VISIONS by Kelley Armstrong

Omens, the first instalment in Kelley Armstrong's exciting new series, introduced Olivia Taylor-Jones, daughter of notorious serial killers, and Gabriel Walsh, the self-serving, morally ambiguous lawyer who became her unlikely ally. Together, they chased down a devious killer and partially cleared her parents of their horrifying crimes. Their success, however, is short-lived.

While Olivia takes refuge in the old, secluded town of Cainsville, Gabriel's past mistakes have come to light, creating a rift between the pair just when she needs his help the most. Olivia finds a dead woman in her car, dressed to look like her, but the body vanishes before anyone else sees it. Olivia's convinced it's another omen, a sign of impending danger. But then she learns that a troubled young woman went missing just days ago - the same woman Olivia found dead in her car. Someone has gone to great lengths to kill and leave this young woman as a warning. But why? And what role has her new home played in this disturbing murder?

Olivia's effort to uncover the truth places her in the crosshairs of old and powerful forces, forces that have their own agenda, and closely guarded secrets they don't want revealed.

Since I loved the first book in this series, I couldn't wait to get stuck into the sequel...

 

Olivia Taylor-Jones recently found out that she's not the biological daughter of the successful, wealthy Chicago parents she grew up with. Her birth parents are actually serial killers who are serving time for several gruesome murders. With the help of lawyer Gabriel Walsh, she's met her birth mother and even helped clear the couple of a few of those murders. But there's still plenty of work to do if they're going to help clear their names.

 

When Olivia starts seeing visions of death omens featuring poppies, she knows danger is on the horizon. However, finding the corpse of a young woman in her car, dressed to look like her, turns out to be a lot more. The dead girl is actually someone who went missing days ago, and as Olivia starts to see this poor girl everywhere, she realises these visions might actually be messages.

 

While still working as a waitress at the local diner, she accepts a job offer from Gabriel. Even though she should know better than to get involved with him in any capacity, after yet another betrayal. Yet no matter how much she tries to stay away from the lawyer, she can't keep from calling him whenever she's in danger. Which turns out to be quite a bit.

 

As Gabriel and Olivia try to solve the death of the young girl, they find it's all connected to the secrets of Cainsville. The death of this girl isn't just a message, it's a clue that sets Olivia on the search for what's really going on. With some very bizarre and surprising answers that are both unbelievable, yet directly related to her. Along the way she gets involved with the son of a biker. A gang that is starting to appear as more than just bikers. Her ex also remains on the scene and can't seem to take a hint, becoming a threat.

 

There are a lot of puzzles for her to solve. And Cainsville might not be the safehaven she once thought it was...

 

I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next in Olivia's unstable life. The main focus of this book lies in her solving a murder to gain several answers about her real connection to the mysterious town of Cainsville. But it also focuses on her relationship with two very different men. The damaged Gabriel, with his harsh exterior and ease to slip into self-serving asshole mode. And Ricky, with his easy-going manner, charming looks and exciting, irresistible ways.

Looks like Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky are connected to the old world via their families, and are obvious pawns in an ancient game they know nothing about.

It was also interesting to spend most of the book in Olivia's POV, but every now and then enjoy a glimpse into the thoughts of another character.

 

Visions is an amazing and very enjoyable book that intrigued me so much I couldn't stop reading. It's fast paced, filled with an interesting cast of characters, and preternatural secrets that are slowly starting to unravel. I love how Kelley Armstrong weaves an engrossing thriller with a taste of the unknown. She's a great storyteller, and has once again created a heroine that keeps you strapped in for the ride. I also love the heroes.

 

This instalment reveals quite a few shocking secrets about the seemingly peaceful town of Cainsville, but there are still plenty to uncover. Not to mention the truth about the Larsens.

I can't wait to read the next book!

 

Visions, August 2014, ISBN   9780751553901, Sphere