[HWX]⇒ Download Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The Niki Slobodian Series Book 1 eBook JL Murray

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The Niki Slobodian Series Book 1 eBook JL Murray

Download As PDF : Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The Niki Slobodian Series Book 1 eBook JL Murray

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The Niki Slobodian Series Book 1 eBook JL Murray

Something occurred to me after reading J.L. Murray's exemplary noir offering "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea". Knowing I'd just finished an excellently written example of the sub genre "female noir", I couldn't quite place it at first. After a few days of reflection, however, I realised what it was: Murray has held something back here. This novel moves along at a perfectly pitched canter, the language spare and devoid of all ostentation, the characters wonderfully drawn and realised, the dialogue natural and incisive, but what is missing turns out to be a positive: this sense that she has not shown her entire hand, but has delivered a winning hand regardless. Which bodes well for future Niki Slobodian novels and Murray herself, who will hook more readers as a result.

The novel itself I won't spoil by over analysis. Suffice it to say it's a dystopian supernatural noir story reminiscent of Richard Kadrey's "Sandman Slim" series, albeit more contemplative and subdued, in which the forces of Hell are pitted against a handful of interesting human characters with paranormal abilities, not least the main protagonist, Niki Slobodian. When I say subdued, I am not suggesting there's a lack of fireworks, just that the novel is less garish, less comic book, than you might expect, given the conventions of the genre. Personally, I like that; by giving us only one barrel instead of two, Murray has whet our appetite for more.

This is a cleanly-written novel, packed with psychological insight, imaginative world building, as well as some well-staged action scenes, and I will certainly look out for more of Murray's work.


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Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea The Niki Slobodian Series Book 1 eBook JL Murray Reviews

This is your fairly standard urban fantasy detective story, but if it's a genre you like [and I do] that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was a quick read although I think it did suffer a bit from being so short. I would have liked a bit more world building and background on things like the new government and abnormals but I assume we'll be getting that as the series goes along. I liked Nicki as a character, although again we haven't really gotten to know that much about her because of the short and fairly straight forward storyline. Still it seems like a fun series that I definitely plan to continue with. Also I want to see how long it takes them to figure out who Sam actually is ;)
Though I love Slobodian as a character, she can't compare with Jenny Undead. Thus, Murray only gets 4 stars for this one. I know that's not fair, but that's how it is.

If you're a fan of Supernatural as well as Dresden Files, pick this one up. Order the rest of the series while you're at it. Murray does an incredible job of building believable, yet supernatural characters who find themselves in odd situations. This new world that she's built is fascinating, full of treachery, and sure to please fiction fans.

Murray has a way of writing that draws you in and allows you to lose yourself. The big battles are written superbly with a nice side of grotesque. Though most of the scenes aren't really that gross, it's her vivid writing that lets you feel the entire scene.
Niki Slobodian is an Abnormal, she not only sees ghosts, she can communicate with them. When the New Government takes over she's put on The Registry, which means no work, no money to pay bills or no way to pay for her grandmothers medical treatment. When she's approached by a mystery man who not only offers her a job but to also get her off The Registry naturally she's suspicious but she really has no choice.
What follows is a totally awesome story of goodish vs. evil. Can Niki stop the Summoner and force the evil back to Hell? Can she save humanity? Loved this book and diving right into book 2 ASAP!! Would give it more than a rating of 5 if I could.

Independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock.
I loved this book. This is the first book of the series and introduces it wonderfully. The writing is excellent and well edited with rare typos. The plot is suspenseful with plenty of action, but also personal growth as well. The character of Niki is well rounded, cynical after what she's been through but still unable to stop helping when she can. Her supporting cast of characters are interesting and varied.

In this story, Nikita Slobodian, (Niki), is a former successful private investigator who was blacklisted when she was placed on the "Registry". The New Government has "discovered" that certain citizens have some abnormal abilities and, if convicted of such, they are listed in this registry and forbidden jobs, schooling, etc...Niki can see and talk to spirits, which helped her solve some of her private investigator cases. Broke, trying desperately to find the money to pay for rent, food and her grandmother's hospitalization for cancer, Niki stumbles into an unfamiliar bar to get out of the rain and meets Sam, a complete stranger who knows everything about her. He offers her a job tracking a serial killing demon that someone's summoned from hell. In addition, Sam promises her an enormous amount of money and the removal of her name from the Registry. Since Niki's father is known for his ability to summon demons, she's is in a unique position to get information from him, especially since he's in jail for his "abnormal" felonies. So Niki finds herself working with a magic wielding partner, Bobby, for the "Department of Order and Chaos". At least that's what her new badge says, and that badge has her outranking the police at crime scenes and seems to open all sorts of doors on a case that turns out to be anything but simple.

There are no sexual situations in this story but there is violence. Heat factor mild.
Something occurred to me after reading J.L. Murray's exemplary noir offering "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea". Knowing I'd just finished an excellently written example of the sub genre "female noir", I couldn't quite place it at first. After a few days of reflection, however, I realised what it was Murray has held something back here. This novel moves along at a perfectly pitched canter, the language spare and devoid of all ostentation, the characters wonderfully drawn and realised, the dialogue natural and incisive, but what is missing turns out to be a positive this sense that she has not shown her entire hand, but has delivered a winning hand regardless. Which bodes well for future Niki Slobodian novels and Murray herself, who will hook more readers as a result.

The novel itself I won't spoil by over analysis. Suffice it to say it's a dystopian supernatural noir story reminiscent of Richard Kadrey's "Sandman Slim" series, albeit more contemplative and subdued, in which the forces of Hell are pitted against a handful of interesting human characters with paranormal abilities, not least the main protagonist, Niki Slobodian. When I say subdued, I am not suggesting there's a lack of fireworks, just that the novel is less garish, less comic book, than you might expect, given the conventions of the genre. Personally, I like that; by giving us only one barrel instead of two, Murray has whet our appetite for more.

This is a cleanly-written novel, packed with psychological insight, imaginative world building, as well as some well-staged action scenes, and I will certainly look out for more of Murray's work.