Television psychic Monica Gaines has offered her services to the police department and political pressure wins out and Joe Bailey finds himself on an investigative team with a woman who stands for everything he is spending his life trying to disprove.

When the investigation turns too close to Joe, Monica is almost fatally burned, and his daughter Nikki begins to hear the voice of her dead mother. When Joe arrives home to find his living room rearranged the way his wife had it while she was alive, he almost finds himself believing she has returned to warn him. However, the word Rakkan carved into the table shakes him back to reality. Now using the legend of Rakkan as a guide, Joe races against time, knowing that the killing will only escalate, to find out who is murdering these people, and to uncover the biggest psychic con of all.

Deadly Visions is an extremely readable, absorbing novel. Mostly police procedural, with a bit of the paranormal thrown in, the investigation Joe conducts is unique in its methods. He is a very real character, especially when against all he knows to be true, he considers the possibility that Angela has returned to warn him away from danger. He is making tentative moves to reestablish a former relationship with Suzanne, who conducts séances for part time income, though she swears she is the genuine article.

Joe’s partners in the investigation make interesting contrast to Joe as one blatantly refuses to believe in anything paranormal, while Carla is a bit more willing to believe. Most of the book is full of page turning tension, though right before the final scene it slows down a little as all the facts are presented and loose ends tied up. Most readers will not guess the identity of killer, and Joe’s insistence in all things being explainable does cause a loss of believability in the paranormal possibilities. Deadly Visions is a very fast read for those looking for an investigation with a different twist.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry