Review: Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

Double Cross
The Disillusionists Trilogy
Author: Carolyn Crane
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Spectra
Released: 9/28/2010)
Available in Paperback & Digital from Amazon

SUMMARY: Justine Jones lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she was lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard, who gifts her with extraordinary mental powers—dooming her to fight Midcity’s shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.

But now serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity’s new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will.

I won my copy of Double Cross, the second book in The Disillustionists Trilogy, from A Buckeye Girl Reads, and it's a good thing because I was cranky that I hadn't been able to buy it yet. It's a tricky thing avoiding spoilers on the blogs, facebook and twitter, let me tell you.

After reading Double Cross I realized just how brilliant Carolyn Crane really is. Sure, after reading Mind Games I thought she was amazing and I loved the book from start to finish, but it wasn't until finishing the second book in the series that I truly appreciated her mind. I don't think it's possible to explain just how intriguing her characters and the world she has built for this series really is. It's something each reader has to discover for themselves. Double Cross is a mix of dark urban fantasy, mystery, paranormal romance and psychological thriller. The mental quirks of the characters are part of what makes it so fascinating. It's impossible for the reader to not think of real people in their lives when they are reading this series. Though the books are fiction, they have so many insights into the human psyche, that I found myself actually gaining an understanding of myself and others in my life while reading. I know that's probably not something the author meant to have happen, but for me it did.

Double Cross takes us further into the relationship Justine has with the two main men in her life. I won't give spoilers because with this series the reader needs to delve in without knowing any details ahead of time. Each of the men have faults, and are by no means pure in their motives towards her or the people they protect. Nothing in this world is black and white. There are bad guys, but mostly there are people who have been shaped by the experiences in their lives; some more scarred than others. Some of their actions may be "bad" but not all, nor does it make them evil. Just as a person can give the appearance of being a good guy, but their motives and personality may take them to places far from "good".

Another thing the author is great at is providing comic relief just when it's needed. Carolyn Crane is a woman and author with a brilliant wit and a whimsical sense of humor. She can make the reader ponder the human psyche, weep, and then have us laughing all within the same page. Brilliant, I tell you.

Mind Games and Double Cross are both must reads. Seriously folks, there is not a vampire, werewolf, or fairy in sight, but they are never missed because the world Carolyn Crane has created is THAT unique, thought provoking and entertaining. Repeat with me "We don't need no stinkin' vamps, shifters or fae in Midcity." As you read these books you won't wish for anything other than what the author gives you on the pages of her books.

TEASER WORDS
Gumby
Cow Brown
Dreams
Vacuums
Falafel day
freedom

To learn more about Double Cross visit the author at her website: http://authorcarolyncrane.com/ . Drop by her blog for contests, snark & fun here: http://thethrillionthpage.blogspot.com/