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A Dead Man Speaks

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A Dead Man Speaks is a supernatural murder mystery where the main character, Clive January, a successful African American investment banker has it all, money, power, a beautiful wife and an even more beautiful mistress. And then he's killed, shot from behind by an unknown assailant. Through dreams and visions, his ghost works with the white detective assigned to his case, who is psychic, to solve the crime. Ultimately the book is about the redemptive power of love and forgiveness because Clive learns that unless he's able to love and forgive his murderer, he will have no peace.

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

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Lisa Jones Johnson

2 books1 follower

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5 stars
3 (21%)
4 stars
8 (57%)
3 stars
2 (14%)
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1 (7%)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Laura Furuta.
2,047 reviews28 followers
September 14, 2020
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1)
By Lisa Jones Gentry
5 out of 5 stars

I loved reading the book A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry. It is a story that once I started it, I was hooked. The author does an amazing job of making both the storyline and the characters come to life. It is a story about a man who was shot and killed and the journey that follows to find his killer. I enjoyed reading about and trying to understand the man who was Clive January. His life was a hard one with many obstacles and sadness. It is also the story of Detective Bob. He is charged with finding out who killed Clive. He is a man that is known to solve cases that others considered unsolvable. This is a story that includes strong emotions and also times of hatred and racism. The story is very powerful, and I found myself thinking about it even after I had finished the last page. Will Clive’s murder be solved? Read this book to find out. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Angela.
8,744 reviews122 followers
September 19, 2020
4 Stars

A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry is an original story- with plenty to keep you flipping the pages. A mystery with a paranormal edge- detailing crime, investigation, drama, and a clever twist that made me sit up and take notice.
Clive January is a Wall Street investment banker who makes the startling realization that he has been shot, dead! Having such a significant unresolved issue, Clive cannot find peace until he gets his closure. But being dead is kind of restricting- so this is where Detective Bob Greene comes into the picture. It’s through him, and their psychic connection, that the investigation unfolds. But there is much more to the characters, their situation/s, and story, than we first realise- which we discover along the way.
Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Jones-Gentry does next.

Thank you, Lisa Jones-Gentry!
3,121 reviews34 followers
September 21, 2020
A Dead Man Speaks by Lisa Jones Gentry is the first book in the Clive January Mystery series. This is a fantastic combination of paranormal and mystery that really will keep you on the edge of your seat. I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this book up but I really did enjoy how the story unfolded. I thought the author added such a unique twist on the whole by having the victim play a part in catching his killer.
Given how much we got to know about Clive it really felt like we went through the journey with him. The book felt full of twists and turns that made it exciting to read – it added a level of suspense to it that grabs your attention. As the opening to a new series the author has definitely kicked it off with a bang and having read this book I am looking forward to seeing what else is in store.
Profile Image for Erica Fish.
992 reviews2 followers
September 29, 2020
This was an awesome story. I love ghost stories, especially when there is a mystery around it. Lisa Jones Gentry did a great job writing this story. For me at least, there was no confusion about what was happening.The characters are fully developed and personable. The plot of the story is intriguing. Clive, who was well todo, got shot and killed. That is when the story begins. Clive was an investment banker. He wants to find his killer. That is when it becomes interesting. Clive teams up with Detective Bob to help solve a murder. There are feelings and obstacles that Clive needs to get done to be able to move on. I highly recommend this book to see what exactly happens to Clive and Detective Bob.
Profile Image for Kandy.
262 reviews4 followers
September 18, 2020
The way this book was written was captivating. I liked the timeline of the way the events were portrayed. This was a very eye opening story with the state of the world today and seeing the views in a different perspective, to me, is always a positive thing. Lisa did a fantastic job creating the characters and the city's and town's we visited through out this story. If you are looking for a story that is more real life than not, mysterious, has characters you think you may have known if a past life, this is definitely a read for you.
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,590 reviews81 followers
September 29, 2020
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry is a crime, mystery and thriller all rolled into one and is a good start to the series. The plot was done well and is interesting and the characters are well developed. There are paranormal aspects and a little twist to the story that make it pop. The Detective is on the case and his track record shows him to be able to solve the unsolvable, but he will need the help of the victim to find a killer.
1 review
March 1, 2025
This book is so amazing!! I never knew a book could surprise me like this. If you want a blend of mystery, romance, paranormal activity, and suspense, you need to read this. One of my top books!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Cottrell.
Author 1 book43 followers
March 6, 2010
I would have put a + sign after four stars if I could...

Clive January, a black and successful Wall Street Banker, is murdered by an unknown assailant. His ghost is in limbo--pulled by opposing forces and desperate to find out the truth about who killed him. He must work with an unlikely, but psychic, white detective, Bob Greene, who needs to solve this case for his own complex reasons.

Greene channels Clive and gets glimpses, bit by bit, of Clive's life as a poor Southern black kid, desperate to get free of his early life. The author skillfully weaves in Civil Rights era complexities, an almost obsessive but strong love relationship Clive had with Laurel, his young English teacher, and the relationships that all impacted who he was (cold, unloving mother who seemed to thwart Clive's progress; warm loving father who died when Clive was a teen; his wife Monique who loved him but became another victim of Clive's dark side; his best friend, Red, whose desperate greed resulted in his becoming a high risk taker who died too young as a result).

As Detective Greene gets closer to the truth, he deals with his own personal issues with himself and his long-time partner, Margie. The surprise ending is all about the power of forgiveness on either side of the grave.

The book was occasionally confusing as to whose voice you were hearing and what the time frame was, but these were minor issues compared to the well-developed characters and fast-paced, interesting plot. This was a really good read.
Profile Image for Persis.
113 reviews7 followers
March 15, 2009
A Dead Man Speaks is a supernatural murder mystery where the main character, Clive January, a successful African American investment banker has it all, money, power, a beautiful wife and an even more beautiful mistress. And then he's killed, shot from behind by an unknown assailant. Through dreams and visions, his ghost works with the white detective assigned to his case, who is psychic, to solve the crime. Ultimately the book is about the redemptive power of love and forgiveness because Clive learns that unless he's able to love and forgive his murderer, he will have no peace.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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