Orchid

I’ll admit, I went into *Orchid* expecting another run-of-the-mill psychic detective story, but Jayne Castle subverts the tropes with surgical precision. The murder plot is intricate without being convoluted, hinging on corporate espionage and psychic residue (yes, that’s a thing here) in a way that feels fresh. Orchid Adams is the kind of protagonist I’d want to grab coffee with—sharp, sarcastic, and refreshingly uninterested in playing the damsel. Her dynamic with the potential love interest crackles with chemistry, but Castle smartly lets the tension build over the investigation rather than rushing into romance. That said, the slow burn *will* test your patience if you’re here for instant gratification. Tanya Eby’s narration is the secret weapon. She nails Orchid’s dry humor, making even the most expository psychic readings feel like witty repartee. Her voice for the male characters is particularly strong—distinct without veering into caricature—but I’ll dock half a point for her delivery of the villain’s lines, which occasionally tip into mustache-twirling territory. The production quality is flawless, though, with crystal-clear audio and seamless editing. My only real critique? The mid-book lull where the mystery plateaus just a beat too long. But the payoff—a twist that hinges on psychic *bureaucracy*—is worth the wait. If you love your thrillers with a side of supernatural workplace drama and a heroine who’s as good at reading auras as she is at reading men, this is a standout. Just don’t expect hand-holding; Castle trusts you to keep up, and Eby’s performance ensures you will.