Title: Final Call
Author: Terri Reid
First published June 24, 2011
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.26
Overview
As Stanley peered up into the shadows above the stage, he noticed something strange hanging among the curtains and backdrops. It looked like a person, but it couldn’t be.
“What’s going on here?” he asked Rosie, who was also puzzled by the sight. “It’s not part of the play,” she replied.
“But if it’s not part of the play, then what is it?” Stanley wondered. Suddenly, Rosie’s face turned white as a sheet.
“That’s Faye,” she whispered. Faye, a beloved member of the theater community, had been brutally murdered, and Mary O’Reilly and Police Chief Bradley Alden must race against time to find the killer before they strike again.
Mary soon realizes that she is the prime witness and the only one who can identify the murderer. With the clock ticking, Mary must use all of her detective skills to solve this case before it’s too late.
About the Author
Meet Terri Reid, the talented author behind the intriguing Mary O’Reilly Paranormal Mysteries. As an independent author, Reid self-published her debut book “Loose Ends” back in August 2010.
Fast forward to the end of 2012, and “Loose Ends” had already sold over 82,000 copies. As of now, it still ranks number one in Amazon’s Ghost Stories category in the Book/Literature & Fiction/Genre Fiction/Horror/Ghosts section, and number two in the same section for Kindle eBooks.
Reid has since added eight more books to the Mary O’Reilly Series, with many of them achieving Top Rated and Hot New Release status in Amazon US’s Women Sleuths category. Her books have even been translated into Spanish and Portuguese and are also available in print through CreateSpace and Amazon.
Currently, Reid is working on an audiobook for “Loose Ends.”
Reid’s success has not gone unnoticed. She has been quoted in several books about self-publishing, including “Let’s Get Digital” by David Gaughran and “Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors” by Claire and Tim Ridgway.
She was also privileged to have some of her works featured in A. J.
Abbiati’s book “The NORTAV Method for Writers – The Secrets to Constructing Prose Like the Pros.” In addition, she has had the honor of guest-blogging for Joe Konrath. Originally from the northwest region of Illinois, near Freeport, Reid found inspiration for her fictional characters in her hometown.
With a background in marketing and public relations, she is happily married with seven children and eleven grandchildren. Her furry companions include Riley, a Bernese Mountain Dog-Golden Retriever mix; Hans, a German Shepard mix; and McDuff, a Siamese cat.
Editoral Review
In Terri Reid’s Final Call, first published on June 24, 2011, the reader is taken on a thrilling journey of mystery and supernatural phenomena. Reid, an American author of mystery and thriller novels, has crafted another gripping tale that is sure to captivate fans of the genre.
In Final Call, the reader is introduced to Mary O’Reilly, a private investigator with the unique ability to communicate with the dead. Her skills come in handy when she is called to investigate a series of brutal murders in a small town in Illinois.
As she delves deeper into the case, Mary discovers a connection between the murders and a decades-old crime committed by a local family. With the help of her team of ghostly allies, Mary sets out to solve the case and bring the killer to justice.
Reid’s writing style is crisp and engaging, creating a fast-paced narrative that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The characters are well-drawn and realistic, with Mary serving as a compelling protagonist whose paranormal abilities do not overshadow her humanity.
The setting, a small town in Illinois, is also vividly depicted, adding to the ambiance of the story. One of the strengths of Final Call is Reid’s ability to seamlessly blend supernatural elements with real-world issues.
The novel raises questions about family dynamics, addiction, and crime, making it a thought-provoking read. The pacing of the plot is well-executed, with a steady stream of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.
Despite these strengths, Final Call does have some weaknesses that prevent it from being a perfect read. One of the minor complaints is that some of the characters are not as well-developed as Mary, which can make them seem one-dimensional at times.
Additionally, some readers may find the supernatural elements of the story to be distracting or implausible. Overall, Final Call is an enjoyable and well-crafted mystery novel that will appeal to fans of the genre.
Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and the fast-paced narrative and compelling protagonist make it a page-turner. While not without its flaws, Reid’s storyline, characters, and themes make this book a recommended read for all mystery lovers.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.