The First Prophet

Bishop Files #1

 By Kay Hooper

 ISBN# 9780515152883

Author’s Website: http://www.kayhooper.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Synopsis:

Within the FBI, there exists a team of psychics whose powers cannot be denied. But these agents are feared—by a cabal of conspirators with only one weapon: to blind the psychics to the evils all around them.

Months ago Sarah Gallagher woke from a coma with psychic abilities she couldn’t control. They changed her life and cost her the man she loved. And now, someone is playing games with Sarah’s mind.

It begins with Sarah’s home being destroyed by fire—an act of arson that draws novelist Tucker Mackenzie into Sarah’s confidence. But he has other reasons for pursuing a woman who can see what others can’t. So does a mysterious enemy intent on eliminating Sarah, and everyone she cares about. Because it’s only a matter of time before her visions lead her and Tucker to a secret many will kill to hide. Only then will they begin to discover the scope of a terrifying conspiracy so deep and complex they can trust almost no one.

Review:

An auspicious beginning to the new Bishop Files series.  While my experience with Kay Hooper as an author is limited …the only other titles I have read were Enemy Mine and the most excellent Haunted.  Haunted is why I am reading more titles by Ms. Hooper.

The story begins with a fire (actually…not 100% true…but you need to read it for yourself)….and now the newly minted psychic (it has not been quite six months since Sarah discovered her unique abilities) is without a home.  As she escapes and is waiting on the sidelines, Tucker (a novelist) approaches Sarah with his own personal agenda.  Tucker is seeking information, which he feels he can only get from a psychic…because he needs answers which only apparently Sarah can provide.

As Sarah and Tucker are approaching the shop where Sarah will stay for an evening or two after her home is destroyed by fire:

“They were greeted at the top by a large cat who was sitting on the railing.  A large black cat. Of course, it would have to be a black cat.”

I just had to smile…..of course it was a black cat 🙂

Brodie …’The Guardian’.  I really loved Brodie’s complexity and his role.  He is sent to protect the psychics, keep them away from the clutches of “the bad side”.  Brodie has had great loss in his life as a result of the struggle between good and evil and the psychics.  He is complex and I hope as the series goes on that we will get to see more of what was projected in this book.

Margo – Sarah’s business partner in the antique business.  I loved her misses on familiar similes, for example:

 “I know Sarah. She’s as strong as bronze—“     “ Steel”, Tucker murmured, unable to stop himself.”

Or

 “I’m the early bird, and she’s the bat.”  Tucker stopped himself from wincing.  “You mean the night owl?”

Or

“But at least I wasn’t smashed flat as a waffle.”

Or

“All right, all right.  But I think you’re both full of cold cuts.” 

Margo’s appearance in the book is relatively small…but I loved her spunk and character.  I hope we get to see more of her in the subsequent books in this series?  Time will tell.

Tucker – the night in shining armour.  He is always trying to feed Sarah.  In response to Sarah stating that Tucker is always trying to feed her, he states:

“Well, aside from the fact that the fit of your clothes says you’ve lose some weight recently-weight you didn’t need to lose-it’s also a good idea for people on the run to follow the soldier’s maxim.  Eat when you can, because you never know when you’ll get another chance.  Goes for sleep too. Basic survival training.” 

I enjoyed the discovery of what Tucker and Sarah mean to each other beyond his night and shining armour persona.

Sarah and Tucker’s journey is filled with suspense, drama and love 🙂  Early on, Tucker is very doubtful of Sarah’s abilities….skeptical.  But is he really just afraid that Sarah might know all of his secrets because of her psychic abilities?

Let us not forget the bad guy…Duran.  The portrayal of the evil guy stalking and taking psychics and doing gosh knows what to them was definitely described perfectly.  I had such loathing for this character…yet intrigue.  I wanted to discover more about what he and his evil plot entailed.  There is a terrific battle between good and evil in the end which had me on the edge of my seat throughout the chapter.

All in all, a good introduction to the new series, which does of course include characters from another of Ms. Hooper’s series.  Having not read the prior series was not a huge problem.

On to the second book in the series 🙂