Spook Squad (PsyCop, #7) in Read with Pride Northwest

Aug 15, 2013 ttg rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, reviews

4.5 stars – I’ll be honest and say I don’t know if I can review this book or any Psycop book objectively after reading book 1 Among the Living. (Especially after the year and half of waiting since I read #6 GhosTV.) Settling into #7 Spook Squad was like finally getting a chance to revisit a crazy, hilarious friend who you adore, even though he’s a little nutty, self-centered, oblivious, and begrudgingly optimistic about the world (once he gets over his trust issues.)

It’s was such a *treat* to b 4.5 stars – I’ll be honest and say I don’t know if I can review this book or any Psycop book objectively after reading book 1 Among the Living. (Especially after the year and half of waiting since I read #6 GhosTV.) Settling into #7 Spook Squad was like finally getting a chance to revisit a crazy, hilarious friend who you adore, even though he’s a little nutty, self-centered, oblivious, and begrudgingly optimistic about the world (once he gets over his trust issues.)

It’s was such a *treat* to be back in Vic’s head and ride along with his narrative, that it’s easy for me to thoroughly enjoy myself and love the experience of the work. Everyone is back (although not much Crash or Zig), but Vic & Jacob are back, and still super-solid, which was nice since at the end of book 6, you didn’t know how Jacob’s decision to join “the dark side” would affect their relationship.

What I loved: I find JCP’s writing, especially Vic’s voice, incredibly breezy and effortless, like you are really traveling along in Vic’s head. There are a lot of throwaway details and references that flash (and even a super-fast reference to the climax of book 1) that feel like little rewards to the reader as you figure it out (“Oh yeah, that’s that thing from the past book!”) but at the same time, it felt very natural, like Vic was connecting all his experiences in his head as he pushed forward on figuring out who are the ghosts that are hanging around FPMP.

There’s some good Vic & Jacob time, although less so than book 6 (and way less sexy time than book 5 Camp Hell.) Their scenes together are still the tops though, and it’s so great to see how much Vic trusts Jacob and how solid their relationship is. They’re definitely one of my favorite m/m couples and their lack-of-drama relationship is incredibly refreshing. (I wouldn't have minded more V&J time though--I'm greedy and I lurve them together.)

Probably my main issue is that I felt the pacing slow down in the middle of the book as Vic explored different mysteries, like who the repeating ghosts were in the FPMP, where the ghost of Dr. Chance is, and the whereabouts of a missing Psycop. I wouldn’t have minded some more heightened tension in this section somewhere to spark up the pace.

That, and even though some big things happen in this one, it somehow felt less big compared to the revelations and power-ups that come out of book 5 and book 6. But Vic still takes a big step (by his own will), and it will be interesting to see how things go.

It’s neat to see the trajectory of his character, from someone on the fringes, barely “awake” to the living world, to then slowly shift and become someone with attachments, intimacy, love, friends, trust, an understanding of talent and a new purpose to use it, an understanding of others and the willingness to connect to them (and care for them.)

I don’t know where the next installment will go, but I’m definitely looking forward to where Vic and Jacob go next. (Now the wait until book 8 begins...) ...more

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Aug 30, 2013 Jordan Price marked it as wrote · (Review from the author)

Spook Squad is now available at JCP Books in Mobi, ePub and PDF, and at Amazon for Kindle, and B&N for Nook. Paperback is in process. ...more

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Dec 26, 2022 Mtsnow13 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, romance, paranormal, fantasy, suspense, series-read, ghosts-spirits, own-to-read, kobo, mtsnwfll

FanFreakinTastic story. Things are a changin'. The PsyCop world as we thought we knew it? Well, it's a whole new game and things we think we know? Maybe not so much. 

Vic is still struggling with the fact he 'owes' Director Dreyfuss, and he's trying to figure out how he can pay his debt, get it over with and maybe even get some bennies out of it. Things are also getting strange with his best friend Lisa. Secretive phone calls, out at all hours of the night. She's seeing someone new, and it's driv FanFreakinTastic story. Things are a changin'. The PsyCop world as we thought we knew it? Well, it's a whole new game and things we think we know? Maybe not so much. 

Vic is still struggling with the fact he 'owes' Director Dreyfuss, and he's trying to figure out how he can pay his debt, get it over with and maybe even get some bennies out of it. Things are also getting strange with his best friend Lisa. Secretive phone calls, out at all hours of the night. She's seeing someone new, and it's driving Vic crazy wondering who the guy - or gal - might be.

 We see much more of his former classmate Richie. Many laugh out loud moments. Then some sad ones. And some things are revealed about Richie that get us to maybe rethink preconceived notions. But hey. What's up with him?!

 Then there's the mystery of a missing PsyCop, a fire, a psychic reading by a ghost, and for some reason Vic now finds he has a whole lotta time on his hands. There are also some seriously scary things going on. 

This whole book flew by, and it was unbelievable that it was 12 whole hours, because it did NOT feel like it. It was like great, creamy, luscious Belgian chocolate; not the chalky dollar store variety. And I wanted to savor every last bite. It was so good, I found myself almost wanting to drag it out.

 The level of detail, and Vic's sarcasm and thought processes are fascinating. To be honest, I think I was even more drawn into the storytelling more-so than the romance aspect. Yes, it's obvious how much Vic and Jacob love each other, but that doesn't overshadow the rest of the story. It just adds another delicious layer.

 This was a must read, fantastic journey back into the PsyCop world. Loved it! And Gomez Pugh, he nails it once again with the perfect narration. This series will be on my re-read list most definitely. 

Highly recommended addition to this series. And, so GLAD to hear it's not the end. We've been told there is more to come (yay Crash!) If you enjoy a bit of crazy, a bit of mystery, some spooky creepy crawlies, and sarcastic wit, you NEED to get on the PsyCop bandwagon. You'll wonder what you were waiting for. *smiles* ...more

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May 09, 2016 Mtsnow13 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

FanFreakinTastic story. Things are a changin'. The PsyCop world as we thought we knew it? Well, it's a whole new game and things we think we know? Maybe not so much.

Vic is still struggling with the fact he 'owes' Director Dreyfuss, and he's trying to figure out how he can pay his debt, get it over with and maybe even get some bennies out of it. Things are also getting strange with his best friend Lisa. Secretive phone calls, out at all hours of the night. She's seeing someone new, and it's drivi FanFreakinTastic story. Things are a changin'. The PsyCop world as we thought we knew it? Well, it's a whole new game and things we think we know? Maybe not so much.

Vic is still struggling with the fact he 'owes' Director Dreyfuss, and he's trying to figure out how he can pay his debt, get it over with and maybe even get some bennies out of it. Things are also getting strange with his best friend Lisa. Secretive phone calls, out at all hours of the night. She's seeing someone new, and it's driving Vic crazy wondering who the guy - or gal - might be.

We see much more of his former classmate Richie. Many laugh out loud moments. Then some sad ones. And some things are revealed about Richie that get us to maybe rethink preconceived notions. But hey. What's up with him?!

Then there's the mystery of a missing PsyCop, a fire, a psychic reading by a ghost, and for some reason Vic now finds he has a whole lotta time on his hands. There are also some seriously scary things going on.

This whole book flew by, and it was unbelievable that it was 12 whole hours, because it did NOT feel like it. It was like great, creamy, luscious Belgian chocolate; not the chalky dollar store variety. And I wanted to savor every last bite. It was so good, I found myself almost wanting to drag it out.

The level of detail, and Vic's sarcasm and thought processes are fascinating. To be honest, I think I was even more drawn into the storytelling more-so than the romance aspect. Yes, it's obvious how much Vic and Jacob love each other, but that doesn't overshadow the rest of the story. It just adds another delicious layer.

This was a must read, fantastic journey back into the PsyCop world. Loved it! And Gomez Pugh, he nails it once again with the perfect narration. This series will be on my re-read list most definitely.

Highly recommended addition to this series. And, so GLAD to hear it's not the end. We've been told there is more to come (yay Crash!) If you enjoy a bit of crazy, a bit of mystery, some spooky creepy crawlies, and sarcastic wit, you NEED to get on the PsyCop bandwagon. You'll wonder what you were waiting for. *smiles*
...more

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Jul 27, 2014 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: how-ebook, what-modern-fantasy, what-male-protagonist, why-favorite-series, what-mm-read, why-favorite-mm, how-series, what-mystery, what-lgbtqia, where-grr-mine

This is not a stand alone story. You will get the plot but you'll miss a lot if you haven't read the series. You most likely will be confused.

I love how protective and worried about Lisa Vic is. It's nice since lately he's been so self absorbed. The whole scene where she goes all ghetto on Carolyn is hilarious.

Wow. I guess after the thing with Lisa, he's worried about all his friends now. And isn't it weird and cool that he's hang-out-and-chill level of friends with Crash?

The humor is subtle a ...more

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Aug 16, 2013 KC rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-sf-paranormal, m-m

I loved Spook Squad! My expectations were high and they were met. In this 7th book of the series, Vic is helping the FPMP and stumbles upon a mystery, and an old enemy, Dr. Chance. Nothing and no one is at it seems. Lisa has a surprise in store, and Crash's old boyfriend is in town. As i started reading i realized just how much i missed spending time with Vic, Jacob, and Crash, and just how much i missed Vic's point of view. It was like falling into step with some of my favorite character-friend ...more

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Mar 15, 2017 Anna added it

I loved loved loved this. A fitting conclusion to Vic's story.

*sigh* but now it's over! What am I supposed to do with myself now?? ...more

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Sep 16, 2013 Shelby rated it it was amazing

Shelves: deserve-additional-reads, bad-boys-to-steal-your-heart, paranormal, dark, m-m, law-enforcement-bodyguard-pi, most-recent-read-in-series, mystery, action-adventure, angst

Overall I'd give this one 4.5 stars that I'll round up to 5 for a satisfying conclusion of the outstanding storylines. Though while this does come to a conclusion, it still doesn't feel Over with a capital O for our dear Vic and Jacob.

This book really does a wonderful job of completing Vic's emotional growth. His character has gone through so many changes over the course of this series. We've gotten to watch him really come into his own even as he's still discovering things he can do with his ta ...more

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Aug 15, 2013 Chelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi, romance, boyz, lawman

Loved it. I'm not sure if I loved it as much as GhosTv, but it's super duper close.

More and more, I'm convinced that this Vic character is based on me. Except you know, he's a psychic gay dude. Is he Aquarian? His brain yammers as much as mine does.

In conclusion, I feel a little bit sad about two tall dudes and a short peephole in the front door.

P.S. CRASH WILL GET HIS OWN STORY!!!

...more

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Sep 29, 2013 Absynthe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, supernatural-mystical, cops-emts-soldiers-detectives, crime-or-thriller, suspence

Really, exactly what I expected. Another excellent installment in the PsyCop series. Loved it!

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Aug 28, 2013 Charley Descoteaux rated it it was amazing

Shelves: on-nook, series, gay, own-it, mystery

Another wonderful installment in the PsyCop series--which is coming close to knocking King's Gunslinger books off the pedestal as my all-time favorite series. I predict the pedestal will fall with the next one. :D ...more

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