I enjoyed the first Special Tracking Unit novel; it was a fresh perspective and new take on the murder mystery genre, but this sequel was just plain bad. It did not further develop any of the characters, was badly written in places with chunks of unnecessary dialogue and esoteric descriptive terms used repetitively, and the author was obsessed with sympathizing with and finding excuses for the white, male serial killer. Off-putting to the point where I do not plan to read any additional books by Kope.

This book will definitely capture your attention. Even after I finished it I could not stop thinking about it. Very good book!

Timothy Schulte's review Dec 03, 2017 · edit


A year ago, I discovered a thriller by a new author, Spencer Kope. The book was "Collecting the Dead" and was one of the best and most unique thrillers of the last 10 years. I considered myself fortunate due to the fact that I took a chance on a book that just sounded interesting. I have regular correspondence with Mr. Kope an he is also a very nice guy. So, imagine my happiness while searching NetGalley for some titles and there before my eyes was book #2 of the now titled, Special Tracking Unit series. "Whispers of the Dead by Spencer Kope. I have to say as well, lightning does strike twice.
Whispers is very much the equal of book 1. Probably because Kope's characters are so memorable that you can't wait to catch up with them again. FBI Special Agent James Donovan and Operations Specialist Magnus Craig are very good at what they do, which is solving crimes. But as explained in book one there is a catch or secret if you will. Magnus "Steps" Craig has a gift. A very special and specific gift. He can see the residue that is left behind by killers as well as those they come in contact with. He calls it "shine" and it is manifested in colors only Steps can see. Not only colors but textures as well. A person's shine is as unique as a person's DNA therefore everyone's is different. The only people that know of Steps gift are his partner and the Director of the FBI. Known as the human bloodhound, Steps not only helps those that can't help themselves but those who may be listed as well.
In Whispers, the STU is called to Albuquerque where a styrofoam cooler is left in a judges living room holding a pair of feet not attached to a body. The killer is dubbed the Ice Box Killer due to the cold ice blue shine that the killer leaves behind. After more coolers and more feet are found Steps must out his gift to work and catch a killer before it's to late.
Kope's thrillers are well written and the dialogue is witty and humorous at times. But it is the humanity of Steps and Jimmy that really make both books hum.
Whispers of the Dead will not be released until April 2018 from St. Martin's Minotaur. In the meantime, pick up book one and enjoy.

Really enjoyed this story! Well written! Looking forward to reading more by this author!

I loved this book! It immediately sucked me right down the rabbit hole. Fast paced, interesting, fascinating...this book had it all. Couple that with interesting characters and a paranormal twist, instant favorite!

This sequel to Collecting the Dead is every bit as good. Kope's characters are unique and the story is fast-paced and exciting. I look forward to reading the next in the series.

I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. I’m truly impressed with this book. It was well written, well developed, and it easily brought someone into the story and world of Steps and Jimmy even if they hadn’t read the first book. It was super easy to follow, it kept me on edge and I constantly wanted more about what was going on with IBK. All of the stand-alone IBK scenes were so well-written and suspenseful that I didn’t want them to end, but wanted more of them.
I loved how well developed the characters were. They were relatable and I could clearly picture the conversations going on. This whole idea the Kope has about Steps having this “shine”-vision actually plays well into solving cases in an abstract way and something that takes it to another level. The cliffhanger at the end is genius because now I want more about the next case. I’m definitely hooked. It left me wanting more.

I admit that I wasn’t sure for the first few pages whether I’d even finish the chapter, much less the book. There was something about Steps, the main character, that I just couldn’t warm to. He seemed too odd, his language too formal, his relationship with his partner just too weird. But I read a few more pages - and then I was hooked.

FBI agents in a special Tracking Unit, “Steps” Craig and his partner, Jimmy Donovan, are called in on a baffling and creepy case - someone is breaking into judges’ houses to leave behind thawed sets of severed feet. At first the two are baffled, but soon Steps is finding clues with the help of a strange gift he calls “the Shine,” a fictional sort of synesthesia that lets him see everyplace an individual has touched in a unique color. Really.

Laugh if you want, I’m off to find the first book in the series.

I received a free electronic copy of Whispers of the Dead (Special Tracking Unit #2) by Spencer Kope from NetGalley for my honest review. This is the first book I have ever read by Spencer Kope. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Very quick read as you don't want to put it down. This is a story about a series of strange and gruesome murders in which the victims are almost unrecognizable. Magnus Craig (Steps) is called to track down the killer with his special skills. Spine tingling murder mystery that you can't put down.

series of bizarre murders, the victims nearly unidentifiable, forces “Steps” Craig to match wits with the most cold-blooded killer he’s ever encountered.
A pair of severed feet, stored in a portable ice chest—a cooler—is found in the house of a Federal judge in El Paso. The victim is unknown and unidentifiable. The reason the killer went to such trouble—breaking into the judge’s house—and what message he intends to send are both mysteries.

Magnus “Steps” Craig is part of the elite three-man Special Tracking Unit of the FBI. Called in on special cases where his skills are especially indispensable, he works as a tracker. Steps is renowned for his incredible ability to find and follow trails over any surface better than anyone else. But there’s a secret to his success.

The Special Tracking Unit is called in to investigate, using Steps special skills to try and identify the victim and track down the killer. Steps has a kind of synesthesia, an ability that allows him to see whatever a person has touched in a unique color—what Steps calls ‘shine.’ His ability is known to only a few people—his father, the director of the FBI, and his partner, Special Agent Jimmy Donovan.

The Special Tracking Unit soon discovers another, earlier victim; again, only the feet were left behind in an icebox. With few clues besides the body parts left behind, Steps and his team find themselves enmeshed in the most difficult case of their careers. And The Icebox Killer has only just begun.

My thoughts
5 stars all the way,
This is my first time reading a book by Spencer Kope and I have to say that after reading this one.i want more of this series, loved the 2 main characters as well as how well they worked together not only as a team but how they thought of each other as family, also loved how Creepy the story was , and how it pulled me into the story, so much so that I read it in one seating didn't want to stop reading . With that said I want to say thinks to NetGalley for giving me a chance at finding a new series that I want to read in change for my honest opinion.

I love this series! You could start with Whispers of the Dead and enjoy it greatly, but to get the full effect read Collecting the Dead first. Spencer Kope writes colorful, twisty fun thriller.

As one of the three members of the Special Tracking Unit of the FBI, Magnus Craig (Steps) has an uncanny ability to track offenders. The secret to his ability is his synesthesia. which allows him to see whatever the subject has touched in a unique color, or as Steps calls it, a shine. The units latest case revolves around a pair of severed feet found inside the home of a federal judge. The identity of the victim and the reason the feet were left in the judge’s home is unclear. The Unit soon uncovers a link between this recent crime and another, where just the feet were left behind in an icebox, giving the press to christen the killer the Icebox Killer. Steps and his team are up against a cunning and ruthless killer who’s only just begun. I love this series (this is the second book), Kope blends technical police work with an unusual neurological condition and creates the perfect thriller