Sammy’s review of Cold Memory (Extrasensory Agents, Book 3) by Leslie A. Kelly
Paranormal Suspense published by LK Books 30 Jan 17

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Holy crap. Book 3 is everything I thought it could be, and after I finished reading it I realized the author exceeded my expectations. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a huge fan of this series. I don’t know if it’s popped up on anyone else’s radar or if you’re on the fence, but I would never squee like a fangirl if I weren’t 100% certain you would walk away disappointed. I would also like to point out that I also put my money where my big fingers are. I bought all three books in ebook and I have the original two books in print. That’s how serious I am. To put it bluntly, this book is fucking amazing. It was well worth the wait.

Mick Tanner has the ability to touch items and know everything and everyone who has ever touched it – who they are and what they’re thinking. It makes for a lonely life. Imagine being intimate with someone and touching their sheets and knowing every single thought in their head. I mean, we women have secrets and it doesn’t make for lasting relationships. Mick lost his parents in a fire at the age of five, and around that time is when he developed his abilities. His parents’ wishes were that he would live with his uncle and never be raised by his grandfather. Because his family has a lot of money and power, his grandfather unfortunately got custody and did some really shitty things to him. Uncle Shane finally got him back and Mick lived with him and his partner on the carnival circuit. While Mick has some scars physically and mentally, he also has the love of his uncle and the carnies.

Gypsy Rose Bell … I have to put this out here. I love her name. Aside from that, I love her as a character. She will forever live on my top ten best female character in a book or movie. Gypsy grew up in the carnival; her mother performed there and her grandfather ran things. She was older than the other kids and, of course, she would bully them around. Mick, aka Dumbo, and Gypsy kinda formed a truce early on when he used his gifts to get her secrets to keep her off his back, but also they formed a friendship. It’s been 20 years since they have seen each other. She’s all grown up and is Chief of Police of Ocean Whispers, Florida where the carnival has been for several years. It just so happens that Mick Tanner has leased the property to Gypsy’s grandfather to keep them stationary in their old age. Unfortunately, there is a murder and Gypsy needs Mick Tanner’s help.

Their first meeting is electrifying. At first he mistook her for her sister. When he realizes it’s Gypsy, he’s intrigued, and so is she. Mick grew into his dumbo ears and fills out a suit very nicely. This couple sizzles from the word hello. They fall back into that friendship, even though it’s been twenty years, and they are both aware of each other sexually. She thinks he’s a rich playboy, but she will soon find out that Mick Tanner is way better than that. He may be very rich, but he has a huge heart, gorgeous eyes, and a mouth that needs kissing, lots of kisses.

Gypsy and Mick are working the murder while more bodies within the carnival are piling up. The Jacksonville Police have taken over the case and Gypsy is now out of the loop. It will take the help of Mick and the other agents to untangle the ins and outs of all the secrets and people of the carnival. This is another book where the stakes are high, the clock is ticking, you don’t know who is up next. The carnival atmosphere is so well done I could smell the funnel cakes, hear the music from the rides, feel all the bodies crowding on the lines. I could taste the fresh lemonade … wait, that’s because this city girl who moved to the mountains LOVES the carnival that comes through here every year, and the first thing I go for is the freshly squeezed lemonade, the second thing is the grilled corn, and on my way out a funnel cake. I just love the where this story takes place. It’s another character added to the rest of the cast.

Things are moving quickly. Gypsy’s grandfather suffers a heart attack and that’s when she realizes she needs to grab life by the balls. She and Mick take their relationship to the next level, and it’s hot and they’re hot and I was so over the moon that they’ve found each other. What a perfect couple in a perfectly flawed world. These books make you forget it’s fiction. You feel like they’re a part of your family and you’re so invested in each and every one. I read the author’s note at the end of the book. I am so glad you didn’t do that, Leslie Kelly, I don’t think I would be able to forgive you! I hope this book does well, because this reader who is a huge fan of the series and would love to see what comes next.

Creepy killer, carnies, family, secrets, love, heart break, friendships, special abilities. Every ingredient to make this book one of the best books I’ve had the pleasure of reading. You rock, Leslie. I am toasting to a long career and some more books in this world. If I have to scream it from the mountaintops, or sky write it across the world, I will. Read this book, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Grade:A+

Summary:

Mick Tanner’s ability to touch an item and know its entire history made him a hit in the sideshow, but has made personal relationships difficult. The closest one he’s ever had is with the uncle who raised him in the carnival. So when members of that community begin to die in mysterious ways, there’s nothing he won’t do to help.

Chief of Police Gypsy Bell remembers Mick as a smug pain-in-the-ass, but he’s grown up to be a very sexy, fascinating man. And like it or not, she needs his help to figure out the mystery that’s plaguing her tiny town. Because this killer has a plan, a motive, and several targets. He’s out to right a wrong…no matter how many people he has to kill to do it.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: