Review: Freak Show (The Nightshade Cases #1) by Patti Larsen

Title: Freak Show

Series: The Nightshade Cases #1

Author: Patti Larsen

Genre: Adult, paranormal, mystery

Publication date: June 2014

Published by: Patti Larsen Books/Purely Paranormal Press

Source: E-book from author for review

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Synopsis:

When transsexual starlet Aisling is murdered, Detective Geraldine Meyers is assigned the case. With help from medical examiner Dr. Rachel Hunter, Gerri realizes this is no ordinary killing. While she might not want to call in over-eager anthropologist Dr. Kinsey DanAllart, the detective is forced to trust her friend's expertise in symbology, even though doing so means admitting "weird" things might be happening in Silver City. As the three friends unravel the mystery of the dancer's death, one thing is made absolutely apparent--something isn't right in their new hometown. And someone is doing everything they can to make sure the truth doesn't come out.

In Silver City, sometimes friendship can be murder.

Welcome to the first Nightshade Case, a series of twenty-one episodes in twenty-one weeks. Please note: this episodic series is based on the television show model, with screenwriting notations and shorter formats. There will be a complete mystery each week, with cliffhangers only occurring in the full season story line.

My rating: ★★★☆☆
Freak Show was a very interesting book in that the format of it was very different than your typical novel. It was actually set up like a TV show and I really, really liked that! That was pretty cool and very unique.

But I did have a couple of issues with it. First, I had a hard time getting into it in the beginning because it felt like there was a ton of backstory. I just wanted it to get to the action already, can you blame me? Lol. As for our main characters, well… I have very mixed feelings! I liked them just fine but at the same time I found that I didn’t really connect with them that deeply. I don’t know…

Anyway, so we have these three very different girls who are all the main characters, I suppose: Gerri the homicide detective, Ray the medical examiner who is also on the case with Gerri, and Kinsey, an anthropologist and professor who is called in by Gerri to help out on the case as well. I liked how diverse they all were, bringing something different to the table. I think my favorite was Kinsey, though. I don’t know, she just seemed like a lot of fun.

Another thing I liked was that some paranormal stuff was thrown in as well, and you know how much I love the paranormal! However, I did have a hard time understanding what exactly was going on or what exactly these powers were that were mentioned. But once we get more info, boy was I excited! All I'm saying is, it’s very cool!

Let me tell you something else I love: murder mysteries! I just love them! It’s one of the reasons this book caught my attention. I do admit that some of the plot twists weren’t that surprising (to me), the whole thing—the situation surrounding the mystery of the murders was horrible and you couldn’t help but feel for those victims! It’s awful! This part really reminded me of something you might see on Criminal Minds (which I love!), since they often have very moving episodes.

Overall, I really enjoyed Freak Show! There were a couple issues here and there, but nothing to deter me from enjoying this read! I love murder mysteries but I especially love the splash of paranormal that was thrown in. It didn’t hurt that it was a quick read, too—just how I like them! I think I will definitely be continuing this series, especially since my interest is piqued with all these powers and paranormal things going!

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! :)