Reviewed by Sarina
TITLE: Winter Kill
AUTHOR: Josh Lanyon
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 181 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2015
BLURB:
Clever and ambitious, Special Agent Adam Darling (yeah, he’s heard all the jokes before) was on the fast track to promotion and success until his mishandling of a high profile operation left one person dead and Adam “On the Beach.” Now he’s got a new partner, a new case, and a new chance to resurrect his career, hunting a legendary serial killer known as The Crow in a remote mountain resort in Oregon.
Deputy Sheriff Robert Haskell may seem laid-back, but he’s a tough and efficient cop — and he’s none too thrilled to see feebs on his turf — even when one of the agents is smart, handsome, and probably gay. But a butchered body in a Native American museum is out of his small town department’s league. For that matter, icy, uptight Adam Darling is out of Rob’s league, but that doesn’t mean Rob won’t take his best shot.
REVIEW:
Deputy Sheriff Robert Haskell transferred out of Portland to get away from the constant crime and has enjoyed the slower pace offered in a small town. When a decades old murder investigation brings Special Agent Adam Darling to his doorstep, he’s even more thankful he made the move. Adam lives for his job. Literally. Work and exercise are all he cares about and if he’s lucky, he finds a little companionship on the side every now and then. Being put on the backburner and sent out to check on dead bodies in places he’s never even heard of was not in the game plan. The attraction between him and Rob is instantaneous but he doesn’t get involved with colleagues; he’s learned that lesson. One night stands are acceptable, however; everyone leaves happy and he doesn’t have to see the other man again. When one murder investigation becomes more, and Adam finds himself facing Rob again, he’ll have to decide if he’s willing to give what’s between them a try. He’ll have to choose quickly though; there’s a serial killer on the loose and they aren’t going to go down without a fight.
This was a pure murder mystery at its best. I loved the characters; I actually think I liked the cast of secondary characters a little more than the main characters. Rob and Adam were just so different; aside from there commonality of career, it was hard to see them fitting together in the beginning. I liked how Rob’s more lighthearted outlook and approach to things was so different from Adam’s more serious attitude. Until coming together to work on the murders plaguing Rob’s town, I didn’t really see them fitting with each other but I was pleasantly surprised.
The romance in this is solidly on the back burner and the mystery takes center stage so if you’re in it for the romantic connection between the two main characters, this probably won’t be for you. The mystery itself was great and I enjoyed every minute of it…up until the end. The ending for me was waaaay to abrupt and left a lot of questions unanswered. It was kind of disappointing to be honest since up to that point the book was a great read. There is an epilogue but I don’t think it really added anything to the story; it kind of seemed a little last minute, sad to say. The book does end as a happy for now, which with how the romance took place over the course of the story was totally okay for me. I do wish there was a sequel to this, however, as I’d really love to see just where Rob and Adam end up. If you want a good murder mystery you’ll probably enjoy this one but someone looking for a good dose of romance should probably look for a different book.
RATING:
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