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A review by shanaqui
Masters in this Hall by KJ Charles
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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
A seasonal mystery by K.J. Charles, with a cameo I know some people are going to love! While it's listed as a Lilywhite Boys book, we don't meet either of the main characters during the books that I can recall, but you'll want to watch out for that baritone... I'll say no more on that front.
Our POV character is John, a hotel detective who has a point to prove and a score to settle. Not long ago, Barnaby Littimer came to the hotel he worked in to do some interior design work, and he thought that Barnaby was interested in him, that something worthwhile and wonderful was being built up between them. Then they had an encounter in a storage cupboard during a robbery, after which Barnaby wouldn't spend time with him anymore. John drew the obvious conclusion: Barnaby was there to decoy him and prevent him handling the robbery.
Now Barnaby's working at his uncle's house over the Christmas period, putting together an entertainment, and John is damnably sure he's up to something. As ever, something more complicated is going on, and the two get drawn back together. The longing between them is well done -- the regrets, and in some cases the lack thereof. The frustration that they can't just cut through the tangled knots and get things figured out. And, eventually, the payoff.
It's a really enjoyable Christmas-themed story, and it makes me want to reread Any Old Diamonds ASAP.
Our POV character is John, a hotel detective who has a point to prove and a score to settle. Not long ago, Barnaby Littimer came to the hotel he worked in to do some interior design work, and he thought that Barnaby was interested in him, that something worthwhile and wonderful was being built up between them. Then they had an encounter in a storage cupboard during a robbery, after which Barnaby wouldn't spend time with him anymore. John drew the obvious conclusion: Barnaby was there to decoy him and prevent him handling the robbery.
Now Barnaby's working at his uncle's house over the Christmas period, putting together an entertainment, and John is damnably sure he's up to something. As ever, something more complicated is going on, and the two get drawn back together. The longing between them is well done -- the regrets, and in some cases the lack thereof. The frustration that they can't just cut through the tangled knots and get things figured out. And, eventually, the payoff.
It's a really enjoyable Christmas-themed story, and it makes me want to reread Any Old Diamonds ASAP.