Customer Reviews

Whispers From a Troubled Heart

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Author Rique Johnson has done it again! I thoroughly enjoyed his debut novel "Love and Justice," and thought that the story could not get any better, but boy was I wrong. I decided to take a peek into Whispers From a Troubled Heart before going to bed and I was up into the wee hours of the morning, carefully turning the pages trying to savor this intense story.

Whispers From a Troubled Heart picks up the action right where Love and Justice left off. Reading that book is a definitely a prerequisite. Detective Jason Jerrard is still grieving over the loss of his love, Sasha, but he soon has his hands full. Not only does he have two women who are both head over heels in love with him, but he also has a new case that hits very close to home. Jason must give his all to handle this case, but will giving his all cause him to everything?

Whispers From a Troubled Heart is an intriguing novel that has something for everyone. It seeps with drama and suspense, but also has elements of a tender and endearing romance. I am enthralled with the character of Jason Jerrard and the plot flows well with many twists that will have readers glued to the pages. Rique Johnson has definitely earned a spot on my list of must read authors.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
APOOO BookClub

Whispers From a Troubled Heart by Rique Johnson is an explosive serial murder mystery set in the town of Virginia City, a place the author knows well as a Virginian. The main character, Detective Jason Jerrard, has just come face- to- face with a past flame named Julie who unexpectedly reappears to claim Jason as her lover at all costs and even if it means turning a gun on his new love, Sasha, and perhaps himself.

What happens next is devastating enough to turn Jason's life upside down, but he hasn't time to breathe or morn the circumstances of an ill-fated love affair gone deadly haywire. Virginia City men are now showing up dead one- by-one all around town.

The murders catch the attention of Mayor Blake who insists on hiring Jason as a private investigator to solve one of the most bizarre series of incidences to face men in the town. The men are brutally beaten, and authorities are bewildered by a chain of events that will entrance readers from chapter to chapter. The rich dialogue, scenic imagery, twisted plot, and masterful story line make Mr. Johnson a veteran in the genre of mystery.

Suddenly, two woman by the name of Crystin and Monique come into Jason's life. One reminds him of his murderous and deceased ex-flame and the other a possible replacement of a woman in his life who was relentlessly killed. Between these two women and heated moments of intense romance, he needs to find out who is beating up and killing the Virginia City men.

Can a woman perform these murders? There is an element of revenge scathing and hinting at an anticipated ending. Mr. Johnson delivers without disappointment. Readers will become engaged in this modern day thriller mystery that questions if Detective Jason Jerrad is sleeping with the enemy, and will he find out before it's too late? Explosive, vivid, concise and well written are just a few words to immaculately describe, Johnson's summer literary blockbuster, Whispers From a Troubled Heart. "A new page-turning mystery writer with an intelligent writing style is born."

The "Boy Wonder" detective, Jason Jerrard, is back. And, "Love and Justice" is a must read before this thrill-of-a-ride sequel. While coping with the loss of his love, Sasha, Jason encounters two women, the wife of a political figure and a woman from his past, who unbeknownst to each other vie for his love and affection. Meanwhile, the Precinct is trying to solve the mysterious cases of three lonely men who have fallen prey to brutal beatings and are left for dead. With Jason's friend, Alfredo, being the only surviving victim, Virginia City's finest sets out to avenge his friend's attack. Rique has done it again with this heart-stopping sequel. He pulled me into the storylines, as I could relate with the characters. "Whispers From a Troubled Heart" contains the elements (action, mystery and romance) that I need to keep me glued to the pages. I'm looking forward to another Jason adventure.

****5 Stars! The DLNA! A YOUnity Reviewers Book Club
Whispers From a Troubled Heart by Rique Johnson is an explosive serial murder mystery set in the town of Virginia City, a place the author knows well as a Virginian. The main character, Detective Jason Jerrard, has just come face- to- face with a past flame named Julie who unexpectedly reappears to claim Jason as her lover at all costs and even if it means turning a gun on his new love, Sasha, and perhaps himself.

What happens next is devastating enough to turn Jason's life upside down, but he hasn't time to breathe or morn the circumstances of an ill-fated love affair gone deadly haywire. Virginia City men are now showing up dead one- by-one all around town. The murders catch the attention of Mayor Blake who insists on hiring Jason as a private investigator to solve one of the most bizarre series of incidences to face men in the town. The men are brutally beaten, and authorities are bewildered by a chain of events that will entrance readers from chapter to chapter. The rich dialogue, scenic imagery, twisted plot, and masterful story line make Mr. Johnson a veteran in the genre of mystery.

Suddenly, two woman by the name of Crystin and Monique come into Jason's life. One reminds him of his murderous and deceased ex-flame and the other a possible replacement of a woman in his life who was relentlessly killed. Between these two women and heated moments of intense romance, he needs to find out who is beating up and killing the Virginia City men.

Can a woman perform these murders? There is an element of revenge scathing and hinting at an anticipated ending. Mr. Johnson delivers without disappointment. Readers will become engaged in this modern day thriller mystery that questions if Detective Jason Jerrad is sleeping with the enemy, and will he find out before it's too late? Explosive, vivid, concise and well written are just a few words to immaculately describe, Johnson's summer literary blockbuster, Whispers From a Troubled Heart. "A new page-turning mystery writer with an intelligent writing style is born."

After everything that Detective Jerrard went through in Love and Justice. By the way if you haven't read it you need to read it before you read this one here. By him losing not just one person that he loved but two women he loved at the same time. You would think that he would gaven up on love and never love again. I really like the part when the detective and Crystin the major wife had an affair that was something else. Crystin was crazy from the beginning to the end. I'm not going to give away the whole book, but this is a "Must read!!"

Keep up the good work!

Author
Claudia Brown-Mosley(ONE TIME TOO MANY)

I agree with everything from the previous review written by fiveofsix about the new installment to the Jason series. After the shocking ending to the first novel 'Love & Justice' you can't wait to see what type of drama will happen next with Jason. Rique doesn't disappoint you with 'Whispers'! Just when you think you know what is about to happen, Rique takes the story in a different direction that blows you away. I can hardly wait for the third installment of the Jason saga!

After the explosive ending on the first book, I was hesitant to read the second one (just in case you haven't read the first one, I won't give it away--but just be warned that in the last three pages, there is a shocking ending. However, the second one has a happier ending and less of the graphic violence than the first one. The dialogue is cheesy, but that lends to the development of the main character--you get a good mental image of what he's like. One thing that I really liked about the book is that the author has a way of portraying his characters that is based on personality--he never mentions a character's nationality but allows you to visualize the person based on their characteristics and dialogue, not race.

Whispers from a Troubled Heart from start to finish is full of suspense and twist. Each breath that you take while reading it prepares you for the dips and turns it takes on a non-stop rollcoaster ride of suspense. The romance and love found and renewed by Det Jerrard is deep and truly comes to life and embraced my heart. I fell in love with Det. Jarred in Love & Justice, but in Whispers from a Troubled Heart, Monique was my girl!
Every word on each page of this book came to life for me, the characters and their roles were very real and intense. Rique's writing style is so strong and captiving, I hated to have to read the last page of this book, as I can only wait and imagine what he has in store for us next in the Det. Jerrard series.

When you pick up this book, fasten your seat belts because you will embark on another fantastic journey by Rique Johnson in WHISPERS FROM A TROUBLED HEART. Officer Jason Jerrard is down but not quite out, as he battles his way back from despair, heartache, loss and a battle weary spirit. After the burial of his beloved Sasha, he vows never to love again. But, remember the saying, "never say never."

In his favorite restaurant, Jason meets a beautiful mysterious woman, where an instant and mutual attraction develops. He later finds out that this mysterious woman is none other than the wife of Virginia City's Mayor, who is running for re-election. Also, a woman from his past reappears in the form of Monique, who happens to be his first love. Both women believe they are truly in love with Jason and want his love in return.

As these two women vie for his affection, Jason finds himself assigned to a case where men are being beaten to death. When his friend Alfredo is beaten and left for dead, he makes it his business to find the culprit, with a warning from the Captain to do it by the book. The Captain's warning comes a little late as Jason faces off with the suspect and meets a challenge worse than he had anticipated. When this is over, will Jason's job remain in tact? Will he lose a chance at love again?

This novel is a sequel to Love and Justice and it doesn't disappoint. In fact, the action seems to keep rolling right along without a lull between novels. The masterfully done twists and turns as well as the steamy sex scenes will have you glued to the pages until finished. As his beloved Sasha speaks to his heart to guide him through his misery and pain, past rage and resentment, I saw emerge a stronger but very lovable hero in Officer Jerrard. This very troubled man battled from the depths of despair to not only love again, but also continue to fight crime in his city. He showed that even in heartache there is a blessing.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I am always impressed by how Rique can satisfy your craving for his work. Yet, he leaves you craving more when his books end. He is a passionate author. If he ever chose to end his carreer as an author, it would be a great loss to all readers. This man truly has a way with words. He has a gift for bringing characters to life. He is open-minded which helps readers relate to his characters. He has a very wild imagination when it comes to acts of intimacy. In other words, the sex scenes in his novels will make you dream of the male character's touch. Brace yourself!!