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ladysky's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nilghias's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
marmarta's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sofia_santana's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
yazaleea's review
4.0
I really, really liked this! I think it's probably one of the most fun mystery MM I've read so far and I am so excited to read more.
The case itself was good and the investigation really engaging. I like series that add a little twist to the usual cop mystery series. [b:Bone to Pick|35570815|Bone to Pick (Digging Up Bones, #1)|T.A. Moore|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499017934l/35570815._SY75_.jpg|57001894] featured a K9 officer for example, and in this one we have Everett Larkin a cold case detective and he calls on Forensics artist Ira Doyle to assist him. The Forensic artist addition was so interesting, I like how it gave Doyle a specific angle to the investigation, that complimented Larkin's logical and methodical deductions perfectly.
That leads me to the romance: Doyle and Larkin - Ira and Evie - are absolutely perfect for each other. Larkin's dealing with a condition in which he has perfect long-term autobiographical memory. He can remember the slightest detail of events in his past. However it comes with OCD tendencies he developed to deal with the burden of remembering every single thing, as well as issues to deal with short-term events. This has put a huge strain on his marriage, and he has been miserable and depressed for months (or years). His husband stopped trying to empathise, and Larkin's given up on being loved and understood. That's where Doyle's lovely, patient and caring self comes in, and in a few days, Larkin remembers what it's like to be human and desirable and able to breathe again. I do hate cheating tropes, and here Doyle and Larkin kiss before Larkin dumps his husband, but the marriage was so damn toxic, they should've been divorced YEARS ago, that I couldn't mind. Doyle was exactly the breath of air Larkin had been struggling for, and his easy acceptance and flirtation were honestly everything Larkin deserved. I hate the name Everett but the moment I saw it I was like "Oh, he's my Evie!" and then DOYLE ACTUALLY ADOPTED THAT NICKNAME and I was sold. I just really love them together, I love their dynamics. The hair tie Doyle gives Larkin when he proposed to his "work husband" being Larkin's anchor, and Doyle snapping it softly to ask him non-verbally if he's okay... Doyle comforting him, grounding him with touch and a hug when Larkin hasn't felt safe with touch or intimacy for years... Doyle understanding and embracing Larkin's grief... Doyle appreciating Larkin's intellect and deductions, but not hesitating to gently calling him out on his missteps... I SWEAR THEY'RE SO GOOD TOGETHER. And in return, Larkin sees beyond the image Doyle projects and sees the truly caring and dedicated man inside, the man who has loved and lost and who has a huge heart. I am so insane about them. Yeah I wish the ugly divorce didn't happen because it makes me sad that Larkin suffered so much (even if I guess the marriage wasn't easy for Noah, but a schoolteacher should have empathy... but really, they just didn't fit together at all). I guess I like my romances clean, with no cheating or stuff, but damn Ira and Evie are so perfect I don't even care anymore.
The way Larkin's anxiety / depression / unhappiness was portrayed really resonated. The book had its lighter moments but never hesitated to dig into Larkin's feelings, his breakdowns associated with his traumatic memories and all the difficult parts of his life. It especially dives into grief and how to honour the memory of people who have passed. One of my favourite moments is when Larkin realises how important to him it is when Doyle not only acknowledges but "speaks" his love language of remembrance, despite Doyle's being physical touch and reassurance. It immediately made him feel understood and seen by someone he barely knew. Just another thing putting in perspective how emotionally burn out he was from his own marriage. Anyway, they're perfect for each other and I love both of them as characters so much and I can't wait for them to get to know each other - and reveal themselves to us- even more. Though I wish we had more of a side cast though, I love Detective Aiko Miyamoto and want more of HER!!
“Larkin was not okay. And people didn’t want to know.”
The case itself was good and the investigation really engaging. I like series that add a little twist to the usual cop mystery series. [b:Bone to Pick|35570815|Bone to Pick (Digging Up Bones, #1)|T.A. Moore|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1499017934l/35570815._SY75_.jpg|57001894] featured a K9 officer for example, and in this one we have Everett Larkin a cold case detective and he calls on Forensics artist Ira Doyle to assist him. The Forensic artist addition was so interesting, I like how it gave Doyle a specific angle to the investigation, that complimented Larkin's logical and methodical deductions perfectly.
That leads me to the romance: Doyle and Larkin - Ira and Evie - are absolutely perfect for each other. Larkin's dealing with a condition in which he has perfect long-term autobiographical memory. He can remember the slightest detail of events in his past. However it comes with OCD tendencies he developed to deal with the burden of remembering every single thing, as well as issues to deal with short-term events. This has put a huge strain on his marriage, and he has been miserable and depressed for months (or years). His husband stopped trying to empathise, and Larkin's given up on being loved and understood. That's where Doyle's lovely, patient and caring self comes in, and in a few days, Larkin remembers what it's like to be human and desirable and able to breathe again. I do hate cheating tropes, and here Doyle and Larkin kiss before Larkin dumps his husband, but the marriage was so damn toxic, they should've been divorced YEARS ago, that I couldn't mind. Doyle was exactly the breath of air Larkin had been struggling for, and his easy acceptance and flirtation were honestly everything Larkin deserved. I hate the name Everett but the moment I saw it I was like "Oh, he's my Evie!" and then DOYLE ACTUALLY ADOPTED THAT NICKNAME and I was sold. I just really love them together, I love their dynamics. The hair tie Doyle gives Larkin when he proposed to his "work husband" being Larkin's anchor, and Doyle snapping it softly to ask him non-verbally if he's okay... Doyle comforting him, grounding him with touch and a hug when Larkin hasn't felt safe with touch or intimacy for years... Doyle understanding and embracing Larkin's grief... Doyle appreciating Larkin's intellect and deductions, but not hesitating to gently calling him out on his missteps... I SWEAR THEY'RE SO GOOD TOGETHER. And in return, Larkin sees beyond the image Doyle projects and sees the truly caring and dedicated man inside, the man who has loved and lost and who has a huge heart. I am so insane about them. Yeah I wish the ugly divorce didn't happen because it makes me sad that Larkin suffered so much (even if I guess the marriage wasn't easy for Noah, but a schoolteacher should have empathy... but really, they just didn't fit together at all). I guess I like my romances clean, with no cheating or stuff, but damn Ira and Evie are so perfect I don't even care anymore.
“Larkin had been wrong about Nietzsche’s aphorism, that Doyle was the joy and he was the depression. Such an assumption was an insult to their characters—the suggestion that neither were complete without the other. A partnership shouldn’t fill missing pieces, but instead enhance what was already present. Doyle’s acceptance of extreme heartache in return for unbridled happiness was a representation of who Larkin, too, could be, if he wanted it.
And sure, he’d likely have more shadows than sunlight.
More night than day.
More despair than hope.
But there would be thrill and wonder and partnership too.
’Til death do us part.
And then, quite suddenly, Larkin’s mind silenced and only one thought rose to the top: I’m dying.”
The way Larkin's anxiety / depression / unhappiness was portrayed really resonated. The book had its lighter moments but never hesitated to dig into Larkin's feelings, his breakdowns associated with his traumatic memories and all the difficult parts of his life. It especially dives into grief and how to honour the memory of people who have passed. One of my favourite moments is when Larkin realises how important to him it is when Doyle not only acknowledges but "speaks" his love language of remembrance, despite Doyle's being physical touch and reassurance. It immediately made him feel understood and seen by someone he barely knew. Just another thing putting in perspective how emotionally burn out he was from his own marriage. Anyway, they're perfect for each other and I love both of them as characters so much and I can't wait for them to get to know each other - and reveal themselves to us- even more. Though I wish we had more of a side cast though, I love Detective Aiko Miyamoto and want more of HER!!
leserdtke's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
4.25
Gut geschriebener Krimi mit einem interessanten Ermittler-Duo.
skim44's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jufliii's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
gazstoenails's review
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
3.0
live laugh LOVE larkin and doyle they are my babies <3333 as the book progresses you root for them more and more, it's genuinely just a feel-good book that made me laugh a LOT