Wicked

Shaye Archer Series, Book 4

By: Jana DeLeon

Narrated by: Julie McKay

Amber Olivier awakens in a cold sweat, the bitter taste of blood in her mouth and her head throbbing. Not even a hint of light reaches her. She reaches left, right, and above, but within inches, her hands meet a solid structure covered with satin.

She bangs on the top of the enclosure, but the cushioned fabric only creates a dull thud. Beyond panicked, she screams until her throat burns and she doesn’t have another breath of air in her.

And that’s when it hits her.

She’s in a coffin.

She screams again.

©2017 Jana DeLeon (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Great suspense mystery series set in NOLA!

Private investigator Shaye Archer is a very wealthy young woman who can choose the cases that interest her without regard for the client's ability to pay. She is also the victim of a horrible crime that has left her with partial amnesia. Wicked is the 4th novel in the series. All four were released in audio format one month ago. The 5th novel in the series titled Unseen was released two weeks earlier in ebook and paperback formats, but not in audio. I hope Unseen will be released soon in audio format.

All four Shaye Archer novels released so far in audio are solid 5 star suspense mysteries with outstanding narration by Julie McKay. This series has my highest recommendation.

Action Packed and Enjoyable, Though a Little Predictable

So I’ll start by saying I love love Jana DeLeon’s books. I’ve read many of the different series including my faves the Fortune series. The Shaye Archer series has also won my heart. I’ve read them all so far in order. I would read them all again, including this one because I enjoy the character development and the continuing storyline woven throughout the series. The mystery in this book is good. There is a good amount of action and the women here are strong (even when portrayed as some type of victim). However, I was a little disappointed that I knew who the villain was as soon as they entered the scene, and never once thought otherwise. Others didn’t seem to say so in the reviews, so maybe I’m just extra alert. But for me it was obvious from the start.
That being said, I still enjoyed watching the story unfold and the dramatic pursuits that followed. A few out of character actions by Shaye and this books main new character which made me say why, since while those actions moved the storyline, they were not in character with the personality traits and actions of that person. Normally I give Jana 5 in everything, but here I’m docking a point for the above critiques. I would still read and listen to this book again because I enjoyed it, and so would anyone as these books are suspenseful, action packed, filled with characters you love, and interesting enough that I finish them in a day even with work.
I also love that they are not too dark for suspense books, and don’t leave you feeling gloomy and sad. I appreciate that this storyline was a little less complicated, because the ending in the last book was painful, the subject heavier, and the surprises made me a little sad.

I truly am so glad I first stumbled across Jana in the Mother in Law Ghost series, then Fortune, and here I am.

Finally, I enjoy the narrator a lot, but she made Terra (Tara) constantly sound like the world’s biggest basket case, so I would tone down the hysteria panic-filled voice a little in the scenes that’s it was not so necessary.
Please read in order as there is an ongoing storyline, and make sure you include Wicked in your Audible library, you won’t regret it!

An interesting installment

I have enjoyed this series all along. Great character development and the author allows the characters to carry the story without a lot of filler. The twists are well done and you don’t figure it all out till the end. I also liked the ending as the next case has been set up. Narration is good and keeps the story moving along. If you like the series, you will like this book.

entertaining story

Another enjoyable Shaye Archer story that provides a little set up for the next one. This one not as gritty as the others but just as enjoyable, trying to figure out who the killer was and why. Always complex and intriguing a really great read once again.

Engaging

This series is very different from the other series by Ms. Nelson which I have enjoyed. This series is serious it shows the ugliness of humanity, what ones evil mind conjures up but lack the where with all to just stop. I was sad in the previous book Diabolical when the grandfather killed himself I believe he could've put a twist on the story to survive, the police chief was a different story.

great book! incredible narration!

The Shaye Archer series just gets better and better. Can't wait to listen to the next book in the series!

really great book! the shaye archer story line is riviting! i can't wait to see where it goes from here!

good series

series should be read in order to get the best of it. continuing characters play important part of the stories.

Not my favorite of the series but still good.

This was my least favorite of the series. But it was good. It seemed like a quick story. But it also felt unfinished like the next book is going to have some continuation to this story. It was NOT a cliffhanger, I just think there is more to come in the next book (being released tomorrow).

I also think we are going to get more of what happened to Shaye over those years she was held captive, so that will be interesting. That Jackson Shaye romance is heating up a bit.

I hope we get more Hustile in this next book too.

I do recommend this series for sure, its fast paced, easy to follow and flows well.

As for the narration, seriously Julie McKay STOP READING THE CHARACTERS LIKE THEY ARE ABOUT TO CRY OR ARE IN PANIC MODE ALL THE TIME! UGH it would be such a great narration if you would stop doing that. Thanks.

great!

this was a great story. did not figure out the killer until revealed. more revealed about shaye at the end.