Talking with the Dead: An FBI Psychics Prequel

Michael O'Rourke and his older brother Lucas live with their mother, Rachel whose only talent is as a con artist. Lucas tries to protect Mike as much as possible, but when Rachel tries to trade Mike to pay for a debt, Lucas does the only thing that he can and takes his place, leading to his death. Mike and Lucas always had a connection though a psychic link and that continues after Lucas's death, but now Mike not only has the ability to speak to Lucas, he can communicate with other ghosts, especially those who have died through violence. Mike takes a job with Oz and the FBI, helping to solve unsolvable cases using his gift. When he feels himself sinking into the world of the ghostly victims, he escapes to a little town in Indiana, but instead of a vacation, his gift has led him to the sight of several unsolved murders. He meets Daisy, the town sheriff, who has been dealing with issues of her own. She doesn't want to believe in Mike's gifts, but when he is able to tell her things he shouldn't know about the recent deaths, she begins to believe that he might be able to help her. Talking With the Dead is the prequel novella to The FBI Psychics series. It is short, and to the point leaving several unanswered questions by the end as well as underdeveloped characters, but the frustration, loneliness, and despair come through clearly as the two protagonists deal with a serial killer who leaves no clues behind except for the ghostly victims that are too traumatized to help. A good first book, but as with the others in this series, just too short.