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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
My fave so far! I loved all the progress in Macolm and Seong-Jae's relationship!! I also liked getting more of Seong-Jae's backstory and finding out why he acts the way he does. I'm still waiting for him to tell Malcolm about Sila!! Sila is so creepy and I'm really anxious about what fresh hell he's about to unleash on these men. The case kind of took a backseat to the relationship development while still serving to further exploration into Seong-Jae's character. Cult-like religious setting, grooming, manipulation, brainwashing, abuse, misogyny... it's a lot. If you're looking for a queer and diverse mystery/cop drama series, I would definitely recommend this series!
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another banger. It was really sweet how Malcolm and Seong-Jae discussed intimacy and boundaries. Everyone should have the right to set boundaries about their bodies and have them be respected unconditionally.
+ Really happy Gabrielle didn't just disappear from the series once Malcolm and Seong-Jae got together. She's her own person/character and not just an obstacle for Malcolm and Seong-Jae to overcome. Whatever is brewing wrt Gabrielle and Anjulie... I'm intrigued.
++ Sila really is "is somebody gonna match my freak?" huh?
+ Really happy Gabrielle didn't just disappear from the series once Malcolm and Seong-Jae got together. She's her own person/character and not just an obstacle for Malcolm and Seong-Jae to overcome. Whatever is brewing wrt Gabrielle and Anjulie... I'm intrigued.
++ Sila really is "is somebody gonna match my freak?" huh?
A young woman is pushed off a bridge, and Sila haunts Seong-Jae's footsteps, as the heat ramps up in more ways than one for Detectives Khalaji and Yoon.
Definitely plunging straight into Romance territory at this point in the series, and I'm unsure exactly how I feel about this development. On the one hand the relationship development feels like such a slow burn it's like these guys have known each other for years, yet only two weeks have passed since the series even began, so it feels like an enormous amount of projection has been going on, in all this beautiful internal narration. I get the whole 'live in the moment' attitude, but I can't deny I find the swing between murder investigations/graphic smut a bit... out of place? is the best way I can describe it.
I've noticed there's quite a lot of repetition in the Romance scenes, which makes me feel a bit bored sometimes, like the scenes are lacking originality because they sometimes feel like slightly altered copies of previous scenes. I think I prefer an emphasis on emotional intimacy over body parts so perhaps I'll enjoy the instalments more when the sex scenes are from Seong-Jae's perspective. I do feel like this is appropriate for Mal, but it's just a reader preference thing. I feel like with the way the instalments work, so much is going on, yet there's also a small page count, meaning limited depth and development, and I think after 7 instalments this is starting to wear on me. I don't know if at this point in the series the author was still publishing one book a month but there is a sense of rushing, where I think slowing things down a little to maximise the potential of these characters and their development would be hugely worthwhile.
With all that said, it's still an immensely enjoyable read. At this point, I want more from Sila, and more exploration of his backstory with Seong-Jae. It's really nice seeing Seong-Jae gradually defrosting towards Mal, and Mal's supportiveness as a boyfriend. They're lovely together. I'm just being picky because I think it could be even better.
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
30. Changing Faces 5/5
31. It's Witchcraft 5/5
32. Where There's Smoke 5/5
33. Cult of Personality 4/5
Definitely plunging straight into Romance territory at this point in the series, and I'm unsure exactly how I feel about this development. On the one hand the relationship development feels like such a slow burn it's like these guys have known each other for years, yet only two weeks have passed since the series even began, so it feels like an enormous amount of projection has been going on, in all this beautiful internal narration. I get the whole 'live in the moment' attitude, but I can't deny I find the swing between murder investigations/graphic smut a bit... out of place? is the best way I can describe it.
I've noticed there's quite a lot of repetition in the Romance scenes, which makes me feel a bit bored sometimes, like the scenes are lacking originality because they sometimes feel like slightly altered copies of previous scenes. I think I prefer an emphasis on emotional intimacy over body parts so perhaps I'll enjoy the instalments more when the sex scenes are from Seong-Jae's perspective. I do feel like this is appropriate for Mal, but it's just a reader preference thing. I feel like with the way the instalments work, so much is going on, yet there's also a small page count, meaning limited depth and development, and I think after 7 instalments this is starting to wear on me. I don't know if at this point in the series the author was still publishing one book a month but there is a sense of rushing, where I think slowing things down a little to maximise the potential of these characters and their development would be hugely worthwhile.
With all that said, it's still an immensely enjoyable read. At this point, I want more from Sila, and more exploration of his backstory with Seong-Jae. It's really nice seeing Seong-Jae gradually defrosting towards Mal, and Mal's supportiveness as a boyfriend. They're lovely together. I'm just being picky because I think it could be even better.
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
30. Changing Faces 5/5
31. It's Witchcraft 5/5
32. Where There's Smoke 5/5
33. Cult of Personality 4/5
Well, if book 6 was bursting with emotion, book 7 took a sharp left into Crazy town.
A church cult, "someone" talking about consuming his twin in utero, near death disasters, Adam and Eve theatrics... Some of the threads are coming together in a very interesting fashion.
Sleep is overrated.
**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 7-
Morning after! Hair tucking behind ear.
Discussing bottom roles.
SJ based on mood, M clearly says he'd bottom for him.
Talks about relationship, SJ shares 15-year sobriety chip, heroin.
Talks about asexual preferences and consent/checking in. Sweet and tender. M is fucking glowing.
Nap, more sex.
Church Methodist religious cult behavior
Father son duo
SJ visits Sarah to question about Sila, he's been in Baltimore for over a year.
Sila is LUCAS a receptionist at the DAs office where Gabi is interviewing.
Sila on the roof M's building!
A church cult, "someone" talking about consuming his twin in utero, near death disasters, Adam and Eve theatrics... Some of the threads are coming together in a very interesting fashion.
Sleep is overrated.
**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 7-
Morning after! Hair tucking behind ear.
Discussing bottom roles.
SJ based on mood, M clearly says he'd bottom for him.
Talks about relationship, SJ shares 15-year sobriety chip, heroin.
Talks about asexual preferences and consent/checking in. Sweet and tender. M is fucking glowing.
Nap, more sex.
Church Methodist religious cult behavior
Father son duo
SJ visits Sarah to question about Sila, he's been in Baltimore for over a year.
Sila is LUCAS a receptionist at the DAs office where Gabi is interviewing.
Sila on the roof M's building!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a good job. Borrowed via Hoopla.
Favourite book in the series!
Huge fan of immediately subverting a lot of issues I have with slow burns or romantic relationships in books. They had such great communication, were open about big secrets and transparent with feelings. That made the slow burn so worthwhile and satisfying. And I am on the edge of my seat waiting for what happens with Z.
Huge fan of immediately subverting a lot of issues I have with slow burns or romantic relationships in books. They had such great communication, were open about big secrets and transparent with feelings. That made the slow burn so worthwhile and satisfying. And I am on the edge of my seat waiting for what happens with Z.
I'm so done omg ... It's amazing and perfect and disquieting and tha f*ck SILA!
I need lots of M and SJ fluff! uvu
I need lots of M and SJ fluff! uvu
Her sharp gaze suddenly dropped to their clasped hands. “That standard police protocol?”
He clutched at Seong-Jae so hard, is if he could anchor him enough to keep him from tumbling down into the dark that waited in the back of his mind, always. “I’m your partner. I won’t let you fall.”
4.5 stars. I'm kicking my feet, twirling my hair, etc etc. This was so good! The mystery/case portion of the book wasn't as complex or involved as I might have wanted it to be, and the book in general was on the shorter side, and I really would have liked if we got to follow along with the thread of the case for a bit longer? But the relationship bits continue to send me into puddles. I was listening to this while cleaning my house and I'll always remember a certain part because I was moving my couch, and then I stopped moving it to instead lie down on it and giggle. Listen, when Seong-Jae emotes, it's really special.
Spoiler
(For future Laura, if you're curious and rereading this, it's the bit where Seong-Jae is lying on Malcom's chest and starts to honest-to-god laugh because they're arguing about the pronunciation of 'dick' in Korean. ;~;)Seong-Jae did a lot of blushing in this episode and I'm eating it uppp. It's so fucking cute. They had the boyfriends talk and I wanted to flip. Also Malcolm kissing him in the parking lot so the other police officers would know not to mess with Seong-Jae? ROMANCE. Seong-Jae's revelations at the beginning really meant a lot to me, as did Malcolm's reaction to learning about the addiction. I was just continuously melting over these two.
The B-plot romance is staring to cook, and I'M SO EXCITED. It's so nice when I read a book that I didn't expect to have sapphics and then suddenly, surprise! Sapphics. I hope it's just as slow as the main romance. I really like Anji and Gabi, and it would be wonderful to them to connect like that, especially as they already have such a close bond. And I'd love to see an aromantic relationship. Honestly, Cole McCade, you wanna just write a whole f/f series? I SUPPORT YOU.
Like I said, the case this week was a bit short and kinda easy, and I did want more out of it. But again, all the relationship stuff made up for that.
Sila, I mean, do you HAVE to drop the eaves on them while they're fucking? Creepy. :/
Listened to the audiobook as read by Curt Bonnem; great as always. This was such a good instalment. I'm gonna bask in it for a bit, because I think stuff's about to start HAPPENING soon.
Content warnings: