Passions of the Dead

Written by L.J. Sellers

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor

The scene is a bloodbath: Jared and Carla Walker lie brutally bludgeoned and stabbed to death, along with their young son, while their teenage daughter barely clings to life. Detective Wade Jackson’s boss believes a gang of carjackers has graduated to home invasion…and homicide. But there are other suspects in the mix: a bitter brother-in-law convinced the Walkers ripped him off big-time, a young heroin addict in forbidden love with the Walker’s daughter, and the shady former employer who was being blackmailed by Jared Walker.

Still, with only inconclusive forensic evidence and a sole survivor who can’t remember anything, Jackson and his team are getting nowhere fast. And so is Jackson’s personal life—as he duels over money with his alcoholic ex, struggles to raise his teenage daughter, and fights to keep his high-pressure job from destroying his new romance. Add the looming specter of departmental downsizing, and things couldn’t possibly get worse. At least until the only living witness to the massacre vanishes—along with the shocking truth buried in her mind—and the killer follows in hot pursuit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Sep 26, 2013
• ISBN: 9781480556478

L.J. Sellers

L.J. Sellers writes the bestselling Detective Jackson mystery/thriller series—a five-time winner of the Readers’ Favorite Awards. She also pens the high-octane Agent Dallas series and provocative stand-alone thrillers. Her twenty novels have been praised by reviewers, and she’s one of the highest-rated crime-fiction authors on Amazon. L.J. resides in Eugene, Oregon, where many of her novels are set, and she’s an award-winning journalist who earned the Grand Neal Award for editorial excellence in business publications. When not plotting murders, she enjoys stand-up comedy, cycling, and zip-lining. She’s also been known to jump out of airplanes.

Reviews for Passions of the Dead

[maryann12_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In her latest book in the Detective Jackson series, L.J. Sellers goes beyond the headlines about the economic crisis by showing the human side of that equation, and the myriad unexpected and unforeseeable ripple effects and the desperation stemming from the "downturn" [read "collapse"] of the economy. In this particular case in point, the effects upon the town of Eugene, Oregon and its environs include job layoffs and a dearth of alternative ways of making a living and paying the rent, even to the extent of coming layoffs in the Eugene Police Dept., where Wade Jackson is told that two detectives, one from vice and one from his unit, Violent Crimes, will be cut before the week ends.

In the midst of that personal concern, the squad is called out to investigate what appears to be a home invasion which has left three family members dead and one seriously wounded. Were the family members just random targets? Or is something more personal at play here? Can it possibly be an escalation of a recent spate of carjackings in the area?

The author has again raised contemporary issues in a suspenseful tale of families and their complexities, examining the ramifications of a world struggling with financial uncertainty. She cunningly places flashback scenes going back a couple of months, strategically placed along the way of the present-day narrative, gradually bringing the reader up to speed to the date of the attacks. Another winner from L.J. Sellers, and recommended.

[scoshie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent thriller. I really enjoyed the way this novel was written, going back and forward between the officers working the crimes and the back story of the victims leading up to the crime. Nice ending that I did not expect. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon in the sun!!

[lostinalibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Passions of the Dead, by LJ Sellers, a family of four is found in their home beaten and stabbed. The 18-year-old daughter, Lori, is the only survivor but she has no memory of the event. Det jackson is assigned to the case and, as he investigates, the story of the family unfolds as one long tragedy. he is determined to solve this horrible crime but there are just too many suspects.Passions of the Dead grabs hold from page one and grips you until the end. It is a great mystery but it is also a sad tale of life in a failing economy, and the tragedies that can ensue from it, told with insight and compassion.

[dbower_21 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another wonderful book by L.J. Sellers. In this book Detective Jackson is the lead detective investigating the murder of a family. Through the twists and turns of the book you encounter the realities of life for many families - unemployment, relationship difficulties, and drug abuse/recovery. The story is fast paced and hard to put down. Just when you think you know the murderer you find out you are wrong. I look forward to the next book to find out what is next in store for Detective Jackson.