Member Reviews
One of the best thriller books of 2023! Heaberlin has fast become a favorite author of thriller readers who desire depth in their books. The most unique aspect of Night Will Find You belongs to the main character, Vivvy. Vivvy is both a psychic and an astrophysicist. The bits of science knowledge the character throws out are just as fun for the reader as the layered mystery is. The characters, and the relationships between them, are fully developed to the point where I remain invested in them long after the story has ended. I need more of Vivvy, Jesse, Bridge, and Mike!!!
As an avid fan of Julia Heaberlin's works, I eagerly delved into the advance reader copy of Night Will Find You. While the concept of a reluctant psychic intrigued me, the overarching mystery presented in the book felt somewhat far-fetched, making it challenging for me to fully invest in the characters and their journey. Nonetheless, Heaberlin's writing style shone through, showcasing her skill and craftsmanship. The descriptive prose and atmospheric tone were commendable, contributing to the overall reading experience. Additionally, the narrator's abilities added depth to the story, enhancing its auditory appeal. Despite my reservations about the plot's believability, Night Will Find You offers an enjoyable read for fans of Heaberlin's unique writing style.
Vivvy Bouchet is an astrophysicist, and a psychic. Born to a "typical" psychic, she doesn't love the term, but still has the ability to speak with dead people. Her "abilities" became known when she saved the life of her childhood friend, Mike. Fast-forward, Mike is now in the police department, and occasionally asks for Vivvy's help in solving cold cases. When a "high-profile" case comes across his desk he asks Vivvy to help, however, Mike's partner Detective Sharp is not a supporter or believer of her abilities. As Vivvy works through the case she struggles to connect with the lost girl, and working with Detective Sharp.
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, and although there was certainly an element of "paranormal" I did not find it overwhelming to make the story unsatisfying. There were some other themes that made their way into the novel as well, including some discussion of neuro-divergent people/conditions. I thought this was interesting, but I also struggled with the way it was presented, almost an afterthought, instead of being a true theme of the novel. I feel like there was a missed opportunity to discuss this more, but I also understand that was not the overall goal of the novel. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Vivvy and Sharp, although frustrating and tenuous at times, the relationship between the two kept you on your toes trying to decide who to trust. Overall, I though this novel was an interesting take on a mystery/thriller, and the audio-version was very easy to listen to an follow (I finished within 24 hours of starting...).
Listened to this as an audiobook, and I know Karissa Vacker has lots of fans, and she does a great job with the voices, but she whispers way too much so I find myself cranking up the volume until I'm almost deaf. I can't really listen to her narration in the car because she gets drowned out so much of the time. I also had an e-copy of the book so I was able to alternate back and forth and that definitely helped keep the book moving for me.
I liked We Are All the Same in the Dark, and I felt similarly about this one. The story is compelling: Vivvi's mother has just passed away. Her mom claimed to be a psychic and Vivvi has the same tendencies, although Vivvi is now a doctor of astrophysics. Her brother-in-law Mike is a police officer and he presents her with cold cases from time to time so she can give her input on them. Another local cop is skeptical, but gives her information on a local girl, missing for many years and her mother imprisoned for the crime. Vivvi has a strong feeling that the girl is still alive.
There were parts of this book I really liked: the parts focusing on the case of the missing girl. The rest I wasn't really wowed by, especially the podcaster Bubba Guns (insert eye roll here.) And although I usually hate thriller books that use supernatural/paranormal elements, this one didn't really bother me.
The writing is top notch and kept me invested in the story even when it went off on tangents. There's some thoughtful examination of science, religion, truth, and lies throughout the book that gives it much more depth and interest than others in this genre.
I liked the book and definitely recommend it to others who enjoy the thriller genre.
When I saw this audiobook written by Julia Heaberlin and narrated by Karissa Vacker, I knew I was destined to like it. This contemporary thriller weaves together a twisty tale based on the disappearance of a young girl and the psychic who was brought in to solve her case many years later. I did feel too many unnecessary story arcs initially took away from the book, but the novel ended so strongly it didn't really matter. Despite the paranormal elements, universal themes kept this story REAL. Four solid stars :)
This story is about Vivvy Bouchet (pronounced the french way), an astrophysicist who has been trying to hide away from her dramatic childhood. When she ten, she predicted doom to befall a neighbor, and was there to save him.
Vivvy is an interesting character that we don't usually see in stories. She developed OCD compulsions as a child, knocking and counting incessantly on her bedroom wall every night while plagued with fears and unwanted thoughts. Her mother, a known psychic, believed Vivvy to be like her and did not get her help that a regular parent might have. Instead, Vivvy and her sister wound up unearthing something as children that put their family in the public eye. Vivvy had since fled her childhood and now focuses on staring at the stars in her job as an astrophysicist
Unfortunately for Vivvy that neighbor she saved, Mike, is convinced she is a psychic and has gotten her wrapped up in one of the most well known disappearances in Texas. Now Vivvy must solve this case while coming under fire from Mike's boss, her late mother's clientele, and a podcast host with an army of crazed listeners.
While I enjoyed several of the characters, especially Vivvy and Joy, I was annoyed that this story feel into the typical "oops-my-psychic-powers-work-only-~sometimes~-and-for-that-reason-I-didn't-instantly-find-the-killer-even-though-I-can-hear-and-see-a-different-man's-last-thoughts-just-by-holding-something-of-his" trope. I had read "astrophysicist and psychic" and thought those two would intertwine in solving the mystery and was disappointed when it didn't. I think that the book started off strong as a supernatural thriller then veered off into "real world" drama, which is why I got through the first half in like 2 days and the second half in 2 weeks.
Although I have quite a few Julia Heaberlin novels on my to be read list, Night Will Find You is the first I have read. Now that I’ve read this and really enjoyed it, I’m positive it won’t be my last.
Night Will Find You was an exciting and engaging read.
Vivvy Bouchet is an astrophysicist with a very special gift. Vivvy hates when people use the word psychic. When Vivvy was ten her gift helped her save the life of a local boy. That boy is now a Fort Worth cop who believes in Vivvy and hopes she will help him solve a very cold case. A little girl disappeared many years ago. Her mother was convicted of the crime but has always maintained her innocence.
Vivvy agrees to help with the cold case. But she’s up against many who don’t believe in her gift. Especially a loudmouth conspiracy theorist podcaster named Bubba Guns. Vivvy also butts heads with a detective who isn’t thrilled to be working with the “psychic to the cops”. It’s not long before followers of Bubba Guns begin harassing Vivvy. It quickly starts to get out of control.
What will happen when Vivvy decides to fight back?
This was an excellent psychological thriller. It has a missing girl, conspiracy theories, revenge, and more! Filled with suspense, it held my interest and there were a few twists that I never saw coming.
The audiobook was narrated by Karissa Vacker. I was thrilled when I saw she was narrating. She’s absolutely one of the best.
I’ve heard that this may not be the last we hear from Vivvy Boucher. I will be thrilled if there is a sequel!
I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this audio book. I did every once in awhile get lost but pretty sure that has more to me not being able to listen to it everyday. This caused me to be confused when I first started listening again to figure out if we were in the current time line or she was talking about her childhood.
I loved the premise and fell in love with the writing before finishing the first chapter. I've never read this author before, but I added some of her other books to my TBR. It looks like she writes stand alone books, but I'd be thrilled if this one became a series. There's so much potential! The characters are complex, flawed, but doing their best. I hope this isn't the only time I meet them in a story. I read this book as an ARC thanks to NetGalley.
A reluctant psychic (who also just happens to be an astrophysicist), and a skeptical cop team up to find a girl that’s been missing for years. Vivvy’s mother was a physic with quite the reputation and Vivvy herself saved a young man from imminent death when she was quite young. Vivvy wants nothing to do with the psychic side of things, but when asked to help out on a cold case of a missing girl, she reluctantly agrees. When she meets Jesse Sharp, she knows he thinks she’s a phony, but she’s not sure he’s trustworthy either. She has nothing to prove and when a conspiracy theorist podcaster sets his sights on exposing Vivvy, he might have bit off more than he can chew. Way more! This was a wonderful listen! The voice of Karissa Vacker brings the story to life, keeping us completely engrossed and anxiously awaiting the final outcome!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC of this book.
This book has everything- psychics, conspiracy theorists (and an Alex Jones type pushing them), love triangles, missing girls, dead bodies, etc... And everything was woven together into a page turner.
So- what kept me from LOVING this? A few things. I felt some of the relationships between characters were underdeveloped. However, based on the fact that this is set to be adapted into a series, and it was left with a slight cliff hanger, I am guessing that there will be at least one other book that has Vivvy and Jesse Sharpe teaming up. So it makes sense to leave some room for development.
The other part- the conspiracy theory storyline- a bit too close to home, perhaps. I am so tired of so many people blindly believing whatever is told to them. Reading is an escape. But it infiltrated in this book. Like, part of me liked the story line. There was just a bit too much of it for my tastes.
Karissa Vacker narrates the audiobook. Do yourself a favor and listen to rather than read this one. She is one of a handful of narrators that are like favorite authors- I'll choose to read something simply because they narrated it.
I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is easily one of the best thrillers I've read/listened to this year. All I now hope for is that the author decides to turn this into a series because Vivvy and Sharp are not done yet. They have so much more to do, and I can't wait to read all about it.
Also a special shoutout to the narrator, Karissa Vacker! I'll buy anything she is selling!! :)
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.
I enjoyed this. It was nice to have an intelligent lead who is not the unreliable narrator too high/drunk to be trusted. I enjoyed the psychic elements combined with her scientific career. Twisty and turny as a good suspense should be.
Also enjoyed the audio!
Thank you to Netgalley for letting me listen to a copy!
Night Will Find You by Julia Heaberlin was a great change from all the romance novels I've been reading recently. As a mood reader, I tend to get on a kick with a specific genre and then switch it up. This book was provided to me by @MacMillan.Audio and it was a fun ride!
Vivvy Bouchet is the daughter of a psychic. At age 10, Vivvy saved a boy's life through a prediction she had and her life trajectory changed. Now, Vivvy is an astrophysicist who lives in a remote desert area in Texas. She prefers the solitude, but when the boy whose life she saved asks her for help Vivvy can't say no. The boy, now a man, Mike, is a cop and he has a high-profile cold case he needs help with- a kidnapped girl. Forced to team up with a classic skeptic, Jesse Sharp, Vivvy has her work cut out for her.
I was intrigued from the start and my only complaint was at time the pacing felt too slow for me. I think it could have moved faster and not lost anything in the process. The ending caught me by complete surprise and I had to go back and read it multiple times!
A huge thank you to MacMillan Auido for granting me access to this title!
There are a lot of pieces to this one, but I love the way everything unfolds and comes together. Heaberlin has created another well-plotted mystery that you cannot help but get sucked into. The audio is narrated by Karissa Vacker who is also becoming a favorite of mine. There is a great deal of breadth and depth to the characters, and Heaberlin makes the most of each character she writes into her story.
Set under the vast, Texas sky, this new release from Julia Heaberlin will give you goosebumps and keep you turning the pages. The narration of the audiobook by Karissa Vacker is top notch. She is becoming one of my favorites for listening. I wanted to get through the book faster to find out the answers to all of the questions plaguing Vivvy Bouchet, so I alternated reading a digital ARC. There are some very interesting plot choices in this book starting with the fact that Vivvy is both an astrophysicist and the daughter of a psychic. How she reconciles science with the paranormal is a fascinating aspect of her character development. There is a "blue horse" threatening someone close to Vivvy which was once a blue mustang, but still lurks in the shadows. Other fascinating imagery abounds in charm bracelets, leaves, and more. And I cannot forget to mention Bubba Guns, a conspiracy theorist who pumps up his listeners with an outrageous podcast. He will offend you no matter what your politics. So, I hope these bits and pieces will intrigue and invite you to try this book. I have been a Julia Heaberlin fan for several years since reading [book:Black-Eyed Susans|23746004] and appreciate her Texas grit.
Thank you to Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for both a digital ARC (Edelweiss+) and an audio ARC (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this was a near perfect book. It had a little of everything! Crime, conspiracy, science, and a little of the unexplained. I really wasn't sure because it's easy to get too technical or political with a book covering some of these topics, but it was executed wonderfully.
We Are All The Same In The Dark, her last book(girl, work on shorter titles!), was one of my first real audiobooks when I got into them a few years ago and I loved it. I wasn't sure if maybe my taste had changed or I had nostalgic bias for the author but no, she's great. Also, Karissa Vacker is narrating and that's what ended up solidifying my desire to have it because she's one of the best.
Vivvy is an astrophysicist, who while she's home settling her mother's affairs, is moonlighting as a psychic. Her mother was also a psychic so our big question at the start is whether they're real psychics or just have a gift for reading people and clues.
A friend she saved with her abilities, whatever they are, when they were young pulls her into a cold case. He believes in her. The other guy investigating is not.
But while she's trying to help out, she's drawn the ire of a famed lunatic and radio host who's basically like if Alex Jones and Rush Limbaugh had a baby.
The deeper this conspiracy goes, the more dangerous it is for Vivvy but she's ready to get answers once and for all.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen and review!
Vivvy is a reluctant psychic and an astrophysicist. Her mother was also a psychic and has recently died and the last thing Viv wants to do is take over her mother clients and cases but then an old friend and cop asks for her help and Vivvy is drawn into the investigation.
This was an excellent thriller that kept me guessing and had me wondering who was a good guy and who wasn’t. There were a lot of cultural references that hit well now but I wonder if those references will end up dating the book later. This author is always good at drawing you in and this book is no exception!
Karissa Vacker’s narration was fabulous she brought all the emotions and all the accents her narration of Bubba was spot on!
I will be curious if we will get more books with Vivvy Bouchet. I would read them!
Heaberlin has become a auto buy author for me and I always look forward to whatever she writes!
Highly recommend this one!!
4 stars
I received this book from the publisher Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!
Overall, I enjoyed the idea of a psychic astrophysicist who was used to help solve cold cases. However, there were so many random points that kept getting emphasized. For instance, why was there so much Elon Musk in this book?
Additionally, this book felt about an hour too long, with the plot just dragging on and on. It was relatively compelling but not a text I would revisit.
Night Will Find You
Julia Heaberlin
Vivvy Bouchet returns to Fort Worth, Texas after the death of her mother. She grew up in an unusual family; her mother was a psychic. Vivvy has a special gift, like her mother she is psychic. She was ten years old when one of her predictions saved the life of Mike Romano. She is now an astrophysicist; she studies the stars searching for life in the vast universe. Mike is now married to her sister and a police officer in Fort Worth, Texas; he has always believed in her special abilities. Mike turns to her to help solve a cold case. Three year old Lizzy Solomon disappeared from her kitchen about thirteen years ago, but the her body is never found. The child’s mother, Nicolette was sent to prison although she proclaimed her innocence. When Vivvy agrees to help she meets Jesse Sharp another police officer. Jesse doesn’t believe in her voodoo psychic abilities.
Bubba Guns is a crazy podcaster. When he discusses Vivvy’s involvement with the cold case, he attempts to discuss Vivvy’s past. He stirs up his follower’s bringing danger to Vivvy and her family.
I liked this book. The characters are interesting. My least favorite two characters are Mike and Vivvy’s sister. Vivvy had long been in love with Mike, but he married her sister. The proposal her sister came up with was ridiculous. I liked Jesse Sharp even though he was hard to get along with most of the time. My favorite character was Vivvy. Bubba Gun managed to stir things up. The plot is well done. Kudos to author, Julia Heaberlin.