Diabolical

By: Jana DeLeon

Narrated by: Julie McKay

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times best-selling author Jana DeLeon, the third book in the Shaye Archer thriller series.

Nine years ago, the police found Shaye Archer wandering in the French Quarter, beaten and abused and with no memory of the previous 15 years, not even her name. Now, at 24, Shaye is a licensed private investigator, determined to get answers for her clients when the police can't help. But her last case uncovered more than anyone anticipated, and pieces of Shaye's missing past have surfaced with unexpected consequences.

She's starting to remember.

Will Shaye unlock the secrets buried deep in her mind? And more importantly, can she handle the truth if she does?

©2016 Jana DeLeon (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Great Story, Narration is okay.

Another great story in this series. We finally get to find out what happened to Shaye but I think there may be more to the story..... Just thinking that.

I am enjoying these stories very much, they are fast paced, Shaye is smart and a good PI so far she hasn't had any TSTL moments. LOL I like Jackson the detective, a little romance seems to be brewing here, but it is a very small part of the stories and not taking over the cases Shaye is working on. There are some surprises in this book. And we get more Hustle! Love that kid.

As for the narration, again with I am about to cry or panic voice reading is constant. UGH stop it! at certain times it is required but all the reading like that is not necessary. I do keep listening and it is annoying, but its a good thing the stories are good and fast paced.

Archer family secrets and revelations...

Book three in this series has some revelations for Shaye Archer. The book begins in 1938 with a satanic ritual, it then picks up where the last book left off. I would recommend these books be read/listened to in order. Each ends with a cliff hanger and the next picks up from that point.
So, the last ended with a suspect dead and written records showing where he had been trafficking kids for over 20 years. The files are coded but the police are able to decode some of the earlier paperwork that have simpler coding and find information pertaining to the sale of Shaye and the payment to her mother (who recently died from a drug overdose). They also find information showing that the man who purchased Shaye recently purchased another young girl.
This book is a journey for Shaye to discover and confront her demons and hopefully rescue another young girl from the same fate.
Another thriller that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Julie McKay does an outstanding job narrating. I think she gets better with each book!
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Thank You.

Well, that ending was a huge surprise!

The novels in the Shaye Archer series should be read in order. I've made comments in my reviews of the prior 2 novels in the series that it is not typical Jana DeLeon stuff; it is much better. Excellent reviews have already been written by Audible listeners Shelley and Yvonne so I'm going to make mine short. The story and the narration are both outstanding. If you like suspense mysteries the Shaye Archer series is highly recommended.

Good story!

I have a problem with the male voices being the same. There needs to be some variances. The male voice also sounds a bit weak and sorrowful. May not get the rest of the series on audible due to this.

Great story - narrator needs coaching

first - I love Julie's voice. But everything is "dire". Everything - every voice, every person talking, every time. OK - not when she reads the chapter names.

second - I am really enjoying the story. Jana has several story lines I like. This one seems to have the most depth. Sadly - I just can't keep listening to everything being 'dire" -- just can't do it. I travel so much - and don't have the moments to actually read or I would just buy the books instead.

third - if Julie could modulate differently, I think the story would take on so much more depth and interest. As I said - I like her voice, not shrill, not harsh, a nice tone --- Not every moment of every life - no matter how messy that life is can manage to be dire --- if so, that is a different story all together.

So - if the narration doesn't bother you --- it's an awesome series!! Jana has done a very good job in research and detail

The past always haunts the future

Shaye remembers and even she is surprised! Jana DeLeon did an excellent job writing the backstory of Shaye’s torturer. It began and ended with the New Orleans voodoo and the sins of the father.

Deuteronomy 24:16
“Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.

The theme of child abuse is still central to the story. The suspense is powerful because another child has been taken. All our characters are on emotional overload empathizing with Shaye and scared for the current victim.

Shaye’s psychological trauma was mirrored in the struggles of the characters of each story. In Malevolent, Shaye to relate to Emma Frederick’s feeling of being stalked. In Sinister, she knew how Jinx felt being captured, tortured, and alone. In Diabolical, her story is being duplicated by the current child abduction. Jana takes our feelings up and down as she gives Shaye a clue and then leads her to a dead end.

The killer appears omnipotent empowered by the One and True God. He seems to be everywhere. Is there only one perpetrator left from Clancy’s ring of deviants? Jackson has a new assignment. He has the opportunity to follow the leads in Clancy’s journals. All the characters play a role in following leads. Hustle works the streets. Corrine works the missing kids angle and Clara was able to find information from the hospital database.

In the final scene Shaye screams, NO, when she discovers the involvement of someone. I also screamed no. I was surprised that I had identified and discarded their involvement.
Jana DeLeon had things so twisted, there was no way I could have unraveled all that happened. I applauded Jana for the originality of the story and the method the first three books interact. My disappointment was the religion of the One True God are not discussed.

What is the meaning in the pentagram on Shaye’s back? The position of the alter is mentioned as being incorrect but we are not told why. The kids were taken to obtain power from the One True God, but what kind or power and why. Why were all three plantation boys abused? Who was the third plantation owner's son?

Because I still had questions relevant to the story I deducted a star.

Another entertaining novel!

Just as the others this novel takes you on an adventure! they kept me on the edge of my seat always wondering what was going to happen next. The characters are engaging in interesting. The mystery just grows and grows and keeps you wanting to know more. I highly enjoyed the novel and the mystery behind it. We start to figure out the past more and many secrets! A must read!

Fantastic series

If you have not given this series a try you need to start from book one. Very good highly recommend this series

The hits you don’t see coming

Shay archer has been through a lot and has been trying to recover her memories and find her abuser for 9 years for every step they make they are thrown back another. This thriller is full of ups and downs, close calls and twists you won’t see coming. This series is completely out of my norm but you can’t help but appreciate the vast and tangle web of a world this author creates. Truly a mastermind in her field of thrillers and suspense. I have read some of her lighter stuff and just happened one day to decide to read this series. It requires brain power and the ability to remember some of the smallest details because every clue no matter how small gets you one step closer to the monster. If this is your jam these books are worth the heart pounding, fact finding and often heartbreaking ride they are going to take you on! The narrator has done a fabulous job all the way through letting the emotions seem into her voice and truly wrap you up in the story!

Listened all in one day!

This book absolutely kept me on the edge of my seat. I listen to it in one day just because I didn’t want to stop listening. Lots of twists and turns!