What do you think?
Rate this book
Oracle
As the countdown begins, the body count rises.
With London gearing up to host the Olympics, the city doesn’t need a serial killer stalking the streets. They’ve got one anyway.
Leaving a trail of brutal and bizarre murders, the police are no closer to finding their latest murderer than Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is in finding a solution for his daughter’s disability.
Thrust into the pressure cooker of a high profile case, the struggling single parent is wound tight as he tries to balance care of his own family with the safety of a growing population of potential next victims.
One of whom could be his own daughter.
Fingers point in every direction as the public relations nightmare grows, and Lancer’s only answer comes in the form of a single oak leaf left at each crime scene.
With London gearing up to host the Olympics, the city doesn’t need a serial killer stalking the streets. They’ve got one anyway.
Leaving a trail of brutal and bizarre murders, the police are no closer to finding their latest murderer than Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is in finding a solution for his daughter’s disability.
Thrust into the pressure cooker of a high profile case, the struggling single parent is wound tight as he tries to balance care of his own family with the safety of a growing population of potential next victims.
One of whom could be his own daughter.
Fingers point in every direction as the public relations nightmare grows, and Lancer’s only answer comes in the form of a single oak leaf left at each crime scene.
312 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2012
1 person is currently reading
547 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Martin
3 books114 followersJ.C. Martin is a butt-kicking bookworm: when she isn’t reading or writing, she teaches martial arts and self-defence to adults and children.
After working in pharmaceutical research, then in education as a schoolteacher, she decided to put the following to good use: one, her 2nd degree black belt in Wing Chun kung fu; and two, her overwhelming need to write dark mysteries and gripping thrillers with a psychological slant.
Her short stories have won various prizes and have been published in several anthologies. Her debut novel, Oracle, will be released by J Taylor Publishing on August 1st, 2012.
Born and raised in Malaysia, J.C. now lives in south London with her husband and three dogs.
After working in pharmaceutical research, then in education as a schoolteacher, she decided to put the following to good use: one, her 2nd degree black belt in Wing Chun kung fu; and two, her overwhelming need to write dark mysteries and gripping thrillers with a psychological slant.
Her short stories have won various prizes and have been published in several anthologies. Her debut novel, Oracle, will be released by J Taylor Publishing on August 1st, 2012.
Born and raised in Malaysia, J.C. now lives in south London with her husband and three dogs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 16, 2012
4.5 stars, a fantastic read that kept me on my toes, heart racing until the end.
I’m pretty sure, if I ever decide I don’t want to write romance, that I will fall into the thriller/suspense/mystery category because I just LOVE them. I’m not so much into plain out mysteries, but there’s something about the thriller/suspense, particularly crime thrillers. That’s exactly what Oracle delivers.
From the first line of the story, until almost the last, I was thoroughly intrigued. The end is nowhere near as dramatic as the opening. It’s almost a little anticlimactic, in fact. Where I thought it would ‘end’ it actually has a little more to go, but it’s not nearly as driven as the rest.
BUT … I have to say that the ‘extra’ blip at the end is necessary to the story. It’s part of the overall mythology associated with that oak leaf on the cover. To say this is just a crime novel would be ridiculous because in reality, it’s a Greek mythology story, interwoven through the crimes of a psychopathic serial killer.
And as anyone knows, I LOVE a good mythology story (Games of Zeus anyone?)
While Kurt Lancer was the main character — a policeman with some group in the UK that I have no idea who they are because I do not live in the UK — that didn’t matter one iota to my ability to understand the police proceedings or the process. Police work seems to be police work whether in the US or the UK. (Though the lack of guns will make some American’s mad because all our police have guns and NO, they don’t in the UK … but I digress). Back to Kurt. Yeah, he’s the main guy, but we get to see some of the story through the Oracle’s eyes, through Holloway and through Blaize — whom I love and want Kurt to fall in love with because … well … I LOVE romances!
However, the real show stealer?
That was Meg.
Yep, that little heartthrob is going to bowl you over. She is the cutest, the most resourceful, bounce-back-able character in here. Not really, but you’ll see. I don’t want to give too much away, but I wanted to take care of her just like Kurt (who happens to be her daddy).
So what about the crime? It’s big. There’s a LOT of stuff going on and from the moment we get started with the investigation, it’s a step by step by step race toward an answer … right up to the big finale at the Olympics.
Why the Olympics? Well … Zeus? Greek? Greece? Can anyone say, it’s all tied in? And with a nice bow, I might add.
There is action, adventure, excitement, intrigue, potential romance (future story??), loads of potential conflicts (Kurt’s brother is one), loads of potential other issues (Holloway, Blaize, even Chief Sutherland sp?).
Yup, I expect to see story after story after story about Kurt Lancer because he’s got it all going on … oh and yeah … he’s hot, too.
Way, to go, JC. Congrats on a great debut.
I can’t wait to read more! Literally. Like now. You got a book 2 yet?
For everyone else, you’ll have to wait until July 31st. Don’t you hate that??
{As a fellow J. Taylor Publishing author, I was privileged to receive this story early for review and comment}
I’m pretty sure, if I ever decide I don’t want to write romance, that I will fall into the thriller/suspense/mystery category because I just LOVE them. I’m not so much into plain out mysteries, but there’s something about the thriller/suspense, particularly crime thrillers. That’s exactly what Oracle delivers.
From the first line of the story, until almost the last, I was thoroughly intrigued. The end is nowhere near as dramatic as the opening. It’s almost a little anticlimactic, in fact. Where I thought it would ‘end’ it actually has a little more to go, but it’s not nearly as driven as the rest.
BUT … I have to say that the ‘extra’ blip at the end is necessary to the story. It’s part of the overall mythology associated with that oak leaf on the cover. To say this is just a crime novel would be ridiculous because in reality, it’s a Greek mythology story, interwoven through the crimes of a psychopathic serial killer.
And as anyone knows, I LOVE a good mythology story (Games of Zeus anyone?)
While Kurt Lancer was the main character — a policeman with some group in the UK that I have no idea who they are because I do not live in the UK — that didn’t matter one iota to my ability to understand the police proceedings or the process. Police work seems to be police work whether in the US or the UK. (Though the lack of guns will make some American’s mad because all our police have guns and NO, they don’t in the UK … but I digress). Back to Kurt. Yeah, he’s the main guy, but we get to see some of the story through the Oracle’s eyes, through Holloway and through Blaize — whom I love and want Kurt to fall in love with because … well … I LOVE romances!
However, the real show stealer?
That was Meg.
Yep, that little heartthrob is going to bowl you over. She is the cutest, the most resourceful, bounce-back-able character in here. Not really, but you’ll see. I don’t want to give too much away, but I wanted to take care of her just like Kurt (who happens to be her daddy).
So what about the crime? It’s big. There’s a LOT of stuff going on and from the moment we get started with the investigation, it’s a step by step by step race toward an answer … right up to the big finale at the Olympics.
Why the Olympics? Well … Zeus? Greek? Greece? Can anyone say, it’s all tied in? And with a nice bow, I might add.
There is action, adventure, excitement, intrigue, potential romance (future story??), loads of potential conflicts (Kurt’s brother is one), loads of potential other issues (Holloway, Blaize, even Chief Sutherland sp?).
Yup, I expect to see story after story after story about Kurt Lancer because he’s got it all going on … oh and yeah … he’s hot, too.
Way, to go, JC. Congrats on a great debut.
I can’t wait to read more! Literally. Like now. You got a book 2 yet?
For everyone else, you’ll have to wait until July 31st. Don’t you hate that??
{As a fellow J. Taylor Publishing author, I was privileged to receive this story early for review and comment}
June 4, 2012
J.C. Martin’s ORACLE excites with a thrilling mystery revolving around Greek mythology and set against the backdrop of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer didn’t need another thing to go wrong with his life. His wife was murdered months ago, leaving Kurt in charge of raising his eight-year-old daughter. Juggling parental responsibilities and the police force may prove to be too much for Kurt when the newest serial killer threatens London. Kurt must discover who the killer is before he loses everything he cares about.
ORACLE is a high intensity thriller. The characters come to life through their interactions and complex backstories weaved throughout the action. As a reader, I particularly had a fondness for Meghan, Kurt Lancer’s daughter, who was such a bright and daring eight year old. I loved the dual points of view between Kurt and the killer. The killer wasn’t just a villain in this novel, but a person to be understood, feared, and even pitied. Martin’s writing drew me further into the story, especially with her fantastic descriptions and humor/sarcasm in the right places. The pacing and plot are well-drawn out to increase the tension of the storyline. Although I picked the killer right away, I was glued to the page to find out what would happen next. Perhaps one of my favorite parts was how Martin weaved in Greek mythology, particularly that of Zeus, into the storyline. As a Classics major, that was a highlight to see how the myths played within the killings.
It didn’t take a prophecy for me to discover a love of ORACLE by J.C. Martin. I highly recommend this complex and thrilling novel.
Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer didn’t need another thing to go wrong with his life. His wife was murdered months ago, leaving Kurt in charge of raising his eight-year-old daughter. Juggling parental responsibilities and the police force may prove to be too much for Kurt when the newest serial killer threatens London. Kurt must discover who the killer is before he loses everything he cares about.
ORACLE is a high intensity thriller. The characters come to life through their interactions and complex backstories weaved throughout the action. As a reader, I particularly had a fondness for Meghan, Kurt Lancer’s daughter, who was such a bright and daring eight year old. I loved the dual points of view between Kurt and the killer. The killer wasn’t just a villain in this novel, but a person to be understood, feared, and even pitied. Martin’s writing drew me further into the story, especially with her fantastic descriptions and humor/sarcasm in the right places. The pacing and plot are well-drawn out to increase the tension of the storyline. Although I picked the killer right away, I was glued to the page to find out what would happen next. Perhaps one of my favorite parts was how Martin weaved in Greek mythology, particularly that of Zeus, into the storyline. As a Classics major, that was a highlight to see how the myths played within the killings.
It didn’t take a prophecy for me to discover a love of ORACLE by J.C. Martin. I highly recommend this complex and thrilling novel.
March 18, 2013
YOU DON'T NEED EYES TO SEE
1. CHARACTERS [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
JC Martin puts you right into the driver's seat of the action with a very vibrant first scene, telling you exactly how things are going down. The opening scene is vivid and risqué, but not over the top, which is a big plus for me.
I found the second chapter to be an excellent contrast to the in-your-face style of writing from Chapter One as our main character, Kurt Lancer (cop and and single father), is spending some quality time with his daughter as they are reading through the night's bedtime stories.
Throughout the novel, I got a strong sense of Kurt's character as he struggles to balance his family life with his life as a detective. Of course, as it is with all crime thrillers, this juggling act is just out of reach.
I really like the banters that Kurt has with his daughter Meghan, and the two of them have a relationship that is notably adorable, especially because fathers are typically displayed as scumbags.
One issue that I could not really grasp with Kurt was that he is described as having corn rolls, but I found that hard to believe in that he is a detective, and having been a detention officer at one point of my life, none of my coworkers wore corn rolls. Regardless, that wasn't too much of a setback for me, but it was in the back of my mind.
JC Martin is very patient in the development of her characters, and she exposes deep issues about the team of detectives in natural and fluid ways, tying these issues back into the story very smoothly.
2. WRITING STYLE [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
JC Martin's writing style is very vivid, the kind of style that you would expect with a police mystery. The lines are snappy, the inner dialogues are sarcastic, and the descriptions of the scenes are brilliant.
She is very keen about using images and analogies at just the right time to really get you, the reader, to come a little closer to the story. Comically, I even found myself "hearing" some of the sounds she made, or "smelling" some of the scents that she referred to. But, I guess I'm just weird like that.
Each chapter seemed to be well-placed, and development of the story seemed to progress in a very linear pattern, not straying too much from the main story line, even when important backstory needed to be inserted.
I will say that I was a bit bothered at one point in the story (and I won't spoil it), but there is something that the killer says to passerby, and that "something" is not stated in the text. I felt like that was cheating a bit, because all other parts of the conversation were made known to the reader. But, I decided to look past this point and keep reading, and I'm glad I did.
3. PLOT [0 CUPS OF COFFEE]
So this may seem like a harsh assessment here, but hear me out.
The plot itself is good. It's, as I said before, what you would expect from a police mystery. However, that worked to the book's disadvantage as well. Many of the things that took place were too predictable, in my opinion, and coming from me, that's a big deal, because I usually suspend my intelligence whenever I read or watch movies. I try not to figure out plots and the whodunits.
That said, if I do manage to figure these things out, then I feel like the presentation of such events could have been done better.
Keeping that in mind, I was not sure what the heck the killer was going to do next, and there were many times where I was impressed my his motives and schemes, but holistically, I will have to claim that the plot was simplistic.
4. BELIEVABILITY [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
This factor is one of the most important in my opinion. Do characters act out of character? Do situations arise that are unrealistic? Does the author break her own rules?
As I read through ORACLE, I would have to say that there were no glaring plot holes that I saw. The characters made wise decisions; they were afraid when they needed to be afraid; they were stoic when they needed to be; and they resisted temptations whenever they needed to.
To me, this makes for a much more enjoyable read, because I don't find myself thinking, "But if he had just grabbed the gun, then none of this would have ever happened." Kurt Lancer thinks of his daughter first in all situations, though he has a difficult time balancing work and home life.
Halloway and Blaize (his partners) also do things that you would expect to them to. They act like real people, not pawns in a story created by the author to do the author's bidding.
5. GRAMMAR [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
As I read through this book, I noticed VERY FEW typos. I probably could count them on one hand. For this reason, Oracle reads very smoothly!
1. CHARACTERS [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
JC Martin puts you right into the driver's seat of the action with a very vibrant first scene, telling you exactly how things are going down. The opening scene is vivid and risqué, but not over the top, which is a big plus for me.
I found the second chapter to be an excellent contrast to the in-your-face style of writing from Chapter One as our main character, Kurt Lancer (cop and and single father), is spending some quality time with his daughter as they are reading through the night's bedtime stories.
Throughout the novel, I got a strong sense of Kurt's character as he struggles to balance his family life with his life as a detective. Of course, as it is with all crime thrillers, this juggling act is just out of reach.
I really like the banters that Kurt has with his daughter Meghan, and the two of them have a relationship that is notably adorable, especially because fathers are typically displayed as scumbags.
One issue that I could not really grasp with Kurt was that he is described as having corn rolls, but I found that hard to believe in that he is a detective, and having been a detention officer at one point of my life, none of my coworkers wore corn rolls. Regardless, that wasn't too much of a setback for me, but it was in the back of my mind.
JC Martin is very patient in the development of her characters, and she exposes deep issues about the team of detectives in natural and fluid ways, tying these issues back into the story very smoothly.
2. WRITING STYLE [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
JC Martin's writing style is very vivid, the kind of style that you would expect with a police mystery. The lines are snappy, the inner dialogues are sarcastic, and the descriptions of the scenes are brilliant.
She is very keen about using images and analogies at just the right time to really get you, the reader, to come a little closer to the story. Comically, I even found myself "hearing" some of the sounds she made, or "smelling" some of the scents that she referred to. But, I guess I'm just weird like that.
Each chapter seemed to be well-placed, and development of the story seemed to progress in a very linear pattern, not straying too much from the main story line, even when important backstory needed to be inserted.
I will say that I was a bit bothered at one point in the story (and I won't spoil it), but there is something that the killer says to passerby, and that "something" is not stated in the text. I felt like that was cheating a bit, because all other parts of the conversation were made known to the reader. But, I decided to look past this point and keep reading, and I'm glad I did.
3. PLOT [0 CUPS OF COFFEE]
So this may seem like a harsh assessment here, but hear me out.
The plot itself is good. It's, as I said before, what you would expect from a police mystery. However, that worked to the book's disadvantage as well. Many of the things that took place were too predictable, in my opinion, and coming from me, that's a big deal, because I usually suspend my intelligence whenever I read or watch movies. I try not to figure out plots and the whodunits.
That said, if I do manage to figure these things out, then I feel like the presentation of such events could have been done better.
Keeping that in mind, I was not sure what the heck the killer was going to do next, and there were many times where I was impressed my his motives and schemes, but holistically, I will have to claim that the plot was simplistic.
4. BELIEVABILITY [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
This factor is one of the most important in my opinion. Do characters act out of character? Do situations arise that are unrealistic? Does the author break her own rules?
As I read through ORACLE, I would have to say that there were no glaring plot holes that I saw. The characters made wise decisions; they were afraid when they needed to be afraid; they were stoic when they needed to be; and they resisted temptations whenever they needed to.
To me, this makes for a much more enjoyable read, because I don't find myself thinking, "But if he had just grabbed the gun, then none of this would have ever happened." Kurt Lancer thinks of his daughter first in all situations, though he has a difficult time balancing work and home life.
Halloway and Blaize (his partners) also do things that you would expect to them to. They act like real people, not pawns in a story created by the author to do the author's bidding.
5. GRAMMAR [1 CUP OF COFFEE]
As I read through this book, I noticed VERY FEW typos. I probably could count them on one hand. For this reason, Oracle reads very smoothly!
January 20, 2012
For the record, I wanted to give this one 4.5 but half star ratings aren't available here (though I think they should be).
Now I'll bet you'll all wondering what's so special about this that it's worthy of an almost 5* rating from me. It's kind of hard to explain without filling my review with spoilers but I'll try.
First up, I'm a big fan of crime thrillers. But I've spent so long, recently, researching PNR and UF novels, I can't even remember the last time I read one, so it was so refreshing to return to a genre I admire. On my bookshelf, amongst my werewolf literature, you'll see my Val MacDermid's and Jeffrey Deaver's. Oracle is more than worthy of a spot right beside those great names.
The plot is so well thought out, and unfolds at just the right places, with all the reveals bringing a twitch to the eyebrow.
This is definitely an intelligent story with not a plot hole in sight. Each time I paused reading, I wanted to pick it back up. And as for the final 40% of the book, I couldn't have stopped reading even if the family begged me to.
The writing is smooth, the sentences flowing, and not once did I find myself confused or having to re-read passages because I thought I'd missed or misunderstood something--not an easy feat when the writer hasn't spelled everything out like a paint-by-numbers narration.
And even though Ms Martin is quite a descriptive writer (which can bog down the pace), not once did I find myself skimming because each and every detail somehow seemed imperative to the story and helped bring each and every scene into vivid clarity in my mind.
And whilst I did have my eye on the .
So now you're probably all wondering why I haven't given this a 5, eh? Well, because I'm me, a con will cling to my brain like a limpet. Yes, a did say A con. Because I could pretty much find only one: . Not even the POV switches bothered me (most of the story is told in 1st person--Kurt--but switches to show scenes from the killers POV and occasionally from others' POV's too) because the transitions were handled so well, they didn't even make the barest of bumps.
Okay, that's enough waffling pre-breakfast for one morning. All I know is, I shall definitely be looking out (eagerly) for more from Ms Martin in the future. She's one to watch.
Now I'll bet you'll all wondering what's so special about this that it's worthy of an almost 5* rating from me. It's kind of hard to explain without filling my review with spoilers but I'll try.
First up, I'm a big fan of crime thrillers. But I've spent so long, recently, researching PNR and UF novels, I can't even remember the last time I read one, so it was so refreshing to return to a genre I admire. On my bookshelf, amongst my werewolf literature, you'll see my Val MacDermid's and Jeffrey Deaver's. Oracle is more than worthy of a spot right beside those great names.
The plot is so well thought out, and unfolds at just the right places, with all the reveals bringing a twitch to the eyebrow.
This is definitely an intelligent story with not a plot hole in sight. Each time I paused reading, I wanted to pick it back up. And as for the final 40% of the book, I couldn't have stopped reading even if the family begged me to.
The writing is smooth, the sentences flowing, and not once did I find myself confused or having to re-read passages because I thought I'd missed or misunderstood something--not an easy feat when the writer hasn't spelled everything out like a paint-by-numbers narration.
And even though Ms Martin is quite a descriptive writer (which can bog down the pace), not once did I find myself skimming because each and every detail somehow seemed imperative to the story and helped bring each and every scene into vivid clarity in my mind.
And whilst I did have my eye on the .
So now you're probably all wondering why I haven't given this a 5, eh? Well, because I'm me, a con will cling to my brain like a limpet. Yes, a did say A con. Because I could pretty much find only one: . Not even the POV switches bothered me (most of the story is told in 1st person--Kurt--but switches to show scenes from the killers POV and occasionally from others' POV's too) because the transitions were handled so well, they didn't even make the barest of bumps.
Okay, that's enough waffling pre-breakfast for one morning. All I know is, I shall definitely be looking out (eagerly) for more from Ms Martin in the future. She's one to watch.
June 12, 2012
The first thing I noticed was the author really knows how to throw down a scene. Well written, constructed perfectly, and boy howdy does she know how to leave the reader hanging at the end of every chapter. Being a fan of British television and movies, I enjoyed the tone of the book and the Britishisms that give the read oodles of personality and charm.
Kurt was great, the main detective in the novel. His struggle with loss, being a single dad to a young girl with special needs, and the balance needed between family hardships and career made for a complicated and heart-touching character. I really pulled for him and his daughter, even for his wayward brother, to make it through okay in the end.
The villain in this was deliciously creepy, just how I like them. He truly believed in what he was doing, making me feel sorry for him while loathing him at the same time. Bravo.
I had a couple of small sticking points with Oracle. The first is more of a personal preference and no reflection on the writer or the work, and that’s the changing POV. It moves back and forth from first person to third person, and the latter took me into many heads. Having said that, there was only once or twice I had to flip back pages to try and figure out whose head I was in, so although I’d prefer not hop around that way, the shifts were were fairly well done with distinct enough voices to make it work.
The second is that small parts of the ending were predictable, a certain scene making it too obvious how the fight at the ending would go down between the good guy and the bad guy.
Other parts seemed to be unfinished, like the budding relationship between Blaise and Kurt. With hints dropped throughout the book with a frequency that it seemed important to the author, I took notice and hoped it might lead to something good for Kurt and his family, but that story arc was never resolved. I’m not sure if this is intended to be a series, and if it is, then that makes sense. It could just be the romantic in me projecting, too. :) I'm also left wondering if a certain injury will lead to a permanent disability.
Still, I really enjoyed the read. Four cupcakes!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good crime thriller with a great author "voice" that'll mess with your head a bit.
Kurt was great, the main detective in the novel. His struggle with loss, being a single dad to a young girl with special needs, and the balance needed between family hardships and career made for a complicated and heart-touching character. I really pulled for him and his daughter, even for his wayward brother, to make it through okay in the end.
The villain in this was deliciously creepy, just how I like them. He truly believed in what he was doing, making me feel sorry for him while loathing him at the same time. Bravo.
I had a couple of small sticking points with Oracle. The first is more of a personal preference and no reflection on the writer or the work, and that’s the changing POV. It moves back and forth from first person to third person, and the latter took me into many heads. Having said that, there was only once or twice I had to flip back pages to try and figure out whose head I was in, so although I’d prefer not hop around that way, the shifts were were fairly well done with distinct enough voices to make it work.
The second is that small parts of the ending were predictable, a certain scene making it too obvious how the fight at the ending would go down between the good guy and the bad guy.
Other parts seemed to be unfinished, like the budding relationship between Blaise and Kurt. With hints dropped throughout the book with a frequency that it seemed important to the author, I took notice and hoped it might lead to something good for Kurt and his family, but that story arc was never resolved. I’m not sure if this is intended to be a series, and if it is, then that makes sense. It could just be the romantic in me projecting, too. :) I'm also left wondering if a certain injury will lead to a permanent disability.
Still, I really enjoyed the read. Four cupcakes!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good crime thriller with a great author "voice" that'll mess with your head a bit.
June 12, 2012
J. C. Martin's ORACLE is a crime thriller I thoroughly enjoyed. From the very start the story had me in its grips and didn't let go until the end. The main character, Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer, came across as a wonderfully complex, interesting person (not just another character). I found I really cared what happened to him and his daughter. Even the killer had intriguing layers that had me enthralled as I learned more about his background that led to his twisted mind and terrible acts.
I also loved the author's descriptive prose which brought the setting and action alive without slowing the pace. All the senses were used so I felt transported not only to London, but into each of the character's minds. Add to that the fabulous mythological themes woven through the story, tying it all together.
While there were no surprises, I finished reading with a feeling of satisfaction and would recommend this book to anyone who loves crime thrillers, mythology, and/or great writing. Big thumbs up!
I also loved the author's descriptive prose which brought the setting and action alive without slowing the pace. All the senses were used so I felt transported not only to London, but into each of the character's minds. Add to that the fabulous mythological themes woven through the story, tying it all together.
While there were no surprises, I finished reading with a feeling of satisfaction and would recommend this book to anyone who loves crime thrillers, mythology, and/or great writing. Big thumbs up!
July 31, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Martin has master the art of pulling you in slowly and building up the case until you can't put the book down. I think it also helped that the Olympics are on now and the book is centered around the London 2012 Olympics.
If you like mysteries, I recommend this book.
If you like mysteries, I recommend this book.
October 2, 2012
An amazing psychological read full of twists and turns! I loved the mythical base of the story intertwined with the suspense and thriller aspect of trying to beat the clock before it is too late!
August 26, 2012
About a month or so ago, I was sent a copy of Oracle by the publisher, and was asked to do a review. It sat in my inbox for a while. I had too many books that I WANTED to read, and I really didn’t want to trudge through a police-case style mystery.
Honestly, reading the blurb, the story didn’t really interest me, but after being disappointed by a few novels that I actually paid for, I decided to give this one a try.
Overall, the characters in this story are very believable. We have a detective who is a single dad facing his own personal problems who is put on a murder case that develops into a serial killer case. JC Martin did a great job of portraying a man devoted to his family, but dedicated to finding a killer. The sideline characters are also well played out. None are stale and forgettable. Even the rough and tough boss gets to show her soft side, giving us a giggle. Well Done.
Points of view: (Minor Spoiler) The novel starts in the POV of a magician. It was fine, until the end of the first chapter. Let’s just say he’s no-longer in the story anymore. Okay… he’s dead. I said it. Yes, he is victim #1.
From here, we are thrown into chapter #2. This chapter is first person “I” from the POV of the detective. To me, it was very jarring. Moving ahead, we will be inside the head of the detective, the killer, and also in the POV of each victim right before they get killed. After a while I got used to it, but it did bother me in the beginning.
Pacing: For the most part, the pacing was great, but I did get a little impatient in the middle. Somewhere right before the climax, I was thinking. “Wait, there’s gonna be another murder? Get on with it.” Now, I am perfectly willing to admit that I read a few novellas before this, and may have become accustomed to a faster read… but I did get a little impatient in the middle of the story. This could just be me, though, so I’m not faulting the author’s style on this.
Believe it or not, I Actually liked this novel. Not loved, but liked it. On a great note, I thought I picked out the “killer” early on in the story. (I tend to do this a lot) And I thought I was right until the last few pages. If I was right, I would have been mad and hated the novel. I really enjoyed that JC Martin gave enough plausible suspects to keep us guessing. Well Done.
POV Switching… while I didn’t like it at first, I did get used to the different POVs once I realized what she was doing. If I was suddenly thrust into a random person’s head I thought: “Okay, this one’s a gonner,” and I moved on. It worked.
Writing style. JC Martin’s style is sleek and very readable. She pulls you in to the story, and keeps you reading. Normally, I am a chapter a night kind of reader. Frequently, I’d read for longer. Especially during the climax. I didn’t want to put the book down. I kept jumping and biting my nails. Nicely done.
Honestly, reading the blurb, the story didn’t really interest me, but after being disappointed by a few novels that I actually paid for, I decided to give this one a try.
Overall, the characters in this story are very believable. We have a detective who is a single dad facing his own personal problems who is put on a murder case that develops into a serial killer case. JC Martin did a great job of portraying a man devoted to his family, but dedicated to finding a killer. The sideline characters are also well played out. None are stale and forgettable. Even the rough and tough boss gets to show her soft side, giving us a giggle. Well Done.
Points of view: (Minor Spoiler) The novel starts in the POV of a magician. It was fine, until the end of the first chapter. Let’s just say he’s no-longer in the story anymore. Okay… he’s dead. I said it. Yes, he is victim #1.
From here, we are thrown into chapter #2. This chapter is first person “I” from the POV of the detective. To me, it was very jarring. Moving ahead, we will be inside the head of the detective, the killer, and also in the POV of each victim right before they get killed. After a while I got used to it, but it did bother me in the beginning.
Pacing: For the most part, the pacing was great, but I did get a little impatient in the middle. Somewhere right before the climax, I was thinking. “Wait, there’s gonna be another murder? Get on with it.” Now, I am perfectly willing to admit that I read a few novellas before this, and may have become accustomed to a faster read… but I did get a little impatient in the middle of the story. This could just be me, though, so I’m not faulting the author’s style on this.
Believe it or not, I Actually liked this novel. Not loved, but liked it. On a great note, I thought I picked out the “killer” early on in the story. (I tend to do this a lot) And I thought I was right until the last few pages. If I was right, I would have been mad and hated the novel. I really enjoyed that JC Martin gave enough plausible suspects to keep us guessing. Well Done.
POV Switching… while I didn’t like it at first, I did get used to the different POVs once I realized what she was doing. If I was suddenly thrust into a random person’s head I thought: “Okay, this one’s a gonner,” and I moved on. It worked.
Writing style. JC Martin’s style is sleek and very readable. She pulls you in to the story, and keeps you reading. Normally, I am a chapter a night kind of reader. Frequently, I’d read for longer. Especially during the climax. I didn’t want to put the book down. I kept jumping and biting my nails. Nicely done.
June 18, 2012
This is not a book that I would typically read so I was a little skeptical on weather I was going to actually get through this book. Well I'm GLAD I stuck with because this book was better than I expected! J.C. Martin takes you on a creepy thrill ride that will leave you saying 'What the Hell?' at the end.
The setting of this story is in London, where the main character Kurt Lanser, who is a detective. He is a single father taking care of his daughter Meghan, and his younger brother Reggie. Lancer seems to be coping well with his wife's murder by drowning himself with work instead of spending time with the family he has left, well all that will change when Lancer gets put on a creepy murder case that could put his loved ones in danger.
A serial killer is on the loose and Lanser must track this killer down before his next victim. This killer is known as the oaksecutioner because he leaves oak tree leaves at the scene of the crime. Kurt has got his work cut out for him because this murderer is a pro and is leaving clues that are related to Greek myth. I don't to much care for different POVs of characters which can be quite confusing which it kind of was in this book, I had to kind of read on to know which POV it was but I'm picky so it might not be a big of a deal for others. Anyways, The killing start to hit home literally when his daughter is being attacked by the murderer for a reason you will have to find out.
This book played out well but I also found it predictable, I knew what was going to happen next which was the downfall of the book but it was still fun reading to prove myself right. Another thing I didn't like was that the author was a little stereo typical at times, insinuating that because the main character was black that he had a(in dramatic terms) gigantic nose and the gang in the book was called the 'Ghetto Souljahz' lol really? That is all you could think of? Other than that it was a good read but it could of been better in the what's going to happen next department.
I enjoyed it overall like I said and will read more of J.C.'s books if there is any.
The setting of this story is in London, where the main character Kurt Lanser, who is a detective. He is a single father taking care of his daughter Meghan, and his younger brother Reggie. Lancer seems to be coping well with his wife's murder by drowning himself with work instead of spending time with the family he has left, well all that will change when Lancer gets put on a creepy murder case that could put his loved ones in danger.
A serial killer is on the loose and Lanser must track this killer down before his next victim. This killer is known as the oaksecutioner because he leaves oak tree leaves at the scene of the crime. Kurt has got his work cut out for him because this murderer is a pro and is leaving clues that are related to Greek myth. I don't to much care for different POVs of characters which can be quite confusing which it kind of was in this book, I had to kind of read on to know which POV it was but I'm picky so it might not be a big of a deal for others. Anyways, The killing start to hit home literally when his daughter is being attacked by the murderer for a reason you will have to find out.
This book played out well but I also found it predictable, I knew what was going to happen next which was the downfall of the book but it was still fun reading to prove myself right. Another thing I didn't like was that the author was a little stereo typical at times, insinuating that because the main character was black that he had a(in dramatic terms) gigantic nose and the gang in the book was called the 'Ghetto Souljahz' lol really? That is all you could think of? Other than that it was a good read but it could of been better in the what's going to happen next department.
I enjoyed it overall like I said and will read more of J.C.'s books if there is any.
December 27, 2012
I won a paperback copy of Oracle in a competition hosted by J.C.Martin on her blog, in celebration of the release of her debut novel.
From the get-go, I knew it was going to be one of those "hard-to-put-down" books, and I was lucky enough to have sufficient time on my hands to complete the story in just under one week!
What did I like about the story? Everything.
I was especially drawn to the main character, Detective Kurt Lancer, a single parent who is devoted to his work and his special-needs daughter, and struggles to maintain a balance between the two.
He makes for an interesting character - down-to-earth, credible, a doting father... and as the story progresses, you can't help but feel sorry for him.
But he wasn't the only one I felt sorry for. As I learned more about the Oracle, I really felt for this unfortunate, misguided individual who suffered childhood trauma which contributed to his twisted psychological mindset.
Whilst Kurt Lancer evokes sympathy as endless curve balls are thrown his way, his adorable daughter, Meghan evokes deep admiration. She is the real heroine in this story, a little fire-ball who takes everything in her stride. It's often said that children bounce back from adversity better than adults, and this is so true of Meghan, who is a typical child of her age, yet she is refreshingly different with a truly wonderful spirit.
The story is well paced and matches the plot as it unravels, to reveal lots of twists and turns which keep you engrossed, and I kept wondering in which direction the story would go.
The switch in POV made for interesting reading and the story is viewed through a variety of "character lenses", the main one being the first person viewpoint of Kurt Lancer. The clear and distinct voice in each POV made it easy to follow the POV changes.
The descriptive and sleek writing style flows effortlessly, and draws you into the world of these characters.
I enjoyed this story and can't wait for more from this talented author.
From the get-go, I knew it was going to be one of those "hard-to-put-down" books, and I was lucky enough to have sufficient time on my hands to complete the story in just under one week!
What did I like about the story? Everything.
I was especially drawn to the main character, Detective Kurt Lancer, a single parent who is devoted to his work and his special-needs daughter, and struggles to maintain a balance between the two.
He makes for an interesting character - down-to-earth, credible, a doting father... and as the story progresses, you can't help but feel sorry for him.
But he wasn't the only one I felt sorry for. As I learned more about the Oracle, I really felt for this unfortunate, misguided individual who suffered childhood trauma which contributed to his twisted psychological mindset.
Whilst Kurt Lancer evokes sympathy as endless curve balls are thrown his way, his adorable daughter, Meghan evokes deep admiration. She is the real heroine in this story, a little fire-ball who takes everything in her stride. It's often said that children bounce back from adversity better than adults, and this is so true of Meghan, who is a typical child of her age, yet she is refreshingly different with a truly wonderful spirit.
The story is well paced and matches the plot as it unravels, to reveal lots of twists and turns which keep you engrossed, and I kept wondering in which direction the story would go.
The switch in POV made for interesting reading and the story is viewed through a variety of "character lenses", the main one being the first person viewpoint of Kurt Lancer. The clear and distinct voice in each POV made it easy to follow the POV changes.
The descriptive and sleek writing style flows effortlessly, and draws you into the world of these characters.
I enjoyed this story and can't wait for more from this talented author.
July 30, 2012
I would like to thank JTaylor Publishing for allowing me to be a part of this tour. I have not read a lot of adult books this year but the ones I have had a chance to just throw me for a loop because they are so GOOD! Oracle was one of those stories that threw me for a loop. When I started reading Oracle I was amazed at the authors descriptions of the places and things surrounding the characters. I don't know about you but I need that in my reading because I like to visualize where the character is and what the character is doing.
Picture this London, the Olympics are in full swing and there is a serial killer on the lose. No one knows who it is or why he or she is doing these horrible killings but they know it must stop. Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is the man for the job or is he. Kurt is handling some problems of his own while working on this case. He is a single father to a disabled daughter and he will do everything in his power to protect her. He will go to the ends of the earth for her and when it is apparent the serial killer is not about to stop killing Kurt has to put his personal life aside to catch the killer. Will he find out who the killer is in time? Will he be able to get enough clues? Will he be able to help his daughter? Will London survive the Olympics?
Come along for the greatest ride of your life. Once I started reading I could not stop and when I had to because my eyes were closing I woke up the next morning early so I could finish reading it. This is one murder mystery you will want to crack!
Picture this London, the Olympics are in full swing and there is a serial killer on the lose. No one knows who it is or why he or she is doing these horrible killings but they know it must stop. Detective Inspector Kurt Lancer is the man for the job or is he. Kurt is handling some problems of his own while working on this case. He is a single father to a disabled daughter and he will do everything in his power to protect her. He will go to the ends of the earth for her and when it is apparent the serial killer is not about to stop killing Kurt has to put his personal life aside to catch the killer. Will he find out who the killer is in time? Will he be able to get enough clues? Will he be able to help his daughter? Will London survive the Olympics?
Come along for the greatest ride of your life. Once I started reading I could not stop and when I had to because my eyes were closing I woke up the next morning early so I could finish reading it. This is one murder mystery you will want to crack!
January 3, 2013
Detective Kurt Lancer is on the trail of a serial killer. A killer becoming famous for the brutal and unusual ways of murdering his victims. The last thing London needs is a murderer on the loose with the Olympic Games about to start. Kurt wonders who might really be the killer when his home and daughter are targeted. As the nightmare and body count grows, he has to find who's behind it all or lose everything that matters to him.
This is an incredibly written thriller that pulled me along with every page. The tension was drawn tight at the beginning, and every time I felt it easing up, it was jerked taut again. Great pacing. What I loved most about the book was the characters. No stereotypes or cardboard cut-outs. These are real people with amazing depth. Kurt Lancer is a single father trying to raise a daughter with a growing disability. It made my heart ache to see the good and bad of the parent-child relationship. Kurt's partners, Sam and Tom, are extremely likable and the perfect complement to his rougher edges. The delinquent brother and sexy neighbor have more to their characters than originally meets the eye.
I wasn't surprised by anything that happened and I predicted where the story was going, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Wonderful detail, interesting Greek mythology, and spectacular characterization. Oracle is the debut novel for J.C. Martin, and she makes it look so easy.
This is an incredibly written thriller that pulled me along with every page. The tension was drawn tight at the beginning, and every time I felt it easing up, it was jerked taut again. Great pacing. What I loved most about the book was the characters. No stereotypes or cardboard cut-outs. These are real people with amazing depth. Kurt Lancer is a single father trying to raise a daughter with a growing disability. It made my heart ache to see the good and bad of the parent-child relationship. Kurt's partners, Sam and Tom, are extremely likable and the perfect complement to his rougher edges. The delinquent brother and sexy neighbor have more to their characters than originally meets the eye.
I wasn't surprised by anything that happened and I predicted where the story was going, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. Wonderful detail, interesting Greek mythology, and spectacular characterization. Oracle is the debut novel for J.C. Martin, and she makes it look so easy.
August 28, 2012
It is hard to believe this is J.C. Martin's debut novel. Her writing is beautiful. The plot is tightly constructed. Her characters are complex and relatable. I connected to them immediately, especially the protagonist. He is as real as it gets. I really hope to see Kurt Lancer again. There are some very poignant moments in this book as he struggles with what it means to be a good single father, a good brother and with how to balance his job with his home life--all while hunting down a gruesome serial killer! What I love most about this book is that its premise is so original. I read a lot of thrillers and mysteries and can usually figure out what the heck is going on within the first 25 pages. Not with this one. This one kept me guessing right up to the very end. Then when I got to the end, I thought, "Wow! That is so different! So original and so refreshing!" This is not your average serial killer book. I think J.C. Martin brings something new and very refreshing to this genre. Don't miss this one!
August 26, 2012
CONTEST: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...
(We're having technical issues with our site. If the contest link doesn't work right away please rephrase and try again.)
I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery story and how well woven the pieces were into the whole. The Greek mythological theme was carried through beautifully, and I enjoyed how it was first introduced by the bedtime stories Kurt's nearly blind daughter was practicing reading to him. As the killer's motives and m.o. became clearer, so did the various relationships in Kurt's life. I also enjoyed the way Kurt, his brother, and the killer were all portrayed as having come from less than optimal homes, yet the different choices each man made created such different paths. I definitely recommend this read for all the mystery/suspense buffs.
(We're having technical issues with our site. If the contest link doesn't work right away please rephrase and try again.)
I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery story and how well woven the pieces were into the whole. The Greek mythological theme was carried through beautifully, and I enjoyed how it was first introduced by the bedtime stories Kurt's nearly blind daughter was practicing reading to him. As the killer's motives and m.o. became clearer, so did the various relationships in Kurt's life. I also enjoyed the way Kurt, his brother, and the killer were all portrayed as having come from less than optimal homes, yet the different choices each man made created such different paths. I definitely recommend this read for all the mystery/suspense buffs.
August 13, 2012
I just loved this piece of crime fiction. From the first chapter until the last, it pulled me in and wouldn't let go.
One of the best features are the unique characters. Because I hear that this book is the first in the series, I'm excited to learn that these characters will be brought back. I especially like the main character Kurt Lancer and his going-blind daughter Meghan. The quality time he spends with her off the case is precious.
I read this book while the Olympics were in London and so the action in the book took on more meaning. And there was a lot of action. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
One of the best features are the unique characters. Because I hear that this book is the first in the series, I'm excited to learn that these characters will be brought back. I especially like the main character Kurt Lancer and his going-blind daughter Meghan. The quality time he spends with her off the case is precious.
I read this book while the Olympics were in London and so the action in the book took on more meaning. And there was a lot of action. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
October 10, 2012
When I think of this book, the images of scenes play out in my head and I feel as though it was a movie. The author, J.C. Martin, describes scenes and characters thoroughly and seamlessly. I loved the author's choice of a contemporary setting (leading up to the 2012 Olympics in London). The integration of mythological symbolism into the story was both interesting and exciting. I was disappointed by the fact that, after introduced in the story, I correctly suspected one character of being the murderer. It didn't keep me from finishing the book, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed the unveiling of the character's history and the circumstances leading up to the story's climax.
August 14, 2012
Overall, it was a good book. Some of the descriptions concerning sex seemed a little overdone and didn't add to the story (having them in there wasn't the problem, they just went further than needed). And there were some parts that were predictable, but enough of it wasn't that it was fun to read.
The pace really seems to pick up about 1/3 of the way through, so if you're having concerns before that, try to get that far and you'll probably want to finish.
If J.C. Martin writes another book, I would consider reading it.
The pace really seems to pick up about 1/3 of the way through, so if you're having concerns before that, try to get that far and you'll probably want to finish.
If J.C. Martin writes another book, I would consider reading it.
February 16, 2012
See my review under Aimee Laine
July 12, 2012
Great mystery that ha me guessing all the way to the end! Full review here: http://lsmurphy.com/2012/07/10/book-r...
February 22, 2014
Reviewed by April
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Oracle by J.C. Martin is an amazing psychological tale full of twists and turns that held me captivated from start to finish!
When I read the synopsis for this book, I was intrigued. It had been a while since I had read a police mystery and one centered around the Olympics in London 2012 sounded interesting. Add to that the aspect of psychological twists and a serial killer and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
Kurt Lancer is a single father to a precious little girl who has a condition that is slowly leading to her blindness. He aches for her as he tries to be the best father that he can after his wife was brutally murdered. Kurt is also a detective who has to handle some pretty intense and dangerous cases. He will do anything to protect his daughter – no matter the cost.
When bodies begin piling up around London, each left with a calling card of an oak leaf, Kurt and his partners must work against time to solve the crime before it is too late and more innocent lives suffer torture or death.
Kurt questions who he can trust and who he cannot. To make matters worse, questions arise in Kurt’s mind about his own brother that he has more or less raised from birth. Kurt wonders whether or not he can trust him or if he would do something unspeakable to his precious little girl. He worries that he will become a victim, leaving his daughter behind with no one. He worries that someone is out to put her life to an end and he worries that he will be unable to capture the serial killer before the Olympics begin.
Not only is Oracle a mystery and suspense novel, but it is written in a way that the basis of the story focuses on the mythological teaching of Zeus and Greek mythology. The intertwining of historical points from this time period lent an excellent dimension to the story and was, quite honestly, fascinating to me.
J.C. Martin shows enormous talent for weaving a complex tale that will surprise the reader repeatedly. Though I had the killer figured out pretty early on, I did find myself questioning my thoughts now and then and still found myself very surprised and relatively shocked with the plot twists and turns. Oracle is a very smooth and well-written story with characters that the author brings to life within the pages. I loved Kurt and felt myself aching for him at time; I loved his daughter, Meghan, his close friend and partner, Blaize and his newest partner Holloway. The dialog and plot were very real and believable, lending credence to the story.
Throughout the story, there are dabs of humor and compassion rounded out with tons of suspense and fast-paced action. I find it hard to believe that Oracle is J.C. Martin’s debut novel. She truly displays a maturity in her writing that it takes many authors years and many books to reach. With that being said, I see great things in this author’s future and I for one, cannot wait to read more work by her!
For any lover of suspense – particularly psychological suspense, Oracle is the perfect choice and one that you will not soon forget!
*As a side note, I do want to mention that the story is British with British spelling and grammar, which did not bother me in the least, but wanted readers to be prepared.
Quote: The picket fence, reduced to charred stumps, stuck out from the burnt earth at odd angles, like a row of rotting teeth over septic gums. Skeletal remains of bushes clawed at the peeled, blackened walls with bony fingers.
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Oracle by J.C. Martin is an amazing psychological tale full of twists and turns that held me captivated from start to finish!
When I read the synopsis for this book, I was intrigued. It had been a while since I had read a police mystery and one centered around the Olympics in London 2012 sounded interesting. Add to that the aspect of psychological twists and a serial killer and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
Kurt Lancer is a single father to a precious little girl who has a condition that is slowly leading to her blindness. He aches for her as he tries to be the best father that he can after his wife was brutally murdered. Kurt is also a detective who has to handle some pretty intense and dangerous cases. He will do anything to protect his daughter – no matter the cost.
When bodies begin piling up around London, each left with a calling card of an oak leaf, Kurt and his partners must work against time to solve the crime before it is too late and more innocent lives suffer torture or death.
Kurt questions who he can trust and who he cannot. To make matters worse, questions arise in Kurt’s mind about his own brother that he has more or less raised from birth. Kurt wonders whether or not he can trust him or if he would do something unspeakable to his precious little girl. He worries that he will become a victim, leaving his daughter behind with no one. He worries that someone is out to put her life to an end and he worries that he will be unable to capture the serial killer before the Olympics begin.
Not only is Oracle a mystery and suspense novel, but it is written in a way that the basis of the story focuses on the mythological teaching of Zeus and Greek mythology. The intertwining of historical points from this time period lent an excellent dimension to the story and was, quite honestly, fascinating to me.
J.C. Martin shows enormous talent for weaving a complex tale that will surprise the reader repeatedly. Though I had the killer figured out pretty early on, I did find myself questioning my thoughts now and then and still found myself very surprised and relatively shocked with the plot twists and turns. Oracle is a very smooth and well-written story with characters that the author brings to life within the pages. I loved Kurt and felt myself aching for him at time; I loved his daughter, Meghan, his close friend and partner, Blaize and his newest partner Holloway. The dialog and plot were very real and believable, lending credence to the story.
Throughout the story, there are dabs of humor and compassion rounded out with tons of suspense and fast-paced action. I find it hard to believe that Oracle is J.C. Martin’s debut novel. She truly displays a maturity in her writing that it takes many authors years and many books to reach. With that being said, I see great things in this author’s future and I for one, cannot wait to read more work by her!
For any lover of suspense – particularly psychological suspense, Oracle is the perfect choice and one that you will not soon forget!
*As a side note, I do want to mention that the story is British with British spelling and grammar, which did not bother me in the least, but wanted readers to be prepared.
Quote: The picket fence, reduced to charred stumps, stuck out from the burnt earth at odd angles, like a row of rotting teeth over septic gums. Skeletal remains of bushes clawed at the peeled, blackened walls with bony fingers.
February 6, 2022
Great book well worth the read fully recommend it
September 15, 2013
J.C Martin (an Asian woman living in England) has managed to write convincingly using both 3rd person and 1st person narratives. One a African-English detective (Kurt Lancer), the other a white maniac on a killing spree. She has the knack of the male voice and also the male lunatic. The Oracle is set in London, England right before the 2012 Olympics, which is a fresh and recent memory that we can all identify with. The London slang comes on thick at times in the this text as the characters all use authentic variations of dialects. A string of murders pop up around London and Kurt Lancer is thrown onto the case, having more links them than expected.
Kurt Lancer is instantly a likeable character that the reader can sympathize with him as he is raising a little girl who is going blind and is trying to solve his first homicide. His half brother Reggie is also a bit of trouble to as he is constantly having to deal with Reggie losing jobs, stealing and marijuana issues, plus they are all living in the one apartment. There is also the complication that Kurt has just overstepped the boundaries with his partner Blaize, the strong but attractive and more experienced detective.
The story jumps from Kurt's narrative into the killers, delving deep into the mind and murders of this strange and mysterious man. I do not want to reveal his name and the details of his murders as a good detective book like this needs surprises. I will say that each murder is very different and has a link to an ancient mythology that has links with the Olympics.
I absolutely loved this book and could really imagine it being turned into an action packed Hollywood smash! I could hear the sirens and the gunshots, the smack of the punches and the eerie suspenseful music in every page! Go check the book out now! It is an awesome read!
Kurt Lancer is instantly a likeable character that the reader can sympathize with him as he is raising a little girl who is going blind and is trying to solve his first homicide. His half brother Reggie is also a bit of trouble to as he is constantly having to deal with Reggie losing jobs, stealing and marijuana issues, plus they are all living in the one apartment. There is also the complication that Kurt has just overstepped the boundaries with his partner Blaize, the strong but attractive and more experienced detective.
The story jumps from Kurt's narrative into the killers, delving deep into the mind and murders of this strange and mysterious man. I do not want to reveal his name and the details of his murders as a good detective book like this needs surprises. I will say that each murder is very different and has a link to an ancient mythology that has links with the Olympics.
I absolutely loved this book and could really imagine it being turned into an action packed Hollywood smash! I could hear the sirens and the gunshots, the smack of the punches and the eerie suspenseful music in every page! Go check the book out now! It is an awesome read!
January 5, 2015
A great psychological thriller with some pretty interesting elements including references to Greek mythology, which you don't get with every crime novel. Although I was not taken by surprise by every twist, there was enough there to keep me flicking pages. I hope to see more from JC Martin.
May 4, 2015
Oracle
This story is a fantastic read. I'm not usually a mystery reader, but something about this book really intrigued me so I had to give a try. I'm so glad I did. I look forward to the next book from Martin.
This story is a fantastic read. I'm not usually a mystery reader, but something about this book really intrigued me so I had to give a try. I'm so glad I did. I look forward to the next book from Martin.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews