Customer Reviews

Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having read the first book of this series, The Gifts, I was so excited to have this prequel released! How did I spend a snowy day you ask? Doing the laundry that really needed attention, baking some goodies for my family, or reading this book for 6 hours straight? If you went with option 3, you win!! I could not put this book down from the moment I started reading it.
Sometimes I find that in a mystery book, you are left to your imagination about the characters, but with Sacred Secrets the characters are rounded out nicely. I was drawn into their experiences, laughed with them and felt everything they felt.

I can't wait for the next installment... keep 'em coming!!!

This supernatural thriller mystery grabbed my interest in the first few pages. The suspense kept me going, turning pages as fast as I could, right up through the end.

The story revolves around Jacody and Katie, two characters that you'll care about as you learn their secrets. There is a pretty wide variety of characters, and we get to know a little something about all of them and in some cases, wonder about them - why they did what they did or why they are the way they are.

It's interesting that this story could have worked as a straight mystery, with no supernatural elements, with one possible exception - the dreams. With a foundation of real characters going through real events, the supernatural elements seem all the more realistic.

The only criticism I have was that it could have used better editing. I found a total of seven errors, things like:

"It a suitable donor wasn't found . . ."
"Opening the door she let go of him, laughing as he stumbled to the nearest chair, held on for a second and then sat down in the floor."
"Sally puttered around the room, plumping pillows, refilling the water picture."

I'm not an editor. I don't intentionally look for errors. With a total of seven, there weren't so many errors that it started to get annoying. I've read others that were much worse with two to three times as many.

I'd recommend Sacred Secrets as a fun, fast-paced read that will keep you guessing right up until the end.

BTW, after reading this, I'm going to buy her other book, "The Gifts," which is next in a series about Jacody Ives.

I have to admit, I was totally lost at the beginning, and never did find out who "John" was, but if you are into mysteries, like following the clues and trying to figure out "who dun it", then this is the one! It's not your every day mystery, though. Everyone seems to be having the same nightmares, and Jacody is schizo. This is way out of my general reading style, but when it came together it was well worth the read.

Though Jacody Ives is the main character in Sacred Secrets, the author's writing draws you into the thoughts and feelings of each character in the story, giving you layers of suspense and sensations you miss with a book written solely from one viewpoint. I thoroughly enjoyed both The Gifts and Sacred Secrets and am looking forward to the next book.

Sacred Secrets is a beautifully crafted book. It is told from the viewpoints of Jacody Ives, the alter ego of Gavin McAllister and Katie O'Connor, a woman rich in wealth and poor in health who receives a new heart from a mystery donor.
As the two stories join themselves together, Ms Prather weaves in a gentle mysticism in a way that you could never doubt it was a normal part of life. It is the kind of book that, even if you put it down for some time through necessity, when you pick it up again - and you will - you instantly remember where you are in the story. It is a book that holds you in the telling to the very last word. I have already downloaded the sequel, The Gifts, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries), and it's on the top of my 'to be read' list. That's the best recommendation you can have.

Sacred Secrets, A Jacody Ives Mystery (Jacody Ives Mysteries) [Kindle Edition] available at Amazon Author Linda S. Prather & Charles, Jr. Prather

Jacody Ives has a secret and is well suited to solving the crime that haunts his sleep. He seeks absolution in solving what haunts him. Katie O'Connor is a woman who has been living with the knowledge she was at death's door since she was a child but the door is opening wider and she hasn't much time. An accident gives Katie the life she's always wanted but the heart is a bridge to the killer and Katie's past. Jacody's and Katie's lives are about to intersect with a psychic bond involving a serial's killers actions, his victim haunting them both.
In the book Jacody states "It all boils down to secrets who was hiding what and why?" Isn't that what every good mystery is about and this one is definitely a better than average mystery.
This is a suspenseful story with intricate layers woven with great care and detail to make an exceptional read. I truly enjoyed this stunning mystery as the author drew me in and made me identify with both of the main characters. It reminded me of some of Tony Hillerman's books with its mysticism and mythic legends woven into the story. Readers who enjoy his books would certainly enjoy this one. This book was one I could stop reading until its conclusion. I look forward to reading the prequel to this book The Gifts and any other material from this author.
*****
5 stars out of five
"The Gift" available at Amazon at

The book was a little confusing at the beginning. It seems that you should already know about the characters, however the book was really good and I enjoyed reading it. I found the supernatural elements of the story very interesting.

This is certainly a mystery with a twist, a supernatural twist. Ms Prather definitely knows how to draw her readers in and retain their interest.

I loved the characters throughout and felt compassion for Jacody and Katie, something that rarely happens when I've read other mysteries.

This story is riddled with twists and turns and I can't wait to read the second book in the series 'The Gifts' too.

Congratulations on an intriguing read Ms Prather.

I 'v just finished reading "Sacred Secrets", could not put it down.. Having been a reader for over 55 years, I'm 72 this year. I can tell you it is one of the best written books I have ever read. It has every thing you could ever want it a story. Its as well written as any Nora Roberts books, and she is the best. So of course I had to buy the sequel to "Sacred Secrets", "The Gifts" It was just as good as the first book. I'm waiting for Lynda's next book, I think is a Psychic Thriller. I bought mine from Amazon's kindle e-books, would have paid more any where else. Lynda keep writting.
Bonnie Freeman

This supernatural thriller mystery grabbed my interest in the first few pages. The anticipation kept me going wanting to turn the kindle tabs pages as fast as I could;

The story revolves around Jacody and Katie, two characters that you'll think about as you learn their secrets. There is a pretty wide diversity of characters, and we get to know a little something about all of them and in some cases, wonder about them - why they did something.

It's remarkable that this story could have worked as a straight mystery, with no supernatural elements, with one possible exemption - the dreams. With a foundation of real characters going through real events, the supernatural elements seem all the more realistic. I look forward to reading more from this author