Divine Intervention

Divine Intervention by Cheryl Kaye Tardif begins with mysterious fires and murders that are obviously arson and Gemini lighters being left at the scenes of the crime. Initially these are all the information that Canadian Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Jasmine McLellan and her team have to begin their investigation. Well that is all they have until they arrive at the scene and use their psychic skills to gain additional knowledge.

Jasmine, or Jasi, is a pyro-psychic. She is capable of discerning information psychically about a fire, its origins and the arsonist. Her partners include a psychometric or touch empath, Benjamin Roberts, and Natassia Prushenko, a victim empath capable of receiving information from victims (living or show more deceased). All three work as Psychic Skills Investigators or PSI's in Divine Ops under the guidance of Matthew Divine. Their current case is potentially volatile and highly sensitive because it involves the father of the British Columbian Premier, Allan Baker.

As with most national investigatory agencies, these CFBI agents are stepping on toes with their investigation, especially those of Arson Investigations or AI Chief Brandon Walsh. Sparks fly (pun intended) between Jasi and Brandon, as they do between Natassia and Ben. As this quartet embarks upon their investigation, they begin to realize there is more going on than a potentially politically sensitive murder. The current murder reveals medical malpractice, a for-profit and highly illicit abortion clinic, a previous murder, attempted murder and child abuse within the foster care system and all were covered up. Unfortunately these are secrets that won't stay hidden.
The story seemed quite realistic and not at all farfetched given the psychic abilities of the main characters. However, Ben and Natassia seem to have limited secondary roles and are, at times, relegated to doing minor background investigatory work rather than working with Jasi as full partners. The prickly and somewhat off-putting behavior by Jasi takes a bit of getting used to but is accepted as a facade that keeps people away. If she doesn't have people close then she doesn't have to worry about them, or so she thinks. To say that Jasi is a bit of a control freak is a major understatement. The arsons, investigations, action and characters (major and minor) provide for a really good story. I would classify Divine Intervention as a mystery-suspense with a slight paranormal and romantic slant. show less

When Cheryl Kaye Tardif writes a book you know it will grip you right from the beginning and take you on an intense and fascinating ride. This book is no exception, but readers should keep in mind this book was written in 2004 as a futuristic techno-psi-thriller and has now almost caught up with itself. I loved this book, even though it may be a little dated futuristically. In fact, that was part of its allure for me, it takes place in British Columbia and references some of the past I know. I feel connected to this story. It's curious to see what might have been, technically speaking, in 2012 and where we actually are (to the best of our limited knowledge) in 2011. As the average reader knows, when it comes to technology and psychic show more resources for certain areas of our lives, we are definitely left out of the loop be it governmental, military, or even local policing.

Regardless, this is fun, intense, serious, futuristic fiction done up with great characterizations, full of futuristic tools. I say tools because these are the good guys, no bombs here. They are police, firemen, and secret law enforcement agents under the recently formed CFBI, a Canadian counterpart to the FBI. In "Divine Intervention" this group has just taken charge of two cases from different parts of British Columbia after evidence in both cases points to a serial arsonist murderer. What is different in this group is the covert Psi factor.

The group we follow is part of the PSI division, Psychic Skills Investigators, secreted in an underground complex under the direction of Matthew Divine. Very specialized in different areas, this close-knit group is comprised of Agent Jasmine McLellan, leader, profiler Ben Roberts, and Natassia Prushenko. Jasmine, Jasi to her friends, is a Pyro-Psychic who "reads" fires, her psychic ability to see through a killer's eyes and mind is drawn out by the smell of fires. Ben is a Psychometric Empath, able to read thoughts and emotions by touch. Natassia is a Victim Empath, touching a cadaver, she "relives" the victim's last sights and thoughts. Is the high profile but insufferable Premier of B.C. a suspect or a victim? What is the real reason his father was murdered? Who would have any reason to kill a foster mother and 4 year old child? How do these all fit together? These are the questions they must find answers to, and there is every reason to believe the murderer will claim another victim very quickly. There is one clue only when the team starts its investigation.

This book is exceptionally well-written, interesting in its handling of unusual circumstances, and equally unusual characters. It is taut, cohesive, yet personal. I enjoyed the thoughts going through Jasi's mind when she wasn't working, and "hearing" her read seems like a jolt of reality, this girl is definitely seeing through the killer's eyes and speaking his/her thoughts and words. The author has a way of creating reality from paranormal or psychic abilities and puts the words in her characters' mouths. I was completely glued to the book. I heartily recommend Cheryl Kaye's books, no matter the subject. I have the feeling she could write about any subject and make us want more. show less

I read over half the book and just could not read anymore. There is lots of telling, not showing of character motivations and character action and interactions. The main characters act and speak like adolescents not the adults they are purported to be. Story lines begin, such as the one about abortion and then are never spoken of or referenced again. And all the Canadians are presented as rude, sexist jerks - why? The premise has potential, it just needs a massive reworking and rewriting.

This is the second book I have read by Cheryl Kaye Tardif. The other was Children of the Fog. I am amazed at how different, but equally good, these two books are.
Tardif has an amazing gift for creating amazing detail in things that would ordinarily be unbelievable to the minds eye. Divine Intervention is Book 1 in the Divine series and it is loaded with futuristic components that I found to be absolutely believable.
Sci Fi, Mystery, Paranormal and Thriller fans will like this book, but this one falls under the “Let No Genre Be Closed” category.

It's an alternative 2012, and Agent Jasmine McLellan is using her fire-psychic skills to track down a serial arsonist in British Columbia... and we're launched into an unusual police procedural thriller with a personal twist.

I didn't really 'gel' with Jasi, the main protagonist, and the romance element really didn't do anything for me, but the near-future setting (2012 as imagined from the early 2000's) and the low-key paranormal elements with the different psychic skills exhibited by Jasi and her team mates drew me in. Overall I found it enjoyable enough, but not sufficiently compelling that I'd seek out the rest of the series.

Divine Intervention takes place in British Columbia in an alternate 2012 where an elite group of psychics investigate crimes. I enjoyed the mystery part of the story a great deal. It kept me guessing right up to the time the arsonist was revealed - always a good thing. However, as another reviewer stated the romance took over too much of the story. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery laced with lots of romance.

Reviewed for member giveaway.

My rating is purely based on my personal liking for the genre. I really liked the idea behind the story -that empaths and psychics are helping to solve crimes, in this case arson. If the novel had been grittier, my scoring would have increased. However, the romance element of the book makes it chick lit in my point of view and this just isn't for me. If you like that genre, I think you'll love this. It's a interesting take with a fluid story and plenty of scope for development of the characters within other books.