Criss Cross

PsyCop, Book 2

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

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!!!

Fantastic!

I love Vic and Jacob! I’m revisiting them via audiobook this second time around and I am bowing down to the voice talent of Gomez Pugh! His voices for Vic and Jacob are spot on!

Awesome

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

Top 5

What other book might you compare Criss Cross to and why?

Um, the rest of the Psycop series I guess

Maybe State of Mind by Libby Drew, but not really ;-)

Yeah, I'm blank

Which scene was your favorite?

The whole book

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Eagerly awaiting book 3

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. :-)

PsyCop books are so good and very sexy

I loved this book and i wish they were longer... i hate that books are so short... I dont know what it is about the books but there is something so sexy about them.. I think these books would make such a cool move ...

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.

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.

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!

PsyCop series gets better and better!!!

What did you love best about Criss Cross?

The building of the relationship between Vic and Jacob gets stronger and lovely. Hearing Vic’s inner-monologue is laugh out loud funny.

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

I would have to say when Jacob shows up to rescue Vic was one of my favorite scenes.

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

Gomez brings the character's alive.

Any additional comments?

I'm hooked on this series. there are so many dimensions to the story and where it's going. Very excited to hear the next one, and the next one....

Excellent narration! Great continuation

Any additional comments?

Audio edition, narrator Gomez Pugh.

Story: 4
Performance: 4
Overall: 4

I've actually listened to this story a couple of times now! I love this series!

What stands out to me, is Price's ability to give life to these characters through words, and Pugh's ability to narrate life into them. He's got Victor Bayne down to the letter, in my opinion. His dry, sarcastic tone, is perfect. Victor really "pops" off the pages.

In Criss Cross, Vic, has got a new partner, Roger Burke. This overly friendly and enthusiastic guy, is a polar opposite of sourly, grumpy Vic. Vic wonders if this guy is for real.

Vic's boyfriend Jacob Marks, is the perfect guy for neurotic Vic. He's strong, dependent, steady, and he really grounds Vic. They're perfect for each other. The sex is soo hawt! It's definitely steaming in audio. *delicious shiver* I love to see Vic and Jacob's relationship evolve and build.

We get introduced to Crash in this book too. Crash comes across as a bit of a dick, but the presence of Miss Mattie made me like him. Crash is also in the next books, so I know him a bit better now than the first time I listened to this. Vic and Crash's interactions, also including Miss Mattie, was so good. Vic's view of the world is so totally different from everyone else because of his ability.

Speaking of his ability. There's no shortage on ghost in this book! They're literally crawling out of the woodwork, and the won't leave Vic alone. They're everywhere. And grabby! I don't look down at Vic's self medicating habits at all, to make the world livable. He only wants to have a little peace and quiet.

A great continuation of the series. The only fault is that it was a little short, but so full of great story and twists!
Highly recommend the audio, to really get a feel for Vic through Pugh's excellent narration!