Blood Game (Eve Duncan Series #9)

BLOOD GAME is a fascinating Duncan investigative tale.

Forensic sculpture Eve Duncan goes home after a complex mentally draining case that featured the murders of several children (see QUICKSAND). She opens her refrigerator to find a goblet with blood stains inside. It looks identical to a goblet found by the corpse of nineteen year old Nancy Jo Norris; the blood had been drained from the U.S. senator's daughter.

Eve's lover FBI agent Joe Quinn apparently can now see dead people; at least two that is: Nancy Jo and Eve's daughter Bonnie. He assumes that he somehow obtained this paranormal skill from psychic Megan Blair (see QUICKSAND and PANDORA'S DAUGHTER). The ghosts thirst for blood so assist the human sleuths on a search for a wannabe Dracula copy cat killer.

This is an exciting Eve Duncan serial killer thriller that increases dramatically the paranormal elements. Eve remains restless, but Joe has proven to be a comfort for her as Bonnie haunts her emotionally and haunts him directly. The story line is fast-paced as Eve and Joe with help from beyond hunt a vampire killer, but gothic overtones detract from the suspense as the lead couple is too well known by fans for the pair to be overly melodramatic. Still BLOOD GAME is a fascinating Duncan investigative tale.

Harriet Klausner

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Not up to par

I have loved reading the Eve Duncan novels in the past, but the last couple have been very disappointing, especially "Blood Game". Ms. Johansen has just gotten too much into "hocus pocus" type stories. It takes away from the strong characters and relationships that I have enjoyed, and borders on just plain silly. I liked Eve Duncan novels because they were mystery-thrillers with complicated and interesting characters. I liked that she left it up to the reader to decide if Bonnie visiting Eve was a "ghost" or a dream. Now she has taken away that choice, and made the series something unenjoyable for those who don't want to read books with the occult in them. I will be unlikely to read any more of the Eve Duncan series unless I see an indication that Ms. Johansen is moving back away from this theme.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Another Page Turner, Leaving You Waiting for the Next Book in the Series

Iris continues to deliver on the Eve Duncan series. She does a wonderful job at adding new story lines that can continue this series of characters while introducing new ones for future books. If you have read the Eve series you will be happy with this next page in her journey. I will say, if you have followed the series she leaves a few things open that make you wonder. They do not relate to the true story line but reference past relationships from other books in the series. You will not find it distracting from the story line.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Loved It!!!!!!!!!

Another great book by Iris Johansen. I have read almost all of her books and all of the books in the Eve Duncan series. I have to say this book was really good. Once I started could not put it down. It continued where Quicksand left off. Can not wait till the next.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Love the Eve Duncan Series

This was a good additon to this series! Also liked how Iris is starting to bring in the supernatural in and explaining more about Bonnie's life and her death. Can't wait for the next installment in this series.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Really enjoyed

I really enjoyed this book. First one in series i read but im sure to read more.

Good but....

I actually liked this book. I've read others that didn't hold my interest too well but this one did. I didn't care for the blood drinking thing... but did enjoy the fact that Joe developed a new "talent". That made it interesting for me because I know that it will one, make Eve feel better about her being able to see & talk to Bonnie, and two, she'll feel obligated to expose this fact to him eventually, which is something she's been battling internally for a long time. I'm ready for that conversation to take place. All in all... good storyline, good plot, but no WOW at the end. As another reviewer stated earlier, it just ended. They killed the bad guy and that was that. I read these thrillers because I like for my eyes to be wide open and to be blown away at the end. This one lacked that excitement for me. Still good though.

Boring

Not worth the chance

Blah....

I enjoyed the earlier books in this series but it definitely goes downhill with this book. It lacks the detail and character depth of her previous works ( i.e. the Wind Dancer series). I agree with the previous review that this felt like it was written to meet a deadline. Well the publishers would've been better off giving her more time....this one is not worth the money. It was so dull that I could not force myself to finish it.

Too weird

Just got too "out there" with all the drinking of blood, vampies, cults etc. I love Iris as a mystery/detective author but this one was over the top and I may have to stop reading her books if she goes down this road. It was one thing for Eve to see Bonnie and talk to her, but for the gift to transfer was just over the top. Personally I would prefer Iris to stick to plain old detective and leave the weird to other authors.

Review by Page from One Book At A Time

I've always liked Eve Duncan books. I like the cast of characters and what they bring to the story. This one didn't work for me as much. It felt very repetitive (I know some information needs to be repeated for those new to the story). And I really wish the author would have stayed away from what is so huge in pop culture right now. And yes, I'm talking about vampires. And this guy wasn't even a vampire in the traditional sense. The story gets warped around the idea of becoming a vampire just by drinking "worthy" peoples blood. And then the book brings in a new character who has a history with the vampire. He didn't fit into the story as well, and I didn't really understand who or what he was. I did like Joe's new "gift" and would like to see were this goes in the future. But, this story, I can take it or leave it.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Blood Game

Eve Duncan what an amazing character. The story kept me interest to see what was around the next corner. It was missing something for me this time, the ending I was looking for more from all the characters, it just ended. Left me haning!

Good Story - Minimal Content

I am a fan of the Eve Duncan books and you should definitely read if you are reading the series. This particular book did not fail as far as the story line, but was short on content. It was a fast read with the printing spread out to cover more pages. I was disappointed because I have come to expect more from Iris Johansen, always one of my favorite writers. This was one of those books that felt like it ws cranked out to meet a dead line. I look forward to the next book and some of the charactors that were introduced and hope it will be back up to pare.

Joe sees the light?

BLOOD GAMES begins immediately where QUICKSAND left off, and I do mean immediately. Joe is still on the previous case! Blood Games has s good enough plot, and Eve, Jane and Joe are good characters, but the conversations in this book are inane and take up too much space. Caleb is an interesting guy, but he is painted in broad strokes that leave you wondering, and not in a good way. I live in North Georgia, (I can actually pronounce Dahlonega) - and that adds to the tale for me, but overall it was too simplistic for my taste. You will enjoy Joe's new....talent... though! I'm looking forward to the next piece of the story, because I'm hoping for healing between Eve and Joe. A fun, easy read. Spring Break on the beach material for sure.

I LOVED IT

I am so glad she continues on with the Eve Duncan series. I love it! I think this series is the best I have ever read. It stays upbeat and fast passed the whole time. NEVER BORING AND GREAT CHARACTERS!

Reviewed for Midwest Book Review

Lydia Moore grew up in the Appalachian region before the Civil War and married Mark McQueen shortly after it began. Her husband went off to fight for the Union while her father and brother fought for the Confederates. While the men were gone, outliers raided Lydia's mother's home, assaulting her and stealing the livestock. A pregnant Lydia returned to her old home place to tend to her mother and brothers and sisters. When her labor began, the doctor was too inebriated to come, so Lydia's Aunt Tildy delivered the baby, who was turned the wrong way, causing brain damage. After the war, when Mark returned, Lydia learned he had been imprisoned. Her Mark was a changed man who dealt with demons from the war and harbored a deep hatred for the men who had raided Lydia's mother's home, blaming his son's mental problems on them. Through the years, Lydia had more children while dealing with her husband's alienation and cynicism, hoping that through her love, he would become the man he used to be. Times were rough in their mountain region, but Lydia worked hard, trying to do her best for her children and their small community.

Lydia McQueen is the epitome of a strong Southern woman. She never let challenges daunt her and plowed ahead, trying to do the right thing and persevere through. The Tall Woman tells one woman's journey through life and the lives she touches as well as the changes she leaves behind.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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