Mind Games

Disillusionists, Book 1

By: Carolyn Crane

Narrated by: Rebecca Wisocky

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Justine knows she's going to die. Any second now.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal.

With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem. Or is it?

In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness - only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.

Listen to more of the Disillusionists trilogy.

©2010 Carolyn Crane (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Mind Games is a violent U-Turn in a fresh direction, signaling the dynamic and welcome arrival of both Carolyn Crane and the most unique urban fantasy heroine I’ve seen on page in a long while, Justine Jones. And like Justine, Midcity is brightly imagined, beautifully dangerous, and perfectly flawed. Flashy and stylish, this is urban fantasy’s new shot-in-the-arm." (Vicki Pettersson, The New York Times)

I love this.

What a fun story and great narrator. Visceral to be sure and emotionally engaging to boot. I need more, not just want.

Is that a headache, or a tumor growing in my head?

Where does Mind Games rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A fantasy Stephanie Plum? Sure, why not? Perhaps not quite so funny as Janet Evanovich, but its a fun romp nonetheless.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Justine's hypochondria (is it imagined - or real?) is very entertaining.

Any additional comments?

I will definitely read the other books in the series.

Fangtastic story!

This book is so mind blowingly fabulous and original that I'm having a hard time coming up with words! I would describe the genre of this book as Urban Fantasy. There is a romantic thread in it, but it's not the foundation of the story, and there is an HEA, with a To Be Continued...NOT a cliffhanger, just left open in a way you know there is more to come.

Justine has Vein Star Syndrome, so she thinks...She is such a hypochondriac that she can't hold a steady boyfriend or friends because of it. Her current boyfriend, Cubby, has only been with her for a very short period, but is half way out the door already. While Justine and Cubby are having dinner at their favorite restaurant Mongolian Delights, Justine spots the sleaze ball Foley, the scam artist that took her father for everything they had. This encounter is how Justine gets introduced to Sterling Packard. Packard is a Highcap with the ability to see peoples psychological structure, and he has profiled Justine down to a tee. Packard propositions Justine, and the most hilarious, anxiety driven, ride of her life begins...

OK, let me just say why this book was so funny for me. I am the total opposite of being a hypochondriac, so to listen to a book about someone who believes so much that they have something wrong with them, that they have no proof of actually having, and obsess about it, is just hilarious! The characters in the story are so phenomenal, I absolutely adore them, and the world building was like nothing I have ever known, but also very interesting. The "weaponizing her neurosis" is what they called zinging in the book and the side effects to zinging someone brought the "Glory Hour". Oh the glory hour...it, I can only imagine is like being on the drug Ecstasy. Glory hour can tend to be tricky with certain people and situations, and make the moment even more funny. The character Aggie whom Justine had the job of disillusioning, totally gave me the creeps, ewww! My skin crawled when she was trying to seduce Justine and the dude she thought was her brother, gross Aggie! OK, try saying and spelling disillusionist five times in a row, go!

The plot and plot twist was so far unseen that it did blow my mind. The deeper the character development, the more I wanted. I totally love this book and must read them all! I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves, urban fantasy, action, suspense, romance and of course a happily ever after!

Narrator Review

The book was provided by the author, however because of time issues for me, I switched to the audio version, which I did purchase myself on Audible.com.

Rebecca Wisocky is the narrator for this book and will be the first time I have heard her narrate a book. When the book first started I felt a little unsettled by her voice, BUT once I understood how she was acting out the character Justine's personality, I fell in love with her! My first thought was, "who does she sound like?". I know that voice...It's Laura S.!! OMG! Laura is an acquaintance from work, lol. Once I put that together, it made the story even funnier! The other part I loved about Rebecca was her voices for the other characters. I was LMAO during the scene with Justine and Aggie and it was because the voice she choose to use for Aggie heightened the comedy of it all and I was DYING! I thoroughly enjoyed Rebecca's narration! Excellent job Rebecca!

happy i have a new series!

I think this is a trilogy but i really loved this book. Books 2 and 3 are in my wish list. Fully wort the credit.

Story was Good

It had me interested and it was a really good story! Kind of wish the ending was a little different or there was another book to follow.

Crazy Head Rush

The entire premise of disillusionment is baffling and a little scary. I feel like this happens in real life to greater and lesser degrees and the power some people hold over others is scary. This book through words and excellent narration draws you in from the start!

Awesome

I am impressed with this book. The first chapter had me thinking it wouldn't be good but it turned around fast.
I've read (or listened to) so many paranormal romances, this one is unique, I've never seen a plot like this. On top of that it was so good I couldn't put it down. The author gave the reader what they would want. I've never written a review before but I thought this book deserved it.

Good read

Any additional comments?

Overall it was a great story! The only downside was some gratuitous bodice ripping and histrionic heroine.

Interesting

Not bad. Interesting take on crime and punishment. I wonder if the author has a bit of hypochondria.

What a nice change in story lines

I almost stopped listening, afraid I didn't like the narration, but quickly changed my mind. The authir gives great character and personality to each individual. I have never cime across a book like this. Mind control? who would have thought it could be so interesting!