Desert Remains

August 7, 2017
This accomplished series opener from Cooper (Deadline) introduces Phoenix, Ariz., homicide detective Alex Mills and reluctant psychic Gus Parker. When a hiker finds the corpse of 27-year-old Elizabeth Spears in a desert cave alongside a carving that depicts her death, Gus senses that her murderer is already stalking his next target. He volunteers his services to Alex, who’s in charge of the investigation, but while Gus’s visions lead to the discovery of additional victims, they fail to identify the killer. As the body count climbs and public pressure mounts, Alex’s son is arrested for selling drugs. A media circus ensues, distracting Alex and inspiring his rival to angle for control of the case. Witty banter, colorful characters, and a strong sense of place give life to this intricately plotted procedural. Gus and Alex take turns narrating, with Gus’s breezy tone balancing out Alex’s hard-bitten one, and the unlikely camaraderie that develops between the two men adds humor and depth. Riveting subplots and a shocking twist pave the way for an electrifying conclusion. Agent: Anne Collette, Rees Literary Agency.

October 1, 2017

The desert caves around the city of Phoenix are the bloody playgrounds for a psychopath leaving bodies and petroglyphic artwork depicting ghastly murders. As the body count rises, Det. Alex Mills is under pressure to solve the cases. With no viable leads, Alex turns to the unconventional Gus Parker, a reluctant "intuitive medium" who senses confusing visions of a child and a house on fire. More bodies pile up as a serial killer with parent issues runs amok. The story line, despite its gruesome theme, is leavened with humor, while a wicked twist provides a grand finale. The alternate narration between Alex and Gus works well to enhance their bizarre camaraderie, with Alex's voice reflecting a harder-edged tone, while Gus's attitude is lighter. VERDICT The psychic twist makes Cooper's (Saving Valencia) riveting series launch a standout from the crowd of routine police procedurals. The desert backdrop is a good foil to the plot and will attract aficionados of Southwestern mysteries.--ACT

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2017
Gus Parker is psychic. His gift is occasionallybut not alwaysdead-on, giving Gus spooky visions of things that were supposed to stay hidden. Like the startling source of the drugs flowing through the high-school football team. Gus can read the mood of a car: It radiates a certain sadness. He partners with another psychic, the scene-stealing Beatrice Vossenheimer, in exposing fake mediums. (She's thinking of writing a book, calling it Psychic My Ass.) After the pointed hilarity of this opening, it's a step downward when his Phoenix cop buddy, Alex Mills, pulls him into one more serial-murder investigation. Fortunately, author Cooper sees to it that it's a fascinating one, telling the story in a rich, almost tactile prose: Gus hears the flutter of something, like the winding of a snake. Cooper screws down the tension as the revelations come, and Gus is about to move from parapsychologist to victim. That's when he rediscovers what genuine psychics know, to their sorrow: those dazzling visions sometimes don't do a damn bit of good.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)