Helpful Score: 15
First in the Greywalker paranormal mystery series featuring P.I. Harper Blaine, a young woman in Seattle who died briefly during a scuffle with an unruly client and woke up a new person. Or rather, one who can go into the Grey, that murky area between life and death where ghosts, vampires, and all manner of strange beings exist. Harper thinks at first that she's having some lingering effects from her head injury or hallucinating, but when an open-minded doctor gives her the business card of a couple who deal in the paranormal, she seeks them out and begins to learn about her new ability--or is it a curse? Very intriguing storyline coupled with a comfortable, easy-to-read writing style made this book hard to put down. I like Harper, but I don't feel like I really know her very well yet and am looking forward to seeing her character grow as the series progresses. The only detrimental thing I can say is that the frequently repeated descriptions of the foggy, swirling mists and Harper's dizziness, nausea, pain, racing heart, etc. as she went into the Grey got to be...well, repetitive, after awhile. Will definitely be reading more in this series, though--well done!
Helpful Score: 10
Harper Blaine is a private investigator, and gets attacked by someone she was interviewing for a client. She dies for 2 minutes before she is revived but after the attack she has been changed irrevocably. Now she sees mist and grey things and because the core of her is practical - she hates it and has huge problems accepting that she has become a greywalker. She begins to meet people connected to the Grey (described as the mist separating life from death) - a witch, ghosts, vampires. Much of the book has Harper continuing her investigations - a lot of phone calls and pounding pavement, which made the book feel very slow though I'm sure it is a more realistic portrayal of her job than if it went faster. Also much of it is Harper trying to figure out her new ability but no one knows exactly what she can do - much of the help she gets is obscre academic theory - which was somewhat boring to read and not too helpful. The continued stress and the "Grey" wears Harper down and she often talks about how tired she is - which was beginning to bug me toward the end although I understood why. In all - the book felt slow but the last 3rd is where it picked up. The last 50 pages were the most interesting - when the set up at the beginning finally paid off. I felt some satisfaction finishing it and I think that the rest of the series should be very good now that Harper's abilities have become more fully established (though she is still mostly clueless). There are a couple of small lose threads which I expect to be resolved in the next book - although - I really wanted to know what happened to the man who attacked her in the first place - I don't think that was ever mentioned!
Helpful Score: 9
Picked this up when I read a PBS member's mention or it during a review. I loved the whole concept and the first few pages made me think "SWEET" this is going to be great!
Then it just kinda fizzled and died. I found myself thinking ok any minute now it'll pick up. Then I realized I was halfway through the book and still waiting!! Worse still, the author's writing was choppy and uncomfortable - often making me cringe.
I just read a member's review saying the last 50 pages are good. OMG! The book is 341 pages long!
Then it just kinda fizzled and died. I found myself thinking ok any minute now it'll pick up. Then I realized I was halfway through the book and still waiting!! Worse still, the author's writing was choppy and uncomfortable - often making me cringe.
I just read a member's review saying the last 50 pages are good. OMG! The book is 341 pages long!
Helpful Score: 8
I've had this book for a while and needed to decide whether or not to look for the sequels -- so I grabbed it after finishing my last book to give it a chance. I'm glad i did!! I was interested in the story and the heroine after only 27 pages. Read it through in just a few days.
The bland, gray covers on these books don't do much to attract, but you will soon see they are illustrative of the novel plot. The story, set in Seattle, moves quickly and the characters are interesting. I WILL be looking for the sequels.
The bland, gray covers on these books don't do much to attract, but you will soon see they are illustrative of the novel plot. The story, set in Seattle, moves quickly and the characters are interesting. I WILL be looking for the sequels.
Helpful Score: 6
This is the first book in the Greywalker series by Kat Richardson, so far there are 6 books sold in this series. Book #5, Labyrinth, is due out August of 2010. I listened to this book on audio book and it was very well done and very easy to listen to. I originally read a short story by Richardson that Harper Blaine was in; I liked her writing style and the idea behind the Grey so I decided to give this series a try. I am actually surprised it isn't rated higher on Amazon; I thought it was a very solid entry into the paranormal market.
Harper Blaine, a private investigator, gets whacked around by a pissed off client and ends up dead for a couple minutes. When she comes back and tries to resume her normal life things have...changed. She keeps seeing ghosts and getting sucked into a grey world. Her doctor refers her to an interesting couple of people who make a living studying magic; ends up Harper is a Greywalker and can walk the planes between the natural and supernatural world. This is all well and good but for some reason Harper's cases start getting more and more bizarre as things from the Grey are drawn to her for help.
There were a lot of things I liked about this story. The idea of the Grey is very cool and, while Harper's full potential wasn't realized in this book, there are a lot of cool things that Richardson does with the Grey. I think this whole idea of the Grey has great potential for even more creative use as the series continues. I also really liked Harper's character. She is practical and organized; she is not overly tough-girl but is willing to deal with whatever life throws at her. I also liked that she still has to do normal things like eat and sleep and that isn't ignored in this book. I also liked the side characters; all the side characters are intriguing and engaging.
I liked the writing style too. It moved pretty fast, had good action scenes, Richardson makes some very funny analogies and gives her characters some great sarcastic wit that I enjoyed. Richardson did an excellent job have having multiple plotlines going (with all of Harper's different clients) and the plotlines never got confused and they ended up coming together very neatly in the end. I liked Harper's relationship with Will; it was just a normal, nice beginning relationship. It was good to see Harper live her life as normal as she could with all the weird stuff going on around her. That being said this was not a romance or even a paranormal romance; this was definitely more of an urban fantasy...which of course, is what I prefer.
The treatment of vampires was pretty traditional, nothing too surprising there. So, I suppose that might disappoint some people. The conclusion to the book wasn't all that surprising, but it was well done. There are a number of other supernatural forces dealt with in this book...primarily necromancers, witches, and ghosts. There was also brief mention of werewolves and the inclusion of the Guardian of the Grey. I am hoping that in future books we learn more about the Grey and that the world is further expanded.
Overall this was a solid paranormal read that tended more towards urban fantasy and mystery. I loved the creativity of the Grey and thought the characterization was very strong. I also enjoyed the tight plot. I am hoping we get to learn more about the Grey in future books and that Richardson expands upon the world she's created in this book. I really enjoyed Harper's character. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Harper Blaine, a private investigator, gets whacked around by a pissed off client and ends up dead for a couple minutes. When she comes back and tries to resume her normal life things have...changed. She keeps seeing ghosts and getting sucked into a grey world. Her doctor refers her to an interesting couple of people who make a living studying magic; ends up Harper is a Greywalker and can walk the planes between the natural and supernatural world. This is all well and good but for some reason Harper's cases start getting more and more bizarre as things from the Grey are drawn to her for help.
There were a lot of things I liked about this story. The idea of the Grey is very cool and, while Harper's full potential wasn't realized in this book, there are a lot of cool things that Richardson does with the Grey. I think this whole idea of the Grey has great potential for even more creative use as the series continues. I also really liked Harper's character. She is practical and organized; she is not overly tough-girl but is willing to deal with whatever life throws at her. I also liked that she still has to do normal things like eat and sleep and that isn't ignored in this book. I also liked the side characters; all the side characters are intriguing and engaging.
I liked the writing style too. It moved pretty fast, had good action scenes, Richardson makes some very funny analogies and gives her characters some great sarcastic wit that I enjoyed. Richardson did an excellent job have having multiple plotlines going (with all of Harper's different clients) and the plotlines never got confused and they ended up coming together very neatly in the end. I liked Harper's relationship with Will; it was just a normal, nice beginning relationship. It was good to see Harper live her life as normal as she could with all the weird stuff going on around her. That being said this was not a romance or even a paranormal romance; this was definitely more of an urban fantasy...which of course, is what I prefer.
The treatment of vampires was pretty traditional, nothing too surprising there. So, I suppose that might disappoint some people. The conclusion to the book wasn't all that surprising, but it was well done. There are a number of other supernatural forces dealt with in this book...primarily necromancers, witches, and ghosts. There was also brief mention of werewolves and the inclusion of the Guardian of the Grey. I am hoping that in future books we learn more about the Grey and that the world is further expanded.
Overall this was a solid paranormal read that tended more towards urban fantasy and mystery. I loved the creativity of the Grey and thought the characterization was very strong. I also enjoyed the tight plot. I am hoping we get to learn more about the Grey in future books and that Richardson expands upon the world she's created in this book. I really enjoyed Harper's character. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Helpful Score: 5
Overall, I liked the story, however I found that it was too up and down and in and out. Just when I felt like I reached a groove in the story to get into it, something would happen to drag it out again, and then I would find the groove again, etc... The premise for the story is a good one, I just found the writing to be lacking somehow.
Helpful Score: 4
This was excellent. A different take on the paranormal, as it was the humans who were considered strange and unsual. Interesting main character and the entire storyline was great.
Helpful Score: 3
I was so bored with this book, I skimmed most of it just to finish it. Have the 2nd one, not looking forward to reading it.
Helpful Score: 2
Really enjoyed this book. A fully rounded main character that survives on her wits and intelligence! Cannot wait to read the next book.
Helpful Score: 1
Hard-headed PI, Harper Blaine wasn't the type to believe in ghosts. It wasn't until an attack left her dead for two minutes that she started seeing the mist-like fog with the unidentifiable shapes inside. With the help of a theoretical excentric and his witch wife, Harper tries to fit her world back together.
I found the heroine to be a little flat and I don't think I ever got to the point where I felt much like empathizing with her situation. Several elements of the story were rather distracting, too. For instance, the Danzingers, the couple that attempts to help Harper. It seemed like I should already know them and their backstory, like they were characters borrowed from another book. And the vampires? Twilight fans, get ready for this: the head vampire's name is Edward. Although he looks more like a cruel Pierce Brosnan than a sparkling schoolboy. His main enemy? A petite vampire named Alice. Yeah. That's interesting.
While I thought Ms. RIchardson's short story in "Mean Streets" was more interesting, this book was still worth the read. I'd probably give this book less stars but rounded it up, as I intended to read the next one in the series.
I found the heroine to be a little flat and I don't think I ever got to the point where I felt much like empathizing with her situation. Several elements of the story were rather distracting, too. For instance, the Danzingers, the couple that attempts to help Harper. It seemed like I should already know them and their backstory, like they were characters borrowed from another book. And the vampires? Twilight fans, get ready for this: the head vampire's name is Edward. Although he looks more like a cruel Pierce Brosnan than a sparkling schoolboy. His main enemy? A petite vampire named Alice. Yeah. That's interesting.
While I thought Ms. RIchardson's short story in "Mean Streets" was more interesting, this book was still worth the read. I'd probably give this book less stars but rounded it up, as I intended to read the next one in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
This books about a PI named Harper. After a near death experience, Harper can go into the "Grey". This is a place where the supernaturals are. She's quite disturbed by this but with a little help from some friends, she tries to overcome it while doing her detective work.
With that, the book is generally okay. Good ideas but not executed too well. I felt like the author tried too hard to make it interesting and ended up making a mess. I felt there was too much going on. If the book only had a couple things going on and the author delving more on those ideas, I think the book would have been better. Also would have liked to see better character development. Instead, I got tired of trying to keep up what was going on. Sometimes I felt myself wandering. At the end, I started trying to put together what the "Grey" really was and how everything in the book was tied into it. Eventually I decided to move on and leave the book for what it was... an untidy mess. There is a possibility I will give the 2nd book in the series a try but probably not too soon in the future.
With that, the book is generally okay. Good ideas but not executed too well. I felt like the author tried too hard to make it interesting and ended up making a mess. I felt there was too much going on. If the book only had a couple things going on and the author delving more on those ideas, I think the book would have been better. Also would have liked to see better character development. Instead, I got tired of trying to keep up what was going on. Sometimes I felt myself wandering. At the end, I started trying to put together what the "Grey" really was and how everything in the book was tied into it. Eventually I decided to move on and leave the book for what it was... an untidy mess. There is a possibility I will give the 2nd book in the series a try but probably not too soon in the future.
Helpful Score: 1
I guess the story was OK, but something just seemed off the entire time I was reading it.
When I finished I saw the author blurb which proudly stated that Richardson "does not own a TV".
Oh. Now I get it.
When I finished I saw the author blurb which proudly stated that Richardson "does not own a TV".
Oh. Now I get it.
Helpful Score: 1
I had a hard time getting into this book. I ended up using it as a "filler book" and it took me a week to read it. I had no trouble putting it down and walking away. Sent it to my Mom to read, and she felt the same. Probably won't read any more of the series unless they are free and I am desperate.
Helpful Score: 1
I am on the fence about this book; did I like it or not? I finished this book last night and kind of paused and thought to myself; 'Huh? How much of that did I actually aborb and understand?'
What I found difficult about this book was that the author described the effects and feelings about what was happening & left it open for us (the readers) to 'imagine' what she was trying to portray. I found her descriptions lacking 'definition'; feeling that she needed to be more 'black and white'.
However, I did like the characters with all of their foibles and flaws. I liked that they weren't 'perfect'. And, the author has a great imagination.
What I found difficult about this book was that the author described the effects and feelings about what was happening & left it open for us (the readers) to 'imagine' what she was trying to portray. I found her descriptions lacking 'definition'; feeling that she needed to be more 'black and white'.
However, I did like the characters with all of their foibles and flaws. I liked that they weren't 'perfect'. And, the author has a great imagination.
Helpful Score: 1
I could not get into this book. Seeing into another plane after a death experience was interesting. I might give the next book in the series a try but if it reads like this one --I'm stopping after chapter 2.
What did I think of this book?
In a word: "meh."
This book wasn't as great as I'd hoped it would be. The main character is interesting, but the plot didn't hold my interest. I'm still trying to decide if I want to read the second and third in this series.
In a word: "meh."
This book wasn't as great as I'd hoped it would be. The main character is interesting, but the plot didn't hold my interest. I'm still trying to decide if I want to read the second and third in this series.
Harper Blaine is a private investigator working on a few cases at once and somehow they all seem to connect.
Client #1 -> A mother has asked Harper to find her missing son, a 21 year old college student.
Client #2 -> A Russian man has hired Harper to locate a parlor organ (piano??) that disappeared 30 years ago.
Client #3 -> Cameron, a disenfranchised vampire, is looking for a re-entry into the vampire community and he feels Harper is eminently qualified to help.
Harper was beaten nearly to death (she actually was dead for 2 minutes) and is now a Greywalker. She has the ability to walk in the shadow world with ghosts, vampires and whatnot. Harper, of course, must figure out how this works on her own and has come across paranormal experts Mara and Ben.
The romance with Will Novak, an auction house manager, is slow and sweet and hopefully will develop further in future installments. He's cute and sexy and it would be nice to visit him again.
I've read this before because I remember the hunt for the parlor organ. I unfortunately didn't remember anything else about this book..hence the re-read.
Client #1 -> A mother has asked Harper to find her missing son, a 21 year old college student.
Client #2 -> A Russian man has hired Harper to locate a parlor organ (piano??) that disappeared 30 years ago.
Client #3 -> Cameron, a disenfranchised vampire, is looking for a re-entry into the vampire community and he feels Harper is eminently qualified to help.
Harper was beaten nearly to death (she actually was dead for 2 minutes) and is now a Greywalker. She has the ability to walk in the shadow world with ghosts, vampires and whatnot. Harper, of course, must figure out how this works on her own and has come across paranormal experts Mara and Ben.
The romance with Will Novak, an auction house manager, is slow and sweet and hopefully will develop further in future installments. He's cute and sexy and it would be nice to visit him again.
I've read this before because I remember the hunt for the parlor organ. I unfortunately didn't remember anything else about this book..hence the re-read.
This book is not my usual read,but I have to say I loved this one and could not wait to get my hands on the next one. This author captured my interest and didn't let go.
Very enjoyable read. I will get the rest of the series.
I was excited about this book--paranormal, life death, parallel world,including mystery. But after the first 50-70 pages I was bored. I will never just give up on a book thinking it might get better---it had some exciting up beat moments but would drag or bottom out again. By the time I finally finished the whole book I was left with the feeling of WHY did I waste my time on this book when there are other great books out there. I would recommend Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, In death series of JD Robb over this book.
An assault on private investigator Harper Blaine leaves her dead for two minutes before she is revived. When she gets out of the hospital, she notices strange things happening to her, as if she occasionally walks into an alternate world of grey mist filled with ghosts. What she eventually learns is that her near-death has made her a Greywalker, a person able to move between this world and "The Grey" where supernatural creatures exist. What this ability will mean for her she does not yet know, but it causes creatures to be attracted to her, and soon she is in over her head in the affairs of vampires, ghosts, necromancers and a powerful artifact that can destroy the city and everyone in it.
The premise was intriguing, and the beginning took off at a brisk pace. Unfortunately it started to bog down somewhere in the middle, with Harper going off on investigations that didn't seem to advance the story forward except to get her into situations that allowed the author to play with the "Grey" and torment her heroine. The story's progress came in fits and starts and I started to get impatient with the pace in the last third of the book. Harper's stubbornness also felt a little contrived after awhile, and I felt that her romantic interest was under-utilized. Perhaps Richardson is saving him for the next book, but in this one the chemistry she created between them was allowed to fizzle out unsatisfyingly. I also felt that the vampires were too vague and contradictory as a species - extremely powerful and yet seemingly impotent or unwilling to act against the heroine without any convincing explanation. And one tiny annoyance for me was that I could not find any overt reference to the city this is supposed to be set in - maybe I just missed it or read too fast somewhere, but throughout the book I kept trying to figure it out and I still haven't managed to. For a first novel, a great start, but the climax fell a little short for me and the author will have to improve the whole concept of her paranormal world if I will continue with the series. I'll read the next one and then decide if the potential this contains is likely to be realized.
The premise was intriguing, and the beginning took off at a brisk pace. Unfortunately it started to bog down somewhere in the middle, with Harper going off on investigations that didn't seem to advance the story forward except to get her into situations that allowed the author to play with the "Grey" and torment her heroine. The story's progress came in fits and starts and I started to get impatient with the pace in the last third of the book. Harper's stubbornness also felt a little contrived after awhile, and I felt that her romantic interest was under-utilized. Perhaps Richardson is saving him for the next book, but in this one the chemistry she created between them was allowed to fizzle out unsatisfyingly. I also felt that the vampires were too vague and contradictory as a species - extremely powerful and yet seemingly impotent or unwilling to act against the heroine without any convincing explanation. And one tiny annoyance for me was that I could not find any overt reference to the city this is supposed to be set in - maybe I just missed it or read too fast somewhere, but throughout the book I kept trying to figure it out and I still haven't managed to. For a first novel, a great start, but the climax fell a little short for me and the author will have to improve the whole concept of her paranormal world if I will continue with the series. I'll read the next one and then decide if the potential this contains is likely to be realized.
I've been meaning to read this book for a while now (yes, the cover art drew me in) and I'm glad I finally did! I would add this book/author to my list of some of the better urban fantasy out there. Can't wait to read the rest!
Different perspective on paranormal.
I liked this book better in the beginning - not so much in the middle, but then it rapped up pretty well in the end.
Very slow, I didnt make it past two chapters. Plot sounded interesting, but fizzled
I really liked this book. I can't wait to read more books in this series.
Harper Blaine has become a "greywalker". Able to move between our world and mysterious realm
of things that go bump in the night. She's about to meet vampires, ghosts, witches whether she wants to or not.
of things that go bump in the night. She's about to meet vampires, ghosts, witches whether she wants to or not.
First in the Greywalker series. I liked Harper, she seems like a pretty rational person who isn't incapable of asking for help or running when necessary. There are a lot of info-dumps about magic and the Grey, too much tell and not show. And I do wonder how it is that Ben can be so accurate if his knowledge is all theoretical. But it's a good action novel, there are things to nit-pick, but the series has lots of potential. And at the time I write this it looks like Richardson is up to #9, so I'd say she's doing pretty well. I will definitely look for the next.
Harper Blaine was slogging along as a small-time PI when a two-bit perp's savage attack left her dead. For two minutes, to be precise. When she comes to she begins to feel a bit...strange. She sees things that can only be described as weird. But she's not crazy. Her "death" has made her a Greywalker - able to move between our world and the mysterious crossover zone where things that go bump in the night exist. And her new gift (or curse) is about to drag her into that world of vampires and ghosts, magic and witches, necromancers and sinister artifacts...whether she likes it or not.
Harper Blaine was slogging along as a small time PI, content with her life and her ferret...then she was dead.... for two minutes precisely and when she was revived, she walked in both worlds -this one and the Greyside. She has become a Greywalker whether she likes it or not... and it may yet be the permanent death of her!
Harper Blaine died for two minutes. Wen she is revived, she has become a Greywalker, able to to move between our world the the mysterious crossover zone where things that go bump in the
night exist.
night exist.
Harper Blaine was slogging along as a small-time PI when a two-bit perp's savage assault left her dead . . . for two minutes, to be precise.
When Harper comes to in the hospital, she begins to feel a bit . . . strange. She sees things that can only be described as weird--shapes emerging from a foggy grey mist, snarling teeth; she hears creatures roaring.
But Harper's not crazy. Her 'death' has made her a Greywalker--able to move between our world and the mysterious crossover zone where things that go bump in the night exist. And her new gift (or curse) is about to drag her into that world of vampires and ghosts, magic and witches, necromancers and sinister artifacts . . . whether she likes it or not!
A new take on the existence of (and access to) the paranormal.
When Harper comes to in the hospital, she begins to feel a bit . . . strange. She sees things that can only be described as weird--shapes emerging from a foggy grey mist, snarling teeth; she hears creatures roaring.
But Harper's not crazy. Her 'death' has made her a Greywalker--able to move between our world and the mysterious crossover zone where things that go bump in the night exist. And her new gift (or curse) is about to drag her into that world of vampires and ghosts, magic and witches, necromancers and sinister artifacts . . . whether she likes it or not!
A new take on the existence of (and access to) the paranormal.
