Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  Evil All Along

SERIES:  The Last Picks

AUTHOR:  Gregory Ashe

PUBLISHER:  Hodgkin & Blount

LENGTH:  255 pages

RELEASE DATE: April  7, 2025

BLURB:

They say love makes fools of us all. It certainly makes idiots out of some of us.

It’s Dash’s second Halloween in Hastings Rock, and this year, he’s determined to have a normal spooky season—he’s going to hang out with his friends, hand out lots of candy, and seize every available opportunity for snuggles with a certain deputy.

Fate, though, has other things in store.

When Dash’s friend Keme is arrested for murder, Dash assumes it’s a misunderstanding—after all, this is Keme we’re talking about. But it turns out, not everyone in Hastings Rock trusts Keme. Or likes him. In fact, plenty of people are downright afraid of him, and for them, the arrest confirms what they’ve always suspected: that Keme is a seriously bad apple. And when Keme’s clothes turn up not far from the scene of the crime, covered in the victim’s blood, it’s the final piece of proof for the court of public opinion.

It’ll be up to Dash to prove Keme’s innocence.

But the real killer might have something to say about that.

REVIEW:

Note:   This is the eighth book in this series and it needs to be read in order.  The whole dynamic of the Last Picks and Deputy Bobby and Dash builds from the first book.

Tis installment of The Last Picks starts at Halloween time.  Bobby and Dash and the gang are out for the celebration.  All except Millie.  She shows up a bit later with a new guy – Louis.  He’s a local college student who calls Dash Dan and pretty much pisses off every single one of the group.  Keme is clearly not happy.  Louis is pretty self-involved AND he seems to want to change everything about Millie that makes her, well, Millie.  And they are taking off to go to some frat party. This night is off to a rocky start!

Then the police arrive – well Bobby and Deputy Tribble – looking for Keme the next day.  Turns out the guy at the RV park where Keme’s mother stays, JT, is dead.  And Keme was seen fighting with him.  Dash is furious.  He just knows Keme couldn’t have done it.  But after Dash goes to talk to Keme’s mom (boy that was a weird encounter) it seems like Keme has already been arrested, clearly has been in a fight and there is a lot of evidence pointing in his direction.  When Dash tries to help, well Keme has shut down and lashes out at him making Bobby angry.

Indira, Fox and Dash are sure Keme is innocent.  Millie does a fairly bad attempt to give him an alibi – which is promptly torpedoed by her broyfriend Louis.  Things are NOT going well.  Bobby can’t be involved.  Everyone is worried about Keme since he’s been arrested.  You know Dash isn’t letting this go.  And of course, he finds the second body.  At least things are looking up for Keme??  Keme comes back to Hemlock House.  Maybe not for long though.  Someone is still after Keme.  Or maybe Dash.  Or maybe both.

Dash is not letting it go.  Bobby is not happy that he keeps putting himself in danger.  But Dash can’t help but do whatever he thinks is best to try to find out what is going on and who would murder not one, but two people.  He does keep getting in over his head for sure.  He’s determined to keep Keme around and keep him safe.  Too bad others have different plans.

This story centered on Keme and his background and what makes him tick.  He’s not had anything very easy.  Since the first book, he’s been a bit of an enigma.  For some reason Indira has been watching over him and making sure he’s feed.  We know he had been sleeping rough if he wasn’t holed up somewhere in Hemlock House.  After meeting his mother, it’s a little more obvious how and why he’s so closed off and also so self-sufficient.  Dash feels responsible for him even though he’s not exactly parent material in his view.  Keme has been good about calling him on his BS.  It’s definitely a situation where Keme is trying to find his way and he’s not convinced that he is worth the trouble to his friends so he continues to try to push and push.  Dash knows he isn’t the best and stepping up, but this might be Keme’s only chance.  Indira and Fox and Bobby and Millie are all counting on Dash to be able to get through to Keme.  Nothing goes as expected and there are a lot more tears for everyone this time around.  Oh yeah, and there is a lot of danger around to our intrepid sleuth too!  I thoroughly enjoyed how the mystery and saving the day and the bond between Dash and Keme all come together.  Coupled with Dash and Bobby’s growing relationship, this is really such an enlightening chapter in this series.  Well done!

RATING: 

BUY LINKS:

Amazon