Where Tobie Sees Too Much

The Archangel Project by C.S. Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't often read thrillers; they're really hit or miss with me. And I started to think lately that I just don't really like them, with only a few exceptions, after finding so many similar novels not to my taste.

My new theory is that I've just been reading boring thrillers. *This* one was one was great, and I loved it.

I got to this series from Jane Austen--as so often happens. My love for P&P and S&S, etc., led me to the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron. (Love them.) That led me to C.S. Harris and her regency mystery series with Sebastian St. Cyr. (Also great.) Then I learned that "C.S. Harris" was actually Candace Proctor, and that under another name (with a co-writer), she had written this series. This is book 1, and I was very entertained. I shouldn't be surprised, but I'll admit I was.

Like her Sebastian St. Cyr series, this book has a well-plotted mystery, excellent action, high stakes, fantastic pacing, and, crucially, characters I quickly learn to care about. TBH, I think that's where I find other books and authors of this genre miss the mark, at least for me--I usually don't care very much about the main characters. I can't say exactly how she has done it, mind you, what the secret ingredient is. I can just point to it as something that worked for me here, like in the other series. (Sebastian is cool in that one, and I adore Hero. His doctor friend is great, too, and there are several other recurring characters I enjoy.)

In this book, I find I really like October Guinness, who is really easy to root for. And it took a few more pages, but I warmed up to Jax Alexander, too, who was cool by the end. I'm psyched for sequels.

The plot: October (Tobie) is gifted at "remote viewing," and accidentally uncovers a conspiracy. The conspiracy involves powerful, violent men and women who want to kick off a war that would be costly and destructive in every possible way, and they need to silence her. From the first page, she is in danger and overmatched. Luckily, she's not helpless. She is intelligent and brave and has skills from her years in Iraq, and she also has friends. Later, she has the support of Jax, a CIA operative.

The feel and tone of the novel is familiar to me from her other series, but this is set in (near) modern day. (Phones and spy tech have changed so much in about 15 years!) I don't usually love stories set in the present, or near the present, but this was a lot of fun. It's just a matter of time before I track down the rest of the series and get myself caught up.

Recommended for people who like fun things.

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