I got this book on the release date, and finished it in quick succession. I've been trying to figure out how best to pimp this book out, and let people know. Why not write a review for Amazon? Well I guess that might further than just the guerrilla warfare I've been waging in the book stores.
Buy this Book. Simply put. Oh, you want more? Well since this is a review, I suppose I'll give it to you.
Personal Effects: Dark Arts is the new book by Author JC Hutchins and Jordan Weisman, and published by St. Martin's Griffin Press. I wouldn't say that this is a book, as it's more of a huge interactive experience, and a giant leap for literary works. I'll explain on that later.
The story follows an overly passionate, (read as: borders on obsessive) Art Therapist Zachary Taylor as he works in what could be considered the pits of New York hell, Brinkvale Psychiatric Hospital. AKA: The Brink, a hospital built into the depths of an old abandoned Brownstone Quarry. It is the place where the worst of the worst, the lost cases, go to be forgotten. One such case that is driven home to him from his superiors is one, a Mr. Martin Grace, Accused Serial Killer of 12. The twist, Grace is afflicted with psychosomatic Blindness. This case, a high profile one to say the least has a potential conflict of interest. His father, the DA is gunning hard for a conviction. Zach's mission is to find if the "Blind Killer" is fit for trial, or if he really is insane. Grace is blaming all 12 of the murders on a "Dark Man" who teases him with images and visions of who would die next, and how they will die. With not only work putting pressure on him, but family members with secretive vendettas that have been revealed, the pressure is on our main protagonist, and we're along for the ride.
Through the book, we meet various well written and believable characters including Zachary's family and friends. Many of these have been originally introduced in the prequel, Personal Effects: Sword of Blood, but they are still easy not only to come back to, but also be introduced to for the first time. One to note of is Zach's girlfriend Rachel aka: "PixelVixen707", who is based off of a real blogger. His younger brother Lucas, the "parkour" cinematographer with pixi-stix for a blood stream, is very believable regardless of the vernacular that he spouts. While this could be a slight issue with some older readers, it does make him seem more of a realistic kid in today's modern urban setting. I have a problem even now trying not to say some of his catch phrases, and not feeling connected to him with a bit of adoration.
Fans of Mr. Hutchins will note that the prequel to this novel, Personal Effect: Sword of Blood is currently being released on his website in audio form at the time of this review. This was my first introduction to this as a finished work, as I had been a part of the energetic scramble that was the early time of twitter and Mr. Hutchins's "Solidarity" campaign. He had been given a very short deadline to produce this book, and many of us would-be writers offered our support and offered to match his word count in our own works. With that in mind, this wonderful book does not at all feel rough, rushed, or unpolished in any way. This truly is a masterpiece of ingenuity when you take also into account that this is not just a book at all.
Of the writing style, I do have to say it has the fingerprints of JC Hutchins all over it. It has the chaotic style best shown in his audio book 7th Son in parts. This comes across well in the book, especially when you are reading the viewpoints of Zachary when he is having an attack of his Nictophobia, or dealing with his own mental demons. You can almost hear JC's own voice speaking if you have listened to his prior works.
Inside the book itself, in the inside cover envelope is a package involving realistic looking materials, the "Personal Effects" of the case in question. The items are believable, even down to the old photos and plastic State IDs and credit cards. The materials seemed like a jumbled mess to me at first, but that's half the fun. You have to figure out along with the characters, or even before the characters what it all means. This is only part of what makes it so riveting of a read. Many of the materials, as well as the book is littered with phone numbers, websites, and notes that are all real, viable resources for information that makes the book, and the entire world seem plausible. So plausible is it, that while during the book, we have to continually question if Zachary is being infected the with psychosis of his patient, and his Nictophobia is acting up, or if there really is an evil spirit that is terrorizing both him and his patient Grace.
Now for the really nit-picky notes. Fans might find it disconcerting that when you hear Zach's voice on his voicemail, it is not in JC Hutchins' own voice, which one becomes acclimated to when listening to the prequel. I found this to throw me sadly, but it didn't hold me back from enjoying the novel. It was a bit of a curve ball, but that doesn't take much away from the experience. Also, I found myself truly wanting more. The novel's story was complete, but it made me want to pick up the next book and dive in. While this might not necessarily be a bad thing for the authors and the publisher, this is frustrating, as all good books that resonate with readers do.
All in all, this is an excellent book, and a great launching point for the characters and the series. I can't wait to read or hear the next installment.
If this interests you at all, please, go to Amazon.com by clicking on the link, and scope this out. It's well worth the money. And for show and tell of this, check out the cross stitch I made for Mr. Hutchins to help promote the book. JC Hutchins can be found at his website. The Brink's website, where you can "Commit" yourself, can be found here. Personal Effect: Sword of Blood is a free to listen audio book that can be played on your computer or any portable audio device. PixelVixen707, and her blog is here.
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