Author: ⟫ Cole McCade
Blurb: ⟫ Read the complete first two seasons of this thrilling, action-packed investigative suspense romance with two strong-willed detectives, an undeniable slow burn attraction, and a terrifying puppetmaster in the shadows before Season Three returns!
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
When a string of young queer men turn up dead in grisly murders, all signs point to the ex-boyfriend—but what should be an open-and-shut case is fraught with tension when BPD homicide detective Malcolm Khalaji joins up with a partner he never wanted.
Rigid, ice-cold, and a stickler for the rules, Seong-Jae Yoon is a watchful presence whose obstinacy and unpredictability constantly remind Malcolm why he prefers to work alone. Seong-Jae may be stunningly attractive, a man who moves like a graceful, lethal bird of prey...but he's as impossible to decipher as this case.
And if Malcolm doesn't find the key to unravel both in time, another vulnerable young victim may end up dead.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Baltimore homicide detective Malcolm Khalaji has his own way of doing things: quiet, methodical, logical, effective, not always particularly legal. He’s used to working alone—and the last thing he needs is a new partner ten years his junior.
Especially one like Seong-Jae Yoon.
Icy. Wilful. Detached. Stubborn. Seong-Jae is all that and more, impossible to work with and headstrong enough to get them both killed…if they don’t kill each other first. Fox-like and sullen, Seong-Jae’s disdainful beauty conceals a smouldering and ferocious temper, and as he and Malcolm clash the sparks between them build until neither can tell the difference between loathing and desire.
But as bodies pile up at their feet a string of strange, seemingly unrelated murders takes a bizarre turn, leading them deeper and deeper into Baltimore’s criminal underworld. Every death carries a dangerous message, another in a trail of breadcrumbs that can only end in blood.
Malcolm and Seong-Jae must combine their wits against an unseen killer and trace the unsettling murders to their source. Together, they’ll descend the darkest pathways of a twisted mind—and discover just how deep the rabbit hole goes. And if they can’t learn to trust each other?
Neither will make it out alive.
Review: ⟫ First of all, how come this is the first I have seen of this? I can’t believe this series isn’t being talked about more – or have I just had my head up my butt?
Secondly, omfg, this was grisly! Like, I was wincing when I read the descriptions on page because I could quite clearly see the scenes that Seong-Jae and Malcolm were seeing. I don’t blame some of the cops for running from the murder scenes and hurling!
In the interests of honesty, there is very little ‘romance’ in the first book – although, I’m not sure it was in the romance section so I can’t complain. Not that I am – complaining that is. The only sex involved one of the MCs and another character and was hot as hell (unless I’m conflating book one and book two).
Whatever.
The lack of romance/sex was absolutely cool with me because I was knee-deep in the murders and trying to figure out who the killer was. This was a complete mindf*ck to me – the sense of urgency they felt as the serial killer began to deteriorate and kill sooner; the effects on both Malcolm and Seong-Jae, and how the two of them rubbed each other completely up the wrong way yet worked together so well. I cannot believe there are currently twenty-nine of these stories and am practically rubbing my hands with glee!
I really enjoyed the style of writing – it was like watching an episode of Criminal Minds in written form – and my mind happily provided images for the main characters (yummy). Stellar writing and such a satisfying read. And I’ll admit, I’m 50% of the way through episode two already! I really hope the level of writing is maintained and cannot wait to plough through the remaining twenty-seven books!
A very enthusiastic 5/5 from me!
