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The Booking Agents #2
Flight Risk
Inconsistent psychic Leda Foley and Seattle detective Grady Merritt return to solve the case of a missing couple in this sequel to the “delightful” ( The New York Times Book Review ) mystery Grave Reservations .
When psychic travel agent Leda Foley is approached by a man searching for his sister, she quickly agrees to help. The missing woman disappeared with a vintage orange car, a fat sack of her employer’s cash, and a grudge against her philandering husband—a man who never even reported her missing.
Meanwhile, Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt has temporarily misplaced his dog. While he’s passing out bright pink “Lost” flyers at the Mount Rainier visitor’s center, the wayward pooch appears—with a human leg in his mouth.
Thanks to DNA matching, Grady learns that the leg has something to do with Leda’s new client, and soon the two cases are tangled.
Theories abound, but law enforcement is low on leads. Lucky for Grady, Leda has a few ideas that might just be crazy enough to work. They’ll need one yellow dog, a fair share of teamwork, and perhaps a bit of Klairvoyant Karaoke to piece the clues together in this “undeniable treat” (Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author) of a mystery.
When psychic travel agent Leda Foley is approached by a man searching for his sister, she quickly agrees to help. The missing woman disappeared with a vintage orange car, a fat sack of her employer’s cash, and a grudge against her philandering husband—a man who never even reported her missing.
Meanwhile, Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt has temporarily misplaced his dog. While he’s passing out bright pink “Lost” flyers at the Mount Rainier visitor’s center, the wayward pooch appears—with a human leg in his mouth.
Thanks to DNA matching, Grady learns that the leg has something to do with Leda’s new client, and soon the two cases are tangled.
Theories abound, but law enforcement is low on leads. Lucky for Grady, Leda has a few ideas that might just be crazy enough to work. They’ll need one yellow dog, a fair share of teamwork, and perhaps a bit of Klairvoyant Karaoke to piece the clues together in this “undeniable treat” (Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author) of a mystery.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2022
About the author
Cherie Priest
72 books4,161 followersCherie Priest is the author of two dozen books and novellas, most recently The Toll, The Family Plot, The Agony House, and the Philip K. Dick Award nominee Maplecroft; but she is perhaps best known for the steampunk pulp adventures of the Clockwork Century, beginning with Boneshaker. Her works have been nominated for the Hugo and Nebula awards for science fiction, and have won the Locus Award (among others) – and over the years, they’ve been translated into nine languages in eleven countries. Cherie lives in Seattle, WA, with her husband and a menagerie of exceedingly photogenic pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 442 reviews
September 12, 2022
Psychic travel agent, Leda Foley, Niki Nelson, her spitfire best friend, and detective Grady Merritt are back in action after the events of book one, Grave Reservations, review, and once again I’m loving it!
When Grady’s dog goes missing in Mount Rainier National park and is found a few days later carrying a man’s leg in his mouth, so begins the mystery of “Mr. Leg”, as he (or at least that part of him) is initially referred to. In Leda’s travel agent office, she’s approached by the brother of a missing woman, who’s been gone for a month, but only reported missing by her husband a couple weeks prior, after she disappeared with a bag of her employer’s money. When it later becomes evident that these two cases are connected, Grady and Leda once again combine their collective skills to help solve these cases.
Here’s my argument for reading this series:
It’s fun! It’s absolutely, preposterously unrealistic, but who cares? It’s a cozy mystery in the vein of every silly TV detective series you’ve ever seen, and it’s the absurdity of it that makes it so charming!
Leda is quirky in a way that reminds me, ever so slightly, of a few other favorite female characters of mine like Nina Hill, Eleanor Oliphant or Molly the Maid. She’s often unfiltered and headstrong, but she’s also well-meaning, kind, funny and resourceful, and I always enjoy seeing what her “woo-woo vibes”, as she calls them, tell her. Put Leda with her even more unfiltered friend, Niki, and you know trouble is coming - in the good way!
Leda and Grady balance each others’ personalities perfectly. He’s the level-headed, play (mostly) by the rules type, and she’s the “go where the spirit takes me” type, and the push and pull of their friendship is always entertaining. I LOVE that the author hasn’t pushed even a hint of romance between them. How refreshing!
There are dogs. I’m more of a cat person, myself, but even I couldn’t resist the charms of Grady’s “I’ll eat anything, including dead people parts” dog, Cairo, and another detective’s scent-sniffing dog, T-Rex. Equally cute is Leda’s absolute devotion to her goldfish, Brutus, but that’s another story …
My only downsides are that I wasn’t quite as enamored of this storyline or its resolution as in the first book, and it felt like it took awhile for Leda’s psychic abilities to really come into play, but these characters have created a lot of goodwill in my heart for them, so I fully enjoyed it nonetheless. I still have my fingers crossed that this gets made into a TV series!
If you want good, silly, cozy mystery fun that you don’t need to take too seriously, it’s a great series, and I’ll definitely be in line for book #3!
★★★★
Thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley and author Cherie Priest for this ARC to honestly review. It’s due for publication on November 1st, 2022.
When Grady’s dog goes missing in Mount Rainier National park and is found a few days later carrying a man’s leg in his mouth, so begins the mystery of “Mr. Leg”, as he (or at least that part of him) is initially referred to. In Leda’s travel agent office, she’s approached by the brother of a missing woman, who’s been gone for a month, but only reported missing by her husband a couple weeks prior, after she disappeared with a bag of her employer’s money. When it later becomes evident that these two cases are connected, Grady and Leda once again combine their collective skills to help solve these cases.
Here’s my argument for reading this series:
It’s fun! It’s absolutely, preposterously unrealistic, but who cares? It’s a cozy mystery in the vein of every silly TV detective series you’ve ever seen, and it’s the absurdity of it that makes it so charming!
Leda is quirky in a way that reminds me, ever so slightly, of a few other favorite female characters of mine like Nina Hill, Eleanor Oliphant or Molly the Maid. She’s often unfiltered and headstrong, but she’s also well-meaning, kind, funny and resourceful, and I always enjoy seeing what her “woo-woo vibes”, as she calls them, tell her. Put Leda with her even more unfiltered friend, Niki, and you know trouble is coming - in the good way!
Leda and Grady balance each others’ personalities perfectly. He’s the level-headed, play (mostly) by the rules type, and she’s the “go where the spirit takes me” type, and the push and pull of their friendship is always entertaining. I LOVE that the author hasn’t pushed even a hint of romance between them. How refreshing!
There are dogs. I’m more of a cat person, myself, but even I couldn’t resist the charms of Grady’s “I’ll eat anything, including dead people parts” dog, Cairo, and another detective’s scent-sniffing dog, T-Rex. Equally cute is Leda’s absolute devotion to her goldfish, Brutus, but that’s another story …
My only downsides are that I wasn’t quite as enamored of this storyline or its resolution as in the first book, and it felt like it took awhile for Leda’s psychic abilities to really come into play, but these characters have created a lot of goodwill in my heart for them, so I fully enjoyed it nonetheless. I still have my fingers crossed that this gets made into a TV series!
If you want good, silly, cozy mystery fun that you don’t need to take too seriously, it’s a great series, and I’ll definitely be in line for book #3!
★★★★
Thanks to Atria Books, NetGalley and author Cherie Priest for this ARC to honestly review. It’s due for publication on November 1st, 2022.
October 30, 2022
Book two of the The Booking Agents series.
Leda makes her living as a travel agent. But has a most interesting secret talent. It seems Leda possesses certain psychic abilities. While it doesn’t exactly pay the bills, she entertains the patrons of a local watering hole with her special talent. Here’s how it works… she holds an object a customer gives her and if her “woo-woo” (her term, not mine) is working she then picks a song that will mean something to that customer. Everyone loves it and her gig fills the house!
Leda is also known to dabble with the local police department helping solve difficult crimes.
This time she’s approached by the brother of a missing woman hoping Leda can find his sister. The police don’t seem to be taking the disappearance seriously.
Grady, a police detective and Ledas’ friend is working a separate case. They’re quick to realize both may be connected and once again they need to join forces.
Leda is a quirky, fun character and her psychic abilities sometimes put her in sticky situations. I find myself chuckling at all her shenanigans.
This book was as good as the previous, breezing through it in just over a day. And already looking forward to the next in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books.
Leda makes her living as a travel agent. But has a most interesting secret talent. It seems Leda possesses certain psychic abilities. While it doesn’t exactly pay the bills, she entertains the patrons of a local watering hole with her special talent. Here’s how it works… she holds an object a customer gives her and if her “woo-woo” (her term, not mine) is working she then picks a song that will mean something to that customer. Everyone loves it and her gig fills the house!
Leda is also known to dabble with the local police department helping solve difficult crimes.
This time she’s approached by the brother of a missing woman hoping Leda can find his sister. The police don’t seem to be taking the disappearance seriously.
Grady, a police detective and Ledas’ friend is working a separate case. They’re quick to realize both may be connected and once again they need to join forces.
Leda is a quirky, fun character and her psychic abilities sometimes put her in sticky situations. I find myself chuckling at all her shenanigans.
This book was as good as the previous, breezing through it in just over a day. And already looking forward to the next in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books.
November 11, 2022
Grady, Leda, and her bestie Nikki quickly find themselves with two cases. A missing woman is being sought by her brother who comes to Leda for help. Meanwhile, Grady's dog makes a grisly discovery out by Mt. Rainier. Soon there is a full-scale hunt through the park to find the rest of a body. Who did it belong to? Is this connected to Leda's case? Since Grady now believes that Leda has skills, it is now just a matter of him realizing when she will be most helpful. And Leda is gaining confidence. Nikki still loves to ride shotgun and she also has some unexpected abilities that might come in handy. I still say this would make an excellent TV series. Love the cover with Leda in her "sunnies." I still say this would make an excellent TV series. Is anyone working on that yet?
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Atria Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2022
I loved the first book in this series when I reviewed it last year - I really enjoyed this entry in the series too, which seems to have settled in quickly to its groove.
This time around Grady and Leda are still in touch, but on two separate cases. Surprising no-one, though, before too long they're back to working together, and the chemistry (platonic? so far!) is still there.
Actually the chemistry is still firmly there for the whole book - there's banter and quirk, just enough to make it great and not enough to feel like trying too hard. The characters are a fricking delight, and the "woo-woo stuff" is well done too - everything is well-balanced. I would have liked to see a little more in the way of growth for the series, maybe? It's not a big deal for me, but it does seem like everyone is still in a very similar place to the first book. It's a comforting thing to come back to, but just a tiny bit more momentum would be my preference.
Definitely a series I'll continue!
This time around Grady and Leda are still in touch, but on two separate cases. Surprising no-one, though, before too long they're back to working together, and the chemistry (platonic? so far!) is still there.
Actually the chemistry is still firmly there for the whole book - there's banter and quirk, just enough to make it great and not enough to feel like trying too hard. The characters are a fricking delight, and the "woo-woo stuff" is well done too - everything is well-balanced. I would have liked to see a little more in the way of growth for the series, maybe? It's not a big deal for me, but it does seem like everyone is still in a very similar place to the first book. It's a comforting thing to come back to, but just a tiny bit more momentum would be my preference.
Definitely a series I'll continue!
January 24, 2023
4.25/5
I really hope that Cherie Priest never stops writing this series because I NEVER want to leave Leda and Grady's world! In this second installment to The Booking Agents series, they start out on two seemingly separate cases, but of course, that doesn't last for long and they are once again working together. It was all of the fun of the last book with even more silliness and the audiobook picked up a male narrator for Grady which may have been my favorite part. Thankfully, Ulka Simone Mohanty was still the narrator for Leda, but unlike the audiobook for Grave Reservations, Flight Risk introduced Timothy Andrés Pabon as the narrator for Grady. Although he didn't sound as old as I would assume Grady would, I loved having him for those viewpoints and I would not mind if he came back in future books (please don't be the end after 2 books!).
I keep thinking that Leda and Grady may end up having a bit of romance, but if that is going to happen at any time, it definitely didn't happen here. They have a wonderful platonic relationship and I loved how it played out more in this book. Grave Reservations picked up about a year after the first book left off, and while we did get less of Leda’s psychic-singing, we got a bit more of a procedural feel thanks to her and Grady almost constantly searching for clues. The mystery isn’t too heavy, and this does read a bit like a cozy with plenty of wit and humor. You don’t have to read these books in order (so far), but I would still recommend doing so if only so you don’t miss out on where things started with Grady and other great character relationships. This is an easy, breezy book full of banter and if you want something to read for pure enjoyment, you won’t want to miss out!
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I really hope that Cherie Priest never stops writing this series because I NEVER want to leave Leda and Grady's world! In this second installment to The Booking Agents series, they start out on two seemingly separate cases, but of course, that doesn't last for long and they are once again working together. It was all of the fun of the last book with even more silliness and the audiobook picked up a male narrator for Grady which may have been my favorite part. Thankfully, Ulka Simone Mohanty was still the narrator for Leda, but unlike the audiobook for Grave Reservations, Flight Risk introduced Timothy Andrés Pabon as the narrator for Grady. Although he didn't sound as old as I would assume Grady would, I loved having him for those viewpoints and I would not mind if he came back in future books (please don't be the end after 2 books!).
I keep thinking that Leda and Grady may end up having a bit of romance, but if that is going to happen at any time, it definitely didn't happen here. They have a wonderful platonic relationship and I loved how it played out more in this book. Grave Reservations picked up about a year after the first book left off, and while we did get less of Leda’s psychic-singing, we got a bit more of a procedural feel thanks to her and Grady almost constantly searching for clues. The mystery isn’t too heavy, and this does read a bit like a cozy with plenty of wit and humor. You don’t have to read these books in order (so far), but I would still recommend doing so if only so you don’t miss out on where things started with Grady and other great character relationships. This is an easy, breezy book full of banter and if you want something to read for pure enjoyment, you won’t want to miss out!
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
January 3, 2023
Flight Risk (The Booking Agents, #2) by Cherie Priest
Synopsis /
When psychic travel agent Leda Foley is approached by a man searching for his sister, she quickly agrees to help. The missing woman disappeared with a vintage orange car, a fat sack of her employer’s cash, and a grudge against her philandering husband—a man who never even reported her missing.
Meanwhile, Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt has temporarily misplaced his dog. While he’s passing out bright pink “Lost” flyers at the Mount Rainier visitor’s centre, the wayward pooch appears—with a human leg in his mouth.
Thanks to DNA matching, Grady learns that the leg has something to do with Leda’s new client, and soon the two cases are tangled.
Theories abound, but law enforcement is low on leads. Lucky for Grady, Leda has a few ideas that might just be crazy enough to work. They’ll need one yellow dog, a fair share of teamwork, and perhaps a bit of Klairvoyant Karaoke to piece the clues together in this “undeniable treat” (Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author) of a mystery.
My Thoughts /
My favourite karaoke singing clairvoyant, Leda Foley, is back in Flight Risk which is the second book in the ‘Booking Agents’ cozy mystery series written by Cherie Priest. And just like the first book, Grave Reservations, the cover is both bright and eye catching……hint: the dog with a leg in its mouth is a (ahem) dead giveaway.
Flight Risk has Leda teaming up again with Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt to solve not one, but two mysterious deaths. The story opens with Grady and his daughter, Molly, taking a hiking trail around Mount Rainier, when their dog, Cairo, runs off. The smiling Labrador mix has been missing now for three days and Molly is desperate for his return. Travelling back and forth from the Mountain each day, the pair hand out flyers to any of the walkers who pass by. Grady is losing all hope they will find Cairo, when all at once they hear screams coming from the Skyline Trail.
‘Call the cops!’ one commanded. ‘Get the Rangers!’, hollered the other…’There’s a body! A dead body!’
The yellow Lab appears, with something dirty, stinking, and dead in its mouth. Thrilled with his find, Cairo is not about to handover his prize.
Molly gagged, ‘Oh my God, it is a leg, isn’t it?’ Well, there’s a shoe hanging off one end, so it’s probably a leg and a foot’, he said quietly. ‘Come on, buddy. Drop the leg’.
Although Mount Rainier and its surrounds are technically not within his jurisdiction, nevertheless, Grady is drawn into the investigation and the search for the rest of what might remain of ‘Mr. Leg’.
Meanwhile, running parallel to this first missing person’s case - Leda's psychic achievements have not gone unnoticed. She is hired by Dan Matarese to find his sister, Robin Reddick. “[she] . . . vanished . . . with a bank pouch full of cash . . . but I promise she didn’t steal it.” As Leda garners more information, she discovers that Robin was in a bad marriage to Professor Paul Reddick, a man whose affairs with his female students were many and frequent…..and, well-known on campus.
It’s here where the two investigations intertwine. Robin’s disappearance and Mr Leg may be connected. DNA evidence establishes that Mr Leg is actually, Professor Paul Reddick. The investigation becomes more complicated when it’s established that Robin disappeared more than a month before her husband. The plot thickens and the suspect pool grows.
This second book is equally as good as its predecessor. With more character development and the return of old favourites and some new quirky characters, the plot is your typical light-hearted and fun cozy read. The psychic side of things are played out with good natured humour, with everyone describing Leda’s clairvoyance as ‘woo-woo vibes’.
I’m off to a good start for my 2023 reading year. I am looking forward to what Priest has in store for our karaoke clairvoyant and detective next.
Synopsis /
When psychic travel agent Leda Foley is approached by a man searching for his sister, she quickly agrees to help. The missing woman disappeared with a vintage orange car, a fat sack of her employer’s cash, and a grudge against her philandering husband—a man who never even reported her missing.
Meanwhile, Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt has temporarily misplaced his dog. While he’s passing out bright pink “Lost” flyers at the Mount Rainier visitor’s centre, the wayward pooch appears—with a human leg in his mouth.
Thanks to DNA matching, Grady learns that the leg has something to do with Leda’s new client, and soon the two cases are tangled.
Theories abound, but law enforcement is low on leads. Lucky for Grady, Leda has a few ideas that might just be crazy enough to work. They’ll need one yellow dog, a fair share of teamwork, and perhaps a bit of Klairvoyant Karaoke to piece the clues together in this “undeniable treat” (Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author) of a mystery.
My Thoughts /
My favourite karaoke singing clairvoyant, Leda Foley, is back in Flight Risk which is the second book in the ‘Booking Agents’ cozy mystery series written by Cherie Priest. And just like the first book, Grave Reservations, the cover is both bright and eye catching……hint: the dog with a leg in its mouth is a (ahem) dead giveaway.
Flight Risk has Leda teaming up again with Seattle PD detective Grady Merritt to solve not one, but two mysterious deaths. The story opens with Grady and his daughter, Molly, taking a hiking trail around Mount Rainier, when their dog, Cairo, runs off. The smiling Labrador mix has been missing now for three days and Molly is desperate for his return. Travelling back and forth from the Mountain each day, the pair hand out flyers to any of the walkers who pass by. Grady is losing all hope they will find Cairo, when all at once they hear screams coming from the Skyline Trail.
‘Call the cops!’ one commanded. ‘Get the Rangers!’, hollered the other…’There’s a body! A dead body!’
The yellow Lab appears, with something dirty, stinking, and dead in its mouth. Thrilled with his find, Cairo is not about to handover his prize.
Molly gagged, ‘Oh my God, it is a leg, isn’t it?’ Well, there’s a shoe hanging off one end, so it’s probably a leg and a foot’, he said quietly. ‘Come on, buddy. Drop the leg’.
Although Mount Rainier and its surrounds are technically not within his jurisdiction, nevertheless, Grady is drawn into the investigation and the search for the rest of what might remain of ‘Mr. Leg’.
Meanwhile, running parallel to this first missing person’s case - Leda's psychic achievements have not gone unnoticed. She is hired by Dan Matarese to find his sister, Robin Reddick. “[she] . . . vanished . . . with a bank pouch full of cash . . . but I promise she didn’t steal it.” As Leda garners more information, she discovers that Robin was in a bad marriage to Professor Paul Reddick, a man whose affairs with his female students were many and frequent…..and, well-known on campus.
It’s here where the two investigations intertwine. Robin’s disappearance and Mr Leg may be connected. DNA evidence establishes that Mr Leg is actually, Professor Paul Reddick. The investigation becomes more complicated when it’s established that Robin disappeared more than a month before her husband. The plot thickens and the suspect pool grows.
This second book is equally as good as its predecessor. With more character development and the return of old favourites and some new quirky characters, the plot is your typical light-hearted and fun cozy read. The psychic side of things are played out with good natured humour, with everyone describing Leda’s clairvoyance as ‘woo-woo vibes’.
I’m off to a good start for my 2023 reading year. I am looking forward to what Priest has in store for our karaoke clairvoyant and detective next.
October 9, 2022
There are many kinds of humor, and Cherie Priest has crafted hers for broad-based appeal. Rather than gravitating to the cynical or sarcastic, this author proffers a proprietary blend of mostly charming seasoned with a side of sardonic-adjacent. Her style is never gratuitous or cruel, always perfectly balanced for an optimized upbeat mood. This murder mystery narrative is funny, the story is captivating, and the detective's sidekick sleuths are terrifically witty and enormously good-natured. An entertaining ride from the very first page to the last.
This is one of those exceedingly rare novels: one which can and should be recommended to anyone.
Thank you to Atria, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, and to #NetGalley, for providing an early copy of this book for review.
This is one of those exceedingly rare novels: one which can and should be recommended to anyone.
Thank you to Atria, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, and to #NetGalley, for providing an early copy of this book for review.
August 28, 2023
Leda, a travel agent and part-time psychic, gets swept up in the case of a dual disappearance when a couple is reported missing in seemingly unrelated circumstances.
This is the second book in The Booking Agents series, which follows Leda and a skeptical police detective, Grady, as they solve confounding crimes. I read the first book a few years back and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read Flight Risk, the sequel. However, it did not work as well for me as I had hoped.
I really liked the humor of the first book, and there is plenty of it in this one as well. Grady’s narration made me laugh a lot, particularly when it came to his daughter and his dog. The author managed to balance it with some eerie moments as well, particularly in the discovery of the bodies, and I liked how these two distinct undercurrents managed run sidelong each other throughout the book.
However, I was disappointed in the depiction of Leda and her friends. In the first book she is sometimes fumbling and often quirky, but in a way that was amusing and likable. Unfortunately, I felt the author was not able to recapture that quality accurately, and so Leda and her friends just became very irritating instead. Also, while the premise was interesting, the investigation of Robin and Paul’s disappearance felt like it meandered too long, and I ultimately couldn’t stay invested in the mystery. It’s a shame – I don’t think I will be continuing with this series.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is the second book in The Booking Agents series, which follows Leda and a skeptical police detective, Grady, as they solve confounding crimes. I read the first book a few years back and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read Flight Risk, the sequel. However, it did not work as well for me as I had hoped.
I really liked the humor of the first book, and there is plenty of it in this one as well. Grady’s narration made me laugh a lot, particularly when it came to his daughter and his dog. The author managed to balance it with some eerie moments as well, particularly in the discovery of the bodies, and I liked how these two distinct undercurrents managed run sidelong each other throughout the book.
However, I was disappointed in the depiction of Leda and her friends. In the first book she is sometimes fumbling and often quirky, but in a way that was amusing and likable. Unfortunately, I felt the author was not able to recapture that quality accurately, and so Leda and her friends just became very irritating instead. Also, while the premise was interesting, the investigation of Robin and Paul’s disappearance felt like it meandered too long, and I ultimately couldn’t stay invested in the mystery. It’s a shame – I don’t think I will be continuing with this series.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
February 16, 2023
A happy-go-lucky yellow dog finding finding human remains is one of my favorite things. I mean, it doesn't happen a lot, but when it does, it's hilarious to me. (See also: the movie Funny Farm.) This installment in the fabulous Booking Agents series has Leda working on a missing persons case, Grady working on a possible murder case . . . but are they connected?!
I love these characters, and I hope Cherie keeps going with this series!
I love these characters, and I hope Cherie keeps going with this series!
August 18, 2022
I am officially *into* this series. I enjoyed the first, and this second installment did not disappoint! The mystery itself was slightly more than fine - well thought out, a little gross, not all that shocking but still kept me guessing - but the real gem is the shtick between our main characters. Honestly - an accidental psychic police consultant and a cop solving crimes together is a truly delightful plot device. I’d call this one just north of a cozy - it’s not going to give you nightmares, but you’re not going to want to curl up in this world, either. Recommended for fans of Finlay Donovan - it’s those books are your vibe (they are mine!) this would be a great next series to pick up.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read an early copy!
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read an early copy!
June 11, 2022
Cherie Priest's mysteries for me always get me out of reading slumps - they're just cozy enough to keep me from going to bed with nightmares, but still have enough thrills to keep me intrigued. This installment was a bit less mysterious than the previous, but Leda still got into some psychic pshenanigans. (Can I just put P's in front of all of the S words or is that a Ben move?). Flight Risk was full of action, banter, and Cairo, literally the ABCs! The only fault here was just that the overarching plots were predictable, but I still can't wait to read the next one.
*Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*
December 28, 2022
This series has a real clever set-up. Our heroine, Leda Foley, is a psychic who talent manifests itself inconsistently. She will get flashes of information, but very seldom the whole picture. She's semi-officially working with Seattle policeman Grady Merritt as a 'consultant'.
I love Grady, but I find Leda very annoying. I have no idea how old Leda is supposed to be; I'm guessing late 20s-early 30s, but she often acts like an adolescent.
The actual mystery here was interesting and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. All sorts of twists, with everything being resolved to my satisfaction by the end.
I don't know if I'm going to continue with the series. I'll decide if/when the next book comes out.
I love Grady, but I find Leda very annoying. I have no idea how old Leda is supposed to be; I'm guessing late 20s-early 30s, but she often acts like an adolescent.
The actual mystery here was interesting and I enjoyed that aspect of the book. All sorts of twists, with everything being resolved to my satisfaction by the end.
I don't know if I'm going to continue with the series. I'll decide if/when the next book comes out.
Read
March 27, 2023Dnf 44%
November 2, 2022
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Mystery
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Flight Risk, by author Cherie Priest, is the second installment in the authors Booking Agent series. This story takes place about a year after Grave Reservation and alternates between Leda Foley, and Seattle Detective Grady Merritt. After losing his dog Cairo on a hiking trip, Grady and his daughter Molly spend days searching for him without any trace. Then, shockingly, Cairo returns with what looks like a human leg in tow. A human leg wearing shoes.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Mystery
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Flight Risk, by author Cherie Priest, is the second installment in the authors Booking Agent series. This story takes place about a year after Grave Reservation and alternates between Leda Foley, and Seattle Detective Grady Merritt. After losing his dog Cairo on a hiking trip, Grady and his daughter Molly spend days searching for him without any trace. Then, shockingly, Cairo returns with what looks like a human leg in tow. A human leg wearing shoes.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
April 10, 2023
The mystery was a tad predictable, but I still really enjoyed this book. The audio narration was excellent.
November 24, 2022
2.5 stars
I want to round it up, but I can't. I remember being as confused as I am now after I finished the first book as well. The writing style is not my cup of tea. Is this a murder mystery or not. I still gave it a shot because the mystery combined with psychic powers was interesting.
However, there was a lot of describing dogs' thoughts, or other pointless descriptions and less on the actual mystery
Not very psychic, either. I get that Leda was going through struggles and adjusting to her powers, etc, but this is a psychic murder mystery, and I kind of want to see that. Also, on that point, she did the same struggling in the first book as well. Can we see some progress on this point? Where is it, why is she regressing?
The mystery itself was not that mysterious. I kind of guessed who did what, in the middle of the book.
I actually have higher expectations for these types of books, and I kind of feel disappointed. I gave this another shot because I felt potential, but now, I am questioning if I should try to read more when future books come out.
I want to round it up, but I can't. I remember being as confused as I am now after I finished the first book as well. The writing style is not my cup of tea. Is this a murder mystery or not. I still gave it a shot because the mystery combined with psychic powers was interesting.
However, there was a lot of describing dogs' thoughts, or other pointless descriptions and less on the actual mystery
Not very psychic, either. I get that Leda was going through struggles and adjusting to her powers, etc, but this is a psychic murder mystery, and I kind of want to see that. Also, on that point, she did the same struggling in the first book as well. Can we see some progress on this point? Where is it, why is she regressing?
The mystery itself was not that mysterious. I kind of guessed who did what, in the middle of the book.
I actually have higher expectations for these types of books, and I kind of feel disappointed. I gave this another shot because I felt potential, but now, I am questioning if I should try to read more when future books come out.
December 5, 2022
I enjoyed this one more than the first one (which I also enjoyed once it hit its stride). The mystery was fascinating and I liked how their cases were separate but then became related so that each one had to establish their own investigation methods before working together. The relationships between Leda, Grady, and Niki are fun and well written. The concept of Klairvoyant Karaoke is something I want to see in person because I think it would be a hoot. All in all, a well written and good paced mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
August 28, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley, Cherie Priest, and the publisher for the ARC. These are my honest thoughts.
I was a huge fan of the first novel in this cool series by Cherie Priest apparently titled The Booking Agents. Naturally, I was absolutely delighted to receive a copy of this novel as an ARC!
The Booking Agents series follows a psychic travel agent called Leda Foley who, by chance, begins working with the police. The reader watches her develop her psychic powers. She performs a psychic act at a local bar, and the characters she works with are fun- particularly her BFF Niki who always want in on solving crimes. On the law enforcement side of the fence we have Detective Grady Merritt, who despite being a bit curmudgeonly, is also a memorable character. He's a single father who's wife passed away, and his love for his daughter Molly is endearing.
I'm sad to say this pales in comparison to the first novel. Where the first novel was effortlessly quirky, this comes off as a bit forced.
The debut novel's mystery was more complex and engaging, and while reading it I certainly was trying very hard to figure out who perpetuated the crime.
Not the case here. I found the mystery to be sort of drab and more of a backdrop to exploring the cast of characters. While I mentioned a lot of the "quirkiness" and fun seemed more forced in this sophomore effort, the characters are still good and we learn a bit more about them in this book. That's a welcome addition. However, I think the author spends too much time reiterating things we already know. This is a series- you start with the first book, right? We don't need to know everything a second time.
Cherie Priest writes in a direct and easy-to-follow way. She is not overly pretentious like Riley Sager (my god, I swear that dude doesn't know what words even mean sometimes) or other "hot thriller writers" that I've forced myself to look into.
The biggest compliment to the plot itself is that the ending is beyond unrealistic, but is totally hilarious in the process of reading it. I don't know how the author even came up with it, but it's great in the most cheesy way possible.
Still, this is a readable book and I am certainly hoping that The Booking Agents #3 is in the works. These characters remain quite enjoyable and distinctive, and that's where Cherie Priest stands above other contemporary mystery/thriller authors. I personally strongly recommend reading the first novel because it was one of my best discoveries of the year! If you enjoy it then perhaps consider checking this out upon release- or, if you partake in NetGalley, maybe try to grab an ARC.
~J
I was a huge fan of the first novel in this cool series by Cherie Priest apparently titled The Booking Agents. Naturally, I was absolutely delighted to receive a copy of this novel as an ARC!
The Booking Agents series follows a psychic travel agent called Leda Foley who, by chance, begins working with the police. The reader watches her develop her psychic powers. She performs a psychic act at a local bar, and the characters she works with are fun- particularly her BFF Niki who always want in on solving crimes. On the law enforcement side of the fence we have Detective Grady Merritt, who despite being a bit curmudgeonly, is also a memorable character. He's a single father who's wife passed away, and his love for his daughter Molly is endearing.
I'm sad to say this pales in comparison to the first novel. Where the first novel was effortlessly quirky, this comes off as a bit forced.
The debut novel's mystery was more complex and engaging, and while reading it I certainly was trying very hard to figure out who perpetuated the crime.
Not the case here. I found the mystery to be sort of drab and more of a backdrop to exploring the cast of characters. While I mentioned a lot of the "quirkiness" and fun seemed more forced in this sophomore effort, the characters are still good and we learn a bit more about them in this book. That's a welcome addition. However, I think the author spends too much time reiterating things we already know. This is a series- you start with the first book, right? We don't need to know everything a second time.
Cherie Priest writes in a direct and easy-to-follow way. She is not overly pretentious like Riley Sager (my god, I swear that dude doesn't know what words even mean sometimes) or other "hot thriller writers" that I've forced myself to look into.
The biggest compliment to the plot itself is that the ending is beyond unrealistic, but is totally hilarious in the process of reading it. I don't know how the author even came up with it, but it's great in the most cheesy way possible.
Still, this is a readable book and I am certainly hoping that The Booking Agents #3 is in the works. These characters remain quite enjoyable and distinctive, and that's where Cherie Priest stands above other contemporary mystery/thriller authors. I personally strongly recommend reading the first novel because it was one of my best discoveries of the year! If you enjoy it then perhaps consider checking this out upon release- or, if you partake in NetGalley, maybe try to grab an ARC.
~J
October 29, 2022
FLIGHT RISK is the second book in the The Booking Agents series. I was thrilled to get my hands on it after loving GRAVE RESERVATIONS last year!
🔮 psychic travel agent Leda Foley is back helping detective Grady Merritt solve a new case
🐕 Grady’s dog finds a human leg at Mount Rainier
🏔️ I love Leda’s quirky personality and the dynamic between her and Grady, + her bestie Niki
✈️ missing persons case
🎤 klairvoyant karaoke
FLIGHT RISK is a quick, hilarious cozy mystery. I love that the characters don’t take themselves too seriously. If you are newer to the mystery/thriller genre, this would be a perfect series to try!
I wasn’t as invested in the mystery aspect in this book as I was with GRAVE RESERVATIONS. The characters are what made the story most enjoyable for me. I liked the first book more, but overall still enjoyed this one!
🔮 psychic travel agent Leda Foley is back helping detective Grady Merritt solve a new case
🐕 Grady’s dog finds a human leg at Mount Rainier
🏔️ I love Leda’s quirky personality and the dynamic between her and Grady, + her bestie Niki
✈️ missing persons case
🎤 klairvoyant karaoke
FLIGHT RISK is a quick, hilarious cozy mystery. I love that the characters don’t take themselves too seriously. If you are newer to the mystery/thriller genre, this would be a perfect series to try!
I wasn’t as invested in the mystery aspect in this book as I was with GRAVE RESERVATIONS. The characters are what made the story most enjoyable for me. I liked the first book more, but overall still enjoyed this one!
July 5, 2022
The second in the Booking Agents mystery series featuring psychic detective Leda and regular detective Grady. Leda is hired to find a missing woman. Around the same time, Grady's dog finds a detached human leg in the woods. It turns out the leg belongs to the missing woman's husband. Leda and Grady must work together again to solve both these cases now.
I really enjoy this series! The first book was really good and I was glad this sequel was just as enjoyable! I really enjoy the characters in the book, and the paranormal is not over the top. There is also good humor in these books. I look forward to more in this series and definitely will buy this one when it comes out!
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoy this series! The first book was really good and I was glad this sequel was just as enjoyable! I really enjoy the characters in the book, and the paranormal is not over the top. There is also good humor in these books. I look forward to more in this series and definitely will buy this one when it comes out!
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 29, 2022
3.25 stars
Flight Risk, by Cheri Priest, is the second book in the Booking Agents cozy mystery series. It’s definitely a comedic, tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top, cozy mystery about a part time psychic and travel agent, who also sings clairvoyant karaoke on the side, and assists a local detective in crime solving.
In this case, a disembodied leg is found by Detective Grady Merritt’s dog. Though it’s not his jurisdiction, he feels compelled to find the identity (and the rest of) the missing person. Meanwhile, Leda, hesitant psychic and chronic optimist, is approached by a man desperate to find his sister who has gone missing with bags of her employer’s cash. Not only does he not believe she’s responsible for such a crime, but she’s been missing for a month and only recently reported missing by her husband. The detective and the psychic work together to solve both crimes that may, or may not be, linked.
This story is fun, but a bit silly as well. It’s definitely not something you can take too seriously, even less so than most cozies. That said, it’s filled with humor and friendship, along with a hint of a romance between Leda and Grady, who’s personalities balance one another out. This is a story that will make you smile. I did find the sleuthing rather confusing. There were a lot of characters and I just couldn’t keep them all straight!
Flight Risk was entertaining, but less so than the first in the series which had a mystery that was easier to follow, more engaging and a bit less goofy. This is a rather unique series and one I will carry-on with, but this one left me a bit baffled.
Flight Risk, by Cheri Priest, is the second book in the Booking Agents cozy mystery series. It’s definitely a comedic, tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top, cozy mystery about a part time psychic and travel agent, who also sings clairvoyant karaoke on the side, and assists a local detective in crime solving.
In this case, a disembodied leg is found by Detective Grady Merritt’s dog. Though it’s not his jurisdiction, he feels compelled to find the identity (and the rest of) the missing person. Meanwhile, Leda, hesitant psychic and chronic optimist, is approached by a man desperate to find his sister who has gone missing with bags of her employer’s cash. Not only does he not believe she’s responsible for such a crime, but she’s been missing for a month and only recently reported missing by her husband. The detective and the psychic work together to solve both crimes that may, or may not be, linked.
This story is fun, but a bit silly as well. It’s definitely not something you can take too seriously, even less so than most cozies. That said, it’s filled with humor and friendship, along with a hint of a romance between Leda and Grady, who’s personalities balance one another out. This is a story that will make you smile. I did find the sleuthing rather confusing. There were a lot of characters and I just couldn’t keep them all straight!
Flight Risk was entertaining, but less so than the first in the series which had a mystery that was easier to follow, more engaging and a bit less goofy. This is a rather unique series and one I will carry-on with, but this one left me a bit baffled.
December 13, 2022
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2022/12/01/...
Flight Risk may be the second novel of The Booking Agents series, but protagonist Leda Foley is certainly spending a lot less time at her day job as a travel agent these days. Instead, she has taken to moonlighting as a private investigator, hoping to use the psychic angle as a way to drum up more side business. Her powers had proved helpful before, when she was a consultant for the Seattle police helping detective Grady Merritt solve a crime that had been stymying him, and this time, she might have even gotten a jump on them with her new case. Recently, a man had approached Leda asking for assistance in finding his sister. The woman had been gone for a month and her scum bucket of a husband hadn’t even reported her missing, and now her brother fears the worst.
Meanwhile, out on the remote trails of Mount Rainier, Grady has been frantically searching for his lost dog Cairo, who had wandered off the path while on a hiking trip a few days before. He eventually finds the wayward pet, but not without another surprise. Somewhere along on his adventure, Cairo had picked up a souvenir—a man’s severed leg. But who did it belong to? And where was the rest of them? As Grady sets off to find these answers, he is surprised to learn of a connection to Leda’s missing person case.
Cherie Priest is a very versatile author, and I’ve read everything from her young adult fiction to her steampunk and horror. But this series is probably my favorite of her projects yet. There’s an oddball quality to The Booking Agents that I wouldn’t have expected from the author, but she tackles the humor and quirkiness like she was born to it. The characters are lovably eccentric, the stories just plain fun. Following in the footsteps of Grave Reservations, this sequel doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s quite honestly one of the most appealing traits about these books because I know I can pick them up and enjoy myself no matter what.
The plot of Flight Risk is also intriguing but also has this light-hearted cozy quality to it so you know things won’t get too dark—chewed up, dismembered body parts notwithstanding. In fact, most of what I loved about the first book carried into this one, not the least of these being the paranormal elements. Leda’s psychic powers remain a prominent focus, playing an even stronger role in almost every single step of the case. The characters have taken to calling them her “woo-woo vibes” which I thought was charming and hilarious, and of course I’m thrilled to report Klairvoyant Karaoke is also back! Oh how I wish that was truly a thing.
And if the mystery wasn’t as tightly knit in this sequel, at least the character development more than makes up for it. A regular cast has been established at this point, and so far, I’m having a blast with the interplay between the different personalities and all the quick and witty conversations coming out of these interesting dynamics. Leda and Grady’s partnership has become the cornerstone of this series and it is currently one built upon a foundation of friendship and professional respect. Readers hoping for a romance will be disappointed, but I for one found this to be a breath of fresh air.
I also returned to the audio format for Flight Risk, after the amazing experience I had with the audiobook of Grave Reservations. Ulka Simone Mohanty reprises her role as narrator while Timothy Andres Pabon joins in this time as well for Grady’s chapters, a much welcome addition to bring out the energy in characters and their affable relationship. I hope there will be a third book, and I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to grab the audiobook again.
Flight Risk may be the second novel of The Booking Agents series, but protagonist Leda Foley is certainly spending a lot less time at her day job as a travel agent these days. Instead, she has taken to moonlighting as a private investigator, hoping to use the psychic angle as a way to drum up more side business. Her powers had proved helpful before, when she was a consultant for the Seattle police helping detective Grady Merritt solve a crime that had been stymying him, and this time, she might have even gotten a jump on them with her new case. Recently, a man had approached Leda asking for assistance in finding his sister. The woman had been gone for a month and her scum bucket of a husband hadn’t even reported her missing, and now her brother fears the worst.
Meanwhile, out on the remote trails of Mount Rainier, Grady has been frantically searching for his lost dog Cairo, who had wandered off the path while on a hiking trip a few days before. He eventually finds the wayward pet, but not without another surprise. Somewhere along on his adventure, Cairo had picked up a souvenir—a man’s severed leg. But who did it belong to? And where was the rest of them? As Grady sets off to find these answers, he is surprised to learn of a connection to Leda’s missing person case.
Cherie Priest is a very versatile author, and I’ve read everything from her young adult fiction to her steampunk and horror. But this series is probably my favorite of her projects yet. There’s an oddball quality to The Booking Agents that I wouldn’t have expected from the author, but she tackles the humor and quirkiness like she was born to it. The characters are lovably eccentric, the stories just plain fun. Following in the footsteps of Grave Reservations, this sequel doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s quite honestly one of the most appealing traits about these books because I know I can pick them up and enjoy myself no matter what.
The plot of Flight Risk is also intriguing but also has this light-hearted cozy quality to it so you know things won’t get too dark—chewed up, dismembered body parts notwithstanding. In fact, most of what I loved about the first book carried into this one, not the least of these being the paranormal elements. Leda’s psychic powers remain a prominent focus, playing an even stronger role in almost every single step of the case. The characters have taken to calling them her “woo-woo vibes” which I thought was charming and hilarious, and of course I’m thrilled to report Klairvoyant Karaoke is also back! Oh how I wish that was truly a thing.
And if the mystery wasn’t as tightly knit in this sequel, at least the character development more than makes up for it. A regular cast has been established at this point, and so far, I’m having a blast with the interplay between the different personalities and all the quick and witty conversations coming out of these interesting dynamics. Leda and Grady’s partnership has become the cornerstone of this series and it is currently one built upon a foundation of friendship and professional respect. Readers hoping for a romance will be disappointed, but I for one found this to be a breath of fresh air.
I also returned to the audio format for Flight Risk, after the amazing experience I had with the audiobook of Grave Reservations. Ulka Simone Mohanty reprises her role as narrator while Timothy Andres Pabon joins in this time as well for Grady’s chapters, a much welcome addition to bring out the energy in characters and their affable relationship. I hope there will be a third book, and I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to grab the audiobook again.
January 5, 2023
Another fun adventure with Leda, Grady, Nikki, Molly and the gang at castaways. Leda has a case of the missing sister, while Grady has a case of the missing dog who is then found with a human leg in his mouth, surely they are not related, right? Rightttt???
Finding out that their cases are connected and there are a missing husband and wife out there, Grady and Leda set out to solve the mysteries. Where is the wife/sister who disappeared over a month previously with $30k of her employers money? And why was her husband’s leg found in the national park a month later, in the mouth of Grady’s missing dog? Why was said husband not keen on locating his wife before he himself died? Who killed him?
Leda’s inconsistent abilities seem to be even more on the fritz but she seeks out help this time around to hone it in.
While the mysteries are great, the banter between Grady, Leda and Nikki continue to shine on the pages.
Finding out that their cases are connected and there are a missing husband and wife out there, Grady and Leda set out to solve the mysteries. Where is the wife/sister who disappeared over a month previously with $30k of her employers money? And why was her husband’s leg found in the national park a month later, in the mouth of Grady’s missing dog? Why was said husband not keen on locating his wife before he himself died? Who killed him?
Leda’s inconsistent abilities seem to be even more on the fritz but she seeks out help this time around to hone it in.
While the mysteries are great, the banter between Grady, Leda and Nikki continue to shine on the pages.
November 23, 2022
This was a fun sequel in the Grave Reservations cozy mystery series featuring a psychic travel agent in Seattle. In this book Leda is helping Detective Grady figure out whose dead body his dog discovered as well as solve a woman's disappearance only to have the two cases merge in unexpected ways. Lots of quirky side characters, and a few good twists. Recommended for fans of Carol J Perry's Haunted Haven mysteries. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 7, 2023
Just as delightful as the first one. Priest writes a nicely-constructed twisty mystery and her protagonists are immensely charming. There are no weird forced romance subplots - a common failing of cozies - and I very much enjoy the contrast between the fortysomething world-weary single dad and the hard-partying and somewhat directionless late twentysomething psychic. Also there's a very cute and mostly good dog in this one.
January 16, 2023
This is book 2 of a cozy mystery series - Leda Foley of Foley's Far Fetched Flights of Fancy is an endearing psychic who runs a travel agency and teams up to solve cases with a detective whose life she saved in the previous book.
I like the colorful cover and the dialogue is amusing at first, but is a little giddy and gets annoying after a while.
I think the endless silly banter stalls the plot. At 320 pages, it could be a better read at 220 pages.
I like the colorful cover and the dialogue is amusing at first, but is a little giddy and gets annoying after a while.
I think the endless silly banter stalls the plot. At 320 pages, it could be a better read at 220 pages.
December 16, 2022
Recently attended a talk about cozy mysteries and everyone agreed that the cozy is about creating characters and a setting that makes readers want to visit multiple times. Definitely that's the case with Priest's cast of amiable Seattle residents kicking around the city, solving crimes through old fashioned police work and a little psychic help. The opening is a laugh-out-loud scene for any dog owner who has ever had to say "Drop it. Now drop the nasty thing, that's a good boy."
January 18, 2023
3.5 ⭐️- looking forward to another one!
January 28, 2023
Just good, extremely readable fun!
February 26, 2023
This book is the second entry in The Booking Agents series, featuring psychic Leda, detective Grady and Leda's bestie, Niki. Grady's daughter and his dog also have roles to play. I'm really enjoying this series. There are two mysteries in this one, involving a husband and wife who disappeared at different times. The sleuthing was fun and I especially enjoyed Ms Priest's sense of the ridiculous. I'm looking forward to the next book.
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