This short novel is actually better than I expected. It reminds me of many movies about a family that meets to celebrate Christma Rounded up to 3 stars
This short novel is actually better than I expected. It reminds me of many movies about a family that meets to celebrate Christmas.
For Bryan who lives in Montreal where he started his PhD in Musicology this Christmas holiday turns out to be a special one:
* The first time in his life his parents got him a hotel room over Christmas. There is just not enough place in the house for all family members who is coming this year for Christmas.
* He meets Jordan who works in the music store where Bryan jobbed during his high school years. And a hotel room then happens to be not that bad idea.
Actually it is not a lot to tell about. Strange Mercy, like all Christmas stories, is about hopes, good mood, solving of all existing family's conflicts and understanding, and like all movies about Christmas celebration with a family, chaotic and partly loud, but of course with an inevitable HEA.
[image]
Nothing special, but a nice addition to your Christmas reading.
****Copy provided by Less Than Three Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Merged review:
Rounded up to 3 stars
This short novel is actually better than I expected. It reminds me of many movies about a family that meets to celebrate Christmas.
For Bryan who lives in Montreal where he started his PhD in Musicology this Christmas holiday turns out to be a special one:
* The first time in his life his parents got him a hotel room over Christmas. There is just not enough place in the house for all family members who is coming this year for Christmas.
* He meets Jordan who works in the music store where Bryan jobbed during his high school years. And a hotel room then happens to be not that bad idea.
Actually it is not a lot to tell about. Strange Mercy, like all Christmas stories, is about hopes, good mood, solving of all existing family's conflicts and understanding, and like all movies about Christmas celebration with a family, chaotic and partly loud, but of course with an inevitable HEA.
[image]
Nothing special, but a nice addition to your Christmas reading.
****Copy provided by Less Than Three Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***...more
First of all - and It must be mentioned – the cover of this book is great. Tom and Stanley Series make major advances with a cover design comparing toFirst of all - and It must be mentioned – the cover of this book is great. Tom and Stanley Series make major advances with a cover design comparing to Deadly Mystery Series, IMO, but of course it is the matter of taste. Killing time in L.A is the third book in Tom and Stanley series but the first one that has been released independently from Deadly Mystery series.
Tom and Stanley are an established couple here and have plenty to keep them busy with their PI agency in San Francisco. And as all hard-working people our hard-working couple needs a vacation.
Who could guess that instead of relaxing and enjoying a lazy week in L.A, with sightseeing tours and cosy evenings with each other Tom ans Stanley will find themselves accidentally in the center of a mysterious murder case and will be thrown into a whirl of events full of danger, and that their detective skills will be in great demand? Well, I knew it.
[image]
A wonderful addition to a series, and it is good to have more Tom and Stanley. Some things will never change: Tom is, as always, the very macho man with ingenious sleuth’s instincts, his honest believing he’s straight, Stanley, who prefers to talk about art, good meal and wine than about dead bodies and crimes, action-packed scenes, a fast-paced story-line, Victor J. Banis’s excellent writing and unique humor, Stanley’s legendary naivety and Tom saving his life in a staggering final.
In this installment Victor J. Banis showed even a bit more creativity: To a normal mystery he added a mythical element. It is of course a matter of taste, but I couldn’t completely buy it. I'am not convinced by the mystery here. Not least because of the quantity of all mystery components comparing to the length of the novel is above average, the outcome appears hasty and rather rushed and the criminal case happens to be solved almost by itself at the end.
But despite my tiny complaints I love this duo and I am looking forward to more Stanley and Tom!
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***
Merged review:
First of all - and It must be mentioned – the cover of this book is great. Tom and Stanley Series make major advances with a cover design comparing to Deadly Mystery Series, IMO, but of course it is the matter of taste. Killing time in L.A is the third book in Tom and Stanley series but the first one that has been released independently from Deadly Mystery series.
Tom and Stanley are an established couple here and have plenty to keep them busy with their PI agency in San Francisco. And as all hard-working people our hard-working couple needs a vacation.
Who could guess that instead of relaxing and enjoying a lazy week in L.A, with sightseeing tours and cosy evenings with each other Tom ans Stanley will find themselves accidentally in the center of a mysterious murder case and will be thrown into a whirl of events full of danger, and that their detective skills will be in great demand? Well, I knew it.
[image]
A wonderful addition to a series, and it is good to have more Tom and Stanley. Some things will never change: Tom is, as always, the very macho man with ingenious sleuth’s instincts, his honest believing he’s straight, Stanley, who prefers to talk about art, good meal and wine than about dead bodies and crimes, action-packed scenes, a fast-paced story-line, Victor J. Banis’s excellent writing and unique humor, Stanley’s legendary naivety and Tom saving his life in a staggering final.
In this installment Victor J. Banis showed even a bit more creativity: To a normal mystery he added a mythical element. It is of course a matter of taste, but I couldn’t completely buy it. I'am not convinced by the mystery here. Not least because of the quantity of all mystery components comparing to the length of the novel is above average, the outcome appears hasty and rather rushed and the criminal case happens to be solved almost by itself at the end.
But despite my tiny complaints I love this duo and I am looking forward to more Stanley and Tom!
I’m a city gal to the core. I was born and always live in big cities. That probably influenced my life in a way, because even if I enjoy to
Rounded up
I’m a city gal to the core. I was born and always live in big cities. That probably influenced my life in a way, because even if I enjoy to be in the middle of the nature and I like hiking – we have wonderful hiking places where I live now – I’ve never been an adventure type. My hubby tried many times to persuade me to do camping but had to give up. We did camping at the very beginning of our marriage. Once. And never after.
I live and experience my adventures through my books. I adore to read about people who spend most of their lives in the wilderness, because it is sooo far and different from the life I live!..The characters who know how to deal with unpredictable weather, wild animals, who can enjoy the extraordinary beauty of the landscape and their own solitude in peace and quiet are my favorite.
It is why books with Alaska in titles or blurbs have all my attention. Alaska in combination with The Witness Protection Program and FBI? Even better. I’m a passionate mystery reader as many of you maybe already know. Besides, the blurb sounded kind like Did You Hear About the Morgans?, the movie I like. What could be better?! I was excited.
It started well. Well…at least it started promising.
Bush pilot Jake Wylder, Alaskan born and bred, an owner of a small transport company of two small planes in Alaska, that delivers medical supplies, is sexy as hell and slut to the core. In spite of his reputation men and women, old and young can’t resist his charms and he always lands in someone’s bed if he wants. JD Smith, a California native, who is used to sun and surf, and doesn’t actually know how snow look likes, a doctor, who accidentally occurred to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and for this reason has to spend some months, up to the trail, under The Witness Protection Program in Alaska, to play nurse at the local hospital.
I have to warn all mystery fans: the mystery part isn’t present in this novel. Except some short communications with the agent in charge of the JD’s case, and a short explanation of why JD is where he is at the beginning, there is no mention of it at all later, nothing dangerous or thrilling happens here.
That actually not a bad thing. It means that the plot is focused utterly on the romance part. A sexy slutty bi pilot vs. sexy and good-mannered city doctor. A small town citizen vs. a big city resident. Jack’s glacier blue eyes vs. JD’s brightest green eyes. Their first meeting was predestined.
Of course they were immediately struck by the beauty of the opposite side. What follows after, shortly:
~ Jack falls in love, stops to sleep around and tries everything to win the attention of JD. Though deep in his heart he knows that a city gay guy won’t probably be happy to spend the rest of his life in the wild. ~ JD knows the reputation of Jack and tries to fight his feelings, because he is not a one-nigh-stand type and prefers serious relationships and he doesn’t think he can spend the rest of his life far away from a big city. ~Well...Taming the Wyld is a contemporary MM romance. And a romance book HAS to follow the rules. That means, they will find a solution and they will stay together. The END.
After I mentioned that there is no mystery present here, I have unfortunately to add that there is no romance present here either. A not convincing enough or not presented at all romance in a romance novel is not a good sign.
The author TRIED hard to create a romance relationship, but that would include, in particular
1. a relationship’s build up 2. sexual tension 3. well written sex scenes 4. intense dialogues
Without these components there is no romance for me. Sorry.
And the last and the most important fact: the plot HAS to deliver something special about the story. Lucie Archer failed on all fronts.
Not to mention, that the author failed also to create impressive setting surroundings -the story could be placed anywhere else, I didn’t feel the spirit of Alaska at all. Very pity.
Sorry. No recommendation from me.
Merged review:
Rounded up
I’m a city gal to the core. I was born and always live in big cities. That probably influenced my life in a way, because even if I enjoy to be in the middle of the nature and I like hiking – we have wonderful hiking places where I live now – I’ve never been an adventure type. My hubby tried many times to persuade me to do camping but had to give up. We did camping at the very beginning of our marriage. Once. And never after.
I live and experience my adventures through my books. I adore to read about people who spend most of their lives in the wilderness, because it is sooo far and different from the life I live!..The characters who know how to deal with unpredictable weather, wild animals, who can enjoy the extraordinary beauty of the landscape and their own solitude in peace and quiet are my favorite.
It is why books with Alaska in titles or blurbs have all my attention. Alaska in combination with The Witness Protection Program and FBI? Even better. I’m a passionate mystery reader as many of you maybe already know. Besides, the blurb sounded kind like Did You Hear About the Morgans?, the movie I like. What could be better?! I was excited.
It started well. Well…at least it started promising.
Bush pilot Jake Wylder, Alaskan born and bred, an owner of a small transport company of two small planes in Alaska, that delivers medical supplies, is sexy as hell and slut to the core. In spite of his reputation men and women, old and young can’t resist his charms and he always lands in someone’s bed if he wants. JD Smith, a California native, who is used to sun and surf, and doesn’t actually know how snow look likes, a doctor, who accidentally occurred to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and for this reason has to spend some months, up to the trail, under The Witness Protection Program in Alaska, to play nurse at the local hospital.
I have to warn all mystery fans: the mystery part isn’t present in this novel. Except some short communications with the agent in charge of the JD’s case, and a short explanation of why JD is where he is at the beginning, there is no mention of it at all later, nothing dangerous or thrilling happens here.
That actually not a bad thing. It means that the plot is focused utterly on the romance part. A sexy slutty bi pilot vs. sexy and good-mannered city doctor. A small town citizen vs. a big city resident. Jack’s glacier blue eyes vs. JD’s brightest green eyes. Their first meeting was predestined.
Of course they were immediately struck by the beauty of the opposite side. What follows after, shortly:
~ Jack falls in love, stops to sleep around and tries everything to win the attention of JD. Though deep in his heart he knows that a city gay guy won’t probably be happy to spend the rest of his life in the wild. ~ JD knows the reputation of Jack and tries to fight his feelings, because he is not a one-nigh-stand type and prefers serious relationships and he doesn’t think he can spend the rest of his life far away from a big city. ~Well...Taming the Wyld is a contemporary MM romance. And a romance book HAS to follow the rules. That means, they will find a solution and they will stay together. The END.
After I mentioned that there is no mystery present here, I have unfortunately to add that there is no romance present here either. A not convincing enough or not presented at all romance in a romance novel is not a good sign.
The author TRIED hard to create a romance relationship, but that would include, in particular
1. a relationship’s build up 2. sexual tension 3. well written sex scenes 4. intense dialogues
Without these components there is no romance for me. Sorry.
And the last and the most important fact: the plot HAS to deliver something special about the story. Lucie Archer failed on all fronts.
Not to mention, that the author failed also to create impressive setting surroundings -the story could be placed anywhere else, I didn’t feel the spirit of Alaska at all. Very pity.
I am aware that the main idea of vintage gay pulp fiction from the pre-Internet and pre-AIDS era was to fulfill the erotic fantas3, 5 stars rounded up
I am aware that the main idea of vintage gay pulp fiction from the pre-Internet and pre-AIDS era was to fulfill the erotic fantasies of its readers in the first place and less to impress them as a literary work, but as already Man Eater, my first book in the 120 Days Books collection, this book again positively surprised me with a solid writing and a brisk smart plot. Don't underestimate vintage gay genre.
I am looking forward to reading more of this collection and I'd like to express my gratitude to the Riverdale Avenue Books and to Maitland McDonagh for this idea to republish unjustly forgotten gay adults-only novels of the 1960s and '70s.
In Night of the Sadist journalist Tom Maxon investigates on his own the brutal death(REALLY BRUTAL) of his brother Bob, because the police doesn't have any interest to find a murderer of a faggot who got himself killed by some hustler. Bob wrote gay erotica for a small publisher and spent his free time in wild sex parties.
The clue to his death could be find either in Bob's last manuscript, the writing of de Sade who inspired him for his last novel and for sure somewhere in the circle of his friends and acquaintances. It means Tom has to read his last draft and to attend the BDSM scene where Bob spent most part of his time. Probably you'll find the killer quicker than Tom and if you a real BDSM expert you will find some unauthentic scenes to complain with, but don't forget the main target of these books: to arouse erotic fantasies and joie de vivre.
Be prepared for a LOT of kinky dark steamy sex, that is everything but not repetitive, and an entertaining engaging mystery. Those books are part of gay pop culture and a hidden history, a must read for all lovers of gay erotica. Very recommended.
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
I am aware that the main idea of vintage gay pulp fiction from the pre-Internet and pre-AIDS era was to fulfill the erotic fantasies of its readers in the first place and less to impress them as a literary work, but as already Man Eater, my first book in the 120 Days Books collection, this book again positively surprised me with a solid writing and a brisk smart plot. Don't underestimate vintage gay genre.
I am looking forward to reading more of this collection and I'd like to express my gratitude to the Riverdale Avenue Books and to Maitland McDonagh for this idea to republish unjustly forgotten gay adults-only novels of the 1960s and '70s.
In Night of the Sadist journalist Tom Maxon investigates on his own the brutal death(REALLY BRUTAL) of his brother Bob, because the police doesn't have any interest to find a murderer of a faggot who got himself killed by some hustler. Bob wrote gay erotica for a small publisher and spent his free time in wild sex parties.
The clue to his death could be find either in Bob's last manuscript, the writing of de Sade who inspired him for his last novel and for sure somewhere in the circle of his friends and acquaintances. It means Tom has to read his last draft and to attend the BDSM scene where Bob spent most part of his time. Probably you'll find the killer quicker than Tom and if you a real BDSM expert you will find some unauthentic scenes to complain with, but don't forget the main target of these books: to arouse erotic fantasies and joie de vivre.
Be prepared for a LOT of kinky dark steamy sex, that is everything but not repetitive, and an entertaining engaging mystery. Those books are part of gay pop culture and a hidden history, a must read for all lovers of gay erotica. Very recommended.
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
Dark Edge of Honor is a military dark science fiction novel.
YES - it is an enemies to lovers story a là Aleksan 4,6 melting(♥♥♥♥, ♡♡♡♡♡♡) stars!
Dark Edge of Honor is a military dark science fiction novel.
YES - it is an enemies to lovers story a là Aleksandr Voinov. Thereby everything has been said.
NO- it is not Special Forces..
Still there are so many details that remind me of my favorite book!.. It is why I recommend it first of all to all true fans of SF. Reading Dark Edge of Honor was like balm for my soul! There were so many exciting Déjà vu moments!..
Without giving too much away:
There are two powerful systems in the book: the Doctrine and the Alliance that are not really at war with each other but represent two different ideologies and struggle for power in space. It is the Cold War of the future. The reader can very quickly find out who play here the bad guys and who the good ones, and that is not just because of the names of the two main characters. S-e-r-g-e-i... This name melts in my mouth like a bitter-sweet chocolate....yeah, I have my reasons... An attractive young officer of the Doctrine- loyal, honorable faithful and... naive. Mike, the Alliance soldier, is an undercover agent, a spy, on the Cirokko, a small insignificant planet that the Doctrine would like to have under control, this planet looks like a miniature of Afghanistan, the same mountainous landscape with a huge unexplored territories and the rebel movement that fights against the invasion.
MOUNTAINS...MILITARY... If this two words come in connection with A. Voinov...*sigh*
[image]
"They were strange, the mountains. Rising up out of nowhere, snow-capped peaks breaking the vivid blue skyline. Not what he was used to seeing in the least. And how there could be snow up there, when it was so hot everywhere, baffled him. The glare from the sun reflected off that snow and, when the heat rose from the valleys, the mountains seemed to drift or swim, which was the most disconcerting thing he'd ever seen."
[image]
Do I really need to explain how my heart started to race as the two protagonists came into play?
The circumstances under which the both met each other are not the same as in SF, and Sergei is not Vadim, and Mike is not Dan, but the chemistry between them, the sexual tension is very similar to that what Dan and Vadim had, and it would be a lie if I'd say that no parallel can be made between this characters. READ IT!!
What can I add to all that has just been said in the many positive reviews?
Great,well told story, with an ingenious solution, full of emotions and passion! Be prepared! Great characters to die for, you will fall in love with both of them, it is my guarantee!! Sex scenes-EXTREMELY HOT! And extremely beautiful. And extremely poetic and sensitive and intense.
[image]
Unforgettable writing style. As always.
Dark Edge of Honor is an absolute MUST READ for all SF and for all Aleks fans.
Love love love love it a lot! It is definitely one of those books you would like to re-read someday.
Merged review:
4,6 melting(♥♥♥♥, ♡♡♡♡♡♡) stars!
Dark Edge of Honor is a military dark science fiction novel.
YES - it is an enemies to lovers story a là Aleksandr Voinov. Thereby everything has been said.
NO- it is not Special Forces..
Still there are so many details that remind me of my favorite book!.. It is why I recommend it first of all to all true fans of SF. Reading Dark Edge of Honor was like balm for my soul! There were so many exciting Déjà vu moments!..
Without giving too much away:
There are two powerful systems in the book: the Doctrine and the Alliance that are not really at war with each other but represent two different ideologies and struggle for power in space. It is the Cold War of the future. The reader can very quickly find out who play here the bad guys and who the good ones, and that is not just because of the names of the two main characters. S-e-r-g-e-i... This name melts in my mouth like a bitter-sweet chocolate....yeah, I have my reasons... An attractive young officer of the Doctrine- loyal, honorable faithful and... naive. Mike, the Alliance soldier, is an undercover agent, a spy, on the Cirokko, a small insignificant planet that the Doctrine would like to have under control, this planet looks like a miniature of Afghanistan, the same mountainous landscape with a huge unexplored territories and the rebel movement that fights against the invasion.
MOUNTAINS...MILITARY... If this two words come in connection with A. Voinov...*sigh*
[image]
"They were strange, the mountains. Rising up out of nowhere, snow-capped peaks breaking the vivid blue skyline. Not what he was used to seeing in the least. And how there could be snow up there, when it was so hot everywhere, baffled him. The glare from the sun reflected off that snow and, when the heat rose from the valleys, the mountains seemed to drift or swim, which was the most disconcerting thing he'd ever seen."
[image]
Do I really need to explain how my heart started to race as the two protagonists came into play?
The circumstances under which the both met each other are not the same as in SF, and Sergei is not Vadim, and Mike is not Dan, but the chemistry between them, the sexual tension is very similar to that what Dan and Vadim had, and it would be a lie if I'd say that no parallel can be made between this characters. READ IT!!
What can I add to all that has just been said in the many positive reviews?
Great,well told story, with an ingenious solution, full of emotions and passion! Be prepared! Great characters to die for, you will fall in love with both of them, it is my guarantee!! Sex scenes-EXTREMELY HOT! And extremely beautiful. And extremely poetic and sensitive and intense.
[image]
Unforgettable writing style. As always.
Dark Edge of Honor is an absolute MUST READ for all SF and for all Aleks fans.
Love love love love it a lot! It is definitely one of those books you would like to re-read someday....more
It was my first book of Jamie Fessenden and for sure not the last one. The author has a very good and fluent writing style and the fact that 3,5 stars
It was my first book of Jamie Fessenden and for sure not the last one. The author has a very good and fluent writing style and the fact that it was not his typical book - that maintain at least the readers who have a profound knowledge of Jamie Fessenden's work - makes me even more curious.
The plot was very interesting too, but not easy to deal with. It is not a kind of book that I pick up very often. Being an opponent of the death penalty, I can easy forget my position if it considers child abuse.
The reason for my rating: I had my personal problems with the MCs. Jamie Feesenden invested a lot in the development of the relationship between them, I believe that he did also plenty of therapeutic research to create believable characters but I couldn't emotionally connect myself to them: I couldn't buy the sudden attraction of Tom for Kevin at the beginning and I couldn't understand WHY they fell in love with each other along the story. It was strangely enough to see them as friends, but to accept them both as LOVERS was almost impossible for me. And it was not ONLY because of the total absence of sex between them. Besides, for someone who appeared to be a psychiatrist Tom behaved in some situation rather like a helpless teeny. And it was difficult to imagine that they both were in their late thirties. Tom and Kevin are likeable and nice characters, but they won't leave deep traces in my heart.
All in all, aside of my personal issues, it was a solid interesting read and I look forward to reading more of this author.
Merged review:
3,5 stars
It was my first book of Jamie Fessenden and for sure not the last one. The author has a very good and fluent writing style and the fact that it was not his typical book - that maintain at least the readers who have a profound knowledge of Jamie Fessenden's work - makes me even more curious.
The plot was very interesting too, but not easy to deal with. It is not a kind of book that I pick up very often. Being an opponent of the death penalty, I can easy forget my position if it considers child abuse.
The reason for my rating: I had my personal problems with the MCs. Jamie Feesenden invested a lot in the development of the relationship between them, I believe that he did also plenty of therapeutic research to create believable characters but I couldn't emotionally connect myself to them: I couldn't buy the sudden attraction of Tom for Kevin at the beginning and I couldn't understand WHY they fell in love with each other along the story. It was strangely enough to see them as friends, but to accept them both as LOVERS was almost impossible for me. And it was not ONLY because of the total absence of sex between them. Besides, for someone who appeared to be a psychiatrist Tom behaved in some situation rather like a helpless teeny. And it was difficult to imagine that they both were in their late thirties. Tom and Kevin are likeable and nice characters, but they won't leave deep traces in my heart.
All in all, aside of my personal issues, it was a solid interesting read and I look forward to reading more of this author....more
Another excellent addition to the Dan Sharp Mystery series by Jeffrey Round, another one that kept me awake through the night.
An interesting 4,5 stars
Another excellent addition to the Dan Sharp Mystery series by Jeffrey Round, another one that kept me awake through the night.
An interesting fact that author shares with his readers at in the foreword of the book:
My story is not the real-life story of Toronto’s search for a serial killer, though it parallels certain facts, including the fact that the Toronto police force didn’t take the cries for help from community members seriously. More than anything, it is a chilling reminder that some suspected disappearances are deemed worth investigating, while others are not.
Story: There are rumors going around in the LGBT’s community of Toronto about the ongoing disappearances of gay men. At least three cases are known by now, but probably there are more of them. The missing men live alone and as a rule don’t have any close connection to their families. At least it is the only known thing the missing gay men have in common. Is there more to that? In spite of the growing concern of the community members about their safety, the Toronto police doesn’t show any interests to tackle as a priority the issue of the disappeared gay persons. Until one day a famous openly gay cancer researcher has been found knifed to dead in the same neighborhood where all missing gay men were reported. While the police investigates the possibility of a simple robbery gone wrong and considers a homophobic hate crime as a second choice, Dan Sharper, a missing persons investigator, gets a job to do: two Moslem men hire Dan to find their missing brother Nabil, who has vanished some days ago. The truth about Nabil’s sexuality has been detected by his brothers by chance when they searched through his private things trying to find any information considering his disappearance. Islam versus homosexuality. Pornography, Islam AND homosexuality is even more complicated. Dan’s investigation leads him in the local sex industry. The case turns out to be not only very problematic, but also very mysterious and very dangerous. How far can Dan go without risking his own life and the lives of his loved ones?
[image]
Jeffrey Round delivers not only a solid mystery with multiple layers and complex and compelling characters, but simply an excitingly entertaining and gripping read up till the end. The last parts were pure torture! The suspense was excruciating!
What I really like in Jeffrey Round stories – they feel soooo real and authentic. I pretty much appreciate the cultural aspects in them and the settings in Toronto. All in all I think that the author deserves much more attention for his series. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I highly recommend to start the series from the book 1. You’ll better understand and much more enjoy the company of Dan and his friends. The book 6 doesn’t have any boy-friend. There are some private encounters but they have rather an importance for a mystery background, less for Dan’s relationship with another person. But it leaves only more to hope for a future plot’s development.
The series is getting better and better with every installment. I can’t already wait for the next one!
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***
Merged review:
4,5 stars
Another excellent addition to the Dan Sharp Mystery series by Jeffrey Round, another one that kept me awake through the night.
An interesting fact that author shares with his readers at in the foreword of the book:
My story is not the real-life story of Toronto’s search for a serial killer, though it parallels certain facts, including the fact that the Toronto police force didn’t take the cries for help from community members seriously. More than anything, it is a chilling reminder that some suspected disappearances are deemed worth investigating, while others are not.
Story: There are rumors going around in the LGBT’s community of Toronto about the ongoing disappearances of gay men. At least three cases are known by now, but probably there are more of them. The missing men live alone and as a rule don’t have any close connection to their families. At least it is the only known thing the missing gay men have in common. Is there more to that? In spite of the growing concern of the community members about their safety, the Toronto police doesn’t show any interests to tackle as a priority the issue of the disappeared gay persons. Until one day a famous openly gay cancer researcher has been found knifed to dead in the same neighborhood where all missing gay men were reported. While the police investigates the possibility of a simple robbery gone wrong and considers a homophobic hate crime as a second choice, Dan Sharper, a missing persons investigator, gets a job to do: two Moslem men hire Dan to find their missing brother Nabil, who has vanished some days ago. The truth about Nabil’s sexuality has been detected by his brothers by chance when they searched through his private things trying to find any information considering his disappearance. Islam versus homosexuality. Pornography, Islam AND homosexuality is even more complicated. Dan’s investigation leads him in the local sex industry. The case turns out to be not only very problematic, but also very mysterious and very dangerous. How far can Dan go without risking his own life and the lives of his loved ones?
[image]
Jeffrey Round delivers not only a solid mystery with multiple layers and complex and compelling characters, but simply an excitingly entertaining and gripping read up till the end. The last parts were pure torture! The suspense was excruciating!
What I really like in Jeffrey Round stories – they feel soooo real and authentic. I pretty much appreciate the cultural aspects in them and the settings in Toronto. All in all I think that the author deserves much more attention for his series. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I highly recommend to start the series from the book 1. You’ll better understand and much more enjoy the company of Dan and his friends. The book 6 doesn’t have any boy-friend. There are some private encounters but they have rather an importance for a mystery background, less for Dan’s relationship with another person. But it leaves only more to hope for a future plot’s development.
The series is getting better and better with every installment. I can’t already wait for the next one!
***ARC provided kindly by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.***...more
I LOVE this series, I am not sure about the two last books in it. WERE they necessary? I am not sure.
Just some thoOh Adrian......Oh Duffy!...Oh MAN...
I LOVE this series, I am not sure about the two last books in it. WERE they necessary? I am not sure.
Just some thought about:
Really strange that we STILL don't have an original language version but ONLY a German edition that I am not very happy with. I begin to believe, there is a reason for it...
1. I checked the translator for the previous books. The same one. Then what did happen here?! I found the translation AWFUL. Or maybe Peter Torberg (translatier) is not to blame for this..."slightly disappointed outcome"? Maybe it is JUST the original text that is not good?..
2. I turned the last page...and I felt like going back to the first book to compare my feeling of that time with my feelings of now. What has changed: I myself or the main character or..?
Well, I have so many complaints about the plot (it is complicated to explain), about Duffy himself (was he always such an arrogant and stupid solo run?!), that in spite of all my affection forthe series I can't give it more than 3 stars.
Merged review:
Oh Adrian......Oh Duffy!...Oh MAN...
I LOVE this series, I am not sure about the two last books in it. WERE they necessary? I am not sure.
Just some thought about:
Really strange that we STILL don't have an original language version but ONLY a German edition that I am not very happy with. I begin to believe, there is a reason for it...
1. I checked the translator for the previous books. The same one. Then what did happen here?! I found the translation AWFUL. Or maybe Peter Torberg (translatier) is not to blame for this..."slightly disappointed outcome"? Maybe it is JUST the original text that is not good?..
2. I turned the last page...and I felt like going back to the first book to compare my feeling of that time with my feelings of now. What has changed: I myself or the main character or..?
Well, I have so many complaints about the plot (it is complicated to explain), about Duffy himself (was he always such an arrogant and stupid solo run?!), that in spite of all my affection forthe series I can't give it more than 3 stars....more
Michael Nava in GAY MYSTERY genre is like a car MADE in GERMANY.
YES. You can argue about an interior design, but don't dare to question a quality! (I'
Michael Nava in GAY MYSTERY genre is like a car MADE in GERMANY.
YES. You can argue about an interior design, but don't dare to question a quality! (I'm a patriot)
What I especially LOVED in this instalment - I got an insight into Henry Rios private life. I would say, this instalment is less about the mystery itself but in the first place about Henry, as a private person. He is not just a perfectly working mechanism, Henry is a human and a very vulnerable one.
LOVE IT.
Merged review:
Michael Nava in GAY MYSTERY genre is like a car MADE in GERMANY.
YES. You can argue about an interior design, but don't dare to question a quality! (I'm a patriot)
What I especially LOVED in this instalment - I got an insight into Henry Rios private life. I would say, this instalment is less about the mystery itself but in the first place about Henry, as a private person. He is not just a perfectly working mechanism, Henry is a human and a very vulnerable one.
Somebody wrote: "Old, white men and their traditional understanding of leadership." Ha, exactly what it is. A small collection of really funny3,5 stars
Somebody wrote: "Old, white men and their traditional understanding of leadership." Ha, exactly what it is. A small collection of really funny and some boring stories, all together. Great language as always....more
Predictable, unrealistic. A dog that comprehends more than a bunch of corrupted deputies together - the element, while interesting at the begDNF at 49%
Predictable, unrealistic. A dog that comprehends more than a bunch of corrupted deputies together - the element, while interesting at the beginning, becomes increasingly absurd as the plot unfolds - the good "guys" who bored me to death. The writing feels flat and uninspired. I personally can't recommend it, though I can imagine that it could find its audience, the reviews confirm that. ...more
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