A Deadly Web (A Bishop Files Novel)

I've been rereading Kay Hooper's earlier books. I own several of them. When I saw A Deadly Web, I added it to my Wist List and I waited. I was not very impressed with her later books and this one was outright disappointing.

I would start off commenting about the plot but it doesn't actually have one. There are a number of things going on, but none of them fit my description of an actual novel plot. It appears to be set-up for additional novels, introducing Tasha in the middle of a mess that affects the Bishops, the MacKenzies and other characters from the disappearing psychics plot line.

Understanding it requires knowing who those major characters are and what's going on. Its not a stand alone novel. In fact, I came on to check whether or not I missed the explanation of why this "novel" has no plot nor action. There are simply to many characters and to little coherent story.

This is book two of Kay Hooper’s series Bishop Files a spinoff of the popular series Bishop/Special Crimes Unit unfortunately it hasn’t reached the greatness of the original series. This one was a lot of talk and hardly anything exciting. I almost think that it could have been cut down and turned into a novella and been a great in between. With as little action; and by that I don’t mean action movie action I mean it’s lacking much of anything but lots talking, it is almost like it’s building up to something big (man I hope it is).

John Brodie is a guardian in a nameless secret network of psychics set on saving the psychics before they disappear. Psychics have been disappearing for years and now with the help of Bishop and the SCU they have more of a chance. Tasha is powerful, more powerful than she ever thought and she is the next target. To prove his sincerity Brodie allows her inside his mind and when that happens they connect on a new level. Tasha has felt someone watching her for weeks now and Brodie’s sudden appearance in her affirms this as does a mysterious voice in her head that is not hers, a voice that tells her when they are coming for her and helps her evade them.

The book also has sporadic sections of other psychics suddenly aware or someone watching them and quickly followed by their disappearance. Bishop and Miranda are in this one more than the first book two psychics they have contacted have disappeared and now are closer to finding out who is behind it all and if they can get their friends back.
Overall I wanted more out of the book. I know I’ll read the next one just see where this all is leading.

excellent

I am a HUGE fan of Kay Hooper and her Bishop/SCU novels. The Bishop Files books are a little different but the first one I thought was well written and kept me interested. This one, however, is probably the worst Kay Hooper book I have ever read. The plot was lacking, the characters were stale, there wasn't any "drama" and, quite frankly, I had to force myself to finish it. I'm assuming this was written to tie together the first Bishop Files book with the next, but without the next book, it's just not good.

The character relationships were also weird. Bishop and Miranda, who have been married for years, should not be having conversations about some of the things they talked about. They work together, they know each other. They don't need to talk about how he meets psychics, that could have easily been explained in a regular paragraph of his thoughts rather than in a conversation. I found that happened multiple times throughout the novel.

I will, of course, continue reading her books, but this one...I wish I hadn't bothered until the next Bishop Files comes out so that at least, if it is a bridge book, it would make more sense.

This should have been a novella or a short story. Not even a good read.

I, too, am disappointed in this book. I just read The First Prophet, the first book in this new series, and had trouble finishing it, but I did. This second book is just nothing. It does not add anything much to the series other than introducing a couple of new characters. I did finish it but I kept waiting for something to happen. The book just stopped, no ending, just stopped. It was like Ms. Hooper just got tired of writing a lot of what she had written in the first book and decided to stop. She did add the epilogue which at least gave us a clue as to what happened to the little girl, Annabel. I have read most of Ms. Hooper's other books and usually enjoy them, but not this one and really not The First Prophet either. At least I read them as library books and didn't pay any money for them!

It was ok. I like Kay Hooper novels usually, but this one was boring. The plot seemed to go nowhere. I think that it was used to set up future books, but it was a disappointment as a stand alone. I wouldn't recommend this book.

I have loved Kay Hooper books for years. The wonderful character development, underlying suspense, and paranormal twists make for great reads. However, this book lacked most of the elements that make her writing so compelling. Yes, earlier favorite characters make an appearance, but the actual plot is lacking any sort of coherent flow. Too many allusions to "shadows" and conspiracy plots, without any real plan to combat them. When I reached the last page, I honestly couldn't believe it. It felt like such an abrupt ending, with nothing resolved. And the casual mention at the end that the psychic orphan had been adopted by Sarah and Tucker. Huh? After introducing us to the little girl's tragic circumstances and point of view, we (the readers) didn't get to experience the emotion of her finding a safe place, and a loving couple to adopt her. It's just mentioned as an afterthought? Felt cheated on that one. This book could have been edited much better, paring down the narrative and adding more action. The main two characters are basically left in limbo at the end. I understand that it's a series, but there should be some sort of resolution (whether it's plot, relationship,something...).

To say I am disappointed would be putting it mildly. I have loved this series from the beginning. Not so with this book. The other books in this series have intricate plot lines. And there was always some romantic intrigue with the male & female leads. Nothing in this book. I almost feel it was only half finished. It introduced us to 2 characters I liked, but very vanilla, no romance. Borrrring! There could have been some really good back stories that showed us who they were, & how they got that way. Especially the male lead.

The story has a long way to go to completion. I would rather wait another couple months to get the complete story. Now I will wonder if this series has run it's course...which will be sad because I have loved it from the first book:(

As with all of Kay Hooper’s novels, when I read A Deadly Web, I was definitely not disappointed. The novel is a part of the Bishop Files collection the author has been publishing for years now. And although having the knowledge of previously published novels centered around the SCU/Bishop Files is definitely a benefit when reading A Deadly Web, the knowledge is not necessary, the book being so well written, with back stories included, that it can stand alone.

I enjoyed every minute reading this novel. I was so enthralled by the story line and the depth of the characters, I finished the novel within two days! Being a long time fan of Kay Hooper, specifically her Bishop Files novels, I was especially eager to read A Deadly Web. Every novel centered around the SCU/Bishop files includes information from other novels in the collection, creating a labyrinth of interconnecting stories. In this novel, a glimpse into how all these story lines connect is shared, yet not completely given away. Leaving the reader in eager suspense until the next novel arrives.