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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm doing the review after my first reread, only a few months after reading the first season. I want to give it 5 stars, but I know how much better it gets, so I'll stick with 4 stars for now. Because of that and because of the fact that I could sometimes hit both Malcolm and Seong-Jae over the head (but mostly Malcolm for now).
This has such a good mix of mystery/suspense and the personal side of the characters and their struggle. I get absolutely invested in characters like that in this kind of books, so it was no surprise that I was hooked on these two from the start. Despite their past and their problem at communicating and trusting each other for a while, they are just amazing together. It's a joy to see them open up to each other throughout this season and knowing what's coming on this reread, just makes it even better (less stress 😅).
This series also has really well developed side characters and despite their issues and the fact that they don't always make it easy for our two MC, you can't help but root for them too. The final scene of Malcolm and Seong-Jae in this episode is one of my favourites in the entire season and I loved rereading it!
This has such a good mix of mystery/suspense and the personal side of the characters and their struggle. I get absolutely invested in characters like that in this kind of books, so it was no surprise that I was hooked on these two from the start. Despite their past and their problem at communicating and trusting each other for a while, they are just amazing together. It's a joy to see them open up to each other throughout this season and knowing what's coming on this reread, just makes it even better (less stress 😅).
This series also has really well developed side characters and despite their issues and the fact that they don't always make it easy for our two MC, you can't help but root for them too. The final scene of Malcolm and Seong-Jae in this episode is one of my favourites in the entire season and I loved rereading it!
3.5 rounded up because SJ and Malcolm are growing on me!
Audio: 3.75/5 - wish this was a dual narration with Curt Bonnem as SJ.
Story: 3/5
Characters & writing: 4.5/5
The only reason I rated this low because the case wasn't interesting to me at all. Would you believe me if I said I knew it was Max Wellington the moment he made an appearance? So just for that predictability.
Other than that, I'm loving this! Seong-jae and Malcolm's budding attraction and those touches, glances, little teasing and their re-enactment of the possible crime scene that I'm starting to believe is some kind of twisted foreplay but hey, no complains!
I usually do not like MCs getting sexually involved with other characters other than each other, but somehow I didn't mind it here. Although I would've liked the scene with Malcolm & the Pianist to be a lot less intimate 'cause the writer made me think 'they have chemistry' and I didn't want to think that lol, It makes sense to me and seems to add to something (or at least I hope). Malcolm has a pattern and that involves hooking up. Someone (eyeing the nameless man who gives me anxiety)'s noticed this pattern and maybe...?? This could all very well be my wishful thinking or unwarranted suspicion I've build over years watching too many crime shows OR.....!!
Favourite moment(s) so far:
The phone call! The intimacy! (giggles) & SJ mentioning visiting Swabbie's every time he feels Malcolm might be tensed even though he only finds the place mildly acceptable is so cute!
Most stressful moment:
The nameless man is back and I've been getting bad feelings from him since the very first page. He's bad news isn't he?
Also, Sade???? I smell something bad's gonna happen to them (fingers crossed). That was very ominous!
The author in his Q&A did mention the story having an overarching storyline along with episodic stories, which makes me curious about just how much connected all of this might be. SJ being watching or is he? Nameless guy having motive for targeting Malcolm but what? Sade disappearing every now and then? Malcolm and SJ's past?
Too many questions I have yet to find the answers of so moving onto #3!
Audio: 3.75/5 - wish this was a dual narration with Curt Bonnem as SJ.
Story: 3/5
Characters & writing: 4.5/5
The only reason I rated this low because the case wasn't interesting to me at all. Would you believe me if I said I knew it was Max Wellington the moment he made an appearance? So just for that predictability.
Other than that, I'm loving this! Seong-jae and Malcolm's budding attraction and those touches, glances, little teasing and their re-enactment of the possible crime scene that I'm starting to believe is some kind of twisted foreplay but hey, no complains!
I usually do not like MCs getting sexually involved with other characters other than each other, but somehow I didn't mind it here. Although I would've liked the scene with Malcolm & the Pianist to be a lot less intimate 'cause the writer made me think 'they have chemistry' and I didn't want to think that lol, It makes sense to me and seems to add to something (or at least I hope). Malcolm has a pattern and that involves hooking up. Someone (eyeing the nameless man who gives me anxiety)'s noticed this pattern and maybe...?? This could all very well be my wishful thinking or unwarranted suspicion I've build over years watching too many crime shows OR.....!!
Favourite moment(s) so far:
The phone call! The intimacy! (giggles) & SJ mentioning visiting Swabbie's every time he feels Malcolm might be tensed even though he only finds the place mildly acceptable is so cute!
Most stressful moment:
The nameless man is back and I've been getting bad feelings from him since the very first page. He's bad news isn't he?
Also, Sade???? I smell something bad's gonna happen to them (fingers crossed). That was very ominous!
The author in his Q&A did mention the story having an overarching storyline along with episodic stories, which makes me curious about just how much connected all of this might be. SJ being watching or is he? Nameless guy having motive for targeting Malcolm but what? Sade disappearing every now and then? Malcolm and SJ's past?
Too many questions I have yet to find the answers of so moving onto #3!
I really like how this followed right after the first book. Definitely lower stakes but still enjoyable to read.
I'm loving how quickly the story elements move but also how we are varying the story pace.
I'm loving how quickly the story elements move but also how we are varying the story pace.
Detectives Khalaji and Yoon are still reeling following the murder spree of The Cardigans, but a murder in a hotel room leaves them no time to pause as they navigate their new partnership and the first hints of *feelings*.
There were so many lovely moments in this instalment of Criminal Intentions. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two protagonists, as well as the drip-feed of answers to questions from the first book, even as more questions are raised. I'm so intrigued to discover what mysteries Seong-Jae is exploring under wraps. A lot of the conflict in this instalment stems from the fact that Khalaji definitely has some kind of feelings for Yoon, but can't really figure them out yet, and Yoon is sort of... even less there yet haha. Which is great. Drag it out. The slow burn works so well, especially considering only a week or so has passed over two books. The one thing pulling down my rating for this book is that I think the murderer was obvious from the beginning, so I didn't feel any tension in the crime/mystery section of the plotline. It's ok, the pre-romance and interplay between the two leads more than makes up for it.
absolutely nothing *~*researchy*~* to see here; an ongoing reading list
1. A Study in Scarlet 2.5/5
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles 5/5
3. The Adventure of the Final Problem 4/5
4. Bath Haus 4.5/5
5. The Forest of Stolen Girls 4/5
6. The Red Palace 2/5
7. The Silence of Bones 1/5
8. Lay Your Sleeping Head 4/5
9. Carved in Bone 5/5
10. Lies with Man 3/5
11. Howtown 2/5
12. The Hidden Law 2/5
13. The Death of Friends 3/5
14. The Burning Plain 3.5/5
15. Rag and Bone 4/5
16. Pretty Pretty Boys 2/5
17. Three Nick Nowak Mysteries 5/5
18. Three More Nick Nowak Mysteries 3/5
19. Two Nick Nowak Novellas 4/5
20. A Time For Secrets 5/5
21. Murder Book 5/5
22. From the Ashes 4/5
23. Bloodlines 4/5
24. Lucky Days 4/5
25. Gifts Given 5/5
26. Heart's Desire 1/5
27. Broken Cord 4/5
28. The Cardigans 4/5
29. Junk Shop Blues 4/5
There were so many lovely moments in this instalment of Criminal Intentions. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two protagonists, as well as the drip-feed of answers to questions from the first book, even as more questions are raised. I'm so intrigued to discover what mysteries Seong-Jae is exploring under wraps. A lot of the conflict in this instalment stems from the fact that Khalaji definitely has some kind of feelings for Yoon, but can't really figure them out yet, and Yoon is sort of... even less there yet haha. Which is great. Drag it out. The slow burn works so well, especially considering only a week or so has passed over two books. The one thing pulling down my rating for this book is that I think the murderer was obvious from the beginning, so I didn't feel any tension in the crime/mystery section of the plotline. It's ok, the pre-romance and interplay between the two leads more than makes up for it.
absolutely nothing *~*researchy*~* to see here; an ongoing reading list
1. A Study in Scarlet 2.5/5
2. The Hound of the Baskervilles 5/5
3. The Adventure of the Final Problem 4/5
4. Bath Haus 4.5/5
5. The Forest of Stolen Girls 4/5
6. The Red Palace 2/5
7. The Silence of Bones 1/5
8. Lay Your Sleeping Head 4/5
9. Carved in Bone 5/5
10. Lies with Man 3/5
11. Howtown 2/5
12. The Hidden Law 2/5
13. The Death of Friends 3/5
14. The Burning Plain 3.5/5
15. Rag and Bone 4/5
16. Pretty Pretty Boys 2/5
17. Three Nick Nowak Mysteries 5/5
18. Three More Nick Nowak Mysteries 3/5
19. Two Nick Nowak Novellas 4/5
20. A Time For Secrets 5/5
21. Murder Book 5/5
22. From the Ashes 4/5
23. Bloodlines 4/5
24. Lucky Days 4/5
25. Gifts Given 5/5
26. Heart's Desire 1/5
27. Broken Cord 4/5
28. The Cardigans 4/5
29. Junk Shop Blues 4/5
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Time to admit my goal of writing a detailed review for each episode was just a pipe dream. Instead, I'm adding the notes I jot down quickly between episodes.
These will all have major spoilers, read at your own risk.
Criminal Intentions - 2 (196p):
Everyone's grumpy, Mal, and SJ wakes him up inside the Apt after a one-night stand. Lol.
Fun airplane scene, lots of standing-too-close moments, barbed comments are increasing, and Gabrielle is revealed to be his ex-wife.
He apologizes to Yoon, and Yoon invites him for a drink (he declines, dammit)
More slight clues: Yoon is studying the photo of a blood V outside the hotel door, and the O from campus last book.
Feels watched.
Nightmare calls Malcolm in the middle of the night.
(Malcolm saw a one-night stand - again, same Brit in the shop, it could be suspicious)
These will all have major spoilers, read at your own risk.
Criminal Intentions - 2 (196p):
Everyone's grumpy, Mal, and SJ wakes him up inside the Apt after a one-night stand. Lol.
Fun airplane scene, lots of standing-too-close moments, barbed comments are increasing, and Gabrielle is revealed to be his ex-wife.
He apologizes to Yoon, and Yoon invites him for a drink (he declines, dammit)
More slight clues: Yoon is studying the photo of a blood V outside the hotel door, and the O from campus last book.
Feels watched.
Nightmare calls Malcolm in the middle of the night.
(Malcolm saw a one-night stand - again, same Brit in the shop, it could be suspicious)
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Really liked this one! The first book was a nice little intro but especially towards the end, a lot of new stuff was introduced that really got me curious to find out more. I'm sensing it's going to be a long journey for these two, and I can't wait! I really like slow burn when it's done well and so far I've liked where this is going.
The audiobook also elevates the experience, really enjoyed Curt Bonnem's performance again. I'm always worried about explicit sex scenes when it comes to narrators I'm unfamiliar with, because some narrators do get a bit awkward and you can hear it, but that was definitely not a problem here.
The audiobook also elevates the experience, really enjoyed Curt Bonnem's performance again. I'm always worried about explicit sex scenes when it comes to narrators I'm unfamiliar with, because some narrators do get a bit awkward and you can hear it, but that was definitely not a problem here.
This case was less interesting to me than the first one. I enjoyed the more action packed scene on the airplane, but overall I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first.
We are starting to get some answers about Malcolm’s past but Seong-Jae remains a mystery. I liked seeing Sade (their relationship with Malcolm reminds me of Garcia and Morgan from Criminal Minds) and I am curious to learn more about them.
We are starting to get some answers about Malcolm’s past but Seong-Jae remains a mystery. I liked seeing Sade (their relationship with Malcolm reminds me of Garcia and Morgan from Criminal Minds) and I am curious to learn more about them.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes