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"Travelling Eye"
by
Alyssa Day
It is part of the Tiger's Eye Mystery #0.5 series and is a mystery, paranormal fantasy in a Kindle edition that was published by the author on November 11, 2016 and has 49 pages.
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Other books in this series include [books_series]
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Wild Thing, Atlantis Rising, Atlantis Unleashed, Atlantis Awakening, Atlantis Unmasked, Atlantis Redeemed, Atlantis Betrayed, Vampire in Atlantis, Heart of Atlantis, Dead Eye, Private Eye, Evil Eye, Eye of Danger, Eye of the Storm, Eye on the Ball, Apple of My Eye, A Dead End Thanksgiving Disaster, Blink of an Eye, “William's Witch”
A prequel short story, 0.5 in the Tiger’s Eye paranormal mystery series and revolving around Tess Callahan and Jack Shepherd in Dead End, Florida. In this case, we’re meeting Jack for the first time on his way to Dead End with a stop off in Hope Springs, Utah.
My Take
Poor Jack. He so doesn’t want to get involved, but it’s those red-soled boots. And he keeps being sucked in.
We know all about it through third person protagonist point-of-view from Jack’s perspective.
Jack’s character is developed more than any of the others. You could consider Vanessa and then Alec as second in development, and they are fun, but it’s not what I’d consider fully developed.
The interaction in the diner will kick up your interest. There is some fun action what with the “pups” who take “offense”, but I didn’t really buy Vargas and Jack’s too-quick assessment of Alec’s interest. I do wish Painter had worked this a little more smoothly.
I did have to crack up at the differing reactions when Jack’s background is revealed. Talk about a 180! You’ll be spinning!
Still, it was a fun read and does fill you in on Jack’s character before he arrives in Dead End.
The Story
It’s a long and long put-off ride, but Jack’s finally heading home. He may have missed his uncle’s funeral, but dang it, he intends to get there in time to wrap up his uncle’s business and then figure out what he’ll do for the rest of his life.
Until a beautiful woman pulls him into a deadly mystery involving a missing Santa and a race to save two lives.
The Characters
Jack Shepherd, an ex-soldier, is a shapeshifter who turns into a Bengal tiger. Quinn had been co-leader with Jack in the rebellion; now she’s with Alaric (Heart of Atlantis, 8). Jeremiah is/was his uncle who owned a pawnshop.
Hope Springs, Utah
Donna is the waitress at the diner where they have some fascinating specials, lol. Vanessa is the daughter of “Santa”. Bobby.
Santa is Ray Clark, Vanessa’s rancher father. Maya is the tardy elf. Bessie Fortnoy. Old Mr Arbuthnot heard a shot.
Sheriff Chuck McConnell. One of his deputies is a wolf shifter.
The Bear Lake Pack is the resident pack. Its alpha is Alec Vargas, who’s had problems with Ray. There are some rogue wolves including Frank and the babbling Fred, and Marvin who has a girlfriend.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a cartoon graphic, and it encapsulates this shortie. It’s Jack as his Bengal tiger form wearing Santa’s hat and parading through the snow behind the striped pole with a yellow ball on top with a wooden sign stating “North Pole”. The top half is a royal blue sky with stars, making a perfect background for the info blurb in white at the very top with the author’s name in a light orange. Crossing the bottom of the pole and Jack’s paws is the title in a western-style font in white. Below that is the series info in yellow.
The title is all about Jack, a private investigator who’s a “Travelling Eye”.
