Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Something Wicked
SERIES: Black and Blue
AUTHOR: Lily Morton
NARRATOR: Joel Leslie
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 10 hours and 23 minutes
RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2024
BLURB:
After powerful psychic Blue Billings fell in love with Levi Black, he believed their biggest challenges would arise from Blue’s ability to see and speak to the dead. So it’s rather alarming when he and Levi are confronted with a spate of new—and frightening—problems that have to do with the realm of the living.
A sadistic serial killer is stalking their beloved York, and Blue himself is in the killer’s crosshairs. Blue and Levi must race against time to catch the murderer as the deaths increase in ferocity. But when they’re forced from their home, and close acquaintances seemingly disappear like mist over the Minster’s spires, Blue finds that he is completely and terrifyingly on his own, and for the first time in his life, he’s without his powers.
This is the third book in the bestselling Black and Blue series. The books are meant to be listened to in order.
CW: There are descriptions of torture and violent death in this book.
REVIEW:
Levi and Blue are happily settled into their life in York. Levi’s career is going well – he’s working on his art and his agent is busy working on additional publishing avenues for him. Blue has been working with those who need his help. He’s been out of town for a bit and when he arrives home, he’s less than thrilled to find someone beside Levi at their house. A friend from Levi’s life before he came to York is there and he seems to have designs on Levi beyond friendship – which is not going to happen.
Soon after, the police arrive to ask Blue for help. There is a serial killer on the loose and they are not getting far with the investigation. The pair of officers that are sent to ask Blue couldn’t be more different. One is distinctly a skeptic and he also seems less than thrilled about Blue and Levi’s relationship. Blue is less than thrilled because it’s clear the only reason they are now reaching out is that for the first time the victim is not someone who is homeless. As Blue puts it, they are ghosts/invisible before they are dead 🙁
When Blue tries to help, he is pulled into a dungeon. It’s not like anything he’s experienced before. This “Jack in the Box” killer is keeping his victims alive while he beats and tortures them. Blue knows that the victim is dead and that he died a horrible death. He has no idea how he got to this place but it seems that he isn’t sure he can get out of it either. But then things get worse when Blue becomes gravely ill and it appears that he’s lost his powers entirely.
The more victims pile up, the more it’s obvious that the killer is playing a game with and taunting Blue. The clues with the bodies, the placement of the victims, the selection of victims that are closer to Blue and his past are not arbitrary. Blue is looking for help from the ghosts as well as the living, but nobody can identify Jack. He’s running out of time though and if he can’t solve this puzzle, he could lose the thing most dear to him. Levi.
Well as has become the norm in this series, Lily Morton lands in the sweet spot of snark, mystery, horror and romance. This one is a bit gory at times, but we are talking about a serial killer here, so it’s a bit difficult not to be a bit gruesome especially as things escalate. Throughout this long ordeal though Blue and Levi are a team. They will not give up on each other or their love. The banter, the sexy times, the deep admiration and affection they have for each other is beautifully portrayed. There is also the usual hilarious banter and snark! In particular I loved Blue’s lamentation “Why have I been saddled with such an honourable nature?” These two are such a perfect couple and the obstacles that they fact never come close to causing any real conflict with them. Blue is determined to make sure he saves the victims and stop the killer no matter what the cost to his own health and welfare. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure Levi is safe too. The usual case of secondary characters here add hilarious and heartfelt support to our guys. Well maybe not Rhys so much 😉 Even though I did figure out who the bad guy was fairly early, it is another brilliant addition to this series that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Joel Leslie – what can I say. Another stellar performance of such a diverse and extended set of characters. The voices and accents were *chef’s kiss* . I love the emotional depth of all the characters but particularly Levi and Blue. The bad guys was also brilliantly played 😉 This author and narrator are a match made in heaven. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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