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Arcane Society #9.5
The Scargill Cove Case Files
Chilling paranormal suspense in a small California town—by the New York Times bestselling author of the Arcane Society novels!As the director at Jones & Jones, a psychical investigation agency, Fallon Jones solves crimes of a different nature. Jones’s latest case involves a body found in the basement vault of a local bookstore, and scratchings on the inside of the door that seem to be a coded message, in this novella by Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of In Too Deep and the Arcane Society novels.
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2011
622 people are currently reading
1,832 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Ann Krentz
377books7,045followersThe author of over 50 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 172 reviews
July 3, 2020
Arcane Society #9.5, The Scargill Cove Case Files is a short novella of 49 pages that introduces the character of Fallon Jones. This is like a sneak peak story that doesn’t offer much but just a glimpse of the psychic ability of the protagonist.
The arcane society series is not new for me, I have read a couple and liked them for its mix of romance and paranormal elements. In Too Deep is the book that follows this short story and has Fallon Jones’s adventure with the vortex, I guess. Haven’t read that actually.
The writing in this novella is quite unique, it reads mostly like case notes or diary entries, like ‘have to buy coffee, called x, asked y, etc.� which did make me laugh but created a lack of solidity in the story. Of course, the lack of depth can definitely be understood but as a preview of the following one in the series, this was just perfect!
The arcane society series is not new for me, I have read a couple and liked them for its mix of romance and paranormal elements. In Too Deep is the book that follows this short story and has Fallon Jones’s adventure with the vortex, I guess. Haven’t read that actually.
The writing in this novella is quite unique, it reads mostly like case notes or diary entries, like ‘have to buy coffee, called x, asked y, etc.� which did make me laugh but created a lack of solidity in the story. Of course, the lack of depth can definitely be understood but as a preview of the following one in the series, this was just perfect!
December 11, 2011
(Here's my tweet: 3 stars since it's free, but Arcane Society newbies don't start here.)
When the new owner of the bookstore in Fallon Jone's home town asks for help with a spirit haunting the store, Jone's patterning talent - and penchant for conspiracies - is going to lead Fallon to a deeper discovery than the how the body ended up locked in the vault in the basement.
A freebie for avid Arcane Society fans who might have missed this in it's previous incarnation, this is the first time published but the content is not new. The Scargill Cove Case Files is a collection of Twitter tweets for Fallon Jones - yes, Fallon Jones (Arcane Society) has his own Twitter account (lest you think me an extreme fan girl I stumbled on this during the marketing campaign for In Too Deep: Book One of the Looking Glass Trilogy (An Arcane Society Novel) there is another set of Tweets to go with that book).
Scargill Cove Case Files - not surprisingly - read like a bunch of tweets, the result was choppy and consequently it was not very engaging - so personally, I thought that this was more on the ok side. For those readers who aren't already familiar with Krentz' psychic paranormal romances looking to give the Arcane Society series a try, there really isn't enough here to get a feel for the series written by Krentz and her two alter egos (Krentz writes Arcane Society present, but also writes as Arcane society Past as Amanda Quick, and Arcane Society Future as Jayne Ann Castle.) But since these tweets are set right before Running Hot (Arcane Society, Book 5), fans with a good memory might get a kick out of the references to events from that book and the price was right.
When the new owner of the bookstore in Fallon Jone's home town asks for help with a spirit haunting the store, Jone's patterning talent - and penchant for conspiracies - is going to lead Fallon to a deeper discovery than the how the body ended up locked in the vault in the basement.
A freebie for avid Arcane Society fans who might have missed this in it's previous incarnation, this is the first time published but the content is not new. The Scargill Cove Case Files is a collection of Twitter tweets for Fallon Jones - yes, Fallon Jones (Arcane Society) has his own Twitter account (lest you think me an extreme fan girl I stumbled on this during the marketing campaign for In Too Deep: Book One of the Looking Glass Trilogy (An Arcane Society Novel) there is another set of Tweets to go with that book).
Scargill Cove Case Files - not surprisingly - read like a bunch of tweets, the result was choppy and consequently it was not very engaging - so personally, I thought that this was more on the ok side. For those readers who aren't already familiar with Krentz' psychic paranormal romances looking to give the Arcane Society series a try, there really isn't enough here to get a feel for the series written by Krentz and her two alter egos (Krentz writes Arcane Society present, but also writes as Arcane society Past as Amanda Quick, and Arcane Society Future as Jayne Ann Castle.) But since these tweets are set right before Running Hot (Arcane Society, Book 5), fans with a good memory might get a kick out of the references to events from that book and the price was right.
September 14, 2014
Don't let the rating fool you. I liked this one. It was just too short, and written as a case file (from Fallon Jones' point of view), and I didn't really know how to rate it, so I took the middle ground.
It was great revisiting Fallon again, since I have a soft spot for this chaos theorist. And for Scargill Cove where the man's hearth is.
The narrative style offered a special glimpse into the man's psyche and thinking patterns (he was a hoot in this one), we're presented with a small investigation in Scargill Cove during which we learn there are no coincidences, and in the end witness the first meeting of Fallon and Isabella from his point of view.
Now I'm itching to re-read and get to see the two of them interact all over again.
It was great revisiting Fallon again, since I have a soft spot for this chaos theorist. And for Scargill Cove where the man's hearth is.
The narrative style offered a special glimpse into the man's psyche and thinking patterns (he was a hoot in this one), we're presented with a small investigation in Scargill Cove during which we learn there are no coincidences, and in the end witness the first meeting of Fallon and Isabella from his point of view.
Now I'm itching to re-read and get to see the two of them interact all over again.
July 12, 2016
This is a freebie.
It's a short read about a case that Fallon Jones is working on. This won't really be a good one to read unless you've read a couple books in the series.
It fits between and
It's a short read about a case that Fallon Jones is working on. This won't really be a good one to read unless you've read a couple books in the series.
It fits between and
January 18, 2025
This is a short story (about 45 pages) that’s a lead up to the next book in the Arcane series, In Too Deep. This book introduces us to Fallon Jones, the head of the Jones & Jones detective agency (paranormal cases for the Arcane Society). It’s written as a series of tweets (yes, at one time the character had his own Twitter account). It was pretty mediocre for me, and I like the series, so I can’t imagine reading this if you’re not thoroughly addicted to the author and this series. The major highlight for me was a few tweets featuring Arizona Snow.
November 4, 2018
I think even the Scholastic books I read as a kid were longer than this book! Glad it was a freebie. Extremely quick Arcane Society/Scargill Cove) read.
Want to read
June 16, 2015Free 06-16-15 (Arcane Society short story)
September 5, 2020
Ha! 44 pages where 18 of them are this actual story where Fallon recounts, in note form, events he investigated that led him to learn about Vortex (presumably making its appearance as a secret organization for Fallon Jones to take down). It's not bad, it's an interesting story and it's giving background for the next story I'm guessing. And it doesn't hurt that Fallon is just as intriguing and interesting in this story...kinda whets the appetite for his book. But the other 60% of those 44 pages is a teaser chapter for the next book, . Thankful this was free.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2023
The first thing I downloaded on my new Nook, it was free and . . . too short! Still, it was a good bridge between the last two books in the Arcane series (contemporary times) with a few offshoots to the Eclipse Bay series and a fun read. It is, after all, a short story. Unfortunately there are very few characters and little time for involvement in their lives, something I always look forward to in a JAK. I would not recommend it to anyone who hasn't been following the Arcane series pretty closely, but for those of us who have been, it is worth the detour.
October 9, 2022
This is charming, and, as I mentioned to a GR friend, it relates to some other books by Ms Krentz in her various personae. Specifically, it's a prequel of sorts for , though mostly only because of the principal character, Fallon Jones.
July 11, 2013
A prequel to Looking Glass Trilogy in the form of diary notes from Fallon, solving a murder in his small home town. Makes you want to read the rest as soon as possible, even if it was on the short side.
3,5 Stars
3,5 Stars
July 25, 2013
I remember loving this series when it first came out. I don't know if its the short story or the "report" style but it didn't have the magic previous stories in the series have had for me. It's still a good story it just didn't blow me away.
December 30, 2014
I love the Arcane Society series. This was just a freebie and I'm glad it was free. Without the romance, it's only value is showing us more insight into Fallon Jones' character.
February 15, 2022
Review of eBook
Psychic investigator Fallon Jones, director of Jones and Jones, finds himself involved in the investigation of a bookstore at the request of its new owner, Fitch. He believes something bad happened in the bookstore . . . a murder, perhaps . . . and wants the psychic detective to investigate.
At the same time, bodies keep turning up; the J&J agent says a rogue is responsible. Fallon worries about spending time on the bookstore case when he feels he should be focusing on Nightshade and the rogue. Nevertheless, he heads for the bookstore.
While the rogue continues to strike, Fallon vacillates between needing coffee and visiting the bookstore. No one seems to know anything about the former owner, Hooker, and his sudden departure from Scargill Cove, but that doesn’t stop Fallon from his investigation.
When he checks out the basement, Fallon finds an old vault . . . locked with a new, high-tech lock. What is in the vault? And will it help Fallon find the answers to Hooker’s mysterious disappearance?
=========
Written as if it were case notes in a series of journal entries, this short story prequel to “In Too Deep,� an Arcane Society story. For readers familiar with the author’s series featuring the Society, this short introduction to the next book in the series will be a special treat. For those new to the series, it’s an invitation to explore the workings of the Society.
Scargill Cove provides readers with a sense of place for the story; the brevity of the story limits the full development of the characters, but there is sufficient information here for readers to understand each of them and to see how they fit into the telling of the tale. There’s sufficient plot for the short prequel; the denouement is sure to satisfy readers.
The running joke about running out of coffee and needing to visit the Sunshine Café keeps readers smiling, especially those who appreciate their coffee as much as Fallon.
Also included in this eBook are teasers for “Secret Sisters� and “Trust No One.�
Recommended.
Psychic investigator Fallon Jones, director of Jones and Jones, finds himself involved in the investigation of a bookstore at the request of its new owner, Fitch. He believes something bad happened in the bookstore . . . a murder, perhaps . . . and wants the psychic detective to investigate.
At the same time, bodies keep turning up; the J&J agent says a rogue is responsible. Fallon worries about spending time on the bookstore case when he feels he should be focusing on Nightshade and the rogue. Nevertheless, he heads for the bookstore.
While the rogue continues to strike, Fallon vacillates between needing coffee and visiting the bookstore. No one seems to know anything about the former owner, Hooker, and his sudden departure from Scargill Cove, but that doesn’t stop Fallon from his investigation.
When he checks out the basement, Fallon finds an old vault . . . locked with a new, high-tech lock. What is in the vault? And will it help Fallon find the answers to Hooker’s mysterious disappearance?
=========
Written as if it were case notes in a series of journal entries, this short story prequel to “In Too Deep,� an Arcane Society story. For readers familiar with the author’s series featuring the Society, this short introduction to the next book in the series will be a special treat. For those new to the series, it’s an invitation to explore the workings of the Society.
Scargill Cove provides readers with a sense of place for the story; the brevity of the story limits the full development of the characters, but there is sufficient information here for readers to understand each of them and to see how they fit into the telling of the tale. There’s sufficient plot for the short prequel; the denouement is sure to satisfy readers.
The running joke about running out of coffee and needing to visit the Sunshine Café keeps readers smiling, especially those who appreciate their coffee as much as Fallon.
Also included in this eBook are teasers for “Secret Sisters� and “Trust No One.�
Recommended.
August 15, 2017
It wasn't until I skimmed some of the other reviews that I realized this short story was supposedly a collection of Twitter messages, which really makes no sense considering how secretive J&J's case files are supposed to be. Prior to this realization, I had been trying to figure out if this story was written as a jumbled, scattered, and rough stream of conscience in Fallon Jones's POV, or if it was maybe a case file journal he was keeping.
It certainly didn't strike me as being a collection of Tweets--not that I would know considering I don't even own a Twitter account.
The story itself is a nice promotional piece to introduce Fallon Jones, and maybe insert some more conspiracy theories into the already complicated web that has been building throughout the Arcane Society series. It was just another murder mystery connected to a bigger plot, so I assume we'll maybe see more, or get some references to this short story in the following Arcane book, In Too Deep.
It certainly didn't strike me as being a collection of Tweets--not that I would know considering I don't even own a Twitter account.
The story itself is a nice promotional piece to introduce Fallon Jones, and maybe insert some more conspiracy theories into the already complicated web that has been building throughout the Arcane Society series. It was just another murder mystery connected to a bigger plot, so I assume we'll maybe see more, or get some references to this short story in the following Arcane book, In Too Deep.
May 5, 2020
Fallon Jones is an interesting character. I've always wondering how his chaos-theory talent (or as another author would call it, his patterner talent) would play out in day to day life. This novella is a fascinating look into the way a patterner thinks and may overthinks. No wonder the ones without grounding sound and look like conspiracy theory kooks - for them, everything is part of a pattern. I wonder how many have gone to not just see the pattern but to manipulate the pattern. Fallon Jones as the current incarnation of Mycroft Holmes. Mmmm......
August 24, 2023
I really enjoy books that are semi-romance, semi-psychic, semi-mystery, semi-friendship based. This novel had it all. Loved the people, loved the paranormal aspects and expected loved the way Jayne Ann Krentz put it all together. She is a master at present the world of psychic functioning as normal and the people who inhabit that world as people first, psychic second. Hit all the buttons for me despite being more predictable than a true mystery.
March 14, 2021
3.5/5
I didn't know what to expect going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was written in kind of a journal noir style, and I really liked that. I wouldn't mind reading more books in a similar style.
I'd say this short story is meant to tie in previous events with events to come. It referenced the events of Running Hot quite a bit, and introduced a new problem.
I didn't know what to expect going into this, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was written in kind of a journal noir style, and I really liked that. I wouldn't mind reading more books in a similar style.
I'd say this short story is meant to tie in previous events with events to come. It referenced the events of Running Hot quite a bit, and introduced a new problem.
Read
June 30, 2022I am going to leave this unrated. It wasn't that I didn't like it. I guess I thought it would be more story. It is basically reading a person's diary. It wasn't so much case notes, but a journal of what happened. The style is interesting but not what I was looking for. Did it add to the overall storyarc... maybe. Would I have been fine not reading it? Yes.
July 15, 2023
Brief, rather terse story
Told as journal entries, this reads more as an outline for a novel than a complete story. No romance, no deep insight into the character, but interesting for those who follow the Arcane Society storyline. Not a good introduction to the storyline or the author.
Told as journal entries, this reads more as an outline for a novel than a complete story. No romance, no deep insight into the character, but interesting for those who follow the Arcane Society storyline. Not a good introduction to the storyline or the author.
August 31, 2017
Short and Sweet
I have loved Arcane Society since I stumbled the series 10 years ago. Excellent writing and the characters are very relatable. I'm glad I found this series. Looking forward to reading more about Arcane Society in all the generes.
I have loved Arcane Society since I stumbled the series 10 years ago. Excellent writing and the characters are very relatable. I'm glad I found this series. Looking forward to reading more about Arcane Society in all the generes.
June 16, 2018
I've read all the other Arcane books, but I just don't get the point of this. I also don't get why the crystals were hidden in a book that was displayed as for sale at a book store. What if a customer opened it up?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2018
Less than one star
This is absolutely the biggest waste of time. I enjoy her other books so much that I thought I'd try another generate. Mistake! Wish I could get my money back but I read it to the end hoping it would pick up.
This is absolutely the biggest waste of time. I enjoy her other books so much that I thought I'd try another generate. Mistake! Wish I could get my money back but I read it to the end hoping it would pick up.
February 11, 2019
Ok, but not great one of Jayne Krentz- in general I either love her books or consider them a bit so so-This is too short and a bit disjointed to the reader who read the associated books a while ago, but I still like her writing. But also any other one is better.
August 28, 2019
Clever Short Story of the Arcane Society
Nice little interstitial featuring Fallon Jones. Cool to learn a bit more about Fallon in his own words. Not really for first time readers of The Arcane Society, but very interesting if you're in the know.
Nice little interstitial featuring Fallon Jones. Cool to learn a bit more about Fallon in his own words. Not really for first time readers of The Arcane Society, but very interesting if you're in the know.
February 23, 2020
Short but good
This one is only a short story, but it’s very well done. Learned a little more About Fallon Jones. I’d like to learn more about the illusion talent mentioned. This is the 2nd time he’s mentioned in this series and I find it interesting
This one is only a short story, but it’s very well done. Learned a little more About Fallon Jones. I’d like to learn more about the illusion talent mentioned. This is the 2nd time he’s mentioned in this series and I find it interesting
September 15, 2020
A short novella consisting of Fallon Jones's notes on a couple of series of murders in Scargill Cove. There isn't time to put any meat on the story's bones, but it's very much in Fallon Jones's voice. Free as of this date.
November 5, 2020
Cute little side story although it mostly ties in before #9 in the Arcane Society series of 12. I enjoyed reading it. It was obvious that it was written after "In Too Deep" as none of the deductions made it this book are referred to in the next book, though still a good read.
January 15, 2021
Really short but it reminded me that I very much enjoyed Fallon’s story the first time I read it. So, I’m rereading ‘In Too Deep� and enjoying it equally as much the second time. Krentz/Castle/Quick is one of my favourite authors.
March 22, 2021
I was surprised by how much I liked this one. It's essentially a journal of sorts of Fallon Jones. It documents his everyday personal thoughts and actions in Scargill Cove. My only complaint was that it was too short! It really makes you look forward to his arc in the Arcane series.
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