Eyes

Rating:
Summary: Great Psychic Mystery!
Review: "Eyes" introduces us to Susan Shader, a psychic psychiatrist who sometimes works with the police to solve crimes. While this is a tale often told (the psychic and the police is a very common theme in psychic fiction), Susan is a wonderful character, and the mystery itself was a truly engrossing tale.

Susan's psychic abilities, while important to the plot, are secondary to both her psychiatric training, her deep characterization, and her relationship with her son. I cannot stress enough how much this book is character-driven, and how much the mystery it self - the chasing of an apparent serial killer with an agenda that baffles - brings this novel to a boil. There is a sequel, "Blood," that definately has me hooked.

I hope for more Susan Shader novels, and would really like to know who Joseph Glass is.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting!
Review: "Haste makes waste." Nowhere is this adage more true than in Joseph Glass' first novel, "Eyes: A Susan Shader Novel" When Chicago police detective David Gold makes an arrest of a man they believe to be a serial killer, the city breathes a collective sigh of relief. Based on tangible evidence, and the the intangible psychic visions of long-time friend and confidant Dr. Susan Shader, Gold rushes to close the case that has beleaguered the city for months. Though Shader has misgivings and secret doubts about the man they arrested, she keeps them to herself. Her reticence blows up in her face when the man arrested as the murderer kills himself in his cell, and days later, another victim is found mutilated in the same manner as the previous ones. Self-esteem dangerously low, and reputation destroyed, Shader goes into a reclusive state. Shunned by the public and vilified by the Chicago Police Department, Shader vows never to trust her visions again. Until the apple-of-her-eye is abducted in plain view of hundreds of witnesses...her son. Though his kidnapping happens in the midst of O'Hare airport, no one has seen the boy nor his abductor. Shader knows she must work quickly (and alone) to save her boy.

Though the book jacket likens "Eyes" killer to Hannibal Lecter...the insidious evil of the Harris novels is sadly absent. We are not privy to the thoughts and dark workings of the killers mind here, but the story itself is not lacking because of it. A thrilling page-turner, "Eyes" is bound to keep the reader wanting more!

Rating:
Summary: Really good book...
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. The story was very easy to read, lots of twists and a good ending...also the main character is great. I look forward to the next book in the series and I want to know who is JG??

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: I really got into this book!! It was in my recommendations and I was a bit hesitant about buying it but I thought what the heck, I'll give it a shot. I am sooo glad I did, as it was one of those books I could not put down. It is engrossing and suspensful. I fell in love with Dr. Susan Shader and there is such depth in her relationship with her son that the authoor is very perceptive in portraying. As a parent I felt her pain and really could not believe how adept Mr. Glass was in making me feel a lot of things throughout the whole book. It is so much more than just a thriller although it does that well too. Very deep and moving and anyone who did not enjoy this book must be made of stone. It shows a real sensitivity that a lot of books lack and I can't wait to read his next novel, "Blood".

Rating:
Summary: A surprisingly good read
Review: I'd never heard of Joseph Glass. WhatEVER. I thought the synopsis sounded exciting and was willing to give it a go. Isn't it rich when you find an author you actually like, and a book you can VIBE on? I liked Eyes a whole heckuvalot. I especially appreciated the psychic element to the tale...this subject in general intrigues me, and when peppered into a fast paced tale it is really enhancing! I would get this book if you're a fevered devourer of murder mystery lore linked with psychic phenomena. It was fun. Yay to Eyes. K bye. Smooches!

Rating:
Summary: A good thriller with an intriguing and special heroine
Review: Law enforcement officials consider psychiatrist Dr. Susan Shader one of the best profilers of serial killers in the nation. The Chicago police turn to Susan when a case seems to be going no where. Susan offers the police more than just her tremendous profiling skills, she has second sight which often leads to hidden clues.

The Chicago police ask Susan to assist them on what appears to be a serial killer, who feasts on athletic women. The murderer strangles his victims and then rips out their eyes. Susan's ESP focuses on a janitor. However, the next corpse appears after the suspect kills himself. Susan knows that she must refocus both her talents in order to uncover the identity of the real killer before he adds his finds a fifth victim.

EYES is a well written book that falls a bit short. Susan is one of the best prtoagonists to surface in a long time because all of her relationships feel real and add to the humanization of the character. Especially intriguing is how her family reflects modern society as her six year old son lives with his father (her ex) in California. The ESP genuinely comes across as the real deal because Susan struggles with the associated rewards and punishment. Though the book is worth reading by fans of serial killers and ESP mystery aficionados, the suspense fails to grip the reader as the story line is built around the stereotypical serial killer and too much is given away too early. Joseph Glass demonstrates a lot of talent in his character development that will insure that readers will seek (but not desperately) another novel starring Susan, but needs more emphasis on what goes on inside the head of his lead protagonist, who will engage the empathy of the audience.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: All over the place and boring snoreeeeeeeeee....
Review: Sorry Miss Shader, but this one was dull dull dull! It seemed the book was all over the place with alot of very boring detail that just didnt need to be there at all...then the last chapter was finally exciting. I had a hard time drudging through it. I was surprized to see others liked it so much. I found myself skipping or skimming pages to see if there was anything worth reading in it. Finally the last 20 pages there ws some action. Shesh! Next time try to spread that action out a bit ...
I found that most the people/circumstances unbelievable and boring.
Good luck next time.

Rating:
Summary: exciting, compelling, emotionally involving
Review: Starts out grabbing your interest right away with a set-up scene. The herione is such a real person with an unreal gift of second sight. Really gets into the psychology of a killer and introduces you to one of the smartest and sickest of them all. Even after I skipped to the end, as I sometimes to do see if I am right in my guess at the identity of the killer, I still wanted to read the WHOLE thing in between. I didn't give five stars because I am not truly into detective stories, but this one is definately worth your time.

Rating:
Summary: EYES OF SUSAN
Review: The prologue is fascinating, and quite unexpected in its blunt treatment of the death of Peter. Who is this nasty little Arnold Haze?
As we get into the "meat" of the novel, we wonder: What in the world did the opening have to do with the Coed murders? Enter psychic consultant Susan Shader, a gifted woman who is helping David Gold investigate the series of gruesome murders. With Susan's help, a suspect is found and ultimately pinned with the murders---halfway through the book, so we know something's afoot.
Suffice to say, a cruel mastermind pointed them to the direction he wanted, so he can continue his murders. It is at this point the enigmatic prologue comes to light.
Glass works wonders with his characters; Susan is remarkable in her determination, and how she deals with a divorce and her limited time with her eight year old son, Michael, who is a delightful character as well. Susans' relationships with her ex-husband, Nick, and with David Gold, are real and touching.
The novel builds well although it's final moments seem a little rushed and perhaps slightly forced. But it's a good read and held me in its thrall.
RECOMMENDED.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT ROLLER COASTER RIDE FOR STORMY W/END WE JUST HAD!!!!
Review: This was realllllllly good....who is Joseph Glass???? hmmmmmmmmmmm.. i see that it is copyrighted by "jsl, inc"......who could that be??? verrrrry easy reading, quite engrossing, quite different....susan is real, emotional, intelligent and a breath of fresh air for all of the readers who are rather sick of patricia cornwell and the like....i really enjoyed this book thoroughly...all of the characters were "fleshed" out quite well and i would most definitely suggest this as the perfect airplane book....the hours will fly by...i want to read more susan shader books...what a marvelous heroine....thanx "joe glass" whoever you are...just keep on writing...but fast....!!!