Detective Gabriel McRay investigates a cold case from 1988 involving a missing teenager named Nancy Lewicki. Evidence is sparse and Gabriel has no leads. Much to his dismay, a celebrity psychic, Carmen Jenette, hypes the unsolved case on her television show. Gabriel warns Carmen not to interfere. Meanwhile, strange dreams of water and corpses haunt Gabriel’s sleep. They unnerve him as he plans … his wedding to LA County Medical Examiner, Dr. Ming Li. When the psychic’s life is threatened, Gabriel connects the dots back to the missing girl and realizes his cold case is burning hot. Someone doesn’t want Nancy found and will kill to keep her hidden.
This is the fourth book in the award-winning series that Kirkus Reviews calls, “A skillfully woven tapestry of subplots and character development” and what The Huffington Post refers to as “frighteningly great.” It stands alone, but if you read one, you’ll want to read all four. Go for it. Gabriel invites you to follow his incredible psychological journey as he evolves from a victim who suffers from rage and depression to an enlightened man who has a chance to lead a happy life.
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In Twilight’s Hush was given to me. I am not normally a detective book reader, so it sat on my dresser for two months before I got to it. Then … I couldn’t put it down.
Steven’s characters, plot, plot twists and vivid ambiance are spot on. I loved it so much, I am going to start with book one and tap into McRay’s mind again.
Deft layering, vivid storytelling, and a suspenseful plot are the cornerstones of this intricate, satisfying, cold case thriller.
Hard-boiled and no-nonsense McRay has a soft spot in my heart. This character reminded me of another great fictional detective, Harry Bosche. As McRay digs into a cold case of a missing girl, he is pulled into the ether by something he can’t fathom. Carmen Jenette, a popular television psychic wants to meet with him. She, too, is getting hits about the victim, but not from the living.
I love that McRay refuses to believe Carmen Jenette. He needs to find physical clues to solve this mystery. As they are both drawn deeper into the history, the danger to their lives becomes clearer than any ghost.
The fourth book in the Gabriel McRay series made me want to read more from this author!
Gabriel McRay has won my heart. As McRay digs into a cold case of a missing girl, he is pulled into the ether by something he can’t fathom. A popular television psychic wants to meet with him. Carmen Jenette is getting hits about the victim, but not from the living.
McRay refuses to believe Carmen Jenette. He needs to find physical clues to solve this mystery. As they are both drawn deeper into the history, the danger to their lives becomes clearer than any ghost.
The fourth book in the Gabriel McRay series made me want to read the rest of the series!
For one, I loved each character, but ironically, it was because of their flaws. I’ve yet to have read a work this year that involved such a realistic cast. Either the characters in other works didn’t display enough downside, or they had too much. In Twilight’s Hush provided a much-needed change, and it’s refreshing to find an author able to create such believable and deep characters.
For example, Gabriel’s short-tempered attitude is almost-always on display. Carmen’s ego often gets in the way of things. Lieutenant Ramirez was my favorite, and his clear disregard for the rules makes him more than memorable. And Ming Li (Gabe’s fiancee), appears to be on a never-ending mission to appease her perfectionist father.
Also, Stevens has the ability to seep information to readers. You’re getting no information dumping here. And what she skillfully reveals throughout the work will keep you turning the pages. She’ll give you enough details in Nancy’s case to hold your interest. However, she’ll leave a thing or two out that will make you crave to discover what happens next.
Along with the main plot, I also found excellent subplots, mainly between Gabriel and Ming’s upcoming wedding, and Carmen’s budding relationship with the District Attorney. And best yet, each remains conducive to the main plot. Another rare trait from a talented author.
This was my first Gabriel McRay novel and I hope it won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, story, suspense and twists in this book. The writing and flow stayed consistent all through the story. I found it hard to put down. Great cold case murder mystery that has it all. Likable characters, story and ending. Can’t say enough good things about the book.
As a Homicide Detective for LA County Sheriff’s Department, Gabriel McRay has been assigned cold cases to investigate while he recovers from being kidnapped and held captive by a ruthless serial killer. He’s given the case of a teenager, Nancy Lewicki, missing since 1988. Every clue he uncovers in Nancy’s case leads to more questions, but answers are dead-ends or blank walls. To make matters worse, his partner, good-cop to his bad-cop, is in jail.
His personal life is in shambles.
He’s not sleeping. His future father-in-law delights in insulting him—both for his choice of profession and his lack of finances. His fiancé, Dr. Ming Li, turns up the pressure on him by insisting on a huge wedding and by maintaining that daddy can pay for it. She also becomes distance when her parents come stay with her for an extended visit. His only friend is his therapist who refuses to be his best man.
Enter a celebrity psychic.
Gabriel tries to juggle his professional life and his personal life when a wildly popular celebrity psychic, Carmen Jenette, offers very public help with his cold case. He’s not interested, but she pushes the issue both with the Nancy’s family, with her powerful friends in the District Attorney’s Office, and with the public via her TV show. When Carmen is physically attacked all evidence leads back to his cold case. Gabriel realizes someone doesn’t want poor Nancy Lewicki found, and they’ll kill to keep what happened to her a secret.
Why I liked the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading In Twilight’s Hush. Gabriel McRay, despite all his problems and flaws, is a very likeable character. He tries to do his best for Nancy Lewicki, her family and, even though he doesn’t trust her, Carmen Jenette. He also tries to balance his needs with Ming’s and understand her relationship with her parents without trying to fix everything for her.
Readers who like Lisa Gardner’s DD Warren series or Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles series will enjoy reading Laurie Stevens. In Twilight’s Hush is the fourth Gabriel McRay novel, but it stands alone. A reader wouldn’t have to have read the other three to follow the action or backstory. Gabriel McRay is an engaging character, and Ms. Stevens does a great job of weaving a compelling story, so I suspect a reader will want to read them all. The other titles in the series are The Dark Before Dawn, Deep into Dusk, and The Mask of Midnight. This series has won twelve awards, among them Best of Kirkus Reviews, an IPPY for Best Mystery/Thriller, Library Journal’s Self-E Award, and Random House Editor’s Book of the Month.