Hush

A Dezeray Jackson Mystery Novel (Book 1)

Fiction - Mystery - Murder
225 Pages
Reviewed on 03/08/2016
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Emerging mystery-thriller author and native Nebraskan, Kori D. Miller, has created a character some women can relate to, and other women want to be. Ms. Miller’s no-nonsense approach, and flash fiction writing style, keeps each story moving. You might even be tempted to compare her to Evanovich, Grafton, or Muller. There’s more to look forward to from Miller, but for now, get to know private investigator Dezeray Jackson.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Hush by Kori D Miller is volume 1 of the Dezeray Jackson Mystery Novels. Dezeray Jackson is a private investigator and her speciality is finding out your secrets and she won’t stop until she knows them. Asked for help by Tamara Steele with a cold case, Dezeray immerses herself in the death of a 13-year-old girl. The case brings buried memories to the forefront, memories of her sister’s murder. On top of that, there is trouble brewing in her love life as her current and former lovers clash. Just to make things more complicated, Dez begins receiving messages from a dead man. Can Dez solve the cold case? Can she solve her love life? And what about her sister’s murder? And can she do any of this without any more tragedy?

Hush: A Dezeray Jackson Mystery Novel Vol 1 by Kori D Miller is a fascinating read. Right from the first page, it is an attention grabber and a real page turner. The main character, Dezeray, has been developed in a way that allows a reader to identify with her and stick with her through the entire story. The plot is masterful, packed full of action, twists and turns that you just don’t see coming, and highly captivating. Nothing is what it appears to be in this story. Just when you think you’ve worked it all out, bang ... something else happens and sends the story spiralling off in a different direction. The whole book is a masterpiece of originality, suspense and reality all mixed together. Ms Miller has complete command of the English language and it shows in her descriptive writing. The rest of the characters are just as well developed as the main one and that means the scene is well and truly set for book 2 in the series, which I can’t wait to read.

Jenni Wiltz

Hush by Kori D. Miller is a detective novel that feels like a throwback to the good old days of Hollywood film noir - it's about character and motivation, not explosions and ammo. This story is grounded in rock-solid descriptions of places, food, pool strategy, and martial arts moves. It feels so real, which makes the violent parts all the more frightening. For mystery readers, Hush is a fast, fun, enjoyable read.

Joe Broadmeadow

The plot is complicated but the writing concise and well developed making it simple to follow the story yet adding the right amount of twists and turns to the plot. The use of colorful language adds to the character development, painting a clear picture of Jackson and the people she encounters. I found the book to be entertaining, interesting, and well- written. A good addition to anyone's library.

Angela Winters

Hush is about Dezeray Jackson P.I. Dezeray revisits a cold case of a young girl who was killed. Along with that, she also revisits the murder of her sister. Between managing her cases and trying to decide on a new love or an old love, Dezeray finds her plate full.

I loved Dezerary because she is a strong lead character. She is the kind of strong woman that you love to read about. The other characters in the book are also very relateable.

The book moved along smoothly with me being glued to the pages. Great book!! I can't wait to read more.

Chelsey Mae

I won this book in the giveaway (thank you so much!) I really enjoyed it and Dezeray reminds me a little of myself. Once I started it it was hard to put down. I can't wait for more in this series, I'm itching to find out what happens next!

V. Smith

***I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an unbiased review***

I mainly read thriller/suspense/mysteries, expecting three things within the pages: true to life scenarios―with some suspension of disbelief expected―unanticipated twists and turns, and finally, a plot that challenges my mind as I read. Kori D. Miller’s HUSH accomplished all three, and I can honestly say it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to find that inside recently read books.

The book centers around Dezeray Jackson, a private investigator who is a strong, stubborn, and a take no BS kind of woman. As she takes on a pro bono case for Tamara Steele involving a cold case, something from her own past resurfaces. To further complicate matters, not only does she have to deal with Patrick Murphy, an ex-boyfriend also reemerging after a long absence, but as well as issues with her current, Scott James. She is well developed and relatable. The supporting characters were also relatable, fit their roles, and are well fleshed out.

The plot is highly original and upon reading the first chapter, I was immediately captivated. The author masterfully draws you into each scene with highly descriptive setups, and I was able to easily envision the surroundings as though I was there. The pages seemed like they turned themselves. This doesn’t happen often, however, I found myself aggravated when I had to put it down.

Think you have things figured out? Are you certain? Think again. Something will come up, forcing you to second-guess yourself. The editing, set up, and execution, thank the Gods, is fantastic―which seems to be rare lately―and was a breathe of fresh air.

There was only one thing disappointing within the book―and that was when I found myself on the last page and wanting more! Can’t wait for book 2 in the series.

In my opinion, give this book a read.

Janice

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I give it 4.5 stars. Interesting story and a very quick read. The kind of book you hated to put down always wanting to read 'just one more chapter.'Dezeray Jackson agrees to take on a cold case murder for Tamara Steele. The caase involves Tamara's friend Jessica Howard. She was murdered in 2005. Although police interviewed Tamara and her friends, Sylvia, Jose,Kane and Micah, plus Jessica's stepfather and a man named Jeff Teel. Although Jeff and the stepfather were suspected of the murder, there was not enough evidence to charge anyone and now the case is left unsolved. Dez begins asking a lot of questions but soon gets involved with trying to solve the murder case of her sister, which she keeps getting additional clues about from a supposed dead man named Alec Covington. Dez is also trying to sort out her feelings for current boyfriend Scott James and former boyfriend Patrick Murphy. Dez is a good detective though and keeps asking questions until she finds the answers. While searching for the answers, Alec ends up getting killed as do Sylvia and Bryant. The ending of the book leaves open the possibility of more Dezeray Jackson murder mysteries involving these same characters where we will learn more of their stories and also hopefully solve the murder of Dezeray's sister.

Johnny Walker

This book was a fun read, filled with both imaginative visuals and actual locations. Kori’s writing is dynamic and easy to follow, and the story has the right elements to keep a reader anxious to turn the page. The best part is; it isn’t predictable, and the ones you think may be ‘in on it’, aren’t the ones at all.

Marcia Forecki

Fremont, Nebraska may be a small town, but Dezeray Jackson is no small-time detective. In HUSH, Kori Millre’s debut novel, we meet Dezeray, a martial arts expert, pool hustler, and pull-no-punches sleuth. She agrees to investigate a cold case murder in which a University of Nebraska Omaha criminal justice student is peripherally involved. But, this mystery is only the beginning. There is tension to diffuse between her current and former lovers, new clues to chase down in the unsolved murder of Dezeray’s sister, and the identity of a sinister person or group who have threatened the young detective to discover. All of this action is set in the Fremont, Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska triangle. The local references are fun for resident readers , but even for outsiders, the locale is so vividly described that they will soon feel at home. The characters in HUSH are clearly drawn, complex creatures. The most tantalizing is Dezeray, of course, but even minor characters get the full treatment from author Kori Miller. This reader hopes we will hear lots more from Ms. Miller about Dezeray Jackson in volumes to come.

Cathy Marie Roller

Hush by Kori D Miller is captivating and guaranteed to take your mind off your woes. It is fast paced and keeps you thinking. Dezeray Jackson, the detective, is a strong female character. She's self confident and is an expert at pool and the martial arts. She does a great job of taking care of herself and her clients.

If you'd like to set your life aside, and enter a world where strong women pursue and exact justice, this is a book for you!

Allen Ziesemer

I really enjoyed this book and others by this author-the books are easy to read and as a local area author she uses many area sites in her stories-I say continue the good work

Heather Awad

This was a great read from start to finish. The writing is swift, smart and thoroughly enjoyable. Great story and characters. Once I started reading it I knew it would be one of those books I'd race to get to the end. I got the Kindle version when it was on special for $.99 and it was more than worth it. It was an awesome deal! Highly recommend.