Deathscape by Dana Marton (Broslin Creek, Book 1)

Deathscape

by Dana Marton

(Broslin Creek, Book 1)

After a near-death experience, artist Ashley Price is compelled to paint visions of the dead, and fears she’s gone crazy. Then she paints a man buried alive and, recognizing the surroundings, she rushes to save him.

Instead of being grateful to her for rescuing him, Detective Jack Sullivan accuses her of being in league with a serial killer. He swears he will put her behind bars. Except, the more time he spends with her, the more he falls under her spell. Can he trust her, or is he walking into another deadly trap?

Review: Fast paced, easy breeze!

Ashley Price is doing everything she can to get her life back on track and convince her father that she can once again take care of her own daughter, Maddie. But cheating death a year ago has changed her profoundly, especially blaming herself for not being able to save her neighbour’s child, Dylan.

Detective Jack Sullivan has moved from city to city, transferring when he could, searching for a serial killer who murdered his older sister when he was thirteen. He blames himself – it was his fault because of his plea for pizza that night for dinner that had her leaving the house, never to be seen alive again.

He believes that Brady Blackwell, the killer, has made his home in Broslin, and he’s determined to find him. And certain circumstances have him believing that Ashley can lead him to said killer.

**Spoiler Alert** Do not read past this point if you don’t what to know what happens. … Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Right from the prologue, the author draws you in. I mean, c’mon, a serial killer setting up a trap for a relentless detective hot on his ass is bound to suck a reader into the story. And chapter one just cements it.

After her near-death experience, Ashley has visions. Visions she never asked for, doesn’t want, and would do just about anything to stop. She paints what she sees, almost in a trance with a bad migraine, and the scare the crap out of her.

One night, a rather vivid vision floods her, and she paints what she sees. Only this time, the body’s eyes are staring back at her – that had never happened before in an of her visions. Recognizing the backdrop in the painting, she goes in search of the big boulder, knowing it’s on her property, that she needs to save him.

She rescues him and the live happily ever after.

…

Psych! (Yes, I know – an oldie but a goodie!)

Jack believes she’s in it with Blackwell, as either a willing or an unwilling accomplice. But she’s not. Not only does he force her to tell how she knew where to find him, but to make matters worse, he witnesses one of her visions. He wants to believe she’s a great actress, but deep down in his obsessed mind, he knows she’s the real deal.

He’ll protect her – even when he’s falling in love with her.

Being removed from the case, du to his closeness – his conflict of interest, doesn’t stop him. His obsessed mind won’t allow it.

**Watching the characters “tip-toeing” around each other was fun to watch. Attracted to each other, it was great to see the give and take between them, fighting the attraction. IMHO, I needed to feel a little more steam, heat, and sparks between them. But it was still good.

I changed my mind on the suspect several times but kept coming back to the same character – I liked that I was right (doesn’t happen too often,) and that it wasn’t predictable. It was intriguing!

Secondary characters run the gamut of emotion, and I can’t wait to get to Bing’s story. That man needs someone to love him.

Overall great read. I recommend it!

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