Bitter Pill

MM Urban Fantasy (PsyCop, Book 11)

By: Jordan Castillo Price

Narrated by: Gomez Pugh

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

There's a new drug on the streets called Kick. The side effects are so brutal, most folks only try it once…unless they're psychic. Then they do it until it kills them.

Psychic medium Victor Bayne is well acquainted with pharmaceuticals, from the Auracel that blocks his ghosts to the Seconal that offers him a blissful night's sleep. But he's managed to steer clear of street drugs…so far.

Jacob Marks has a medicine cabinet filled with every over-the-counter remedy known to man, but none of them are doing much for his mood - and his long, fruitless days of combing through records at The Clinic are taking a heavy toll. 

But their lackluster investigation does have one silver lining: a front row seat at The Clinic when the first Kick overdose comes in. And as scary as the drug might be, if it truly does augment psychic ability, the appeal is not lost on Vic.

Because the very first hit never killed anyone.

Where did Kick come from? Why is it so addictive? And why is everyone at The Clinic acting so darn shady? That’s what Vic intends to find out. And if he's lucky, he can also expose a shadowy figure from Camp Hell. 

Unfortunately, the demons of his pill addiction might prove just as deadly as his long-buried history. He thought he'd managed to ditch that pernicious habit. But what if it was only lurking in the shadows, waiting for the best time to rear its ugly head?

PsyCop is an ongoing series filled with supernatural action and delightfully awkward humor - with a steady undercurrent of gay romance. It's best listened to in order, so if you're new to the series, start with PsyCop Book 1, Among the Living...and prepare for a hauntingly good listen.

©2020 Jordan Castillo Price (P)2020 Jordan Castillo Price

Fantabulous!

Jordan and Gomez have another hit here. And clearly, I have acquired some habit demons as I’m addicted to this series. In each book, I feel Vic and Jacob loving each other more and more. But theses books are truly plot driven too. They are a brilliant meld of a fantastic storyline and romance. This book had the tense fighting of the things/people who needed to go beyond the veil. And then there was Jackie and Trinity. My heart just broke. Love this book. Love Jordan’s stories. Love Gomez and all the different and distinct voices. He captures emotion so brilliantly.

Amazing

It constantly amazes me how the author can continue to write such engaging stories this far into the series. Things casually mentioned several books ago are important points now. I liked having Vic and Jacob working together for this mystery. Strong writing and top notch narration.

Bitter Pill

Omg this audio book was absolutely positively amazing. I would highly recommend this audio book.

Amazing as always!

This continues to be one of my all-time favorite series. I love the narration and the writing and can't wait for Book 12!

They only get better

I have to admit that I've taken to delaying when I listen to Psycop books, even though I preorder then. It's like I'm worried about what will happen to Vic and Jacob... As I was with Murder House, I regret waiting. This is another great story Psycop story. Gomez Pugh is Victor Bayne. I can't read any of the books without his voice as Victor, so I mostly don't bother anymore. I go straight to the Audio.

Great story. Great narration.

Another great addition to the Psycop series. Every book adds another layer to the story and builds more depth in the characters. I also appreciate the way JCP approaches the subject of addiction by showing how many factors in a person's life can affect an addiction. The supernatural twist to the subject also adds some interesting points. This was a wonderful book with spectacular narration.

Another great story and what an ending!

This is another entertaining entry in the Psycops series. The story is interestingly twisty and keeps you guessing. As usual Gomez Pugh does a great job with the narration. But man, that ending?! Holy crap!! When is the next book out?! I’m dying here now!!

Didn’t find it as engaging as previous books

It’s been my favorite series for sure!!! I’m not sure why I wasn’t able to “get into it” this time. Maybe it’s been too long since the last one I read to recall all the characters. Probably because the first time I read the series I went through all the books available. Was so great to hear Gomez Pugh again as always. I seriously love the amazing work of Jordan Castillo Price.

Take two aspiring and listen until the morning!

Did I actually forget to write a review for this marvelous book?!! Shame on me! I loved this! This series is my jam! I not only preporder the ebook and read it as soon as it comes out, but I then also buy the audiobook when it releases. This time, I went a slightly different route and listened to the entire series before downloading Bitter Pill. What a ride! Gomez Pugh is awesome 👏 no one can voice Vic like he does! In Bitter Pill, we have a lot more of Vic and Jacob. If you recall Murder House, we got Jacob as thoughts in Vic’s head and in small scenes. For those missing Jacob, you get him aplenty as the two work together to solve a new mystery involving a deadly, addictive psyactive that’s burning up Chicago’s psychics. It’s fabulous!! My rec? No doubt about it: Yessssssss!

intriguing case

Would I listen to it again: yes Did the story keep me engaged: yes Was I invested in the characters: yes Story comment: Good pace, the series continues to be interesting and the characters always evolving. This instalment see's Vic growing into his new role at FPMP, accepting he is an addict and determined not to fall back into old patterns, and starting to (finally) see he has some value. Narrator comment: Gomez Pugh continues to embody everything that is the essence of Victor Bane in his narration. His consistency of characterisations across this series it to be commended, there is no problem distinguishing characters, and his rhythm, inflections and intonations all bring the book to life.

This series goes from strength to strength

Gah, I love this series so much, and it seems to get better and better! So much going on here besides the actual plot, about the investigation into a deadly psyactive drug (Kick) that is killing psychics. I’m loving Vic’s character growth, especially over the last few books as he’s finally realising what it’s like to work with people who respect him and is really gaining in confidence as a result. He still can’t quite believe it, and is still as endearingly self-deprecatingly shambolic as ever, but we – and Jacob of course – see it and appreciate it. And I like that we get to see Jacob’s more vulnerable side; he’s one of those people who, by virtue of his good looks, imposing physique, intelligence and charisma has come up against little in his life that he hasn’t been able to deal with, but that’s changing, and although he’s still very much the Jacob we all know and love, that extra dimension to him is great to see. Vic and Jacob’s relationship continues to grow and their love for each other to deepen; they get to work with Zig and Carolyn again, and we get some closure for one of the characters who’s been around since book one; Jackie, the ghost who spasmodically haunted Vic’s old appartment. Her story is a tragic one, and the author does an amazing job in the scenes where Vic and Jacob find out the truth of what happened to her and then help her to move on – they’re incredibly poignant and Gomez Pugh is simply brilliant in them and captures every single drop of emotion. On the subject of Mr. Pugh – his portrayal of Vic is so absolutely perfect that it’s easy to forget sometimes just how good he is at the rest of it. He can produce an amazing variety of character voices for what is, after eleven books, a large secondary cast, many of whom have appeared in several books throughout the series, and his inventiveness (and consistency) is remarkable. And – whoa, that ending! When’s the next book out?!

I simply cannot get enough of Vic and Jacob

It’s no secret that I love these books, have read and listened to them many times because the writing is superb. Vic has come a long way in 11 books, more comfortable in his skin, in his talent and more secure in his relationship with Jacob. Jacob has grown too, he has always been a great cop, great agent for the FPMP, but it’s also good to see his talent develop. With great characterisation, dry wit, suspenseful plot and cameos from Carolyn, Zigler and the pathos of Jackie’s backstory, this is another book you don’t want to miss.