Murder Mystery

Good murder mystery. I really liked both MCs. It its definitely a slow burn for the romance, but appears to be first in a series so We should get more of them.
What I did not care for is that one MC is married. I think the author was trying to make the spouse Noah unlikeable, but he really wasn't. He just seemed to be trying to get Larkins attention. Larkin has pulled away from the marriage by the time the book starts, but Noah does seem to be fighting for it. Larkin takes all these attempts as annoying or as Noah not understanding him. I didn't see it that way, it felt more like Noah was struggling to feel important to a husband that was not able to give him attention at all. I would have much preferred the MC was not married or that the marriage had already ended before the book started. Instead I felt bad for Noah and it did feel like cheating which I hate, and which wasn't made clear in the blurb.

The narrator was great and the murder mystery was as well. Doyle the other MC was also a great character.

4 people found this helpful

I need book 2 now

I love a great murder mystery with slow burn romance. This book was like Law & Order: Criminal Intent but with two m/m instead of m/f. The chemistry between Evie and Ira is through the roof thanks to the well written story and the phenomenal narration by Kale Williams. LOVED IT

4 people found this helpful

Larkin & Doyle are my new favorites!

My heart alternately breaks and beats with joy for Larkin. Due to the immediacy of memory, he is a uniquely steadfast and compassionate character. His "condition" provides a unique perspective and makes him an excellent detective, even as it denies him the easing of grief over time. Doyle's natural interaction and acceptance of Larkin, just let these two fit together. Add in an really engaging mystery and this was one of my favorite reads, and now listens, of the year! Kale Williams provides an excellent performance, and made this an audio I will definitely re-listen to.

4 people found this helpful

Great mystery and lovable characters, and I would recommend to any lover of gay fiction

The best thing that I enjoyed about this story was the relationship between characters, mainly the relationship shared between the two main protagonists, but there are dynamics all over the place that make this such an enjoyable read.

Larkin and Doyle are opposites attracting kind of couple, but the author builds them in a way that makes their dovetailing believable without falling into the tired bickering but falls in love tropes.

Both protagonists are also really easy to like, and you be can’t ask for more other than a plot that unfolds smartly And with forethought. There are characters here that are entirely unlikeable, and they are so by design. Be aware the F-bomb slur does get dropped by a homophobic character or two, and while this listener is used to it by now, it is still jarring to hear.

There was an ear to itch; we navigated some of the characters less likable. Having one of the more unsavory assholes turn into more of a Frenemy felt very satisfying.

I typically like to listen to gay fiction because I enjoy a little bit of romance, a lot of good storytelling, and maybe just a little bit of smut and a happily ever after. The mystery in this book unfolded in just the right order and then just the right ways to make the story enjoyable more than I thought it would be.

Be warned if you are looking for the happily ever after, you might feel a little edged with this book as it seems to be the first in a series, and the relationship between the protagonist develops as a slow burn. I usually can’t stand those because they are either done too poorly, or my impatience won’t allow me to. in every case here, I have made an ex exception to Madison Square Murders.

Finally, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the narrator for being just the right amount of performance balanced with just the right amount of narration. It doesn’t hurt that his voice is smoking hot either. Haha.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent!

One of the best murder/mysteries I've listened to! The writing was great, characters memorable and the mystery kept me guessing to the end. Doyle and Larkin are an excellent pairing. I can't wait to read (hear) more about them.
Kale Williams is perfect for this story! He captured Larkin's tone/affect (almost flat) and Doyle's friendlier, smokier voice perfectly. He sets the overall tone of the story, almost film-noir like in the best if ways.
Honestly, no shade to Ms. Poe, but this is the best way to enjoy her excellent story!!

2 people found this helpful

ok so

i did not realize that cheating was a part of the book, it is not mentioned in the blurb, which is annoying .

other then that it is decent. but Kale did an amazing job.

1 person found this helpful

absolutely gorgeous listening experience

Listening to this book made me feel... decadent. Kale Williams's voice, and his understanding of the characters, it felt like being dipped in a warm bath. I typically listen to books while driving and this audiobook made me want to find more places to go. at times the way the narrator reads the author's words is so clear that you forget that you are listening to a story and not watching it. could not recommend more strongly. A++
5 stars.

1 person found this helpful

Can’t Wait for Next One!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were great, mystery was well done. Excited to see how the romance develops.

Excellent- Highly Recommended!

Superior narration and well developed storyline, characters. The author’s descriptive attention to details makes this a “hard to put down” book.

Absolutely fantastic story expertly performed!

What a great read/listen! I have been putting this book off because I wanted to save the audiobook for an upcoming trip. That trip was today and can I just say HOLY CRAP! I loved everything about this book.

I started with the audio but had a few hours left by the time I got home. I was too invested in the story so I had to stay up (until the current time of 3:36) to finish the book. Kale Williams’ narration is fantastic. His delivery of Everett Larkin made me immediately fall in love with the character. Then when he added Ira Doyle I was beyond hooked!

The mystery is fascinating, twisty turny, and riveting. The character development is so well done that I felt like I could actually see the growth. The portrayal of a relationship falling apart that really had already fallen apart and in fact might have never really been intact was so well done.

SPOILER AHEAD…YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP PAST THIS PART!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

As I listened I became increasingly irritated with the reviews I read that critiqued and belittled because there was “cheating” and because it wasn’t mentioned in the blurb. First of all, I’d hardly classify one kiss which Larkin immediately went home and confessed as cheating in the vitriolic way it was in some reviews. It really annoyed me!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
OK, SPOILER PART IS DONE!
One of the things I love about CS Poe’s work is the obviously intense level of research that goes into it. It was one of the things I loved about the Snow and Winter books as well. Additionally, she does such an exceptional job of building characters and portraying complex and real human relationships. Larkin is one of my favorite literary characters now and I cannot wait to get more of his story, especially after that climactic scene and the book’s ending. It is cruel and unusual punishment to make us wait for book two!