D L Witherspoon

Author at http://www.skeeter63.org/tvlit101/.

Acquainted With The Night (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 12th March 2000 (5)

That was good. One of those Jim-has-a-secret-past things. It was an interesting switch that Sandburg had secrets as well. Nice dialogue, nice character, and an intriguing epilogue.

Adaptions (Sentinel/La Femme Nikita)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 5th March 2000

Here I was, having decided that I loathed LFN, and then I decided to read this story, just out of curiosity, to see how D. L. Witherspoon's treatment would compare with that of Laura Picken. Well. D. L. Witherspoon managed to show all the good things in LFN: the value of caring, and loyalty, even more valuable in a grinding system which declares all such things as weaknesses.
    "Going home, Nikita?"
    She realized she'd almost crashed into Michael. "Yes, I'm going home. And I'm going to wallow in my outrageous, useless, futile, emotions. And you know what, Michael? It's going to make me happy!"
    Michael stared nonplussed at the long blond hair as she stomped off and wondered why she thought she waiting until she got home.

Blair Sandburg is dead. Jim has been taken by the Section, recruited as an operative, simply because of his record, not because they know about his senses. He tries to go back to his old, cold, covert-ops ways, but neither Nikita nor, indeed, something inside him, will let him freeze his heart, not completely. It it had, then his nightmares would have stopped.

This story is very well written, and has much more hope in it than I would have expected. (I still have problems with the basis of LFN, but a long rant is not appropriate here). It draws you in, and entices you along, and makes you interested. The characters are well-rounded, the lines are good, the style flows, the plot works. So go ahead and read it.

Deep Cover (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 12th May 2001 (2)

This story is classic D.L. Witherspoon; Saint Jim, steadfast Blair. It makes me think of that song by the Carpenters, that went:
    Why do birds suddenly appear
    Every time, you are near?
    Just like me, they long to be, close to you
    Why do stars fall down from the sky
    Every time, you walk by?
    Just like me, they long to be, close to you

Okay, so it's too good to be true; sometimes one needs that. It's a nice thing to relax into; no worries about reading things I wouldn't want to remember, something to enjoy, steadfast, loyal, true. Something encouraging. So read it.

Evolution (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2002 (1)
Tags: Novelette
(107K)

The premise of this story is "What if nobody believed Blair's press conference in TSbyBS?" The author takes this and rolls with it, and turns out her usual yummy goodness. I'm glad to say that Jim here wasn't an UberJim, though there were the things one would expect from a D.L. Witherspoon story -- Jim feeling guilty for things he has no control over, ProtectorJim who is loved by dogs and children (well, there weren't any dogs, but still...). There's no question here that Jim and Blair care for each other and are deep friends -- the fallout here of TSbyBS is not an estrangement of the friends, though they do realize during the story that they need to work harder at communication and understanding each other; and this just highlights how the author manages to get the serious stuff and the banter all together at the same time, because the "understanding" problem gets turned into a running semi-joke through the story about being lost without a map.

Oh, there were so many good moments! (Unfortunately they be spoilers.)
    "My God, Jim! If someone made a TV show about you the critics would complain that you were just too good to be true. Of course, the critics wouldn't be your roommate who knows what an ass you can be at times."

I loved the whole Professor X thing. The more I think about it, the more I like it.

I didn't get the _Silence of the Lambs_ reference, because I had managed to avoid as much as I could about that... movie. Another thing I didn't get was the resigning psychologists thing; not so much as not getting it as not believing it -- though I appreciate the insight it gives to why Jim threw Blair out in SenToo. The baddy was a bit cheesy, but so many are...

I was left with the impression, at the end, of "The Sentinel is in his City, and all is well with the world." At least, until the next psycho turns up. I'd like to see what happens next.

He Arrives Just In Time (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st March 2000 (2)

Sequel to You Decorated My Life. I like the Spiderman idea!

He Knows (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 12th March 2000 (4)

A short Jim piece - Jim's thoughts when Blair has a head injury. This doesn't quite feel like Jim to me, but maybe I just can't get inside Jim's head.

Hijacked! (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 23rd February 2003 (3)
Zine: Hijacked!
Tags: Novella
(289K)

If you ever enjoyed a D.L. Witherspoon story, you'll enjoy this one. It has all her good unsinkable bantery caring Jim and Blair team. It has Awwww moments and thoughtful moments, good lines and some good turns of phrase. It's nice and hefty in size, and doesn't drag for a minute; while we may have lulls between crises, they keep coming one after another. Another feature I appreciated was that it was fairly firmly set between "Vow of Silence" and "Flight", with some good continuity references, both forward and backward. There might be a few points which are unexpectedly smarmy, but that's okay.

I Know (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 12th March 2000 (3)

A short Blair piece - Blair's thoughts when Jim has been shot. Very good. The insights are good, and it all comes round in, I don't know how to say this, structure, closure; the end bit fits so neatly with the beginning. There's some heart-string pulling too.

Miracles of Life (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 14th March 2000
Tags: Novella
(157K)

I can see why the author thought that some people wouldn't like this post-Sentinel Too story. It is a challenging idea. But they say that conflict, and resolving conflict, are what make a good story, and this one has enough emotional conflict to feed a bullpen - and enough resolution to bring out the smiles. Very good. The state of Alex is chilling and cheering, both, and the Jim and Blair interaction was very good.

Addendum: this story was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the Epilogue category. This won the 2001 Cascade Times Awards in the Epilogue category. And was nominated in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards in the Missing Scene category.

Motivating Factors (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 2nd March 2000

I have mixed feelings about this story - some bits of it I liked a lot, and some bits I hated. It's a Sentinel Life... I can see why the author said it was "an old idea that was desperately searching for a story"... and the odd thing is, that the bits that I didn't like were all related to the "It's A Wonderful Life" guardian angel things, while the bits I liked were the pure Jim and pure Blair reactions to the "fact" that the other one was dead - which could have been done as a story on its own, no angels required. So, read it for the good bits, if you like.

The Persistence of Memory (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 12th March 2000 (6)

This one is Jim angst - Jim remembers more suppressed memories. Poor Jim, he's got traumas enough for more than one lifetime! Pretty good, melancholy at the end. Blair's theory is a persuasive one, and rather surprising - but his metaphor is beautiful.

Phantasmagoric Interlude (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st March 2000 (3)

That wasn't bad at all. A short little... incident. Well done, with good style.

Runaway Jim (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th October 2001 (12)

This is completely silly, and laugh-out-loud funny. Probably most funny to those who have read enough fanfic to recognise all the fanfic cliches. House rule #1857, Jim dropping his gun, and so on. It's told with a combination of a wide-eyed "once upon a time" and a kind of dry humour that very well knows it's sending itself up.
    As Jim was shoved into the criminals' van, he thought to himself. "This is not me. This should be Sandburg. Fate is indeed a bitch."

Seal (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st October 2001 (22)
Zine: Silver Cloud, Dark Lining

It is no surprise that this was good, considering the author. Even better, there was less of the UberJim that D.L. Witherspoon usually gives us, though there is still a touch of fanon. We have delightful Jim and Blair banter, angst and nobility. I didn't really click with the final solution to the problem though. But this was still good.
    "You failed to stop Lash, and I got kidnapped."
    "Yes."
    "You failed to stop Alex, and I got an almost permanent view of the bottom of a fountain."
    "Yes."
    "You failed to stop the sun from rising, and I got sunburned."
    "Ye--" I stopped and stared at the grinning idiot. "The world's revolving around me again, right?" I asked sheepishly.
    "How's the air out there in the cosmos, man?"
    I shrugged. "I'm self-absorbed." Nothing new there.
    "Yeah. That's why you run around trying to save the world."
    "I like my possessions nice and ordered."
    "So why are you fouling the air with this bullshit?"

Sirocco (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 21st May 2001
Zine: Sirocco

Now that this story is up on the web, I can direct your eyes to the zine review that I did of this story.

Addendum: nominated for favourite long story in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.
    

You Decorated My Life (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st March 2000 (1)

This one I enjoyed, though the fit with the song seemed a bit forced. The sentiment was true enough.

Alternate Reality

(1) Alternate Reality: A New Day Dawns (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th February 2000 (2)
Tags: Novelette
(49K)

First story in the Alternate Reality series. In a parallel universe, Blair Sandburg didn't become an anthropologist; the constant bailing out of his mother Naomi led him to the law. And Jim Ellison, instead of becoming a cop, was wrongly accused and convicted of murder - and spent a decade in Starkville prison. Until Blair Sandburg gets on his case.

This starts off well, but feels a bit rushed, telling, not showing. The idea is definitely intriguing.

Addendum: this series won the "favourite alternate universe series" in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.

(2) Alternate Reality: Human Needs (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th February 2000 (3)
Tags: Short Story
(44K)

Second story in the Alternate Reality series. I like the ideas. And the last scene is so... great. Resolving conflict is what makes a story go around. This series would be appreciated by those who like parallel universes, first-person narrative, and Jim angst (this is not the Jim we know, this is a what-if Jim).

(3) Alternate Reality: Of Blood... Of Heart (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th February 2000 (4)
Tags: Novelette
(48K)

Third story in the Alternate Reality series. That is so cool. Moving.

(4) Alternate Reality: A Time To Heal (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th February 2000 (5)
Tags: Short Story
(41K)

Fourth story in the Alternate Reality series. Tugging at the heart-strings. This series definitely concentrates on the relationship between Jim & Blair.

(5) Alternate Reality: Hide and Seek (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th February 2000 (1)
Tags: Novelette
(60K)

Fifth story in the Alternate Reality series. This one is a parallel to Flight, which just highlights the differences between this Jim & Blair and the ones in the show. This whole series is cool: Jim-angst, and how our experiences mold our perceptions. I am reminded of something someone once said to me: some people go through hell and come out nasty sons of bitches - and others can go through hell and come out the kindest, gentlest people, because they never want anyone to go through what they went through. This Jim is like that.

(6) Alternate Reality: Requiem (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th February 2000 (2)
Tags: Short Story
(32K)

Sixth story in the Alternate Reality series. This is really the first half of a two-parter, if you think about it. What do I think of this? I'm right there along with Sandburg: Dammit, can't the universe give Jim a little peace? In other words, my empathies are engaged. This is really good.

(7) Alternate Reality: Remembrance (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th February 2000 (5)
Tags: Novelette
(45K)

Seventh story in the Alternate Reality series. What can I say? Wow. Intense, man. Oh my. Intense. Oh my. (And not for the faint of heart.)

Addendum: this series was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the "Alternative Universe series" category.

(8) Alternate Reality: A Sense of Peace (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 23rd June 2000 (11)
Tags: Short Story
(35K)

The only problem with this is that it's too short! Really just a scene or two, full of smarm. That respite which they needed so much... But I'll take what I can get.

Baltimore

(1) Murder in Baltimore (Sentinel/Homicide: Life on the Streets)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2000 (1)
Tags: Short Story
(30K)

Jim and Blair get involved with the H:LOTS folks when Jim sees a body fall into the harbour. This is a nice intro, putting the two universes together. Though it was convenient to have the old-friend-of-Simon thing to ease the way, if it hadn't, then they would have wasted a lot of time being suspicious of the wrong person. There was enough there that I could cope even though I've never seen H:LOTS, and it was well enough done to make me want to look up the other stories in this sequence, even though the main reason I'd read it was so I'd have a bit of backstory for the second "Supernatural" story, which is a crossover in this sequence.

(2) Conversations in Cascade (Sentinel/Homicide: Life on the Streets)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2000 (3)
Tags: Short Story
(26K)

The second in the Baltimore sequence. Jim has a talk to Frank Pemberton about "Ellison's Guide for the Proper Care and Feeding of Partners". It's delightful. Priceless, actually.

(3) Busman's Holiday (Sentinel/Homicide: Life on the Streets)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2000 (4)
Tags: Novelette
(53K)

The third in the Baltimore sequence. Team building from across the nation. This was good. I enjoyed it better than TAE's "team building" stories because the writing flowed better. This had a few nice Deep & Meaningful's tossed in, as well as some cool, but lighter, dialogue. Enjoyable.

(5) Darkest of Nights (Sentinel/Homicide: Life on the Streets)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2000 (5)

The fifth in the Baltimore sequence. This one is really H:LOTS angst, with Jim providing a friendly ear. More for the H:LOTS fans, I think.

(6) Recovery and Loss (Sentinel/Homicide: Life on the Streets)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2000 (6)

The sixth in the Baltimore sequence. Companion piece to Darkest of Nights, with a different set of characters coming at the same H:LOTS angst from the other end. With a touch of Jim & Blair smarm at the end.

Becoming A Watcher

(1) Candle In The Dark (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (1)

After reading the first Family story, I wanted to go back and read the stories that came before it, and that meant reading the "Becoming A Watcher" series.

This story was great. Yeah, it was hurt/comfort-ish, but I like to see restoration. I particularly liked the soulful epilogue. Friends will be friends will be friends...

(2) An Essential Friend (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (2)

Second in the Becoming a Watcher series. That was good again. So many good bits: "I'm as dead as hell and I would love it if you would join me"... "This is my life and this is where it belongs" (now, that sent a shiver down my spine). This is an ideal Sentinel series, not what we saw on the screen - and I like it.

(3) Faith (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (3)

Third in the Becoming a Watcher series. (contented sigh) That was good. (These remarks are getting monotonous!) Very dramatic start, some good ideas, very good points about faith. Mind you, I don't actually buy into the "Watcher" thing, but if it makes them feel better giving the friendship a title - relationships are given to us; they don't need to be destined for them to be a blessing - but that's just my opinion.

(4) According To Our Powers (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (3)

Fourth in the Becoming a Watcher series. Good quote for the title, good theme for the story.

Family

(1) Shades of Black (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 6th March 2000

I shied away from the Family series because it sounded terribly AU, with phrases like "Elder" and "heir to the throne", a touch fantastic also. Which I wasn't in the mood for. Well, I still think it's AU, but there definitely ain't no fantasy here. Again, I got drawn in, and tantalised, and intrigued, from the first page.

Addendum: this series was nominated in the "favourite alternate universe series" category in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.

(2) Alone (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (5)

Second in the Family series. Good. Not quite as good as some of the others, but they can't all be excellent.

(3) Errand of Mercy (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (6)

Third in the Family series. I see what the author meant by Odd & Strange. This is beyond even the Sandburg Zone, and is well into the Fantasy Zone, and if it wasn't AU before, it certainly is now! This was well-written, though, and I'm not going to be chased off.

(4) Family Reunion (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (7)

Fourth in the Family series. Getting to meet and know more of the Family... basically a nice story (well, as nice as the Family can get...)

(5) Adam's Date (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (8)

Fifth in the Family series. As one can tell by the title, if one isn't into the supporting characters in the Family series, indeed, if one hasn't read and already liked the Family series, then there's no point in reading this story! But if one has and does, then it's enjoyable.

(6) Moral Dilemma (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 7th March 2000 (9)

Sixth in the Family series. Important turning-point episode, this, and believable. Writing-wise, there were jarring point-of-view changes within scenes that I kept noticing more than usual. Oh well. The important thing is that Blair was confronted with something that made him reevaluate his position, and his relationship with Jim; which was good.

(7) Family Visit (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 8th March 2000 (1)

Seventh in the Family series. A nice interlude.

(8) Family Discord (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 8th March 2000 (2)

Eighth in the Family series. Working out relationships - and a tiny touch of the Odd & Strange again - which leaves us some loose ends!

(9) Where We Belong (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 8th March 2000 (3)

Ninth in the Family series. Just a little story - the author calls it a "missing scene" but it's longer than that. Again, only for Family fans, because it's really just Mandy and Adam in it, and mainly a Mandy story. We get to see how perceptive she is, and see her make choices.

(10) Pains Of Power (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 8th March 2000 (4)

Tenth in the Family series. Hmmm, in-ter-es-ting. I feel as if I am wandering in a Fantasy world: legends, and royalty, and fealty. Particularly the latter. It gives one a warm feeling to see the dominos fall just like that - though on the other hand one wonders if it's simply too easy. It will be interesting to see what happens next - whenever that may be.

Faux Paws Productions

(516) Seems Like Old Times (FPP-517) (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 21st August 2000 (4)

This was strangely cheerful; fun in a surreal sort of way.

This story was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the "best FPP episode" category.

Gates of Hell

(1) Bayou (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 8th March 2000 (5)
Tags: Novella
(255K)

First in the Gates of Hell series, though this follows on from the first few stories in the Supernatural series, so you could consider it part of that series too. Wow. Up and down, darkness and light, sadness and suffering, love and justice. What a ride!

Addendum: this story was nominated in the 2000 Cascade Times Awards in the Scary/Horror category.

(2) Reckoning (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th March 2000 (1)
Tags: Novella
(201K)

Second in the Gates of Hell series. This one has a touch of crossover with Millennium. This one is definitely more "out there" than the previous one; enter the minions of Hell, and the battle is no longer just on this plane. A bit Hollywood-ish in places, but I guess that's the legacy of all those horror films that I haven't seen. The supporting characters, particularly Alicia, T'Dette and Flip (all actually introduced in the previous story) are very enjoyable. Good.

(3) Lilith (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th March 2000 (2)
Tags: Novel
(330K)

Third in the Gates of Hell series. This one has a touch of crossover with Buffy (and Millennium at the end). Very dark and intense, just as the author said. One could have long arguments about the metaphysics but that just shows that it's a thoughtful story also. This was feeling more like an episode of Buffy or Millennium - it's moved into their "zone", so to speak, with their themes, their atmosphere, their tone - and I'm okay with that. It's changed "channels", so to speak, and is no longer halfway between, which is what I felt with the previous story.

Addendum: nominated for favourite horror/scary story in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.

(4) Inferno (Sentinel/Friday the Thirteenth)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th March 2000 (3)
Tags: Novel
(372K)

Fourth in the Gates of Hell series. As well as the characters from Friday the Thirteenth as guests, there are a couple of other cameos (including the continuing interest of certain parties from Millennium). What next - Charmed? Actually The Sandman would probably fit the dark tone better.

This was a long one! And sufficiently fitting to the spirit of Dante's Inferno. Jim has changed a lot, but no? Had to. I liked the Jim & Blair interaction on the way down, the mixture of serious and not so - and Blair's reaction to the wood of suicides was notable. There were some delightful bits - particularly the identity of the other two souls in Hell - yay! Writing-wise, this still has point-of-view problems, though it's probably that I'm noticing them more since the first time I noticed it made me more aware of the problem.

And what sinister things are planned next? How on earth could one top a journey to Hell and back?

(5) Angels We Have Heard On High (Sentinel/Touched By An Angel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 1st January 2002
Tags: Short Story
(20K)

Since I really liked the Gates of Hell alternative universe series, I pounced on this story as soon as I heard it announced, even though I knew it was just going to be a short one, since the size was also mentioned in the announcement. It was merely an incident. Though there were some good points, it lost me at the point where the Angels started saying things related to September 11th which flatly contradicted certain events which had happened in the Bible. This rather bothered me, considering these are supposed to be Angels. Not that I should really be surprised -- that kind of thing appears to happen in the actual TBAA series itself (which is why I could never stick with it). Can't really blame the author for this if she's not a Christian, but it did stop me from enjoying the story. Other people may not bat an eyelid at it -- but they might not like the pontificating that the angels do anyway. (If you want to know the specifics of what bothered me, ask me privately.)

Princes of the Universe

(1) Princes of the Universe (Sentinel/Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th February 2000 (3)

We've got prophecies, bad-ass Immortals... and Jim's old friend Amanda! Secrets revealed, and Simon wishes he'd never asked. This is fun! There are some awkward bits (and some things narrated over which I would have liked to see in full colour and stereo) but I liked it. Amanda is very Amanda, and Our Boys are themselves, very much so.

(2) Who Wants To Live Forever? (Sentinel/Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th February 2000 (4)
Tags: Novelette
(54K)

The second story in this series. The aftermath of many things. The fallout of others. And the prophecy doesn't go away, either. This was so cool! I particularly liked the scene at the warehouse. I hope there's more! The adventures of Jim & Blair, the two who are one. (smile)

Addendum: nominated for favourite crossover story in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.

Restoration

(1) Called To Rise (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th February 2000 (6)
Tags: Novelette
(81K)

First story in the Restoration series. Good for Methos-lovers everywhere. This struck me somewhat as Highlander seen through The Sentinel eyes - the two brothers-of-soul, and the paternal outsider. And why not, hey? A nice amount of angst and soul-bearing, and, yeah, world-saving. I loved the faculty staff!

(2) Twilight of the Dawn (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 29th February 2000 (7)
Tags: Novelette
(47K)

Second story in the Restoration series. This is a precursor to something more, and an aftermath of what was before, and a Christmas story, with lightness and teasing. For some reason, Cyndi Lauper's "True Colours" kept going through my head when I read this. "Your true colours, shining through, I see your true colours, and that's why I love you, so don't be afraid, to let them show - your true colours, your true colours are beautiful..."

(3) Boats Against the Current (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 9th April 2000
Tags: Novelette
(66K)

Ahhh (contented sigh), I continue to like this series. Nice interaction between Methos and Duncan (with Joe on the sidelines). The faculty returns! (I guessed the outcome of the competition as soon as I saw Methos's reaction to Mac's actions...) And we are tantalized for more.

(4) Memory Rut (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th May 2000
Tags: Short Story
(39K)

Y'know, this isn't so much a story as a chapter - in the continuing story. Once more we get a little bit more, once more we are tantalized. But that picture of Methos pacing in his apartment muttering Coleridge is priceless. The journey is worth the road. But following this series requires patience.

(5) What Lies Within (Highlander)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 5th August 2000 (8)
Tags: Novelette
(69K)

Oooooh! Darkness and light, sprinkled with quips. One problem solved, another revealed, or at least, hinted at. Good.

Supernatural

(1) The Haunting (Sentinel)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 27th February 2000 (1)
Tags: Novelette
(69K)

First story in the Supernatural series. This is one-step-beyond, but cool. There was a bit of an info-dump near the start, but it flowed smoothly from then on. Certainly the opening paragraphs pulled you in, and the haunting was... haunting.

(2) Speaking For the Dead (Sentinel/Homicide: Life on the Streets)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2000 (2)
Tags: Novelette
(79K)

The second in the Supernatural series, and the fourth in the Baltimore sequence. I think I would have gotten more out of it if I'd actually read the two earlier Baltimore stories first, because there were a couple of references to them, and I missed the nuances. This one was good again. Jim the suffering, Jim the just, and Blair the downright protective!

(3) Extreme Possibilities (Sentinel/X-Files)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 28th February 2000 (7)

The third in the Supernatural series. I didn't like this one as much as the previous two, partly because the resolution battered my suspension-of-disbelief (too Deus-ex-machina) and partly because I was expecting something else, and looking forward to what I didn't get. That said, there were some cute and memorable scenes, particularly Jim's talk with Mulder.

(4) Dark Journey (Sentinel/Kung Fu: The Legend Continues)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 12th March 2000 (2)

The fourth in the Supernatural series. Not as good as I would have expected from this author. The Nameless Evil was a bit of a cliche, but I found the KFTLC stuff easier to follow than in other crossovers I've seen. All the insightful character conversations were probably the real purpose of the story anyway! And the cryptic Shaolin remarks and the Ancient were fun.

(5) Circle (Sentinel/X-Files)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 3rd July 2000

A sequel to Extreme Possibilities so I suppose that makes it the fourth or fifth in the Supernatural series, though I'm not sure if its timeline is supposed to slot in with the following Gates of Hell series or not. If so, then we've got two lots of people with hidden agendas and great hopes regarding Our Sentinel. Possibly too many conspiracies (of completely different kinds) to cope with. Or perhaps not. Depends on whether Aliens and Demons are considered to be allowed to exist in the same universe. Whether or not that is the case, I liked this story better than Extreme Possibilities. The plot worked better, and this had a very X-Files-ish feel, full of paranoia and conspiracies. There were some great interactions. Jim and Blair get to be very wise, in the person-to-person department. Parallels drawn between Jim & Blair and Mulder & Scully. (And there was, on the lighter side, the hilarious "street value" scene...) Jim gets to angst and brood, Blair gets to be supportive... all in all, good.

Addendum: nominated for favourite crossover story in the 2001 Cascade Times Awards.