Castle, Jayne
ORCHID
Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz)
Pocket Star Books 1998
Pb 327 pages
ISBN#
0-671-56902-3
The paranormal element in this story buys its entry onto this website. New York Times Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krentz (Jayne Castle) usually specializes in murder mystery/romance, but has stretched her formula story here to include psychic powers in the far away off-world culture of New Seattle. The murder mystery/romance is good, though repetitious of a previous work called ZINNIA. [My favorite Jayne Ann Krentz book is DEEP WATERS, which is not of our genre but a great read just the same.] Ms. Krentz/Castle's science fiction background in ORCHID is a trite veneerer, but her paranormal elements combine well with this murder mystery/romance.
Everyone in New Seattle has some degree of psychic ability, though most are no stronger than a level five. Orchid is an ice-prism of very high caliber. When she isn't writing vampire novels she's working at an agency, using her prism to aid other psychic talents. Private investigator Rafe Stonebreaker is an exotic strat-talent, probably the most powerful one alive. Strats can see strategy in all aspects of life and excel in corporate business maneuvering. The intriguing aspect of life in New Seattle is that "talents" are most successful when they link with a "prism" focus. Rafe is able to track down thieves and murderers by channeling his talent through a paid prism. An illusion-talent Rafe encounters is able to escape by partnering with a prism. Rafe finds it beneficial to take a prism with him as he investigates, but that isn't the only reason he insists on Orchid's company. His grandfather will soon be stepping down as CEO of Stonebreaker Shipping and Rafe wants the board of directors to assign him into that spot. But. In the culture of New Seattle, family is everything. The board would never consider assigning an unmarried person into the role of CEO. Rafe needs a wife! But. Strat talents are not easily matched. The general population fears them for their atavistic hunting tendencies. Rafe doesn't dare let Orchid see how powerful he is for fear of scaring her off. His problems multiply when Orchid's prism friends become victims of murder and attempted murder. And he can't help falling in love with this woman who is a target for kidnapping.
If you don't mind a mixed-genre read, and if you enjoy a story that focuses on relationships (even in the bedroom!) then you very well might enjoy ORCHID or her companions AMARYLLIS and ZINNIA. These stories are not, however, recommended for hard sci-fi purists.
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