime and mystery.
I highly recommend the books to all the fans of crime mystery genre like myself. This book is not only refreshing in terms of the storytelling but the plot too is unlike anything I have ever read before and I am sure the readers will love it just as much I did.
May 17, 2021
'Murder in Zaporozhye' is an enjoyable book and beautifully written. The story is intriguing and captivating. The authors do an excellent job with character introduction and moving the plot along while keeping it interesting with just the right amount of information. I found the book hard to put down as I wondered what will happen next. I now look forward to reading the next book in the series titled 'Murder in Strasbourg' that I recently purchased.
April 19, 2024
Definitely not what I expected. I was taken aback at first by an 18 year old heroine just starting out and willing to enter into a 'contract' such as she did. Fortunately, I got sucked into the story as the years passed. I was a little frustrated with the lack of resolution at the end. It has manipulated me into reading the second of the series. I'm looking forward to another great read and discovering what happens to this cast of characters.
January 11, 2023
Lots of twist and turns
It's a book filled with interesting characters who meet on a river cruise and become involved in a complex relationship. That involves secrets, Murder and more. A great start to a new series. Can't wait to read the next book.
It's a book filled with interesting characters who meet on a river cruise and become involved in a complex relationship. That involves secrets, Murder and more. A great start to a new series. Can't wait to read the next book.
April 2, 2023
Good book but nothing resolved in the end.
This series is one of those that leaves everything up in the air with no resolution. You need to buy the next book to find out what happens. Probably not going to happen for me, I guess I am just not invested enough.
This series is one of those that leaves everything up in the air with no resolution. You need to buy the next book to find out what happens. Probably not going to happen for me, I guess I am just not invested enough.
July 16, 2023
Not sure how to rate this book, not a thriller and not a mystery since you always know what’s going on. Easy to read and follow. I enjoyed most of it except Gia’s age and her drinking when contract started. Will try second book in series
January 15, 2024
This book is a tantalizing and thrilling tale of a lifelong friendship, a deceptive romantic liaison, a daring criminal alliance, and a pretentious murderer who walks free among them. Book left me wanting more—so glad the entire series is available on kindle.
July 1, 2024
Gave up reading this book, which I very rarely do. The characters were unbelievable especially the ones in Spain. I can't believe an 18 year old would talk and act like that coming from a small farming community.
March 17, 2021
I loved this book. Can’t wait for book #2! What a life Gia leads!
October 28, 2021
Loved it, kept me turning pages!
Read
February 27, 2023review to come
February 11, 2023
2.4
I am clearly an outlier but this was more of a romance than a thriller. The linkage between the serial killer and the main part of the book was tenuous at best. I also didn't like that the end of the book was inconclusive and was the lead into the next book in the series.
I am clearly an outlier but this was more of a romance than a thriller. The linkage between the serial killer and the main part of the book was tenuous at best. I also didn't like that the end of the book was inconclusive and was the lead into the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews