Pete is hiking in the the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia when they run into a fellow hiker who suddenly goes into a pain-wracked seizure. As he writhes in agony, Pete notices a glider soaring overhead that suddenly nosedives into the valley ... and they’re locked into a murder investigation.
Mark the Hiker, it turns out, is an empath, and just before the glider came into view, he experienced the same pain the pilot felt as she convulsed and died before the glider hit the ground. He’s sequestered himself in a shack high on a Virginia mountain to avoid this type of incident, but his abilities haven’t diminished, despite his refusal to acknowledge them. Pete guides Mark to his boss, Vivian, at the New Age store Valley Visions, who teaches Mark how to shield himself, equipping him with the power to track down a variety of nefarious operators in the tiny Valley town of Back Mosby, as well as tangle with Ceci’s sister Gwen, a local police officer determined to debunk Mark’s abilities. Pete attaches himself to Mark as his roommate and fellow detective, despite the empath’s obvious reluctance, and narrates their journey in a funny and endearing millennial voice that earns not only Mark’s trust, but that of the reader.
Although I started the book skeptically, I was soon hooked not only by the story, but by Alive’s vivid characters and unusual approach to a typical murder mystery. While the tale may have seemed far-fetched a few years ago, recent news of parents inflicting sadistic horrors on their children, as well as the continued spread of opioid abuse throughout America, brings Murder Feels Awful a freshness and relativity that renders it perfectly credible. I received this ebook free, but am so hooked that I’ll willingly pay for every future adventure of Pete & Mark. (less)
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