What do you think?
Nothing But Good
Special Agent Jefferson Haines puts the 'order' in law and order. Meal kits. Gray suits. Consistent reps at the gym. But all his routines are thrown into chaos when he's called in to catch a serial killer whose M.O. is the stuff of urban the Smiley Face Killer.
Dripping paint. Wicked slashes for eyes. The taunting curl of a smiling mouth. After years evading capture, the serial killer is back again. As Jefferson races to stop the next attack, the investigation leads to the one man he thought he'd never see again, Fred 'Finny' Ashley.
Finny has his own theories about the killer. And they're pretty good. Maybe too good. Now, with his career on the line, Jefferson has to figure out if his one-time best friend is the culprit or the next victim.
Dripping paint. Wicked slashes for eyes. The taunting curl of a smiling mouth. After years evading capture, the serial killer is back again. As Jefferson races to stop the next attack, the investigation leads to the one man he thought he'd never see again, Fred 'Finny' Ashley.
Finny has his own theories about the killer. And they're pretty good. Maybe too good. Now, with his career on the line, Jefferson has to figure out if his one-time best friend is the culprit or the next victim.
325 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2021
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 11, 2021
Audio - 5+++ Stars. Kirt Graves doing a Boston accent! Yum!!
Story - 3 Stars
Please tell me this is just the beginning because the romance felt like it was just starting. This needs to be a series. The potential is there.
The writing was great. So, this debut author definitely has skills. The crime drama portion of the story was interesting, but it wasn't engaging enough to distract me from the lack of romance!!!
Story - 3 Stars
Please tell me this is just the beginning because the romance felt like it was just starting. This needs to be a series. The potential is there.
The writing was great. So, this debut author definitely has skills. The crime drama portion of the story was interesting, but it wasn't engaging enough to distract me from the lack of romance!!!
May 17, 2021
This is a seriously impressive debut novel, especially for a romantic suspense story.
The pacing is excellent, the two characters at the centre of the romance element are brilliantly presented.
Their broken friendship from almost a decade earlier hangs just as large as the serial killer's bold moves.
It's not obvious who the bad guy guy is until the reveal is almost upon you, but once that secret is out, you can see the clues from earlier in the book.
I loved Jefferson's FBI partnership, the personal friendship with Cee was a solid one and I liked that she was a strong, take no prisoners kinda gal.
The romance takes a bit of a backseat to the suspense plot but it's still an important part of the narrative.
However, it's relatively low steam, which was a little disappointing after they'd worked out the awfulness of their falling out back in college.
Still, I very much enjoyed the book and I look forward to more from Kess.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The pacing is excellent, the two characters at the centre of the romance element are brilliantly presented.
Their broken friendship from almost a decade earlier hangs just as large as the serial killer's bold moves.
It's not obvious who the bad guy guy is until the reveal is almost upon you, but once that secret is out, you can see the clues from earlier in the book.
I loved Jefferson's FBI partnership, the personal friendship with Cee was a solid one and I liked that she was a strong, take no prisoners kinda gal.
The romance takes a bit of a backseat to the suspense plot but it's still an important part of the narrative.
However, it's relatively low steam, which was a little disappointing after they'd worked out the awfulness of their falling out back in college.
Still, I very much enjoyed the book and I look forward to more from Kess.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
May 23, 2021
Special Agent Jefferson Haines and his partner, Special Agent Caroline Pelley, are called in to investigate murdered victims of a serial killer who leave smiley face icon near the scene. Their investigation brings Jefferson into a reunion with his former best friend, Fred ‘Finny’ Ashley. Eight years previously, Jefferson did something horrible, and Finny cut all connection with him. Now, Jefferson needs Finny's help with the case - and he will do everything to get Finny back in his life.
Nothing But Good is a solid debut from new author, Kess McKinley. Combining FBI agents with a serial killer case in Boston and a second-chance romance, it hits me in all the right places and I read it in one sitting. Yep, give me serial murder case and tons of feel of second-chance and I'm easily sold!
The case itself is interesting and I LOVE the partnership vibe of Jefferson and Caroline. They throw in theories about the killer, work the evidence, look for new connection between the victims... basically what I LIKE from crime procedural type of books. Actual work. Although, I must admit that the final 'clue' that make Jefferson deduce the identity of the Smiley Face Killer feels a little bit too coincidental.
As for the second-chance romance, well, it's also satisfying for me. Finny has the right reason for disappearing from Jefferson's life. And I think Jefferson's confession and his begging for forgiveness from Finny is perfect. BUT, everything after that feels a bit too fast for me. Even though it is probably infused with the danger posed by the SFK. Still, I like it slightly a bit slower... my taste preference of course.
All in all, it's a good book. I think I will keep Kess McKinley in my peripheral... especially if she writes another book in this genre 😉
Nothing But Good is a solid debut from new author, Kess McKinley. Combining FBI agents with a serial killer case in Boston and a second-chance romance, it hits me in all the right places and I read it in one sitting. Yep, give me serial murder case and tons of feel of second-chance and I'm easily sold!
The case itself is interesting and I LOVE the partnership vibe of Jefferson and Caroline. They throw in theories about the killer, work the evidence, look for new connection between the victims... basically what I LIKE from crime procedural type of books. Actual work. Although, I must admit that the final 'clue' that make Jefferson deduce the identity of the Smiley Face Killer feels a little bit too coincidental.
As for the second-chance romance, well, it's also satisfying for me. Finny has the right reason for disappearing from Jefferson's life. And I think Jefferson's confession and his begging for forgiveness from Finny is perfect. BUT, everything after that feels a bit too fast for me. Even though it is probably infused with the danger posed by the SFK. Still, I like it slightly a bit slower... my taste preference of course.
All in all, it's a good book. I think I will keep Kess McKinley in my peripheral... especially if she writes another book in this genre 😉
July 10, 2021
5 stars audio
3 barely there romance stars story.
I like this author's writing style and characters. However there was barely any on page couple time and the ending was more of a happy for now. I am really hoping that the author plans to write a second book continuing Jefferson's and Finny's budding relationship. And the that their relationship development is more on page and not overshadowed by the mystery/crime.
I want a full novel not some quick cheesy novella. If that happens I will change my rating from 3 to 5 stars.
3 barely there romance stars story.
I like this author's writing style and characters. However there was barely any on page couple time and the ending was more of a happy for now. I am really hoping that the author plans to write a second book continuing Jefferson's and Finny's budding relationship. And the that their relationship development is more on page and not overshadowed by the mystery/crime.
I want a full novel not some quick cheesy novella. If that happens I will change my rating from 3 to 5 stars.
April 10, 2023
I don’t know why I had so many expectations of this book, I don’t even know the author but I do know that I was very disappointed. Something in the blurb appealed to me and it started really good, the mystery was interesting and I really loved Jefferson but I think he must be the most incompetent FBI agent ever . The romance is lukewarm and awkward, the MCs don’t have enough scenes together and there is no chemistry whatsoever between them. A very unconvincing second chance story this was.
But what really really annoyed me was his FBI partner Caroline. She totally ruined the book for me and I disliked her so much. She was bossy, bitchy, selfish, petty and a jerk and I wanted Jefferson to tell her to fuck off. With friends like this…🤦🏻♀️
2.5 stars rounded up because the writing is not bad and I was entertained.
But what really really annoyed me was his FBI partner Caroline. She totally ruined the book for me and I disliked her so much. She was bossy, bitchy, selfish, petty and a jerk and I wanted Jefferson to tell her to fuck off. With friends like this…🤦🏻♀️
2.5 stars rounded up because the writing is not bad and I was entertained.
May 24, 2021
I liked this but I did have issues with it. I read a lot of murder/mystery books and this started off promising. The issues I had were my own and had nothing to do with the writing itself. I look forward to reading more from this debut author.
I never fully connected with Jefferson & Finny as a couple. I felt like Jefferson made a lot of bad decisions for an FBI agent when it came to the case. I figured out the killer early on but that happens a lot in murder/mysteries, I enjoy more of the way the book unravels when it comes to the outcome. I thought this just had so much potential but I felt a bit deflated by the time the mystery came to its final moments. I thought the story was a bit too wrapped up in the Jefferson & Finny portion and between their relationship and the murder case it didn’t gel for me.
I enjoyed reading about Boston, a city I visited and loved. This is an author I look forward to reading more forms I may have had some issues but that in no way means the story is to be missed. If you enjoy mysteries I think you will like this.
I never fully connected with Jefferson & Finny as a couple. I felt like Jefferson made a lot of bad decisions for an FBI agent when it came to the case. I figured out the killer early on but that happens a lot in murder/mysteries, I enjoy more of the way the book unravels when it comes to the outcome. I thought this just had so much potential but I felt a bit deflated by the time the mystery came to its final moments. I thought the story was a bit too wrapped up in the Jefferson & Finny portion and between their relationship and the murder case it didn’t gel for me.
I enjoyed reading about Boston, a city I visited and loved. This is an author I look forward to reading more forms I may have had some issues but that in no way means the story is to be missed. If you enjoy mysteries I think you will like this.
September 28, 2021
This was such a good book, and for being a debut, it's actually quite spectacular. As per usual in mystery books the romance took the backseat for the mystery plot, I just hope there will be a series and not just a standalone so we can get to see the love story between Jefferson and Finny bloom.
May 12, 2021
I've given this a B at AAR.
Given its polished writing and confident authorial voice, I’d have been hard pressed to guess that Nothing But Good is Kess McKinley’s first published book. It’s a very promising début; a strongly written, well-paced mystery/procedural with a touch of romance set in Boston that revolves around the search for a serial killer who has been operating – and eluding capture – for years.
Special Agent Jefferson Haines and his partner, Special Agent Caroline Pelley, are called in when the body of a young man is pulled out of the water in Boston Harbour. In the normal way of things, the investigation into the homicide would be handled by the Boston Police Department, but this murder is marked as anything but normal by the presence of the signature painted on the wall behind the corpse; a crude black circle of paint several feet in diameter filled in with jagged yellow swaths of paint. Inside that, two thick black slashes for eyes and a single curled line for the mouth. It’s a well-known calling-card and has been for the last ten years; the Smiley Face Killer is at work again. Whoever this person is, they’ve become something of an urban legend, said to hunt down young men and lure them to their deaths in bodies of water.
Jefferson and Caroline begin their investigation by looking at the other murders now believed to be the work of the same killer and start to build a profile, realising that all the bodies have been discovered in and around the upper Charles River Basin and Boston Harbour and that the SFK must be very familiar with that part of the city. After hours spent scrutinising security footage, Jefferson realises that the killer must be holding his victims somewhere before killing them – or after – and then transporting the bodies by boat, and if that is the case whoever it is must be a pretty experienced sailor. For Jefferson, watching hours of video and pouring over maps is no substitute for actually walking the crime scenes to get a better understanding of where everything played out, so the next step is for him and Caroline to liaise with the various local government agencies including the DUP – Boston Department of Urban Planning – and the DPM, the Massachusetts Department of Parks Management – and arrange for ongoing cooperation with the investigation.
The first of these meetings is with the Commissioner of the DPM, but when Caroline and Jefferson arrive, she’s running late and instead her Chief of Staff comes to greet them – and Jefferson’s world tilts on its axis. His former college roommate – and the man he now realises he’d been in love with – Finny (Fred) Ashley is standing in front of them, looking every bit as shocked as Jefferson feels. He and Finny had been best friends throughout their college years until they had a massive row shortly before graduation and haven’t seen each other since. Jefferson said some pretty nasty things at the time – and judging from Finny’s reaction, he’s still pissed.
The mystery in Nothing But Good is compelling, the author skilfully works in a number of possible suspects and the search for the killer will keep readers guessing right up until the reveal. I particularly appreciated the way the procedural aspect is presented here; so often in print and on-screen stories of this type, the less glamorous aspect of the job (the boring grunt work!) is just ignored or glossed over, but that’s not the case here, and the author does a good job of incorporating those aspects of law enforcement work without getting bogged down in it, and combining them with the action and the romance.
The story is told entirely from Jefferson’s PoV, and he’s an engaging narrator. He’s a highly competent, dedicated agent and is a bit buttoned up; he hasn’t had many romantic partners and isn’t a fan of one-nighters (it’s never explicitly stated, but as he talks about needing to have an emotional connection before feeling sexual attraction I’m guessing he’s demisexual) and his most important relationship is the one he has with Caroline. They’ve worked together for a few years and even – coincidentally – live in the same building, so they spend quite a lot of time together outside work, and know each other pretty well. I liked the way Jefferson’s character is established in the early part of the book – as reserved, a bit of a stickler for routine and utterly committed to his job – because it helps to make clear just how far his reunion with Finny unsettles him, a reaction that doesn’t go unnoticed by Caroline, who is the one to point out that just because Jefferson and Finny have history, it doesn’t mean Finny shouldn’t be on their list of suspects.
The tension between Jefferson and Finny is nicely done and the author skilfully drip-feeds the details as to what happened between them over a few chapters, but doesn’t draw things out too much. It’s clear that whatever it was, Jefferson screwed up and knows it, and that it still affects Finny quite deeply, but while they’re both appealing characters and I liked them together, the romance isn’t as well developed as I’d have liked. We’re told a bit about their former friendship and how important it was to both of them, but once they’ve resolved their differences in the present day, they pick up pretty much where they left off, which seemed a bit unlikely given they haven’t spoken a word to each other for eight years. There’s also a sex scene towards the end of the book which felt like it was shoe-horned in for the sake of it; it didn’t really add anything to the story or relationship.
But despite those criticisms, I enjoyed Nothing But Good, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who, like me, is always on the look-out for good romantic suspense novels. It’s fairly short, but it’s tightly-plotted, the prose is sharp, the relationships are well-written and the characters are likeable and well fleshed-out. I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
Given its polished writing and confident authorial voice, I’d have been hard pressed to guess that Nothing But Good is Kess McKinley’s first published book. It’s a very promising début; a strongly written, well-paced mystery/procedural with a touch of romance set in Boston that revolves around the search for a serial killer who has been operating – and eluding capture – for years.
Special Agent Jefferson Haines and his partner, Special Agent Caroline Pelley, are called in when the body of a young man is pulled out of the water in Boston Harbour. In the normal way of things, the investigation into the homicide would be handled by the Boston Police Department, but this murder is marked as anything but normal by the presence of the signature painted on the wall behind the corpse; a crude black circle of paint several feet in diameter filled in with jagged yellow swaths of paint. Inside that, two thick black slashes for eyes and a single curled line for the mouth. It’s a well-known calling-card and has been for the last ten years; the Smiley Face Killer is at work again. Whoever this person is, they’ve become something of an urban legend, said to hunt down young men and lure them to their deaths in bodies of water.
Jefferson and Caroline begin their investigation by looking at the other murders now believed to be the work of the same killer and start to build a profile, realising that all the bodies have been discovered in and around the upper Charles River Basin and Boston Harbour and that the SFK must be very familiar with that part of the city. After hours spent scrutinising security footage, Jefferson realises that the killer must be holding his victims somewhere before killing them – or after – and then transporting the bodies by boat, and if that is the case whoever it is must be a pretty experienced sailor. For Jefferson, watching hours of video and pouring over maps is no substitute for actually walking the crime scenes to get a better understanding of where everything played out, so the next step is for him and Caroline to liaise with the various local government agencies including the DUP – Boston Department of Urban Planning – and the DPM, the Massachusetts Department of Parks Management – and arrange for ongoing cooperation with the investigation.
The first of these meetings is with the Commissioner of the DPM, but when Caroline and Jefferson arrive, she’s running late and instead her Chief of Staff comes to greet them – and Jefferson’s world tilts on its axis. His former college roommate – and the man he now realises he’d been in love with – Finny (Fred) Ashley is standing in front of them, looking every bit as shocked as Jefferson feels. He and Finny had been best friends throughout their college years until they had a massive row shortly before graduation and haven’t seen each other since. Jefferson said some pretty nasty things at the time – and judging from Finny’s reaction, he’s still pissed.
The mystery in Nothing But Good is compelling, the author skilfully works in a number of possible suspects and the search for the killer will keep readers guessing right up until the reveal. I particularly appreciated the way the procedural aspect is presented here; so often in print and on-screen stories of this type, the less glamorous aspect of the job (the boring grunt work!) is just ignored or glossed over, but that’s not the case here, and the author does a good job of incorporating those aspects of law enforcement work without getting bogged down in it, and combining them with the action and the romance.
The story is told entirely from Jefferson’s PoV, and he’s an engaging narrator. He’s a highly competent, dedicated agent and is a bit buttoned up; he hasn’t had many romantic partners and isn’t a fan of one-nighters (it’s never explicitly stated, but as he talks about needing to have an emotional connection before feeling sexual attraction I’m guessing he’s demisexual) and his most important relationship is the one he has with Caroline. They’ve worked together for a few years and even – coincidentally – live in the same building, so they spend quite a lot of time together outside work, and know each other pretty well. I liked the way Jefferson’s character is established in the early part of the book – as reserved, a bit of a stickler for routine and utterly committed to his job – because it helps to make clear just how far his reunion with Finny unsettles him, a reaction that doesn’t go unnoticed by Caroline, who is the one to point out that just because Jefferson and Finny have history, it doesn’t mean Finny shouldn’t be on their list of suspects.
The tension between Jefferson and Finny is nicely done and the author skilfully drip-feeds the details as to what happened between them over a few chapters, but doesn’t draw things out too much. It’s clear that whatever it was, Jefferson screwed up and knows it, and that it still affects Finny quite deeply, but while they’re both appealing characters and I liked them together, the romance isn’t as well developed as I’d have liked. We’re told a bit about their former friendship and how important it was to both of them, but once they’ve resolved their differences in the present day, they pick up pretty much where they left off, which seemed a bit unlikely given they haven’t spoken a word to each other for eight years. There’s also a sex scene towards the end of the book which felt like it was shoe-horned in for the sake of it; it didn’t really add anything to the story or relationship.
But despite those criticisms, I enjoyed Nothing But Good, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who, like me, is always on the look-out for good romantic suspense novels. It’s fairly short, but it’s tightly-plotted, the prose is sharp, the relationships are well-written and the characters are likeable and well fleshed-out. I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
April 14, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
Nothing But Good is a contemporary novel set in Boston. It features a strong procedural law enforcement storyline as Jefferson and Caroline work on solving their case. Readers who enjoy a well planned and paced crime thriller will definitely enjoy how this story unfolds. The romance is a very slow burn between Jefferson and Finny that’s built around a friends (to enemies) to lovers premise. For me, the romance was delightfully tinged with dread right up until the penultimate scene.
One of the elements I very much enjoyed about the story was the pacing. I think McKinley does an excellent job showing the different aspects of Jefferson’s life and getting these different aspects to mesh together into a full picture.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
Nothing But Good is a contemporary novel set in Boston. It features a strong procedural law enforcement storyline as Jefferson and Caroline work on solving their case. Readers who enjoy a well planned and paced crime thriller will definitely enjoy how this story unfolds. The romance is a very slow burn between Jefferson and Finny that’s built around a friends (to enemies) to lovers premise. For me, the romance was delightfully tinged with dread right up until the penultimate scene.
One of the elements I very much enjoyed about the story was the pacing. I think McKinley does an excellent job showing the different aspects of Jefferson’s life and getting these different aspects to mesh together into a full picture.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
July 20, 2021
I've given this a B+ for narration and a B for content at AudioGals.
Kess McKinley’s début novel Nothing but Good is a well-constructed and enjoyable mystery/procedural in which a tightly controlled, buttoned-up FBI agent investigating a number of serial murders encounters an unexpected complication in the form of the former best friend on whom he’d had a huge crush. I read this one when it came out back in May, and when I saw that Kirt Graves was narrating the audio version, I decided to revisit it.
Special Agent Jefferson Haynes and his partner, Special Agent Caroline Pelley, are called in when the body of a young man is pulled out of the water in Boston Harbour, another victim of the “Smiley Face Killer”, so-called because he leaves a very distinct calling card which, in this case, is a huge painted smiley face on the wall just by where the body was found. The SFK has killed a number of young men – all of them found in bodies of water – over the last decade, but has so far eluded capture.
Jefferson and Caroline begin to build a profile of the killer, looking into the previous murders at the same time as they question the witnesses and friends of the most recent victim. One of the things the author does really well in this story is show the often painstaking and laborious nature of the work involved in an investigation like this. Not that we’re subjected to hours and hours of people sitting in offices looking at maps and security footage, but the less glamorous “grunt work” isn’t just glossed over or ignored and we get a real sense of the level of detail that needs to be observed. But for Jefferson, pouring over maps and security footage is no substitute for getting out and actually walking the crime scenes to get a feel for the locations, which is why he and Caroline have to approach a couple of local government agencies to request their cooperation with the investigation.
They’ve arranged to meet with someone from the DPM – the Massachusetts Department of Parks Management – and Jefferson is stunned to see his old college roommate and former best friend Finny Ashley standing there, looking every bit as shocked as he – Jefferson – feels. Jefferson and Finny had been really close throughout their college years until they had a massive row just before graduation – and they haven’t seen each other since. Jefferson said some pretty horrible things at the time – and judging by Finny’s manner and expression, he hasn’t forgiven or forgotten.
Knowing just how reserved and unflappable her partner usually is, seeing him thrown off his game by Finny immediately alerts Caroline, who senses the chilly atmosphere between them – but Jefferson isn’t very forthcoming. Caroline suspects there’s more to it – and is careful to remind Jefferson that just because he and Finny have history, it doesn’t mean they can rule Finny out as a suspect. He fits certain aspects of the profile, and although he hasn’t lived in Boston until recently, the long intervals between the murders could point to the culprit being someone who has visited the city rather than someone who lives there. (Although I was pretty sure Finny wasn’t the villain – this is part romance, after all – the author nonetheless does a good job of planting the seeds of doubt!)
Jefferson is an engaging narrator, a highly competent, dedicated agent who, as is often the case with fictional LEOs, has practically no personal life. He hasn’t had many romantic partners and doesn’t do one-nighters (I observed in my review of the ebook that the way he is described as someone who likes to form an emotional connection before embarking on a physical one made me think that perhaps he’s demi-sexual – which the author confirmed), and the most important relationship in his life when we first meet him is the one he has with Caroline. They’ve been partners for several years and know each other really well; they’re obviously great friends, but their relationship becomes strained as Jefferson finds himself torn between the case and his feelings for Finny. Caroline is a very strongly written character and I liked her a lot, although there’s the sense that Jefferson occasionally finds her rather overbearing!
Jefferson and Finny are appealing characters, and I liked the way the author reveals the details of their past relationship over a few chapters but doesn’t drag it out for too long. (I will admit, however, that I expected their ‘break-up’ to have been over something… bigger.) It’s clear that Jefferson knows he screwed up and deeply regrets what happened and that Finny is still strongly affected by it but again, the author wisely doesn’t draw out their animosity for too long, using their early encounters to build the tension between them before having them discuss what happened and agree to move past it. That said however, their romance does feel somewhat under-developed, as they pretty much pick up from where they left off eight years earlier (although they weren’t romantically involved back then) which, considering they haven’t so much as spoken to each other in all that time, feels a little unlikely.
Kirt Graves is a narrator I listen to regularly, so I know I can always rely on him to deliver a performance that will keep me engaged throughout. His pleasantly modulated, slightly husky voice is easy on the ear, his pacing is good and he differentiates effectively between the various characters in the story, so there’s no confusion between them in conversation and they’re easy to identify aurally. I really liked his portrayal of Jefferson; he’s described as a big man physically, and Mr. Graves conveys that very well by means of a low, gruff tone and adds a hint of a Boston Southie accent, which works well to ground the story in the city (although it has to be said that he doesn’t use one for any of the other characters.) He does a terrific job with Caroline, too – she gets a lot of page time (unlike in a lot of m/m, where the female characters are peripheral) so it’s essential she sounds convincing, and she really does, just the right amount of tough and ballsy. Their dynamic is expertly realised, and the same is true of the connection between Jefferson and Finny; the initial hostility and awkwardness between them is palpable and the moments of sweetness and affection that occur later on are nicely done.
I enjoyed Nothing but Good when I read it, but Kirt Graves’ accomplished, nuanced performance certainly makes a strong case for experiencing this story in audio. It’s a very promising début and one I’d definitely recommend to anyone looking for a tightly-plotted murder mystery with a side-order of romance.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
Kess McKinley’s début novel Nothing but Good is a well-constructed and enjoyable mystery/procedural in which a tightly controlled, buttoned-up FBI agent investigating a number of serial murders encounters an unexpected complication in the form of the former best friend on whom he’d had a huge crush. I read this one when it came out back in May, and when I saw that Kirt Graves was narrating the audio version, I decided to revisit it.
Special Agent Jefferson Haynes and his partner, Special Agent Caroline Pelley, are called in when the body of a young man is pulled out of the water in Boston Harbour, another victim of the “Smiley Face Killer”, so-called because he leaves a very distinct calling card which, in this case, is a huge painted smiley face on the wall just by where the body was found. The SFK has killed a number of young men – all of them found in bodies of water – over the last decade, but has so far eluded capture.
Jefferson and Caroline begin to build a profile of the killer, looking into the previous murders at the same time as they question the witnesses and friends of the most recent victim. One of the things the author does really well in this story is show the often painstaking and laborious nature of the work involved in an investigation like this. Not that we’re subjected to hours and hours of people sitting in offices looking at maps and security footage, but the less glamorous “grunt work” isn’t just glossed over or ignored and we get a real sense of the level of detail that needs to be observed. But for Jefferson, pouring over maps and security footage is no substitute for getting out and actually walking the crime scenes to get a feel for the locations, which is why he and Caroline have to approach a couple of local government agencies to request their cooperation with the investigation.
They’ve arranged to meet with someone from the DPM – the Massachusetts Department of Parks Management – and Jefferson is stunned to see his old college roommate and former best friend Finny Ashley standing there, looking every bit as shocked as he – Jefferson – feels. Jefferson and Finny had been really close throughout their college years until they had a massive row just before graduation – and they haven’t seen each other since. Jefferson said some pretty horrible things at the time – and judging by Finny’s manner and expression, he hasn’t forgiven or forgotten.
Knowing just how reserved and unflappable her partner usually is, seeing him thrown off his game by Finny immediately alerts Caroline, who senses the chilly atmosphere between them – but Jefferson isn’t very forthcoming. Caroline suspects there’s more to it – and is careful to remind Jefferson that just because he and Finny have history, it doesn’t mean they can rule Finny out as a suspect. He fits certain aspects of the profile, and although he hasn’t lived in Boston until recently, the long intervals between the murders could point to the culprit being someone who has visited the city rather than someone who lives there. (Although I was pretty sure Finny wasn’t the villain – this is part romance, after all – the author nonetheless does a good job of planting the seeds of doubt!)
Jefferson is an engaging narrator, a highly competent, dedicated agent who, as is often the case with fictional LEOs, has practically no personal life. He hasn’t had many romantic partners and doesn’t do one-nighters (I observed in my review of the ebook that the way he is described as someone who likes to form an emotional connection before embarking on a physical one made me think that perhaps he’s demi-sexual – which the author confirmed), and the most important relationship in his life when we first meet him is the one he has with Caroline. They’ve been partners for several years and know each other really well; they’re obviously great friends, but their relationship becomes strained as Jefferson finds himself torn between the case and his feelings for Finny. Caroline is a very strongly written character and I liked her a lot, although there’s the sense that Jefferson occasionally finds her rather overbearing!
Jefferson and Finny are appealing characters, and I liked the way the author reveals the details of their past relationship over a few chapters but doesn’t drag it out for too long. (I will admit, however, that I expected their ‘break-up’ to have been over something… bigger.) It’s clear that Jefferson knows he screwed up and deeply regrets what happened and that Finny is still strongly affected by it but again, the author wisely doesn’t draw out their animosity for too long, using their early encounters to build the tension between them before having them discuss what happened and agree to move past it. That said however, their romance does feel somewhat under-developed, as they pretty much pick up from where they left off eight years earlier (although they weren’t romantically involved back then) which, considering they haven’t so much as spoken to each other in all that time, feels a little unlikely.
Kirt Graves is a narrator I listen to regularly, so I know I can always rely on him to deliver a performance that will keep me engaged throughout. His pleasantly modulated, slightly husky voice is easy on the ear, his pacing is good and he differentiates effectively between the various characters in the story, so there’s no confusion between them in conversation and they’re easy to identify aurally. I really liked his portrayal of Jefferson; he’s described as a big man physically, and Mr. Graves conveys that very well by means of a low, gruff tone and adds a hint of a Boston Southie accent, which works well to ground the story in the city (although it has to be said that he doesn’t use one for any of the other characters.) He does a terrific job with Caroline, too – she gets a lot of page time (unlike in a lot of m/m, where the female characters are peripheral) so it’s essential she sounds convincing, and she really does, just the right amount of tough and ballsy. Their dynamic is expertly realised, and the same is true of the connection between Jefferson and Finny; the initial hostility and awkwardness between them is palpable and the moments of sweetness and affection that occur later on are nicely done.
I enjoyed Nothing but Good when I read it, but Kirt Graves’ accomplished, nuanced performance certainly makes a strong case for experiencing this story in audio. It’s a very promising début and one I’d definitely recommend to anyone looking for a tightly-plotted murder mystery with a side-order of romance.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
March 17, 2026
I've been meaning to read Kess McKinley's Nothing but Good for ages and I'm glad I finally got around to it. I'll admit I read a review where someone praised Kirt Graves' performance in the audio version, and it was wonderful.
The story was nothing like I was expecting, but it was a nice mystery.
The story was nothing like I was expecting, but it was a nice mystery.
August 20, 2022
Audiobook ***4.5 Stars***
Story ***3.5 - 4 Stars***
Story ***3.5 - 4 Stars***
March 19, 2022
Special Agent Jefferson Haines puts the ‘order’ in law and order. Meal kits. Gray suits. Consistent reps at the gym. But all his routines are thrown into chaos when he’s called in to catch a serial killer whose M.O. is the stuff of urban legend: the Smiley Face Killer.
Dripping paint. Wicked slashes for eyes. The taunting curl of a smiling mouth. After years evading capture, the serial killer is back again. As Jefferson races to stop the next attack, the investigation leads to the one man he thought he’d never see again, Fred ‘Finny’ Ashley.
Finny has his own theories about the killer. And they’re pretty good. Maybe too good. Now, with his career on the line, Jefferson has to figure out if his one-time best friend is the culprit or the next victim.
Review:
I did not expect this book to work as well as it did for me, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I think the blurb is pretty clear on genre of the story - romantic suspense. And this is one of the rare occasions where I think that romance AND suspense storyline were equally good. I mean, it is always a balance for the writer to make sure that romance is given enough page space in the action adventure storyline, but also to make sure that said suspense/mystery story does not look stupid and I think this author managed it very well.
I think suspense/ mystery story is front and center here - two FBI agents hunting a serial killer , but Jefferson meeting his college best friend in the middle of the investigation brings the feelings he had for him front and center and makes him wonder what could have been if they did not have that fight eight years ago. Remember investigation? Well, Finny lands right in the middle of it.
I did not think they seriously consider him as a suspect for a long period of time BUT at times Jefferson walks the line of being professional and wanting to protect his friend. He never really *does* anything unprofessional, but couple of times he wavers and I loved that his partner was there to smack him with words and bring him back so to speak. Because so many stories I have read which tried to mix romance and suspense/ mystery investigation landed in " agent being unprofessional professional" land , I always worry when I pick up another one. But I think this writer managed to do it well.
Where romance is concerned, I thought it was also a clever trick to have sort of a reconciliation/ from friends to lovers romantic trope here so not to develop romantic attraction from the very beginning. Finny and Jefferson may have not been a couple when they were younger, but they certainly had feelings for each other and it does not take much to rekindle those feelings and not much page space is taken away from the hunting the serial killer storyline .
“Except he kind of did. In eight years, he hadn’t told anyone the full extent of how he felt about Finny; how much their fight had gutted him. The old mutual friends he met for a quick beer when they passed through town weren’t the kind he’d spill his guts to. On those occasions he’d focused on playing it cool, looking for whatever scraps of information he could get. Over the years as they all gained more responsibilities, those meetups had become few and far between until he almost never talked to anyone from school anymore, which meant he hadn’t learned Finny had returned to Boston until he saw it with his own eyes.”
I loved how the story was bursting with tension between the two men, on top of the tension of the suspense story. My feeling was that Finny was not considered a suspect for that long, but I liked that the investigators took time to check him off the list. Although now I think that I was supposed to consider the possibility of him being a suspect for longer than I did. Love interest of the main character though? No, I don't think I did.
I liked how thorough investigation was. I liked how author made sure to mention that the whole team was investigating, not just the two main agents and that added the believability to the story, because with the amount of the investigative work they had to do, it would have been silly to have only two agents do the job.
"Jefferson turned up the music blasting through his headphones and adjusted his position to lean closer to the screen. This review could’ve been delegated to another member of their case team, but neither Caroline nor Jefferson was good at giving up control, at least not on the important things, and right now this seemed to be their most promising lead.”
I did not have an idea though of who the killer was and it was great! It was an intense and lovely read even if not a very long one. It has 189 pages on my kindle.
B+
Dripping paint. Wicked slashes for eyes. The taunting curl of a smiling mouth. After years evading capture, the serial killer is back again. As Jefferson races to stop the next attack, the investigation leads to the one man he thought he’d never see again, Fred ‘Finny’ Ashley.
Finny has his own theories about the killer. And they’re pretty good. Maybe too good. Now, with his career on the line, Jefferson has to figure out if his one-time best friend is the culprit or the next victim.
Review:
I did not expect this book to work as well as it did for me, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I think the blurb is pretty clear on genre of the story - romantic suspense. And this is one of the rare occasions where I think that romance AND suspense storyline were equally good. I mean, it is always a balance for the writer to make sure that romance is given enough page space in the action adventure storyline, but also to make sure that said suspense/mystery story does not look stupid and I think this author managed it very well.
I think suspense/ mystery story is front and center here - two FBI agents hunting a serial killer , but Jefferson meeting his college best friend in the middle of the investigation brings the feelings he had for him front and center and makes him wonder what could have been if they did not have that fight eight years ago. Remember investigation? Well, Finny lands right in the middle of it.
I did not think they seriously consider him as a suspect for a long period of time BUT at times Jefferson walks the line of being professional and wanting to protect his friend. He never really *does* anything unprofessional, but couple of times he wavers and I loved that his partner was there to smack him with words and bring him back so to speak. Because so many stories I have read which tried to mix romance and suspense/ mystery investigation landed in " agent being unprofessional professional" land , I always worry when I pick up another one. But I think this writer managed to do it well.
Where romance is concerned, I thought it was also a clever trick to have sort of a reconciliation/ from friends to lovers romantic trope here so not to develop romantic attraction from the very beginning. Finny and Jefferson may have not been a couple when they were younger, but they certainly had feelings for each other and it does not take much to rekindle those feelings and not much page space is taken away from the hunting the serial killer storyline .
“Except he kind of did. In eight years, he hadn’t told anyone the full extent of how he felt about Finny; how much their fight had gutted him. The old mutual friends he met for a quick beer when they passed through town weren’t the kind he’d spill his guts to. On those occasions he’d focused on playing it cool, looking for whatever scraps of information he could get. Over the years as they all gained more responsibilities, those meetups had become few and far between until he almost never talked to anyone from school anymore, which meant he hadn’t learned Finny had returned to Boston until he saw it with his own eyes.”
I loved how the story was bursting with tension between the two men, on top of the tension of the suspense story. My feeling was that Finny was not considered a suspect for that long, but I liked that the investigators took time to check him off the list. Although now I think that I was supposed to consider the possibility of him being a suspect for longer than I did. Love interest of the main character though? No, I don't think I did.
I liked how thorough investigation was. I liked how author made sure to mention that the whole team was investigating, not just the two main agents and that added the believability to the story, because with the amount of the investigative work they had to do, it would have been silly to have only two agents do the job.
"Jefferson turned up the music blasting through his headphones and adjusted his position to lean closer to the screen. This review could’ve been delegated to another member of their case team, but neither Caroline nor Jefferson was good at giving up control, at least not on the important things, and right now this seemed to be their most promising lead.”
I did not have an idea though of who the killer was and it was great! It was an intense and lovely read even if not a very long one. It has 189 pages on my kindle.
B+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2026
Maybe it was my mood but this one never caught me up.
While Jefferson and Finn were an OK couple I didn't fall in love with them.
Story wise it was again OK but the police procedures left me questioning. I mean would they really of let a man who had been abducted and drugged just go home to sleep it off? and not take him to a hospital for observation overnight just to be sure he didn't have a reaction to said drug? and collect his clothing for evidence straight away and not the morning after he had slept in someone elses bed in them?
So yeah just an OK read for me but I'm pushing to 3 stars for only having one sex scene which was a plus for me :P
While Jefferson and Finn were an OK couple I didn't fall in love with them.
Story wise it was again OK but the police procedures left me questioning. I mean would they really of let a man who had been abducted and drugged just go home to sleep it off? and not take him to a hospital for observation overnight just to be sure he didn't have a reaction to said drug? and collect his clothing for evidence straight away and not the morning after he had slept in someone elses bed in them?
So yeah just an OK read for me but I'm pushing to 3 stars for only having one sex scene which was a plus for me :P
May 26, 2023
What is happening to my reviews?
Ugh.
Ok, here we go (again):
Great writing
Debut novel
Mystery-thriller
Friends-to-lovers/enemies to lovers/second chance
Serial murders
Is the friend a murderer????
Reconciliation
Sexy times
Murders
Surprise ending!!
My rec? Not too much romance, but the storyline is killer (lol). Fabulous narration by Kirt Graves!!
Ugh.
Ok, here we go (again):
Great writing
Debut novel
Mystery-thriller
Friends-to-lovers/enemies to lovers/second chance
Serial murders
Is the friend a murderer????
Reconciliation
Sexy times
Murders
Surprise ending!!
My rec? Not too much romance, but the storyline is killer (lol). Fabulous narration by Kirt Graves!!
May 20, 2021
Nothing But Good is Kess McKinley’s debut novel and we have an up-and-coming author to look out for. There is a bit of romance in Nothing But Good, but overall it is a murder/mystery… The Smiley Face Killer is on the loose, and it’s a race against time to stop the drowning of Boston’s next victim.
FBI Special Agent Jefferson Haines and his partner, Special Agent Caroline Pelley, have taken over the unsolved murders case from the Boston PD, who has been unsuccessful, for over a decade, in catching Mr. Smiley. The pressure is on, their superiors want to show the BPD how a real agency solves a crime. And damn do they attack this case with vigor, eventually catching Mr. Smiley in a surprising revelation. Before they do, there is one snag. Jefferson is distracted when he comes face to face with his college roommate, Fred (Finny) Ashley, after eight years.
Fred and Jefferson did not part on good terms and we know for most of the story that this was Jefferson’s doing. Ever since, he has berated himself for the events that transpired, wishing he could make things right with Finny. Finny, on the other hand, has spent the last eight years devastated by their final encounter. The romance side of Nothing But Good is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers tale that spans many years, weighing on their minds and in their hearts.
Kess McKinley is an author to add to your watch list. It is evident she has poured her heart and soul into writing ‘Nothing But Good’.
There are several things about Nothing But Good I found fascinating. First, is the major plot line, which is the mystery/murder, and is intriguing, suspenseful and very well developed. Second, is the way the stoic and in-control Jefferson loses himself around Finny, exposing himself and making him a compassionate human being. Third, I enjoyed the strong and positive female character Caroline portrays. Females in M/M novels are often, but not always, portrayed in an undesirable light; not the case here. Caroline is strong, cleaver, confident and supportive in her uniquely brash way.
There is a turning point for Jefferson and Finny, which comes at Finny’s expense. Will Finny be Mr. Smiley’s next victim? The very thought devastates Jefferson, as emotion overrules his logical agent thinking and stoic mannerisms. Will Finny accept Jefferson’s explanation for his actions eight years ago? After all Jefferson was a total prick. You are just going to have to read Nothing But Good to discover the answers to these questions.
As stated before, Kess McKinley is an author to add to your watch list. It is evident she has poured her heart and soul into writing Nothing But Good. I’m not sure what is next for her, but this reader will be on the lookout!
FBI Special Agent Jefferson Haines and his partner, Special Agent Caroline Pelley, have taken over the unsolved murders case from the Boston PD, who has been unsuccessful, for over a decade, in catching Mr. Smiley. The pressure is on, their superiors want to show the BPD how a real agency solves a crime. And damn do they attack this case with vigor, eventually catching Mr. Smiley in a surprising revelation. Before they do, there is one snag. Jefferson is distracted when he comes face to face with his college roommate, Fred (Finny) Ashley, after eight years.
Fred and Jefferson did not part on good terms and we know for most of the story that this was Jefferson’s doing. Ever since, he has berated himself for the events that transpired, wishing he could make things right with Finny. Finny, on the other hand, has spent the last eight years devastated by their final encounter. The romance side of Nothing But Good is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers tale that spans many years, weighing on their minds and in their hearts.
Kess McKinley is an author to add to your watch list. It is evident she has poured her heart and soul into writing ‘Nothing But Good’.
There are several things about Nothing But Good I found fascinating. First, is the major plot line, which is the mystery/murder, and is intriguing, suspenseful and very well developed. Second, is the way the stoic and in-control Jefferson loses himself around Finny, exposing himself and making him a compassionate human being. Third, I enjoyed the strong and positive female character Caroline portrays. Females in M/M novels are often, but not always, portrayed in an undesirable light; not the case here. Caroline is strong, cleaver, confident and supportive in her uniquely brash way.
There is a turning point for Jefferson and Finny, which comes at Finny’s expense. Will Finny be Mr. Smiley’s next victim? The very thought devastates Jefferson, as emotion overrules his logical agent thinking and stoic mannerisms. Will Finny accept Jefferson’s explanation for his actions eight years ago? After all Jefferson was a total prick. You are just going to have to read Nothing But Good to discover the answers to these questions.
As stated before, Kess McKinley is an author to add to your watch list. It is evident she has poured her heart and soul into writing Nothing But Good. I’m not sure what is next for her, but this reader will be on the lookout!
August 1, 2021
Very good mystery and romance.
August 4, 2021
Forgive me, old friend.
Crisp procedural debut.
All your smiles are mine.
Crisp procedural debut.
All your smiles are mine.
April 2, 2021
Four stars rounded up to four and a half.
I was given an ARC of this book and I volunteered to write a review.
Nothing But Good is Kess McKinley's book first but this doesn't show. The story is good and the book is very well written. Kess has obviously put a lot of work into finishing this book off to a high standard.
I was engaged in the story from the start and I read it over a day. One particular scene was, for me, so intense that I had to walk away for a short while.
Nothing But Good is not a romance, it is a murder mystery and I guess that you could say an FBI procedural. It concerns a serial killer and the hunt to find them.
The book is MM and there is a romance although this takes 2nd place to the hunt for the killer. There is one sex scene towards the end of the story.
Definitely recommended and I hope to read more books by Kess in the future.
I was given an ARC of this book and I volunteered to write a review.
Nothing But Good is Kess McKinley's book first but this doesn't show. The story is good and the book is very well written. Kess has obviously put a lot of work into finishing this book off to a high standard.
I was engaged in the story from the start and I read it over a day. One particular scene was, for me, so intense that I had to walk away for a short while.
Nothing But Good is not a romance, it is a murder mystery and I guess that you could say an FBI procedural. It concerns a serial killer and the hunt to find them.
The book is MM and there is a romance although this takes 2nd place to the hunt for the killer. There is one sex scene towards the end of the story.
Definitely recommended and I hope to read more books by Kess in the future.
May 15, 2021
Romantic suspense books always catch my eye but I’ve read so many great ones that I’m increasingly picky. Still, the blurb of Nothing But Good was too tempting to pass up. I was completely wrapped up in this book and shocked to learn it’s the author’s debut because it was incredibly polished.
Nothing But Good follows a FBI team as they finally get a chance to work a suspected serial murder case that’s been plaguing the Boston area for multiple years. The case was really interesting and included plenty of action, suspense, and intrigue that’s sure to satisfy romantic suspense fans. Nothing But Good lacks a lot of the investigative details that characterize procedurals so I think this story will appeal to an even broader audience. I really liked Jefferson and his no nonsense senior partner, Caroline. They had a great dynamic and it was fun to follow their investigation. The action and pursuit scenes were very well done and kept me reading as fast as possible and at every available moment.
The second chance romance in Nothing But Good was also very satisfying. I love stories when the characters have history and I enjoyed seeing college roommates and best friends Finney and Jefferson reconnect. While the romance definitely took a back seat to the investigation in some ways, it wasn’t underdeveloped in the least. Instead, it was easy and straightforward, which made a nice contrast to the tense pursuit of the serial killer.
I finished Nothing But Good quickly and was eager to find out more about the author and her back catalog. I was completely shocked to see this was her first published work and am eager to learn what she offers next. With excitement, a sweet second chance romance, good characters, and a great suspenseful case, Nothing But Good is definitely not one to miss.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Nothing But Good follows a FBI team as they finally get a chance to work a suspected serial murder case that’s been plaguing the Boston area for multiple years. The case was really interesting and included plenty of action, suspense, and intrigue that’s sure to satisfy romantic suspense fans. Nothing But Good lacks a lot of the investigative details that characterize procedurals so I think this story will appeal to an even broader audience. I really liked Jefferson and his no nonsense senior partner, Caroline. They had a great dynamic and it was fun to follow their investigation. The action and pursuit scenes were very well done and kept me reading as fast as possible and at every available moment.
The second chance romance in Nothing But Good was also very satisfying. I love stories when the characters have history and I enjoyed seeing college roommates and best friends Finney and Jefferson reconnect. While the romance definitely took a back seat to the investigation in some ways, it wasn’t underdeveloped in the least. Instead, it was easy and straightforward, which made a nice contrast to the tense pursuit of the serial killer.
I finished Nothing But Good quickly and was eager to find out more about the author and her back catalog. I was completely shocked to see this was her first published work and am eager to learn what she offers next. With excitement, a sweet second chance romance, good characters, and a great suspenseful case, Nothing But Good is definitely not one to miss.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
May 23, 2021
Good first novel although I was looking for a little more romance. Plus the end felt a little quick. An author I’m keen to read more of. 3.75-4
July 14, 2021
4.5 stars
May 11, 2021
Nothing But Good is a debut novel for Kess McKinley, who has done a remarkable job of putting together a gripping novel that is part police procedural part romantic suspense.
The depth of Kess’ research is evident as she follows the FBI’s desperate search to uncover a serial killer that has haunted Boston on and off for years, the infamous Smiley Face Killer (known amongst the agents as Mr Smiley). The search for the killer becomes personal for Special Agent Jefferson Haines, when the killer targets his old college roommate and love interest, Fred ‘Finny’ Ashley. But is Finny a potential victim or a killer?
If I hadn't already known it, there is no way I would have recognised this book as a debut novel. The story begins with a bang and it's straight into the action. While this acts to grab the reader's attention, it also results in a bit of an info dump. There is a lot of history, world-building, and character introduction that needs to be done, and the instant action means that you need to know the information straight away, hence the info dump. This only lasts for the first chapter though, after that things smooth out allowing the author to expand and develop the world and characters she introduced in the first chapter.
This story is very slow burn. Although Finny is introduced in chapter 4, it is not until chapter 8 that Finny and Jefferson have a one-on-one conversation, and it's not until chapter 12 that the first kiss happens. For those of you who want to know, this book is what I'd classify as 'almost clean', there is sexual activity, and it is fully depicted, but there is no on-page sex (in the fullest sense). The book was very sweet, and it was very satisfying watching Finny and Jefferson overcome their history to finally come together.
This book is told completely from Jefferson’s point of view, but I couldn’t help but miss Finny’s thoughts. I think this would have added more depth, even if his POV only started after he and Jefferson had had the discussion about what had happened in college. Even so, Jefferson was a lovely character and it was a nice experience to be in his head.
This was a genuinely lovely book to experience. It is primarily a procedural/suspense story where the romance is a strong, but secondary theme, at least for the first 70% or so of the story.
If you enjoy the tension and detail of a well written police focused suspense then I would highly recommend grabbing a copy and supporting this new author.
I suspect great things are ahead for her!
All my reviews can be found on my blog: The Word Nerd Reviews
Follow Me: Facebook & Twitter
April 21, 2021
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
First time author, peeps, and I think it’s rather good!
Jefferson is an FBI agent tasked with catching The Smiley Face killer, Mr Smiley (I have no idea why, but that tickled me no end!) Coming face to face with his college room-mate after 8 years, and then Finny getting attacked by Mr Smiley, puts Jefferson in a difficult position. But Jefferson can’t stay away from Finny, not now.
So, couple points.
First, though, well done Ms McKinley, on a job well done. I did NOT see the whodunnit coming at me, at all! And the WHY! Loved being kept on my toes.
It did take me a little while to get into it, and it was touch and go whether I would dump this or not, but I am glad I kept going, I really did enjoy it!
I did feel, though, that I might have enjoyed this more, had there not been any smexy stuff, I really do. I felt the scene before the gala dinner was kinda thrown in, like it NEEDED some smexy, but I really don’t think it did. So, clean, here, might have worked better for ME.
And of course, I wanted to hear from Finny too! Why they fell out, all those years ago was playing on my mind, and what I had was not how it went down. But I needed Finny to tell me why, not Jefferson. Finny had his heart broken when Jefferson went nuts, and I needed Finny to tell me how he dealt with it all, in much more detail than when he is talking to Jefferson. And we don’t get him, we just get Jefferson. Just me, being greedy!
A well thought out plot line, well written, and well delivered.
4 GREAT stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
First time author, peeps, and I think it’s rather good!
Jefferson is an FBI agent tasked with catching The Smiley Face killer, Mr Smiley (I have no idea why, but that tickled me no end!) Coming face to face with his college room-mate after 8 years, and then Finny getting attacked by Mr Smiley, puts Jefferson in a difficult position. But Jefferson can’t stay away from Finny, not now.
So, couple points.
First, though, well done Ms McKinley, on a job well done. I did NOT see the whodunnit coming at me, at all! And the WHY! Loved being kept on my toes.
It did take me a little while to get into it, and it was touch and go whether I would dump this or not, but I am glad I kept going, I really did enjoy it!
I did feel, though, that I might have enjoyed this more, had there not been any smexy stuff, I really do. I felt the scene before the gala dinner was kinda thrown in, like it NEEDED some smexy, but I really don’t think it did. So, clean, here, might have worked better for ME.
And of course, I wanted to hear from Finny too! Why they fell out, all those years ago was playing on my mind, and what I had was not how it went down. But I needed Finny to tell me why, not Jefferson. Finny had his heart broken when Jefferson went nuts, and I needed Finny to tell me how he dealt with it all, in much more detail than when he is talking to Jefferson. And we don’t get him, we just get Jefferson. Just me, being greedy!
A well thought out plot line, well written, and well delivered.
4 GREAT stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
April 19, 2021
4.5 stars
Special Agent Jefferson Haines’ life is completely in control. Until an investigation brings back into his life the only person able to shatter his world…
This is a very solid, well-constructed novel which mixes action, mystery and romance in a very successful way. The mystery is compelling, the pace is steady and it is very difficult to put the book down. The search for the smiley murderer keeps the reader on tenterhooks right until the very end… as well as the development of the relationship between former best friends turned enemies, Jefferson and Finny. Both main characters are interesting, but I would like to add here a third character who I really appreciated, Caroline, Jefferson’s partner. I liked her a lot, I love to see a strong and clever woman in a M/M story, as unfortunately too many times women in these books are portrayed from an entirely negative perspective. As for Jefferson and Finny, I must recognise I did not like Jefferson at the beginning, too cold and in control. But the way meeting Finny unbalances him making him slip slowly into a sort of chaos turns him into an approachable character.
In short, an intriguing story really worth your time
I received an ARC and I voluntarily leave a review.
Special Agent Jefferson Haines’ life is completely in control. Until an investigation brings back into his life the only person able to shatter his world…
This is a very solid, well-constructed novel which mixes action, mystery and romance in a very successful way. The mystery is compelling, the pace is steady and it is very difficult to put the book down. The search for the smiley murderer keeps the reader on tenterhooks right until the very end… as well as the development of the relationship between former best friends turned enemies, Jefferson and Finny. Both main characters are interesting, but I would like to add here a third character who I really appreciated, Caroline, Jefferson’s partner. I liked her a lot, I love to see a strong and clever woman in a M/M story, as unfortunately too many times women in these books are portrayed from an entirely negative perspective. As for Jefferson and Finny, I must recognise I did not like Jefferson at the beginning, too cold and in control. But the way meeting Finny unbalances him making him slip slowly into a sort of chaos turns him into an approachable character.
In short, an intriguing story really worth your time
I received an ARC and I voluntarily leave a review.
May 26, 2021
Full disclosure: I edited the first draft of this novel before Kess submitted to publishers.
This is not my normal genre, but I loved the book. There's action, romance (she's great at writing anticipation and longing), and a city I love--Boston. And unlike TV shows that are "set" in Boston but filmed elsewhere (Fringe and Handmaid's Tale show, I'm looking at you), there is clear and loving attention to detail. If you retraced Jefferson's paths through the city, they'd be just as they were described--no scenes where June is in the "Arlington" T stop on a center platform (there is no center platform at Arlington) asking which way is downtown (Arlington is in Back Bay, which is practically downtown, and also, the T uses "inbound" and "outbound" based on which direction Park is in for the Red and Green Lines, State St for Blue and Orange, Downtown Crossing for Red and Orange, and Government Center for Green and Blue, not "which way is Downtown" yes I'm still mad at this and the episode aired years ago and really don't even get me started on Fringe they filmed the Harvard scenes at Princeton and Harvard is red brick and Princeton is stone I mean c'mon).
Anyway, highly recommend and looking forward to more from Kess!
This is not my normal genre, but I loved the book. There's action, romance (she's great at writing anticipation and longing), and a city I love--Boston. And unlike TV shows that are "set" in Boston but filmed elsewhere (Fringe and Handmaid's Tale show, I'm looking at you), there is clear and loving attention to detail. If you retraced Jefferson's paths through the city, they'd be just as they were described--no scenes where June is in the "Arlington" T stop on a center platform (there is no center platform at Arlington) asking which way is downtown (Arlington is in Back Bay, which is practically downtown, and also, the T uses "inbound" and "outbound" based on which direction Park is in for the Red and Green Lines, State St for Blue and Orange, Downtown Crossing for Red and Orange, and Government Center for Green and Blue, not "which way is Downtown" yes I'm still mad at this and the episode aired years ago and really don't even get me started on Fringe they filmed the Harvard scenes at Princeton and Harvard is red brick and Princeton is stone I mean c'mon).
Anyway, highly recommend and looking forward to more from Kess!
September 3, 2021
What a great debut book! I suspected, but I didn't actually figure out the identity of the killer until Jefferson figured it out. I'll be looking for more by this author!
May 29, 2021
I liked this a lot. The writing was good, the plot was good, and the characters were well-developed.
July 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this debut novel. It was a little slow for me in the beginning, but it is more of a police procedural with an FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer, while the romance is waiting in the wings. I enjoyed the relationship between Jefferson and his FBI partner. The love interest was an interesting case of old college roommate/BFF that he had a falling out with and got blocked from all subsequent contact then came across during the course of the investigation. I would have liked to see more development in the relationship after their misunderstanding was cleared up. I was suspicious of the serial killer but unsure as to the identity so the mystery aspect worked for me too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews