Richard Brown (24) (1980–)

I started reading this book then literally could not put it down. The characters were drawn well and with outstanding emotional depth. The story was thrilling from start to finish. The action was intense – the inexplicable deaths, mysterious. At first, there were a few rather disconcerting changes in POV, but, honestly, I got so caught up in the characters and the story, that I became almost totally oblivious to any flaws after just a few pages. The author has an exceptionally engaging way show more of conveying his thoughts through the characters that I found quite compelling and exhilarating.

There were plenty of twists and curve balls throughout. I was kept guessing the entire ride. This supernatural thriller is an impressive debut that explores a wide range of human emotions and gives an up-close and personal view of evil that will haunt your dreams. Lucius has surely forsaken any chance of redemption – if anyone holds the title “evil incarnate” it would have to be him. Isaac Winters, the lead detective, is unwavering in his determination to follow the investigation, to see behind the illusion, and to protect those for whom he feels responsible. He is a man driven to unveil the truth at any cost and to accept nothing less than success.

This book was provided to me by the author in return for my honest review.

Reviewed by Laurie-J
Laurie’s Thoughts & Reviews show less

For the record, the author provided me with a free copy of Volume 1 in exchange for an honest review. I am, by no means, a zombie book expert, but have read my share of them. "Dead Highways" is different from many other books in this genre. It starts out slow, following the exploits of the naive main character, Jimmy, as he struggles through his mundane existence. He lives with his grandmother in an apartment above her used bookstore, earning his keep by helping her with the store. The show more author uses much of the first installment in the series to introduce the other characters and the virus epidemic. In this case, much of the population succumbs, bodies lie everywhere, they are still alive, but in a deep coma. Groups of scrounging survivors band together and plan to wait out the epidemic.

Suddenly, the comatose victims awake, all appearing normal, except for their eyes and an insatiable hunger for uninfected human food. Once bitten or killed by these zombies, victims are usually devoured without the opportunity to reanimate...once dead, remain dead. Zombies can't speak, but somehow, are able to communicate with one another; unlike other zombie books, these are fast, strong, able to learn, reason and plan coordinated attacks on the living. The group soon finds their safe haven breached and must go on the run, picking up other survivors as they go.

I had laughed out loud several times when reading as the author is extremely witty, catching me unprepared for the off-the-wall banter. "Dead Highways" is an easy and fast read, each installment ending with a cliff hanger. I am glad that I was able to read the entire first three installments together and not have to wait a period of time to see what happens next. However, I was not prepared to find another "cliff hanger" at the end, thus prompting the reader to purchase installment 4. In my opinion, none of the installments can stand alone as a short story because of their dependency upon one another. I prefer to read a complete story and not segments as they become available. With the abundance of "free" Kindle books, the author is at risk of either losing a reader because they aren't watching for the release of the next installment...or has simply lost interest. This is the only reason I didn't rate this book five stars. I do recommend "Dead Highways" to those who want to read a zombie story with a different twist! Great job, Mr. Brown!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel show less

Reviewed by Karen

There are some weird things happening in Elmwood. Detective Isaac Winters is assigned to investigate and just when he thinks he knows who the guilty party is, that person goes missing.

When finally found, the manner of death was bizarre, adding more mystery. The tension increases when Isaac’s daughter, Amy, is taken and continues to escalate as Isaac learns more about what is happening. Will Isaac be able to find his daughter in time? Can evil be defeated? This is a story show more that will keep you turning the pages, wondering what will happen next - and to whom.

The Gift of Illusion: A Thriller is skillfully crafted and grabs on to you and holds your attention right to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (looking forward to reading it again!).

Richard Brown has been added to my list of authors to follow. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys thrillers blended with the paranormal.

http://www.romancing-the-book.com/2011/08/review-gift-of-illusion-by-richard.htm... show less

I found Gift of Illusion slow going at the start; it's a book that opens with not one but two prologues before finally diving into our main action, which is never my favoritestart to a narrative. While there were a few gems of language - "Sounds like he carried each one of his marbles in a separate sack," our hero says of our villain at one point - the prose was, for the most part, serviceable at best. Worst of all, I found I didn't like Isaac. This is a bigger deal for me than it sounds; show more I'm a very character-driven reader, and a main character I really like will get me over a lot of other difficulties.

After a slow start, things definitely pick up as the novel goes along. I rather like Simmons, the inept detective who's very much a victim of his own nepotism, and I do quite like the demon as well, even if I found his schtick a little over-the-top. Although the characters take the sudden appearance of the supernatural a bit too easily in stride, the final scenes in the haunted manor are definitely the best in the book, with a very evocative sense of creepy claustrophobia and a very realistic climax built out of Isaac's brokenness and grief.

Gift of Illusion is a shaky first novel, but it's got some interesting ideas and a few glimpses of truly excellent characterization. While I found the ending quite abrupt, I did like the way the climax of the story broke out of the pattern I'd been expecting. It reminds me a little of Dennis Lehane crossed with Supernatural; gritty, realistic, and exaggerated all at the same time. show less