• Sharp

  • A Mindspace Investigations Novel, Book 2
  • By: Alex Hughes
  • Narrated by: Daniel May
  • Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (622 ratings)

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Sharp  By  cover art

Sharp

By: Alex Hughes
Narrated by: Daniel May
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Publisher's summary

History has a way of repeating itself, even for telepaths....

As a Level Eight telepath, I am the best police interrogator in the department. But I’m not a cop - I never will be - and my only friend on the force, Homicide Detective Isabella Cherabino, is avoiding me because of a telepathic link I created by accident.

And I might not even be an interrogator for much longer. Our boss says unless I pull out a miracle, I’ll be gone before Christmas. I need this job, damn it. It’s the only thing keeping me sane.

Parts for illegal Tech - the same parts used to bring the world to its knees in the Tech Wars 60 years ago - are being hijacked all over the city. Plus Cherbino's longtime nemesis, a cop killer, has resurfaced with a vengeance. If I can stay alive long enough, I just might be able to prove my worth, once and for all....

©2013 Alexandra Hughes (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

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What listeners say about Sharp

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

/SHärp/ synonyms: acute, fierce, seering

listened to Alex Hughes' "Clean: A Mindspace Investigation Novel, Book 1” (2012) last year. I was looking for a light, fun listen after a summer listening to serious non-fiction. "Clean" was on sale, and I didn't look too closely at the description. I thought I was getting a modern police procedural, but I stumbled into a Sci-Fi Investigator novel, melded with addiction fiction. It wasn't the book cotton candy I thought I was getting, but I enjoyed it.

"Addiction fiction" is the name of a genre I've read or listened to occasionally without knowing it was a category on its own. I read James Frey's supposedly-true "A Million Little Pieces" (2003) before the word was out that Frey's book was fiction. I was angry that my time had been wasted, but not so mad that I didn't read his 2008 "Bright Shining Morning." Stephen King's "Doctor Sleep," the 2013 sequel to King's 1977 "The Shining" is on the top 10 lists of addiction fiction.

King, Frey, and Alex Hughes all write with the agonized longing and exquisite need of addicts "in recovery." Well, that's the sanitized name for what it is. An addict who has given up his or her substance of choice is ever aware that the drug is always just outside the door waiting, sometimes patiently, sometimes pounding on the door to be let back in. It's a stalker waiting for that moment of unguarded vulnerability to take control of your life again. I feel that way about cigarettes, which remains (for a while longer, at least) a legal addiction.

"Sharp: A Mindspace Investigations Book #2" (2013) is an apt title for the need, and a counterpoint to police civilian technician Adam's mental state at the beginning. He's anything but sharp. His near top-rated telepathic abilities have disappeared, perhaps forever. He's reduced to close observation of body language to tell when someone's lying, and a telepath's reputation to scare criminals into confessions. Adam's wondering if he's lost what makes him who he is when two women from his past, lives ruined, reappear.

It's a good listen, but it doesn't fit easily into any one genre. It's definitely addiction fiction, but the drugs don't rise quite to the level of becoming a character in the novel. It's urban Sci-Fi and dystopian fantasy, set on top of a mystery following conventional mystery rules. There's enough in the plot for a reader/listener to solve the mystery eventually - bug enough false leads, blind turns and dead ends to make the solve fun. And the supporting characters - particularly Adam's love interest - Hughes is starling to give her dimensions that make her interesting, not the stock character she was in "Clean."

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A normal troubled guy with super powers...

I bought books 1 and 2 quite awhile ago then forgot about them. When I found Clean in my library, I charged right through it. It was one of the better urban fantasies I've read in a long time, so I then read this book which, it turned out, I liked just as much as the first book. So I went and bought the next two in the series as well.

It's an urban fantasy with a male main character who is nothing at all like Dresden (or Mike Carey's Castor for that matter) - he is troubled and challenged and doesn't necessarily know what he is doing all the time - which is why I like him so much. He isn't a super hero, even though he does have super powers of a sort. It is also a decent detective novel, with hints of noir... if the setting didn't include super natural abilities, it could actually fit within the detective/procedural genre fairly easily.

I like the character development; I like the fact that the main character isn't full of himself and sometimes lacks confidence - just like a normal person would in his circumstances. The narration is very good. There is no sex or gore and...I don't think there is much swearing - least I didn't notice it if there was.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Same rants as the first book...

The book lost me about half way through. I still think the story is unique in concept but the author over uses many phrases and the main character complains so much about his lungs and being winded because he smokes but next scene is lighting up again, urghh....
In one scene he smokes six cigarettes in a row and wonders why he can't run!?!
I don't think I'll be moving on to book 3. I can't take anymore of repeated lines and constant whining of Adam.
The narrator is good with the male voices and with the female lead but every other female voice he does is awful.
I really wanted to like this series but I have to leave it here.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great story, I can't wait for number 3

What made the experience of listening to Sharp the most enjoyable?

The narrator has one of the most pleasant voices I've heard yet in an audio book. The story is unique, something seldom seen these days in sci-fi-fantasy books. I loved every minute of these two novels by Alex Hughes and I can't wait for more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Adam, the main character is a flawed, guilt ridden individual who is desperately trying to stay on the right path but life gets too much for him and he decides to go astray. However, fate seems to have other plans for him and he just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. His demons do come back to haunt him from time to time though.

Which character – as performed by Daniel May – was your favorite?

Adam of course.

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

When Schwartz is in the hospital and Adam realizes how important this man is to his survival, and his sanity.

Any additional comments?

Love the book and the narrator.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Enough about you!

The first of the series wasn't bad. It was a new take on some old themes and can hold your interest even if somethings remain vague and unclear. This second book is maddening. Not only are there no further explanations of life in the future but he main character is a whining, repetitive jerk. How do we have flying cars with limited satellites but still use regular bullets and guns? This is where this series ends for me.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awaiting with bated breathe

What did you love best about Sharp?

I really loved the flow of the story and the story line itself. I also loved the the main characters and loved hating most of the bad guys and even some of the supposedly good ones.

What other book might you compare Sharp to and why?

I think the series is a contender for challenger to Jim Butcher's Dresden files. Different enough not to feel like a copy and keep you interested and on the edge of your chair the entire time.

What does Daniel May bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's probably the main reason why I compare this series to the Dresden Files. He has the same vocal style; a smooth baritone soothing yet varied. The voices are believable.

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

I not only listened to this book in one sitting more or less but I did so immediately following Clean. What a mind trip!

Any additional comments?

I had to read Marked on kindle and was very disappointed that it was not available on audible. I guess that gives me two things to await with bated breath; the audible version of Marked and the next book book in the series. Thanks Mr. Hughes

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Em
  • 03-28-17

The writing is better than the story

While I was reading Book 1 (Clean) I was already debating whether I wanted to grab the second in the series. The world building was slowly gaining some details, but a little too slowly. The secondary characters were getting a little fleshed out, but only a little. The main character was likable, very relatable, smart but not omniscient, flawed and aware of it, but with a few secret and not so secret strengths to keep it all interesting. And I have to say I'm at the same place in Book 2 (Sharp).

The story continues the tale of a former drug addict, a strong telepath who got kicked out of the telepath Guild and is currently working alongside the police reading minds during suspect interrogations and following his sorta-partner around to crime scenes, solving some homicides. In this book we learn more of Adam's past, his former profession and the huge mistake that got him booted off his pedestal and out of the Guild. We also get more of Adam being perpetually bullied, accused, threatened and even physically beaten by his coworkers, partner and boss. I'm not super sure how that fits into the story. His partner, a woman detective he's not so secretly in love with, literally punches him in the face as hard as she can for random everyday misunderstandings. I don't get it, I don't understand how it fits with everything else that's going on, and it's really, really weird and out of place. We have a few new characters introduced (another detective/partner, and a Minder from the Guild sent to evaluate Adam, who also swings between being described as a normal human being and a crazed mafia psychopath) and a fairly ho-hum series of crimes that serve as the backdrop to the characters and as a way for them to tell their stories. It moves fairly quickly. There is no suspense, it's not a mystery story or whodunnit, the ending is a foregone conclusion and there are a lot of easily followed set-ups for each new development. You can listen to this with your mind on other things and not miss too much.

The one BIG problem I had is the narrator's female voices. The police boss sounds like Marge Simpson's sisters, Patty and/or Selma, and Adam's former fiance Kara sounds like Count Dracula. The other females all have sorta uneducated, maybe Brooklyn-esque accents combined with something like a speech impediment. It's odd. Each time he does a woman it catapults me right out of the story. He has a surprisingly excellent voice for the main character, the NA sponsor Shwarz and the older cop who has to babysit. He just doesn't have good female voices in his arsenal. I had a hard time thinking of how many stars to give the narration because 3 seemed too small for such a great narrator voice, but 4 doesn't quite express how ludicrous the girl voices are.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Sharp is sometimes a bit dull

This is the second book of the series. The storyline is okay, but you will have to reach the end before there is really much suspense. We are also forced to spend a bit too much time stuck in the main character's head as he wallows in guilt and self loathing. I'm going to try one more book. If the main character get's punched in the face by the woman he loves repeatedly in the next one, I'm done.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

disappointed with really bad human interactions

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book should be revised! It has potential to be good but the weird violence and repetitive physical abuse from the female protagonist toward the male protagonist greatly detracts from overall story.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I will not be reading another Alex Hughes story. Too many really good books out there to waste time on an author who clearly has domestic violence issues.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Really Enjoyed It. Hope There is a New One Soon!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely Well written, tight plot, well drawn characters. Totally enjoyable..

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hard not to say Adam. Great character. For all his flaws, he is a likeable guy caught in a tough spot, even though he got himself into it...

What about Daniel May’s performance did you like?

Just great. He does the Cherubino character terrific.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Don't Go See the Movie! The book is better"!!!!

I personally have never seen a movie that was better than the book so I am prejudiced with this question.

Any additional comments?

I really got lucky when I picked this series. Thought I would listen to something new. I am glad I did, Alex Hughes is a great up and coming author. I love her writing.

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