Rating: 
Summary: I really liked this book!
Review: I wasn't prepared to like this book so much. I found myself drawn into the storyline and caring about the characters. I'm glad there's another book in the Jake Merlin series. For my money, James Tucker has written a great debut novel. He really covers the medical thriller aspect and actually makes it interesting....the author also makes good use of Tory Welch, Assistant DA and Jake's love interest, to keep his readers interested in the legal side of the story. Contrary to some reviewers, I thought Tucker developed his characters AND his story lines with skill and cunning...I look forward to more Jake Merlin stories. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: I really liked this book!
Review: I wasn't prepared to like this book so much. I found myself drawn into the storyline and caring about the characters. I'm glad there's another book in the Jake Merlin series. For my money, James Tucker has written a great debut novel. He really covers the medical thriller aspect and actually makes it interesting....the author also makes good use of Tory Welch, Assistant DA and Jake's love interest, to keep his readers interested in the legal side of the story. Contrary to some reviewers, I thought Tucker developed his characters AND his story lines with skill and cunning...I look forward to more Jake Merlin stories. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: A thrill ride from beginning to end!
Review: First off let me say that I am not a big fiction reader as to the nature of the work I do with teaching computers and networking. Abra Cadaver is the first fiction book I have read in over a year, and I must say that it's time for me to start looking at other works of fiction. Tucker takes you on a journey of suspense and murder mixed with magic to keep you guessing right to the very end. I found that I was unable to figure out the "whodunit" until I was almost finished, which makes this book a most enjoyable reading. Unlike other suspense-murder-mystery books this book as a twist, the main character is not only a doctor but a magician and with both of those skills blended together you get a surprising and entertaining novel. The 375 plus page book was read in just over 3 days and for this reviewer I look forward the next novel from Tucker. For those in the movie industry this book needs a serious look as it has all the merits of a great made for television movie. Excellent job Jim - keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A thrill ride from beginning to end!
Review: First off let me say that I am not a big fiction reader as to the nature of the work I do with teaching computers and networking. Abra Cadaver is the first fiction book I have read in over a year, and I must say that it's time for me to start looking at other works of fiction. Tucker takes you on a journey of suspense and murder mixed with magic to keep you guessing right to the very end. I found that I was unable to figure out the "whodunit" until I was almost finished, which makes this book a most enjoyable reading. Unlike other suspense-murder-mystery books this book as a twist, the main character is not only a doctor but a magician and with both of those skills blended together you get a surprising and entertaining novel. The 375 plus page book was read in just over 3 days and for this reviewer I look forward the next novel from Tucker. For those in the movie industry this book needs a serious look as it has all the merits of a great made for television movie. Excellent job Jim - keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Trudged through this one
Review: I can only hope James Tucker is a better doctor than writer. One reviewer said that the characters were disjointed. I agree 100%. Tucker spends SO much time trying to develop characters that he ends up creating a confusing atmosphere. Over halfway through the book I looked at the back cover again, and was SURPRISED to find out that Jack Merlin is considered the leading character. Could have fooled me. I thought of him as a side story, allowing the Assistant DA access into the medical world. One Pittsburgher said that the book hits on the hot spots, and local quirks of PGH. I'm not so sure. I recently moved to PGH and feel like I know no more about the city than I did before I read the book. It's not like the John Sanford "Prey" series that make you feel like you're actually walking THROUGH Minneapolis. In summary, do yourself a favor: don't bother with this book. There are so many other stories that flow and put you at the scene.
Rating:
Summary: Trudged through this one
Review: I can only hope James Tucker is a better doctor than writer. One reviewer said that the characters were disjointed. I agree 100%. Tucker spends SO much time trying to develop characters that he ends up creating a confusing atmosphere. Over halfway through the book I looked at the back cover again, and was SURPRISED to find out that Jack Merlin is considered the leading character. Could have fooled me. I thought of him as a side story, allowing the Assistant DA access into the medical world. One Pittsburgher said that the book hits on the hot spots, and local quirks of PGH. I'm not so sure. I recently moved to PGH and feel like I know no more about the city than I did before I read the book. It's not like the John Sanford "Prey" series that make you feel like you're actually walking THROUGH Minneapolis. In summary, do yourself a favor: don't bother with this book. There are so many other stories that flow and put you at the scene.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! A great read!
Review: I couldn't put this book down! That's how good it was! And I still can't believe that this was James Tucker's first book! I can't wait until he unleashes his next novel...
Rating:
Summary: ABRA CADAVER
Review: I just LOVE Tucker's books - having lived in Pittsburgh 18 years, it's fascinating to read a good one that's situated right here. And even more so when it's hard to put down! I particularly like the side-theme of magic tricks and just discovered his website. Check it out! I've taken these books with me as gifts for former 'Burghers - they're always delighted and then I have to send them the second one. =) Is there a third planned? I hope so.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Premise, a bit too long
Review: I love a good puzzle and this novel certainly supplied it. On the downside, it could have been much shorter than its 400 pages and the constant point of view changes as the author jumped from character to character in the same scene is amateurish. Being a magic hobbyist I found Tucker's scenes that involved magic to be highly acurate. The author's depiction of Pittsburgh is right on the money. Felt like I lived there (Hey, I do!). I recently bought "Hocus Corpus," Tucker's second Dr. Merlin book. Haven't started it yet, but hope the author corraled those POV changes.
Rating: 
Summary: Did Author's Friends Write Rave Reviews?
Review: It did not take long for me to lose interest in this book. I can't understand the 5 star reviews! The story was disjointed & the characters were not developed very well. I forced myself to read the entire book. It did not hold my interest. The one redeeming thing that I liked about the novel was the Pittsburgh setting. It was very true to life & the author worked in various Pgh. hot spots, locations, and quirks of the city. Of course I am a native Pittsburgher....so I was able to appreciate these things. I don't know if a reader from elsewhere would enjoy the Pittsburgh details as I did.
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