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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5 stars - mystery had much higher stakes given that Diem and Tallus were actually in physical danger. Also loved their relationship progressing - looking forward to the next book, planning to try Valor and Doyle while I wait for it be released.
Instead of getting better, these books are getting worse.
3/4th of the book is the same stuff on repeat. It's like watching a TV show with the "previously" lasting half the episode. And the same lines and joke repeated over and over again. It's so tiring and annoying.
I'm not sure I'll read the next one. I'm too annoyed by everything.
3/4th of the book is the same stuff on repeat. It's like watching a TV show with the "previously" lasting half the episode. And the same lines and joke repeated over and over again. It's so tiring and annoying.
I'm not sure I'll read the next one. I'm too annoyed by everything.
A gripping mystery with emotional depth, where storytelling turns deadly—and love finds its voice in the quiet spaces between the lines.
Audiobook Review – 4.5 Stars
Narrated by Nick J. Russo
This story had such a unique and compelling setup — a group of students in a writing class who meet outside of school to craft murder mysteries… only to find themselves at the center of a real one. The plot follows two detectives, Diem and Tallus, as they try to unravel the truth behind a student left on life support, with a mother who refuses to believe it was an accident. The mystery was layered, engaging, and so well constructed — I was hooked the whole way through.
But what truly elevated it for me was the relationship between Diem and Tallus. Watching Diem slowly peel back his layers and begin to trust, while Tallus — patient, kind, and quietly breaking down his own walls — was just beautiful. There’s a subtle emotional intensity between them that Nick J. Russo captures perfectly. His narration brought so much warmth and nuance; I was hooked from start to finish.
Highly recommend for fans of romance with emotional depth and an excellently plotted mystery.
Audiobook Review – 4.5 Stars
Narrated by Nick J. Russo
This story had such a unique and compelling setup — a group of students in a writing class who meet outside of school to craft murder mysteries… only to find themselves at the center of a real one. The plot follows two detectives, Diem and Tallus, as they try to unravel the truth behind a student left on life support, with a mother who refuses to believe it was an accident. The mystery was layered, engaging, and so well constructed — I was hooked the whole way through.
But what truly elevated it for me was the relationship between Diem and Tallus. Watching Diem slowly peel back his layers and begin to trust, while Tallus — patient, kind, and quietly breaking down his own walls — was just beautiful. There’s a subtle emotional intensity between them that Nick J. Russo captures perfectly. His narration brought so much warmth and nuance; I was hooked from start to finish.
Highly recommend for fans of romance with emotional depth and an excellently plotted mystery.
3.5
Overall these guys are likeable but I’m not convinced that there’s enough overarching story progression for me to be invested for so many books.
I like that Diems issues aren’t quickly resolved but the inner turmoil does become a little repetitive after a while. Good to see some progress on their relationship towards the end, however I’m not quite sure that the pacing worked for me.
A good enough book to pass the time.
Overall these guys are likeable but I’m not convinced that there’s enough overarching story progression for me to be invested for so many books.
I like that Diems issues aren’t quickly resolved but the inner turmoil does become a little repetitive after a while. Good to see some progress on their relationship towards the end, however I’m not quite sure that the pacing worked for me.
A good enough book to pass the time.
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was amazing it was so good watching Diem grow and chase some of his demons away all for Tallus . The plot was perfection and even though i guessed who the unsub was early on the twists and turns threw me in different directions and had me second guessing myself.
As I started the book I was very worried if Granny would die by the end.
She doesn’t!
I want to put that here, because I recently lost my Grandpa and I now can understand more to get triggered by something and the beginning made me really anxious.
I don’t think I’m going to warm up to Tallus anymore.
His and mine personality clash just too much.
Diem accepts a case out of town because he struggles with money and fears to be evicted from his office/home.
He tells Tallus that he needs this job to pay rent and such. Not in all the details at first, but enough that he should heed it a bit.
And Tallus whines about his expensive I-forgot-the-brand shoes.
I mean to wear designer shoes while walking through a forest is stupid in itself.
I still love Diem though.
He worked a lot on himself through this book. I’m not a fan of the way things got handled at times. He struggled so much mentally and Tallus kind of forced him to do things.
I mean in the end it works, it helps him get better. And maybe all the pushing is a bit something that Diem needs. But it sometimes feels a bit wrong.
But it might be a me-thing as I don’t connect with Tallus that much.
Through all the hard exterior it gets more and more clear how soft and needy Diem is.
He just doesn’t know how to be and how to handle it.
For his sake I really like that their relationship took such big steps in the book and that there’ll be even bigger ones to come.
The mystery was very interesting. I had a few guesses throughout the book, so it stayed quite exciting!
It was a bit strange how the police worked, but my only knowledge about it is mostly through books and TV, and even that is probably entirely fiction. So it was plausible but I was a bit sceptical if they actually would do or wouldn’t do things.
I was very pleasantly surprised at the end that there’ll be a fourth book and I’m looking forward to that!
She doesn’t!
I want to put that here, because I recently lost my Grandpa and I now can understand more to get triggered by something and the beginning made me really anxious.
I don’t think I’m going to warm up to Tallus anymore.
His and mine personality clash just too much.
Diem accepts a case out of town because he struggles with money and fears to be evicted from his office/home.
He tells Tallus that he needs this job to pay rent and such. Not in all the details at first, but enough that he should heed it a bit.
And Tallus whines about his expensive I-forgot-the-brand shoes.
I mean to wear designer shoes while walking through a forest is stupid in itself.
I still love Diem though.
He worked a lot on himself through this book. I’m not a fan of the way things got handled at times. He struggled so much mentally and Tallus kind of forced him to do things.
I mean in the end it works, it helps him get better. And maybe all the pushing is a bit something that Diem needs. But it sometimes feels a bit wrong.
But it might be a me-thing as I don’t connect with Tallus that much.
Through all the hard exterior it gets more and more clear how soft and needy Diem is.
He just doesn’t know how to be and how to handle it.
For his sake I really like that their relationship took such big steps in the book and that there’ll be even bigger ones to come.
The mystery was very interesting. I had a few guesses throughout the book, so it stayed quite exciting!
It was a bit strange how the police worked, but my only knowledge about it is mostly through books and TV, and even that is probably entirely fiction. So it was plausible but I was a bit sceptical if they actually would do or wouldn’t do things.
I was very pleasantly surprised at the end that there’ll be a fourth book and I’m looking forward to that!
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:
Complicated
🎧⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧
I found that this book is more about Diem opening up to Tallus, even if it’s hard. He wants to be better, and he pushes himself each time. He pushes through some of his triggers because he doesn’t want Tallus to give up on him.
He might not have the words to show Tallus how he is feeling, but he sure is trying to show him with his actions. I did find him a little abrasive in this book, but I get it; he is in pain, and he is working through it. It’s an emotionally charged book, and Tallus does have a care. I just don’t think Tallus truly understands just how tortured Diem is from his past.
The case Diem and Tallus are working on is an interesting one. How I never know whodunit is a mystery to me. The cases are my favourite part of this series.
Nick J. Russo is perfection, I love the way he voices both of these characters; it adds so much richness to the story.
I found that this book is more about Diem opening up to Tallus, even if it’s hard. He wants to be better, and he pushes himself each time. He pushes through some of his triggers because he doesn’t want Tallus to give up on him.
He might not have the words to show Tallus how he is feeling, but he sure is trying to show him with his actions. I did find him a little abrasive in this book, but I get it; he is in pain, and he is working through it. It’s an emotionally charged book, and Tallus does have a care. I just don’t think Tallus truly understands just how tortured Diem is from his past.
The case Diem and Tallus are working on is an interesting one. How I never know whodunit is a mystery to me. The cases are my favourite part of this series.
Nick J. Russo is perfection, I love the way he voices both of these characters; it adds so much richness to the story.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
