Cover Image: To Catch a Storm

To Catch a Storm

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Intelligent writing and characters but it has taken me a long time to get stuck in . I keep putting it down! The set up is a long gestation for me. I see other reviews have really gone for it .. so I am just wrong reader!

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This mystery/thriller is told from three perspectives. Eve is a professor whose estranged husband goes missing with his car found on fire in a rain storm. Max is the detective investigating the case. And Jonah is a psychic who has a vision of Matthew. Jonah is Max’s friend and used to help him with his cases, but now that the police department has banned him, he instead teams up with the skeptical Eve to investigate on their own.

This book started out a really slow mystery, before taking a turn somewhere midway and becoming a rather preposterous thriller. I was feeling fairly meh on it, and then some completely unbelievable twists toward the end made it even worse.

I am all over the place with Mindy Mejia’s books - gave her first book 4.5 stars, her second book 2.5, her third book 4 stars, and now I’m back to 2.5 with this one. And given her next book is a sequel to this, I’m going to pass.

I got this one from Netgalley last year and never got to it, so decided to try it on audio from the library since it was relatively short and had 3 audio narrators, one for each character. Unfortunately I didn’t really care for any of the narrators. Oh well.

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This story is told in first person alternating narratives by Eve, Jonah and Max. The mystery of Eve’s missing husband and his car fire immediately intrigued me. Max is the detective on the case and his estranged best friend, Jonah, finds a connection with a case he’s already working and is a psychic PI, at least sort of. I love a cop/psychic pairing in mysteries, although this turned out to be more of a psychic/atmospheric scientist pairing. I was immediately pulled in by this fast-paced tale.

While I really enjoyed getting to know the characters of Eve and Jonah, I admit to spending most of the book frustrated with Max because of his treatment of Jonah and refusal to speak out against others who disparaged Jonah. Max formerly acted on tips he received from Jonah, but something happened that left Max injured and is often referenced but left ambiguous for most of the story. His refusal to speak up tinted my view of his character.

I enjoyed the dynamic between the very scientific minded Eve and the psychic Jonah who was trying to convince her of his visions of her husband in a barn somewhere. I also loved that Eve was a stormchaser, which was very convenient at times especially at the end. LOL. Eve was a very relatable character, worried for her disabled father-in-law and frustrated over her husband’s recent situation.

Recommended to fast-paced mystery/thriller lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a copy provided for an honest review.

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Auf der Rückkehr von einem Flug zur Sturmerkundung, beobachtet die Meteorologin Eve Roth während der Landung ein Stück entfernt vom Flughafen dunkle Wolken, wie von einem Feuer oder einer Explosion. Doch es bleibt keine Zeit für weitere Gedanken dazu, denn ihr Schwiegervater ruft sie eilig nach Hause, da ihr Mann Matthew vermisst wird, er wollte laut einer Notiz etwas überprüfen. Es sind schon zwei Polizisten vor Ort, die seltsame Fragen stellen. Es stellt sich heraus, dass das Fahrzeug ihres Mannes ausgebrannt ist. Er war nicht im Fahrzeug und gilt somit als vermisst.

Jonah Kendrick hat wieder Visionen zum Fall der verschwundenen Celina, doch nun hat er einen Mann in ihrer Nähe gesehen und weitere Details erkannt. Er sucht seinen Polizeikontakt Max auf, obwohl die Chefetage beschlossen hat, nicht mehr mit ihm zusammen zu arbeiten. Doch Max ist gerade Matthews Vermisstenfall zugewiesen worden und er befragt Eve und ihren Schwiegervater. Da ihr Mann seit einigen Monaten wegen einer vermeintlichen Affaire nicht mehr unterrichten darf, ist sie schnell selbst tatverdächtig. Trotz der Vorkommnisse vor einigen Monaten haben sie noch im gemeinsamen Haus zusammengelebt.

Eve beginnt selbst mit der Suche nach ihrem Mann, was ja eigentlich die Aufgabe der Polizei wäre. Jonah bietet sich schnell als Hilfe an. Doch als Physikerin will sie mit angeblichen paranormalen Kräften nichts zu tun haben. Es folgt ein sehr spannender Rückblick, wie Max und Jonah zur Zusammenarbeit gekommen sind, von da an baut sich die Spannung stetig auf. Der Druck Beweise zu sichern führt zu einer langen spannenden Verfolgungsjagd durch das eisbedeckte Iowa. Der Roman lässt sich flüssig lesen. Die Zusammenhänge sind komplexer als gedacht. Auch Kommissar Zufall hilft weiter und führt die Geschichte auf den Show Down zu.

Es folgt ein atemloses Ende, eine gigantische und brutale letzte Konfrontation. Den Bösewicht hätte ich nicht erraten. Die letzten Kapitel nach dem Ende geben einen Abschluss und einen eventuellen Ausblick auf weitere Geschichten. Sehr interessant, wie in diesem Buch die Existenz und Möglichkeiten erweiterter Sinne betrachtet werden.

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4 fresh, icy stars.
“I’ve learned there were two truths in every story.”

I enjoyed this fast-paced mystery with each chapter leading into the next. Three different narrators, a woman scientist, an injured police officer, and a male psychic enliven the narrative with unique perspectives. These characters all have interesting backstories. I enjoyed the contrasts between the scientist, who’s first duty is to leave biases behind and observe data objectively and the psychic, who lived by his gut and his dreams, even though this was not a path of his choosing.

Meija occasionally throws in a few fun paragraphs of interesting science and historical trivia. Sometimes she throws in some subtle humor. “Most of the stack was just handwritten ledgers, showing an insane number of customers who bought other people’s used clothes. Nothing like old sweat and laundered trauma.” Meija seamlessly blends in life observations. “So many people looked at Earl and only saw the wheelchair. They spoke to the stoke, not the man, or they treated him like a hard-of-hearing child. But Kendrick met my father-in-law’s eyes squarely and spoke to him with respect. It pieced something sharp and jagged back together in my heart.” BTW, father-in-law Earl, disabled from a stroke, is a great character too, well-rounded and capable.

Towards the end I had to suspend belief and go with the adventure ride, as it gets a bit too improbable. The final scenes of the mystery, with the unexpected and evil perpetrator went on too long. There is violence, (nothing overly graphic), but brief mentions of torture did not add to the story line.

“Entanglement happens when two particles interact and then separate, but the connection between them remains. They can be great distances apart from each other and when one particle spins, the other will spin in the same direction. They become tied to each other, regardless of space and time.” I’m glad I got entangled with To Catch a Storm. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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To Catch a Storm by Mindy Mejia was a fast-paced nail biter of a novel in which a physicist and a psychic team up to find a missing person. While flying her plane during a storm, Eve notices a fire in the woods. Her life is turned upside down when she realizes that the burning car belonged to her husband - who is currently missing and she doesn't know if he is dead or alive. While parts of this book were a little crazy and unbelieveable, I think it was entertaining and I think readers will enjoy the unlikely group that works together to find out the answers.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Eve Roth is a physicist whose husband goes missing. Amidst trying to find him, she meets Jonah, a psychic detective with his own investigation into a missing woman. The two pair together to find the missing persons as they might be interconnected.

While I liked the premise of the book and it was fast paced, I thought the story was a bit disjointed. Some of the action scenes were a little too drawn out. I ultimately didn’t like the supernatural aspect of it. I think I would’ve liked more science. I enjoyed the red herrings in the plot too. Overall, it was decent but I don’t think I’d read the next one in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this book. To Catch a Storm is out now.

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This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

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I was hooked and intrigued by this story from the first chapter - a missing husband, a strange car fire, and who is this Jonah with the very strange behavior? I really loved Eve's relationship and devotion to her father-in-law, and I sincerely appreciated the logical way her brain dealt with facts in order to problem solve. Add in Jonah, who is a psychic detective (who knew this was a thing - sign me up!), and a police officer I wasn't sure I would like and I was all in and could not read this book fast enough. The story is filled with nonstop information, an unlikely partnership, lots of action and danger, and I did not want it to end. I loved this book! I got to listen to Mindy speak at an author talk and she said this book is the first in a series and I am thrilled to hear this!

Living in the Iowa City area I really enjoyed the local references and thought Mindy did a great job.

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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This had such a great premise and could have been so good but it was too much, too fast for me. I found it to be very fast-paced but it didn't really grab my attention and my mind wandered several times when I was reading it. I didn't connect with any of the characters. This just wasn't for me.

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Yes! This was a smart and sharp thriller that I couldn't and wouldn't set down. Fortunately I had both the audiobook and print in my possession, so I didn't really have to set it down. I was a little worried the "science-y" stuff would bog it down, BUT IT DID NOT! A scientist and a psychic team up to solve a mystery and it could have been really, really weird, BUT IT WAS NOT. It was great. Read this.

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Anything that Mindy Mejia writes is an auto-request for me. CLICK. Her books are fun, creepy, and have fantastic cover art.

Here we've got a physicist and a psychic who reluctantly team up to solve two missing persons cases during an ice storm in Iowa. I really liked Eve and the way the story spooled out and kept us on our toes. Next, please!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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When Eve Roth’s husband disappears and his car is found in flames she is dumbfounded and her whole world is turned up-side down. She’s a scientist who believes in logical explanations even when nothing makes and she quickly rejects the help of a psychic detective who claims to know the location of Eve’s husband.

I had no idea what to expect when I started reading Ms Mejia’s newest book. There are so many elements that are unusual. First, it takes place in Iowa. I can count on one finger the number of mysteries I’ve read that take place in that state. Second, Eve is an academic scientist who does meteorological research and pilots her own plane. Again, a bit unusual. There’s the addition of her disabled father-in-law who provides another layer of interest. And finally, there’s the psychic detective who specializes in finding missing people.

This combination of elements, along with the author’s imagination and writing skills, has created a book that is enjoyable and interesting. The thought processes of the characters, the interactions, and the twists are well-constructed and, as a result, the book is hard to put down. It’s a good mystery along with a good cast of characters.

To Catch a Storm is the first book in a new series and I’m looking forward to book number two. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

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This was a good book, though I found, as other reviewers have, that it was a bit disjointed and the suspension of belief level was a tad high, but I did finish it. Dr Eve Roth is the prime suspect in the disappearance possible murder of her husband after his car was found burning and he is nowhere to be found She does have a iron clad alibi though, she was in an airplane doing research for her university class, and several of her students were with her. Her husband Matthew, also teaches at the same university but was suspended for allegations of inappropriate relations with a student, but now he's missing. A psychic, Kendrick, who is also a private detective, appears on Eve's doorstep to tell her that he's been seeing her husband in his dreams and that he's with his niece who is also missing. Of course she doesn't believe him, but circumstances change and the next thing you know they along with Eve's father in law (who had a stroke and has mobility and talking issues) are on the road in the middle of the worst storm in state history. From that point on it becomes more of a chase story, trying to stay one step ahead of the bad guys. Interesting story and I would recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Atlantic Monthly Press for the ARC.

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Now this was a thriller!

By far my most favorite book by Mindy Mejia.


Hire writing just gets better and better.

Highly recommend.

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Mindy Mejia’s newest series opener, “To Catch a Storm,” unveils a mesmerizing blend of mystery, the supernatural, and unexpected alliances. Against the backdrop of an ice storm in Iowa, Mejia crafts a gripping narrative that delves into the collaboration between a scientist and a psychic as they navigate the complexities of two missing-person cases. The novel introduces Eve Roth, a physicist, whose life takes a harrowing turn when her husband’s car is discovered abandoned and set ablaze during a rainstorm. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance lead to Eve being implicated as the prime suspect. Enter Jonah Kendrick, a psychic with a penchant for solving missing person cases through his unique abilities. His claim of having seen Eve’s husband in distress propels the two into an uneasy partnership. Despite Eve’s skepticism about the supernatural, the duo embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind their loved ones’ vanishing acts.

Mindy Mejia’s storytelling prowess shines as she constructs an intricate narrative that seamlessly blends the rational world of science with the enigmatic realm of psychic phenomena. The characters of Eve and Jonah are masterfully developed, each grappling with their own beliefs and doubts, yet driven by a shared purpose. Eve’s logical mind clashes with Jonah’s visions, creating an intriguing dynamic that propels the story forward. As the narrative unfolds, Mejia captures the frigid and foreboding atmosphere of the ice storm, effectively mirroring the suspense and chilling revelations within the plot. The alternating points of view among Eve, Jonah, and Max, a police detective entangled in the case, provide depth and perspective, enhancing the reader’s engagement with the characters and their evolving relationships.

While the plot may occasionally veer into moments of suspension of disbelief, the fast-paced narrative keeps readers engaged and invested in the outcome. The unexpected twists and turns culminate in a thrilling conclusion that ties up loose ends while leaving room for future installments in the series. “To Catch a Storm” sets the stage for an exciting and unique series that promises to explore the interplay between science, the unknown, and the resilience of the human spirit. Mindy Mejia’s captivating writing style, compelling characters, and intriguing premise make this novel a must-read for fans of mystery, the paranormal, and unconventional partnerships.

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This was an unexpected gem! While a physicist and a psychic solving a mystery doesn’t sound like your standard thriller/mystery novel, it’s definitely one that will surprise you!

Eve Roth is a physicist. She believes in science. She believes in her chemistry professor husband, until it comes to light that he’s been having an affair with a student at the university he lectures at.

Jonah Kendrick is a psychic. Until recently, he’s been helping police officer and friend Max solve crimes using his abilities. That is, at least, until chasing Jonah’s visions almost gets Max killed.

One day, Matthew goes missing after his car is found on fire… in the middle of a rainstorm. Suddenly, Eve’s world is turned upside down as the husband she thought she knew turns out to be someone very different.

This book was such an incredible page turner and I was GRIPPED. Even if you don’t believe in psychics or anything like that, this book will take you on a wild ride and I absolutely did not see the twists and turns that kept on coming. It definitely kept me on my toes!

A seriously strong 4 stars right here!

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Review published on BookloverBookReviews.com

To Catch A Storm, the intriguing title of Mindy Mejia’s latest novel speaks to the appealing recurrent theme within. From the car fire in a downpour that’s this mystery’s catalyst, to the unusual pairing of a hyper competent physicist and psychic barely hanging on to sanity determined to solve it, and lots more clever story elements, this novel considers the power of unlikely connections and the seemingly impossible being possible.

Mejia displays deft touch in her compelling exploration of the vulnerability of her otherwise largely feisty and determined character set. The trauma in this story feels real and the level of violence really packs a punch. But the readers’ burden in this respect is eased somewhat by a well-plotted, high-stakes investigation carried out at an almost frenetic pace.

To Catch a Storm features one of my favourite narrative structures, alternating first-person. However, it was always going to be a tough one to pull off cleanly with one of the leads being able to feel and see what others are. The first-person perspective provided great insight into that character’s abilities, but at times I was momentarily confused as to which character’s viewpoint I was reading. Thankfully, the perspectives alternate relatively quickly and Mejia sign-posts changes with character name headings, so any confusion I had was very short-lived.

Without giving away any spoilers, in To Catch a Storm Mindy Mejia has delivered a satisfyingly engaging, action mystery thriller with lots of clever blindsides.

I look forward to seeing what trouble this enigmatic new amateur detective pairing and compelling support characters manage to get themselves mixed-up in next.

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I wanted to love this one.
I usually love books with psychics but I found it hard to buy into Jonah’s abilities.
The book is fast paced. It alternates between three different point of views. I did find it hard to envision the scenes I was reading.

I did really like previous books by this author and can’t wait to read more!

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Eve Roth’s husband goes missing, and his car is found abandoned and on fire. She is all about using logic and deduction to solve any problem. Well trying to solve the mystery of her husbands disappearance, she crosses paths with Jonah Kendrick, a psychic detective whose investigation intersects with her own.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the relationship between Eve and Jonah, two opposites. These characters trying to solve the mystery really kept me reading.

My only criticism, would be that, there it was no surprise that Eve’s husband Matthew turned out to morally corrupt. It was just for a different reason than we thought at the start of the book.

I found the plot unique and refreshing, and will definitely be reading the next in the series.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book to read and review.

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