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Serial Investigations #2
Blood Evidence
A missing person’s case…
… A murder investigation?
Private detectives Ram and Will got their name in the news by catching a high-profile serial killer, and now they’re getting more clients. When they’re hired to find a missing person, all they’re worried about is having to spend a night away from home. They go to check his last known sighting in Kent, staying in a quaint country inn.
… A murder investigation?
Private detectives Ram and Will got their name in the news by catching a high-profile serial killer, and now they’re getting more clients. When they’re hired to find a missing person, all they’re worried about is having to spend a night away from home. They go to check his last known sighting in Kent, staying in a quaint country inn.
Little do they expect that Serial Investigations London are about to get thrust into a new murder investigation – one that happens right under their noses.
A confession seems to solve the case, but is it genuine? With suspicions running high, the duo still have to find time to sniff out the whereabouts of their client – and avoid getting arrested themselves.
With Ram hitting the bottle harder than ever and Will fighting to stay in control, they might be about to lose more than just the case.
If you’re a fan of BBC’s Luther, Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole, or sharply witty gay men, you’ll love Serial Investigations. Continue the action with Blood Evidence, the second book in a series you won’t dare to put down.
Enter the minds of troubled yet brilliant detectives as they take on a mysterious killer, out of their depth in an unfamiliar place.
200 pages, ebook
First published August 10, 2019
5 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 11, 2023
I enjoyed this one better than the previous book but it was still a little bit of a struggle to stay interested at the start.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
July 1, 2020
After successfully helping the police solve the case involving a serial killer, Serial Investigations London is gaining momentum. However, Ram and Will still need bigger, more serious cases that will secure them financially. That's why the private investigators accept a pre-paid order to find a missing fiancé. Unfortunately, they don't even have a chance to start working on the case, when the investigation is hindered by the murder in a small bed and breakfast where they are staying.
"Blood Evidence" is the second volume in the series that conquered my heart in the blink of an eye, namely "Serial Investigations" by Rhiannon D'Averc. I have to admit that reading this part, some most obvious facts caught my eye, while for various reasons I hadn't paid so much attention to them before. The first obvious thing that really appealed to me in "Blood Evidence" is the number of main characters. In this volume, we finally have the opportunity to fully appreciate the fact that the novel focuses on two detectives who work together and complement each other. Previously, their cooperation did not go so smoothly, so the dynamics of their professional relations were not outlined as clearly as in this volume. Ram and Will eventually work together, not just side by side, which allows us to see similarities and differences between their way of working and working methods. In short, we finally feel that in this series we have two characters working together, two partners working on the case.
The second thing that I simply can't ignore in this volume, and which I did notice in "Bloodless", is Ram's and Will's approach to the problems they are struggling with. Both of them largely ignore both their own and each other's issues, not really taking into account themselves and each other. In other words, both Ram's alcoholism and Will's eating disorder pose a threat not only to them, but also to their partner. Their work is sometimes dangerous, so as partners they should be able to rely on each other and have each other's back. But how can they to do this when one of them is drunk and the other is starving? Neither one nor the other are physically or mentally fit. They are an easy target, they are not able to protect themselves, let alone the other person. Don't get me wrong. I love them, their shortcomings make them more human and believable, but at the same time, their profession is dangerous while their physical abilities simply sucks. I love them, but they irritate me.
In my opinion, "Blood Evidence" also shows us more precisely the other side of our main characters' relationship. We already know that they are very good friends, they know each other perfectly, accept or ignore each other's faults and problems, because they know that their issues are the result of something terrible that had happened in the past. To this rather gloomy description of friendship, we must now add the fact that Ram and Will don't really talk with each other, at least not about things that are really important to them. But why? Is it because men don't have heart-to-heart talks? Or maybe it's because Will's and Ram's personality is not made for such conversations? And just like that further questions arise. Was their relationship always like this or did the mysterious events from San Francisco affect their friendship? I would really like to know the answers to these questions, because "Blood Evidence" clearly shows us that our characters are going to fall, it's going to be really painful and that moment is getting near.
Finally, I would like to write a few words about the crime mystery in this volume, or more precisely about the way it is presented and how the readers, or just me, see it. The murder case our characters are working on in "Blood Evidence" is undoubtedly very interesting and really encourages the readers to try to resolve it themselves. What's interesting, when reading this novel we are often suspicious of a person our characters do not suspect, when we think something is not right, we start to ask certain questions, draw conclusions, while Ram and Will investigate a different clue, as if they did not see something that it is so obvious to us. This prompts us to try to put ourselves in their shoes and ask ourselves some important questions. How much our point of view, the fact that we are readers, affects our perception of the case? If we were in Ram and Will's shoes, would we come to the same conclusions and ask the same questions as when watching everything from afar? So are we good detectives or just good readers?
In summary, "Blood Evidence" is a very interesting and well-written novel that we not only read, but also feel. The characters arouse various emotions in us, which is a clear proof that we are not indifferent to them, while the crime mystery encourages us to test our intelligence and instinct. Believe me, "Serial Investigations" is really addictive.
____________
Po sukcesie jakim była pomoc policji w rozwiązaniu wielkiej sprawy seryjnych morderstw, Serial Investigations London nabiera rozpędu. Ram i Will nadal potrzebują jednak większych, poważniejszych spraw, które pozwolą im zabezpieczyć się finansowo. Detektywi przyjmują więc płatne z góry zlecenie odnalezienia zaginionego narzeczonego. Okazuje się jednak, że jeszcze nawet dobrze nie zaczęli pracy, kiedy to zostaje im ona utrudniona przez morderstwo, do jakiego dochodzi w niewielkim pensjonacie, w którym się zatrzymali.
„Blood Evidence” to drugi tom serii, która w mgnieniu oka skradła moje serce, a mianowicie „Serial Investigations” autorstwa Rhiannon D'Averc. Muszę przyznać, że w czasie lektury tej części w oczy rzuciły mi się przede wszystkim rzeczy bardzo oczywiste, na które z różnych powodów wcześniej nie zwracałam tak wielkiej uwagi. Pierwszą oczywistością, która w „Blood Evidence” naprawdę do mnie przemawiała jest liczba głównych bohaterów. W tym tomie w końcu mamy okazję w pełni docenić fakt, iż powieść skupia się na dwóch detektywach, którzy pracują wspólnie i dopełniają się nawzajem. Poprzednio ich współpraca nie przebiegała tak płynnie, toteż dynamika ich relacji zawodowych nie była zarysowana tak wyraźnie jak ma to miejsce w tym tomie. Ram i Will w końcu pracują wspólnie, a nie obok siebie, co pozwala nam dostrzec podobieństwa i różnice między ich sposobem działania, metodami pracy. Mówiąc krótko, w końcu naprawdę czujemy, że w tej serii mamy dwóch współpracujących ze sobą bohaterów, dwóch pracujących nad sprawą partnerów.
Drugą rzeczą, na którą nie sposób nie zwrócić w tym tomie uwagi, a która już w „Bloodless” nie dawała mi spokoju jest podejście Rama i Willa do problemów z którymi się zmagają. Obaj w dużej mierze ignorują bowiem zarówno swoje własne problemy, jak i te wzajemne, nie biorąc tak naprawdę zupełnie pod uwagę siebie samych oraz siebie nawzajem. Inaczej mówiąc, zarówno alkoholizm Rama, jak i zaburzenia jedzenia Willa stwarzają zagrożenie nie tylko dla nich samych, ale także dla partnera. Nasi chłopcy wykonują zawód, który czasami jest niebezpieczny, a więc jako partnerzy powinni móc na sobie polegać, ubezpieczać się nawzajem. Ale jak mają to robić, kiedy jeden jest pijany, a drugi wygłodzony? Ani jeden, ani drugi nie są wtedy sprawni ani fizycznie, ani umysłowo. Są łatwym celem, nie są w stanie ochronić siebie samych, a co dopiero tę drugą osobę. Nie zrozumcie mnie źle. Kocham ich, ich wady czynią ich bardziej ludzkimi i prawdopodobnymi, ale równocześnie sprawiają, że ich sprawność fizyczna jako osób wykonujących niebezpieczny zawód po prostu ssie. Kocham ich, ale mnie irytują.
Myślę, że „Blood Evidence” ukazuje nam także dokładniej inną stronę relacji naszych głównych bohaterów. Wiemy już, że są bardzo dobrymi przyjaciółmi, znają się doskonale, akceptują lub przemilczają swoje wzajemne wady i problemy, ponieważ wiedzą, że są one wynikiem tych samych wstrząsających wydarzeń z przeszłości. Do tego raczej ponurego opisu przyjaźni musimy teraz dodać również fakt, iż Ram i Will tak naprawdę wcale ze sobą nie rozmawiają, a przynajmniej nie o naprawdę istotnych dla nich rzeczach. Ale dlaczego? Czy dlatego, że mężczyźni nie rozmawiają od serca o swoich problemach? A może po prostu osobowość Willa i Rama nie sprzyja takim rozmowom? Od razu nasuwa mi się kolejne pytanie. Czy zawsze tak było, czy też wpływ na ich zamknięcie się w sobie miały tajemnicze wydarzenia z San Francisco? Naprawdę chciałabym znać odpowiedzi na te pytania, ponieważ „Blood Evidence” wyraźnie nam pokazuje, że nasi bohaterowie dążą ku zatraceniu, z każdą mijającą chwilą coraz szybciej staczając się w dół.
Na koniec kilka słów o zagadce kryminalnej tego tomu, a dokładniej mówiąc o sposobie jej przedstawienia oraz tym, w jaki sposób odbiera ją czytelnik, czy też po prostu ja. Sprawa morderstwa, nad którą w „Blood Evidence” pracują nasi bohaterowie niewątpliwie jest bardzo interesująca i naprawdę skłania czytelnika do próby samodzielnego dojścia do rozwiązania. Co ciekawe, w czasie lektury niejednokrotnie nasze podejrzenia padają na osobę, której nasi bohaterowie nie podejrzewają, gdy w naszych umysłach zapala się czerwona lampka, zaczynamy zadawać sobie pewne pytania, wysnuwać wnioski, Ram i Will podążają inną drogą, jakby nie dostrzegali czegoś, co dla nas jest przecież tak oczywiste. To skłania nas do próby postawienia się na ich miejscu oraz zadania sobie jakże ważnego pytania. Jak bardzo nasz punkt widzenia, fakt, że jesteśmy czytelnikami, wpływa na nasz sposób postrzegania danej sprawy. Czy będąc na miejscu Rama i Willa doszlibyśmy do tych samych wniosków i zadawalibyśmy te same pytania, co obserwując wszystko z boku? Jesteśmy więc dobrymi detektywami, czy tylko dobrymi czytelnikami?
Podsumowując, „Blood Evidence” to bardzo interesująca i dobrze napisana powieść, którą nie tylko czytamy, ale możemy także poczuć. Bohaterowie wzbudzają w nas różne emocje, co jest wyraźnym dowodem na to, że nie są nam obojętni, a zagadka kryminalna zachęca nas do sprawdzenia swoich sił i instynktu. „Serial Investigations” naprawdę uzależnia.
"Blood Evidence" is the second volume in the series that conquered my heart in the blink of an eye, namely "Serial Investigations" by Rhiannon D'Averc. I have to admit that reading this part, some most obvious facts caught my eye, while for various reasons I hadn't paid so much attention to them before. The first obvious thing that really appealed to me in "Blood Evidence" is the number of main characters. In this volume, we finally have the opportunity to fully appreciate the fact that the novel focuses on two detectives who work together and complement each other. Previously, their cooperation did not go so smoothly, so the dynamics of their professional relations were not outlined as clearly as in this volume. Ram and Will eventually work together, not just side by side, which allows us to see similarities and differences between their way of working and working methods. In short, we finally feel that in this series we have two characters working together, two partners working on the case.
The second thing that I simply can't ignore in this volume, and which I did notice in "Bloodless", is Ram's and Will's approach to the problems they are struggling with. Both of them largely ignore both their own and each other's issues, not really taking into account themselves and each other. In other words, both Ram's alcoholism and Will's eating disorder pose a threat not only to them, but also to their partner. Their work is sometimes dangerous, so as partners they should be able to rely on each other and have each other's back. But how can they to do this when one of them is drunk and the other is starving? Neither one nor the other are physically or mentally fit. They are an easy target, they are not able to protect themselves, let alone the other person. Don't get me wrong. I love them, their shortcomings make them more human and believable, but at the same time, their profession is dangerous while their physical abilities simply sucks. I love them, but they irritate me.
In my opinion, "Blood Evidence" also shows us more precisely the other side of our main characters' relationship. We already know that they are very good friends, they know each other perfectly, accept or ignore each other's faults and problems, because they know that their issues are the result of something terrible that had happened in the past. To this rather gloomy description of friendship, we must now add the fact that Ram and Will don't really talk with each other, at least not about things that are really important to them. But why? Is it because men don't have heart-to-heart talks? Or maybe it's because Will's and Ram's personality is not made for such conversations? And just like that further questions arise. Was their relationship always like this or did the mysterious events from San Francisco affect their friendship? I would really like to know the answers to these questions, because "Blood Evidence" clearly shows us that our characters are going to fall, it's going to be really painful and that moment is getting near.
Finally, I would like to write a few words about the crime mystery in this volume, or more precisely about the way it is presented and how the readers, or just me, see it. The murder case our characters are working on in "Blood Evidence" is undoubtedly very interesting and really encourages the readers to try to resolve it themselves. What's interesting, when reading this novel we are often suspicious of a person our characters do not suspect, when we think something is not right, we start to ask certain questions, draw conclusions, while Ram and Will investigate a different clue, as if they did not see something that it is so obvious to us. This prompts us to try to put ourselves in their shoes and ask ourselves some important questions. How much our point of view, the fact that we are readers, affects our perception of the case? If we were in Ram and Will's shoes, would we come to the same conclusions and ask the same questions as when watching everything from afar? So are we good detectives or just good readers?
In summary, "Blood Evidence" is a very interesting and well-written novel that we not only read, but also feel. The characters arouse various emotions in us, which is a clear proof that we are not indifferent to them, while the crime mystery encourages us to test our intelligence and instinct. Believe me, "Serial Investigations" is really addictive.
____________
Po sukcesie jakim była pomoc policji w rozwiązaniu wielkiej sprawy seryjnych morderstw, Serial Investigations London nabiera rozpędu. Ram i Will nadal potrzebują jednak większych, poważniejszych spraw, które pozwolą im zabezpieczyć się finansowo. Detektywi przyjmują więc płatne z góry zlecenie odnalezienia zaginionego narzeczonego. Okazuje się jednak, że jeszcze nawet dobrze nie zaczęli pracy, kiedy to zostaje im ona utrudniona przez morderstwo, do jakiego dochodzi w niewielkim pensjonacie, w którym się zatrzymali.
„Blood Evidence” to drugi tom serii, która w mgnieniu oka skradła moje serce, a mianowicie „Serial Investigations” autorstwa Rhiannon D'Averc. Muszę przyznać, że w czasie lektury tej części w oczy rzuciły mi się przede wszystkim rzeczy bardzo oczywiste, na które z różnych powodów wcześniej nie zwracałam tak wielkiej uwagi. Pierwszą oczywistością, która w „Blood Evidence” naprawdę do mnie przemawiała jest liczba głównych bohaterów. W tym tomie w końcu mamy okazję w pełni docenić fakt, iż powieść skupia się na dwóch detektywach, którzy pracują wspólnie i dopełniają się nawzajem. Poprzednio ich współpraca nie przebiegała tak płynnie, toteż dynamika ich relacji zawodowych nie była zarysowana tak wyraźnie jak ma to miejsce w tym tomie. Ram i Will w końcu pracują wspólnie, a nie obok siebie, co pozwala nam dostrzec podobieństwa i różnice między ich sposobem działania, metodami pracy. Mówiąc krótko, w końcu naprawdę czujemy, że w tej serii mamy dwóch współpracujących ze sobą bohaterów, dwóch pracujących nad sprawą partnerów.
Drugą rzeczą, na którą nie sposób nie zwrócić w tym tomie uwagi, a która już w „Bloodless” nie dawała mi spokoju jest podejście Rama i Willa do problemów z którymi się zmagają. Obaj w dużej mierze ignorują bowiem zarówno swoje własne problemy, jak i te wzajemne, nie biorąc tak naprawdę zupełnie pod uwagę siebie samych oraz siebie nawzajem. Inaczej mówiąc, zarówno alkoholizm Rama, jak i zaburzenia jedzenia Willa stwarzają zagrożenie nie tylko dla nich samych, ale także dla partnera. Nasi chłopcy wykonują zawód, który czasami jest niebezpieczny, a więc jako partnerzy powinni móc na sobie polegać, ubezpieczać się nawzajem. Ale jak mają to robić, kiedy jeden jest pijany, a drugi wygłodzony? Ani jeden, ani drugi nie są wtedy sprawni ani fizycznie, ani umysłowo. Są łatwym celem, nie są w stanie ochronić siebie samych, a co dopiero tę drugą osobę. Nie zrozumcie mnie źle. Kocham ich, ich wady czynią ich bardziej ludzkimi i prawdopodobnymi, ale równocześnie sprawiają, że ich sprawność fizyczna jako osób wykonujących niebezpieczny zawód po prostu ssie. Kocham ich, ale mnie irytują.
Myślę, że „Blood Evidence” ukazuje nam także dokładniej inną stronę relacji naszych głównych bohaterów. Wiemy już, że są bardzo dobrymi przyjaciółmi, znają się doskonale, akceptują lub przemilczają swoje wzajemne wady i problemy, ponieważ wiedzą, że są one wynikiem tych samych wstrząsających wydarzeń z przeszłości. Do tego raczej ponurego opisu przyjaźni musimy teraz dodać również fakt, iż Ram i Will tak naprawdę wcale ze sobą nie rozmawiają, a przynajmniej nie o naprawdę istotnych dla nich rzeczach. Ale dlaczego? Czy dlatego, że mężczyźni nie rozmawiają od serca o swoich problemach? A może po prostu osobowość Willa i Rama nie sprzyja takim rozmowom? Od razu nasuwa mi się kolejne pytanie. Czy zawsze tak było, czy też wpływ na ich zamknięcie się w sobie miały tajemnicze wydarzenia z San Francisco? Naprawdę chciałabym znać odpowiedzi na te pytania, ponieważ „Blood Evidence” wyraźnie nam pokazuje, że nasi bohaterowie dążą ku zatraceniu, z każdą mijającą chwilą coraz szybciej staczając się w dół.
Na koniec kilka słów o zagadce kryminalnej tego tomu, a dokładniej mówiąc o sposobie jej przedstawienia oraz tym, w jaki sposób odbiera ją czytelnik, czy też po prostu ja. Sprawa morderstwa, nad którą w „Blood Evidence” pracują nasi bohaterowie niewątpliwie jest bardzo interesująca i naprawdę skłania czytelnika do próby samodzielnego dojścia do rozwiązania. Co ciekawe, w czasie lektury niejednokrotnie nasze podejrzenia padają na osobę, której nasi bohaterowie nie podejrzewają, gdy w naszych umysłach zapala się czerwona lampka, zaczynamy zadawać sobie pewne pytania, wysnuwać wnioski, Ram i Will podążają inną drogą, jakby nie dostrzegali czegoś, co dla nas jest przecież tak oczywiste. To skłania nas do próby postawienia się na ich miejscu oraz zadania sobie jakże ważnego pytania. Jak bardzo nasz punkt widzenia, fakt, że jesteśmy czytelnikami, wpływa na nasz sposób postrzegania danej sprawy. Czy będąc na miejscu Rama i Willa doszlibyśmy do tych samych wniosków i zadawalibyśmy te same pytania, co obserwując wszystko z boku? Jesteśmy więc dobrymi detektywami, czy tylko dobrymi czytelnikami?
Podsumowując, „Blood Evidence” to bardzo interesująca i dobrze napisana powieść, którą nie tylko czytamy, ale możemy także poczuć. Bohaterowie wzbudzają w nas różne emocje, co jest wyraźnym dowodem na to, że nie są nam obojętni, a zagadka kryminalna zachęca nas do sprawdzenia swoich sił i instynktu. „Serial Investigations” naprawdę uzależnia.
June 18, 2020
If you’ve read my review for book one of the Serial Investigation series, you will understand when I say that I went into book two expecting to be let down. There were so many things wrong with Bloodless in my opinion. I was thrown by how unbelievable some of the plot points were. Like, yes this is a fictional mystery/mm romance, but you have to keep some realism to the plot to tell a good story. Having said that, I’ll just admit that I’m digressing. This review is about Blood Evidence and my thoughts on the continuation of this series. Which, as it so happens, wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
The plot for Blood Evidence was better than the first book. Will and Ram are hired by a woman to find her missing fiance. His last known location was at the Highcastle Inn in Kent, so Ram and Will head off to investigate. They’re only there for one night when a murder takes place. I won’t go into too much detail because I don’t want to spoil the plot. Let’s just say there is some obvious finger-pointing at poor Ram, a confession from a man they think is innocent, guests at the inn with secrets they’d like kept quiet, an eccentric fellow everyone things is a weirdo, and an eventual conclusion of ‘who done it.’ Oh, and they do finish their paid investigation in the end by finding their missing person.
I liked Will and Ram a little more in Blood Evidence. Their characters seemed to have a little more life to them this time around. Will was still deeply in the closet, still suffering from anorexia, and still writing under the pseudonym of B.J. Wong. One thing I have to say about Will is that he seemed to be getting more of a backbone when it comes to Ram and his behavior. There was one point where he stood up to Ram for doing something stupid while drunk which made me want to applaud him. Ram was still Ram. His drinking was still a problem, making him do something incredibly stupid that made Will snap. I gave him props for not using his little head as often in book two. It also seemed like he was starting to see how his drinking was affecting his relationship with Will. There was also Ram’s sense of humor which was nice.
One part of the plot that did bother me was the Pavlovian conditioning. It was being used on a guest at the inn for a short period of time and yet it was a viable factor for why said guest felt responsible for things he hadn’t done? Now, I’m not an expert when it comes to Pavlovian/classical conditioning. But, I would think, because conditioning is essentially training a person to accept certain circumstances over some time, it would take more than a day or two to take effect. I could be wrong. Yet, I feel it’s unlikely. I think it would have to be a process that, over time, would eventually start to work.
Another thing I found disappointing was the author’s lack of drive when it came to utilizing certain situations in the book to further the progression the Will and Ram’s relationship. This is supposed to be a mystery/romance novel and yet it seemed like the author was more than happy to let them coast along as nothing more than friends until the end. Seriously? These men were forced to share a double bed in the inn not once, but twice, and there wasn’t even an incident with an impromptu boner? Or accidental cuddling? Nothing! I was so sad. It would have been great to see something along those lines.
The secret from book one is, unfortunately, not revealed in book two. We get a little more information about it, but not the full explanation. If you’re expecting answers regarding that, you’ll be left wanting. I expect we’ll be filled in on it eventually, but we’ll just need to be patient. I’m just hoping that the build-up to this secret isn’t a huge letdown when it all comes out.
In conclusion, I thought the book was better than book one. The slow-smolder, I would say slow-burn but that would require some actual flames, of the book, was a little offputting. As I mentioned above there were opportunities for the author to expand on the development of the relationship portion of the story, but she didn’t. The Pavlovian conditioning was questionable. I had an inkling of who the real killer was early on, but it honestly could have been anyone at the inn. It was a fairly decent read. If the series keeps getting progressively better, I’m sure I’ll stick with it just to see where it goes.
The plot for Blood Evidence was better than the first book. Will and Ram are hired by a woman to find her missing fiance. His last known location was at the Highcastle Inn in Kent, so Ram and Will head off to investigate. They’re only there for one night when a murder takes place. I won’t go into too much detail because I don’t want to spoil the plot. Let’s just say there is some obvious finger-pointing at poor Ram, a confession from a man they think is innocent, guests at the inn with secrets they’d like kept quiet, an eccentric fellow everyone things is a weirdo, and an eventual conclusion of ‘who done it.’ Oh, and they do finish their paid investigation in the end by finding their missing person.
I liked Will and Ram a little more in Blood Evidence. Their characters seemed to have a little more life to them this time around. Will was still deeply in the closet, still suffering from anorexia, and still writing under the pseudonym of B.J. Wong. One thing I have to say about Will is that he seemed to be getting more of a backbone when it comes to Ram and his behavior. There was one point where he stood up to Ram for doing something stupid while drunk which made me want to applaud him. Ram was still Ram. His drinking was still a problem, making him do something incredibly stupid that made Will snap. I gave him props for not using his little head as often in book two. It also seemed like he was starting to see how his drinking was affecting his relationship with Will. There was also Ram’s sense of humor which was nice.
One part of the plot that did bother me was the Pavlovian conditioning. It was being used on a guest at the inn for a short period of time and yet it was a viable factor for why said guest felt responsible for things he hadn’t done? Now, I’m not an expert when it comes to Pavlovian/classical conditioning. But, I would think, because conditioning is essentially training a person to accept certain circumstances over some time, it would take more than a day or two to take effect. I could be wrong. Yet, I feel it’s unlikely. I think it would have to be a process that, over time, would eventually start to work.
Another thing I found disappointing was the author’s lack of drive when it came to utilizing certain situations in the book to further the progression the Will and Ram’s relationship. This is supposed to be a mystery/romance novel and yet it seemed like the author was more than happy to let them coast along as nothing more than friends until the end. Seriously? These men were forced to share a double bed in the inn not once, but twice, and there wasn’t even an incident with an impromptu boner? Or accidental cuddling? Nothing! I was so sad. It would have been great to see something along those lines.
The secret from book one is, unfortunately, not revealed in book two. We get a little more information about it, but not the full explanation. If you’re expecting answers regarding that, you’ll be left wanting. I expect we’ll be filled in on it eventually, but we’ll just need to be patient. I’m just hoping that the build-up to this secret isn’t a huge letdown when it all comes out.
In conclusion, I thought the book was better than book one. The slow-smolder, I would say slow-burn but that would require some actual flames, of the book, was a little offputting. As I mentioned above there were opportunities for the author to expand on the development of the relationship portion of the story, but she didn’t. The Pavlovian conditioning was questionable. I had an inkling of who the real killer was early on, but it honestly could have been anyone at the inn. It was a fairly decent read. If the series keeps getting progressively better, I’m sure I’ll stick with it just to see where it goes.
June 27, 2020
This series is getting better and better. I really love it. There’s just so much going on and it’s intriguing to try to figure out what’s really happening and why. So many secrets that are being kept. And I’m really wanting to see where this is going to go.
Will and Ram have just been handed another case. This one is a missing persons case in which the missing person seems to have left on his own. But the fiance thinks there is foul play and if he truly left her, she wants the truth. They go to where he was last seen and spend some time trying to figure things out, but before they can even get too far, a murder has taken place where they are. And Ram being Ram, is brought in for interrogation again. Will is determined to figure things out and may have when he and Ram get into it because of Ram’s constant drinking and being out. But during this, Will is struggling on his own about his past and with himself. And with this case and both of their pasts, it’s going to be a wonder if they can make it out of this. Because someone is going to self destruct soon, and it’s not going to be a pretty picture.
I’m ready to find out what’s happened in San Fran. Especially with the last chapter of these books. Someone is pulling strings behind the scenes and it’s causing Ram and Will both to go into a tailspin that neither one may come out of. And it breaks my heart. Because these two are such obvious good friends, but they can’t get past what happened, and it’s tearing them down and apart to a point. I wish they would just talk about it. And I was so proud of Will for finally deciding to start trying to share his other secret with someone. Yes, he’s not ready to tell anyone else, but that fact he had someone to finally talk to to share even a tiny bit, lifted a weight off of him. So, I’m hoping it will start helping little by little. And maybe more will be able to come out and he can get better. He’s such a sweet man and even though I like Ram, I don’t like how he treats Will a lot. So I’m ready for Will to find some peace and closure. Ram needs it just as bad, but he refuses to see that there’s a problem. And when it crops up, he buries under more alcohol.
It’s a big mess. But I still love watching how their minds work. They really know how to pull things together to get the job done. They may be unconventional, but they know what they’re doing. They know what to look for, things to ask, and they follow their guts when they know something isn’t right. I really love this series and can’t wait to see where things go next.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Will and Ram have just been handed another case. This one is a missing persons case in which the missing person seems to have left on his own. But the fiance thinks there is foul play and if he truly left her, she wants the truth. They go to where he was last seen and spend some time trying to figure things out, but before they can even get too far, a murder has taken place where they are. And Ram being Ram, is brought in for interrogation again. Will is determined to figure things out and may have when he and Ram get into it because of Ram’s constant drinking and being out. But during this, Will is struggling on his own about his past and with himself. And with this case and both of their pasts, it’s going to be a wonder if they can make it out of this. Because someone is going to self destruct soon, and it’s not going to be a pretty picture.
I’m ready to find out what’s happened in San Fran. Especially with the last chapter of these books. Someone is pulling strings behind the scenes and it’s causing Ram and Will both to go into a tailspin that neither one may come out of. And it breaks my heart. Because these two are such obvious good friends, but they can’t get past what happened, and it’s tearing them down and apart to a point. I wish they would just talk about it. And I was so proud of Will for finally deciding to start trying to share his other secret with someone. Yes, he’s not ready to tell anyone else, but that fact he had someone to finally talk to to share even a tiny bit, lifted a weight off of him. So, I’m hoping it will start helping little by little. And maybe more will be able to come out and he can get better. He’s such a sweet man and even though I like Ram, I don’t like how he treats Will a lot. So I’m ready for Will to find some peace and closure. Ram needs it just as bad, but he refuses to see that there’s a problem. And when it crops up, he buries under more alcohol.
It’s a big mess. But I still love watching how their minds work. They really know how to pull things together to get the job done. They may be unconventional, but they know what they’re doing. They know what to look for, things to ask, and they follow their guts when they know something isn’t right. I really love this series and can’t wait to see where things go next.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
June 23, 2020
*I received a copy of this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
When Will and Ram are hired to find a missing fiancé, they assume that the groom has just got cold feet. However what looks to be an open and shut case soon takes a sinister turn as they find themselves in the middle of a new murder investigation. The both of them are still battling their inner demons and Will’s feelings for Ram are becoming harder for him to ignore.
I really liked book 1 in the series and was excited to start book 2 and it didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the murder mystery at the hotel and the shifty bunch of guests all with their own secrets. They were all hiding something so at one point I thought any one of them could have done it.
Ram and Will are still struggling with what happened in San Francisco and their different coping mechanisms threaten to drive a wedge between them. Added to this is Will’s difficulty in accepting he’s gay and also that he has feelings for Ram. I liked how the author has addressed the anxieties that he feels about coming out. It was portrayed as very realistic and I liked Will’s new friendship with Harry – even if Ram didn’t!
I think my favourite aspect of the series so far is the bond between Will and Ram. They already have a great rapport and I’m looking forward to seeing how their relationship progresses further in the series.
When Will and Ram are hired to find a missing fiancé, they assume that the groom has just got cold feet. However what looks to be an open and shut case soon takes a sinister turn as they find themselves in the middle of a new murder investigation. The both of them are still battling their inner demons and Will’s feelings for Ram are becoming harder for him to ignore.
I really liked book 1 in the series and was excited to start book 2 and it didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed the murder mystery at the hotel and the shifty bunch of guests all with their own secrets. They were all hiding something so at one point I thought any one of them could have done it.
Ram and Will are still struggling with what happened in San Francisco and their different coping mechanisms threaten to drive a wedge between them. Added to this is Will’s difficulty in accepting he’s gay and also that he has feelings for Ram. I liked how the author has addressed the anxieties that he feels about coming out. It was portrayed as very realistic and I liked Will’s new friendship with Harry – even if Ram didn’t!
I think my favourite aspect of the series so far is the bond between Will and Ram. They already have a great rapport and I’m looking forward to seeing how their relationship progresses further in the series.
June 19, 2020
SERIAL INVESTIGATIONS BOOK 2
Will is still not eating and Ram is still drinking too much. Different book, same issues. This time they are on a missing persons case when someone is murdered. As the two cases collide, Will and Ram fall headlong into another mystery.
I liked the main characters better in this book and I think it had a better mystery. They are still obdurate, neither admitting they have problems. Their dysfunctional relationship hasn’t improved much. But I think they are getting closer to being more than friends.
I liked the writing and with a few more books to go I am looking forward to their secrets being revealed.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
Will is still not eating and Ram is still drinking too much. Different book, same issues. This time they are on a missing persons case when someone is murdered. As the two cases collide, Will and Ram fall headlong into another mystery.
I liked the main characters better in this book and I think it had a better mystery. They are still obdurate, neither admitting they have problems. Their dysfunctional relationship hasn’t improved much. But I think they are getting closer to being more than friends.
I liked the writing and with a few more books to go I am looking forward to their secrets being revealed.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
June 25, 2020
i feel like this book explained things a bit better then book one and i enjoyed it even more then the first.. it was fast paced.. interesting.. it kept me curious and happy.. still a lot of mystery... i do need the characters to develop a bit more.. i feel like they are stuck in a rut.. and i hope they get that fixed..
March 11, 2023
3.5 stars. The focus remains mostly on the murder investigation, with a big dose of the trauma reactions of the MCs. The relationship aspect is super slow burn, still practically non existent even by the end of this second book. Plenty of plot twists and growing evidence of someone really well hidden behind the scenes.
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