Among the Living – PsyCop series begins with a bang
I just reread Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price, the first book of the Psycop series. This is my challenge before the release of the latest novel, Murder House: Psycop #10 — to reread the whole series from start to finish. When I first read this book, I didn’t care if it was long or short. I didn’t even pay too much attention to the sex.
This was the first book in the M/M genre that I had ever read. I got hooked by the premise, and by the time the book was over, I was a fan. This time, I did notice the sex, and after having read many more M/M books, I can appreciate the distinction of well-written sexy times.
I can’t get enough of Victor Bayne and Jacob Marks. Together, they practically melt the pages. It boggles the mind that JCP began this series on a lark. You wouldn’t know if she hadn’t mentioned it at the back, where she discusses more about the book and how she came to write it.
I like thrillers, I like mysteries, I like romance, and I like cop/detective stories. It was a given that I would enjoy this, but what kicks it up a notch is the paranormal aspect. The psychic angle. The world-building that includes acceptance of metaphysical science as something that can be used for the greater good. This is the case for the PSYCOP units.
As I once again delved deep into the beginning of the PSYCOP world, it was as comforting as my favorite blanket. Like coming home. I don’t know where I would be without this series of books.
Among the Living, and the PSYCOP series are told from the perspective of Detective Victor Bayne. He is surly, he is awkward, but he is also a level 5 psychic medium, and he uses this power to keep himself employed as half of a PSYCOP unit. His partner has to be a non-psychic because that is how the complementary pair of talents has been determined. When we encounter Victor, his long-time NP (non-psychic) partner of 12 years has retired, and we are watching Victor navigate that retirement party.
Maybe I glossed over it the first time I read it, but did the bathroom scene at the retirement party, where he hooks up with Jacob Marks for the first time, get hotter? I don’t remember it being so involved, but sure as hell it was. I had to read it twice! I like it when the main characters can’t keep their hands off each other. Life is boring — I read books to escape my reality, and this book achieves that. Sexy times with Victor and Jacob are not only hot but they don’t feel contrived.
Even though Jacob hooks up with Victor, I can tell that he likes Victor. Victor is a bit slower to warm up, which could be because of his abilities and how they skew his view of the world. Circumstances may have brought them together. By the end of the book, you know there is something more meaningful that needs to be developed further.
Reading this again reminds me of how I wanted to have psychic powers when I was younger. I was quite obsessed with the metaphysical. When he was young, was admitted to Camp Heliotrope. We learn that the early days of psychic development were more torturous and abusive than scientific.
Victor has very strong feelings about what he refers to as “Camp Hell”. Which is ironic, as Victor seems to negatively associate the things that Jacob finds so fascinating. It is one of the interesting dynamics of their budding relationship.
I’ve read other reviews that complain that Among the Living could have been longer. I disagree. I think it is the perfect length to whet your appetite for the PSYCOP series.
A longer book could have been nice, but this is 2019. Let us celebrate that there are 8 other books (not including the short stories & flash fiction) already published. No point complaining… Just move on to the next book!
Which is exactly what I am going to do.
Next: Thaw #1.1 (short story found inside Psycop Briefs Vol 1)
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Book Review – Camp Hell (PsyCop 5) by Jordan Castillo Price
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