Criss Cross

By: Jordan Castillo Price

Narrated by: Gomez Pugh

Length: 4 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Criss Cross finds the ghosts surrounding Victor getting awfully pushy. The medications that Victor usually takes to control his abilities are threatening to destroy his liver, and his new meds aren't any more effective than sugar pills.

Vic is also adjusting to a new PsyCop partner, a mild-mannered guy named Roger with all the personality of white bread. At least he's willing to spring for the Starbucks.

Jacob's ex-boyfriend, Crash, is an empathic healer who might be able to help Victor pull his powers into balance, but he seems more interested in getting into Victor's pants than in providing any actual assistance.

©2006 Jordan Castilo Price (P)2014 Jordan Castillo Price

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book and this series!

Would you listen to Criss Cross again? Why?

YES. This is one of my top favorite books in this series. In fact, it probably IS my favorite in the series and the narrator does a super fantastic job with all the voices of the cast. LOVE IT. I can't say that enough.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Crash. In this particular book, Crash gets introduced and I love his voice, and his personality. Of course, Vic will always be my top favorite character in the series because I love his voice, and his personality. Some of his inner thoughts are things I can easily relate to. LOVE Vic.

What about Gomez Pugh’s performance did you like?

He does a fantastic job with everyone's voices. Even Jackie the dead black prostitute ghost. He seemed to subtly alter Jacob's voice in this book and I did like it better than in the first book. He sounded less like a radio DJ I used to listen to a lot. :-)

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

YES and NO. I wanted to listen to everything because I love this story. Yet, I wanted to make it last as much as possible. I was very sad when I got to the end and there was no more! This is one of my top, all time, favorite series, so yeah.

Any additional comments?

Series/Standalone: book 2
Genre/sub-genre: paranormal with a side of romance
Book Format: audio
HEA/HFN: YES
Relatable characters: Hell YES
Abuse/Rape: no
Violence: sorta
Ratio of sex/plot: equal
Well written/editor needed: well written
Would I re-read?: YES, YES, YES!!!
Personal thoughts: I loved this story. This one is my favorite in the series so far. The narrator does a fantastic job with ALL the voices and the writing is superb. Couldn't ask for something better. Though more would always be nice. :-)

Spot-on reading of a favorite series

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful reading of Criss Cross, book 2 in Jordan Castillo Price's Psycop series. Gomez Pugh has really hit his stride here, and is a pleasure to listen to. Jacob's voice is perfect now (very toppy), but the way we hear Vic's thought process in this narration it's clearer how they are equal partners. That last love scene it one of the best read and hottest I've heard. Pugh also does a great job with Roger Burke's Stepford Husband obsequiousness. Victor is a nicer guy than he can admit to himself and that doesn't always work to his advantage. The side characters are fully drawn, also well read, and worth getting to know better. This is a series I've re-read a few times. The audio version is a must-have for JCP fans and hopefully new readers/listeners who are intrigued by paranormal detectives and thoughtful, witty, well-written m/m.

Even more pushy dead people... and sexy Jacob!

I never thought I would enjoy this series, but I am pleasantly surprised.

I find Vic so very amusing. His inner commentary has me laughing out loud the majority of the time. Gomez Pugh does a great job of portraying a primarily bored, over medicated, wise ass cop. And the accents he puts on for multiple minority characters continues to amuse me. While the 'mystery' isn't very complicated-- I figured out who was involved before the big reveal-- I enjoyed the old gang getting back together-- with the introduction of 'Crash' and his rebel self-- to help Vic.

As a HUGE fan of Jacob, I enjoyed every scene with him. Vic is one lucky man.... and when they finally got their 'bow chicka bow wow' on... I pressed rewind, and listened all over again...

I'm ready for book 3.... BRING IT Castillo Price!!!

Criss Cross: PsyCop, Book2

Where does Criss Cross rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is very good. I think in a lot of ways asking this question is trying to compare apples and oranges. I love the book and the author. It is a very good audio of the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Criss Cross?

When Victor's body gets taken over by the ghost of his old doctor so that the doctor and help him put Roger out so that Vic can escape.

Have you listened to any of Gomez Pugh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I listened to the first in the series and it was great, also.

If you could rename Criss Cross, what would you call it?

I don't know, it kind of describes part of it. The problem with his partner, Roger really gets caught up in the mess with the Criss Cross Killer.

Any additional comments?

I love the PsyCop series and am so glad they are being put on audio.

Story did not live up to expectations

Any additional comments?

Wow, I'm just gonna say it. The story did not live up to my expectations.

The stupidity of what was previously a pretty smart character made me shake my head on multiple occasions.

I just wanted to grab Vic, shake him, and slap some sense into him.

All in all though I (as always) enjoyed Gomez Pugh's narration, and the shower scene at the end? Mmm hmm...yummies!

Criss, Cross, Toss... remember that game?

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

Hell yes! Great narration of an utterly engaging story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vic, I just love his sense of humor and the way he is written.

Which character – as performed by Gomez Pugh – was your favorite?

Jacob in this book. That sexy, throaty, growly, groan he does during sexy time. It says so much with just a groan.

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

Yes, and I did.

Any additional comments?

Victor and Jacob’s relationship is steadily moving forward with this next installment in the PsyCop series. After the events in the last book, Jacob refuses to stay at his apartment and has basically moved in with Vic. They still have a few ups and downs which are only intensified with a recent influx of pushy spirits. Vic can’t seem to shut them off like before and his meds are no longer agreeing with his body. Add to that Jacob’s snotty, but sexy, ex-boyfriend and Victor’s new partner that is too eager to please, Vic only finds true solace when he’s with Jacob. Then even that is threatened.

This story concentrates more on Victor and his abilities than the previous book. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see a more in depth look into that aspect of the stories. Everything becomes strained when Vic’s ability goes haywire, but he refuses to lose the one good thing in his life, Jacob. In trying to figure out what’s wrong with his wiring, he lands himself in a little hot water and winds up with an unlikely ally in the end.

Vic’s usual sarcasm is in rare form in Criss Cross. I liked the twists and turns in this story that kept me guessing, kept me on my toes and on the edge of my seat. There is the issue with Vic’s psychic ability, and why are the spirits being more forward than normal? And then there is that sort of suggestion that there could possibly be a haunting, or a possession. The romance between Vic and Jacob escalates as the mystery does, partly because both men are hell bent on staying together, but still wind up very far apart.

I’m loving this series, just blowing through these books. Of course Gomez Pugh is back to tell the story of Victor, Jacob and a pissed off ghost hell bent on revenge while we, the reader, try to figure out who you can and can’t trust. I have to say, Pugh has this certain noise he makes when voicing Jacob, this raw, throaty, groan during play time with Vic that is so goddamn sexy… seriously, just that groan conveys so much about the character and his relationship with Vic. Very excited to dive into book 3!

Definitely a must listen series. If you have been toying with the idea of venturing into audio books, start with this series. It’s dark and dangerous, but sexy and fun as well. The shower scene at the end, yowza!

Want to lose your heart over?

Any additional comments?

I'm a huge fan of Jordan Castillo Price and have read most of her titles. Now I can enjoy them as audio books. This is something like a dream come true!, especially because I'm Japanese and my first language is not English. I listen to books both for fun and learning the language.
As for audio books in general, I'm not that thrilled to listen to them because I often enjoy Japanese audio books DramaCDs more, which are played by several professional voice actors accompanied by a sound effect and background music. Each character is played by a different voice actor. So I'm sometimes baffled by the struggle; just one narrator tries to act several roles in audio books. But fortunately I didn't find anything strange or off with Psycop audio series.
I was able to connect Gomez Pugh's voice and Victor in my mind quite smoothly. His narration really conveys the unique persona of Vic; serious, unstable, flippant..., but irresistibly adorable all together. Listening to Jordan's work with a real voice, and I was reminded again and again how captivating and unique her voice, wording, and tones are. I wholeheartedly recommend the second Psycop audio book, Criss Cross.

PsyCop 2 another great narration

Where does Criss Cross rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love the PsyCops series and Gomez Pugh is an awesome narrator, his renditions of all of JCPs amazing characters is spot on. In the top 10 of the audiobooks I have enjoyed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vic, I would love to meet him

Which character – as performed by Gomez Pugh – was your favorite?

In this book I enjoyed his rendition of Cash

If you could take any character from Criss Cross out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would invite Vic, I would as him to share his inner commentary with me.

Any additional comments?

I really hope we will have the opportunity to enjoy listening to the rest of the PsyCops series narrated by Gomez Pugh.

Ghosts, romance, heat, humor, heart - its all here

Original Audiobook Review September 2020: It's only been about 6 months or so since I originally read Criss Cross so there was nothing in the story I didn't remember but the truth is, Vic and Jacob's journey is so brilliantly delicious(a word I used in my original read and it fits so perfectly I can't help but continue to use it😉) had it been 6 years I would still recall it all. Again, I don't want to give anything away because as I originally said, this may be an "oldie" to many but it was new to me and I'm sure there are others like me and I won't ruin it for them. I'll just say that it may seem weird to describe paranormal creepy as fun but Jordan Castillo Price has a way of bringing the fun to the table no matter what the main characters face. I couldn't help but love Vic and Jacob's snark and cuddle chemistry intertwined with a level of edge of my seat creepy. Here's that word again but it's "deliciously" brilliant. As for the narration, once again Gomez Pugh brings that element of dark and light to life. Would another narrator do as good a job? Perhaps, but frankly I can't imagine any other voice doing justice to the men, their circle of friends, enemies, and everyone(and thing) in between. Price and Pugh are a wonderful combination bringing the world of Psycop to life. Definitely a series that will be a re-reader & re-listener for years to come. Original ebook Review March 2020: I want to jump out of the gate and say just how deliciously creepy this entry in the author's PsyCop series is. I can certainly understand Vic's need to medicate to help him deal with the things he sees, I can't imagine seeing dead people everywhere. Most of us have read ghost stories or watched haunted house films where there is one ghost or one place with many ghosts but the whole idea of driving down the street and seeing them or not being able to go into a hospital without being bombarded by spirits never entered my mind so I completely understand and sympathize with the character. As for Jacob? Some might think: "He's too perfect, too accepting, too understanding there just has to be something wrong with him, something underhanded, something lurking underneath all that willingness to understand" but not me. Don't get me wrong, he's no pushover or Vic's "lapdog", when he gets riled up about something he is definitely a force to be reckoned with and I don't think we've even begun to see that side of him but you know he'll never turn that force against Vic. I'm not going to give away any spoilers to the plot because even though this is far from a new release, it was new to me and I'm sure there are others like me who were late to the party and I don't want to spoil it for them. I'll just reiterate what I started with and say Criss Cross is deliciously creepy with a well balanced diet of love, friendship, humor, mystery, and heat. Not a single character, main, secondary, or cameo is extra page filler, they each play a part that makes this a wonderful follow-up to the series opener, Among the Living. I for one can't wait to read more.

Great

Spooky and sexy all at once. Great all around. Perfect narration. Perfect romance and works building.

Not much mystery in this but...

a good story nonetheless as it gives us more insight into Vic's ability and also highlights that thete are people out to get him.
It also shows that his Camp Hell training leaves a lot to be desired and builds on his relationship with Jacob a little more.
Gomez Pugh's narration is clear and there's good variation in the character voices so you don't struggle to differentiate between them.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Consumate Friends

Book 2 follows straight on from Book 1, keeping the tension and interest in this unusual and entertaining tale. So nice to revisit the cast of Book 1 and enjoy their skills. Nothing predictable in this story, so go with the flow. Jacob and Vic get soapy together, when they move to the next level of trust in their budding relationship. Excellent narration which bring extra zest and pace. ENTERTAINING

Good story, good narration

Good story, I really was scared for the MC! Narration is perfect. Starting book 3 now

Still enjoyable

Not as enjoyable as the first in the series. This focused more on Vic's drug issues which often kept him stupid. There were a few plot holes (e.g. the threat Jacob posed wasn't addressed) but they were relatively easily overlooked.

3.5 stars - pretty good

Enjoyed this overall. Was a bit slow to get started, and some of the plot was a bit predictable but without the characters being developed enough for you to care. Vic seemed a bit oblivious and bumbling a lot of the time too. I’m sure the characters build as the series goes on, but I just don’t think I’m invested enough to spend another credit on a short book that won’t be quite enough to satisfy me. Shame, because I think there’s talent from the author and a concept that has a lot more potential to it than it’s currently achieving.

This series just gets better!

Jordan Castillo Price never disappoints me.

Thirty -eight year old Victor Bayne has a special talent ' he can see dead people'. It's a very handy talent to have as a cop, and you would think his investigations would be straightforward, as the victim could tell him who had committed their murder. But in the world of the paranormal nothing is as it seems, and when Vic's talent is suddenly ramped up and ghosts are coming at him on every street corner and getting grabby, Vic turns to the only thing he knows that will keep the visions at bay- drugs.

Vic's new cop partner Roger is way too friendly from the start, but Vic is too high and messed up to see what is really happening, and his ex partner Lisa is sending cryptic phone messages to add to Vic's confusion.

Vic's boyfriend, fellow cop Jacob Marks continues to be his big dependable rock of love, who will do anything to make his man happy. I adore the slow pace of their relationship- and it makes the sex scene at the end of the story incandescently hot.

Gomez Pugh continues to amaze with his wonderful narration. How many voices does this man have? I am in awe. Therefore, I am definitely continuing with this series and would highly recommend.

Review for the PsyCop series

I hadn't read any of the PsyCop books before I listened to the series on Audible. I throughly enjoyed each story and Jordan's distinctive storytelling. I loved the premise of the series and thought the chemistry between Vic and Jacob was sizzling throughout. Gomez Pugh's performance was fabulous. His narration was spot on for each character. He differentiated each person clearly and made them come alive for me. I pictured everything going on in the scenes and recognized each character when they spoke. Jacob's voice was husky and so sexy. UNF! The production quality was excellent. I will definitely listen to all five superb stories again.

Even more fun that the first one

Would you listen to Criss Cross again? Why?

I'd definitely listen again. It's a favourite series and the narration is good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Criss Cross?

Vic's first freak out with the "heads in the bush" and I love the whole sequence near the end when Vic's held prisoner by the bad guys and who comes to rescue him.

Have you listened to any of Gomez Pugh’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I listened to his readng of the first of the series and like this one more, as I wasn't as keen on some of the other voices in the first one as I am on his Vic narration. But the tweaks he's made to the performance this time really work for me.

Any additional comments?

I hope the audio of the series continues. Criss Cross is great. I like it beacause Vic is suffering even more than usual and I'm a terrible sadist about characters I like. But my all time favourite book of the series is yet to come.