Close Your Eyes

May 21, 2012
Bestseller Johansen and son’s gripping fourth collaborative effort (after 2010’s Shadow Zone) stars Dr. Kendra Michaels, a music therapist with some amazing talents. Born blind, Kendra developed her other senses to an extraordinary degree until her sight was restored at age 20. As a modern-day Sherlock Homes, Kendra is invaluable to the FBI, who pull her into the case of six fatal stabbings in the San Diego area in 45 days that was earlier investigated by her former lover, Jeff Stedler, who’s gone missing. All six victims had the same as yet unidentified substance in their bodies. Despite not being a team player and friction with her co-worker, Adam Lynch, Kendra picks up some almost invisible clues that put them on the right track. Now someone is determined to kill her. The authors combine idiosyncratic yet fully realized characters with dry wit and well-controlled suspense that builds to a satisfying conclusion. Agent: Andrea Cirillo, the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

July 15, 2012
Johansen and her son, Roy, team up for their fourth collaborative effort (Shadow Zone, 2010, etc.). Dr. Kendra Michaels, a music therapist, doesn't seem like your average crime fighter, but Kendra's track record is impressive. She's helped police crack plenty of tough cases. Although she has no crime-fighting background, the first 20 years of her life have heightened her senses, and she can see, hear, smell and feel things no one else can. Born blind, Kendra had sight-restoring surgery, but regaining her ability to see hasn't changed her gift for zeroing in on details that often get by others. So, when someone starts killing random people, former FBI agent Adam Lynch, who is now investigative freelancing, ropes her into helping the feds find the killer. Kendra hadn't planned to get involved in another case, but an FBI agent named Jeff, who is also an old boyfriend of hers, has gone missing, and the bureau believes he was snatched while trying to find the serial killer. Kendra fights the idea of joining the investigation and gives everyone from Adam to the FBI's special agent in charge a hard time. Then things get weird, and suddenly Kendra finds herself on the receiving end of the violence. After narrowly escaping an attack, Kendra plunges into the case but soon finds it's forcing her to reexamine both her old relationship with Jeff and her new one with Adam. The law enforcement agents are all either corrupt or inept, and the supposed heat that builds between Kendra and Adam is tepid and uninteresting. While the foray into music therapy is compelling, the writers strain credulity with the premise that any federal agency would put up with someone as unpleasant and rude as Kendra, much less let her call the shots. A not-so-thrilling thriller that leaves readers wishing that the bad guys were better shots.

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February 15, 2012

Possessed of keenly developed senses because she was blind for the first 20 years of her life, music therapist Kendra Michael is a genius of observation and hence much in demand by the FBI. She isn't interested in helping manipulative former agent Adam Kyle with his latest case--until she discovers that it involves a former flame possibly in the clutches of a serial killer. Johansen mere et fils produce endless best sellers; this one has a one-day laydown on July 17.

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2012
Kendra Michaels was blind the first 20 years of her life. A miraculous new procedure changed that, but her other senses remain keener than any normal person's. That hypersensitivity comes in handy with law-enforcement groups across the country. Now the FBI is knocking at her door again. By trade, Kendra is a music therapist and enjoys using her unusual skills to help troubled kids find a sense of peace through music. But into her life walks Adam Lynch, not an FBI agent per se but a consultant who specializes in getting jobs done at any cost. His technique is half charismatic, half manipulative, and the case at hand involves her ex-boyfriend, Jeff, an agent himself, who has disappeared, and when it's apparent he might be the next on a serial killer's hit list, Kendra gets sucked in. The pace here is quick, and the subject matter intriguing. Kendra's talents are mind-blowing if a little unbelievable, but they make her a crackerjack detective all cops would want on their team, even though she comes with a boatload of attitude. The scenes with Adam and Kendra ooze sexual tension, making this thriller a titillating delight. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The popular mother-son team's latest will be supported by a widespread media campaign including national televison advertising.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)