From USA Today Bestselling Author, Uvi Poznansky, comes a gripping techno-thriller: Haunted by discovering the body of a beautiful dancer, Michael recreates the murder scene in a virtual reality simulation. Can he solve the mystery, before the man who killed Lace turns on the woman he loves?Suffering some memory loss due to a violent incident in her past, Ash is unable to identify her attacker. … unable to identify her attacker. Despite the persistent fear, she puts her life in danger to draw out the suspect, so as to avenge Lace’s murder.
Meanwhile, the cops treat Michael as their prime suspect. The only reason they haven’t arrested him yet is an urgent rescue mission, as Laguna Beach is engulfed in flames. Will Michael manage to slip away from them and save his sweetheart before it’s too late?
★★★★★ “I started reading the book and couldn’t put it down, so I finished it in one day.”
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Having already read several other books by this author, each time I finished one, I was impressed by the lyrical beauty of her descriptions and prose, coupled with some poignant backstories to her characters. Indeed, the very embodiment of literary grace.
But what bowled me over with this new book is that although there are still some lovely descriptions, she has basically switched gears and taken the reader in a new direction. A path where new genres, such as murder, science fiction, and the paranormal peek their heads out and show off their stuff. And the fact that she is able to keep us turning those pages as we wonder about a girl murdered on the beach, are exposed to corporate evil, learn about the ins-and-outs of virtual reality, and at the same time, get to see a nice, smoldering romance, well, my hats off to her. Definitely recommended!
A body was found in Laguna Beach this morning…
As a long time fan of Uvi Poznanski’s award winning, thought provoking, and captivating tales, I applaud Ms. Poznanski’s recent hop out of the box with a most exciting, romantic suspense VIRTUALLY LACE.
I also believe it takes a ton of gutsy talent for an author to leave behind their comfort genre, and offer a story that is completely different from what readers may have been expecting.
In VIRTUALLY LACE, Ms. Poznanski’s roller coaster of a ride in this who dunnit suspense focuses on how an intelligent, innocent man devises a way to escape a murder rap, when all the evidence points to him.
By revisiting it…
What was that, you say? Yes! Our hero Michael relies on the new software he and his partner Ash have invented for military purposes, using it instead to foster detective work for the purpose of clearing his name.
The variables for this vividly crafted tale rates five stars, in this reader’s opinion. It’s satisfying and cleverly woven with backstory, along with keeping you up to date with present day matters: his love for Ashley while nurturing her back to mental and emotional health after the horrific event she’s fighting to overcome, accepting a new job with a man Michael believes is capable of committing the murder, and being partnered for his new endeavor with a person he dislikes.
I liked and respected Michael. He remains steady and calm even when he knows the investigation will lead to the bull’s eye planted on his back. He’s loyal to his love interest Ash and empathetic about her demons. Michael’s a guy I’d enjoy having a cup of tea with and worth knowing.
Another positive worth mentioning – The clues throughout the story are so subtle, when I finished reading VIRTUALLY LACE, I smiled to myself thinking, “Oh, yeah. I get that now.”
At the risk of spoiling this innovating read for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure to enjoy Uvi Poznanski’s VIRTUALLY LACE, I’ll leave you with this: I’ve never read anything by this author I haven’t finished with a sigh of joy, or wishing the story continued forever.
Five glorious stars are awarded to Ms. Poznanski, for creating another bestseller, with a prequel now available. Bravo! I highly recommend VIRTUALLY LACE.
And, how about that beautifully designed cover?
Uvi Poznansky crafted a brilliant mystery romance with a very unique twist. Using virtual reality to solve a murder is a stroke of genius. Fascinating doesn’t cover how captivated I was with the virtual reality scenes, the concept and the way Uvi expertly described it and used it in her story.
But what always captures me most is character, and Uvi comes through in spades with Michael and Ash in this story. Wonderfully drawn and memorably romantic, I enjoyed these people as if they were real.
I’m hooked–a bonafide Uvi-Fan!
Michael & Ash’s Story Will Thrill Fans Of The Ash Suspense Thrillers With A Dash Of Romance Series! As Michael Waits For Ash To Heal, He Finds Himself A Suspect In Yet Another Brutal Attack.
This is book one in a series of interconnected stories by different authors, each delving into the exciting world of virtual reality and high-tech crime solving, highlighting fascinating tools and possibilities within the field in the context of a mystery.
Fans of the author are in for a real treat! Ash’s story is told in the three part Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance series. Here Michael, her boyfriend, gets to tell his own story. It takes place months after the incident that set off the Ash Suspense series.
Michael Morse, high school dropout, is a brilliant software developer. He chose not to pursue hacking, despite his talent. With the help of his girlfriend, he had been working on a startup in his garage until recently. His girlfriend Ash, who is working on her master’s degree at the University of California Irvine, assisted with developing a Virtual Reality model as an industrial designer. They are technically partners. He recently sold the software to a military ops company and remains contractually bound to working with the company to further develop the program. Ash should be as well, but that requires some explanation.
He has not seen her since the incident – the brutal rape that left her hospitalized and in a coma. He had visited her in the hospital, but her mother’s looks and suspicion made him terribly uncomfortable. Michael had developed an aversion to police as a result of the days of questioning he endured after the tragic event occurred. He had found Ash in a pool of blood hanging onto life, and he was the only real suspect. Her mother had never liked him, but with Ash in a coma and him as a suspect, she never let him live it down. The case still has not been solved. Ash has since left the hospital but refuses to answer his calls and texts. He had promised to give her time and wait for her, but her involvement in the project going forward is questionable. Michael feels her absence sorely, as his most inspired work comes when they are together, feeding off of one another’s energy.
The story opens at the end of April on a breezy evening at Laguna Beach. Lonely, Michael heads out to take a walk when at 8:03pm he notices a teenage girl that somehow looks familiar, and in a small way reminds him of Ash. Perhaps it was the distress that he sensed, but his instincts kick in. Something feels wrong, yet he knows he is crazy in his presumption. He follows her and the trail to the beach as he tries to reason with himself.
Along the way he loses sight of the girl, but he crosses paths with a number of others that leave an imprint on his mind. There is a homeless man on a bench. The two divers. The little girl selling sea shells. The three teens rough housing on the sand. And the body that he happens to stumble upon on some rocks. Of course Michael should call the police – but after his recent past he knows that is the last thing he wants to do. He will automatically become suspect number one by doing the right thing, so Michael follows a different path.
Michael goes to his new office and sets about constructing a virtual reality model of the crime scene in the hopes of finding the murderer before the police try to pin it on him. In the process he begins to connect some dots. One involves the name of the victim: Lace.
In the meantime he must deal with company politics. The system will now be used in politics and war instead of gaming. The president of the company, Mr. Armstrong, understands little about technology. Moreover, he has a bad temper and his lack of experience seems to get in the way. Mr. Armstrong assigns his nephew to assist Michael, and it happens to be someone that Michael vaguely knows. Manny Bullock, or Bull, is an artist without the requisite tech skills for the job, but Michael has no choice but work with the odd man.
Michael and Ash have an interesting relationship, and it is nice to see it from Michael’ point of view. Ash is a bit kooky. She is brilliant and independent, and very damaged from her brutal rape and its after effects (read her series for more). Michael is the most patient boyfriend she could ask for. He never pressures her for more when she asks for space to heal. Not to say he is perfect – he gets lost in his virtual reality creations and isn’t the best at keeping track of time. He is a genius, and together they make a great creative pair. Here his guilt for not preventing Ash’s attack drives him to do what he can to help a different victim, but Ash’s reasons for getting involved are different. She grows bold rather than cowering, and wants to see justice done, even if it puts herself at risk. She, too, gets a little lost in her own world at times. They go to battle solving crime with their intellect and the VR world they created. In the end there is a little healing as they find their way back together.
Dr. Michael Foreman, an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiology, enters the picture, hinting at book two of the series. It appears the two men, experts in their own fields, might be able to help one another.
Two issues merit mention. First, in the Ash Suspense Thrillers series Michael was a college dropout, not a high school dropout. Additionally, Michael is a little slow to make some obvious connections. Perhaps this just highlights his humanity – even the most brilliant of us cannot see what is right in front of our noses. It is also in all likelihood a product of his aversion to the police. He postpones and delays, exposing himself and others to danger, because he must be absolutely certain before coming forward.
Michael and Ash’s story will thrill fans of the Ash Suspense Thrillers with a Dash of Romance series. As Michael waits for Ash to heal, he finds himself a suspect in yet another brutal attack. The story is very well-written and plot-driven. The great attention given to detail makes for a lush and vivid tale that comes to life. The world of virtual reality that Michael creates is fascinating to read about. The characters are nicely developed. The story is written in third person in Michael’s POV. I rate this book 4.5 stars.
Virtually Lace, book one in Uvi Poznansky’s High-Tech Crime Solvers series, snagged my attention in the first few sentences and never let go. This author paints a vivid picture on the canvas of the reader’s mind. Her richly drawn characters drive the story, and they drew me into her dramatic setting and creative plot so successfully, I could virtually see the story come alive. [See what I did there?]
The story opens into a dramatic scene, where Michael watches Lace drifting down the street against a panoramic view of Laguna Beach in an almost dream-like manner. With a slashing hook, the scene immediately set, and the dream-like mood lures the reader further into virtual reality. When Michael finds the body drifting on the tide, her throat slit, he realizes the police might think he’s a suspect.
A wonderful plot is born and the rollercoaster ride of twists and turns doesn’t disappoint. The romance between Michale and Ash, add just enough spark and the virtual reality Michael creates in an attempt to remember details steers this ride into an amazing tale.
I highly recommend Uvi Poznansky’s books. This is the third one I’ve read and I’ll definitely add more to my to-read list. I love this author’s ability to paint stories as beautifully as she paints canvas. She weaves emotion together with senses––visual, auditory, sensual and olfactory––creating a beautifully lyrical portrait with the written word.r
Thrills and chills, tracking a murder, virtual style!
In the opening scene, it’s sunset. Michael has parked near Laguna Beach to admire the view. As darkness creeps in, a breeze seems to be whispering something to him, something about murder. A young woman passes by. She’s in a hurry. Michael thinks he might have seen her before. Drawn to her for some unknown reason, his instinct is to follow her. She hurries away from him, scurrying down a beach trail. Everything is bathed in shadows as he pursues her. They’re separated by the rugged way the trail weaves in and out, but in the end, when Michael catches up to her, the girl is dead.
Later, Michael uses his virtual reality software to reconstruct the murder scene, and I feel like author Uvi Poznansky’s writing skills create a virtual reality for the reader. Our senses are pulled into the story from the beginning. The snap of a twig, darkness curtailing our vision, shadows transforming the landscape and making it dreamlike, these are the elements that make Poznansky’s story come alive. I was there, following Michael, tuned into his thoughts and frightened that something ominous was waiting for the girl he was trailing. When he loses his phone at the scene of the crime, I felt for him as he desperately searches for it in the water. I felt his confusion about what to do next. Should he call the police or will they think he might be the murderer?
There’s also a love story and a previous, unfortunate event that has fractured the bond that Michael and his girlfriend, Ash, have for each other. In spite of the trauma that Ash has suffered, she is intent on helping Michael. She doesn’t know who attacked her, but the girl’s murder motivates her to take action. She’s willing to put herself in danger to find the killer of the girl named Lace.
The vivid descriptions and the tension are there throughout the story. Will Michael be wrongly accused? Can his virtual reality program deliver up the killer? Will Ash survive or will the killer claim a second victim? There are lots of twists and turns in the story just as there were twists and turns when Michael was pursuing the girl. I was kept guessing and needed to keep reading until I finished the book.
On a final note, I was impressed by the way the author introduced the idea of virtual reality programs and how realistic they can seem. Again, the descriptions create an authentic, intense experience for the reader. We get a glimpse into the future and what might be waiting for us as virtual realities become part of life. Excellent storytelling! Highly recommended!
In her online profile author/artist Uvi Poznansky says “I paint with my pen and write with my brush.” Nothing I have read by this bestselling author fits that description better than “Virtually Lace.” When graphic designer Michael Morse witnesses a murder below the cliffs on Laguna Beach, Uvi’s literary paintbrush goes to work, leaving us with a tantalizing portrait of the coastline, the murder scene, and a collection of quirky characters that move back and forth between abstract (as Michael works to recreate them in a virtual world), to sharply realistic as he becomes a prime suspect. Here is a sample of the artistry of Poznansky’s prose:
“By noontime, the veil of morning fog lay in shreds. Out of it emerged gray cliffs. The ocean sprawled at their feet in endless recoil. One breaker after another turned upon itself and, reduced to shallow silence, rolled its froth backward from the shore. A flock of gulls camped on top of the rock formation. They seemed to be contemplating the scene with patient indifference.”
Was the girl named Lace murdered by the man who tries to recreate the killing in a virtual reality world? By an obsessed artist who has carved her as an angelic, larger-than-life figure in stone? Or by the man both of them work for who Lace claims to be her father? Uvi paints this compelling mystery with a series of brush strokes that keep us turning the pages right up until the last paint hits the canvas. A five-star winner. z
A very interesting concept… using virtual reality technology to help solve a crime. I love how Michael methodically stepped through things and was in a race against time to get to the bottom of things.
Uvi Poznansky drew me into this story from the very beginning. I definitely didn’t want to put it down.
I wasn’t a real fan of the narration. It felt like Don Warrick was detached from the story… I didn’t really feel the characters.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
As a new reader of Ms. Poznansky’s work, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be reading more of her books.
I was pulled into the story with a murder and that the individual who saw the body was someone working on virtual reality. This technology of futuristic advancements, and virtual reality made me take my time reading this story because I thought I might need time to digest it. I found the manner and pace of the material that was scientific in nature conveyed in an easily understood manner. The author created a world with settings and plots that unfolded naturally. While the concept is complex, the presentation and the ability to enjoy it as told by Uvi Poznansky makes it intriguing, and a hard to put down page turner! I took my time reading this book because I wanted to make sure I appreciated the detail and subject matter. I enjoyed both.
It was a pleasure as a reader, to follow the main character building his virtual reality world while following the clues of the crime as they are woven in. Each character is complex and artfully presented. The complexity of this story is one I have not had the privilege of reading in quite some time and I highly recommend it.
Ash and Michael are back, finally reconnecting. They used to create vertical reality programs in his garage. Michael’s regular job, which also has to do with virtual reality, is becoming a real pain and Ash isn’t working right now. When a beautiful woman, Lace, disappears going down to the beach, Michael finds her murdered. He really doesn’t want to tell the police about it and immediately become a suspect. Instead he created a virtual reality scene to try and figure out the murder. Michael really wants to figure this murder out and Ash decides to become a temporary model for Michael’s weird friend, Bull, to see what he’s really up to. This suspenseful mystery is artfully written and I was immediately drawn into it. Pardon the pun. I love the two main characters and love to hate a few others. The minor characters are a big plus too. I totally enjoyed this book and highly recommended it. It’s definitely a page turner.
The cover of Virtually Lace by Uvi Poznansky intrigued me and the surreal, dream-like first chapter pulled me into a unique murder mystery full of intrigue and twists. The story begins when Michael, a virtual reality developer, follows a vaguely-familiar teenage woman who appears distressed at Laguna Beach.
In the dim light at dusk, he loses sight of her and can’t clearly discern the landscape and people around him as he descends the trail after her. When he finally finds the young woman floating in the water near jagged rags, he struggles to piece together how his dream-like observations fit into the murder. To document the crime scene, he tries to take pictures with his smartphone, but it slips out of his hand into a wave. It is then he realizes that his presence so close to the body could implicate him as the murderer. Thus, he sets out to recreate the crime scene in a virtual reality simulation to help him solve the murder.
However, his investigation leads him down a dangerous path that could threaten the life of his lover, Ash, who had escaped a violent assault and lost memory of the attacker. The story is fast-paced and full of twists. The climax is riveting with haunting images.
Author Uvi Poznansky has masterfully written a character-driven mystery murder that is rich in sensory details, almost dreamlike. An example of the the rich description from the first chapter is as follows: “Electric lights buzzed in the buildings behind him, and foxtail ferns hissed, swaying along the trail. Her shadow flitted over the shrubs, falling father and farther out of reach.” These details are important clues to solving the mystery. The romantic relationship of Michael and Ash is engaging and directly impacts the intrigue, suspense, and twists in the story. I was on the edge of my seat, fearing for their safety, as the plot thickens.
Virtually Lace is a must read for those who enjoy a fact-paced, character-driven suspense with a dash of romance.