Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Sin and Tonic

SERIES: Sinners #6

AUTHOR: Rhys Ford

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

RELEASE DATE: May 11, 2018

LENGTH: 270 pages

BLURB:

Miki St. John believed happy endings only existed in fairy tales until his life took a few unexpected turns… and now he’s found his own.

His best friend, Damien, is back from the dead, and their new band, Crossroads Gin, is soaring up the charts. Miki’s got a solid, loving partner named Kane Morgan—an Inspector with SFPD whose enormous Irish family has embraced him as one of their own—and his dog, Dude, at his side.

It’s a pity someone’s trying to kill him.

Old loyalties and even older grudges emerge from Chinatown’s murky, mysterious past, and Miki struggles to deal with his dead mother’s abandonment, her secrets, and her brutal murder while he’s hunted by an enigmatic killer who may have ties to her.

The case lands in Kane’s lap, and he and Miki are caught in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. When Miki is forced to face his personal demons and the horrors of his childhood, only one thing is certain: the rock star and his cop are determined to fight for their future and survive the evils lurking in Miki’s past.

REVIEW:

I didn’t want to pick this book up. At the same time I couldn’t wait to pick this book up. It’s the book I’ve been waiting for ever since I finished Sinners Gin. It was going to give me (yes I’m selfish and only thinking about me and not Miki and Kane) the answers I’ve been looking for, for so long. But at the same time, this book also signifies an end. The need to say goodbye at the end of this book, and I just love these characters to death and never really want to say goodbye to them.

We are immediately thrown into the thick of things when a woman claiming to know Miki’s mother meets with Edie. Only things don’t go as planned as the woman is shot right in front of their eyes. Searching for answers takes them back to the past and more danger than anyone of them could’ve predicted, as that past is leaving dead bodies in its wake and has its sights set on Miki.

Did I mention yet that Kane and Miki are my favourite couple in this series? The love they share is soo strong and deep that you can practically touch it. It’s in every encounter, touch and word they speak and share. It’s beautiful and all encompassing. It’s that kind of love dreams and fairy tales are made from. If I were prone to swooning, this is the couple to make me do it.

As long as I have breath in my body, I’m going to be there.

We all know that Miki’s been through hell and has suffered so much more than anyone should have. Our hearts have broken countless times for what was done to him, so seeing him finally being ready to start dealing with his traumatic past and getting help to mend some of the broken pieces filled me with happiness. Watching him heal and finally accept being a part of a family, the Morgan family was definitely worth waiting for.

Let’s not forget Damie. The friendship between Miki and Damien is that kind of friendship everyone is looking for. Having that person that knows and accepts every little thing about you, gets behind those walls… Knowing that you have that one true friend that will stand with you no matter what. I get teary eyed just thinking about that kind of friendship.  My favourite moment in this entire series is probably when the two are reunited in Whiskey and Wry.

 If there is one thing I know about you Sin, it’s that you are the fiercest, most loyal feral asshole I’ve ever met, and I’m proud as hell to call you my brother.

There are two major focal points in this book. There is the mystery part and finding the ones responsible for the bodies that keeps popping up, but there’s also the family aspect. These books are so centred on family, and an amazing one at that. I love that I’m able to share and be there for the closeness, that unbelievable love the Morgan’s have for each other. Donal was again there to share his incredible and vast wisdom and strength to ground the people he loved. I’m always in aww of how he can keep them all in line 😉 I love the bickering and teasing, but god help the outsider that ever tried to mess with anyone in the Morgan clan, there will be nothing left of them but mincemeat – especially if Brigid gets there first. I also have to mention Dude. The adorable terrier that lives with Miki – and started the whole series – and more than once stole the spotlight. Nice job Dude – and great match making!

I absolutely loved being back visiting, being a part of the Morgan clan once more. The answers I’ve been searching for where there and plentiful, but at the same time, getting those answers also means to say goodbye, and I really don’t want to do that. So I will hold on to the hope that they will make a few visits in the 415 Ink series, so I can get a few more fixes and continue to hope for more of the Morgan clan.

Rhys Ford has with mere words created a magical, at times rambunctious, blue bleeding family that loves deeply and fully. Together they can overcome any obstacle that life can throw at them and are a force to be reckoned with and never to be underestimated.

Sin and Tonic was at times bittersweet and I fully admit to being a bit teary eyed more than once while reading, but it was so worth it in the end. To share that hard won happily ever after, the joy of true happiness and love and family. Highly recommended!

So throw back the gates of Hell
Pull me down the path I’d walked
Find me in the darkness
No matter if I balk
Sing me a song of redemption
Sing me a ballad of love and bliss
Remind me of the Heaven
I found in our first kiss

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon