Jody Klaire

Action/Adventure, thriller, super Special Ops crime drama with a side order of phychic powers and the slowest burn romance imaginable. There are just so many ways to describe Hindsight, book 4 in the “Above and Beyond Series” that I almost don’t know where to start.

Well actually let’s start by saying this is a series, and while it might be possible to read this as a standalone there is such a huge history of fact and inter-relationships building up that if you haven’t read the first three then you need to go back and start at the beginning, it will be worth the time and effort and pay off ten-fold.

This latest epic instalment is breath-taking. The action is fast paced, the number of players on the table at any one time is unbelievable and the combination of flashbacks and current action, from multiple points of view, left me gasping. And yet somehow Jody Klaire not only manages to keep all the storylines, points of view and personalities clear, she somehow manages to bring it all to a successful resolution.

As the series progresses we are pulled deeper and deeper into the characters, this time it’s Frei that is revealed along with a huge chuck of her history. All the major players, Aeron and Renee, Lilia and Eli, Nan and even Huber are constantly being fleshed out and filled in. Klaire keeps the development and reveal going while cleverly introducing new characters and seamlessly slotting them in as major players on the chessboard. Oh and you are going to love Aunt Bess.

The plot is both complex and simple. The overall story arc has a team of special ops forces and FBI investigator types chasing a ring of child slavers, but the sub plots and personal journeys are convoluted and delivered with incredible detail, making the whole become an exploration of the psychology of each major character. Phenomenal.

I literally couldn’t put it down and read half the night, only to cancel my morning and reach for it over coffee. Now I have to take a week off everything else and re-read the whole series to date because I am completely fascinated all over again. If you love fast paced action adventure, psychological thrillers, crime – any of the above, believe me, this series is pure heaven. It is already a classic mind-bending journey and I cannot wait for book 5, “Noble Heart”, to come and confound me all over again.… (mais)

The Empath sets the scene of Aeron’s life – different, persecuted and emotionally abused by a whole town – incarcerated for a murder she only thinks she committed, and Renee, the CIG protector sent to look after her. It’s a great murder mystery – action adventure with a huge dose of supernatural and ‘different’ skills such as visiting ghosts, helpful spirits, auras, visions and healing powers. Aeron and Renee must combat the locals, the killer and the storms that threaten to sweep them away.… (mais)

Book 3 of the Above and Beyond Series and it’s a cracker. This time our three complex and unusual characters are off to save a bunch of children from the slave trade and have to fight through evil gangsters, traumatised teenagers and their own extremely mixed up psyches.

In this episode Frei takes a much stronger role and we get to learn where her cold and uncaring demeanour comes from. Renee gets to be the mixed up kid and Aeron is the ‘normal’ one. The interplay between the three ranges from coolly professional to extremely emotional as their complex relationships grow.

These are amazing characters and unusual plots. Jody Klaire manages to mix up a thriller crime drama with a psychic whodunit and an ever so slowly burning romance. It’s a wonderful action adventure story for girls. Add in humour, great dialogue, brilliant writing and these books are just a joy.

If you haven’t read The Empath and Blind Trust you have a huge treat in store.. go get all three and take the week off work because you wont be able to put them down. And then join the rest of us while we wait with frustrated anticipation for the next instalment.… (mais)