Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Last Gasp
SERIES: Kip O’Connor MM Mystery
AUTHOR: S.C. Wynne
PUBLISHER: Wynne Wynne Publishing
LENGTH: 212 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 29, 2021
BLURB:
Kip O’Connor lives a simple life in the little seaside town of Pearl Bay. Unless it’s tourist season, things tend to be pretty peaceful. There is, however, one never ending source of irritation in the form of Police Chief Merrick Dawson.
Merrick is Kip’s older brother’s BFF, and nothing seems to bring Merrick more joy than nagging Kip about silly things. You’d think a Police Chief would have more important things to do than lecture Kip on parking tickets and picking up pet waste, but somehow Merrick always finds the time.
Kip decides to take an art class at the local community college, and he’s annoyed to find Merrick has also enrolled in the course. The instructor takes a shine to Kip, and soon they become friends outside of class. Merrick warns Kip of the dangers of blurring those lines and befriending his teacher, but Kip is flattered by the attention.
When his art teacher is found stabbed through the forehead with a palette knife, Kip is determined to figure out who killed his new friend. Merrick naturally thinks Kip getting involved in the investigation is a horrible idea, but when has Kip ever listened to that irksome, pig-headed Merrick Dawson?
This is book one in my brand new Kip O’Connor M/M Cozy Mystery series. Each book has a cozy feel to it and there is a strong romantic story-line in each book. No on page steam but some mild violence. I hope you enjoy reading this series as much as I enjoy writing it.
REVIEW:
Kip O’Connor loves his hometown of Pearl Bay. He’s got a thriving pet-walking/sitting service business. He really loves his job and he’s happy there. What he doesn’t love is Merrick Dawson, town golden-boy, BFF of his older brother Thomas, and total pain in the neck. At least to Kip. He and Thomas picked on, tormented and pranked poor Kip during his growing up years and he’s not willing to just forget. Especially when as certain someone has never even fit to apologize for all the mean stuff. And every time Kip turns around, it seems the Merrick is still harassing him. And then there is his mother and Merrick’s mother trying to get them together. Um, no.
When a new client, Paul Wilcox, shows up with a dog that he’s looking for help with, Kip thinks that maybe there is something there. It’s nice to maybe have some new interest after his last boyfriend moved away. But things get a little strange. Kip chalks it up to the guy being new in town and not liking small towns. Turns out they are going to see each other because Kip has signed up for a painting class at the local college that Paul is there to teach. But he seems to run hot and cold with Kip. And he’s really closed off. Merrick certainly doesn’t like that the two seem to be friendly.
Of course Kip is less than thrilled when he discovers Merrick has also signed up for the class. He also warns Kip about being friendly with the teacher. When the class goes badly and Kip continues to offer his support, he thinks he’s doing a nice thing. But then strange things keep happening to Kip and then Paul ends up dead 🙁 This makes two murders in Pearl Bay which is unheard of! The townspeople are gossiping and Kip doesn’t like being part of the talk. At all. But he is scared and he’s not happy with the response of the police department and decides to try a little sleuthing of his own. Needless to say, this does not please Merrick as the Police Chief. And with all the competing priorities and cases to be solved, it leaves precious little time for Kip contemplate his new lack of dislike for Merrick 🙂
What a cute start to this new MM cozy mystery series. I’ve read a few cozies this year and really enjoyed them. The setting is lovely – a small seaside town. The supporting characters are believable and quirky. The mystery(ies) are engaging and the suspects varied. Kip and his employees are funny and realistic. I just really enjoyed this easy read. While there are dangerous moments, this isn’t an angsty book. I loved the meddling mothers. I don’t know yet how I feel about Thomas, Kip’s older brother. It seemed like he just thinks Kip should be over the bullying and stuff that the and Merrick pulled on him when he was a kid. I do know that I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen next with Merrick and Kip who do not seem to be on the same wavelength, but who do seem to be making progress – in a convoluted way – to some sort of understanding. This is definitely going to be a very slow burn series and if you’re looking for any romance heat, well I think it might take another couple of books. In the meantime, just enjoy the town of Pearl Bay and whatever happens next 🙂 Recommended for cozy mystery and slow burn romance lovers.
RATING: 
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