Crystal Illusions (A Steve Williams Novel) [Kindle Edition]

J.E. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Assistant D.A. Carolyn Hastings has an uncanny knack for putting away criminals. With one of the best prosecution records in recent history, her future as Manhattan's next District Attorney looks certain. But her sixth sense for winning cases threatens to work against her when she starts seeing a string of murders through the eyes of the killer.

With suspects piling up as fast as bodies, and the motives of those closest to her questionable, Carolyn doesn't know who to trust. When the FBI assigns Special Agent Steve Williams to the case, Carolyn discloses her deepest fear - that the man she loves may be the one responsible for the city's latest crime spree.

The only thing Steve knows for sure is Carolyn has an inexplicable psychic connection with the killer, and all the victims have one thing in common...a striking resemblance to Carolyn Hastings.

And he knows it's only a matter of time before this psychopath knocks on her door.

"CRYSTAL ILLUSIONS is a dizzying thriller with a terrifying killer, a unique detective, and some twists you will not see coming! This is Steve Williams' most addictive adventure so far and J.E. Taylor at her very best! author of PHOBOS and THE UNDERTAKERS: RISE OF THE CORPSES and Managing Editor/Publisher of ALLEGORY E-zine. " Ty Drago

      

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This has to be one of the best mysteries I have ever read. Move over Agatha Christie there's a new sheriff in town, and she is great. "  - PRG Reviews



"If you love murder mysteries, if you love strong yet human characters, if you adore reading about the dark side of humanity then I highly recommend this book." - Bitten By Books

Product Details

• File Size: 588 KB
• Print Length: 300 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1475027052
• Publisher: Novel Concept Publishing (March 10, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007JBWCIQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,908 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars What a breath of fresh air... August 3, 2012

By Tony Sherman

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I like the character, but after the last book, I had had my fill of overflowing gore, and the excessive sexual perversion of the previous books, I was nearly done.

So why did I buy this book? Wel I enjoy the main characters and the plot lines are innovative and hold me. But the author appeared to have no boundaries, so I told my wife I think I' m done. Then I read the reviews of Crystal Illusions and one reviewer mentioned that the author had backed off so I decided to give it a go (yes I admit to being a Steve Williams junky).

Well this book is fantastic, great plot, good solid characters, fine ending.

It leaves me wanting more. I will buy the next one.

If I was asked to recommend the series, I would because the development is a major part of the fun. However I would caveat it with the escalating sex and horror ( horror especially in the last book). If you are willing to take the ride I think you will find these enjoyable reads, that are very reasonably priced.

Thank you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing web of lives February 28, 2013

By Harry

Format:Kindle Edition

This book left my head spinning. At first I found the switch from one character to the next causing a bit of vertigo. This book was intriguing after the initial head spin. I found it difficult to put down and was very pleased with the teasing ending.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Steve Saves the Day. April 22, 2013

By AngMG

Format:Kindle Edition

We got to read Crystal Illusions in our book club and I was a bit excited to have a Whodunit. Having never before read Ms Taylor's work, I went into it having no clue who this Steve Williams might be.
So it starts off with Carolyn Hastings, Assistant D.A., having some nasty nightmares. Turns out those nightmares were a lot more disturbing than just nightmares, Carolyn was witnessing a serial killer at work, real time, through the killers eyes. But wait! It's even more chilling for Caro when she realises that the victims look a lot like her.
In typical Whodunit fashion, every Tom, Dick and Sally are set up to look like possible killers. Which gave a bit of a whiplash effect in the whole, "Is it him?" "Or him?" "Could it be her?" "I dunno... might be him." thing.
One thing that frustrated me was boyfriend situation. Firstly, Carolyn had been seeing this guy, going out for dinners and having regular sleep overs for a year and a half but she didn't consider him her boyfriend or them to be in a serious relationship? (Yes, there might have been circumstances from her past messing with her emotional conditioning but really?)
Then, when everything seems to be pointing to him as the killer, she moves in with him? This is where I started staring wide eyed at my Kindle in disbelief. "Is it really him? Hmmm...maybe? Could possibly be." Now this is where I got to the point of yelling at them. (well, the words on my Kindle) Seriously Carolyn? You have a gut instinct with people that has helped make you an Assistant District Attorney with a perfect win record but you've been seeing a guy for 1 1/2 years, are willing to move in with him but you're not sure if he's capable of viciously murdering a bunch of girls that look like YOU?!?!?! (and stop with the lip biting people!!!) At this point I'm reading it just to get through to the end to see if my guess for the killer was right.
Then at around 40% of the way through, Special Agent Steve Williams shows up. *dreamy sigh* Right off the bat I like Steve. Steve says what he thinks and holds no punches. The man is delicious in his no nonsense, "Get the Job Done", style.
Steve also has some super duper special powers. He oozes sexual charisma but he's not at all sleazy. (Did I mention I liked Steve a lot?) After Steve's arrival reading the rest of the story flies by in super warp speed.
He isn't afraid of ruffling feathers. Steve questions all the key suspects (and a few others hadn't thought of) and gets stuff done. There's a bit of referencing to back stories, (which I'm going to have to go read now, cause more Steve? Yes please!) and we find out how he can do what he does. Long ramble short, after all the drama of Carolyn being a ditsy inner blonde, Steve comes in, takes the situation in hand and makes the story happen. The story before Steve? Maybe a 3 star. With Steve? A solid 4. I really liked it.

More About the Author

J.E. Taylor is a writer, a publisher, an editor, a manuscript formatter, a mother, a wife and a business analyst, not necessarily in that order. She first sat down to seriously write in February of 2007 after her daughter asked:

"Mom, if you could do anything, what would you do?"

From that moment on, she hasn't looked back and now her writing resume includes six+ published novels along with several short stories on the virtual shelves including a few within eXcessica anthologies.

In addition to being co-owner of Novel Concept Publishing (www.novelconceptpublishing), Ms. Taylor also moonlights as a Senior Editor of Allegory (www.allegoryezine.com), an online venue for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. She has been known to edit a book or two and also offers her services judging writing contests for various RWA chapters.

She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children and during the summer months enjoys her weekends on the shore in southern Maine.

Visit her at www.jetaylor75.com

This is by far her favorite feedback on one of her books:
"Sexy dark and intense, Survival Games will bind you to the page, kiss you slowly and then kick you where it hurts the most; I couldn't stop reading until I knew who won the game... Jessica Connor is one amazing character, and Survival Games is one hot read!" John Everson, Bram Stoker Award Winning Author