Sinister

By: Jana DeLeon

Narrated by: Julie McKay

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

Street kids are disappearing, but how do you report that to the police when, from their standpoint, the missing people didn't exist to begin with? Hustle is certain that something bad has happened to his friend Jinx, and the only person he can turn to for help is private investigator Shaye Archer.

Because Hustle helped the young PI while she was investigating her first case, Shaye has already formed an opinion as to his character and believes he's telling the truth. As she digs deeper into Jinx's disappearance, she discovers that Hustle's friend isn't the only one missing. As a frightening pattern emerges, Shaye wonders if she can find the missing kids...before it's too late.

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

Better then the first! EXCELLENT SERIES!!

This is book two in the Shaye Archer series. I am so impressed with this series. I've never heard of Jana DeLeon before and after reading a review by Wayne for her previous book I know I would not be interested in her other books. I also know my next two book purchases will be #3 & 4 in this series.
In this book street kids are disappearing with no clues about what has happened to them. The protagonist (Shaye Archer) is approached by a teenage boy she met in book one. One of his friends is missing and no one seems to care but him. When a boy from a prominent family goes missing every one cares. This author is great at deception and leads the reader down an obvious path through 3/4 of the book then springs a twist on that throws you for a loop. This series has everything going for it, but mainly it has that taught suspense that will keep you from putting the book down.
The ending of this book left me gape jawed- absolutely Fantastic!
If you purchase this book on kindle for $5.99 the Audible version is only an additional $1.99.
Julie McKay does an excellent job narrating.
So far this series is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Thank You.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Outstanding novel in a great series!

Sinister is Book 2 in the private investigator Shaye Archer series. If you are familiar with other Jana DeLeon series like the romance mystery Ghost-in-Law series or the fantasy romance Mystere Parish series or the cozy paranormal mystery The Happily Everlasting Series or even the wildly successful cozy mystery Miss Fortune Mysteries series, forget about them because the Shaye Archer series novels are serious suspense, and rather dark, mystery/thrillers.

In Sinister the street (homeless) kid nicknamed Hustle is back fro his appearance in Malevolent and is now trying to find his friend and fellow street kid nicknamed Jinx who is missing. Shaye Archer takes his case and finds that other street kids are also missing; there is a pattern. The suspense is intense and the action is constant in this fast paced novel. Having earlier read the paperback versions of some of Ms. DeLeon's books in her other series I would never have purchased books in the Shaye Archer series had Audible listener Shelley not reviewed Malevolent (Book 1 in the series) so positively. Sinister very, very easily meets my criteria for a 5 star rating; it is superb and it is also superbly narrated.

Shaye Archer has a fascinating life story and is a wonderfully empathetic protagonist character. Malevolent was her first case and Sinister her second. She is only 24 years old.

Finally, some who like the suspense mystery/thriller genre may also like Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune Mysteries series. It is relatively light, humorous, and fun fare with less intense suspense. I'll review at least one novel in the series later.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

GREAT SERIES - The Order Matters!!

I love this series. Deleon & McKay make a great team! I normally find cozy mysteries too boring or hooky. This series has the gritty, darker mood I enjoy. DeLeon has created wonderful characters who McKay brings to life with her talent as a voice actor. If you like Karen Slaughter or Lisa Gardner’s writing you will most like love this series too. (One thing I like about the series is the foul language is kept to a limit and there is not any steamy sex scenes.)

P.S. You might find Amazon Kendal has the best deal for the audible version :)

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great second installment

Jana DeLeon has crafted characters that you love to cheer for and hope they overcome all the obstacles thrown at them. Julie McKay gives a great performance bringing everything to life. If you enjoy high octane mystery/thrillers, you won’t want to miss this one.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Second book is as good as the first!

I could not put this down! The suspense and excitement are still riveting in this second book in the Shaye Archer series. The story picks up shortly after the first case. We find that Shaye is stronger and more confident now that she has had a successful case. Secrets of her past have surfaced, which leave her hurt and puzzled.

Both cases that Shaye has taken, share the emotional trauma she suffered in her lost years. That emotional connection gives Shaye the perseverance to save those in need. In Sinister, the client are the street kids. By their very existence it is almost impossible to trace them. This makes them prey to criminals and abuse.

In Sinister, street kids are being thrown away as garbage and no one is concern. That insouciance contributed to no one looking for Shaye. Our heroin was not going to let another kid get lost in the filthy perversion of the morally corrupt.

A triple threat of investigation happens when Peter, a boy from an upper-class family is stolen. The resources of Jackson Lamonte, the detective who got the first case of a murdered kid; Shaye who is hired by the street kid, Hustle to find his friend Jinx, are all mobilized to help the kids.

Jana Deleon continues to add dimension and breath to the characters. The worry of a parent concerning her child, the strength of Shaye to face her fears and the tentative steps toward romance between Jackson are Shayne were palpable to me. That is why I could not put the book down.

The innocence of kids, the abuse they had to endure and their flight from capture kept me right there finishing the book. I could not leave Jinx alone in her dank cell or leave Hustle to his self-flagellation for his inability to keep Jinx save.

Sinister is a thrilling, captivating adventure that I just couldn't put down.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Darker side of DeLeon’s heroine adventures

This story line is definitely darker than the mud bug and Fortune stories... they are still very strong stories lines with less of the light banter and antics to keep the the listener from getting overwhelmed with the dark subject matter....the narrator of this series, seriously distracts from the story line... not much character voice differential.. and in a monotone read... after the midnight and Fortune series I do find this disappointing...

Good Sequel!!

Still not a fan of the narrator, but the story was really good and suspenseful!! I will definitely finish the series!

I Enjoyed this Book More than Expected

What can I say, I’m a true Jana DeLeon fan. I first discovered her in the Mudbug books which I thoroughly enjoyed. I then fell head over heels with the Fortune series (which I desperately await another installment). Then running out of books I tried this series. I wasn’t sure I wanted something heavier than the other series’, but I figured let me give it them a try. Well, I am not disappointed. I truly am growing fond of these characters (like I did in Fortune series). I enjoyed this book even more than the first. I love the street kids, especially Hustle and Jinx. I love Shaye, Jackson, and even Corrine and her shrink. The book was a twist on otherwise depraved kidnapping type thrillers, so that gave it some uniqueness that I enjoyed. And while this series is heavier than Jana’s other series’, it still has hope, optimism and some lighter moments that keep it from being too dark and dreary. When the book ends you don’t feel down like other dark suspense books. What you feel instead is how quickly can I download the next one. Thank you for your diversity and entertainment Ms. Jana DeLeon. If you haven’t read any Jana books, try them all!! You’ll love them; she won’t disappoint.

Evil is out there, so are good people.

Just dark enough to make it a good mystery, with the right amount of humor and heart.

Kept me edge

Really enjoyed this book, a lot of just in the nick of time scenarios. Nice listen.