Book Review: Double Cross

Double Cross

By:  Carolyn Crane

Publisher:  Del Rey/Spectra

Publish Date:  September 2010

Format:  Paperback - 326 pgs, pocketbook size

Genre:  Sci Fi / Fantasy

Series:  2nd book in Disillusionist Trilogy, Review for book 1 Mind Games - HERE

Recommendation:  YES, YES, YES!! A new twist on worries with fast paces action and mystery all mixed with a little love.

Book Synopsis:
SOME SECRETS COME BACK TO HAUNT.
OTHERS COME TO KILL.

Justine Jones lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she was lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard, who gifts her with extraordinary mental powers - dooming her to fight Midcity's shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.

But now serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Mayor Otto Sanchez, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will.

As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men - one on a journey of redemption, the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

First Sentence:
Ez the coat check girl, a.k.a. the Stationmaster, draws her face right up close to the glass window of her little booth and fixes me with a piercing gaze.

My Review and Summary:
Justine is free, yet still trapped.  As we finished Mind Games it seemed everyone found that happy medium to get what they wanted.  Or did they?  Justine and the Disillusionists are working for Packard, whose working for Otto, to help rehabilitate the highcaps Otto has locked up in order to help ease the pressure on his head.  Justine finds she still has troubles with what she does and rationalizing it to herself.  However, one day on the job Justine makes an error with a dream highcap, she touches her with out glove protection, which results in this dangerous woman invading her dreams.  And to top it all off Packard pulled Justine away from the woman while they where touching, which then links him in the dreams too.  Will the dreams be of that hot steamy night that started so good and ended before it got to far or on the dark past Packard is trying to keep hidden?

I'm going to start off by saying, I absolutely love this trilogy thus far.  To me it is fresh, new, and a fun nonstop read.  Okay.  Now that I've told you I absolutely love this series, I hope it's out of my system.  I will apologize now in case it keeps coming up.

The system of 'magic' here is something I enjoy.  It's new to me.  Carolyn has built a system based on our worst fears, those worries we always have about health, the world, anger management and even down to gambling addictions.  And there is a second magic type here with the highcaps and how they get their abilities.  It's all related to the brain thinking process, and it works magnificently.

The characters are wonderful mix and complement each other amazingly.  They all have unique and individual personalities.  Even when they challenge each other they bring out the best, or worst in some cases, to make the book work wonderfully.

This book is a great second book.  It has its own story told here with the link of the constant growth of the characters wants and lives following Mind Games.  There is a story here that makes the book, but Justine is still on her mission to get out from being at Packard's beckin' call as one of his minions.  Justine will do just about anything...or will she...

I will suggest this trilogy thus far to anyone who loves Urban Fantasy books.  It is fun, steamy, and full of wonderful suspense.  This book will leave you drooling for the third one, not yet out.

Want to check out Carolyn Cranes' website to look at her books, CLICK HERE.
Or maybe Carolyn Cranes' blog, CLICK HERE.


I purchased this book for my own reading pleasure.


This book qualifies for my Speculative Fiction Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.