When Detective Inspector Reis is given a new case to solve she at first thinks that it isn't homicide until she realized that the man was from the Government company which works with the gifted.
As Reis is a gifted in telepathy this is the perfect case for her but not everyone trusts a gifted person nevermind a police Detective Inspector.
This novel takes the old crime books and turns it into something new.

The Colours of Death brings my two favourite genres together, crime fiction and fantasy.

In the world of The Colours of Death, people can be 'gifted' with either a telepathic or telekinetic power. The case is incredibly interesting as the murder is committed by someone with a gifted at a level not recorded in Portugal. I was fascinated by how the Inspectors went about trying to figure it out. How the 'gifted' are registered, what the level of their ability means. The case isn't helped by the way some people perceive 'gifted' people as monsters. Especially in how the general public responds to Inspector Isabel Reis a gifted individual and how that status is used against her.

Inspector Isabel Reis is the lead in The Colours of Death, she is an interesting character. As she deals with the evolution of her gift and family drama while investigating this case. And getting a new 'regular' partner Aleks. The family drama and looks into Isabel post gave me a deeper understanding of Isabel and how hateful people are to anyone different, even if that person is family.

Overall I enjoyed the mystery, the powers and the drama. I hope this isn't the last time I read about Isabel and Aleks cases.

My Rating for The Colours of Death is 4 out of 5.

The Colours of Death is a Police Procedural set in an alternative modern day Lisbon.Some of the population are "Gifted" as they have special powers .A grisly murder has been committed on a train and Gifted Inspector Isabel Reiss is called to investigate .This is a completely different thriller from the norm ,though quite slow at the start it soon picked up pace Being set in Portugal was interesting and for a debut book I thought this was a very enjoyable read.Many thanks to the Publisher,the Author and NetGalley for my free copy in return for an honest review .

Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I read the first two chapters but the style of writing wasn't for me and I ended up re-reading so many of the sentences as they jarred and I couldn't make sense of them. Whether this is a proofing problem, because I read an ARC, I'm not sure, but for me what I read had too much passive voice and telling, which is not a style I enjoy.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

In an alternative present-day Lisbon, a small percentage of the population have been diagnosed as Gifted - having telepathic or telekinetic powers. Along with the power comes stigma and suspicion that Gifted Inspector Isabel Reis knows only too well. While Isabel is called in to investigate a mysterious and violent death which hints at Gifted involvement, she knows it's more than her personal reputation on the line. Isabel is hiding her own secret and knows she has to tread carefully as a conspiracy emerges and the body count rises.

Isabel Reis is Gifted with telepathic powers. She is working alongside a new partner, Aleksanor Voronov who she is wary of. Then news comes in that there has been a murder on a train, with suspected Gifted involvement.

This is a fast paced thriller with some really good twists. It's told in the third person and set in the present day. I liked the writers writing style and descriptions of the storyline. It's an action packed whodunit. I did feel that the ending let the book down but overall, it's a really good and unique read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStoughton and the author #PatriciaMarques for my ARC of #TheColourOfDeath in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting ideas morph into a good murder mystery with added areas bordering modern dislike/prejudice/lack of open mindedness which, I think, we should all embrace (open mindedness).
Each person is born what they are those genes and traits generally cannot be changed or modified, we do not choose what we are born, we make the best of it and, hopefully live happily: though in the modern technological age it is true that gene therapy can cure certain diseases. I digress.
I enjoyed the vast majority of this book, I liked the ideas that were planted early and grew as the book progressed and developed.
The rivalry between characters was well placed, the hatred between certain groups was clear and the reasoning behind that hatred/mistrust between those different groupings was interesting.
Generally the story was well built, avenues opened and were explored but my disappointment came right at the end. The fate and path to be taken b the main character is totally withheld. No clues as to where it will go, can that character return? Is that character damaged beyond repair? Can the character be trusted? Even by herself?
Generally the book was strong, the ideas interesting but the ending? I'm afraid I found it "damp". Perhaps it is just me and the fact that I like a more definitive end to a story even if there is to be a follow up. I don't like voids and I think this book's ending created one.

I loved this. Speculative crime fiction with some superb writing and an eclectic, engaging group dynamic of characters who you invest in very early on.

In a world where a portion of the population are gifted, monitored and often facing prejudice, one detective who is gifted herself, gets embroiled in some odd and violent murders..

This plot is so addictive and the world building has you believing every word. As an allegory it also works beautifully allowing exploration of social issues within a vibrant and ever shifting perspective.

The Colours of Death is also wildly entertaining and a right old page turner. I didn't want it to end and I'm hoping for plenty more to come.

Highly Recommended.

I couldn't get into this book at all, and read the start a couple of times regarding the "gifted" and people building "wards" in their head to help their mental health and still felt quite confused. I think the fault is mine as from the synopsis I hadn't really appreciated the sci-fi /fantasy element and was anticipating more a police thriller set in Lisbon. I'm sorry I was unable to finish the book, but I'm sure the author will make many fans as a result of their writing
Thank you to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advance copy of this book

I loved the sound of this book. I enjoy reading off the wall stories usually, but I struggled with this one. The writing seemed a bit flat to me, and I didn't connect with the characters. Also the pace of the book was too slow. Not for me I am afraid.

Lately I have started to get a wee bit tired of some police procedural novels but then this one came along, with the addition of a sci-fi/fantasy edge and I was hooked. A really fresh and original twist on crime fiction with a compelling mystery and fantastic characters. A really, really good read!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

an interesting concept...they are all tested when they are young...some are gifted some are just regular...but the gifted are viewed as dangerous...

some are able to work alongside their peers but the higher the gift they are monitored and some disappear...

isabel is a low level gifted and is working as a police officer..she suddenly has a new partner and they both meet up at a murder scene that is pointing to being a gifted murder, which if it is classed as that has higher ramifications for all in the gifted community and for all the regular people as well...


though isabel is having problems with her gift...the tablets she takes to help squash her gift are starting not to work as well and her headaches are getting worse... and with the murder pointing towards a testing centre its starting to look bad

i quite enjoyed the feel of this book and hope there is a continuation as i want to see how isabel develops her gift and progresses on...

It’s a strange thing; people are often afraid of everyone that is not exactly as themselves. They are afraid of people with a different skin colour, a different culture, a different language and so on. The list is long. Too long.
So when you are born with telepathic or telekinetic abilities, you either end up in a circus or an institution. At least, that is what used to happen. Nowadays, people with such abilities are not hunted down anymore. That is, except in this well-written story about Isabel Reis, a police woman with telepathic abilities. Nothing to be happy with, in her society. She is one of many, and there seem to be as many people with telekinetic abilities too. They call them Gifted but the general public sees them not as ‘Gifted’ but as ‘dangerous freaks’. Every child that shows some ability has to be tested and is forced to live under constant surveillance.
Isabel is a five on a scale that ranges from one to ten. And is she happy? Mostly not. Her mother hates her for her ability, her father died too soon, her sister is not very good in making contact. Only her brother really loves her and looks out for her. And as for the fact that she is working for the police? She has to be very careful and always, always be on edge because she is not allowed to use her powers. On the contrary, she is even taking pills to suppress them.
So when one day a man dies, and it looks like he is murdered by someone with telekinetic abilities, Isabel is sent our to solve this gruesome murder, partnered with Alex Vosonov, who is a ‘regular’.
The story is original and well-written although it is not so that I couldn’t stop reading. There is a lot of politics going on and this slows down the story in certain parts. The most interesting parts of the story are those where Isabel tries to come to terms with herself and her ability. She has to battle against the killer, her partner, some of her colleagues, the general public but most of all with herself Not so easy, to say the least. Luckily Isabel is clever, determined and fierce, and not even afraid to admit she is not perfect (but who is).
I liked the fact that this story is set against a city I’ve never been, where people speak a language I hardly know, except for the usual words for ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’. Isabel greets people in her own language instead that it was translated to English. And there are more words, especially for the food! I had to look it up and so I’ve learned about some new dishes. And how to cook special teas 😉.
Many thanks to Netgalley for this digital review copy.

A Portuguese Police Procedural and it is a real breath of fresh air. Set in Lisbon where there are Gifted among the population and outside Portugal too, even in the police force. The gifted are either Telepaths or Telekinetics, graded on a scale of 1 to 10 where an average Gifted is scaled 5 and those rated above are thought to be a real hazard. Gifted are either one form of Tele or the other and that is believed to be the universal truth, one or the other but not both - until it is no longer the universal truth and then the “fun” starts.

No more from me as I hate offering spoilers. This is a truly novel and inventive story which is well worth your time.

Patricia Marques’ debut The Colours of Death is a successful genre mash. Marques has taken a down-the-line crime procedural, mixed it with a well imagined alternative world in which some people are ‘gifted’ with specific powers and set it all in the very real streets of Lisbon. All anchored by a strong, flawed and despite her differences, relatable, female lead.
The world of The Colours of Death is one in which some of the population are known a “gifted”. Gifted individuals have one of two capabilities – either telepathy (the ability to hear thoughts and read minds) or telekinesis (the ability to move objects without touching them). Not all people have the same level of gift, and the Gifted a rated on a scale from one to ten. Anyone with a rating over seven must be monitored and those with the highest rating are considered dangerous and are often disappeared by the Government. Unsurprisingly there is plenty of fear and discrimination in the general population around the Gifted and their powers including a growing political force led by a populist politician that wants to see all Gifted people more tightly controlled.
Pulled away from the case of an unidentified dead woman, Gifted (telepathy) detective Isabel Reis is called to a high profile death on a commuter train. The victim is one of the two lead researchers at the main Portuguese institute for testing and rating of the gifted and seems to have been killed by someone with powerful telekinetic powers. Isabel, who can read people’s memories when she touches them is using a slightly illegal drug to keep her gift under control but the side effects of the drug are constant, blinding headaches. As part of the case she is landed with a new partner, Voronov, a non-gifted detective who comes with his own challenges for her as he is known for having testified against her former (gifted) partner. Isabel has to try and solve the case as tension and suspicion ratchets up within the team, political tension mounts on the police force and another victim is found. At the same time, Isabel is having to deal with her own drug dependency and a difficult family situation.
Within all of the well-handled world building, Marques has delivered a solid, engaging police procedural. Isabel and her team are competent investigators stymied by a complex case, lies and obfuscation. Isabel’s gift is of limited use as she requires consent to use it, although it comes more into its own towards the climax. And, as with all good crime fiction, the narrative brings the city of Lisbon, not seen as often as other world capitals, its people, it’s landscapes and its food, to life.
So long as genre snobs can hold any of their own prejudices back there is plenty to enjoy here for both crime and speculative fiction fans. But really, this will be a great read for anyone with a working imagination. The Colours of Murder is a great crime debut in an intriguing world and the perfect set up for an ongoing series.

Sadly this ended up being a DNF for me - I really struggled with the voice and found the main character not compelling enough to carry the plot.

Absolutely fantastic! A really good thriller with a twist, I really hope that this is the beginning of a new series. Fast paced with an exciting and original plot line, this was such a pleasure to read. I loved everything about it from the wonderful descriptives that set the scene in alternate reality Lisbon, the character development of Isabel and most importantly what a villain! A definite recommendation.

Sci Fi meets Crime Fiction is this refreshing new take on a thriller!! A wonderful take on the genre and also lovely to be taken to Lisbon in the writing, it truly painted the perfect picture of the capital city right down to the local cuisine which I felt I could taste!!

This debut was so enjoyable to read! I found it was well written, plotted well and easy to read! I’d recommend this to all who are looking for a thriller fix with a little bit of a difference!!

Thank you to Netgalley & Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to Net Galley, Hodder & Stoughton and Patricia Marques who very kindly provided me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Crime thrillers aren’t my go to genre of book but if they were all like The Colours of Death they certainly would be! The sci-fi / paranormal aspects of this book drew me in and made the book really interesting, I was engaged the entire way though and couldn’t put the book down! I will definitely be buying a physical copy of this book when it is released not only just for the story but for the stunning cover!

The plot is paced really well, things don’t feel rushed at all but it is also not boring, it is a real mystery as well which I really enjoyed. The constant twists and turns in the story really keep you guessing right until the end and I had no idea who the killer was until is was revealed which was fantastic.

I loved all of the characters and thought that they interacted really well with each other, I like how the author didn’t try to push a romantic relationship between the main character and her partner as that is quite common in these types of books. I loved Isabel as a character and her development throughout the book, I like how we see her to try and be more accepting of her gift and learn to love herself and not be scared of who she is. I think that this is a very important message to imbed in a book!

The actual concept of the book is amazing, it is really original in my opinion. Personally I have never read or heard of anything quite like it and I simply loved it, I thought it was interesting and has so many routes for future development.

The only reason that this is not a 5⭐️ read for me is because in some places I did find the style of writing a little confusing but this could have just been my interpretation of it.

I definitely recommend this book even if crime thrillers aren’t your go to genre, just give this book a go. I guarantee that you will love it, it is impossible not to be drawn into this amazing mystery that you will not want to put down!

I am so excited that the ending sets up a second book perfectly and I can’t wait to see what Patricia will bring us next!

A thriller set in present-day Lisbon . . . but with a twist!

‘The Colours of Death’ is set in present-day Lisbon with a slightly dystopian twist! The reason is that the general population felt rather wary or even prejudiced if a person was labelled “Gifted” . . . because they are either telepathic or telekinetic.

We are introduced to Inspector Isabel Reis who is called in with her new work partner Aleks Voronov to investigate a rather bizarre death at one of the stations on the Lisbon metro. The deceased was classed as Gifted and incidentally so is Isabel.

The immediate question is . . . has the deceased committed suicide or had there actually been a murder? Well, it didn’t take long for Isabel to get a whiff of murder, plus an extremely dangerous and powerful person is at large. Again, why murder a Gifted person? Is the perpetrator also Gifted?

I enjoyed the human side of this investigation, particularly finding out about Isabel’s background and family dynamics. Another plus was how Isabel and Aleks began to trust each other after a rather frosty beginning.

I’ve been to Lisbon on three occasions, which enhanced ‘The Colours of Death’ for me so that the vibrancy of the city certainly shone through. I gather that this is Patricia Marques’ debut novel. I really enjoyed the quirkiness of the concept and I look forward to possibly a sequel?

Galadriel.

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.

DNF

First of all I would like to thanks NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for that book !

I dont think that book was for me, I only got 10% into the book and unfortunately had to DNF it. Which is not something I do, I usually try to push through.

I just really couldnt get into the story at all, but I think it's more of a me problem than the book's.

I will still give 3 stars, because it wouldnt be fair to badly rate a book that I havent entirely read.