Reviewed by Annika
TITLE: Suspicion
SERIES: Diversion #7
AUTHOR: Eden Winters
NARRATOR: Darcy Stark
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 13 hours, 44 minutes
RELEASE DATE: April 23, 2020
BLURB:
Lucky “Simon Harrison” Lucklighter left behind his criminal past to become one of the best agents in the Southeastern Narcotics Bureau. He’s found a committed partner in fellow agent Bo Schollenberger and built a life.
Now, enemies within the SNB and a friend’s betrayal leave him nowhere to turn—not even to his mentor.
His boss’s life, the future of the SNB, and Lucky’s career depend on him. With the help of his lover, an old enemy turned ally, and a man Lucky thought he’d seen the last of, he must stand and fight for what he believes in.
Even if he has to step outside the law.
REVIEWS:
SUSPICION
Curse weekdays and work. How I wished for a day off to savour and devour this book in peace and free of interruptions. But sadly, that didn’t happen, but I enjoyed every second of this book anyway.
In theory Bo and Lucky should have been living their happily ever afters. They are both home, together and mostly whole. They also have work they love and are planning for their joint future surrounded by family, chosen and otherwise. In theory… The reality is somewhat different. Lucky’s nephews are sullen and pushes buttons and nerves Lucky didn’t even know he had – or had to deal with. Then there are major changes happening at SNB. Changes that sends Lucky spinning in more ways than one. Loyalties are questioned and seemingly unholy alliances are formed in order to right the wrongs and uncover the plots threatening them all.
This book is definitely in the running for my favourite book in the series. The mystery part of the story hits close to home, and was a sure way to engage the listener and make them pay attention and wanting to burn places down alongside Lucky in search of answers. But it’s not only the mystery that engages, the different relationships do too. Relationships, plural. It’s not a Lucky solo show anymore. He has friends, family and loved ones and I love spending time with them all. Things have changed so much since the beginning; they’ve been through hell and back and have changed so much over the years. Still, they are also the same people we first met and fell for. I love that Lucky is still playing Achy Breaky Heartt to irritate people, it makes me smile every time. I love the snark and banter and rough edges.
I love Lucky and Walters relationship, loved how it has grown over the years. The mutual respect and love between them. Walter might not be Lucky’s biological father, but they are family all the same. And when that is threatened there’s no line Lucky won’t cross to get to the bottom of things. Lucky have come far since we first met him, but he’s still him underneath the softened edges.
Darcy Stark once again delivered a great performance and I savoured every second I spent listening, to the book, but also the two novellas. I love how he captured Lucky and Walter’s relationship he made you feel the bond between them. I also love the southern accents, I have a weakness for accents and they are always a treat to listen to. Darcy Stark has become synonymous to this series, he knows these characters intimately and can portray them in a way that makes the listener feel they know them as well. Just by listening to his voice. He captures the nuances of each character but also the feel of the moments. He makes you feel, and it’s all wonderful.
I love these guys and this series and it’s always a treat to go back and visit. This audiobook didn’t only contain Suspicion but also a couple of novellas set later that year.
RELATION (Diversion #7.1)
It’s nearing Thanksgiving and our happy couple get a surprise visit from Bo’s aunt and uncle. A very colourful couple and not quite what Lucky expected. In a typical Lucky fashion, he suspiciously greeted them more or less at gunpoint. Not long after that Bo’s brother turns up, unknowing how close he was to get his head blown off… To say that Lucky is a bit suspicious and on the edge when it comes to unknown visitors is putting it mildly.
Anyway, Bo and Lucky are invited to the Schollenberger clan for Thanksgiving dinner. The relatives seem never ending and are very curious about Lucky. I loved seeing Lucky a bit out of sorts at the dinner surrounded by Bo’s family. Many of the hugging sort – something that nearly gave Lucky hives 😉 I loved how he so reluctantly started to like one family member after the other.
As you might have guessed from the title, this novella was all about family. Reconnecting and discovering new ones. It will leave you with a smile and warmth in your heart, and wishing for a family dinner of your own. – Especially in these times when that’s not always possible.
TRADITION (Diversion #7.2)
It’s Christmas, and miracle of all miracles, Bo and Lucky are in the same place and with no plans to go anywhere. The only covers they are planning to get under are the ones lying in their bed. It’s their first and possibly only Christmas they spend together only the two of them.
This was a beautiful novella about how Bo and Lucky took their favourite traditions and created something new, something wonderful for them both. This story had both the naughty and nice, the cheer, love and happiness that is (or should be) synonymous with the Christmas holidays. I love these guys so much and it was nice to see them so happy, so excited, and a little bit scared, about the future.
RATING: 
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