With Open Eyes

My Thoughts

With Open Eyes is a brisk novella featuring Iris Johansen's Kendra Michaels character—the former blind woman who gained sight and uses her heightened observational skills to help solve crimes. At just 128 pages, this delivers concentrated thriller entertainment, showcasing Kendra's unique abilities while maintaining series appeal. It's cotton candy reading—sweet, quick, gone before you know it, satisfying in the moment without pretending to be substantial.

Kendra is called in when hikers on a popular San Diego trail are being murdered by a serial killer. Using her extraordinary ability to notice details others miss—developed during her years of blindness—she pieces together clues from crime scenes and witness statements. The investigation unfolds quickly, with Kendra's deductive skills driving toward confrontation with the killer.

The novella format works well for showcasing Kendra's Sherlock-style deductions without the padding that sometimes slows full-length thrillers. We get straight to her observational brilliance—noticing details about footprints, sounds, environmental changes—and the rapid-fire investigation. The compact length creates urgency and maintains momentum.

Kendra as character has inherent appeal. The concept of someone who learned to navigate the world without sight, then gained vision and combines both skillsets, remains interesting. Her ability to notice what sighted people miss because she processes sensory information differently creates unique detective approach.

However, the brevity limits character development and emotional depth. This is mostly plot—investigation, deduction, confrontation—without much space for psychological complexity or relationship development. Readers seeking character-driven narrative will be disappointed. Those wanting quick thriller hit will be satisfied.

The serial killer is fairly generic—motivated by typical thriller psychology, threatening in the moment but not particularly memorable. The short length doesn't allow for complex villain development, so we get functional antagonist rather than dimensional character.

The San Diego hiking trail setting is vividly rendered in quick strokes. Johansen creates atmosphere efficiently—the trails, the landscape, the environment where the murders occur. The setting provides texture without overwhelming the brief narrative.

The deductive sequences where Kendra demonstrates her skills are the novella's highlight. Watching her notice details and connect them into narrative about what happened showcases why this character concept works. These scenes are engaging and satisfy the detective story itch.

The prose is Johansen's typical clear, accessible style—prioritizing story momentum over stylistic flourish. For a novella meant to be consumed quickly, this approach is appropriate. The writing never gets in the way of the story.

The pacing is relentless—this moves from opening to resolution without pause. There's no subplot, no romantic tension, no character backstory beyond what's essential. It's pure investigation and action. For readers wanting quick entertainment, this is feature not bug.

The resolution is satisfying in thriller terms—the killer is identified, confronted, and stopped. The method Kendra uses to identify them showcases her unique skills appropriately. It wraps up cleanly without dangling threads.

As series entry, this works as appetizer between main courses—a quick hit for fans who want to spend time with Kendra without committing to full novel. It doesn't advance series arc significantly but maintains connection to character.

The value proposition depends on expectations. As full-priced novel, 128 pages would feel insufficient. As novella or Kindle Single priced accordingly, it's fair entertainment. The price-to-content ratio should match the brevity.

Why You'll Enjoy It

• Quick Read: Done in single sitting
• Kendra's Skills: Showcases her observational abilities
• Fast-Paced: Relentless thriller momentum
• No Padding: Gets straight to the action
• Series Character: Time with familiar protagonist
• San Diego Setting: Vivid trail atmosphere
• Efficient: No wasted scenes or subplots
• Satisfying Resolution: Clean conclusion

Perfect For

Kendra Michaels series fans wanting quick fix between novels, readers seeking short thriller for commute or waiting room, those who enjoy Sherlock-style deduction, people interested in unique detective concepts, and anyone wanting fast entertainment without time commitment. Best as series supplement rather than introduction.

Final Verdict

With Open Eyes delivers exactly what novella format promises—quick, entertaining thriller showcasing Kendra Michaels's unique observational skills without padding or subplot. The concept of former blind detective combining heightened senses with sight remains appealing, the deductive sequences satisfy, and the San Diego setting is efficiently rendered. Pacing is relentless, prose is accessible, and the resolution wraps up cleanly. However, brevity limits character development and emotional depth—this is plot-driven entertainment without psychological complexity. The serial killer is generic, relationships aren't explored, and there's no series arc advancement. As concentrated thriller hit for established fans, this works. As introduction to character or substantive reading experience, it's insufficient. Recommended for series readers wanting quick time with Kendra, and anyone seeking short thriller to fill limited reading time. Succeeds at being exactly what it is—light, fast, entertaining series supplement. Judge it by novella standards and price point, not novel expectations.