Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Transposition 
SERIES: Hazard and Somerset Mysteries #2
AUTHOR: Gregory Ashe
NARRATOR: Tristan James
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
RELEASE DATE: August 14, 2018
LENGTH: 10 hours
BLURB:
Emery Hazard and his partner, John-Henry Somerset, have solved their first case together. The brutal murders that rocked the quiet town of Wahredua have been put to rest. Hazard, however, finds his life has only grown more complicated as he adjusts to his new home. Living with Somers, whom he has been drawn to since high school, makes “complicated” the understatement of the year.
The turmoil of living together spills over when Hazard and Somers find themselves trapped by the weather in an old mansion and, against Hazard’s better judgment, sharing a bed. Strictly as friends, of course. Just when things can’t get any more confusing, the next morning brings a worsening storm – and a murder.
Cut off from the outside world, Hazard and Somers must face a clever, determined killer who is hiding among the mansion’s guests. Without backup, they can only rely on their wits – and on each other – to survive. And as the snow falls and the mansion’s guests continue to die one by one, solving the string of murders becomes secondary. First, Hazard and Somers have to survive.
REVIEW:
It is Thanksgiving weekend and Emery Hazard finds himself working as his partner and roommate volunteered them for duty. He’s even less thrilled when said partner takes a call just before they’re supposed to go off duty for the night. After all he had dinner plans with his boyfriend before taking him to the airport. What was supposed to be a regular noise complaint/possibly shots fired turned into a nightmare. First Emery re-injured his shoulder trying to push a car back on the road to help a (rude) stranger stranded in a snowstorm. Then said snowstorm stranded him and Somerset on a farm together with a party playing a murder mystery game. Only soon thereafter the game took a deadly turn and the body count kept increasing – and not the fictional kind.
Once again I find myself being unsure of how I actually feel and think about our two main characters. Do I like them or not? That’s the question and one I honestly don’t have an answer to. I know I’m not indifferent to them, but as for the rest, I’m conflicted. They kind of balance there on the edge, never going one way or another. But you know what? I kind of like it. At least for now, it’s a nice change of pace, and just a little bit unpredictable.
There were much more romance in this book compared to the first one, not that that really says anything as there were only a few thoughts and possibly a kiss somewhere – but I may remember that wrong. So yes, there were more romance here, but it still wasn’t the focus of the book, and it’s not a straightforward one. For one thing there are several possibilities; Hazard and his boyfriend Nico; Somerset and his wife but then there’s also something budding between Hazard and Somerset. To be honest, I’m not sure which constellation/s I prefer. (I’m sensing a theme here) I guess I’ll just have to listen on and see how it all develops.
Tristan James is as I’ve mentioned before, a very talented narrator. He has a great pacing, inflictions and I love his accents. He also tries to add emotions and feelings, but doesn’t always get there. I do appreciate the effort though. Part of it might be of his monotone voice, it detracts from everything else he manages to hit spot on.
It’s been interesting to be back with these guys and I think I just have to listen to the next couple of books, and hopefully get some kind of clue what to think one way or another.
RATING: 
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