My Urban Fantasies: Review: Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz

Title: Copper Beach

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

Series: Dark Legacy, #1

•Source: Purchased
•Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
•Publication Date: December 31, 2012

Opening Line: There was nothing like the drama of a deathbed scene to expose the skeletons in a family's closet.

A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell’s unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes—and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber—“hot rocks.” Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe.

This was my first Jayne Ann Krentz novel. She is a very talented writer. Copper Beach was full of suspense, mystery, witty banter, a splash of paranormal and a little sarcasm. Nothing makes me happier than an author who appreciates the subtle art of sarcasm. Krentz has built an intriguing world; one exactly like our own except psychics are real, with a varying degree of talents. There are psychics that can read auras, some work with paranormal books locked with a psi-code, and others work with paranormal crystals and their unique energy.

I really liked how the relationship between Sam Coppersmith and Abby Radwell developed. Their relationship seemed natural despite the fact that it developed quickly and there was a psychic link between them. My absolute favorite character was Abby's dog Newton, the condo-sized version of a junkyard dog.

When you first start reading Copper Beach it feels like you're in the middle of a series instead of reading the very first book. This does take a little getting used to. Instead of receiving the back history within the first few chapters, you discover it as Abby does. Normally I don't like this but it actually works for this book, adding an extra layer of suspense and mystery.

I did have a problem with this book. I could have used a little more dialogue variety when describing the paranormal. Four different characters said basically the same thing.

"The old stories say that McClain was really into the woo-woo stuff, you know?"

"He thinks it's all woo-woo stuff."

"Paranormal, the woo-woo thing, whatever."

Many of the books were filled with the usual woo-woo and occult nonsense.

I'm not saying it's a huge problem. I just find it hard to believe that four different people with varying backgrounds and education would use the same description. It made the characters a little one-dimensional.

Favorite Quotes

There was nothing like the drama of a deathbed scene to expose the the skeletons in a family's closet.

A crazy man and a gun was never a good combination. A crazy man with paranormal talent and a gun made for a very bad start to the day.

"Are you laughing at me?" he said with a growl.

"Wouldn't dream of it. As I told your wife, I accept the fact that tolerating difficult, eccentric, obsessive clients is a necessary aspect of my work, but I should warn you that I do have my limits."

For a couple of seconds Elias looked bewildered. Then comprehension lit his fierce eyes. "Are you calling me difficult, eccentric and obsessive?"

Sam appeared in the doorway. "Take it easy, Dad. You get used to her after a while."

Elias rounded on Sam. "She thinks we're both wackos."

"I never said anything of the kind." Abby frowned. "If I thought you were both out-and-out crazies, I would not have taken you on as clients. And I definitely would not have hired Sam to protect me."

"What's the difference between Sam and me and a couple of crazies?" Elias roared.

Abby nearly choked on her laughter. She looked at Sam and knew that he was having a hard time biting back a grin. She cleared her throat.

"An interesting question," she said. She turned around to poor the coffee. "Let's just say I know it when I see it."

"Are you sure you got the right Abigail Radwell?" Elias asked Sam.

"Oh, yeah," Sam said with deep feeling. "No way there could be two of them, trust me."