Wicked Dreams

Wicked Dreams by Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush is a suspenseful and atmospheric crime thriller with some supernatural elements. This fifth novel in The Colony series was well crafted and hooked me in the prologue.

A note pinned to a dead body has Ravinia Rutledge’s cell phone number and the words “Next of Kin”. Did he drown or was he murdered?

Ravinia left The Colony five years ago and has become a private investigator based in Portland, Oregon. However, Charlie, a man whom she and her sisters hoped was dead, may be back. If so, their lives are in danger. Detective Neville Rhodes is fascinated with The Colony and with Ravinia. As deaths continue to occur, Ravinia and Neville talk and attempt to stop the antagonist.

The characterization was excellent in this novel. Ravinia and Nev were both likeable characters and the antagonist was an adversary that I will not soon forget. While Ravinia is practical and levelheaded, she is willing to lie or withhold the truth to protect her family. Nev is finding his way as the newest detective in the police department. However, things haven’t been easy coming back to his childhood hometown where he’s forced to confront his past. The secondary characters played pivotal roles with both familiar faces and some new characters that added another dimension to the plot line.

This writing duo brings a twisty and chilling tale to readers. The tension kept me on the edge of my seat as I anxiously turned the pages. The psychic gifts that the members of Ravinia’s family have add additional depth to the crime thriller and romantic suspense aspects of the book. However, this is more of a crime thriller than a romantic suspense novel.

The world-building is phenomenal and fits well with the story line. Whether it’s Echo Island, the beach, or Siren Song, I could easily visualize the settings. The plot is deeply involved with several twists to the story to keep readers captivated all the way to its dramatic conclusion.

The authors brought suspense, interesting characters, and an exciting story line together in a thrilling novel. I am looking forward to reading more stories by these two gifted writers. If you enjoy intriguing crime thrillers with a little romance and some supernatural suspense, then this may be the book for you. I highly recommend reading the books in order. There are a large number of characters, and introduction over time helps.

Kensington Books, Lisa Jackson, and Nancy Bush provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for December 27, 2022.