Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Equinox

SERIES:  The Lake Prophet Mysteries

AUTHORS:  Eli Easton & RJ Scott

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  258 pages

RELEASE DATE:  September 29, 2023

BLURB: 

The tranquility of Prophet is shattered when a horseback rider is killed on a popular trail and whispers spread of dangerous beasts roaming the woods.

Three months after the murder of Mike Bressett, the sleepy town of Prophet faces another tragedy—the death of Billy Odette, a well-liked Makah man who ran trail rides for the tourists. When Billy is discovered to have been the victim of a vicious animal attack, dragged right off a popular trail, angry locals are quick to blame a wolf pack that’s recently moved into the area. Sheriff Gabriel Thompson is the only authority standing between those who want to protect the wolves and those who want them hunted down—all while trying to keep people safe and get to the bottom of what happened.

Tiber Russo, local animal whisperer, is firmly on the side of the wolves. But when a figure from his past shows up in town, his own spiraling panic casts a shadow over his blossoming relationship with Gabriel and his ability to help the wolves.

To get to the truth, Gabriel and Tiber unravel a tangled web of deception, greed, curses, magic, and long-held grudges. But when Tiber’s life is threatened, they both just might lose everything.

REVIEW: 

Note:  This is the second book in this series.  It is recommended to read them in order to understand the dynamic and history of the main characters in particular but also of the setting of these stories.

Billy Odette is dead.  It appears to be some sort of animal attack.  Wolves have been reintroduced into the park and some folks are quick to blame them – despite the historical precedent of wolves not having killed humans for years and years.  Wolves are very skittish and will run from humans unless they are cornered or diseased.  This doesn’t appear to be the case, but now Gabriel is left trying to sort out what really happened.

Billy hasn’t lived a perfect life but it seems unlikely that this potential animal attack is quite right.  Tiber helped locate Billy when he went missing and he’s unconvinced that it was the wolves.  He also involved himself in investigating other avenues after being told about some bad blood with Billy and those who didn’t like him.

It’s unclear exactly what has happened and while waiting for forensic answers, Tiber is dealing with his past.  Gabriel is less than pleased about that.  He’s made it his business to see that Tiber doesn’t get drawn back into an unhealthy place.  Tiber has spent a year getting his feet back under him.  He thinks he’s got a handle on it, but it doesn’t take much to put him off balance.  Gabriel is there to back him though.  Tiber decides maybe it’s time he stop holding Gabriel at arm’s length. 😉

Of course dealing with Tiber’s past and the mystery of Billy’s death has Tiber and Gabriel working on their relationship as well as figuring out who or what was responsible.  And what is the motivation? How can Tiber and Gabriel solve the case without risking their own safety?

This book was really excellent!  I can’t recommend this series highly enough.  Everything about this book was so engaging.  The characters.  The setting.  The mystery.  In this second episode, we see Tiber and Gabriel move their relationship along.  Gabriel is so protective of Tiber – but not in a controlling or obsessive way.  He trust Tiber – it’s the rest of the world he doesn’t trust.  He’s witnessed how badly Tiber has been hurt in his past and he wants to protect him from being hurt again.  Tiber is afraid that he will never be able to trust anyone – and more importantly himself again.  This is one of the many reasons his ties to animals are so different – the lack of deception and self-serving behaviors.

Both of these men are damaged in different ways.  They rely on each other while worrying about each other too.  Their relationship goes to a different level in this one – out of the friendzone.  I loved the progression of their romance here.  The mystery was well written and kept me turning pages quickly.  Really such an interesting and involving read.  Highly recommended.  Can’t wait for book 3!

RATING:

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