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Criminal Intentions #23

Fractal Recursion

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It's first blood drawn as the white rabbit dangles the lives of innocents in the balance, forcing Malcolm to choose between his parents and a missing FBI agent. Yet Malcolm's attempts to stall for time and find a better solution open a doorway into the Golden Ratio Killer's thoughts, his secrets...and the truth of the past that made him who he is today.

With the thread of the phone call stitching past and present together, Malcolm remains dangling on the wire while Seong-Jae and Joshi race to trace the signal and track the white rabbit down before anyone has to die. But with unexpected players in the works and ongoing machinations behind the scenes...

...no matter who Malcolm chooses as the loser in this wicked game, someone will end the day with blood on their hands.

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2021

39 people are currently reading
641 people want to read

About the author

Cole McCade

63 books1,522 followers
Slender. Angry. (Part) Asian.

Yeah, that about sums me up.

Hi. I’m Cole. Xen. Whatever you want to call me; both are true, and both are lies. My pen names are multitudes, my nicknames legion. Tall, bi/queer, introverted author of a brown-ish persuasion made up of various flavors of Black, Asian, and Native American. I’m cuter than Hello Kitty, more bitter than the blackest coffee, and able to trip over cats in a single half-asleep lurch; I’m what happens when a Broody Antihero and a Manic Pixie Dream Boy fight to the death, and someone builds a person from the scraps left behind. Beardless, I look like the uke in every yaoi manga in existence; bearded or not, I sound like Barry White. About half my time is spent as a corporate writer, and the other half riding a train of WTFery that sometimes results in a finished book. Romance, erotica, sci-fi, horror, paranormal; LGBTQIA and cishet; diverse settings and diverse characters from a diverse author.

Sometimes I shout about things on the internet. Usually intersectional feminism and marginalized voices, and whomever’s punching down in those directions today. Sometimes human sociology, the psychology of sex and gender, and my own gender non-conforming arse (he/him, by the way). Sometimes I get really mad at Stephen Hawking and nerd out all over the place about hairy black holes, and believe it or not, that’s not a terrible pun or even worse innuendo.

That’s it. I’m a huge dork. My humor’s so dry it could empty oceans. I’m a native Southerner from the New Orleans area with zero Southern accent; I’m a mess of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual influences; I have two cats. I wake up at daft hours of the morning to go running. I crochet terrible, lumpy things that never really turn into anything. I’m older than you think I look. I’m much more shy than my fury makes me sound (signifying gods only know what, but probably nothing). Recently I decided, at 36, that I needed to restart my life and move cross-country, so I tossed 75% of my possessions in the trash and randomly trucked it to Seattle. I’m in love with books and music and technology, and they war with each other for dominance and sometimes come together in a beautiful confluence. Most of the physical books I own are strange, obscure, out of print, overseas imports, or any combination of the four. Most of the physical books I used to own were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, and have been replaced with the infinite library on my Nook. My wallet has a dangerous attraction to anything with pages; it flirts and teases and gives its all, until there’s nothing left but emptiness and ruin.

There will always be things you don’t know, and I won’t tell.

But ask me late at night over live music in a seedy bar, and you might just get an honest answer.

...or you can poke me via:

* Email: blackmagic@blackmagicblues.com
* Twitter: @thisblackmagic
* Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/xen.cole
* Website & Blog: http://www.blackmagicblues.com
* Tumblr: http://thisblackmagic.tumblr.com/

And there's my Xen Sanders SFF / Horror profile:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
Profile Image for Llakshmi.
676 reviews532 followers
July 23, 2021
4.5✨

THEY’RE BAAAAACKKKKKKK. OH MY GOD. I’ve been waiting for season 3 to come out this entire year and I literally shrieked when I started reading this book.

I’m sure my rating does not surprise anyone out there, I’ve never given anything in this series less than 4 stars and I’m hoping this season will be no different.

Cole Mccades writing just sings to me. It’s literally beautiful and lyrical.

“teasing teeth, tandem thrust of tongue and hips until it became a rhythm, a flow, steady and endless and pulling him into its hypnotic sway until he could not help but move with Malcolm, move for Malcolm when the power of Malcolm’s kiss seemed to demand Seong-Jae’s every response to each deep plunge, to each caress of callused fingertips against the lines of his chest, the rises of his aching, painfully sensitive nipples.”

“throwing his head back, practically inviting the rough claim of teeth in his throat, baring himself to the wild animal Malcolm could be and letting his voice rise high as those hard, wondrous crescents of pain sank in over his pulse. “

“Malcolm unzipped his jeans—every tooth on the zipper popping apart with a grating noise that made Seong-Jae’s heart jolt with anticipation as denim parted in an alluring V.”


The sex in this really did it for me. I love seeing a rough and almost animalistic side of Malcom.

And I also love how some things never change. That the author kept some of the quirks of season 1. Like Seong-jae’s sulking and his views on George’s diner.

“I am not pretending just to save face, I am calculating just how many of these my body can tolerate before I suffer a coronary,”

“You just don’t want anyone else to have my attention. You’re like a cat. Shove me away all the time, but the second I pay attention to someone else, you’ll claw them to death to get me back.”

“I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human,” he said, then offered, “She is…very small?”


At this point it’s not even a review, it’s just me fangirling about this book and just giving you guys a reason to PLEASE read this series.

And the baby aspect? Perfectly worked. I think it’s funny because this is probably the first time I’ve ever seen a genuine and honest reaction of a person who realized they’re gonna become a father. All the alpha males that I’ve read about goes from “I cant do this rn. I need time. How did this happen?” To “ I’ll do everything I can. We’re gonna make this work. I’ll protect everyone” in like 2 chapters. I just don’t get how.

Here we see Malcom slowly (because slow is all Cole Mccade could do) come to terms with his situation. He breaks down, especially with his own pasts and triggers with babies. And we see such a beautiful moment between the MC’s

“Malcolm. My love. Sometimes the worst possible thing that can happen, happens because that is simply the way circumstances played out. And it hurts so deeply that we want someone to blame for it, so that we have someone to lash out at—but when there is no one to blame, we turn that blame on ourselves, along with all of that anger, that pain, that desire to punish something. That is what you are doing. Turning that blame on yourself in your grief, punishing yourself when there is no one else available, telling yourself you killed your daughter through your absence”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rosabel.
723 reviews259 followers
July 16, 2021
Oh baby jesus what a ride. I'm still trying to calm all the emotions that came out of me while reading this, my favorite character is Malcolm, I have been vocal about it, so when he's so lost and confused I don't know what to do with myself. 🤧🤧😰

I'll just go with some of my thoughts because I can't deal with something else right now.

"He couldn’t stop the sobs"

I still can't deal with this breakdown. It still makes me wanna cry. 🤧🤧

"And then Seong-Jae was there".

Yes he was! Stupid wolf!! I don't understand how you thought he wouldn't!! Idiot!!! *gives him kisses anyways*

"The others just looked uncomfortable and sullen, including the three women on her team, who had all positioned themselves strategically close to each other while subtly leaning away from the men sprawled out in their chairs with their knees wide enough to take up as much space as possible".

I should be a lesbian, why aren't I? Man are assholes!

"bruja-cursed"

That shit is serious dude, SERIOUS!!!

"I can’t…if y-you…if you hate me now, I—”

God this broke me, no Mal no! Don't be sorry Jesus! *grabs a bottle of whiskey*

"Could he be with a man changing and growing into someone different under the pressures of being a single father?"

This is one of the reasons I love Malcolm, he wouldn't have asked himself that, he wouldn't have needed to. But I understand how Seong Jae's mind works and I understand he had to ask and I love him for his answer. Still, Mal is my honey pie sugar plum! 😍😍

"I killed her,”

God no you didn't, no you didn't, NO YOU DIDN'T!! 😭😭😭🤧😭😭😭

"And Seong-Jae’s eyes stung, until he blinked them rapidly to clear them".

... Seong Jae doesn't cry. He doesn't!!! *sobs like crazy*

"the same thing I felt when I stopped seeing you as an annoying new burden and started seeing you,” Malcolm whispered. “That…if I gave it enough time, if I let myself feel it…this could be love.”

See? Malcolm brakes me and puts me back together. I love this man ugh!!! 🤧🤧

"The alternative was leaving Malcolm".

Who in the fuck would leave that man? He is so, so, so. HIS LOVE HAS NO CONDITIONS, HE'S JUST THEREEEE!!!

"ADELAIDE BLACKTHOR and Cara"

Yehii my gurls are back! With Gage and the awkward flirting *felt totally seen by it btw*

"Swabbie’s"

I missed this place so much and George!! Even with all the shit going on it's good to be home! ❤💛💙💜

"And to the man I want to marry".

I don't know if they will marry because I feel that Seong Jae has no thoughts on the subject, because to me this is it for him, he is committed till the end and a ceremony is not needed in his head for that to be true. Still, it would be nice to read about a wedding. 🤭🤭

"But he hated that that little girl’s name felt like an omen".

I hated that too, when Juliette explained the name I became instantly sad. I understand that the flower was a positive thing in a very bad environment, but still, creepy as hell.

"want to hear that story about the elevators now?” he whispered, throat scratching.

I can hear from here Elisa screaming of excitement to finally have this story. 🤣🤣🤣

"god he could have gone years without sex before his omr and yet now he felt empty all the time until Malcolm took him, filled him, took him over".

That's deep and filthy as hell. Me approves. BTW that was the best sex scene or whut!!! 😏😏

"Married couples do so frequently, once they have children. I believe they call it ‘date night.’”

See? Seong Jae already thinks they are committed 4evar. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

“Ever seen 300?” Groaning, Seong-Jae turned his face into Malcolm’s shoulder. “That film was terrible.”

It was not! There were abs for days!!! And Gerald? Fire 🔥🔥🔥

He frowned. “I cannot say, at the moment, that I have any particular defined feelings toward your potential miniature human,” he said, then offered, “She is…very small?”

I have a feeling Seong Jae is gonna be a good dad and he's gonna fall for that girl really quickly. Can't wait! 🤧🤧

"Escobar"

Pablo Escobar is that you? 🤣🤣 That's a basic name, a Latin criminal? Put him Escobar, people will know.

“Mal?” she said, and something in her voice, in the slow way she spoke, froze his chest into a lump of iron. “You sitting down right now?”

Sit your ass down baby because that little one is yours!!!!! *squeals* For any doubts this was Cole's afterwords:

"So if you want to stop reading at this point, that’s okay. I still appreciate you, but the kid’s here to stay and I don’t have any plans to change the plotline I have outlined for the season".

So yeah, that's his kid and no,

"I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE are probably judging the hell out of Juliette, or think her situation is some kind of backhanded snide".

I don't judge Juliette, there are women that don't have the instincts or the wants and that's totally fine by me. Those women should not have children and I agree. I do think that your rights stop when you are violating other people's rights and leaving that girl in an orphanage is a no no for me. I do understand that Juliette is in a really hard situation, she doesn't have a support system and she doesn't have the instinct, so leaving it with Mal is for the best. 🤷🏻‍♀️💜

I loved this episode and how Seong Jae was so open so that Mal would know without a shadow of a doubt that Yoon is there for him forever. And Mal? What can I say? I adore his ass and I hope he grows from this one.

Can't wait till July 31 *squeals*

😍❤💛💙💜

... What the fuck am I gonna read after this? Jesus. *faints*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for MarianR.
235 reviews68 followers
July 16, 2021
A minute of silence because I was not prepared for the level of LOVE and SUPPORT that was going to be between SJ and Mal. 😭❤️

Me every time Malcom cried and suffered:


Me every time it was Mal and SJ's POV:


Me reading how another ex-partner can start working with them on the case:


Malcom asking SJ about the baby and his response:
He frowned. "I cannot say, at the moment, that i have any particular defined feelings toward your potencial miniature human", he said, then offered, "She is... very small?"
🤣🤣❤️


you're the best. never change. 🥰🥰❤️

Cara calling Malcom for the results has me screaming BUT of course Cole left us waiting for the next one.
me:

Anyway, some of my favorite quotes:

"Strong arms around him, long fingers against the back of his neck, drawing him in, coaxing him down. A shoulder to take the weight of his heavy head; a shirt to soak the wash of his bitter tears. A heart beating rough and hard against his own, to remind him of the rhythm he had lost."

" Malcolm. My love." 🤩🤩🥰🥰

"When Seong-Jae had been in rehab, one of the things the counselors had taught him was to identify five things to ground him in the real world; sometimes they said to find one stimulus for each sense, sight and sound and taste and touch and scent.
And so he offered Malcolm himself to ground his old wolf: sight, as he met storm-blue eyes and never wavered, no matter the depth and rawness of the emotions Malcolm betrayed there. Sound, as he whispered Malcolm’s name. Taste and touch, in the gentle, sweet pressure of their lips; in the slightest flicker of tongue to tongue, familiar and perfect in how their lips found their fit from memory without even trying, that way they met and joined without a single hint of space between them. Scent, in how they mingled; in how their breaths flushed together and, as they pressed close, their body heat created chemistry to simmer and meld their scents together."

"Why are you so cute?”
Instant scowl, dark and ferocious and borderline murderous. Seong-Jae bared his teeth in a hiss. “Of all the four-lettered C-words in the English language, you choose the most offensive one possible.”
🤣❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nark.
705 reviews1,753 followers
July 16, 2021
i missed these guys SO much!! they can’t catch a break AT ALL though. after all the shit they’ve been through… 🤭 but they’re right back at it again.

it just hurt my heart so deeply to see malcolm in such pain and despair and thinking such things about himself. malcolm is literally the kindest, most selfless man ever and i hate seeing him dealing with this even though i know he’ll get through it all with seong-jae by his side.

malcolm and seong-jae are truly couple goals. they’ve grown so much both individually and as a couple throughout everything.

i love that they communicate so well and feel safe enough to be vulnerable with each other and share their fears and feelings and know that the other person will be there for them no matter what and support them through it all, doesn’t matter how painful, or scary the situation might be. the way they comfort each other, offer affection and understanding so freely truly warms my heart. 🥺

“it would take far more than this to shatter my faith in you and my love for you, malcolm. i do not think there is a force on this earth strong enough.” ♥️

so glad season three is FINALLY starting. i am very curious to see how all of this mess that has been building up for two seasons will turn out!
Profile Image for Lisazj1.
2,072 reviews193 followers
July 19, 2021
When I was already crying less than five minutes into this book, I pretty much knew how this was going to go. And whoooo, was I right. 😭😭💔

If you've followed this series for 27 books now, you know what the single most devastating thing to happen in Mal's life was. Which he *completely unfairly* blames himself for, and has never recovered from. He just shoves it down deep and doesn't think about it, or talk about it, so that he can get on with his life. Kind of like Seong-Jae did, until Mal helped him out of his own personal darkness. Then at the end of the last book, Mal's worst pain in living form knocks on his door and devastates him all over again.

I wanted to be mad at this. I was mad. I was Seong-Jae, all cat-spitting fury and suspicion. *sigh* But that level of anger was too hard to maintain, especially with Mal's constant agony and uncertainty wearing me down. The bright spot in all this dark, as it always is for me, was how Seong-Jae was there for Malcolm, the way that they always are for each other, no matter what. The place that they are with each other now is almost unfathomable, when you look at where they started.

And my God, how Seong-Jae has grown with Mal. He was Malcolm's literal rock here, holding him up all the way. And I loved that Seong-Jae didn't just blindly state that he would be there through all of this, no matter what Mal decides in the end *though, like Seong-Jae, of course we know what Mal will do, because that heart ❤️‍🔥*. Seong-Jae actually gave that the consideration it deserved, and came to the only conclusion there really could be. And also one of my very favorite things about these guys, unquestionably unparalleled in fiction *for me* is the damn intimacy between them. Yes, there is utterly molten hot sex in their pages but it's the true and palpable intimacy that comes through so clearly that always makes me feel like I should look away. Every time I think it can't get deeper, they go to another level. *swoon* It absolutely cannot be overstated just how much I love them both.

In addition to all the chaos going on in Mal's private life, he & Seong-Jae get booted back to duty by Anjulie, to help her work on not one but TWO sticky complicated cases, one of those off the record, connected to what happened to Gabi in the last book. This a is timely and much needed distraction for our guys, but I'm genuinely nervous for this one. Because it looks like someone is trying to start up a war between the local drug operation and the cops. Cops are being murdered and the finger is being pointed in the direction of Huang's operation. But it's looking more and more like the greatest danger to Mal and Seong-Jae *and Anji* in this case are from other cops, and worse, their own department.

We get a light moment with Sten, Adelaide and Gage Lombardi *who is too cute for words* and it was so needed! *STEN FOREVER, I LOVE HER SO MUCH 😂😂😂😍* But honestly, they just give me more to worry about. I'm very much afraid that this season, everybody is going to be in danger.

I read Cole's Q&A, which as always, offers a lot of insight into what he intends or his reasons *sometimes* for doing what he does. This is one of the things that I really love about him as an author, that he takes the time to do this. But this time, I read something that made me go 😳

I have no bloody idea what's going to come next, either on the work front or the personal one. But I can pretty much bet that Mal & Seong-Jae won't be the only one needing therapy before it's over. And it will be unconditionally worth it! 🥰
Profile Image for Lau ♡.
565 reviews588 followers
June 25, 2021
“I did it for him. Because losing you would kill him.”

I’m not going to say anything -those who read know what I’m talking about-, but I wasn’t expecting that and I’m worried because I actually liked that annoying, rude character😰.

“I love you,” Seong-Jae whispered -fervent, rough silk baritone and unfurling red-petal emotion. “I love you in every moment of humanity that you possess, flawed or perfect. If you blame yourself… then let me forgive you, Malcolm.”
Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].
759 reviews1,618 followers
March 28, 2022
I want you for every flaw within you, Seong-Jae told Malcolm with his lips, with his fingers sliding over Malcolm's neck. You are beautiful for your flaws as much as for the strength in your endless heart.

I MISSED MAL AND SEONG-JAE SO MUCH!! 🥺🥺

me @ them:
description

i was originally going to wait until s3 is complete before starting this bc i didn't wanna suffer waiting between releases but after episode three's recent release and seeing it all over my feed, i decided fuck it and just catch up bc i can't resist anything Mal and Seong-Jae. 😩

what i loved about the start of this season is how we see Seong-Jae being Mal's anchor this time around. during the first two seasons (especially s2), it was the opposite and i love how you can clearly see how much these two love each other with the way they just care and... simply be there for one another. i've said it before, and i'll say it a million more times: Mal and Seong-Jae are the definition of soulmates and you can't convince me otherwise. 🥰

as for the case itself, i have to admit this is another mystery where i found myself invested in what was happening and intrigued to know who's behind all this. i swear, if .

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MAL AND SEONG-JAE .
Profile Image for Celia {Hiatus until August}.
750 reviews138 followers
April 30, 2022
description
Finally we know who the killer rabbit is!!!
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Malcolm, to save his parents has to talk to him and we get to know his childhood.
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Malcolm almost can't handle the pressure but Seong is there for him...
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I start to like Aanga more, he's being human and nice to them.
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When the day it's over and we think that this one don't end with a intense cliffhanger, Sila makes his evil appearance to Seong and now it's Aanga's life on the line...
And we still don't know how Sila and the killer rabbit are connected...
description
Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].
759 reviews1,618 followers
September 18, 2021
fav scene:

"I love you," Seong-Jae whispered—fervent, rough silk baritone and unfurling red petal emotion. "I love you in every moment of humanity that you possess, flawed or perfect. If you blame yourself...then let me forgive you, Malcolm."
Malcolm swallowed past the hard knot in his throat, struggling to breathe, clutching even tighter at Seong-Jae. "What if forgiveness isn't yours to give?"
"Then..." Seong-Jae leaned into him. Brow to brow, eye to eye. "Let me be with you while you learn to forgive yourself."
Profile Image for MarianR.
235 reviews68 followers
June 13, 2021
In this episode, the events take place in 3 hours.
When I was reading, I imagined Malcom trapped in the sand in the middle of nowhere, screaming with all his might because he couldn't breath or move, fear had him paralyzed.

We learn more about TWR like its roots, motives and early murders.
And I admire Cole, because not many can create a villain a make him credible. Make you feel a whole trail of unpleasant emotions but at the same time make you think "my god, what a good character build he has."

Cole always tells what the episodes contain at the beginning of his books, so be sure to read them before you start reading.

All the tension, the helplessness, the sadness, the fear, the horror, the shock and the anger... It was to much for Malcom and he cries, because he is only a human and he could only endure so much. But thank god Seong-Jae was there, always supporting him. ❤️❤️

"Seong-Jae kissed him with a certainty so powerful it threatened to overwhelm Malcolm when he…he…
He had never been allowed to be the weak one before. He had never had anyone outside his family say
'Here, rest, take shelter in me, and let me give you the strength of my love for you until you can once again love yourself.'"

So, I already read the next one beucase I couldn't wait for that cliffhanger, wait for the review🤣
-------------
But I'll just say this:
Me: I'm just going to finish this episode and go to sleep.
Cole with the damn ending: I don't think so, darling💅💅
Me: 🤡🤡🤡
Profile Image for Simone - on indefinite hiatus  -.
751 reviews41 followers
March 25, 2021
"... you are exhausted, and don't have the faculties to mentally or emotionally process what happened today, let alone cope with it."

Umm, I never thought I would see the day where I actually agree with Aanga Joshi...

Bottom line:

- Being in the White Rabbit's head gives me the heebee jeebees
- Chapter #3 tested my puke-level (yeah, squeamish little flower here)
- By the end of Season Two I'll need a portable defibrillator

But one thing's for sure: Mal and Seong-Jae's love is made for eternity, so... A. CERTAIN. SOMEONE. BETTER. NOT. FUCK. THAT. UP.
Profile Image for Layla .
1,468 reviews66 followers
December 26, 2022
Reread

“I am sorry if I am not enough, if I cannot do enough, but I am here. I will stay here for you, and for them.”

“You’re more than enough,” Malcolm whispered back, gripping Seong-Jae’s bicep hard, his voice raw with emotion. “You’re everything."

The way I love these two men 🤌🏻

..........................

Ahem....

Q: Layla, don't you have ARCs to read and review?
A: Yeah... and?

Q: Well, shouldn't you prioritise those before finishing this one?
A: No

Q: But....
A: I SAID NO! KEEP YOU OPINIONS TO YOURSELF.

Q: OKAAAAYYY. Well how was it?
A: *gushes* OMG SO GOOD!

Q: Not a surprise. You do STAN Mal and SJ.
A: I do! Because they deserve my heart!

Q: Aha...
A: Oh shut it.

Q: What was special about this book?
A: This book spans 3 hours. Mal and TGRK are on the phone negotiating the safety of his parents. Mal is on the verge of a breakdown and who better than SJ to be his rock, the one who leans on and takes power from. I mean, this quote...

"I love you," Seong-Jae whispered—fervent, rough silk baritone and unfurling red petal emotion. "I love you in every moment of humanity that you possess, flawed or perfect. If you blame yourself...then let me forgive you, Malcolm."
Malcolm swallowed past the hard knot in his throat, struggling to breathe, clutching even tighter at Seong-Jae. "What if forgiveness isn't yours to give?"
"Then..." Seong-Jae leaned into him. Brow to brow, eye to eye. "Let me be with you while you learn to forgive yourself."

DEAD!!!! SJ is just SO MUCH. I LOVE HIM. NEED I SAY MORE?

Q: No...
A: Also that ending... Cole you absolute BASTARD.
Also Anga you ridiculous lovable asshole. I love you.

Q: okaaaayyyy....you're scaring me.
A: YOU SHOULD BE SCARED.

As always..
I Stan Mal and SJ.
Profile Image for Elisa Glendenning (on hiatus).
537 reviews46 followers
March 25, 2021
4.5 Stars ⭐️

Another engaging episode with fascinating insight into our serial killer’s formative years. I know TGRK is evil but I can’t help feel a small measure of sympathy for him, for what might have been, if he’d had a better start in life.

Even though I was relieved how this dilemma was resolved, I can’t believe it ended with another cliffy! 😲 I guess that’s to be expected with the season coming to an end. Am a little gutted though. I can’t wait to see a certain someone get his comeuppance 😡

PS.
TW: Fellow Frog lovers beware 🐸😉
Profile Image for oshiiy.
405 reviews56 followers
July 16, 2021
4.2 stars ⭐️ WELCOME BACK, BABIES!! I've missed you so fucking much. Mal and Seong-Jae kick things off with two cases. We were a bit skeptical about the things which left off in the last season. But I think we cannot only dwell on the surprise baby scenario when there are a few problems that fell onto their laps are already haunting Malcolm and Seong-Jae.

Malcolm was an utter mess after hearing what the mistake he had done in the past. The baby, Chrisanthe. He was so scared to even admit to himself that the baby was real, On top of everything he worried about Seon-Jae and their relationship. But Seong-Jae, on the other hand, didn't want to leave Malcolm alone. He wanted to be there for Malcolm as Malcolm did for Seong-Jae when he was fighting against Sila. Together Malcolm and Seong-Jae stepped into every difficulty and started to fight against them.


“he held Malcolm so very close, in which he never stopped stroking his hair, never stopped pressing his lips to Malcolm’s crown again and again, giving Malcolm contact where Seong-Jae did not have the capacity for speech"


"… Malcolm. My love. Sometimes the worst possible thing that can happen, happens because that is simply the way circumstances played out.


I loved how Seon-Jae was there to hold Malcolm as tight as possible he could like he never wanted to let go Malcolm in the first place.


“Just remember,” Seong-Jae said, and lifted their clasped hands to press his lips to Malcolm’s knuckles. “When you feel trapped… I am here to pull you out.”


“I want you for every flaw within you, Seong-Jae told Malcolm with his lips, with his fingers sliding over Malcolm’s neck. You are beautiful for your flaws as much as for the strength in your endless heart.”


Yet the episode ended with several cliffhangers. We don't know if the baby belongs to Malcolm or not? and then there is Malcolm’s former partner, Reinhardt. The murderer of Blake and the case of Daniella Vasquez are still in the dark.

I love Seong-Jae and Malcolm so much. Hold on, tight babies! You are doing so well! My heart aches when I remember that I have to wait for a full month to read the second episode. It even hurts when I came to know that this season is going to be the last season of CI Cole writes, and there is no more Malcolm and Seong-Jae 😭😭😭😭
Profile Image for ~✿ Tala✿~ .
164 reviews43 followers
July 20, 2021
❤❤❤❤❤ What a return ❤❤❤❤❤

As usual, Malcolm and Seong-Jae were beyond precious. Malcolm really struggled this book, his trauma that he has tried to bury for two seasons is finally hitting him and there's no running away from it this time. It was so sad to see him at war with himself over whether he wants a positive or negative test result. I can't imagine how scary it must feel to have that hope once again only to be afraid that it will be ripped away from you for a second time. Cole did a magnificent job captivating Malcolm's pain and Seong-Jae's worry.

The corruption at the BPD was revolting to read, it made me so mad. I really hope that when justice is served against Matheson, that all the dirty cops on his payroll get what's coming for them too (I'm looking at you Danford 😡).


I'm so excited to see how this season turns out! The wait between finishing season 2 and this book being released was TORTURE. I don't know how I'm going to survive the constant wait for each book.. * Me not-so-patiently waiting for book 2🙇🏻‍♀️*
Profile Image for oshiiy.
405 reviews56 followers
June 13, 2021
4 stars ⭐️ Wow! I don't think my heart could take it anymore! The ending!!! It was crazyyyyy. OMFG! The cliffhanger!! I'm glad I was able to read the whole series without waiting for a next episode. If not, How could I wait another month or two for the next episode when there is a fucking cliffhanger at the end of every episode?! The closer we get to the end, the closer we are stressed over the series.

The book mostly revolved around the childhood of the white rabbit. He was a damaged child. But it wasn't an excuse to do any fatal thing to victims. The violence he did behind his rabbit mask was disgusting and horrible. It made me sick, and It was very unfortunate that I had to read such awful things about a person who happened to be a nightmare of some innocent individuals.

Malcolm was the strongest person in their relationship. But after spending torturous three hours of Malcolm's life talking to that white rabbit, who threatened to kill Malcolm’s parents, Malcolm was too vulnerable to endure all of them on his own. Finally, poor Malcolm burst into TEARS! My heart ached for him. There was ONLY one person who could hold him no matter what emotional state Malcolm was in, and that person was his Seong-Jae. But Seong-Jae always felt a bit self-conscious comforting Malcolm. Because he always thought he wasn't strong enough to be an anchor for a strong person like Malcolm. Yet he was there to soothe Malcolm, and he was the only one Malcolm needed at that moment. I loved how Seong-Jae gripped every pain Malcolm was suffering and stood as his shining armor.


“I love you,” Seong-Jae whispered—fervent, rough silk baritone, and unfurling red-petal emotion. “I love you in every moment of humanity that you possess, flawed or perfect. If you blame yourself…then let me forgive you, Malcolm.”


Coleeeee, DO NOT make anyone die. Because I hate when the attention of Seong-Jae veers around anyone instead of Malcolm. (I know I'm selfish) *sigh*

On to the next book!
Profile Image for Elisa Glendenning (on hiatus).
537 reviews46 followers
July 19, 2021
Worth the Wait

An amazing intro. It’s only been a few weeks, but I’ve missed the boys so much. I just love how Cole has set the wheels in motion for what promises to be an epic season!
Profile Image for Rina Pride.
362 reviews105 followers
June 30, 2025
Nesse livro conhecemos mais sobre o passado do serial killer mais bizarro que passou por criminal intentions. Que passado tenebroso, com 4 anos já tinha feito aquela barbaridade com os pais, claro que cresceria um monstro psicotico capaz das piores atrocidades que já vemos ele fazer nessa segunda temporada. Mais um livro nota 5 de Criminal Intentions, senti toda tensão pela vida dos pais do nosso querido Mal, quando Seong-Jae e Mal pegarem esse desgraçado será muito prazeroso e quero que Silas morra logo 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Profile Image for Nark.
705 reviews1,753 followers
June 26, 2021
the cliffhangers just don’t let up, do they..?

that was pretty damn intense, i felt SO bad for poor malcolm throughout the episode, i can’t even put into words. even though i KNEW that everything will turn out fine (well, relatively fine lmao) it still hurt to see him suffer and have to make choices like that.

seong-jae was there to be his rock throughout the whole thing though. i love how they comfort each other, that scene on the roof made me almost tear up i swear🥺

“i love you,” seong-jae whispered - fervent, rough silk baritone and unfurling red-petal emotion. “i love you in every moment of humanity that you possess, flawed or perfect. if you blame yourself… then let me forgive you, malcolm.” my heart went *BOOM*

and just as everything calms down… the fucking bastard sila ruins the day once again. the AUDACITY… remember when i wanted to know where nico was?? yeah that was a mistake. a huge one LMAO 💀

i have conflicting emotions towards joshi, but… please… no..? 🥺
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,658 reviews92 followers
March 30, 2021
Poor Malcolm.
He’s certainly been put through the wringer in this episode, to put it mildly.
This episode takes place over three hours. But it’s super intense, and I found myself spellbound, unable to put it down until I was finished.

And boy, doesn’t Seong-Jae shine!
The way he supports Malcolm throughout shows is swoon-worthy. And that kiss. Isn’t there a saying “A kiss says more than 1000 words”? 😉

Finding out more about TGRK was more than chilling and horrifying. I have to admit that Cole McCade does extremely well in showing that there is a human under a twisted mind like his. It’s rather odd to feel even the faintest pangs of sympathy for a man who is so evil and has done such terrifying things.

Clearly, we are heading for the big finale, particularly considering how this episode ends.
Yeah, you probably guessed, it’s a cliffhanger of some kind!

I have to thank Cole at this point for putting that spoiler at the beginning of the book, He does it in a way, nobody has to read it, but it meant everything for the likes of me!

On total alert and terrified about what will happen next!
Profile Image for Rosabel.
723 reviews259 followers
March 27, 2021
I'm so happy and frustrated right now, another cliffhanger and a long way to go to get to see ma boys again, this is torture!!! 😫😫

Fractal Recursion was all focused in one thing: The Rabbit and the situation with Mal's parents, it was a tense chapter with TGRK playing games and talking about his life in the process. I had issues reading his pov, he was evil from the beginning and that's not a surprise to me, but actually being in his head and seeing how he got to be who he is was interesting and creepy as hell!! I swear to god it freaked me out!!!

From his history I can conclude that... It's a chance of 50/50 that he would have been good if his parents had been good to him, because even though his parents were shit he was already like that, he was born that way. Also, I think the King of Hearts could be the guy who taught him how to make puppets, what makes me doubt it is that they were together for a short while, the Queen I have no idea but it must be someone who helped create the monster without knowing. I do think that South Dakota is the next step.

And that leaves me to Aanga's situation, do I like him better because he sacrificed himself? Nope! He won't die, or at least I think Cole won't kill him, and I'm sure he's gonna come back to be a backstabbing bitch, so I don't like him no matter what. I don't want him to die either, I just want him to move on from this story so I don't have to read his bitching, that's all. 😁😁😁

Last but not least, Sila. I didn't like the fact that he was quiet and here we have the consequences, he wanted to kill Mal and I don't think it's because of the Rabbit with his "one must die so the other can live" bullshit, I think the killer said that because of Silas instead. What was interesting to me about that relationship is that in truth Aleksander doesn't like Silas, he can't like anyone, he just endured him because he wanted to create him as he does with his puppets, so why he acts on the other's command it's what I want to know next. And that story about him "almost losing everything" because of all the sacrifices he did for Silas, that story it's incomplete, I want more info!

I hate Silas and I hope with all my heart that he will never get what he wants and also I want him to be destroyed in a way only a person like him can be. What I do love is Malcolm and Seong Jae, I think if they weren't so human and lovely with each other this story would be so much harder to process, but we go through the feelings with them and they are good people so it makes the punch easier to take.

I do have one issue that had been nagging at me since the beginning of this series and now I know why. Cole's writing is FANTASTIC without a doubt and I noticed he repeats words when he wants to make the reader feel what the character is feeling, I didn't have a problem with that until he started to use it to describe stuff like: "and again about those knitting needles, clicking and titching and tacking and clacking and clinking and stabbing and stabbing and stabbing and stabbing AND STABBING until they were red and no longer dull and matte".........

So yeah, that makes me weirded out because he uses it for the good guys and the bad guys and the contradictions give me whiplash. Anyways this is too long for such a short chapter so I'll stop here. Hope the next one comes soon. 😫❤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,658 reviews92 followers
July 25, 2021
Oh Malcolm!
You really know how to tear my heart out!


I’d love to hug the man to bits just now. That is, if I could reach anything to hug, as I’m minute and Malcolm is a giant ... Thank God, he’s got Seong-Jae to do that for me in the swoon-worthiest manner.

And Malcolm needs a lot of holding in this episode. No wonder. His world has turned upside down, and not in the way we might have expected before the cliffhanger at the end of season 2.

The thing that’s hurt him most in his life, something he’s never really fully dealt with, has come back from the past to hit him full force. Out of the blue! And in the most mind-blowing way.

Full of self-doubt and self-criticism, he’s totally thrown off his epic equilibrium. And I wanted to hug him so hard … guess we covered that already … because we all KNOW Malcolm is simple the best man. Kind, caring, loving, responsible, … and the list goes on.

And Seong-Jae who doubted himself and his love for his omr (I still quietly purr, each time that term is used!) for so long, who needed time to sort himself and his issues, is a rock of strength. And I adored it. It is truly awesome to see how far Seong-Jae has come and how he supports his man all the way, how deeply he feels, even if he has very reasonable concerns about the ‘issue’.

Which is not an issue at all, but a tiny little person. Saying no more, but the blurb does ‘give away’ that little secret.

Of course, Cole McCade is letting us simmer to find out what is the truth behind this latest development in Malcolm’s life, but I have a funny feeling we all know the answer. And I simply can’t imagine it. But then again, I can. Sorry if this makes no sense, just wow, at the thought of all the implications!

What will it mean for Mal and Seeing-Jae as a couple? How will it effect their personal and professional life?
Mostly, the first thought that hit me was: if this is all true, it means there is one perfect way to hurt Malcolm. And that his adversaries might just use this to get some advantage.

Because it is clear from the cases our guys are working (things reaching way back to season 1) that the shit is going to hit the fan BIG time. And that nobody might be spared.

Fabulous start to this season.
Profile Image for Bev .
2,203 reviews480 followers
July 28, 2021
Even with that damn ending this episode was everything I had hoped for and then some! To think I really didn't like Seong-Jae in the early episodes of season 1 and now? Now I absolutely adore him. The way he has grown and blossomed into the perfect person for Mal is just phenomenal. The love and support he's showing and giving to Mal is just swoonworthy.

And now I'm all caught up my only gripe is I have to wait to for the next episode.
Profile Image for julia✨.
1,155 reviews145 followers
June 6, 2022
ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ.➄ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ


it would take far more than this to shatter my faith in you and my love for you, malcolm. i do not think there is a force on this earth strong enough.


i- *fan-girl screams* 🥹



the final season has come …
there will be many hardships.
𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚜
tribulations.
but through it all …
our boys will stand together.
nothing …
and i mean nothing …
will tear them apart


i am sorta ..
kinda ...
not really
ready for what's to come ♥



description


tl;dr:
i love malcolm.
i love seong-jae.
they are perfect.

my main reason for giving gently come knocking three (and some extra) stars is …
well …
burnout.
i binge read season two and i really should have taken a break.

that said ...
i am very excited to see how this season will turn out.
i have some theories so we'll see if i'm right.

also …
let us all collectively give my guy malcolm a hug.
my boy deserves it.


❝this is why you’re the smart one.❞
❝and yet i defer to you so often. seniority before intelligence, i suppose.❞
❝…you really are the worst asshole, and i love you for it.❞ malcolm unlocked the doors.



[[ ᴄʀɪᴍɪɴᴀʟ ɪɴᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴꜱ: ꜱɪɪɪ ]]
.
.
.
ɢᴇɴᴛʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴋɴᴏᴄᴋɪɴɢ ~ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ.➄
ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴏ ᴡᴇ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴅᴀʀᴋʟʏ ~ ᴄᴜʀʀᴇɴᴛʟʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ
ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ʟɪᴏɴ ~ ᴛʙʀ
Profile Image for patrícia.
662 reviews85 followers
January 25, 2025
Endless stars for Malcom Khalaji and Seong-Jae Yoon 🖤

Perfectly imperfect! I wish I had words like Cole to describe how much I love them, this series, these feelings I get. Damn I’m really speechless….

Malcolm’s slow, pleasured sigh lingered, sensuous, his eyes lidding. “Nnh…just like that. When my cock is inside you, I feel you everywhere. This pleasure that takes root at the deepest core of my being, and I can’t do anything but surrender to it. And sometimes…” He shuddered, untamed strength rippling over his broad, hard-hewn frame, drawing tanned skin tight over thickly built muscle. “Sometimes, I want to stay there. Just like this. Locked inside you.” He bent over Seong-Jae, then, nudging his hand aside to brush lips to lips, a shock-fire tease as he whispered against Seong-Jae’s mouth. “The intimacy’s so much I can’t stand it…but I don’t want to stop.”
Profile Image for Gerbera_Reads.
1,651 reviews153 followers
March 27, 2021
The closer we get to the end, the more we know and the more intense the story becomes. This book continues from the moment the last ended. And, OMG, I didn't expect this. Now we know... I mean, KNOW, know how it all started. The author creates such a vivid sequence of events that shaped one person capable of incredible vile deeds that affect lives of so many till this day.

Mal and Seong-Jae are severely tested both by the killer and within themselves. Can they be the strong one when the one they love falters? It's both scary and innermost question both men have to answer under the pressure of a person who toys with them. Again we see the deep connection Mal and Seong-Jae have and that nothing and nobody will ever break it apart. It seems that men can go even beyond breaking point for those they love.

That ending though...darn it. I need the next book ASAP to see who is left standing in the wake of the most horrible long term manipulative game I have ever read about. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Bev .
2,203 reviews480 followers
July 25, 2021
When I saw this episode was based around a phone call between our Mal and that freaking nut job and all in three hours, I was not too keen to start it. How wrong was I!! I floved it, absolutely stellar writing by this author
Profile Image for Nelly S..
662 reviews166 followers
September 12, 2023
”He had been sleeping, and now he was awake. Alive.
And the first thing he understood in life, the first truth of the world he ever knew…
Was that sometimes?
For one person to live…
Another had to die.”


What a brilliant psychological profile of a serial killer. I’m in awe at how Cole McCade can draw such a vivid portrait of a twisted mind. Malcolm and Seong-Jae finally confirm the Golden Ratio Killer’s identity after visiting his childhood home and reconstructing his past. An eerie phone confrontation with the killer sees him recounting his history in a series of flashbacks covering his childhood, world view and past kills. It’s some truly chilling stuff. However, Malcolm’s and Seong-Jae’s love and support for each other throughout these dark moments provide some much needed hope and balance.
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