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SIS Case Files #1
And Hell Itself Breathes Out
Evan Garrett is a psychic DC homicide cop, and his latest case is triggering all his instincts. When one murder becomes two, he can't help but start connecting the dots, putting cases and clues together. He's not the only one, though. John Benchley, director of Special Investigative Services, a tiny government agency attached to Homeland Security which deals with darker realities, and his team are soon on the case, and they bring Evan and his special skills on board.Both bisexual, Evan and John find they are attracted to each other, even as they work together to solve this string of murders which keeps growing in scope. Their serial killer seems to be moving toward darker and darker deeds with every murder and ritual performed. Can John and Evan find solace in each other, even as murderous men and demonic forces threaten not only their own team, but the city as well?
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2010
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 28, 2010
I liked this book and the couple ; and was really excited for the next books ; but now that I know the next books turned this awesome m/m couple to m/m/f I'm really disappointed ; it destroyed all the fun I got from reading this one ; I'm not gonna read them at all now :'(
May 1, 2017
Moler isn't the best writer in the world but she's always got the action and peril I crave. I'm worried however because the series moves on to a ménage relationship with a female and if looks like one of the MCs here has a relationship with her first while still with the other MC. I'm not good with ménage. I'm not good with females in my M/M. I'm really not good with open relationships in my romance especially. But all the above? I had a lot of trouble enjoying this book knowing what's to come. But I need it for a challenge so I'll suffer through it. So I may read the following short, but I won't be reading further in the series. It makes me sad because this is my kind of thing--detective paranormal--and I don't even get the "I love you"s in this book.
So maybe that's why I felt there wasn't any chemistry between the MCs. Or maybe it was because of the numerous and unnecessary POVs. Or perhaps it was because This really was really a thriller with the romance on the sidelines. But I've read books like that with protagonists the were hot together. At one point, one MC had and the other didn't even care. No emotion whatsoever. It didn't have to be jealousy, but I wanted something at least, like
The religion aspect was interest. It was cool that family was pagan. The author showed good knowledge and use of witchcraft/Wiccan/pagan practices. But he would never show forensic evidence to a family member like that. And then to let her take it with her to ask around?
I would have preferred this were a murder mystery thriller rather than just a thriller. I prefer not to know everything. But the police procedure was good as the MCs tried to figure out what to them was unknown.
The ending felt sudden. There wasn't any which I hated. There were lots of perilous situations and hospital scenes but I never felt that chemistry despite one MCs terror when the other was in danger. never said how he felt about nor even expressed it to himself. appeared to b e way more invested in the relationship which makes the whole ménage thing in the next book (which is started by him) doubly confusing. John was a fully fleshed out character, Evan not so much.
By the last page, there were still unanswered questions, and they never caught one of the wrongdoers. The MCs were told to back off so I'm not even sure if they caught the right bad guys the way they worded it. In the epilogue, they were on another case.
My notes on miscellaneous other things:
Overall, disappointing and I won't be continuing in the series.
2.75 stars
So maybe that's why I felt there wasn't any chemistry between the MCs. Or maybe it was because of the numerous and unnecessary POVs. Or perhaps it was because This really was really a thriller with the romance on the sidelines. But I've read books like that with protagonists the were hot together. At one point, one MC had and the other didn't even care. No emotion whatsoever. It didn't have to be jealousy, but I wanted something at least, like
The religion aspect was interest. It was cool that family was pagan. The author showed good knowledge and use of witchcraft/Wiccan/pagan practices. But he would never show forensic evidence to a family member like that. And then to let her take it with her to ask around?
I would have preferred this were a murder mystery thriller rather than just a thriller. I prefer not to know everything. But the police procedure was good as the MCs tried to figure out what to them was unknown.
The ending felt sudden. There wasn't any which I hated. There were lots of perilous situations and hospital scenes but I never felt that chemistry despite one MCs terror when the other was in danger. never said how he felt about nor even expressed it to himself. appeared to b e way more invested in the relationship which makes the whole ménage thing in the next book (which is started by him) doubly confusing. John was a fully fleshed out character, Evan not so much.
By the last page, there were still unanswered questions, and they never caught one of the wrongdoers. The MCs were told to back off so I'm not even sure if they caught the right bad guys the way they worded it. In the epilogue, they were on another case.
My notes on miscellaneous other things:
Overall, disappointing and I won't be continuing in the series.
2.75 stars
Read
November 7, 2010I’m not usually a big fan of horror/thriller stories, but And Hel itself Breathes Out won me over for having the right dose of drama mixed with a good romance and a real story beside the good sex.
Evan Garrett is an homicide detective with Washington DC police department; he is not your usually cop, and not only since he has an high rate of resolved cases; he is also a pagan, and an empath, and even if he doesn’t flaunt his Talents, he is not against the idea to use them, and above all he is open to believe in everything.
When a series of murders seem to be linked to a demoniac cult, John Benchley, the head of Special Investigative Services, enters the scene: as Evan he has some mild psychic power, nothing really big, but as for Evan, it opened his mind to possibilities.
This is basically what I liked most of this novel, the balance between real and fantasy, between possibilities and reality. It’s a horror paranormal story, but, if you are far enough to not see all the details, it could well be another serial killer type of story. The murderers are bored and spoiled college kids with too much money on their hands and really nothing do to. The victims are mostly society wrecks, people no one will miss. This is not a big case, if not for the narrow sequence of dead bodies, and for the paranormal side that gathers the interest of the SIS.
Even the story between Evan and John is at the same time simple and intense; there are some sparks and then a deflagration and a night of passion; after that, both of them are able to bring back the relationship on track, allowing them to share “comfort” but also to work together. No drama, no sense of guilty, only a bit of uneasiness in front of their colleagues, but nothing insuperable.
There is no pushing on the drama button, not trying to highlight what is obvious: John and Evan are both bisexual, John a recent divorcee, Evan in a new relationship with a woman, but nothing really serious, nothing he will miss if it will suddenly disappear: proof is the fact that the woman enters the scene well far forward in the story to not really leave a sign. When Evan does the first move on John, it’s natural and light, even a bit a teasing of the almost aloof John; Evan has a different way to approach life, maybe since he hasn’t suffered all the losses John had.
Even if they start a relationship, mutually satisfying, not John or Evan suddenly “turn” totally gay; basically they don’t discern between men and women, they have the concept of “partner” and if they are good with a partner, doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman. As John and Evan are open minded to accept the paranormal side of their job, they are the same to accept any possibilities in their private life.
Everything was so smooth and natural, that in the end, I didn’t feel as I was reading an horror or a bisexual story or a gay romance, I was simply reading a story of two men in love with each other and fighting against something outside.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1610400747/?...
Evan Garrett is an homicide detective with Washington DC police department; he is not your usually cop, and not only since he has an high rate of resolved cases; he is also a pagan, and an empath, and even if he doesn’t flaunt his Talents, he is not against the idea to use them, and above all he is open to believe in everything.
When a series of murders seem to be linked to a demoniac cult, John Benchley, the head of Special Investigative Services, enters the scene: as Evan he has some mild psychic power, nothing really big, but as for Evan, it opened his mind to possibilities.
This is basically what I liked most of this novel, the balance between real and fantasy, between possibilities and reality. It’s a horror paranormal story, but, if you are far enough to not see all the details, it could well be another serial killer type of story. The murderers are bored and spoiled college kids with too much money on their hands and really nothing do to. The victims are mostly society wrecks, people no one will miss. This is not a big case, if not for the narrow sequence of dead bodies, and for the paranormal side that gathers the interest of the SIS.
Even the story between Evan and John is at the same time simple and intense; there are some sparks and then a deflagration and a night of passion; after that, both of them are able to bring back the relationship on track, allowing them to share “comfort” but also to work together. No drama, no sense of guilty, only a bit of uneasiness in front of their colleagues, but nothing insuperable.
There is no pushing on the drama button, not trying to highlight what is obvious: John and Evan are both bisexual, John a recent divorcee, Evan in a new relationship with a woman, but nothing really serious, nothing he will miss if it will suddenly disappear: proof is the fact that the woman enters the scene well far forward in the story to not really leave a sign. When Evan does the first move on John, it’s natural and light, even a bit a teasing of the almost aloof John; Evan has a different way to approach life, maybe since he hasn’t suffered all the losses John had.
Even if they start a relationship, mutually satisfying, not John or Evan suddenly “turn” totally gay; basically they don’t discern between men and women, they have the concept of “partner” and if they are good with a partner, doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman. As John and Evan are open minded to accept the paranormal side of their job, they are the same to accept any possibilities in their private life.
Everything was so smooth and natural, that in the end, I didn’t feel as I was reading an horror or a bisexual story or a gay romance, I was simply reading a story of two men in love with each other and fighting against something outside.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1610400747/?...
January 24, 2012
In a series of short scenes, we’re introduced to a wide range of characters – the power-hungry, greedy fraternity brothers; agents in the SIS, a special branch of the federal government that deals with the odd and the occult; detectives in the DCPD. It gradually narrows down to the primary players, Agent John Benchley and Detective Evan Garrett. When they start sharing notes, things start coming together, but bodies are still stacking up.
The problem with this novel is that it can’t decide what it wants to be, and as a result, never really succeeds at any of them. There’s the paranormal angle, with the ritualistic murders; the police procedural angle, with the careful deconstruction of the cases; the romance, with the slow, steady relationship between John and Evan. It tries, it really does, but the prose isn’t nearly sophisticated enough to pull it off. The scenes are too short and static to build any sort emotional connection, and the constant headhopping and frequent editorial errors (missing prepositions, missing articles, etc.) only added to that disconnect.
Each does have strengths, though. Careful detail is given to the procedural aspect, sometimes too much. The romance sets itself apart from the norm with the gradual build-up. It was refreshing to have two strong leads not immediately jump into bed together if it wasn’t appropriate. The bloody paranormal angle is effectively gruesome (though more sensitive readers might want to be wary). I just wish it had been put together more smoothly, with a better balance so that I could genuinely care. I’ve had better luck with other stories by this author, so I know it can work. Just not in this one.
The problem with this novel is that it can’t decide what it wants to be, and as a result, never really succeeds at any of them. There’s the paranormal angle, with the ritualistic murders; the police procedural angle, with the careful deconstruction of the cases; the romance, with the slow, steady relationship between John and Evan. It tries, it really does, but the prose isn’t nearly sophisticated enough to pull it off. The scenes are too short and static to build any sort emotional connection, and the constant headhopping and frequent editorial errors (missing prepositions, missing articles, etc.) only added to that disconnect.
Each does have strengths, though. Careful detail is given to the procedural aspect, sometimes too much. The romance sets itself apart from the norm with the gradual build-up. It was refreshing to have two strong leads not immediately jump into bed together if it wasn’t appropriate. The bloody paranormal angle is effectively gruesome (though more sensitive readers might want to be wary). I just wish it had been put together more smoothly, with a better balance so that I could genuinely care. I’ve had better luck with other stories by this author, so I know it can work. Just not in this one.
July 29, 2010
I really enjoyed this story but I REALLY hate it when an author makes me care about a character then kills them off (not one of the heroes). One other caveat, the ending is very abrupt, almost mid-scene and there are several loose ends not tied up. I am assuming this means a sequel is in the works otherwise it absolutely doesn't work for me. Had I done what I usually do and read the last few paragraphs first (yes, I know), I probably wouldn't have read this book until I had the second book in hand. That said, it was a really good mystery with strong paranormal aspects and compelling heroes.
Since writing this review I have discovered 2 related novella's:
Fortune Cookies Are Better In Bed
Chinese Fire Drill
Fortune Cookies does give a bit more closure to the relationship of the 2 heroes but doesn't tie up any of the other ends. Chinese Fire Drill seems to take place in the future and creates another gap. Both were enjoyable little scenes (10 and 15 pages respectively) but Fortune Cookies would have been better served as part of the novel.
Since writing this review I have discovered 2 related novella's:
Fortune Cookies Are Better In Bed
Chinese Fire Drill
Fortune Cookies does give a bit more closure to the relationship of the 2 heroes but doesn't tie up any of the other ends. Chinese Fire Drill seems to take place in the future and creates another gap. Both were enjoyable little scenes (10 and 15 pages respectively) but Fortune Cookies would have been better served as part of the novel.
Read
May 11, 2016I don't know if I will ever read this book again. Although book did sucked me in but the introduction of so many character in the first three chapters was just so hard to keep up. I kept getting lost. I had to stop. I'll probably read it some day.
June 6, 2010
Very entertaining read. A murder mystery with a paranormal twist. Low on smut and more on plot and character development.
May 6, 2020
In my opinion book could have what to improve, SIS team seemed quite incompetent, so many trails didnt even check or saw but didnt follow, plus ofc too little people can too little to manage; so many deaths and except one moment in the beginning no media around;
demon part was pretty weird considering it was just minutes, pretty big coincidence, and watching diner at 4 am?
What i appreciated was pagan religion, as something different then usual.
But all in all book was good reading so i will try next book
demon part was pretty weird considering it was just minutes, pretty big coincidence, and watching diner at 4 am?
What i appreciated was pagan religion, as something different then usual.
But all in all book was good reading so i will try next book
September 30, 2010
This was...odd. Can't say it otherwise. Not necessarily in a bad way odd, though.
As mysteries go, this wasn't half bad, actually. The X-files -like Special Investigation Team, where every member has got their own paranormal or special abilities, is a fascinating idea. The college boys, playing around with forces they don't understand, were actually plausible even when they summoned a demon - it's totally a thing college kids would do down to the thoughtless cruelty and the arrogant, selfish attitude with wich they decide which hooker to kill for their next offering.
The relationship between John and Evan was sweet, too, and I liked the way they weren't all over one another by chapter two but took their time to get to know each other. Well-written and plausible character development; John in particular was a difficult but very impressing person, and Evan was just lovely. Evan's pagan background was intriguing, and his sister was wonderful (as for me, she was actually the best character in the book).
But there were issues, too. First and foremost the lengths and broadths every step in the investigation was described in excruciating detail. Yes, investigations are mostly foot-and paperwork, but I needn't read about it for pages and pages. And then there was a completly convenient yet unsatisfying solution to the demon problem. At first, why does it escape its conjurers? This is elusive. And then how do they send it back to hell so easily if it's so high and mighty? It felt like the author had fun creating the demon, but once it was there, the author had no clue what to do with it for it disappeared into thin air never to be seen again. The entire thing felt like the author wanted too much at once. A mystery and a m/m romance (while I'm not that sure this qualifies even as a "romance" or was intended as one in the first place*) and witches and demons and a thriller? Too much.
So,a pretty good mystery with some nice supernatural elements and some good ideas.
*romance or not: I recommend the discussion on reviewsbyjessewave.com. While this is definitely m/m, and there are deep feelings and some good sex scenes, too, the HFN ending feels forced and tacked on. The epilogue could have remained unwritten, would have done the book a lot of good.
As mysteries go, this wasn't half bad, actually. The X-files -like Special Investigation Team, where every member has got their own paranormal or special abilities, is a fascinating idea. The college boys, playing around with forces they don't understand, were actually plausible even when they summoned a demon - it's totally a thing college kids would do down to the thoughtless cruelty and the arrogant, selfish attitude with wich they decide which hooker to kill for their next offering.
The relationship between John and Evan was sweet, too, and I liked the way they weren't all over one another by chapter two but took their time to get to know each other. Well-written and plausible character development; John in particular was a difficult but very impressing person, and Evan was just lovely. Evan's pagan background was intriguing, and his sister was wonderful (as for me, she was actually the best character in the book).
But there were issues, too. First and foremost the lengths and broadths every step in the investigation was described in excruciating detail. Yes, investigations are mostly foot-and paperwork, but I needn't read about it for pages and pages. And then there was a completly convenient yet unsatisfying solution to the demon problem. At first, why does it escape its conjurers? This is elusive. And then how do they send it back to hell so easily if it's so high and mighty? It felt like the author had fun creating the demon, but once it was there, the author had no clue what to do with it for it disappeared into thin air never to be seen again. The entire thing felt like the author wanted too much at once. A mystery and a m/m romance (while I'm not that sure this qualifies even as a "romance" or was intended as one in the first place*) and witches and demons and a thriller? Too much.
So,a pretty good mystery with some nice supernatural elements and some good ideas.
*romance or not: I recommend the discussion on reviewsbyjessewave.com. While this is definitely m/m, and there are deep feelings and some good sex scenes, too, the HFN ending feels forced and tacked on. The epilogue could have remained unwritten, would have done the book a lot of good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2011
3.5 Stars
DC cop Evan starts investigating a couple of murders. Before long a mysterious federal agency called the SIS intervene but John, the head asks for Evan's help. Seems the SIS deals with rather otherworldly things and there is though that a series of murders may be related to something occult. There is also an awareness of paranormal abilities as Evan is empathic, John, has some psi abilities. The majority of the book is the guys trying to figure out what's going on with the murders, good old detective work although with a slightly paranormal twist where John and Evan can sometimes feel the evil. You know who the bad guys are, that's very much a part of the story so it's not a mystery, the mystery is how they will catch them. Both men are also bi and eventually get together. After reading all the sweetness that are Christmas stories I felt the need for some blood and guts (and you get that here, literally). I enjoyed the way they chased the criminals and you see how they put it all together. I would like to say I'd love to read more about them as they really only start out as a couple near the end and I know there is a sequel, however much to my dismay it brings in a third, a woman. *gasp* So unfortunately I won't be reading it but I did enjoy the two characters and in general I enjoy this author's writing style. So, sadly that's the end of the series for me, but it was a nice dramatic change from holiday sweets. :-)
DC cop Evan starts investigating a couple of murders. Before long a mysterious federal agency called the SIS intervene but John, the head asks for Evan's help. Seems the SIS deals with rather otherworldly things and there is though that a series of murders may be related to something occult. There is also an awareness of paranormal abilities as Evan is empathic, John, has some psi abilities. The majority of the book is the guys trying to figure out what's going on with the murders, good old detective work although with a slightly paranormal twist where John and Evan can sometimes feel the evil. You know who the bad guys are, that's very much a part of the story so it's not a mystery, the mystery is how they will catch them. Both men are also bi and eventually get together. After reading all the sweetness that are Christmas stories I felt the need for some blood and guts (and you get that here, literally). I enjoyed the way they chased the criminals and you see how they put it all together. I would like to say I'd love to read more about them as they really only start out as a couple near the end and I know there is a sequel, however much to my dismay it brings in a third, a woman. *gasp* So unfortunately I won't be reading it but I did enjoy the two characters and in general I enjoy this author's writing style. So, sadly that's the end of the series for me, but it was a nice dramatic change from holiday sweets. :-)
October 20, 2010
All in all, I rather liked it. I'm not sure whether I give it 3.5 or 4 stars, so I'll call it 4. The story was fairly compelling. Though it head-hopped quite a lot, it was at least easy to figure out to whom it hopped and when.
I think I heard something about a sequel coming out for this, and I will likely pick it up at some point though probably not immediately. It didn't quite suck me enough into it.
I think I heard something about a sequel coming out for this, and I will likely pick it up at some point though probably not immediately. It didn't quite suck me enough into it.
February 4, 2012
A book with likeable characters. I would have liked more information about the group's psi abilities perhaps. The romantic aspects between John and Evan were realistically depicted, which I liked very much. The book fell apart for me near the end because there is no real resolution. And then it's over. Huh? Did I miss something?
July 5, 2015
Really good story, well plotted, interesting and believable characters, and just enough sexuality to be spicy, but yet doesn't overwhelm the story. Just finished it and am about to start the next book in the series. I tend to like gritty stories and avoid the purple prose stuff. This one, in no way or form, can be described as sentimental.
December 15, 2010
Вполне прилично написанный детективчик/криминальная драма в антураже городской фентези. Любовная линия как бы между делом, но тоже очень и очень достойно. Интересно, одной ли мне кажется, книга навеяна "Торчвудом"?
November 5, 2011
This was amazingly written. Everything from the emotions that were all over the place to the suspense to the perpetrators--wonderful.
June 19, 2011
One of the best books I have ever read! Everything is in that book! I would recommend that book to anyone! The next book is off the charts!
September 29, 2011
It didn't end. It just stopped.
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