Murder, Sometimes

Jason Callahan, Book 1

By: Patricia Lee Macomber

Narrated by: Scott Russell Test

Length: 4 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Fresh off the NYPD, Jason Callahan has his own detective agency, a nice apartment, and a secretary who doesn't drive him crazy. Jason is happy with his life. Until he meets Trina Dane, that is. Trina is that crazy lady you always worry about meeting. She's also psychic. From the minute Jason meets her, he finds himself spiraling downward into a world of ghosts, spells and demons. But Trina is also beautiful and funny and Jason can't quite force himself to stay away.

Jason and Trina's first case: The repeated attempted murder of one of the city's high rollers. Alarms haven't helped. Even video surveillance can't seem to detect the would-be assassin. Now, it's up to Jason and Trina. Can they catch the killer before he succeeds, or is he something beyond human, something beyond capture?

©2014 Patricia Lee Macomber (P)2014 David N. Wilson

I absolutely loved this audiobook!

Murder, Sometimes was such a fun and enjoyable listen. I mean right out of the gate it was well-paced and not one dull moment. This story was a perfect balance of mystery and paranormal sprinkled with some good sarcasm and great funky chic characters.

I thought the two main characters, Jason and Trina played off each other really well. They made a great team. I loved Benny at the beginning of the story and how he channeled the signing of the ball cards. It was quite fulfilling and not predictable with good twists and a great ending.

Scott Russell Test did an outstanding job voicing this audiobook. Each character was a standout. All were exceptional with their own nuances and flair. His voice inflections were spot on for the characters and I didn't want this book to end.

I can't wait to listen to more in this series. For the author: wonderful story.
I received this audiobook foc in exchange for an unbiased review.

easy, fun, & entertaining

i can’t say that this is the best book i’ve ever listened to but i can’t say it’s the worst either. imo it would’ve been a 4star review across the board but the narrator did the worst “female” voice ever. other then that it was an audiobook that kept me entertained from the start to the beginning, the plot was good and it was a nice change that the police & a psychic got along so well even tho he had doubts about her abilities at first. also, the ending, or lack of ending i should say, was ingenious, that’s definitely the best way possible to make sure the reader buys the next book in the series. kudos.😉

Humorous

Jason a detective with an unusual partner Trina, case is just as unusual. Baseball cards, with an authentic signature, problem the guy is dead. Has a Humerous twist with ghosts. The audio was good, good voice added to the story. Given audio for my voluntary review

Great story and performance

Well written and engaging and a great performance by Scott Russell Test

My one issue is that there was very clearly a change in recording environment or equipment 2/3 of the way into the story. It was really jarring at the transition point and didn't match

Twists and turns!

A light-hearted mystery that holds your attention throughout.

Scott Russell Test did a good job narrating.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Light, Fun mystery with loveable characters

If you could sum up Murder, Sometimes in three words, what would they be?

Made me smile

What other book might you compare Murder, Sometimes to and why?

Not sure that I can make a comparison, because the book crosses genres...humor, very light-hearted, some fantasy...maybe Piers Anthony writing mystery...

What does Scott Russell Test bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Scott's performance was perfect for this book. He caught the various oddball characters just right, didn't overdo it...and his timing was spot on. His voice reminded me, at times, of Johnny Heller, and at other times of Jeffrey Kafer, two narrators I enjoy.

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

Get into the SPIRIT of things

Any additional comments?

This story requires a good bit of suspension of disbelief, but it's funny, charming, witty, and the dialog is wonderful.

Excellent

If you could sum up Murder, Sometimes in three words, what would they be?

Only a 4 hour listen, but my goodness, this murder mystery is just chock-a-block full of lovely entertainment. There's no time wasted " getting in to the story" here, it hooks the listener in from the start. From the very beginning I had kind thoughts towards this audiobook, it reminded me of the plays they air on the wireless, Afternoon Theatre or Book at Bedtime, a touch of nostalgia on my part maybe, but nevertheless, it worked for me.
It's also a darned good story, a mystery, a whodunit, and clever too. You see, the plot was not so very complicated that those who insist on solving it all out would be left foiled and frustrated, nor was it so easy that the mystery eejits such as myself could accidentally work it out before the end.

I'm not too fond of the old psychic/ paranormal/spirit type genre, as all too often the paranormal nature of the tale allows for incredible plots with head scratching outcomes. Not so here, this is a story full of interesting characters such as Trina, there is something very special about Trina Dane, a woman with a prosaic flamboyance - which is, of course, grammatically meaningless nonsense, but there is something about her, something with which the ordinary mundane non- paranormal person can identify. She seemed to know just how to deal with everybody! Including the grumpy disbelieving side of Jason, I also loved the way she dealt with his brother.
The unlikely duo of Trina and Jason work so very well together despite the fact that Jason hates to think so. I enjoyed the presence of his brother in the tale, a bit of a lad with his own interesting story, and I look forward to more of their post case dinners together.
I thought this to be a quirky, interesting, funny and absorbing story, cleverly written. This audio book was a freebie, but if subsequent books are longer, ( by a lot) then I shall be spending my precious Audible credits on them.


The Narrator: Scott Test.
The narrator was well chosen, and I thoroughly enjoyed Scott's narration of this book, his voice seemed just the right one to portray the weary ex cop. After the first few lines I hardly noticed him! Believe me that is one big compliment, there's nothing worse, nothing, I say, than an bad narrator intruding so rudely into a story. Scott Test has mastered all the aspects a difficult job admirably, I just hope he is chosen to narrate all the Jason Callahan books or I won't be listening.

Skeptic and psychic join forces

This was very enjoyable story and I will look for the second. The narration was a plus and the story of generally good. The mystery to be solved was engaging. However, the main male character vacillated oddly in his approach to the psychic. In the beginning, after an "encounter," he appears open-minded then with no real explanation he goes back to being a skeptic - in a jerk kind of way. I found that odd with no explanation. However, both main characters were interesting and I recommend the book.

Crime meets the Spirit world

Any additional comments?

Jason Callahan, former cop turned private eye, is investigating attacks on the life of one of the NYC's richest men. Not being able to catch the attacker on film, Jason enlists the help of Trina, a paranormal medium. Can Jason and Trina catch the attacker before its too late?

Murder, Sometimes is book one in the Jason Callahan detective series. This is a solid mystery with a paranormal twist. I really enjoyed the relationship of Jason and Trina. I would like to see where this series is going.

Mr. Test has the right voice for this book. I liked the way he was able to draw me into the story with his pleasant voice and pacing. I look forward to listening to more of his work.

I would recommend this book to my friends who enjoy a good mystery with a dose of paranormal mixed in.