Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
LUNA
Description
When magic goes wrong, who are you going to call? The name's Torres, Bonnie Torres, and I'm a paranormal scene investigator--rooting out the truth about crimes of magic. It's dangerous and boring and scary and fascinating. Though not everyone in the Cosa Nostradamus is happy we're around, which can make things...tricky. Working two cases--looking into a murder for the NYPD, and a rich man's break-in--should be well within our abilities. But when things start getting weird in the Electric Apple, Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations is stretched to the limits, trying to keep one step ahead and out of trouble. Add in rumors of a powerful creature gunning for us and it's not just our rep on the line this time--if we don't solve this case, everyone will suffer. Fortunately, around here, when the going gets weird, the weird hire us....… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Dejah_Thoris
The first two books in Gilman’s Paranormal Scene Investigations Series (Hard Magic and Pack of Lies) were good, but not so good that I made an effort to find the author’s other series or to await with bated breath the publication of the next installment. So it came as something of a shock to me
I always thought that the premise of the series held promise. Bonnie Torres is part of a paranormal investigation firm, all of whose employees have psychic abilities or Talent. Talented individuals are either Council, belonging to the Cosa Nostradamus or Lonejacks, with no affiliation. Most of the human population is non-Talented (Nulls) and as for the non-humans, well that’s another issue altogether. Bonnie’s bosses saw a need for a neutral, Talented investigation firm, although not everyone agrees.
Two cases keep the PUPI (Private Paranormal Unaffiliated Investigations) agents busy: a break in and a murder. Less time is spent in this book on the dynamics between the agents than in the other books; however more print is devoted to Bonnie’s issues with her boss Benjamin Vanec. It seems Bonnie’s Talent and Ben’s are compatible to the point that they’ve triggered a rare Merge – their Talent is trying to force them together. So far, denial of the situation has been working pretty well, but not for much longer….
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to realize about halfway through the book, how very much I was enjoying it.I always thought that the premise of the series held promise. Bonnie Torres is part of a paranormal investigation firm, all of whose employees have psychic abilities or Talent. Talented individuals are either Council, belonging to the Cosa Nostradamus or Lonejacks, with no affiliation. Most of the human population is non-Talented (Nulls) and as for the non-humans, well that’s another issue altogether. Bonnie’s bosses saw a need for a neutral, Talented investigation firm, although not everyone agrees.
Two cases keep the PUPI (Private Paranormal Unaffiliated Investigations) agents busy: a break in and a murder. Less time is spent in this book on the dynamics between the agents than in the other books; however more print is devoted to Bonnie’s issues with her boss Benjamin Vanec. It seems Bonnie’s Talent and Ben’s are compatible to the point that they’ve triggered a rare Merge – their Talent is trying to force them together. So far, denial of the situation has been working pretty well, but not for much longer….
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
The third installment of the Paranormal Scene Investigations series, Tricks of The Trade, picks up a few months after Pack of Lies ends. The PUPI's have two new cases to work - a dead fatae found floating in the river and a break-in on millionaire row. Neither case is quite what it seems and the
While the cases are presented almost immediately it seemed to take a long time for anything much to happen though once the PUPI's have a few clues to go on the pace picked up. The case involving the theft was especially intriguing with a great twist that gives this book a darker edge.
One of the things I particularly like about this series is the way the author naturally introduces and builds more detail regarding the world and the magic/current it uses. Part of this is accomplished by using an alternating narrative that is in the first person from Bonnie as well as the third person which allows us to observe and gain insight into the other characters and situations.
The appearance of The Roblin was an interesting way to force Bonnie and Ben to confront the issues the Merge have raised. Their relationship changes in this book which I has happy to see and I am looking forward to seeing how things progress in the next installment. I would have liked however for The Roblin to have made a little more mischief for the team than he did.
In the background Ian is still fighting for the team's acceptance with the Cosa Nostradamus, Aden makes an brief appearance and Wren, a character from Gilman's Retriever's series makes a cameo appearance.
I enjoy the combination of action and mystery with a touch of snarky humour thrown in with this series. Once I was past the slow start I enjoyed Tricks of the Trade as much as the first and second titles. While I suppose this book could be read as a stand alone I think the back story from the previous two books are important to the enjoyment of the novel. I still hope to be able to read Gilman's Retrievers series which is set in the same world, though from a different perspective, soon.
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PUPI's, under the guidance of the Big Dogs Ben and Ian, have a hard time getting to the truth of both crimes. To further complicate matters The Roblin, a mischief demon, takes an interest in the group, and Bonnie and Ben's connection in particular.While the cases are presented almost immediately it seemed to take a long time for anything much to happen though once the PUPI's have a few clues to go on the pace picked up. The case involving the theft was especially intriguing with a great twist that gives this book a darker edge.
One of the things I particularly like about this series is the way the author naturally introduces and builds more detail regarding the world and the magic/current it uses. Part of this is accomplished by using an alternating narrative that is in the first person from Bonnie as well as the third person which allows us to observe and gain insight into the other characters and situations.
The appearance of The Roblin was an interesting way to force Bonnie and Ben to confront the issues the Merge have raised. Their relationship changes in this book which I has happy to see and I am looking forward to seeing how things progress in the next installment. I would have liked however for The Roblin to have made a little more mischief for the team than he did.
In the background Ian is still fighting for the team's acceptance with the Cosa Nostradamus, Aden makes an brief appearance and Wren, a character from Gilman's Retriever's series makes a cameo appearance.
I enjoy the combination of action and mystery with a touch of snarky humour thrown in with this series. Once I was past the slow start I enjoyed Tricks of the Trade as much as the first and second titles. While I suppose this book could be read as a stand alone I think the back story from the previous two books are important to the enjoyment of the novel. I still hope to be able to read Gilman's Retrievers series which is set in the same world, though from a different perspective, soon.
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LibraryThing member rhonda1111
This is the third book in the Paranormal Scene Investigations. The first one I have read but not the last one. They mention other cases in this story which I assume is in the other two books. Their is another series of books called Retrievers and they mention Wren and we meet her in this book. I
Bonnie Torres is a talent in fact all the investigators are talent. Bonnie and one of her bosses are fighting what they call merge. Their talent is drawn together and wants them to get together and have offspring. It is rare and they are finding more all the time. They have walls around them in their minds so they don't keep getting what the other is doing or feeling most of the time.
Bonnie likes guys and girls and wants uncomplicated relations. In fact her and Piers sleep together on casual basis. Getting involved with the boss is not what she wants or him either.
They call the two Bosses Top Dogs and they all are pups. They are like P.I. firm that works to find facts about talent so they can be held accountable.
One case is from a null a human nontalent and that he thinks a talent broke in his house to damage two rooms and take a watch and crystal knife.
The other case is a floater that NYC cops called them in to figure out. The dead body is not human and in fact they are not sure what he is at first.
They have refined their talents with practice on how they can help find out more from the evidence using their skills together or alone.
The interactions of the Pups and Top Dogs I really like the characters and how involved they are and what we learn about them and their worlds. The cases are solved and their are a few other problems that come up. But it is their working so well and it comes across to each other.
I liked the story. I was given this ebook in exchange for honest review.
went and bought the others plus 5 more books of hers
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want to read at least one of that series too.Bonnie Torres is a talent in fact all the investigators are talent. Bonnie and one of her bosses are fighting what they call merge. Their talent is drawn together and wants them to get together and have offspring. It is rare and they are finding more all the time. They have walls around them in their minds so they don't keep getting what the other is doing or feeling most of the time.
Bonnie likes guys and girls and wants uncomplicated relations. In fact her and Piers sleep together on casual basis. Getting involved with the boss is not what she wants or him either.
They call the two Bosses Top Dogs and they all are pups. They are like P.I. firm that works to find facts about talent so they can be held accountable.
One case is from a null a human nontalent and that he thinks a talent broke in his house to damage two rooms and take a watch and crystal knife.
The other case is a floater that NYC cops called them in to figure out. The dead body is not human and in fact they are not sure what he is at first.
They have refined their talents with practice on how they can help find out more from the evidence using their skills together or alone.
The interactions of the Pups and Top Dogs I really like the characters and how involved they are and what we learn about them and their worlds. The cases are solved and their are a few other problems that come up. But it is their working so well and it comes across to each other.
I liked the story. I was given this ebook in exchange for honest review.
went and bought the others plus 5 more books of hers
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LibraryThing member Shaiha
This is a series that I stumbled onto and one that I am definitely going to follow in the future as well as picking up her back list. I was really impressed at how well TRICKS OF THE TRADE stands on its own even though it is the third book in the series.
I think that what really set this book apart
Ms. Gilman has also done a wonderful job with her characters. Even though it is set as a first person thru Bonnie’s eyes, we really learn all of the characters. And even though Bonnie is definitely the primary in the story, there really aren’t any secondary characters as all of the pack play such an important part in the story.
This book had me enthralled from the very first page and I do recommend it to anyone that enjoys urban fantasy. I rate this book a 4.5.
***I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I think that what really set this book apart
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in my mind is the way Ms. Gilman explains the group dynamic of the PUPS as a pack. There are the Big Dogs which as the bosses and then the working team with the alpha dogs and all. The working team is really trained to work together as a pack and it is a dream to see. Ms. Gilman has also done a wonderful job with her characters. Even though it is set as a first person thru Bonnie’s eyes, we really learn all of the characters. And even though Bonnie is definitely the primary in the story, there really aren’t any secondary characters as all of the pack play such an important part in the story.
This book had me enthralled from the very first page and I do recommend it to anyone that enjoys urban fantasy. I rate this book a 4.5.
***I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
A rogue mischief imp and a baffling break-in at a Null's mansion. The two have no apparent connection but the P.U.P.s are on the case. Gilman's heroines never get to make the easy decisions, and Bonnie's no exception to the rule. If you can manage to get past the annoyance of the uber-frequent
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"pack" and "dog" references, this is another excellent installment in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
I really love this series - the main character is extremely likeable to me, as are all the secondary characters. The mysteries/plots are solid and one just completely surprised me. I enjoy the writing style and the author does, in my opinion, an excellent job with the chemistry between Bonnie and
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Ben. I'm bummed that I now have to wait for the fourth book. Show Less
Original publication date
2011-11-15
Local notes
PSI, 3
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Gilman |