Take it to the Limit - Book Five

Sounds of Someday

Fiction - Suspense
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 11/26/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

In Sounds of Someday by Linda Opdyke, Mickey Calhoun’s latest case starts innocuously enough when an ill-fated dinner with her husband, Ethan, ends in a confrontation. But when a mysterious woman named Vanessa Warner seeks Mickey’s help to “find” a man she claims is stalking her, the story spirals into a labyrinth of suspicion, violence, and deception. As Mickey and Ethan’s circle of friends, fellow P.I.s, tech wizards, and detectives, are drawn in, Vanessa’s tangled web of lies, obsession, and possible murder becomes even more concerning. The question is: Who is the hunter and who indeed is the prey? As Mickey and Ethan race to untangle the truth behind Vanessa’s claims, her fixation on their friend Bowen, and a string of attacks and murders with a distinctive switchblade, their own relationship and professional ethics are strained to the limit. Can they unravel the mystery in time to stop more crimes?

Sounds of Someday is character-driven and filled with unexpected twists. I enjoyed the masterful exploration of trust, obsession, and the cost of empathy in the face of manipulation. The setting in modern-day Nashville, with its juxtaposition of five-star restaurants, honky-tonks, and shadowy side streets, evokes the charm of the South and the dangers of urban life. The cast is one of the novel’s greatest strengths: Mickey is tough, principled, and stubbornly empathetic, while Ethan is the voice of reason, balancing professional detachment with deep personal concern. Secondary characters, from the loyal Bowen to the dubious journalist Danny Miller, are elaborately drawn and distinct. Linda Opdyke is a great writer, and she created characters that I cared about, especially the two detectives. The story is filled with humor, emotionally charged scenes, and short chapters that make the story a breezy read.

Doreen Chombu

In Sounds of Someday by Linda Opdyke, private investigator Mickey Calhoun navigates a complex web of deception, stalking, and murder. She finds herself on opposite sides of a case with her husband, Ethan, who is also an investigator. Mickey's client, Vanessa, claims her ex-lover, Rogers, is stalking her and sending different men to harass her after she refused to help him kill his wife. However, Rogers, who is Ethan's client, asserts that Vanessa is an obsessive ex-mistress harassing him and his family. As Mickey investigates further, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine who is telling the truth and who is lying. The plot thickens when Vanessa develops an attachment to Bowen, one of Mickey’s colleagues, and Rogers' wife is murdered. When Mickey’s life is threatened multiple times, Ethan and she realize that collaborating on this case might be more beneficial than working against each other.

Sounds of Someday is an engaging story that immerses readers in a mind-twisting investigation. It combines romance, mystery, and suspense, featuring interesting characters with complex personalities. What makes this story unique is how it introduces suspicious characters without immediately revealing their intricate connections or motives. I found myself glued to the book, eager to discover the reasons behind the crimes and how they were committed. Linda Opdyke skillfully uses unexpected revelations to keep the narrative interesting. Moments like Mickey traveling to New Orleans, Ethan working for Rogers, and Miller’s disastrous actions hit the reader unexpectedly, leaving them shocked and craving more. As the book is part of a series, I hope to read more from this author and further explore these characters. I loved the chemistry and teamwork between the characters and how Mickey and Ethan support one another. Overall, this is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys crime mysteries filled with twists and turns.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Sounds of Someday by Linda Opdyke is a thrilling crime investigation novel that follows the private investigator couple, Mickey and Ethan. After a disastrous dinner where Mickey courageously confronted a rude man harassing his wife, she is approached by Vanessa Warner, a beautiful woman claiming to be stalked. Initially skeptical about taking the case, especially after discovering that Vanessa has a history of filing multiple stalker claims, Mickey ultimately decides to meet with her. However, when she learns that the rude husband she confronted at the restaurant is actually Vanessa’s stalker, she changes her mind about accepting the case. Complicating matters further, Mickey discovers that her husband, Ethan, is working for the man who is stalking her client. As Mickey and Ethan become entangled in a cat-and-mouse game with their deceitful clients, things take a dark turn when Ethan’s client’s wife is found dead.

Sounds of Someday is a captivating tale of obsession, lies, and deadly truths. Each chapter is filled with unexpected twists, making the story suspenseful. Linda Opdyke explores themes of trust in relationships, as well as fear, anxiety, and mental instability. The narrative unfolds from the investigators' perspective, allowing readers to uncover the truth alongside them. Mickey and Ethan's relationship is put to the test as they are forced to withhold vital information from each other. Their arguments about Mickey taking risks feel authentic and relatable. Vanessa and Rogers are among the most unpredictable characters I have ever read, with their scheming making them formidable adversaries. Opdyke’s narrative highlights subtle details, such as Vanessa listening to a specific song on her earbuds, which plays a significant role in the plot. Fans of this series will also enjoy meeting familiar characters again. The story is exciting with tense moments that will make you hold on to your seat. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves investigative dramas featuring intriguing characters and a dynamic storyline.

Delene Vrey

In Sounds of Someday, the fifth book in Linda Opdyke’s Take It to the Limit series, danger and obsession collide once again among a close-knit circle of friends in law enforcement and private investigations. Vanessa Warner walks into Mickey’s office, claiming multiple people are stalking her and that her life is in danger. After witnessing Vanessa’s unsettling behavior in a bar, her husband, Ethan, and their friends, Logan and Bowen, warn Mickey to stay away from the case. But when Vanessa’s apparent fixation on Bowen surfaces, Mickey realizes there’s far more beneath the surface than anyone first suspected. Meanwhile, Ethan takes on a new client whose case directly conflicts with Mickey’s, forcing the two to find an uneasy compromise. With Bowen joining her investigation, Mickey’s trademark impulsiveness and determination soon lead her into a series of dangerous, life-threatening encounters. To make matters worse, an overconfident journalist inserts himself into her investigation, stirring up even more trouble.

Opdyke leads the reader in with the haunting notes of Radio Company’s “Sounds of Somewhere,” setting a mood of unease that lingers throughout the novel. The recurring song deepens the atmosphere of foreboding, becoming a subtle echo of the story’s emotional core. The writing style mirrors the personalities of the main characters: Mickey’s quick thinking and impulsive nature, Bowen’s clipped and guarded manner, and Vanessa’s manipulative, deceptive tone. The author captures the obsessive behavior of a volatile, unstable mind with precision, illustrating just how difficult it is to confront someone who is both intelligent and delusional. By this fifth installment, the characters and their relationships feel fully realized, allowing the story to flow naturally and focus on suspense and emotional tension. Sounds of Someday is a gripping addition to the series — one that blends psychological intrigue with the grit of investigative drama. Readers who enjoy crime fiction and private investigator stories, particularly fans of J.T. Bishop’s Daniels and Remalla series, will find much to appreciate in Opdyke’s deft storytelling and character-driven tension.

Alma Boucher

In Sounds of Someday by Linda Opdyke, Vanessa Warner hires Mickey to track down a home address. Vanessa had an affair with a married man named Roger and believes he wants to kill her. Meanwhile, Roger hires Ethan, who soon learns there is a more troubling side to Vanessa that could spell danger for Mickey. As Ethan and Mickey dig into their separate investigations, they uncover the dark and disturbing secrets Vanessa has been hiding. At the same time, Vanessa keeps appearing wherever Bowen goes, always wearing a small white rose in her hair and listening to the song Sounds of Someday. During Mardi Gras, Vanessa spent a few nights with Beau Weldon, who happens to look exactly like Bowen. As the body count rises, Ethan, Mickey, and their team begin to grasp the true depth of Vanessa’s obsession.

Sounds of Someday by Linda Opdyke is a thrilling, fast-paced read packed with nonstop action. With its many twists and turns, it was nearly impossible to put the book down. I found myself eagerly flipping through the pages to see what would happen next. The intense events drew me right into the danger surrounding Ethan, Mickey, and their team. It was a roller coaster ride filled with obsession, deception, fear, and danger. The characters felt authentic and easy to relate to, especially Mickey, who always tried to do what was right but often landed in dangerous situations. The writing is captivating, with vivid descriptions that bring every scene to life. This story has all the ingredients of a top-notch thriller, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. It kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.