Magical Musings

By: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publisher: Putnam
ISBN: 978-0-399-15448-4

Sizzle and Burn is the latest installment of the Arcane Society novels that JAK has created and she has once again done a stellar job. Raine Tallentyre hears voices … just like her late Aunt Vella did. Only the good people of the town of Shelbyville called Vella a witch. What these two women actually hear is the psychic residue of violence. A handy talent to have when helping the police solve cold cases, but not so handy when trying to make your way through the world.

Zack Jones has his own brand of talent. He “sees” the residue left behind by violence. Plus he has a second talent of being a “mirror” psychic. He’s able to anticipate the moves made by an opponent and counteract them. Rather than being repelled by Raine’s psychic ability, he’s attracted to them.

Only problem is … Zack is an investigator with Jones & Jones, the same investigative agency that destroyed her scientist father’s years of work. Unfortunately, her father’s work also involved the development of a highly unstable drug outlawed by the Society. Unfortunately, Zack isn’t the only one interested in Raine and her father’s past activities. A cabal of psychic criminals is also interested in getting their hands on the formula that takes a mediocre psychic ability and enhance it to a high level. The only drawback is that it also sends the user into insanity if withheld.

Just to make matters worse, there’s a serial killer on Raine’s trail after she discovers his latest potential victim in the basement of her aunt’s property.

I have yet to be disappointed by Ms. Krentz’s novels and am particularly enjoying her Arcane Society series. The concept is believable and the action is superbly paced. I think I finished this book within 24 hours … and this includes spending part of the day at my day job.

Liz Kreger writes science fiction/romances and to date, has two books published by Samhain Publishing ... FORGET ABOUT TOMORROW and PROMISE FOR TOMORROW. Liz is presently branching out to contemporary paranormals and is experimenting with urban fantasy.

Liz Kreger

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