Sleep with the Lights On (Brown and de Luca #1)

I bought this book years ago and it’s been sitting in my kindle. I’ve been reading mostly romances lately and decided to read this for a change. Rachel is blind and very successful. Her brother has gone missing but he’s a homeless addict so she’s not getting much help finding him. Mason, a detective, has a brother who commits suicide and leaves evidence that he was a serial killer. Mason decides to donate his brother’s organs. Unfortunately, his evil travels with them and the killing continues. I can’t say I’m a big fan of Rachel. Her public persona is a lie and she is described as not really nice yet she loves her family, friends and dog. She seems to figure out what’s going on really quickly which seems weird because the premise isn’t something people would normally think of. Mason, on the other hand, even though he has actual evidence to help figure it out, is much more slow. This book is the first in a series. Although there’s attraction between Rachel and Mason, it’s not a highlight. The book doesn’t have a definite ending. The current issue is resolved but you know there will be more and that sets up the next book. It’s a good start but you have to accept the supernatural occurrence of the evil traveling with the organs.

I am easily spooked, and have no shame in admitting it. I’m not ashamed of covering my eyes during scary movies, but can honestly say this was the first time I have ever had the urge to close my eyes while reading a book because the words on the page gave me chills. This one truly did. I loved it though! I am a big fan of Maggie Shayne’s and was definitely not disappointed in the first installment in this series. I won’t go into too much detail of the story other than to say I think Rachel is one of my favorite characters in a novel ever. I love that she has this wit and sarcasm that she usually keeps hidden from the public, but those who truly know her know that she is totally not who she appears to be. The public her is sweet and positive and upbeat, but the real Rachel is sarcastic, feisty, and funny as hell, but definitely has a soft, girlie-girl side. The image my “inner camera” has of her and Myrtle together makes me laugh inside every time I think of them. The story grabs you from the start, taking surprising twists and turns. This is no cookie cutter piece of fluff, that’s for sure. I couldn’t put it down, except when forced to. I was trying to figure it out the whole time and was not expecting the ending that came. There’s drama, violence, a bit of romance, and definitely humor throughout. I’ve heard many different ways of expressing surprise, but never have I heard the phrase, “Well, I’ll be dipped.” It’s always fun when you can bust out laughing at something you’ve read and have your family look at you as though you’ve completely lost it for doing so. I freely admit to being easily entertained, but this may be my new favorite saying. I am anxiously awaiting the next installment (December is too far away!) in this series. I can’t wait to find out what happens next for Rachel, Mason, and Myrtle!

This was a pretty good read. But I must admit that the plot — the killer/organ donor theme — was a little questionable for me. And I had a problem with the hero covering up the discovery of his brother as a serial killer. Would it be reasonable for a man to want to spare his family having to deal with the knowledge of a loved one being a serial killer? Yes, but for some reason it just didn’t ring true for me. Maybe it’s because I wouldn’t want my “hero” to so jeopardize his ethics as a cop. Does the serial killer living on through donated organs/tissues seem reasonable — probably. But again, it just didn’t quite ring true for me. I did like the heroine’s intuitiveness. But she’s supposed to be a positive thinking guru who doesn’t really believe what she writes. Now, normally I like a smart mouthed, sometimes even a foul mouthed heroine. But she’s supposed to believe in the power of positive thinking and living. She’s actually anything but. Again, she didn’t ring true for me. And — spoiler alert — at the end, even after some steamy relations, they decide to just be friends for awhile? Again, doesn’t ring true. It’s as if the author plans to write more books in the series (which she has, apparently) with these characters and doesn’t want them to jump too quickly into a serious relationship — but wants to drag it out. Again, doesn’t ring true for me. Not sure if I’ll read more in this series. There are just way too many great books out there to read.

And all the other chapters, too. A blind self-help author gets her sight back, a homicide detective walks in on his brother’s suicide and a serial killer is on the loose. All get tangled together in this odd whodunit that starts with us already knowing who did it. From the beginning I felt empathy for the serial killer even though I fought against it. Then the “other” killer was worked into the plot! Pretty quirky. Ms Shayne gives the heroine a foul and sarcastic mouth that is truly over the top yet somehow is likable anyway. I gave this a five-star rating because the dialogue and stream of consciousness are clever, often funny and down right original. Beware, the heroine appears to enjoy heavy use of swear words especially the “F” bomb. If this offends, you might want to pass up this otherwise excellent read. Do not think this rating has this novel ranked in the same great fiction as a classic Hemmingway, but it is up there with Lawrence Block’s “The Hit Man.” In this genre it hits a five just fine.

I can’t fault anything about this book!! Well…I can…but it’s more personal than any kind of dig at the author (who did a wonderful job!) and that’s when Rachel and Mason finally got it on! I’d just got through reading an erotica and my need for filth was high up there!!! After all the build up I really wanted something from that!!! But I get that the genre of this novel isn’t about the filth and the feeding my perverted imagination! So, to the main reason I am here. This book was fantastic! I loved the MC, she was absolutely perfect in her role. And so what if she swore a bit, I think it suited her character down to a T! Some people aren’t keen on swearing, and that’s fine, but there was nothing out of place about the language in this book, it fitted with the story extremely well. As I said, I adore Rachel De Luca’s character, she had me laughing my socks off with her behaviour and attitude, I can totally relate to her because I am exactly the same as she is!!! Mason was fab. I instantly liked him and had a vivid image of him in my head that even I woulda’ve succumbed to, so bravo, Rachel!! *High five*. The story itself was unique. I’ve read stories of visions of killings, etc. But Maggie put her own spin on this and really made it work! I got through reading it and immediately jumped to the second in the series (currently on the third now!) but I will leave those reviews for where they are intended 🙂

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