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    Trail of Dead
    Trail of Dead
    Trail of Dead
    Audiobook10 hours

    Trail of Dead

    Written by Melissa F. Olson

    Narrated by Amy McFadden

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Book 2 of the Scarlett Bernard series

    As a null, Scarlett Bernard possesses a rare ability to counteract the supernatural by instantly neutralizing spells and magical forces. For years she has used her gift to scrub crime scenes of any magical traces, helping the powerful paranormal communities of Los Angeles stay hidden. But after LAPD detective Jesse Cruz discovered Scarlett’s secret, he made a bargain with her: solve a particularly grisly murder case, and he would stay silent about the city’s unearthly underworld.

    Now two dead witches are found a few days before Christmas, and Scarlett is once again strong-armed into assisting the investigation. She soon finds a connection between the murders and her own former mentor, Olivia, a null who mysteriously turned into a vampire and who harbors her own sinister agenda. Now Scarlett must revisit her painful past to find Olivia—unless the blood-drenched present claims her life first.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateOct 22, 2013
    ISBN9781480558441
    Trail of Dead
    Author

    Melissa F. Olson

    Melissa F. Olson is the author of numerous Old World novels and stories, as well as the novella Nightshades and its two sequels. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and two jittery chinchillas. Read more about her work and life at www.MelissaFOlson.com.

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    Reviews for Trail of Dead

    4/5

    127 ratings10 reviews

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    • 1/5
      I have only listened to 3 chapters so far, it is so similar in storyline as the Secret McQueen series by Jessica Dean. Main character is supernatural, is pulled into a crime investigation, has a sister who also has supernatural abilities and has a Hot guy in her life.
      Listened for another chapter, and nope, can’t finish. The story may be ok, it’s the narrator, just too breathy.
    • 4/5
      Although the werewolves and vampires in this series are pretty typical of what I've encountered in other urban fantasy series, the "nulls" are an interesting touch. But what I like best about the series is the narrator's humor and personality. Scarlett reminds me of some of my favorite urban fantasy heroines, and that will certainly keep me coming back for more.
    • 3/5
      General enjoyment but Scarlett whined too much. On to the next book.
    • 5/5
      Trail of Dead by Melissa F Olson and narrated by Amy McFadden is book two in the series. This fantasy novel has Scarlet dealing with an ex-friend then foe who is still after Scarlet and her new friends. Murders, witches, werewolves, vampires,and magic. Lots of magic and suspense with complicated romance thrown in! Scarlet is a Null which means she cancels out other magic when close. Weres shift back to humans, vampires are briefly human again, and magic from witches won't work. She has also learned other tricks that she has to keep secret.Great narration! Really adds to the story!
    • 2/5
      Overall, Trail of Dead was fine. I read it because I already owned the paperback, and I'll read the next for the same reason. But I recommend you get your copy from the library.

      Here's the thing that makes no sense about this trilogy's love triangle: one of the prospective beaus gets his own POV. It's third, as opposed to Scarlett's first person POV, but it's still his POV. This whole will-they-won't-they is tedious and pointless--we already know the answer. Also, the reader has no perspective on either love interests as people outside of the fact that they're hot and both care about Scarlett.

      ETA: I am tentatively retracting my complaints about the love triangle. I still have Opinions about it, both good and bad, but basically Olsen was working to subvert the whole idea of a love triangle. Not that there isn't one, but it's actually pretty well developed. I will totally grant her that much.
    • 4/5
      Scarlett Bernard has to face the killer of her parents, and former mentor, Olivia. Once a null, Olivia is now a vampire and she wants Scarlett. So Olivia joins forces with a witch to gather the magic they need and leave a path of death in their wake. Scarlett know this has something to do with her and she is not going to let any more innocents die if she can help it.This is turning out to be a really fun series. Scarlett is just snarky enough to get a laugh yet the story is dark and dangerous. It is a nice combination. The world creation continues in the book but it is still pretty easy to understand. There is plenty of action. I like Olson's writing style. Sone chapters are first person Scarlett and others are third person Jesse, the detective. This way you can know what is going on in a couple of different places at the same time. It works for Olson. I am looking forward to more Scarlett.
    • 4/5
      Decent storyline, character development, & plot. Mystery, murder, spying, & mayhem abound in book 2.
    • 3/5
      I didn't like this quite as much as the first book in the series, but it was a pretty good read. I'm kind of bored by the trope of "people trying to protect the heroine therefore she goes off by herself". Meh. But the last third of the book was well-paced and interesting and drew me back in. I still like the way the author splits between first person for the heroine and third person for the police detective's POV. Well-written.
    • 4/5
      Scarlett Bernard is a null; something that is both useful but dangerous for the supernatural community, as when they’re in her range, without their magic, they’re nothing more than human. She works for them as a cleaner; someone who cleans up their messes to keep the public from learning they exist. At the end of the last book we learn that her psychopath mentor, Olive, hadn’t died a year ago of cancer as they’d been led to believe. She’s now a vampire, hooked up with a powerful witch with an agenda to displace the current leaders and to claim Scarlett as part of her family.With everyone she’s close to as a target, Scarlett dwells a lot on how everyone would be safer if she wasn’t in the picture. I found that aspect realistic, but the angst causes the story to drag somewhat. There is plenty of emotion, both from this as well as her feelings for both Eli, a werewolf, and Jesse, a cop. What I like about Scarlett is that unlike the kick butt heroines evident in so many urban fantasy stories—and don’t get me wrong, I enjoy them—she’s just learning about the one thing she can do, and don’t expect her to be saving the day much with that ability. But she never gives up, even when badly hurt or when things look hopeless.
    • 5/5
      Book Info: Genre: Urban FantasyReading Level: AdultRecommended for: fans of urban fantasy, those looking for a female-lead urban fantasy with less romance and more actionBook Available: June 4, 2013 in Kindle and Paperback formatsTrigger Warnings: murder, violenceMy Thoughts: This is the second book in the Scarlett Bernard series, following Dead Spots, which I read and reviewed (linked where allowed) in March, 2013.One interesting thing about the style of these books is that the point of view goes back and forth between Scarlett and Jesse. Scarlett's sections are in first person and Jesse's in third person, which is a little strange, but it works. I definitely like this sort of thing better than a limited omniscient point of view, or head-hopping. This provides us enough different perspective to tell a bit more of the story, but not so much that it confuses the reader in the end.I really have been enjoying the Scarlett Bernard series because there isn't the focus on romance that so many female-lead urban fantasies (or FLUF as one of the people I follow calls them) have. Scarlett is busy with her work and while there is some romance, and even a sort-of triangle, it isn't the focus and it isn't obtrusive. I really enjoy this. I also really love the secondary characters. Dashiell, especially amuses me. “I believe the term you humans use is ahem...” for instance, or the way startling Jesse with his speed amuses him. He may be inhuman and terrifying at times, but I really like his character. I also liked Runa and feel bad for her the way things turned out. Kirsten is also a great character and I hope an upcoming book will provide more of a focus on her. Molly, of course, is also a very good character.So, all in all, as is obvious, I do highly recommend these books for people who have been looking for a female-lead urban fantasy that is less romance and more action. These are great books and I will definitely be following this series. There is no word on when the next book will come out, but I'm really hoping for book 3 next year!Disclosure: I received a paperback ARC from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.Synopsis: As a null, Scarlett Bernard possesses a rare ability to counteract the supernatural by instantly neutralizing spells and magical forces. For years she has used her gift to scrub crime scenes of any magical traces, helping the powerful paranormal communities of Los Angeles stay hidden. But after LAPD detective Jesse Cruz discovered Scarlett’s secret, he made a bargain with her: solve a particularly grisly murder case, and he would stay silent about the city’s unearthly underworld.Now two dead witches are found a few days before Christmas, and Scarlett is once again strong-armed into assisting the investigation. She soon finds a connection between the murders and her own former mentor, Olivia, a null who mysteriously turned into a vampire and who harbors her own sinister agenda. Now Scarlett must revisit her painful past to find Olivia—unless the blood-drenched present claims her life first.