Deviance

By: J.F. Penn

Narrated by: Rosalind Ashford

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

Who is the sinner and who is the saint?

London. When the body of a priest is found in the ruins of Winchester Palace, his tattooed arms flayed, his mouth stuffed with feathers, the artists and outcasts of Southwark huddle in fear.

Private investigator Jamie Brooke begins the hunt for the murderer aided by Blake Daniel, a psychic researcher, who is haunted by visions of the past.

As violence erupts, leaving a trail of bodies in its wake, Jamie and Blake must find the skin collector before those they love are taken down in the chaos.

A crime thriller with an edge of the supernatural, Deviance is the story of a struggle for power and a fight for freedom against the backdrop of modern-day London.

©2015 Joanna Penn (P)2015 Joanna Penn

London amazes

Would you listen to Deviance again? Why?

I would definitely listen again, not only was the book magnificent but the reader was wonderful

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

You never knew what would happen next, very thrilling

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

The English accent makes it even more believable, I actually did read the book before but the nuance and pronunciation make it worthwhile to listen. It brings out a new side to the story

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

Yes, and I almost did it. It took two days.

Any additional comments?

As usual, Joanna Penn does a superb job. Can't wait for the next book

1 person found this helpful

Beware: The Books of J.F. Penn are Additive

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

I totally recommend this book to any lover of this genre.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deviance?

When the protagonist and her companion entered the slaughter house I could feel the fear as though I was right there experiencing it moment-by-moment.

It was so real that I needed to stop the car and listen to the words with an urgent need to learn the fate of the missing girl.

The suspense was spellbinding as was the entire book.

“The London Psychic Books” is an amazing series that is not to be missed if your love this genre. J.F. Penn is fast becoming one of my favorite authors

What about Rosalind Ashford’s performance did you like?

It was consistent and well paced

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

Oh, yes!

Any additional comments?

This is a book that takes you my surprise.

It sets the scene step-by-step building suspense and introducing each character to the point where you feel that you know them personally.

This author is a supreme story teller that you should take every opportunity to listen to her Audible versions … I loved this recoding because I was able to listen to it while driving and continue listing when I got home without stopping. It was so addictive I spent almost a whole day listening to it … thankfully it was my day off so I could take the time to indulge myself.

1 person found this helpful

Steeped in spirit, sensuality, and studies

What did you love best about Deviance?

While I apologize for the above alliteration (ha, I did it again!) - I hold my words to be true - J.F. Penn's dedication to detail in history, sex without sleaze, and the mysteries of this world and others make it a very enticing story. The audio book is a nice companion to the book, if you want to switch between the two, and read in the very tony voice of Ms. Ashford. Third in the series, this is the end of the London Psychic trilogy (Desecration #1, Delirium #2) - or, at least for now, the reader/listener hopes there are more adventures to be had by the now PI Jamie Brooke and psychic researcher Blake Daniel. What I really connected to was the very creativity of the story - existing things woven into old and existing things in a new way.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This is where I don't want to spill spoilers - but suffice it to say, it is well worth it!

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

The emotion, the very "Britishness" of her voice describing London, etc. is entirely apropos and just adds to the theatricality of the story, which helps me to see it my mind as a movie when listening.

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

I quite enjoy the tag line of the book: Who is the sinner, and who is the saint?"

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly recommend this author and her books to anyone that seeks a thrilling read (this is NOT Sci/Fi, even though there are mystical elements in it).

1 person found this helpful

a good followup

I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I enjoy this series and JF Penn's Arkane series because of how she mixes fiction with history. I learn a little something with each book. This time, it's about the history of London and it's seedier sides, and the way the politics and the church of the past both tolerated it and encouraged it. Fascinating stuff.

I enjoy the mixture of police work (or private detective work, in this case) with elements of the 'psychic world,' although I think the psychic elements by those other than Blake could have been foreshadowed a bit better in earlier books.

I feel like this book finally gives us a look at what makes Blake and Jamie attractive to each other and paints a better picture of them, physically and emotionally, for the reader.

Good stuff, overall, and I would certainly read a #4 down the road.

I received an advanced review copy of this book in return for writing an honest review.

Sensual without sleaze

Would you listen to Deviance again? Why?

I would surely listen to Deviance over again. I would tell you why, but I don't want to give away any spoilers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Deviance?

Finding out who the killer is early on, makes the story more interesting. I like getting the story from two points of view and just waiting for the confrontation to take place.

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

The great British accent from Rosalind Ashford as she describes London and the other surroundings. She truly made the story come to life..

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

Yes, for sure.

Any additional comments?

Deviance is the first J.F. Penn book I have read/listened to. Now I need to go back and read the first two books in the series. The book made me mad and sad at the same time. I needed to listen faster to find out who was the "saint and who was the sinner". Since I haven't read the first two, I have a few holes in the story. I would recommend this author to anyone who enjoys a great mystery with a touch of paranormal throw in for good measure.

Superb

This is a gripping series and Deviance really makes you want to fight for the good of humanity like Jamie does. I find myself cheering for her bravery, but fearing that she'll eventually get herself killed by trying to save everyone on her own. That's what makes it so thrilling to listen to. The narration is also some of the best out there.

Supernatural Crime Thriller

Deviance begins with the murder of a priest found in the ruins of Winchester Palace. His tattooed skin has been flayed. The residents of Southwark, are wary and scared. They knew that some of the artists and outcasts have disappeared without any reasons or taken any of their belongings.

The leaders of the Southwark hired Jaime Brooke, a former Detective Sergeant turned Private Investigator, begins the hunt for a murderer. She turned to Blake Daniel, a psychic and museum curator for help. As her investigator proceeded, she realized that there are more to these murders.

Blake Daniel has his own demons to face. After being abused by his father for inheriting the ability to read the past of inanimate objects and the passing of his father, Blake has gone to liquor to drown his demons.

Jaime and Blake do have chemistry between them but they hold themselves from expressing their feeling to each other. Each believed that they are broken and wondered if they make sense to be together.

What I like about Deviance is that the social and political factors in this book are so accurate reflected from our reality. The outcasts (tattoos, struggling artists, actors/actresses, musicians, the poor, and the homeless) are reflected very well in Southwark. Each person are trying to make their way in the world but politics blamed the outcasts as the blight to society.

Each of the secondary characters and villains are reflected so well in the story. Each are given circumstances and trials in their past and their choices in defining them of who they are. In some ways, the readers can't really hate them but feels some sadness of their current actions in the story.

There are some paranormal scenes. One is with Blake. Another is in the confrontation between the hero and the villain. As with any unorthodox procedure, science has to show proof of the crimes committed by the villain. Jaime is the heroine who can bring justice for the victims.

As for Jaime and Blake, I would like to see another book or two if they can find some solace and some way of helping each other to heal. They are damaged characters but they do put their pains aside in saving their community.

I knew Blake Morgan from Day of the Vikings, ARKANE series. I was wondering if he would appears in a spin-off from the ARKANE series. There is enough materials to find out who is Blake and his abilities. I also wonder if Blake will make another appearance in the ARKANE series. Readers will definitely follow Blake to find out more about his past.

I was given this audiobook by the author in exchange of an honest review. I was not compensated or influenced in any way for writing this review.

Awesome!

Deviance is the third book in the series and it completes the tale beautifully tying up all ends excellently. The fast pace and interesting plots keeps you reading long after you had intended to stop. This series will be listed among my favourites. I'm just hoping we hear more from Jamie and Blake in the future.

This is a awesome Audio book

I loved how this book was read. The story gives you strength to keep going. I will definitely be looking to read or listen to more of this series.

Well done!

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

This audio book ranks high among all the audiobooks I have listened to so far.

What other book might you compare Deviance to and why?

Deviance is quite unique among other books I have listened to. The supernatural element reminds me of Ted Dekker's books.

Which character – as performed by Rosalind Ashford – was your favorite?

O

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

Social Injustices by the politically powerful.

Any additional comments?

The message in the story is well developed, and powerful. It caused me to think. The surprise supernatural ending was interesting.

As bit slow

Enjoyed the first two books but Deviance was a bit slow. Felt like. The author had run out of ideas . The narrator was irritating to say the least. She sounded as if she was trying to hard to pronounce each word perfectly. That is until she had to speak with an accent and lost the plot altogether