Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Dropping Like Flies
SERIES: Paranormal Problems, Necromancers #2
AUTHOR: HL Day
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 348 Pages
RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2024
BLURB:
Quickest way to catch a killer? Bring the victim back and ask who did it. Only, nothing’s that easy.
When the bodies of young gay men start piling up in London, DCI Ben Weaver would do anything to bring the massacre to an end. Well, almost anything. He didn’t have the powers-that-be recruiting a necromancer on his bingo card. Or who that necromancer would turn out to be.
Griffin doesn’t want to work for CID, but then he has little interest in most things these days unless it involves getting drunk. Especially if it brings Ben back into his life. Ben might be his fated mate, but Griffin refuses to dance to fate’s tune. Not when guilt still gnaws away at him.
Stopping Satanic Romeo from claiming any more victims requires teamwork. But as they try to navigate their feelings and work out the killer’s endgame, he might already have them in his sights.
Who’s hunting who?
Dropping Like Flies is book 2 in the Paranormal Problems trilogy but can be read as a standalone. It features a necromancer bond stronger than most, a killer with a liking for fingers and not in a good way, and two men far better together than they are apart.
Content warning for murder, violence and suicide.
REVIEW:
Griffin and Ben split up three years ago despite being fated mates. Following a series of murders, a necromancer is suggested, and Griffin is called upon to fill the role. Griffin wasn’t aware that his ex, Detective Ben Weaver, was in charge of the case. With a serial killer on the loose and a failed relationship to sort, will they survive in more ways than one?
Dropping Like Flies is the second installment in the Paranormal Problems, Necromancer’s series. For the most part, this was a good story and a most enjoyable read. What propelled it to an almost perfect score was the ending.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Ben and Griffin. I’ll leave the technical aspects alone because the manuscript wasn’t the final formatted copy. As a Brit, reading a tale told in London is lovely as much of the imagery was already in my head. Worldbuilding revolved around the investigation and some after-hours activities. One of the aspects I appreciated was the small cast, used to perfection with no superfluous additions.
Ben and Griffin share a superbly written connection, serving as heaven, hell, and everything in between. Ben finds it hard to concentrate as a detective handling an important case alongside Griffin. Similarly, being Ben’s temporary work partner, Griffin battles the reasoning and issues that separated them. I liked that there was realization but no sudden bright light moment. There was a nudge here, an elbow there, and the odd catch by the scruff of the neck with meaningful words.
Regarding the investigation, which ran symbiotically to the relationship, I am a fan of the TV series Criminal Minds, so some story elements were a touch more evident than others. But the star of the show was the ending – it was dramatic with an extra twist, which made me look forward to what’s to come with ramped-up anticipation.
RATING: 
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