If you like a good mystery with plenty of meat to sink your teeth into, you will love this book. The author does a fantastic job setting up the story and then helping fill in the blanks in a very thoughtful way. I appreciated how she developed the storyline and allowed the character to become a complete tangible person. I kept reading wanting to find out what exactly happened and why. It really was just extremely well written. I hope to read more from this author soon.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Lovelacehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Lovelace2020-10-02 22:44:532020-10-02 22:44:53A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Heather Lovelace
A Dead Man Speaks ( a Clive January Mystery Book 1) Lisa Jones Gentry 4 out of 5 stars
I’ve been reading (and enjoying) a lot of books outside of my normal genre as of late. This was a great read and a bit more of what I gravitate toward. This was my first book I have read by this author and much to my pleasant surprise, a first in a series. This is one of those books that has characters that you find yourself growing attached to. I found myself intrigued from start to finish as a Dead Man Speaks has elements of a good mystery/thriller. The idea of the victim taking part in solving his own murder is fantastic to me! While there is an obvious paranormal element to the story, I never felt like the author was reaching or that the twists and turns were over the top. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Lisa Jones Gentry.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Felicia Bateshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngFelicia Bates2020-10-02 09:28:092020-10-02 09:28:09A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Felicia Bates
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery #1) by Lisa Jones Gentry
This is the first book by the author that I’ve read. It won’t be my last by Gentry. She’s got a great way of wording and her characters. I highly recommend this for Crime lovers.
Clive had a bad life. As a young boy his mom didn’t want him. His father takes him and they move into a boarding house. The lady of the house takes them in.
Clive loses his father and his mom comes to take him back. He takes off after he graduates because he can’t take living with his mom. The quote I chose for Clive is: “What did that guy really say?”
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Kimblehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Kimble2020-10-01 13:27:052020-10-01 13:27:05A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery #1) by Lisa Jones Gentry – Review by Amanda Kimble
A Dead Man Speaks is the first book in Lisa Jones Gentry’s Clive January Mystery series. The premise of the book is that the deceased Mr January can’t rest until his murder is solved and is able to communicate with Detective Bob Greene to help him. Which should really make the case easier for Greene except that what he gets from January are a series of powerful memories from throughout his life which send him chasing up all kinds of leads which may or may not have anything to do with January’s death. The story takes a while to get going. For the first twelve chapters it feels like January’s life is flashing slowly before his eyes. This gives us a fair bit of backstory which is useful later on, but I think interspersing this with aspects of the murder investigation would have given the story a more momentum. It is worth persevering, though, as it is an interesting story and the pace and tension do pick up later in the book. Detective Greene is a complicated character. He testified against a partner who murdered a black teenager but did nothing in the moment to stop his partner. This means that pretty much everybody dislikes him, and his apparently confused morals make it hard for the reader to warm to him. He is persistent, though, and determined to find justice for January. For me, this is a four-star book. It requires a fair bit of attention and patience but rewards you with an intriguing, tangled mystery with plenty of twists and surprises. I’d recommend it to mystery fans who are interested in ghosts and the paranormal. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Francis O'Sullivanhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngFrancis O'Sullivan2020-10-01 10:13:252020-10-01 10:13:25A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Francis O’Sullivan
This is my first book by Lisa Jones Gentry. I love paranormal stories and crime is my jam. This book put them both together. I loved this book! The plot was well established and the characters are well developed. Detective Bob and Clive (he’s the poor dude that got whacked) go through who could have caused Clive’s murder. The twists and turns of this story were amazing. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book for this series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Meg Tyrrellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMeg Tyrrell2020-09-30 20:16:002020-09-30 21:48:17A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Meg Tyrrell
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry is a crime, mystery and thriller all rolled into one and is a good start to the series. The plot was done well and is interesting and the characters are well developed. There are paranormal aspects and a little twist to the story that make it pop. The Detective is on the case and his track record shows him to be able to solve the unsolvable, but he will need the help of the victim to find a killer.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2020-09-29 06:54:222020-09-29 06:54:22A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Jenni Bishop
This was an awesome story. I love ghost stories, especially when there is a mystery around it. Lisa Jones Gentry did a great job writing this story. For me at least, there was no confusion about what was happening. The characters are fully developed and personable. The plot of the story is intriguing. Clive, who was well todo, got shot and killed. That is when the story begins. Clive was an investment banker. He wants to find his killer. That is when it becomes interesting. Clive teams up with Detective Bob to help solve a murder. There are feelings and obstacles that Clive needs to get done to be able to move on. I highly recommend this book to see what exactly happens to Clive and Detective Bob.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Fishhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Fish2020-09-28 19:32:002020-09-28 22:24:16A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Erica Fish
A Dead Man Speaks by Lisa Jones Gentry is the first book in the Clive January Mystery series. This is a fantastic combination of paranormal and mystery that really will keep you on the edge of your seat. I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this book up but I really did enjoy how the story unfolded. I thought the author added such a unique twist on the whole by having the victim play a part in catching his killer. Given how much we got to know about Clive it really felt like we went through the journey with him. The book felt full of twists and turns that made it exciting to read – it added a level of suspense to it that grabs your attention. As the opening to a new series the author has definitely kicked it off with a bang and having read this book I am looking forward to seeing what else is in store.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2020-09-21 16:00:242020-09-21 16:00:24A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Kerry Baker
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry is an original story- with plenty to keep you flipping the pages. A mystery with a paranormal edge- detailing crime, investigation, drama, and a clever twist that made me sit up and take notice. Clive January is a Wall Street investment banker who makes the startling realization that he has been shot, dead! Having such a significant unresolved issue, Clive cannot find peace until he gets his closure. But being dead is kind of restricting- so this is where Detective Bob Greene comes into the picture. It’s through him, and their psychic connection, that the investigation unfolds. But there is much more to the characters, their situation/s, and story, than we first realise- which we discover along the way. Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Jones-Gentry does next.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2020-09-19 12:58:182020-09-19 21:10:44A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Angela Hayes
The way this book was written was captivating. I liked the timeline of the way the events were portrayed. This was a very eye opening story with the state of the world today and seeing the views in a different perspective, to me, is always a positive thing. Lisa did a fantastic job creating the characters and the city’s and town’s we visited through out this story. If you are looking for a story that is more real life than not, mysterious, has characters you think you may have known if a past life, this is definitely a read for you.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kandy Garretthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKandy Garrett2020-09-17 18:52:372020-09-17 19:52:57A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Kandy Garrett
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) By Lisa Jones Gentry 5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry. It is a story that once I started it, I was hooked. The author does an amazing job of making both the storyline and the characters come to life. It is a story about a man who was shot and killed and the journey that follows to find his killer. I enjoyed reading about and trying to understand the man who was Clive January. His life was a hard one with many obstacles and sadness. It is also the story of Detective Bob. He is charged with finding out who killed Clive. He is a man that is known to solve cases that others considered unsolvable. This is a story that includes strong emotions and also times of hatred and racism. The story is very powerful, and I found myself thinking about it even after I had finished the last page. Will Clive’s murder be solved? Read this book to find out. I highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Laura Furutahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLaura Furuta2020-09-14 16:21:162020-09-14 22:12:35A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Laura Furuta
This is a little different book for me but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. This is a well developed story that brings paranormal to a new level for me. The characters bring the story to life especially my favorite Clive who made the story for me. I felt bad for him in parts and felt his determination in others. They made the story fast paced and had me easily turning pages. This is a story about Clive. He had it all until he was killed one night. Now he has a ton of questions about why and who. He communicates with the detective on the case through dreams and visions. He cannot settle until he has his answers, will the detective be able to help him? Will Clive find the peace and forgiveness he desperately needs? I enjoyed the twists and turns the characters bring to the story. I am glad I picked up this book and I think you will too. I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bobbi Wagnerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBobbi Wagner2020-09-12 15:33:032020-09-12 15:33:03A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Bobbi Wagner
Why can’t I, just DIE in peace? Why do I roam, unable to rest? Will I ever know the truth, the ugly truth of who shot me in the back? I hear voices, but no answers. Why do they tell me that some racist white cop, who watched his partner kill a defenseless Black kid, is the only one who can help me, the only one who can set me free. Now I hear voices telling me that I must look back to find the truth. I see her standing over me as the life ebbs out of me, and I wonder, did she do it?
“Clive…Oh, Clive, baby…Oh God I’m so…” She leaned over me. The blood from my shirt soaked her skin, turning it a brownish red. As I looked in her eyes, I could feel her tears, touching my face, as her soft hands used to. Then I realized that I couldn’t really feel anything. Because I was dead.
I looked down at me, lying there motionless, and I saw her sobbing over me. Shaking me, trying to will me back to life. But I knew it was too late. I felt this detachment, but at the same time an inexplicable heaviness. Something was pulling me back toward my body, which I didn’t really even feel was mine anymore. Something wasn’t letting me leave. Suddenly, the room was light, brighter than I’ve ever seen it. I couldn’t see her, or me. Just this blinding light. Whispers from eternity called me, telling me that I had to find out. I had to make peace for peace to come to me.
A DEAD MAN SPEAKS is a suspense filled thriller set against the ruthless world of black Wall Street in 1987. It’s the story of Clive January, a Black investment banker, a driven self-made man, who had it all—money, success and power, until he is shot from behind and killed. He can’t rest until he finds out who did it, and his ghost works with Detective Bob, a white cop, who can get in the head of victims and crack the cases that no one else can. That is until now– hated and ostracized by the other cops for ratting on his partner who viciously murdered a Black teen—Detective Bob hasn’t been able to solve a case since then, and this is his last chance to prove he’s still got it. Through dreams and visions, Clive bares his life to Detective Bob until the truth is revealed in a wrenching ending that neither ever suspected. A DEAD MAN SPEAKS is ultimately about the redemptive power of love and forgiveness.
Lisa Jones Gentry is a NAACP Image Award and Literary Critics nominated writer and screenwriter. She worked as a television Executive Producer in Hollywood and has produced over one hundred hours of television programming. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HI-RES-FINAL-VERSION-COVER-CoverArt-digital-A-Dead-Man-Speaks-hi-res-scaled.jpg1200744itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2020-09-09 06:47:072022-11-26 23:04:41A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY
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