The Messenger, by Jan Burke (REVIEW) — Life as an Immortal in L.A.'s Foothills

As a reader, the news that one of your favorite authors is branching out can either be “uh-oh” or “yay”—are they leaving the writing you love behind... or adding something fresh to their repertoire?

 

After learning that Jan Burke was taking a break from her popular mystery series about newspaper reporter Irene Kelly and trying something new, I was intrigued.

 

And when I discovered her new foray, The Messenger, was a supernatural thriller-slash-paranormal romance, well... I figured an author who’s won as many awards as she has, would most likely deliver.

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The story begins with a salvage dive that doesn't quite go according to plan. 

 

Not that anyone ever plans on multiple equipment malfunctions. Or attacks by sharks. Or the strange and out-of-the-ordinary something that occurs in the ocean depths that day. (Nobody plans for that.) 

 

How the story unfolds is fascinating, as we begin to follow a mysterious young man (Tyler Hawthorne) who turns out to be so much more than he appears. 

 

He seems to be a handsome, intelligent, and (surprisingly) old-fashioned chap in his mid-20s... but the reality is that he's been made an immortal, and his "job" is comforting the dying by speaking for them when they no longer can. 

 

He comes to rue the course his life has taken, though, after moving to L.A.'s foothills and meeting his new next-door neighbor—Amanda, a complicated young woman who neither trusts nor has any intention of liking him. 

 

(In fact, she's convinced he's pulling a con—trying to get dying people to give him the combinations to their safes or change their wills.)

 

Only gradually do they form an uneasy friendship.

 

But his hopes for a relationship are soon overshadowed by a greater concern: an enemy from long-ago is back, and wants to put an end to Tyler's immortality, once and for all.

 

Worse, he’ll kill anyone around Tyler to achieve that goal.

 

 

The Messenger was a really good palate cleanser. There wasn't so much a mystery (aside from "just what are these people?") as there was a growing suspense, which worked well. 

The budding relationship between Tyler and Amanda, from the prickly to the not-prickly stage, felt "right". 

 

Several compelling side characters were also present—either to facilitate matters or throw spanners in the works—and they added to the story in notable ways.

 

Tyler's ability was one of the most interesting parts of the story, as he interacted with the dying on multiple occasions. It felt fresh; I’d never seen that idea before. 

 

And then there’s a dog—a gigantic dog, actually—with a major, really good role in the plot. (So, dog lovers, take note.) 

Finally, it should be noted that there isn't anything overly graphic in this story (language, sexual situations, etc.), so this one could easily work as a YA novel, as well.

 

In all, The Messenger was a fast, enjoyable read. It won't be for everyone, but if you’re intrigued, you should definitely give it a try.
~GlamKitty