Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Slippery Creatures
SERIES: The Will Darling Adventures
AUTHOR: K.J. Charles
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 215 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 13, 2020
BLURB:
Will Darling came back from the Great War with a few scars, a lot of medals, and no idea what to do next. Inheriting his uncle’s chaotic second-hand bookshop is a blessing…until strange visitors start making threats. First a criminal gang, then the War Office, both telling Will to give them the information they want, or else.
Will has no idea what that information is, and nobody to turn to, until Kim Secretan—charming, cultured, oddly attractive—steps in to offer help. As Kim and Will try to find answers and outrun trouble, mutual desire grows along with the danger.
And then Will discovers the truth about Kim. His identity, his past, his real intentions. Enraged and betrayed, Will never wants to see him again.
But Will possesses knowledge that could cost thousands of lives. Enemies are closing in on him from all sides—and Kim is the only man who can help.
A 1920s m/m romance trilogy in the spirit of Golden Age pulp fiction.
REVIEW:
Will Darling has had a time of it after returning from four years service in the Great War. But it turns out that his skills are not really needed in civil society. After finding himself nearly destitute, he ends up reaching out to his estranged uncle, who not only takes him in, but leaves him his sole heir when he passes away shortly afterward. Will ends up taking over his bookshop. He’s not trained in such, but he’s getting on with it. Then a mysterious stranger comes in and demands what he thinks is a book from him. But it seem’s he’s got the wrong Will Darling – and the information seems to have died with the original owner.
Then the War Office shows up demanding the same information. When Will insists he doesn’t know what they are talking about, he gets more bullying and harrassment. The first gang comes back to try to “convince” him to turn over the goods. In the meantime, he’s met with a fellow named Kim who offers to help him. Will suspects nothing of him and is grateful for the help.
Well of course there is more to Kim than meets the eye! He is helpful to Will. But along they way, there seem to be many bumps. There are too many coincidences and time and time again, it seems that Kim operates in half truths and mysterious motives. I won’t say more about the plot because it should be read without prejudice. Let’s just say that there are more to these relationships than meets the eye and Will continues to wonder what Kim’s real motives are and just what he wants form him.
What an interesting kick-off to this new series. I couldn’t help but think of a particular Miss Fisher’s Mysteries flavor and I absolutely adore that series. Will Darling and Kim Secretan are certainly from different worlds. Class is a very big part of this culture – and some are trying to break down those barriers as evidenced by Kim and his fiance Phoebe. The mystery is well played although I did guess a few things – but that doesn’t at all take away from the action and the relationship between Kim and Will. The secondary characters are well drawn – particularly the female characters of Maisie (Will’s BFF), the aforementioned Phoebe and Nanny. I honestly cannot wait to learn more about them – particularly Phoebe as there are hints that not all is at is seems with the Miss Stephens-Prince. I also want to find out more about Lord Arthur Secretan as there is much more to him than meets the eye. His past is shrouded in mystery, gossip and half-truths – many from Kim himself. I can’t wait to see where this goes and how much Kim will share with Will in future installments. Recommended particularly for fans of atmospheric historicals and a love of the post-war period when so much changed in society.
RATING: 
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