Spook Squad, Book 1
Synopsis: MORTAL RECALL
For Sam Ryan, life began at age fourteen. She has no memory of her parents or her childhood. In a decade of service with the State Police, Sam has exhausted the resources of the force searching for clues to her identity. But all mention of her family seems to have been deliberately wiped off the record. Everything changes the night Sam’s missing partner resurfaces as a vampire… and forces her to kill him in self-defense. Now Sam is charged with murder. Suspended from the force, and with no one left to trust, Sam accepts some unexpected help from Gabriel Stern, a shapeshifter who conceals startling secrets.
While investigating the circumstances surrounding her partner’s strange behavior, Sam discovers that Garbriel’s been involved with a dangerous organization that’s planning a war on the human race. More immediate, someone is guarding the truth about Sam’s past—someone who’d rather see her dead than risk her knowing too much. To stay alive, Sam must unravel the threads of her past—and find out not only who she is but what she is.
Review: This is a new edition of a series by Keri Arthur and I must say that once again I fell in love with the series. Indeed, I am delighted to have the chance to read all the novels that the author was able to release because I love all her writings that are ultimately still very different from each other. The theme and the kind made me think of her, however, Nikki & Michael series that I enjoyed.
Now, we discover Sam Ryan, a young woman who has a past only after her 14 years old and she hopes to find out who she really is. Yet it seems that the records that could help her, do not exist or were hidden by the most influential people. But all this is quite forgotten when she is forced to kill in self defense her partner who disappeared for quite a while. But as she explains the reason, the police suspects murder and she finds herself suspended right away. However, she attracts a totally different font which is particularly interested in the unusual abilities of the young woman, but also in the interest that everyone has towards her. This is how Sam is going to team up with one of the members of this group, Gabriel, to understand what is happening, why we try to kill her and to find out what exactly happened with her partner.
I had a lot of fun with this novel. Do not expect a big romance here because there is none even if something could born in the next volumes. However, we have plenty of action throughout the story and a plot that takes us away from the beginning. I admit that I was immediately intrigued by Sam’s partner Jack and his sudden change of attitude. But that’s not all because Sam finds herself in the middle of a story that surpasses her completely and although we have some early answers, the mystery settles and I can not wait to read on to find out my answers. Oh yes because I expect to know more about the origins of the young woman, to discover exactly who the person who tries to keep Sam alive is and of course to understand the mechanisms of the two organizations we discover. Our heroine is a determined person, desperate to learn the truth, but also loyal and sweet. But that’s not all, because she is full of flaws and fears she tries to keep to herself. Gabriel resembles her in many points, but he has his family to support him and he will do everything to understand what is happening, even if it should break some rules for that. Some events are initiated here, as well as some changes in Sam and I am very curious to see what she will become in the next volume.
As I said I had a great time and the plot carried me throughout the chapters. I’ll quickly get into the next one to discover more about the very existence of Sam and see if it is possible that something exists between Gabriel and her. A good discovery for me!
Silvia
I still have to read this series, but rest assured I will because I’m a big Keri Arthur fan! 😉 Glad to hear there is a strong plot (I know, when is there not in Arthur’s stories?) and those characters sound all interesting to discover… Thanks for reviewing, Melliane!
Melliane
yes it’s a great one, think you’ll enjoy it as well. I’m just sad we don’t really have an end to the story.
Jennifer Bielman
So happy this one was good. Arthur has been back and forth for me.
Melliane
I really enjoy the last I read. I was more mixed with the Riley series but the others are really good.
kindlemom1
I have yet to try this author but it does sound like one I should check out. I am so glad you are loving this new series so much.
Melliane
yes she is really good with her characters and her plot.
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
Keri Arthur used to be one of my favourite authors, but she’s been rather hit or miss with me lately which is the main reason why I didn’t request an ARC of this re-release. However, the reviews have been super positive (including yours), so after her Dark Angels series wraps up later this year, I’ll give Memory Zero a whirl. Thanks for giving me the push I needed!
Melliane
I hope this one will be a hit. The only problem is that we don’t have an end to the series so we left with nothing else and that’s a big problem for me.
Kirsty-Marie
I love a good plot and lots of action, and always great when you can get into the story straight away. I’m not that thing with romance so it wouldn’t bother me that much that it’s not a lot in this one. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!
Melliane
I agree and this one was really good. thank you!
Braine
I have been collecting her series and as usual it’s gathering virtual dust in my ereader. BUT now that I have co-reviewers I think it’s time for a binge-read!
Melliane
Ah yes co-reviewers help a lot.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Keri Arthur is an author I’ve not had a chance to check out yet, but I think her books might be too much on the paranormal romance side for me while I prefer more general UF. I thought she had another book out that was the start of a new series, but maybe it was this one and I’m just remembering wrong.
Melliane
It depends on the series you read by her. This one doesn’t have any love interest in a whole like some of others. Her new series is quite the same, I just finished the book.
Faye @ The Social Potato
The fact that the seemingly “canon” couple doesn’t have a romance in the first book is actually a really cool concept to me! I’ve been looking forward to books like this where we see them know and understand and help each other with their proper adversaries. A love blooming from that would be more realistic, I think! Great review, definitely checking this out!
Faye at The Social Potato
Melliane
yes it’s interesting. And I agree it’s more realistic than most of the books we can have where it’s actually quite insta love.
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I haven’t read this, but I really like the sound of it. And although I didn’t have much luck with her previous books, her latest one was pretty great. I should probably give this a chance. And I like a romance that’s very slow to develop. 🙂
Melliane
some are different than others. This one was pretty good but I’m sad we don’t have any end of the series. I agree I finished Fireborn and really enjoyed it as well.
Heidi
I have been meaning to try a Keri Arthur book for a long time, but the reviews have been so mixed for her other series. I like the sound of this one and I the reviews are good so far, so perhaps I shall have to dig in with this one.
Melliane
she has some great series, the new one has a lot of great reviews too. You should definitely try!
blodeuedd
How many different books doe she got!?
Melliane
lol way too many but it’s fun to discover them
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh I might enjoy this one. I do like her UF, but not her romance. I wasn’t sure about this one until now. So going to check this one out!
Melliane
yes this one is definitely UF. But I kind of agree with you about her books.
Brandi Breathes Books
Does sound like a fun read
LilyElement
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as you, but I still enjoyed it 🙂 Great review. I think my issue is I have to get used to the world, I was the same way with the Nikki & Michael series. I enjoy it more and more as the series progresses. About to start reading Generation 18, so we shall see!!
Melliane
Ah yes, I hope it will be better with the second one if so.
Lily
I still haven’t read anything by this author but reading the synopsis alone has me wanting to change that. This one sounds SO GOOD & completely out of my comfort zone…but in a good way! i’m so happy you fell in love with it 🙂
Melliane
lol I know, it’s not what you usually read. But it’s fun.
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I really miss her books. It’s been a good 4 years? since I’ve read one. That’s just. Well a little shocking. It seems like just yesterday! Guess that’s the sign of an awesome author when they stick with you like that 🙂
Melliane
mayve you should go back to her one day.
kim { Book Swoon }
I’m glad you enjoyed this one Melliane! The story sounds interesting and the plot fast moving, lol-I was hoping for more romance in it though. Next time, hopefully 🙂
Melliane
yeah no for the romance, it’s not really the case that’s true.
Lola @ Hit or Miss Books
I REALLY like the fact that there is more action than romance! That is perfect in UFs! And then when the romance comes it’s like–supposed–yahoo 😉 Great review!
Melliane
it’s nice sometimes not to have the romance aspect to concentrate on the plot.
Tracy Terry
My friend is a huge fan of this author and always passes her books onto me so I know I have this one to look forward to at some point in time.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read)
And here I would have sworn that this one was going to be PNR but you say no romance. Which hey is rather refreshing sounding!
Melliane
nope, no PNR, It’s a real UF.
Maggie@notyetread
I enjoy Keri Arthur’s work as well. I am looking forward to this series!
Chene Sterckx
I loved her Nikki & Michael series and was drawn this beautiful cover. Can’t wait to try it out. Great review!!
Melliane
this one is in the same kind, it was great!