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A review by divapitbull
The Wolf at Bay by Charlie Adhara
5.0
The Wolf at Bay picks up 4 months after The Wolf at the Door. The BSI and The Trust have moved forward with partnering humans with werewolves and Cooper and Park are negotiating being permanent partners on the job; and figuring out what sort of partners they are off the job. It all sort of blends together to an extent, and of course it’s a bit complicated and sometimes messy as they’re each dragging several suitcases behind them. Cooper really wants to know exactly what sort of partners they are, but he certainly can’t ask, and God forbid he leave himself vulnerable by tipping his hand and giving Park any inclination as to what he’s thinking or feeling.
What better time to get suckered into a trip home to Jagger Valley, Maryland for his brother’s engagement party and “Hey Coop, bring your partner with you”. This is bound to go well, as most of Cooper’s suitcases started getting packed at home. His father Sheriff Ed Dayton raised Cooper and his brother Dean as a single Dad when their Mom passed when Cooper was 11. Sheriff Ed did his best; but like his son who takes after him, he is completely inept at both emotions and communication. Teenaged Cooper felt like a constant disappointment to his Dad, which was exacerbated by his coming-of-age struggles with his orientation. Cooper was supposed to follow in his Dad’s footsteps; and taking off to the Big City for a “desk jockey government job” was not part of the plan. Of course, Dad and Dean know nothing of what Cooper does because why should he share any of himself with them? He’s nursed his childhood wounds, closed himself off emotionally, took off and tried his best to never look back. But now he’s back, never having come out, with his friend with benefits? Boyfriend? Lover? He wishes he knew.
Luckily, there’s some diversion in the form of a dead body in his dad’s backyard. A little excavating ends up unearthing a 25-year-old cold case; and the FBI sent in to investigate are really liking Cooper’s retired Dad for the perp. The FBI are clearly taking the easy way out because Cooper and Park uncover an entire cast of colorful characters to investigate.
This installment has everything that that the first story did; a great mystery with well developed characters, humor, romance, sexy times and some added family drama. There is definite character growth on Cooper’s part; and we get a better look at some of Park’s dysfunction; although he’s still a bit more of a mystery. This is turning out to be an extremely well done, immensely entertaining series.
What better time to get suckered into a trip home to Jagger Valley, Maryland for his brother’s engagement party and “Hey Coop, bring your partner with you”. This is bound to go well, as most of Cooper’s suitcases started getting packed at home. His father Sheriff Ed Dayton raised Cooper and his brother Dean as a single Dad when their Mom passed when Cooper was 11. Sheriff Ed did his best; but like his son who takes after him, he is completely inept at both emotions and communication. Teenaged Cooper felt like a constant disappointment to his Dad, which was exacerbated by his coming-of-age struggles with his orientation. Cooper was supposed to follow in his Dad’s footsteps; and taking off to the Big City for a “desk jockey government job” was not part of the plan. Of course, Dad and Dean know nothing of what Cooper does because why should he share any of himself with them? He’s nursed his childhood wounds, closed himself off emotionally, took off and tried his best to never look back. But now he’s back, never having come out, with his friend with benefits? Boyfriend? Lover? He wishes he knew.
Luckily, there’s some diversion in the form of a dead body in his dad’s backyard. A little excavating ends up unearthing a 25-year-old cold case; and the FBI sent in to investigate are really liking Cooper’s retired Dad for the perp. The FBI are clearly taking the easy way out because Cooper and Park uncover an entire cast of colorful characters to investigate.
This installment has everything that that the first story did; a great mystery with well developed characters, humor, romance, sexy times and some added family drama. There is definite character growth on Cooper’s part; and we get a better look at some of Park’s dysfunction; although he’s still a bit more of a mystery. This is turning out to be an extremely well done, immensely entertaining series.