Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye

Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 1

By: Victoria Laurie

Narrated by: Elizabeth Michaels

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

We predict amazing success for this brand-new mystery series starring Psychic Abby Cooper.

Abby Cooper is a P.I., psychic intuitive. But her insight failed her when she didn't foresee the death of one of her clients - or that the lead investigator for the case is the gorgeous blind date she just met. Now, with the police suspicious of her abilities and a killer on the loose, Abby's future looks more uncertain than ever.

Psy Chic: listen to more Psychic Eye mysteries.

©2004 Victoria Laurie (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Absolutly riveting

Would you consider the audio edition of Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye to be better than the print version?

I have listen to the entire series 3 times and I loved it! Abby Cooper is to funny and her family members are the most.

Great story!

I loved the book as I do all Victoria Laurie books but the reading was just ok. The narrators voice seemed choppy and her tone changed frequently like they cut and pasted recordings together. This would be fine if it wasn't in the middle of sentences.

Narrator sounds way too old

Where does Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It ranks very high as a book, but not an audible book, based on the narrator who sounds quite old. I still have to give it good reviews based on the quality of the writing, and it is possible to just think of Abby as a cooky old grandma and still enjoy the listen.

What other book might you compare Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye to and why?

Maybe the Stephanie Plumb series? Just based on the humor and murder.

What didn’t you like about Elizabeth Michaels’s performance?

Her voice came across as forced and phony. She has some weird Jersey accent that doesn't fit this book since it takes place in Michigan. Also, she sounds quite old, which makes me think Abby is in her 50's or even older.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I couldn't handle this narrator all at once, otherwise, yes! I did download the second one in the series right away.

Any additional comments?

The book is great, but it is very hard to remember that the main character, Abby, is only 32 when the narrator does a super bizarre jersey inspired old lady voice. There are no love scenes in this book, which is good because I wouldn't be able to take her seriously. Her voice comes off as super phony.

What a Hoot

What did you love best about Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye?

Great story, funny, sad, silly.... a little of everything

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth Michaels – was your favorite?

I read the reviews and I was surprised that there were negative reviews of Elizabeth Michaels, I thought she did a fine job with all the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Abby came back from visiting her sister

Any additional comments?

just downloaded another Abby book :-)

Enjoyed it.

Very refreshing. Easy read. Held my interest. I think I'll look for book 2 and read it.

Glad I didn't listen to the nay-sayers

The narrator in no way ruined this book for me. I'd been looking at this book and series for awhile but kept putting it off because of all the negative comments on the reader. I decided to give it a try anyway and I'm glad I did. My pet peeve is monotone readers, but Ms. Michaels puts emotion in her voice to try to convey when Abby is amused or angry and during conversations you could tell which character was speaking. As another reviewer said, she was fine. I won't hesitate to get the rest of this series or other books she might read. I have to admit she won't go on my list of favorite narrators along with Marguerite Gavin, Kate Reading and Scott Brick but they can't read everything.
I'd recommend this series if you're in the mood for a light cozy-style mystery. The details on her psychic insights, the way they come about and how they work, add an extra dimension to the story and make up for some of the shortcomings of the book. I agree that at times Abby seems very childish but perhaps that was the author's way of showing the heroine wasn't perfect. I did get attached to Abby and Dutch and want to hear how Abby's psychic intuition helps solve more cases in the other books.

Nice change of pace...

This isn't my genre, and normally I'd give any book with the word "psychic" in it a wide berth, but it was a "Daily Deal", and I've had good luck with those, so I went for it.

I liked it. This isn't great literature, you understand, but as a nice, casual, interesting summer listen, something a little different, it was more than fine. The "psychic" element in the book didn't come off as weird or kooky, but merely as interesting. All in all, it had a well-constructed plot, interesting characters, and was well narrated.

The ultimate test? If I came across another Abby Cooper book, I'd probably go for it.

Ready sounds way too old to be Abby!

Would you try another book from Victoria Laurie and/or Elizabeth Michaels?

probably not

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It's a brain candy book, which I like but the reader makes her sound like she's 60...which would be okay if she was 60, not in her early 30s

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Elizabeth Michaels?

Amanda Ronconi?

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, but just to "see" Abby... I have no idea who she is

Good start

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book, for the most part. The story had enough twists to keep it interesting. So far I'm liking the characters. Can see that it is definitely the beginning of a series, and maybe the authors first published work? Lots of potential and I'm looking forward to the others.

I'm disappointed to see it's the same narrator for the whole series. She has a great voice and I think could have carried the story without trying to "voice" certain emotions/inflections. When she tries to make Abby do a girlie squeal, or make a flirty thought or comment, or get sarcastic - for me she misses the boat entirely. There was one scene between Abby and her sister and I almost shut the book off at that point it sounded so weird. I'm glad I didn't, but still. Hoping the narration grows too. So far I agree with the other reviewers, worth plowing through the awkward narration parts.

Great first book in the series!

Would you consider the audio edition of Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye to be better than the print version?

I don't have the print version, so I wouldn't know.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye?

I guess I would say the descriptions of how Abby's psychic gift worked. So interesting and lots of fun!

What about Elizabeth Michaels’s performance did you like?

She did a great job with all the characters.