One serial killer. One Forensic Psychologist determined to bring him down. Will the secret he knows about her past be what finally breaks her?
Cheyenne McCarthy has two enemies in this world: The environment that constantly bombards her brain with sensory overload and the man who killed her husband. Cheyenne has learned to see her high sensory sensitivities more as a gift by using it to help her to catch serial and other cold-blooded killers. She’s the expert people turn to before these killers strike again because her heightened senses never miss a thing…no matter how minute.
But will her gift turn against her when she needs it the most—before the brutal killer who stole her husband steals someone else she loves…including their unborn son? And will the secret he knows about her past be what finally breaks her?
Excerpt
Prologue
LOCAL NEWS
Accused Double Homicide Suspect to Stand Trial
BY CHONDRA KELLY, EDMONTON JOURNAL.COM
EDMONTON – Yesterday in Alberta Criminal Court, Judge Fernadette Noseworthy ruled that there was enough evidence against double homicide suspect, Marcus Harper, to go ahead with a trial.
Immediately after the Judge’s ruling, Harper lost control and not only threatened his lawyer but also the Prosecution team as well. “This is your fault,” he yelled at them. “I will get out. And you will suffer as I did. All of you will suffer. You will know what it’s like to have everything taken away!”
Harper, who had been brought into the courtroom in shackles and restrained to the defense table with handcuffs, sprang at his lawyer, knocking the table over, in an attempt to choke the man. It took the bailiff and three police officers to remove him from the lawyer, with the assistance of a taser to control him.
Harper was immediately removed from the courtroom and ordered back to the Maximum Security Prison, where he had been held in isolation since his arrest. Back when local TV stations broke the story last month, public outcry for revenge grew intense, due to the brutality of his crime. And his antics in the courtroom only seemed to confirm public concerns.
* * * *
Out of Sync ~ Chynna Laird
7
On his way out of the courtroom, the threats he directed to Cheyenne McCarthy, the Chief-of-Police, William McCarthy’s wife, were the most chilling: “I’ll save you for last, Dr. Lady. This isn’t the first time you’ve screwed with my life. You’re gonna get what you deserve. And I’ll enjoy hearing you scream for mercy.”
Cheyenne McCarthy is the Forensic Psychologist who played a key role in bringing Harper down.
Harper is accused of gunning down two people, one, a young adult male currently known as a ‘John Doe,’ and a Hopinachi woman believed to have been in the later stages of pregnancy. Harper’s detached demeanor and lack of remorse during his arrest and pretrial have sent angry ripples through the community, creating an even stronger public outcry for justice for the three lives he’s accused of taking.
When police had arrived at the scene of the shooting, Marcus was found standing by the bodies smoking a cigarette—still holding the gun in his hand—seemingly with no acknowledgment for what he had done or remorse.
“The man is sick,” one woman was quoted to have said outside of the courthouse, shortly after court adjourned. “It’s about time this thing moved forward so that guy is put away for good.”
Not all people are happy about the ruling, however. The leader of the Hopinachi Tribe, Chief Longfellow, along other tribe members who had witnessed the pretrial, felt that Harper would do better if he were returned to his people and punished in their own traditions.
“His family has suffered too much through all of this,” Chief Longfellow said, as he was led to his car by two fellow Hopinachi members. “We all need to be at peace, including Marcus.”
The Prosecution team is currently preparing a statement for later this afternoon.
Harper is without bail until his trial on the 15th of next month.
Cheyenne McCarthy has been asked to be an expert witness in a case involving Marcus Harper, who has already threatened the entire prosecution team. Marcu seems to have a personal venditti against Cheyenne. After already having killed Cheyenne's husband, it appears he wants to take even more from her, perhaps her unborn son. The back story involves the fact that Cheyenne has sensory sensitivities that can help her when investigating a case and an old Indian chief, Chief Longfellow, who has information about the case but, will only speak to Cheyenne. How do these 3 characters link together? What is there common bond? "Out of Sync" is a psychological thriller that is filled with suspense and drama. This gripping story pulls you in from page one and keeps your interest until the last page with as many twists and turns as a roller coaster. It has a well-written storyline that keeps you reading. I read it in one setting, couldn't put it down. This is my first book by Chynna T. Laird but, it most definitely will not be my last. In fact, I would love to see a Cheyenne McCarthy series (hint, hint). Highly recommended. A 5 outta 5!
Reviewed by E Harris
2/3/2020
In Out of Sync readers meet Cheyenne McCarthy who is a pregnant young widow. Marcus Harper wants her dead and he plans to kill her. Will he succeed?
Masterfully written, the story moves rapidly and is engrossing. The characters are unique and interesting. The dialogue is sharp, precise and often witty. The author brings to readers an exciting story. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Brittany Dalton
9/7/2018
This book caught my attention from the very first page. It keep me on the edge if my seat the whole entire time. Its well written and a great murder book. I will highly recomend this book to people. Its a short read and keep me wanting to find out what happens next. It is very emotional and in some part made me laugh as well. This is an amazing book.
Reviewed by Joyce Stewart
8/18/2018
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Out of Sync had me hooked from the very start. It is an action packed nail-biting thriller.Gripping and intense, the fast-paced plot rocketed along keeping me on the edge of my seat. I very highly reccomend this book. It is such a great psychological suspense novel that is Very well written . I loved this book. It grips you on page one. I started reading and just couldn't stop i Read it in one sitting because it is Unputdownable. Anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller this book is for you. Chynna T. Laird writing is superb and her descriptions excellent. It will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a gripping and mesmerizing story in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last
Now, if that’s not enough to get your curiosity juices flowing, I don’t know what will. But if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages for yourself! However, I will say it’s well worth reading .
Out of Sync has everything a good story should have. An intriguing plot, attention to detail, but best of all well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I really look for in a good book.
Very appealing and alluring. The story flowed from scene to scene with ease, and the author shows exceptional ability when it comes to storytelling. There is plenty of non-stop action in this page turner that will take the reader on a truly gripping and intense ride. I’ll be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.In my humble opinion, I honestly think this would make a great movie. Five stars from me.
Tense Edgy Suspense with Intriguing Native American Mysticism
By Glenda on February 27, 2018
Format: Paperback
It was just another case for which Dr. Cheyenne McCarthy had been asked to act as an expert witness... It was just another case where her husband, William, had been assigned...
But, this time, the killer threatened that he would come after those who had been involved in capturing him... And before long, his first victim was William McCarthy, Cheyenne's husband...
Cheyenne McCarthy is an intriguing character, with an unusual set of symptoms that affect many people in various ways. It was six months after her husband had been murdered when Cheyenne had made her first attempt to go back to her office, clearly having suffered from clinical depression as well as her long-time sensory issues which created odd responses to people, situations, and events. In the book she was adopted through a closed arrangement so had no ability to learn of her medical background. But her description was about loud and too much noise, as well as smells which she could not stand. To me they were perhaps symptoms I had seen in forms of autism but Cheyenne had never been diagnosed, living with "being different" somehow all her life. It was her husband who had shielded her from many of these issues--now she was on her own... For me, Laird's interest in using her novels to spotlight health issues many individuals face required kudos for her, but also provided an interesting facet to the main character's personality as she found herself called in to help with... forensics of criminal cases... It would be interesting to learn more about her in other novels...
Almost before she finished watching the news where she had heard that the condition of the Chief would not be released until the family had been notified, Perry, William's partner was at her door to take her to the hospital...While turning off the stove and the lights, she saw the "positive" pregnancy test on the table, which was the basis for her surprise dinner... She left it there, hoping William would be back home soon...
Now clearly pregnant, with William gone, Cheyenne was once again depending on her friend Perry. They had previously had a relationship that seemed to stay at the friendship level, but it was Perry who took on the role of protector. Indeed he was there that first day she had come back to her office. However, it wasn't only to ensure the office was safe, but he needed her help. They had found an older native american, Chief Longfellow, who had information about the case, but he would only share it with Cheyenne...
It is at that point that the mysticism of a native american elder brings guidance... and, though blind, he sees much... In this story, the Chief becomes a major character who works with Cheyenne on through the book. Yes, there is a connection which lends a very surprising and wondrous climax to the story.
Marcus Harper is a dangerous, vengeful man and is the villain readers will meet right from the very beginning. Indeed, readers will learn much about his thoughts as the drama begins and Marcus is on the hunt... And then specifically hones in on Cheyenne, torturing her with notes and invasions into her home...
Psychological suspense is heavy as Marcus seems to be able to get in an out of places and just disappear... Where can you hide from such a disturbed man? The book is tense, edgy, and yet is lightened by those who care about Cheyenne and support her as much as they can. But she couldn't help but remember the dream shared by Chief Longfellow--he was coming for her and what she had... And Cheyenne had realized from his notes that it could very well be her baby that he wanted...
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