Review: Principles of Spookology (The Spectral Files #2) by S.E. Harmon
No one said being a medium would be easy.
Rain Christiansen, former FBI agent and current cold case detective, is starting to think it’s the hardest job he’s ever had—and the most important. He’s determined to accept all the changes in his formerly well-ordered life, but that means embracing a whole lot of weird. There’s no instruction manual for meshing his work with his medium duties, and he’s painfully aware that he’s flubbing the job. So are the ghosts, who are becoming increasingly impatient. And stronger.
To complicate matters, he’s not sure what these spooktacular developments mean for his relationship. It certainly seems like Daniel McKenna, his partner in work and life, is in it for the long haul. But Rain can’t help but wonder how long that patience will last…and what he’ll do if Danny decides the intrusive ghosts are just too much.
Rain thought accepting his supernatural gifts would be the solution to his troubles. But he’s starting to realize his problems are just getting started.
Review:
Dear S.E. Harmon,
I really enjoyed the first book in this series “P.S. I Spook You” and reviewed it at DA. I knew that I wanted to read the next book if you decided to write it, nevertheless the actual appearance of this story was a surprise for me . A very pleasant one.
One of the main reasons why the first book worked so well for me was Rain’s voice. His brand of snark worked very well for me and it continued to work just as well for me in this story. I cannot stress it strongly enough. Humor is subjective, and especially with the narrator like Rain, so please check the sample. See if the voice works.
At the end of the first book, Danny and Rain were together and they were going to become a vital part of new investigative group dealing with paranormal things. Of course mostly the group was formed because of Rain’s talents.
In the beginning of this book, we see them and other members of the unit and their bosses figuring out the place it has within the police department and both Danny and Rain are still figuring out their relationship.
If you have not read the first book ( I highly recommend you start with it, if you are intrigued), this is how Rain talks:
“Most people knew I was a member of the PTU, or Paranormal Tactical Unit. Defining the acronym was on a need-to-know, case-by-case basis. Luckily for me, not a lot of people needed to know. As a team, we were still getting used to our dynamics and finding our footing. As a medium, so was I. I was becoming painfully aware of how little I knew about my own… skill set. Skill set kind of made it sound like I should have Craftsman branded on my ass. I wasn’t sure what else to call my paranormal inclinations, though. Talent implied I had something to do with it and really, I was just born this way. The term gift was pushing it a bit.”
Rain is still seeing ghosts, at times more than one and they show up at most unexpected hours. One of these ghosts named Mason is asking for help and Rain and Danny get involved in investigating his murder.
“Danny’s voice was a little husky. “I don’t suppose we have time for anything else.” “No,” Mason said loudly. “We don’t.” “No one asked you,” I snapped. It took a few seconds, but awareness finally lit Danny’s eyes. “Ah. I didn’t know we weren’t alone.” I winced. “Sorry.” “No, it’s okay.” His tone said it was very much not okay. “I forgot we fuck for audiences now.””
During the investigation Rain is still learning to fully embrace his talent, to put some boundaries on the dealings with his guests, on figuring out how he wants his relationship with Danny to move forward. I really loved the pacing of the book, somehow the author managed for me to mix fast moving investigation with the lovely romance. Once again Rain is our only narrator, but I was able to see Danny very clearly through Rain’s eyes.
““That’s unexpectedly sweet, coming from you.” “Unexpectedly? You know I have a sweet side.” “It’s a little… underdeveloped,” I said tactfully. “How do you figure?” He sent me an offended look. “I’m romantic as hell.” I snorted. The last time he wanted to have sex, he’d strutted into the kitchen wearing nothing but socks and a smile and asked, ‘How ’bout it?’ When I reminded him of that, he sent me a blank look. “I’m not seeing the problem.””
I actually was impressed with romance developments. It is clear to me that Rain and Danny are deeply in love, but Rain (and probably Danny) still has insecurities , uncertainties about certain things and I was impressed how the author managed to convey that without breaking the guys up and I thought they ended up being in even better place at the end of the book .
I am looking forward to the book three if it comes.
Grade B
AmazonBNKoboBook DepositoryGoogle
I read this recently and enjoyed it; I’m also looking forward to more in the series. Thanks for your review, Sirius.
Thank you I always appreciate your comments .