The Messenger

If you are a regular reader of Jan Burke's books, beware, The Messenger is a stand-alone and is nothing like the Irene Kelly series. I liked the book well enough - it is written in the usual Burke fashion: brisk pace, interesting plot, likable characters - but it's definitely not anything like I expected or would normally read.

Without having read any modern vampire fiction, I'd venture to guess that fans of that genre would enjoy this book. It has that contemporary yet Victorian, romantic yet chaste sensibility. It has the undead. It has bugs, cemeteries, animal guides, and memento mori. There's a traditional hero and a thoroughly modern heroine who needs no rescuing, thank you very much. There black and white, good and evil, but also show more plenty of grey area to keep it interesting.

I imagine Jan Burke had a lot of fun writing outside her usual genre and I'm glad I picked it up. However, if this had been the first book of hers I read, I would probably not have read another. That's not a criticism of the book; it's just not my preference. So, Jan Burke fans...be prepared for something different; new readers...enjoy! show less

Jan Burke's latest book is a standalone that could best be described as a paranormal mystery. Tyler Hawthorne was born in 1791, and died in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. While he lay dying on the battlefield, he spoke to a mysterious person who gave him a ring, and a dog, and the task of Messenger.
The Messenger carries the wishes of the dying who can no longer communicate verbally to their living loved ones.
When we meet Tyler, he is living in present-day Los Angeles. He lives a solitary life, with only his dog Shade as a real companion. Somehow,Tyler knows when dying people need his services, and he goes to them to offer comfort and more. Yet, after over 200 years, having outlived all his peers and being unable to die, he wishes he show more had given a different answer to the being who approached him on the battlefield.
He buys a mansion in the hills, and befriends Ron, the grandson of the previous owner. Ron's friend Amanda, a "trust-funder" who lives nearby, is suspicious of Tyler's Samaritanship, but is unsure what to do about her misgivings.
Driving home from a party in the desert, she witnesses a truck running him down on his motorcycle, and is pretty sure he's dead. But he's still alive, despite what Amanda saw. Now the men in the truck are after her, too, and Tyler has to tell her about himself so he can protect her.
Jan Burke has crafted another spellbinding tale. She is an amazing writer, and has obviously done painstaking research for this book. Don't pass it by because it's not part of the Irene Kelly series! show less

This is one of the most original books I have ever read, and one of the best. Tyler Hawthorne is a Messenger. He is immortal, and hears in his head those who are unconscious, dying, and have messages for their loved ones. The one from whom he took over this gift is totally evil, was neutralized but now is coming back. Meanwhile Tyler has met Amanda, and is drawn to her as he hasn't been to anyone in many years.

I'm having a good month... a new S. J. Rozan, this terrific book by Jan Burke, and my discovery of Glen David Gold. Woo-hoo!

What a refreshing concept -a paranormal thriller/romance without vampires, weres, or other non-human entities!
I've been a fan of Jan Burke for a long time and I enjoyed this book immensely. I hope she continues in this genre, as well as continuing her other series.

I have read Burke's Irene series and loved them. This book is a real departure from her usual stories and while I enjoyed it, I like the Irene stories better.

This was a different type of story for this author. I really like it, although the ending could of had a little more closure. I am hoping that it was left open for another story, but I am not sure if that will happen.Overall a very good book, very easy to read, and a great story.

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