I finished this in one sitting, it was that good. I particularly appreciated the multiple funny moments in this book that had me laughing out loud. Jimmy and Steps are definitely brothers even if they are from different mothers. This was well written, the characters are awesome, and the plot kept you on your toes.

I want to read this again but I still have 23 more books from the library to get through first. ( )

When a pair of feet are discovered in a cooler, in judge's house in El Paso the Special Tracking Unit of the FBI have a new case. The victim is unknown, the motive unknown but Magnus 'Steps' Craig has a unique ability which helps him track people.
A good well-written murder mystery, believable dialogue and well-drawn characters.
A NetGalley Book ( )

A federal judge in Texas comes home to a strange cooler left in his house. The cooler contains a pair of severed feet. Magnus "Steps'' Craig and Jimmy Donovan are sent to investigate. They are members of a special FBI group, the Special Tracking Unit. Steps has an unusual gift. He sees people in varying colors, which allows him to see if victims have been killed by the same person because of traces of color left on the bodies. His gift has to be kept secret. And, although his gift helps them in investigations, it can't be used as evidence at a trial, so the tracking unit has to find concrete proof usable in court. More severed feet are found, so Steps and Jimmy are racing against time to identify the killer.

I have to admit the plot of this book is really strange. Severed feet in ice coolers. Creative and disturbing. If it had been in the least overdone, it would have come off as ridiculous....but this book is well-written and it was just dead on creepy and suspenseful. I liked how the two FBI agents work so well together. I also enjoyed how Steps' power comes with a cost -- blinding headaches and the need to keep it completely secret. Interesting concept for a crime series....I like it!

Whispers of the Dead is the 2nd book in the Special Tracking Unit series. I'm definitely going back to read book one! I jumped in at book 2 easily and was still able to understand the characters and the plot, but book one obviously contains more background on the unit and the main characters. It isn't necessary to read book one though. I still totally loved this story without reading the first book in the series.

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** ( )

4.5 stars.

Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope is an innovative mystery starring a protagonist with an unusual skill that is utilized while solving murders. This second installment in the Special Tracking Unit series can stand on its own, but I highly recommend Collecting the Dead as well.

Tracker Magnus "Steps" Craig and his partner Special Agent Jimmy Donovan are two members of the FBI's Special Tracking Unit. Steps has an unusual ability to "see" a person's "shine" (aura) and this allows him to track people associated with their cases. Of course, since no one would take these cases seriously based on Steps' findings, he and Jimmy work together to find the physical evidence to back up what the "shine" reveals to him. Helping them with research and other assorted administrative tasks is FBI Analyst Diane Parker, who remains in the dark about Steps' special skill.

Steps and Jimmy's current case begins with the discovery of a pair of frozen feet left in a judge's home in El Paso. Steps, of course, immediately zeros in on both the victim's and suspect's shine but who either of them are remains a huge mystery. Steps comes up with a clever way to narrow down the victim pool, but will he and Jimmy uncover his identity? When another pair of feet are left in a defense attorney's home in Tucson, the killer's shine is the same as the first scene. In this case, Jimmy and Steps have a much easier time identifying the victim. When the victims' corpses begin to turn up, Jimmy and Steps find themselves in Baton Rouge and various other places in Texas. The trail then leads the FBI agents to New Mexico where they are in a race against time to uncover the killer's identity and the (heartbreaking) motive for these gruesome murders.

Steps and Jimmy are partners on the job, but they also share a close friendship. They consider each other family and they are protective of one another even though they occasionally get on each other's nerves. The banter between them is absolutely hilarious and it is quite fun to picture them on their car trips.

Whispers of the Dead is a riveting mystery that is fast-paced and engaging. All of the characters are well-developed and multi-faceted with true to life traits. Steps' ability to see a person's "shine" is a clever addition to his sleuthing repertoire and it is very easy to visualize how the process works. Spencer Kope keeps the killer's identity and motive for the crimes tightly under wraps until the novel's exciting conclusion. The brief glimpses of the case that has haunted Steps for many years will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next installment in the the Special Tracking Unit series.
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Whispers of the Dead is the second book in a fun series with a unique premise. While it can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend starting with Collecting the Dead, book 1.

Most of the story is written from Steps' perspective, in first person. I really enjoy his character. We get to know him on a personal level, so there is a lot of depth beyond the whodunit mystery. The banter between Steps and his partner Jimmy provides comic relief around the details of the series of grisly murders.

The killer's perspective is also included, written in third person, though without revealing the identity. I always appreciate a glimpse into the dark mind of the killer, and this is handled well.

The plot keeps us guessing until the very end, as we go along with Steps and the team, uncovering clues and putting the pieces together. The concept of Steps using "shine" to track the killer is intriguing, giving the story a totally different feel than the typical investigation style.

While the plot here is wrapped up at the end, there is a bit of a cliffhanger carried through from book 1.

*The publisher provided me with an ebook copy, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.* ( )