Visions

Visions is the second book in the Cainsville series and therefore this review may contain spoilers for the previous book, Omens.

Olivia sees omens. With everything that’s happened since she moved to Cainsville, she doesn’t dismiss them as easily as she once would. When she finds the body of a missing girl, with connections to the mysterious town, in her car only to be gone minutes later, she starts to doubt herself. Is she just going crazy?

I’m still loving the relationship between Olivia and Gabriel, the tough defence lawyer who Olivia has grudgingly come to befriend, and even work for. There’s another, romantic relationship within this story but it’s their fragile friendship that is the start of the show for me. They’re both damaged and untrusting, but we learn so much more about Gabriel’s past; glimpses of his vulnerability under his well-crafted armour.

The chapters from the viewpoint of the town elders (old folk in the diner), lay out the reality of the world the town exists in, whilst Olivia continues on oblivious. Although dawning realisation starts to fall in this instalment, despite them not wanting to believe in fairy tales. Their true nature isn’t hidden from the reader at all, but it’s done in a way that doesn’t make you shout at them for being too stupid to join the dots. They’re not seeing all the dots after all.

Rose might have the second sight, but it wasn’t reliable enough to provide her with a steady income. For that, she needed a Walsh’s true powers – the ability to lie, con, and cheat anyone out of anything.

The balance between fantasy and thriller might be tipping but I love how it’s done. For the most part Olivia and Gabriel are investigating crimes and conspiracies, with just a hint of something otherworldly. Those who enjoyed the mystery of Cainsville may be disappointed that so much is revealed by the end but I adore the characters. What I’ve learned so far about the town, just makes me want to read more.

I really dislike the cover for Visions in the UK. If I wasn’t a fan of Kelley Armstrong already I think it would put me off. Whilst the poppy is relevant, the rest of it looks like some generic, commercial thriller. A complete contrast to the aptly ominous cover for Omens.

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Book Source: Purchased