What do you think?
Rate this book
An Auden & O'Callaghan Mystery #3
A Friend in the Glass
It’s winter in New York City, and Rufus O’Callaghan is trying to make things work. He’s still got his job as a confidential informant, and he’s still got Sam Auden. The ex-Army drifter has moved in with Rufus, and the two men are trying to build a lasting relationship as Sam struggles to find his footing in the city.
When Sam gets a call from a woman offering to sell him information about Project Stonefish, though, neither man knows what to make of it. Sam still has questions about the training operation that caused him to leave the Army—and that ended in the death of someone Sam cared about. And Rufus is all too aware that when it comes to Stonefish, Sam’s judgment might be in question.
Everything changes when Sam and Rufus learn that the woman who called Sam has died from a suspicious overdose—and that, before she died, she contacted someone else about Stonefish. Someone who wants Stonefish to stay buried in the past. Someone with the power—and the ruthlessness—to make sure it stays buried. And to learn the truth about what happened all those years ago, Sam and Rufus will have to place themselves in the crosshairs.
When Sam gets a call from a woman offering to sell him information about Project Stonefish, though, neither man knows what to make of it. Sam still has questions about the training operation that caused him to leave the Army—and that ended in the death of someone Sam cared about. And Rufus is all too aware that when it comes to Stonefish, Sam’s judgment might be in question.
Everything changes when Sam and Rufus learn that the woman who called Sam has died from a suspicious overdose—and that, before she died, she contacted someone else about Stonefish. Someone who wants Stonefish to stay buried in the past. Someone with the power—and the ruthlessness—to make sure it stays buried. And to learn the truth about what happened all those years ago, Sam and Rufus will have to place themselves in the crosshairs.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2024
58 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Ashe
133 books1,812 followersI'm a long-time Midwesterner. I've lived in Chicago, Bloomington (IN), and Saint Louis, my current home. Aside from reading and writing (which take up a lot of my time), I'm an educator.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 9, 2025
🎧 Out on audio now! Narrated by the talented Garrett Kiesel: https://www.audible.com/pd/B0G5R937XH
Sam and Rufus are officially back, baby!
I sadly have zero functioning brain cells left to ensure this is a coherent review, but it was a ton of fun for me to envision these two traversing through some familiar locations in NYC, as well as other new but fascinating places. NYC becomes a living, breathing entity in the hands of these two authors, and with imagery as vivid as can be, I can't help but chuckle at all the reminders why I love a day trip but a city girl I am not.
Even though this is, by nature of the mystery and its ties to certain past events, a Sam book, Rufus continues to stand front and center for me. He carries such charming, endearingly sassy energy and would absolutely be my first pick for whom I'd want to engage in some classic B&E with (...not that I would! Don't flag me. Please). That said, there's plenty to Sam that has me rooting for him as he works to find his footing in one of the most chaotic cities. It was also such a relief to get more context on his backstory at long last after all the subtle hints and hovering mystique from previous books. While the denouement ended on a slight anticlimactic note for me, I could see the temporary resolution as serving a larger purpose if the next book does indeed head in that direction. Fingers crossed the stars and GA's and Poe's schedules align so they can keep this momentum going for A Friend in the Wind to drop sometime next year!
Speaking of Sam, I randomly thought of how Tean and Theo were both originally meant to be ex-military - they've clearly shifted in more ways than one from their most preliminary forms, but I'm delighted GA has Sam as an outlet for this recurring subconscious(?) need!
————
Happy cover and release date reveal day! Marking Nov 26, 2024 on my calendar - what a book year it’s been!
————
Pssst, a gracious & talented little birdy named C.S. Poe has kindly informed us (aka threw readers into an excited tizzy) that the penultimate book #3 is finally on the docket! After over three years, the clock can soon take a bow at last and reset for the finale.
Remaining cautiously optimistic until we get an official release date, but I’m ready for some more Sam & Rufus!
Sam and Rufus are officially back, baby!
I sadly have zero functioning brain cells left to ensure this is a coherent review, but it was a ton of fun for me to envision these two traversing through some familiar locations in NYC, as well as other new but fascinating places. NYC becomes a living, breathing entity in the hands of these two authors, and with imagery as vivid as can be, I can't help but chuckle at all the reminders why I love a day trip but a city girl I am not.
Even though this is, by nature of the mystery and its ties to certain past events, a Sam book, Rufus continues to stand front and center for me. He carries such charming, endearingly sassy energy and would absolutely be my first pick for whom I'd want to engage in some classic B&E with (...not that I would! Don't flag me. Please). That said, there's plenty to Sam that has me rooting for him as he works to find his footing in one of the most chaotic cities. It was also such a relief to get more context on his backstory at long last after all the subtle hints and hovering mystique from previous books. While the denouement ended on a slight anticlimactic note for me, I could see the temporary resolution as serving a larger purpose if the next book does indeed head in that direction. Fingers crossed the stars and GA's and Poe's schedules align so they can keep this momentum going for A Friend in the Wind to drop sometime next year!
Speaking of Sam, I randomly thought of how Tean and Theo were both originally meant to be ex-military - they've clearly shifted in more ways than one from their most preliminary forms, but I'm delighted GA has Sam as an outlet for this recurring subconscious(?) need!
————
Happy cover and release date reveal day! Marking Nov 26, 2024 on my calendar - what a book year it’s been!
————
Pssst, a gracious & talented little birdy named C.S. Poe has kindly informed us (aka threw readers into an excited tizzy) that the penultimate book #3 is finally on the docket! After over three years, the clock can soon take a bow at last and reset for the finale.
Remaining cautiously optimistic until we get an official release date, but I’m ready for some more Sam & Rufus!
Read
August 20, 2025Buy Links:
Ebook and Paperback
coming soon... audio narrated by Garrett Kiesel, 10/2025
coming soon... Italian edition with Ikigai Collettivo
Ebook and Paperback
coming soon... audio narrated by Garrett Kiesel, 10/2025
coming soon... Italian edition with Ikigai Collettivo
April 12, 2025
It pains me to give this 3 stars but my positivity for the series has expired. The collab just doesn’t feel good. It’s fine but also meh, I felt oddly disconnected to the story the whole time. There is absolutely MINIMAL romance or chemistry, I’m talking really actually ZERO here. It’s more like an old pals or bros dynamic and I didn’t find it engaging.
Loved Rufus. Didn’t love Sam. The mystery couldn’t keep my interest, probably because it was all about Sam’s backstory and I just didn’t care for him.
Have tried reading this for the last month but keep getting distracted/bored/weirdly invested in natural disaster videos instead of reading.
If Sam refers to Rufus in his inner monologue as the “the redhead” again I’ll scream 😱
Severely disappointed by my feelings about this series.
Loved Rufus. Didn’t love Sam. The mystery couldn’t keep my interest, probably because it was all about Sam’s backstory and I just didn’t care for him.
Have tried reading this for the last month but keep getting distracted/bored/weirdly invested in natural disaster videos instead of reading.
If Sam refers to Rufus in his inner monologue as the “the redhead” again I’ll scream 😱
Severely disappointed by my feelings about this series.
November 25, 2024
3.5 stars
This was a fast paced read and I always enjoy both Poe & Ashe’s writing. I enjoyed this but I didn’t love it. This is what has happened with this series for me, I liked the books but wasn’t blown away but I loved the audiobooks. I am looking forward to the audiobook for this one!
I liked Sam much more in this book but I still feel I like he’s a bit of a one dimensional character. There just isn’t much there that I am feeling about him. Maybe because Rufus is larger than life, he is the star of this series for me.
The mystery was interesting but I found it a big underwhelming at times. Most of this series is more about New York City than anything else and it pulls me out of the story. I love the descriptions and I feel like it’s an important part of the story but it distracted me.
I’m not sure if I want to give this 3 or 4 stars so I may change my rating.
Thank you yo the authors for an ARC
This is my honest review
This was a fast paced read and I always enjoy both Poe & Ashe’s writing. I enjoyed this but I didn’t love it. This is what has happened with this series for me, I liked the books but wasn’t blown away but I loved the audiobooks. I am looking forward to the audiobook for this one!
I liked Sam much more in this book but I still feel I like he’s a bit of a one dimensional character. There just isn’t much there that I am feeling about him. Maybe because Rufus is larger than life, he is the star of this series for me.
The mystery was interesting but I found it a big underwhelming at times. Most of this series is more about New York City than anything else and it pulls me out of the story. I love the descriptions and I feel like it’s an important part of the story but it distracted me.
I’m not sure if I want to give this 3 or 4 stars so I may change my rating.
Thank you yo the authors for an ARC
This is my honest review
February 24, 2025
The crime was a bit better in this -- although strangely unresolved; a lot of buildup that petered out completely once Sam and Rufus were in the clear -- but I'm just not buying the relationship. Rufus is actually great: he is making a genuine, painful effort to deal with the many traumas he's experienced, and how these affect his everyday life and relationship. But Sam is giving us nothing. And while GA is usually excellent at "insults are his love language"-MCs (Emery, North, to some degree Theo), it's always coupled with showing the real care and responsibility these characters have for their partners, family, and friends; they may be rude and abrupt, but their actions testify to their willingness to go above and beyond to protect people and principles. Sam, otoh, spends the book being horrible to Rufus's face, then (sometimes) gruffly apologizing when he realizes he's being an asshole, then carrying on being horrible. And meanwhile all the other characters want to get in his pants, so I guess we're supposed to think that Rufus is really the winner in all this? wtf? At the end, there is what I suspect is meant to be some kind of breakthrough on Sam's part, but it comes so late and feels so forced that, meh. Not to mention the complete lack of chemistry or sexy times; they might as well be platonic roommates, for all the (lack of) heat they're putting off. You can do better, Rufus!
Honestly, I'm only reading these because I'm getting the ARCs. They're quick and easy reads, but just not up to GA's usual standard; my expectations for CS Poe are far lower, and that's about where these hit. GA's books are usually all heart (and head trauma), but these feel hollow at the core.
I got an ARC from the author, disclaimer disclaimer.
Honestly, I'm only reading these because I'm getting the ARCs. They're quick and easy reads, but just not up to GA's usual standard; my expectations for CS Poe are far lower, and that's about where these hit. GA's books are usually all heart (and head trauma), but these feel hollow at the core.
I got an ARC from the author, disclaimer disclaimer.
January 19, 2025
3.5 stars
December 29, 2024
B+ / 4.5 stars
It’s been over three-and-a-half years since we last spent time with confidential informant Rufus O’Callaghan and army veteran Sam Auden, so to say this third instalment of the Auden & O’Callaghan Mysteries has been long awaited is a bit of an understatement! Of course, both authors have been keeping a lot of other plates spinning in the interim, but I was excited to return to Rufus and Sam’s world as they become embroiled in a mystery surrounding some shady dealings in the military that dredges up a bunch of unhappy memories for Sam.
If you haven’t read the first two books – A Friend in the Dark and A Friend in the Fire - I’d advise doing so before jumping into this one. As in any same-couple series, the central relationship develops from book to book and the earlier novels contain important backstory for Sam and Rufus that will give readers a much better idea of who these guys are, where they’re at, and how they got there. And please note that there are spoilers for those books in this review.
Sam and Rufus first met when they teamed up – somewhat reluctantly at first – to investigate the murder of the detective for whom Rufus had acted as an informant, who happened to have been in the army with Sam. Although the pair were strongly attracted to each other and even hooked up a couple of times along the way, the book ended with them going their separate ways after a particularly nasty row. When we met them again in book two, neither of them was in a good place; Rufus lives with anxiety and depression, Sam with PTSD, and they were both struggling with their mental health and the fact that they’ve somehow blown it with the one person who seemed to truly give a damn about them. When Rufus discovers someone is trying to kill him there’s only one person he trusts enough to reach out to for help; Sam returns to New York and the two of them are soon up to their necks in it as they try to work out who wants Rufus dead and why.
Rufus went through the wringer in A Friend in the Fire because the mystery brought back a lot of unresolved trauma and unhappy memories from his childhood and about his mother, who was murdered when he was sixteen. In A Friend in the Glass, it’s Sam’s past in the military that is coming back to haunt him when, completely out of the blue, he receives a phone call from a woman offering to sell him information about Project Stonefish, a training operation that went disastrously wrong. Someone Sam cared about died as a result of what happened and Sam left the army shortly afterwards;he’s always been convinced there was some kind of cover-up but never had the means or opportunity to prove it. Until now.
Rufus can’t help being a bit sceptical. He knows Sam has never really come to terms with those events, knows that Sam’s judgement when it comes to Stonefish is compromised, and he worries that someone is manipulating him for their own ends. But Rufus isn’t going to leave Sam to go it alone – they’re a package deal and he’s going to be there for the man he loves despite not being totally convinced there’s anything to be learned from going to meet with some rando who called him at the ass-crack of dawn.
Rufus is even more sceptical when the woman doesn’t show, but Sam isn’t ready to give up. They trace her to a run-down hotel, but when they get to her room they find her dead, apparently from an overdose (although Sam thinks it’s been staged). Rufus puts in a call to his handler, Detective Erik Weaver, but he and Sam take the opportunity to have a look around before Weaver arrives and Rufus hits paydirt when he finds a phone underneath the bed. He can see several calls were made to the Javits Centre – a large conference centre that just happens to be hosting some kind of military convention.
A bit more digging, and Sam and Rufus discover there’s a lot more going on than a cover-up of a military op gone wrong, but every time they think they’ve got a new lead, it’s a dead end – more specifically, there’s a dead body at the end of it – and now there’s someone out there who wants to add Sam and Rufus to the tally.
A Friend in the Glass is clever and fast-paced, with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns that will have readers as tangled up in its threads as are its two protagonists. I loved seeing Sam and Rufus in a more secure place as regards their relationship, although there are still a few lumps and bumps along the way. Sam doesn’t like living in such a busy environment – the constant noise and the crowds can be hard for him to handle – and Rufus knows it and worries that he’s going to leave him. Thankfully, they’ve reached the stage where they’re no longer hiding things like this from each other, and by the end, are making plans for their future, which is something neither of them has really done before. I like them a lot, both individually and as a couple; they’re complicated and carrying a lot of baggage but are striving to be better because they want to be better for themselves and each other, and the way they’re so open and honest about their hopes and fears really shows how far they’ve come since we first met them. I love their working dynamic – there’s a real energy zinging between them when they’re bouncing ideas around - and given both authors excel at writing dialogue, their banter is top-notch. I continue to enjoy Rufus being a snarky little shit and Sam’s dry humour, and that these two care very deeply for each other is never in doubt. They’ve still got a way to go, but they – and we – know by now that they’re in it for the long haul; they want to make a life together – they just have to work out how to do it.
A Friend in the Glass is a quick, but satisfying read and definitely one I can recommend to fans of fast-moving, clever mysteries a featuring complex, well-drawn central couple in an expertly realised setting. I’m pleased Auden and O’Callaghan are back – and fingers crossed it won’t be too long before we get to tag along with them on their fourth and final outing in A Friend in the Wind.
It’s been over three-and-a-half years since we last spent time with confidential informant Rufus O’Callaghan and army veteran Sam Auden, so to say this third instalment of the Auden & O’Callaghan Mysteries has been long awaited is a bit of an understatement! Of course, both authors have been keeping a lot of other plates spinning in the interim, but I was excited to return to Rufus and Sam’s world as they become embroiled in a mystery surrounding some shady dealings in the military that dredges up a bunch of unhappy memories for Sam.
If you haven’t read the first two books – A Friend in the Dark and A Friend in the Fire - I’d advise doing so before jumping into this one. As in any same-couple series, the central relationship develops from book to book and the earlier novels contain important backstory for Sam and Rufus that will give readers a much better idea of who these guys are, where they’re at, and how they got there. And please note that there are spoilers for those books in this review.
Sam and Rufus first met when they teamed up – somewhat reluctantly at first – to investigate the murder of the detective for whom Rufus had acted as an informant, who happened to have been in the army with Sam. Although the pair were strongly attracted to each other and even hooked up a couple of times along the way, the book ended with them going their separate ways after a particularly nasty row. When we met them again in book two, neither of them was in a good place; Rufus lives with anxiety and depression, Sam with PTSD, and they were both struggling with their mental health and the fact that they’ve somehow blown it with the one person who seemed to truly give a damn about them. When Rufus discovers someone is trying to kill him there’s only one person he trusts enough to reach out to for help; Sam returns to New York and the two of them are soon up to their necks in it as they try to work out who wants Rufus dead and why.
Rufus went through the wringer in A Friend in the Fire because the mystery brought back a lot of unresolved trauma and unhappy memories from his childhood and about his mother, who was murdered when he was sixteen. In A Friend in the Glass, it’s Sam’s past in the military that is coming back to haunt him when, completely out of the blue, he receives a phone call from a woman offering to sell him information about Project Stonefish, a training operation that went disastrously wrong. Someone Sam cared about died as a result of what happened and Sam left the army shortly afterwards;he’s always been convinced there was some kind of cover-up but never had the means or opportunity to prove it. Until now.
Rufus can’t help being a bit sceptical. He knows Sam has never really come to terms with those events, knows that Sam’s judgement when it comes to Stonefish is compromised, and he worries that someone is manipulating him for their own ends. But Rufus isn’t going to leave Sam to go it alone – they’re a package deal and he’s going to be there for the man he loves despite not being totally convinced there’s anything to be learned from going to meet with some rando who called him at the ass-crack of dawn.
Rufus is even more sceptical when the woman doesn’t show, but Sam isn’t ready to give up. They trace her to a run-down hotel, but when they get to her room they find her dead, apparently from an overdose (although Sam thinks it’s been staged). Rufus puts in a call to his handler, Detective Erik Weaver, but he and Sam take the opportunity to have a look around before Weaver arrives and Rufus hits paydirt when he finds a phone underneath the bed. He can see several calls were made to the Javits Centre – a large conference centre that just happens to be hosting some kind of military convention.
A bit more digging, and Sam and Rufus discover there’s a lot more going on than a cover-up of a military op gone wrong, but every time they think they’ve got a new lead, it’s a dead end – more specifically, there’s a dead body at the end of it – and now there’s someone out there who wants to add Sam and Rufus to the tally.
A Friend in the Glass is clever and fast-paced, with plenty of action and lots of twists and turns that will have readers as tangled up in its threads as are its two protagonists. I loved seeing Sam and Rufus in a more secure place as regards their relationship, although there are still a few lumps and bumps along the way. Sam doesn’t like living in such a busy environment – the constant noise and the crowds can be hard for him to handle – and Rufus knows it and worries that he’s going to leave him. Thankfully, they’ve reached the stage where they’re no longer hiding things like this from each other, and by the end, are making plans for their future, which is something neither of them has really done before. I like them a lot, both individually and as a couple; they’re complicated and carrying a lot of baggage but are striving to be better because they want to be better for themselves and each other, and the way they’re so open and honest about their hopes and fears really shows how far they’ve come since we first met them. I love their working dynamic – there’s a real energy zinging between them when they’re bouncing ideas around - and given both authors excel at writing dialogue, their banter is top-notch. I continue to enjoy Rufus being a snarky little shit and Sam’s dry humour, and that these two care very deeply for each other is never in doubt. They’ve still got a way to go, but they – and we – know by now that they’re in it for the long haul; they want to make a life together – they just have to work out how to do it.
A Friend in the Glass is a quick, but satisfying read and definitely one I can recommend to fans of fast-moving, clever mysteries a featuring complex, well-drawn central couple in an expertly realised setting. I’m pleased Auden and O’Callaghan are back – and fingers crossed it won’t be too long before we get to tag along with them on their fourth and final outing in A Friend in the Wind.
December 9, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
A Friend in the Glass is the third book in Gregory Ashe and C.S. Poe’s Auden & O’Callaghan Mystery series. The first two books came out fairly close together, but it has been about three and a half years since the second book, A Friend in the Fire, was released. I was a little worried I was going to have trouble jumping back into the story after so long, but after re-reading my reviews and my notes on the first books, I was able to continue here with little trouble. I think it helps that aside from Sam and Rufus, there aren’t many recurring characters from the prior books, so I could pretty easily just focus on the current mystery. For that reason, while you will miss some of the early relationship development, I also think new readers could probably jump into the series here.
This was an interesting and engaging mystery, with lots of nice twists and turns. Both Ashe and Poe are great in the mystery genre and their combined efforts work well here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
A Friend in the Glass is the third book in Gregory Ashe and C.S. Poe’s Auden & O’Callaghan Mystery series. The first two books came out fairly close together, but it has been about three and a half years since the second book, A Friend in the Fire, was released. I was a little worried I was going to have trouble jumping back into the story after so long, but after re-reading my reviews and my notes on the first books, I was able to continue here with little trouble. I think it helps that aside from Sam and Rufus, there aren’t many recurring characters from the prior books, so I could pretty easily just focus on the current mystery. For that reason, while you will miss some of the early relationship development, I also think new readers could probably jump into the series here.
This was an interesting and engaging mystery, with lots of nice twists and turns. Both Ashe and Poe are great in the mystery genre and their combined efforts work well here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 23, 2024
This was such a ride!
I've been looking forward to Sam and Rufus's next adventure since I devoured the previous books a few years back, and "A Friend in the Glass" didn't disappoint, at all!
It's fast-paced, action-packed, fueled by twists and turns and a tangled mystery that left me guessing up until the very end. There are still quite a few threads that need to untangled though, and let me tell you, I cannot wait to get to the bottom of it.
Amidst a mystery involving Sam's military past, a government cover-up and a boatload of suspicious murders, the two protagonist, as usual, shine. Rufus and Sam have SUCH distinctive voices, and both of them are fabulous characters: complicated, messed-up, each of them, slowly but surely, healing from the wounds in their past. Their dynamic was freaking fire! Sam's dry humour, Rufus's brand of crazy, the obvious love between them, the fact that they care for each other SO FREAKING MUCH... I was obsessed with them. I loved seeing their romance in a slightly more secure place, and I cannot wait to see what will happen with them next, as a couple, especially after that (very abrupt, but on par with these two authors, I think!) ending.
C.S. Poe and Gregory Ashe are a fantastic writing duo. I can't wait to see what they'll deliver with book four!
TWs/CWs: death, violence, depression, PTSD, suicide.
Many thanks to the authors for the ARC. This is my honest review.
I've been looking forward to Sam and Rufus's next adventure since I devoured the previous books a few years back, and "A Friend in the Glass" didn't disappoint, at all!
It's fast-paced, action-packed, fueled by twists and turns and a tangled mystery that left me guessing up until the very end. There are still quite a few threads that need to untangled though, and let me tell you, I cannot wait to get to the bottom of it.
Amidst a mystery involving Sam's military past, a government cover-up and a boatload of suspicious murders, the two protagonist, as usual, shine. Rufus and Sam have SUCH distinctive voices, and both of them are fabulous characters: complicated, messed-up, each of them, slowly but surely, healing from the wounds in their past. Their dynamic was freaking fire! Sam's dry humour, Rufus's brand of crazy, the obvious love between them, the fact that they care for each other SO FREAKING MUCH... I was obsessed with them. I loved seeing their romance in a slightly more secure place, and I cannot wait to see what will happen with them next, as a couple, especially after that (very abrupt, but on par with these two authors, I think!) ending.
C.S. Poe and Gregory Ashe are a fantastic writing duo. I can't wait to see what they'll deliver with book four!
TWs/CWs: death, violence, depression, PTSD, suicide.
Many thanks to the authors for the ARC. This is my honest review.
January 3, 2025
11/26/24!!! Finally!!!
Ok, I finished it. And I loved it. And it feels like Sam and Rufus are making a bit of progress in their relationship. But DAMMIT, now I have to wait for another book!!! (But I'm also really glad there's gonna be another book!)
Ok, I finished it. And I loved it. And it feels like Sam and Rufus are making a bit of progress in their relationship. But DAMMIT, now I have to wait for another book!!! (But I'm also really glad there's gonna be another book!)
November 28, 2024
My start date was at night- I had to make myself put it down so that I could work my 12 hour shift on the 22nd. I just knew that starting the book that night was a mistake, but I couldn’t help myself.
This is the third adventure for Rufus and Sam and for me- it is the best. Each book keeps getting better. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. The mystery is always solved. The character and relationship development holds the series together.
In Friend in the Glass we get a look into the past of Sam. Sam is contacted by someone that wants money for information about an incident from a time in Sam’s military career, an event that led to Sam leaving the military.
In this episode of Auden and O’Callaghan , Sam and Rufus discover who was behind the incident , who covered it up and why.
If you have followed the series you’ll love this story. The characters become closer and Sam commits to Rufus and Staying in the city. Sam has decided to go to college and is encouraging Rufus to go too. Rufus states he’s pretty sure that someone that is a high school dropout probably can’t go to college. Sam tells him to take the GED, that Rufus won’t even need to study because he is so smart.
If you are not familiar with the 2 previous books…. Rufus is a street wise confidential informant with a traumatic past. Sam is neurodivergent in that he is extremely sensitive to his environment( really oversimplified but I’m not a writer) and sometimes escapes by replaying past events in his mind. New York is really stressful for him but medication is helping- sometimes.
The story is great. The series fantastic. I can hardly wait for the audio to come out. If you’re an audio person the first two books in the series are so worth the cash or credits.
I did receive an ARC for an honest review. I honestly loved the book but then again , I only ARC for CS Poe because I love her stories and want them as soon as I can get them!
This is the third adventure for Rufus and Sam and for me- it is the best. Each book keeps getting better. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. The mystery is always solved. The character and relationship development holds the series together.
In Friend in the Glass we get a look into the past of Sam. Sam is contacted by someone that wants money for information about an incident from a time in Sam’s military career, an event that led to Sam leaving the military.
In this episode of Auden and O’Callaghan , Sam and Rufus discover who was behind the incident , who covered it up and why.
If you have followed the series you’ll love this story. The characters become closer and Sam commits to Rufus and Staying in the city. Sam has decided to go to college and is encouraging Rufus to go too. Rufus states he’s pretty sure that someone that is a high school dropout probably can’t go to college. Sam tells him to take the GED, that Rufus won’t even need to study because he is so smart.
If you are not familiar with the 2 previous books…. Rufus is a street wise confidential informant with a traumatic past. Sam is neurodivergent in that he is extremely sensitive to his environment( really oversimplified but I’m not a writer) and sometimes escapes by replaying past events in his mind. New York is really stressful for him but medication is helping- sometimes.
The story is great. The series fantastic. I can hardly wait for the audio to come out. If you’re an audio person the first two books in the series are so worth the cash or credits.
I did receive an ARC for an honest review. I honestly loved the book but then again , I only ARC for CS Poe because I love her stories and want them as soon as I can get them!
December 18, 2025
B+ for the narration, B+ for the story - 4.5 stars.
My review of the ebook is HERE, so I won't rehash that. Listening to it a year after I read it has its advantages as I'd forgotten a lot of the plot so it was almost like coming to a new book!
Garrett Kiesel's narration was a bit of a stumbling block for me in the first book (A Friend in the Dark) but since then he's improved, and this book is his best work yet. I love his portrayal of Rufus, in particular - he absolutely 'gets' the character and gives his dialogue the right amount of cheeky snark as well as conveying his vulnerability in the more introspective moments. Sam's deeper, gravelly tones are a good fit, too - he's a big guy who takes no shit, but again, there are nice hints of the vulnerability beneath it, and the deep affection that exists between the pair comes through nicely. The secondary characters are appropriately voiced and clearly differentiated, and the pacing is good (with none of the lengthy pauses that marred the performance in the first book.)
Definitely worth a listen if you're following the series and/or are fans of these authors.
My review of the ebook is HERE, so I won't rehash that. Listening to it a year after I read it has its advantages as I'd forgotten a lot of the plot so it was almost like coming to a new book!
Garrett Kiesel's narration was a bit of a stumbling block for me in the first book (A Friend in the Dark) but since then he's improved, and this book is his best work yet. I love his portrayal of Rufus, in particular - he absolutely 'gets' the character and gives his dialogue the right amount of cheeky snark as well as conveying his vulnerability in the more introspective moments. Sam's deeper, gravelly tones are a good fit, too - he's a big guy who takes no shit, but again, there are nice hints of the vulnerability beneath it, and the deep affection that exists between the pair comes through nicely. The secondary characters are appropriately voiced and clearly differentiated, and the pacing is good (with none of the lengthy pauses that marred the performance in the first book.)
Definitely worth a listen if you're following the series and/or are fans of these authors.
November 29, 2024
My first review in English!
Although this book is about an event from Sam's military past, doesn't talk much about Sam, I would have liked to know more about him than just his illness. Rufus, on the other hand, shines more and more, overshadowing Sam a bit, with his sarcastic jokes and his sense of humor. It is clear, however, that they love each other very much from the effort they put into being together: Rufus going to therapy to deal with his traumas and Sam coming to like New York and New Yorkers to be with him. A good mystery, well structured, fast paced, lots of action, sudden twists, murders and sudden deaths and a political cover-up. All through places and streets of New York with detailed descriptions that you can follow with Google Maps, and yes I did it! I'm Italian and I've never been to New York, I had a lot of fun following Rufus and Sam up and down the city. For me this is a plus point in a book, I like being able to feel inside the story by seeing the places where it takes place. A very good read, fun, not on the level of Memento Mori which for me remains the best series I've read in the last year, but very good.
Thank you to the authors for an ARC
This is my honest review
Although this book is about an event from Sam's military past, doesn't talk much about Sam, I would have liked to know more about him than just his illness. Rufus, on the other hand, shines more and more, overshadowing Sam a bit, with his sarcastic jokes and his sense of humor. It is clear, however, that they love each other very much from the effort they put into being together: Rufus going to therapy to deal with his traumas and Sam coming to like New York and New Yorkers to be with him. A good mystery, well structured, fast paced, lots of action, sudden twists, murders and sudden deaths and a political cover-up. All through places and streets of New York with detailed descriptions that you can follow with Google Maps, and yes I did it! I'm Italian and I've never been to New York, I had a lot of fun following Rufus and Sam up and down the city. For me this is a plus point in a book, I like being able to feel inside the story by seeing the places where it takes place. A very good read, fun, not on the level of Memento Mori which for me remains the best series I've read in the last year, but very good.
Thank you to the authors for an ARC
This is my honest review
December 10, 2025
3.5
I really wanted to love this one. The writing was good (as expected from these two authors!) and I was excited to get back to these idiots. I think for me I was more interested in their personal challenges and insecurities over the actual storyline happening. Might be a me thing though, cause I’m not a HUGE fan of political plots.
I’m still looking forward to the next as usual, and I’m hoooooping they can get out of that apartment and start moving forward together!
I really wanted to love this one. The writing was good (as expected from these two authors!) and I was excited to get back to these idiots. I think for me I was more interested in their personal challenges and insecurities over the actual storyline happening. Might be a me thing though, cause I’m not a HUGE fan of political plots.
I’m still looking forward to the next as usual, and I’m hoooooping they can get out of that apartment and start moving forward together!
March 17, 2025
I absolutely adore how crazy those books are. It just never stops, it's so fast-paced, but I love it. Generally, it's not a surprise that I couldn't put this book down - it's written by Gregory Ashe and C.S. Poe - two of my favorite mystery writers. I really like Sam and Rufus together and I can't wait for "A Friend in the Wind"🩷
November 26, 2024
It's been a while since I read the second book in this series, but I felt like I hit the ground running here, in that it did a great job of providing background information without making it feel like an info-dump. Very quickly, I was back into the world of Rufus and Sam, and it was good to be back!
When a mysterious caller tells Sam that they know about "Stonefish" (a disastrous military equipment failure that resulted in the dishonor and death of Sam's friend Sgt. Went) and wants money to provide information, this sets off a chain of events involving politicians, a huge MoDe expo ("More Defense for a Safer United States") at the Javits Center, ex-military working for defense contractors, plus murder(s) and conspiracies galore.
I admire how the authors slowly unfold the plot and all its tangents in a way that it all makes sense without bogging down the quick-paced action. And, all the while highlighting the visceral feel of NYC, which Sam hates ("the city was like sandpaper on raw nerves) and where Rufus flourishes, knowing almost every nook and most crannies.
Around 92% or so, I was wondering how this all works out, and while the ending does leave me wondering of the final repercussions of all the intrigue that happened, it leaves me in a place where I'm fully invested in seeing what happens next to Sam and Rufus. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When a mysterious caller tells Sam that they know about "Stonefish" (a disastrous military equipment failure that resulted in the dishonor and death of Sam's friend Sgt. Went) and wants money to provide information, this sets off a chain of events involving politicians, a huge MoDe expo ("More Defense for a Safer United States") at the Javits Center, ex-military working for defense contractors, plus murder(s) and conspiracies galore.
I admire how the authors slowly unfold the plot and all its tangents in a way that it all makes sense without bogging down the quick-paced action. And, all the while highlighting the visceral feel of NYC, which Sam hates ("the city was like sandpaper on raw nerves) and where Rufus flourishes, knowing almost every nook and most crannies.
Around 92% or so, I was wondering how this all works out, and while the ending does leave me wondering of the final repercussions of all the intrigue that happened, it leaves me in a place where I'm fully invested in seeing what happens next to Sam and Rufus. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2025
This one's plot is convoluted and there's not a lot of tension relief, which is why it took me six weeks, during trying times, to finish reading. I enjoyed it, and I love the ending. When book 4 is available, I'll read it.
January 19, 2025
Well.
I did not enjoy this. Idk why I read it, just saw I gave the last one 2 stars too.
I don't like the character, I didn't like the plot. I really had to focus to finish this one.
It's just not for me.
I did not enjoy this. Idk why I read it, just saw I gave the last one 2 stars too.
I don't like the character, I didn't like the plot. I really had to focus to finish this one.
It's just not for me.
November 26, 2024
I was given an ARC of this book. I have been waiting for this book for sometime and it did not disappoint. The thing I love most about this book is we learn more about Sam in this book and we get to see Rufus and Sam as a couple. This book is so seamless that I find it hard to believe it was written by two people. This is a good writing duo. I would recommend reading any of their books!
December 10, 2024
As it’s been a long time since the first two books were released (was it three years?) I had to reread them before jumping into this one. And I’m glad I did. Boy had I forgotten a lot!
Rufus and Sam really understand how to get into mega trouble, and it amazes me that they are actually still alive, considering what they’re up to and going through here. While the mystery felt maybe a bit longwinded and (to my surprise) remains not completely resolved by the end of the book, the action certainly kept me on my toes throughout.
Unsurprisingly GA lets his characters suffer (physically and emotionally) quite a bit, but not to the extent that I wanted to throw my kindle or hide in a corner. And no, it’s nowhere near as bad as what some other characters of his have had to put up with!
I love Rufus. He is definitely a man I want to hug and make scones for, with extra jam and cream. I liked how his issues of depression, lack of self-worth etc are dealt with. I adored Sam for not letting Rufus slip his therapy appointment, and I would really really like to see him get the education he deserves, one where his intelligence can shine.
This is, however, more Sam’s book, as we delve into his past and see old wounds being ripped apart widely. But despite all the hurt and anguish that comes with that Sam knows one thing for sure … he loves Rufus, and for that he is willing to put up with the insanity of New York (which btw feels like another MC the way it is intricately described on many occasions.)
I love that Sam shows his commitment to Rufus, who is still so insecure in himself and them as a couple. And I can’t wait to see where the next book takes these two, hoping it will not take another three years of waiting time! Btw, just in case you're wondering, this series is pretty low in heat and sex is definitely secondary to the plot and relationship development.
Just a couple of things that niggled me enormously towards the end …
Sorry, but I really can’t buy that!
Saying that, I'm still very invested in this series and its characters, but it's not a top favourite, I guess.
Rufus and Sam really understand how to get into mega trouble, and it amazes me that they are actually still alive, considering what they’re up to and going through here. While the mystery felt maybe a bit longwinded and (to my surprise) remains not completely resolved by the end of the book, the action certainly kept me on my toes throughout.
Unsurprisingly GA lets his characters suffer (physically and emotionally) quite a bit, but not to the extent that I wanted to throw my kindle or hide in a corner. And no, it’s nowhere near as bad as what some other characters of his have had to put up with!
I love Rufus. He is definitely a man I want to hug and make scones for, with extra jam and cream. I liked how his issues of depression, lack of self-worth etc are dealt with. I adored Sam for not letting Rufus slip his therapy appointment, and I would really really like to see him get the education he deserves, one where his intelligence can shine.
This is, however, more Sam’s book, as we delve into his past and see old wounds being ripped apart widely. But despite all the hurt and anguish that comes with that Sam knows one thing for sure … he loves Rufus, and for that he is willing to put up with the insanity of New York (which btw feels like another MC the way it is intricately described on many occasions.)
I love that Sam shows his commitment to Rufus, who is still so insecure in himself and them as a couple. And I can’t wait to see where the next book takes these two, hoping it will not take another three years of waiting time! Btw, just in case you're wondering, this series is pretty low in heat and sex is definitely secondary to the plot and relationship development.
Just a couple of things that niggled me enormously towards the end …
Sorry, but I really can’t buy that!
Saying that, I'm still very invested in this series and its characters, but it's not a top favourite, I guess.
April 2, 2025
3.5⭐️
This was just an okay book for me but a lot of that has to do with my personal preferences. I didn't love the mystery. The convoluted white collar/government conspiracy type stuff isn't really for me and I struggle to follow. As usual with this series there was a lot of fast paced action and twists and turns, but I wasn't nearly as invested because I just don't care as much about that stuff. I know this is more of my tastes, so if you like that type of crime don't let my review put you off!
On top of not loving the case, again there wasn't a ton of relationship development with Rufus and Sam. I feel like at the end we finally got a little something, but I just wish there was more depth to their romance. They have this great physical chemistry that comes across the few times they are intimate and I can see why they care about each other, but I'm just not feeling it.
I love Rufus as always, he's just a big sweetie under his street rat exterior. But as I predicted this plot had a lot more to do with Sam. We finally get to know what happened but I felt like everything with went could've been alluded to earlier. Sam has a huge reaction when Rufus's mental health problems are first brought up, leading to the cliffhanger at the end of book 1, but we never know why until now. I think if I knew a bit more of why Sam was struggling so much back then I could have empathized more and it would've given him more depth as a character. This feels really specific but it's because I've read Ashe write characters like this a lot better than how Sam was written and so I know that it could've been so good. Sam did kind of grow on me towards the end, and I'm hoping it continues on the next book.
Overall it was an easy, fast paced read (even if I didn't like the case) but I wish there was more of Rufus, just because I like him more than Sam, and more romantic chemistry between the two. Everything still feels a bit surface level. While this series has been a tad disappointing so far, I'll read the next for sure to see how things are going for these two.
Read if you like:
• romantic suspense
• opposites attract
• hurt/comfort
•••••••••••••••••••••
This was just an okay book for me but a lot of that has to do with my personal preferences. I didn't love the mystery. The convoluted white collar/government conspiracy type stuff isn't really for me and I struggle to follow. As usual with this series there was a lot of fast paced action and twists and turns, but I wasn't nearly as invested because I just don't care as much about that stuff. I know this is more of my tastes, so if you like that type of crime don't let my review put you off!
On top of not loving the case, again there wasn't a ton of relationship development with Rufus and Sam. I feel like at the end we finally got a little something, but I just wish there was more depth to their romance. They have this great physical chemistry that comes across the few times they are intimate and I can see why they care about each other, but I'm just not feeling it.
I love Rufus as always, he's just a big sweetie under his street rat exterior. But as I predicted this plot had a lot more to do with Sam. We finally get to know what happened but I felt like everything with went could've been alluded to earlier. Sam has a huge reaction when Rufus's mental health problems are first brought up, leading to the cliffhanger at the end of book 1, but we never know why until now. I think if I knew a bit more of why Sam was struggling so much back then I could have empathized more and it would've given him more depth as a character. This feels really specific but it's because I've read Ashe write characters like this a lot better than how Sam was written and so I know that it could've been so good. Sam did kind of grow on me towards the end, and I'm hoping it continues on the next book.
Overall it was an easy, fast paced read (even if I didn't like the case) but I wish there was more of Rufus, just because I like him more than Sam, and more romantic chemistry between the two. Everything still feels a bit surface level. While this series has been a tad disappointing so far, I'll read the next for sure to see how things are going for these two.
Read if you like:
• romantic suspense
• opposites attract
• hurt/comfort
•••••••••••••••••••••
December 31, 2025
These are two of my favorite authors, and I love them telling a story together. Getting an ongoing series from the two of them is a real treat, and I'd been waiting for the release of the third book and the audio for over a year.
Unlike the main characters in the other series I've read from them individually, Sam and Rufus live on the fringes of society in a way that makes their larger existence and particularly their relationship precarious. Neither of them has the safety net that characters normally do; they have each other, and that's about it. The tenuous nature of their existence and the strain that places on them as individuals and as a couple is well-developed and adds to the overall tension of the story. It also drives a lot of their character growth as they try to build a real, functional life together in the face of dangers from their pasts returning and putting them at risk.
This book is everything I was hoping for from Ashe and Poe and so much more. Sam and Rufus have so much to deal with as individuals, between themselves, and with the larger world, and I didn't know if that would be addressed as fully as I would like, but it really was. These characters seem like real, flawed, human people, which is something I always love from these authors.
And while the characters are such a huge part of driving the action, the plot is an intricate tangle of past and current events. This wasn't an audio I could just put on in the background while I did something else, or I would have been completely lost. There's so much going on here. The characters feed the development of the plot, and the plot feeds the growth of the characters, and it's a giant web.
Absolutely without a doubt recommend this book, this series, and really anything by Gregory Ashe and C.S. Poe.
(I got this audio for an honest review, but I paid for the first two audios and all three ebooks with my own human dollars and would have paid for the audio of this one, too, if I hadn't gotten the review offer, so, you know, make of that what you will.)
Unlike the main characters in the other series I've read from them individually, Sam and Rufus live on the fringes of society in a way that makes their larger existence and particularly their relationship precarious. Neither of them has the safety net that characters normally do; they have each other, and that's about it. The tenuous nature of their existence and the strain that places on them as individuals and as a couple is well-developed and adds to the overall tension of the story. It also drives a lot of their character growth as they try to build a real, functional life together in the face of dangers from their pasts returning and putting them at risk.
This book is everything I was hoping for from Ashe and Poe and so much more. Sam and Rufus have so much to deal with as individuals, between themselves, and with the larger world, and I didn't know if that would be addressed as fully as I would like, but it really was. These characters seem like real, flawed, human people, which is something I always love from these authors.
And while the characters are such a huge part of driving the action, the plot is an intricate tangle of past and current events. This wasn't an audio I could just put on in the background while I did something else, or I would have been completely lost. There's so much going on here. The characters feed the development of the plot, and the plot feeds the growth of the characters, and it's a giant web.
Absolutely without a doubt recommend this book, this series, and really anything by Gregory Ashe and C.S. Poe.
(I got this audio for an honest review, but I paid for the first two audios and all three ebooks with my own human dollars and would have paid for the audio of this one, too, if I hadn't gotten the review offer, so, you know, make of that what you will.)
February 8, 2026
It has been a very long time since the previous audiobook in this series came out and unfortunately I didn’t remember very much about the characters and their dynamic. Thank goodness I could look to my last review.
At the end of book 2, I observed that I wasn’t sure where Sam and Rufus were going in their relationship. It seems as if they have decided to give their relationship a go and Sam is living with Rufus in New York. Things are going pretty well, Rufus is still a confidential informant for the police department and he is seeing a therapist and he’s really working on his self. There’s no talk about Sam getting help for his own PTSD, but it’s barely mentioned in this book. The only thing that still seems to be a worry for the couple is where they are living. Rufus has only known the city, and the loud and crowded New York is a bit much for Sam. We see how much they have grown as a couple with Sam acknowledging that he’d rather live in an uncomfortable place with Rufus than live without him, and that’s pretty sweet, at least in my eyes.
The mystery of the book was good, though at first there was so much going on that I found myself getting lost and losing attention. When Sam gets a call from a woman who has information she wants to sell in regards to the military and some operation that Sam is familiar with, he agrees to shell out the money she wants. But when she doesn’t show up and he and Rufus go search for her, a dangerous web is revealed involving some military members, a defense contractor, and even someone in congress. When the action got started, things cleared up for me a little and I buckled up for the ride.
The mystery gets solved and I think Sam gets some closure on the death of an old friend. However, we don’t get to know if those with the greatest power go down for their crimes. I can only hope they do, instead of get away with it as some do in real life. Overall it was an enjoyable book and the narration by Garrett Kiesel was great. I do hope that the next book in this series will be released with a much shorter break in between.
At the end of book 2, I observed that I wasn’t sure where Sam and Rufus were going in their relationship. It seems as if they have decided to give their relationship a go and Sam is living with Rufus in New York. Things are going pretty well, Rufus is still a confidential informant for the police department and he is seeing a therapist and he’s really working on his self. There’s no talk about Sam getting help for his own PTSD, but it’s barely mentioned in this book. The only thing that still seems to be a worry for the couple is where they are living. Rufus has only known the city, and the loud and crowded New York is a bit much for Sam. We see how much they have grown as a couple with Sam acknowledging that he’d rather live in an uncomfortable place with Rufus than live without him, and that’s pretty sweet, at least in my eyes.
The mystery of the book was good, though at first there was so much going on that I found myself getting lost and losing attention. When Sam gets a call from a woman who has information she wants to sell in regards to the military and some operation that Sam is familiar with, he agrees to shell out the money she wants. But when she doesn’t show up and he and Rufus go search for her, a dangerous web is revealed involving some military members, a defense contractor, and even someone in congress. When the action got started, things cleared up for me a little and I buckled up for the ride.
The mystery gets solved and I think Sam gets some closure on the death of an old friend. However, we don’t get to know if those with the greatest power go down for their crimes. I can only hope they do, instead of get away with it as some do in real life. Overall it was an enjoyable book and the narration by Garrett Kiesel was great. I do hope that the next book in this series will be released with a much shorter break in between.
December 29, 2024
BUDDY COPS LOVE STORY ... CONTINUED
This third Auden & O'Callaghan murder mystery (evidently a fourth is coming :-) continues with the two gay sleuths working to solve another murder, in this case multiple murders, that they happen to once again stumble into. Technically, they're not "cops" per se, but they are working for justice and have affiliations with law enforcement.
From my review of the first two mysteries, this one is equally entertaining to read. The mystery to be solved this time I again just find adequate as these things go, but it's the relationship between the two protagonists that really make the book. Think about those "buddy cop" movies of the 1980s and 90s except here the two detectives are gay, have developed feelings for one another, and since the last book (#2 in this series), they now live together and are making a go at a relationship.
The plot takes them redundantly from one suspect's hotel room to another, where they are often accosted, their lives threatened, and yet ultimately, they prevail. Of course, they do. In the course of this action there are lots of suspects, names, and a tangle of "who's who and how do they fit into the narrative" that to me was mildly annoying to keep straight. Again as previously stated, that's not the fun in this read. Opposites attract as they say, and Sam and Rufus are clearly that! Sam is X-military, a "straight" arrow, uptight and pretty much despises New York City's kinetic heartbeat. Rufus is a throwback to the hippie era, savvy and slick, a native New Yorker who is far more laidback. What they share in common are their own unique anxiety disorders. The back-and-forth banter between the couple is often hilarious and always realistic. Clearly, beneath the insults you "feel" the love. This is Poe & Ashe's talent and skill as writers, along with their ability to vividly capture time and place in the gritty streets of a New York winter.
I'd love to see a studio pick up the option on one or more of these stories for the big screen!
This third Auden & O'Callaghan murder mystery (evidently a fourth is coming :-) continues with the two gay sleuths working to solve another murder, in this case multiple murders, that they happen to once again stumble into. Technically, they're not "cops" per se, but they are working for justice and have affiliations with law enforcement.
From my review of the first two mysteries, this one is equally entertaining to read. The mystery to be solved this time I again just find adequate as these things go, but it's the relationship between the two protagonists that really make the book. Think about those "buddy cop" movies of the 1980s and 90s except here the two detectives are gay, have developed feelings for one another, and since the last book (#2 in this series), they now live together and are making a go at a relationship.
The plot takes them redundantly from one suspect's hotel room to another, where they are often accosted, their lives threatened, and yet ultimately, they prevail. Of course, they do. In the course of this action there are lots of suspects, names, and a tangle of "who's who and how do they fit into the narrative" that to me was mildly annoying to keep straight. Again as previously stated, that's not the fun in this read. Opposites attract as they say, and Sam and Rufus are clearly that! Sam is X-military, a "straight" arrow, uptight and pretty much despises New York City's kinetic heartbeat. Rufus is a throwback to the hippie era, savvy and slick, a native New Yorker who is far more laidback. What they share in common are their own unique anxiety disorders. The back-and-forth banter between the couple is often hilarious and always realistic. Clearly, beneath the insults you "feel" the love. This is Poe & Ashe's talent and skill as writers, along with their ability to vividly capture time and place in the gritty streets of a New York winter.
I'd love to see a studio pick up the option on one or more of these stories for the big screen!
February 13, 2026
In the cold winter chill (an audio review)
Sam and Rufus aren’t my favorite Gregory Ashe romantic pair. That said, I’ll read anything he writes and CS Poe is a great author as well, so I’m happy to support.
Rufus is still struggling with his mental illness, as well as being an informant for the NYPD. Sam is recovering from his most recent injury, and is struggling with civilian life. The two, on paper, shouldn’t work. Hell, Rufus questions them. But Sam is certain in his love for Rufus. So even though he hates the grossly expensive city, he’ll put up with it because this is Rufus’s home.
This time, though, things are getting dangerous. Well, at first interesting…and then dangerous. Sam’s past rears its ugly head, and he is thrown back into something he thought behind him. He’s always known something bad happened in his past – he just didn’t think he’d be able to do anything about it. When the bodies start piling up, though, he realizes he has to get involved.
Rufus will follow. He also tries to be the voice of reason, which is an interesting position for him to be. He believes in Sam – but maybe some things are just what they appear.
Except this is Poe and Ashe – so nothing is as it seems. I have to admit, I didn’t totally see the ending, although some elements fell into place more quickly than others – must be my devious mind.
Garrett Kiesel isn’t a narrator I’m familiar with, but he was just perfect for these two. I felt Sam and Rufus’s emotions even as I felt the chill from the New York winter. Enjoyed this one and will pick up more if they happen along.
Sam and Rufus aren’t my favorite Gregory Ashe romantic pair. That said, I’ll read anything he writes and CS Poe is a great author as well, so I’m happy to support.
Rufus is still struggling with his mental illness, as well as being an informant for the NYPD. Sam is recovering from his most recent injury, and is struggling with civilian life. The two, on paper, shouldn’t work. Hell, Rufus questions them. But Sam is certain in his love for Rufus. So even though he hates the grossly expensive city, he’ll put up with it because this is Rufus’s home.
This time, though, things are getting dangerous. Well, at first interesting…and then dangerous. Sam’s past rears its ugly head, and he is thrown back into something he thought behind him. He’s always known something bad happened in his past – he just didn’t think he’d be able to do anything about it. When the bodies start piling up, though, he realizes he has to get involved.
Rufus will follow. He also tries to be the voice of reason, which is an interesting position for him to be. He believes in Sam – but maybe some things are just what they appear.
Except this is Poe and Ashe – so nothing is as it seems. I have to admit, I didn’t totally see the ending, although some elements fell into place more quickly than others – must be my devious mind.
Garrett Kiesel isn’t a narrator I’m familiar with, but he was just perfect for these two. I felt Sam and Rufus’s emotions even as I felt the chill from the New York winter. Enjoyed this one and will pick up more if they happen along.
December 12, 2025
In this book, the central mystery revolves around Sam’s past, which I found genuinely intriguing at first. The premise had a lot of potential, and there were moments where the tension really worked. However, the pacing started to feel sluggish as the story repeated the same beats, particularly the multiple trips Sam and Rufus made back to the convention in search of new information. After a while, it felt less like progress and more like stalling.
I continue to really like Sam as a character. Rufus, on the other hand, can be a bit much at times. His skepticism about Sam’s interpretation of what happened in his post was frustrating, especially because it created conflict that felt unnecessary. Fortunately, he does move past it, but the detour didn’t add much to their dynamic.
Where the book really felt thin was in the development of their relationship. The groundwork is there, and the potential is obvious, but the emotional progression between Sam and Rufus never fully takes shape until the end. I would have liked to see more genuine connection with more moments that deepened their bond beyond the mystery they were trying to solve.
As for the mystery itself, there was plenty of buildup, but the payoff just didn’t land for me. After all the tension and the slow drip of clues, the ending felt abrupt and underwhelming, as though the book simply ran out of space to deliver a satisfying resolution.
Overall, while the characters had promise and the setup was compelling, the execution left me wanting more, both in terms of romance and the mystery’s conclusion.
I continue to really like Sam as a character. Rufus, on the other hand, can be a bit much at times. His skepticism about Sam’s interpretation of what happened in his post was frustrating, especially because it created conflict that felt unnecessary. Fortunately, he does move past it, but the detour didn’t add much to their dynamic.
Where the book really felt thin was in the development of their relationship. The groundwork is there, and the potential is obvious, but the emotional progression between Sam and Rufus never fully takes shape until the end. I would have liked to see more genuine connection with more moments that deepened their bond beyond the mystery they were trying to solve.
As for the mystery itself, there was plenty of buildup, but the payoff just didn’t land for me. After all the tension and the slow drip of clues, the ending felt abrupt and underwhelming, as though the book simply ran out of space to deliver a satisfying resolution.
Overall, while the characters had promise and the setup was compelling, the execution left me wanting more, both in terms of romance and the mystery’s conclusion.
December 3, 2024
A Friend in the Glass by Gregory Ashe and C.S. Poe is another strong entry in the Auden and O'Callaghan series. This time, the authors dive deeper into Sam's past, providing a more intimate look at his character and the emotional baggage he carries. I enjoyed uncovering these layers of Sam’s history, although I didn’t find the emotions to be quite as impactful as the previous two books in the Auden and O'Callaghan series, which centered more on Rufus.
The setting of New York City continues to be a key player, and in A Friend in the Glass, it’s as vibrant and engaging as ever. The book takes us all over the city, and I loved how the setting served as both a backdrop and an active part of the mystery. The authors do a fantastic job of capturing the city's energy, from both Rufus's perspective as a native and from Sam's as an outsider who feels overwhelmed.
The plot was compelling, and I enjoyed the slow unraveling of the mystery, with enough twists to keep me on my toes. The pacing was good, ensuring that I was hooked without feeling overwhelmed by too many details.
Overall, A Friend in the Glass is a solid addition to the series, offering a good mix of mystery, character development, and a beautifully portrayed New York City setting. Although it may not have reached the emotional highs of its predecessors, it still provides a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read for fans of the series.
The setting of New York City continues to be a key player, and in A Friend in the Glass, it’s as vibrant and engaging as ever. The book takes us all over the city, and I loved how the setting served as both a backdrop and an active part of the mystery. The authors do a fantastic job of capturing the city's energy, from both Rufus's perspective as a native and from Sam's as an outsider who feels overwhelmed.
The plot was compelling, and I enjoyed the slow unraveling of the mystery, with enough twists to keep me on my toes. The pacing was good, ensuring that I was hooked without feeling overwhelmed by too many details.
Overall, A Friend in the Glass is a solid addition to the series, offering a good mix of mystery, character development, and a beautifully portrayed New York City setting. Although it may not have reached the emotional highs of its predecessors, it still provides a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read for fans of the series.
January 9, 2026
**audiobook review**
3.5 stars - This is the 3rd book in the Auden & O'Callaghan Mystery series. It has been so long since I listened to Book 2 I had to go back and listen to the last few chapters to remind me of this couple and their dynamic. I think that is one of the reasons this story did not really resonate with me. Rufus and Sam are an established couple who went through a lot to be together. In this installment, it is 90% murder mystery and 10% couple relationship. That is not my favorite dynamic.
One of my issues with the story was I had a really hard time following all the characters and how they intersected. The story seems disjointed with characters entering the conversation only to drop dead. Also, I really didn’t like Sam in this story. He just seemed irrationally angry about the death of someone who he claims was just a friend. So much so he was willing to put Rufus in danger just to “avenge” his friend. It just didn’t make sense to me. Both authors are extremely talented in their own books, but this one just didn’t work for me.
Finally, the narrator did a great job with all voices except Sam. Honestly, he just sounded like a robot unless he was emoting anger. It was weird to listen to.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review
3.5 stars - This is the 3rd book in the Auden & O'Callaghan Mystery series. It has been so long since I listened to Book 2 I had to go back and listen to the last few chapters to remind me of this couple and their dynamic. I think that is one of the reasons this story did not really resonate with me. Rufus and Sam are an established couple who went through a lot to be together. In this installment, it is 90% murder mystery and 10% couple relationship. That is not my favorite dynamic.
One of my issues with the story was I had a really hard time following all the characters and how they intersected. The story seems disjointed with characters entering the conversation only to drop dead. Also, I really didn’t like Sam in this story. He just seemed irrationally angry about the death of someone who he claims was just a friend. So much so he was willing to put Rufus in danger just to “avenge” his friend. It just didn’t make sense to me. Both authors are extremely talented in their own books, but this one just didn’t work for me.
Finally, the narrator did a great job with all voices except Sam. Honestly, he just sounded like a robot unless he was emoting anger. It was weird to listen to.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review
November 26, 2024
When your two favorite authors link up to write a series, you know you really can't miss picking it up.
But this book exceeded even my highest expectations.
A phone call to Sam starts him down a path to discover what was really beyond the accident the ended his military career, and Rufus of all people is tasked with being the emotionally mature one trying to keep Sam from tunnel visioning himself into a trap. They find themselves at a defense convention amongst big names, big wallets, and bigger attitudes. With Sam's inside knowledge, and Rufus' ability to run interference, smarm and smirk, and break and enter in his sleep, the two pick up momentum quickly.
But it's hard to put a puzzle together when the pieces keep coming up dead. And even harder when your presence is a threat to exposing a cover up that has an impact all the way to big name politicians.
The two have to work as a team to keep things on the rails, and as a result, we get to see some real vulnerability and growth between the two along the way. The layers to Sam and Rufus are broken, and yet they create a beautiful mess together that is barreling towards healing and promotes growth in one another.
Can't wait for book 4!
But this book exceeded even my highest expectations.
A phone call to Sam starts him down a path to discover what was really beyond the accident the ended his military career, and Rufus of all people is tasked with being the emotionally mature one trying to keep Sam from tunnel visioning himself into a trap. They find themselves at a defense convention amongst big names, big wallets, and bigger attitudes. With Sam's inside knowledge, and Rufus' ability to run interference, smarm and smirk, and break and enter in his sleep, the two pick up momentum quickly.
But it's hard to put a puzzle together when the pieces keep coming up dead. And even harder when your presence is a threat to exposing a cover up that has an impact all the way to big name politicians.
The two have to work as a team to keep things on the rails, and as a result, we get to see some real vulnerability and growth between the two along the way. The layers to Sam and Rufus are broken, and yet they create a beautiful mess together that is barreling towards healing and promotes growth in one another.
Can't wait for book 4!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews