Criss Cross (PsyCop, #2) in Queereaders

Oct 18, 2009 Nancy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: e-books, shelf-inflicted, paranormal, crime-mystery-thriller, gay, ghosts, erotic-romance, outlaw-reviews

Cross-posted at Shelf Inflicted and at Outlaw Reviews

Criss Cross is the second story in the Psy Cop series. Once again, a well-written, fun, fast-paced and suspenseful story told from Victor’s perspective. On a fishing trip with his former partner, Maurice, Vic discovers that his ability to see and communicate with the dead is amplified when he sees dead faces in the water. Meanwhile, his former partner, Lisa, informs Jacob that Vic is in danger, and Vic wants to figure out why he is scratching ...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: where-grr-mine, what-lgbtqia, what-male-protagonist, what-modern-fantasy, why-favorite-author, what-mm-read, what-mm, what-ghosts, why-favorite-series, what-uniforms-and-investigations

I eat these books up like candy. When I am done with one I am eager to read the next one right away. I try to hold myself back because there are only six books, most of them novellas, and a couple of shorts. Not enough!! (You can only buy the bundle from Price's own website.) it's a struggle though, like eating only one potato chip, to mix my metaphor.

This one was no exception. The protagonist, Vic, has low-self esteem even though he's very powerful which is actually partially why. The quantity I eat these books up like candy. When I am done with one I am eager to read the next one right away. I try to hold myself back because there are only six books, most of them novellas, and a couple of shorts. Not enough!! (You can only buy the bundle from Price's own website.) it's a struggle though, like eating only one potato chip, to mix my metaphor.

This one was no exception. The protagonist, Vic, has low-self esteem even though he's very powerful which is actually partially why. The quantity and physicality of the ghosts he sees as one of the most powerful mediums around drive him almost crazy so he has to take a cocktail of drugs just to stay sane.

The problem here is that he now has to quit these drugs cold turkey and the ghosts are getting worse than ever before. His fear and disgust feel very real as Price relates the action. I could feel Vic breaking apart under the onslaught.

Which made for a good level of drama and a little action to add to the best part of these books: Vic's humor. He isn't necessarily trying to be funny, well sometimes, but his bleak vision of his immediate future and how he's going to mess up and his dry humor, mixed with the times he really does fail and in a spectacular way, is truly laugh out loud funny to me. I think the character is adorable and I want to hang out with him or at times knock some sense into him then take him in my arms and remind him what a great person he is.

He wouldn't be interested though, and for good reason, not just because he's gay. (His neuroses about acting too gay or trying too hard not to act too gay and failing are hilarious.) He has a perfect, amazing boyfriend who finds Vic's insecurities adorable, too. Jacob's the perfect amount of protective mixed with the perfect amount of standing back and letting Vic take care of himself.

Although Vic does't understand what Jacob sees in him, their love is beautiful. It's gentle and caring and supportive and they have amazing sex. The latter isn't the most original that I've seen but it shouldn't be, it wouldn't fit the story. The scenes are different enough to make them each hot and enjoyable, which is really what matters, at least to me. :)

The only problem I have with these books is the resolution of the plot. The final action just isn't long enough. The problem is solved too soon and too easily. I want the drama to last long enough so that I am actually worried, that there is suspense. As it is, the conflict is being resolved just as we're finding out about it. In this case, there could easily have been a long chase that would have fit with the plot, the characters, and the series that would have fit in right where the final "battle" was. As it was, the danger was so short it didn't even really register as danger. I think if those kinds of scenes lasted longer, this could easily have been a novel rather than a novella. I need my heroes to be in peril for a little longer.

This book also introduces a new character, Crash, who is apparently a regular in the series. (Well there is a very brief mention of him in the short that is .5 in the series but that really doesn't count.) I don't really like him and I hate that he's always coming on to Vic, so I hope he improves as the series progresses and knocks that behavior off.

Despite the weak ending, I still loved this book and had to read a short right after to get another fix. I highly recommend this and the whole series.

If you are interested in reading this series with the silly name, read the free short Thaw available from Smashwords. It's not very funny, not like the series, but it's very sweet.
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Feb 12, 2012 Chad rated it really liked it

The longer format of this entry in the PsyCop series really did wonders for the main plot line development, which made me very happy. There was more space in this installment to build suspense and develop a mystery that had you genuinely worried for the safety of the characters you've begun to love. And really, if you haven't already fallen in love with the characters, why are you reading the book?

Speaking of characters, Price again does a masterful job with character development, making each ch ...more

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Oct 25, 2009 Kassa rated it really liked it

Sometimes proficient authors with large backlists can be scary with such questions as where to start and how to sample without feeling overwhelmed. Thankfully Jordan Castillo Price has made things really really easy for those readers who haven’t sampled her fabulous PsyCops series. When I first read Among The Living, it was offered as a free download to entice readers. I have no doubt it worked since it intrigued me enough to buy the next 2 books immediately. Now that offer is gone but JCP still Sometimes proficient authors with large backlists can be scary with such questions as where to start and how to sample without feeling overwhelmed. Thankfully Jordan Castillo Price has made things really really easy for those readers who haven’t sampled her fabulous PsyCops series. When I first read Among The Living, it was offered as a free download to entice readers. I have no doubt it worked since it intrigued me enough to buy the next 2 books immediately. Now that offer is gone but JCP still offers the first HALF of Among the Living for free over at GLBT bookshelf. Now that’s a deal. Additionally her site now makes it crystal clear how the series is to be read and in what order. It truly makes my little reader heart soar with happiness. I mention this specifically because I had commented on such problems when I read the first book. So enough of that – how was Criss Cross you may ask. It was a pretty good sequel, not as good as the first but enough to hook me on the series definitely.

Here Vic, our favorite drug popping psychic cop has a new partner. Unfortunately the ghosts around him have multiplied and Vic’s favorite drug induced coma coping mechanism has been taken away from him. Not to mention Vic seems to be channeling a dead killer while sleeping with his kind of new boyfriend, Jacob. As if all of this wasn’t enough, Jacob’s ex appears to help Vic cleanse his aura and Lisa is calling with cryptic messages from California. Vic must sort it all out before his head explodes or his liver does from drug use.

Told again in first person point of view from Vic’s perspective, the strength of the story relies on Vic’s drug popping nature and his dry sense of humor. The ability to recognize crazy in himself and still manage to function is a cornerstone of the story, and series, when his drug use and instability would incapacitate most people. The story itself is somewhat indistinct and loose and lacks a strong focus. There is a purpose to the action, but the reasoning is vague and limited to the last few pages. Several of the set up scenes are obvious in their intent and Vic’s constant distraction and absent attention can be frustrating. That guy with a chainsaw at 2 am is not necessarily just cutting down a bothersome tree people. However there are always reasonable excuses for each lapse on Vic’s part, even if the reader is annoyed at the lack of intelligence sometimes.

Another of the strengths of the story is the solid characterization and furthering the relationship between Vic and Jacob. Although neither man is given more depth than the previous novella, their relationship is strong, interesting, and engaging without overwhelming the story with sappy, unnecessary romance and sentimentality. The strong, silent nature of their relationship works very well so the focus of Vic’s mental chaos doesn’t overwhelm the story with too many components. Additionally the engaging voice and dialogue make the story a fun, entertaining read and one you don’t want to put down. There is subtle humor, horror, and paranormal elements deftly woven into the setting and characters creating a unique atmosphere and series that instantly attracts and draws readers in from the first scene to the last. The quick pace and dry wit keep readers connected to the story and interested in the outcome.

Although the story lacked a strong focus and meandered along for most of the novella, the great writing keeps this as a fun, must read for the series. The urban fantasy setting is more complex and intricate in this book so that also helps cover the lack of complicated mystery. The wonderful writing, tight descriptions, and crisp pose make this a solid story you won’t want to miss. If you haven’t started the PsyCops series I suggest you do so and I personally am excited to read the next books and hope to eventually get through that extensive backlist and series. ...more

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Apr 03, 2010 Fey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, reviewed, paranormal-romance, m-m, ghosts

The second in the PsyCop series, Vic starts seeing way too many ghosts around and it's causing him problems, Lisa is stuck away in psy train where she can't help him. I like the way Vic isn't totally in control of his own story, we get a lot more of the other characters in, which is really awesome cos all the characters are really well drawn.
I like this series because it could quite well be classed under mystery aswell as paranormal. It reminds me a lot of Josh Lanyon's Adrien English, being as ...more

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Nov 01, 2009 LD Durham rated it really liked it

Shelves: gay-fiction, m-m-romance

Really enjoyed the mystery in this and the characters are really solid and entertaining to watch. On to the next! I am so glad I got nudged into this series.

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Jan 11, 2010 Chris rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, done, favorites, paranormal, reread, 2009, gay, romantic-suspense, 2011

4.5 stars. Very good m/m paranormal romantic suspense that takes place a few weeks after Among the Living. Jacob's staying with Vic while looking for a new condo, and Vic has a creepily eager-to-please new partner at work. ...more

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