Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: The Burnt
SERIES: The Declan Hunt Mysteries #3
AUTHOR: Peter E. Fenton
PUBLISHER: Entwined Publishing
LENGTH: 243 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 5, 2025
BLURB:
Book three in the Declan Hunt Mysteries series
How far would you be willing to go to reveal the truth?
Finding work-life balance isn’t always easy when you’re sleeping with the boss. Charlie Watts is feeling stressed as he studies for his private investigator’s license, starts taking on his own cases and tries to navigate his relationship with Declan Hunt. He thinks he can handle it, but every time their relationship is going well, work always seems to get in the way.
While Charlie investigates a threatening note that appears to be from a boy who mysteriously disappeared ten years ago, Declan tries to find the meaning behind the final words of a man who was brutally murdered. As Declan and Charlie work to solve these mysteries, secrets from the past are exposed, Charlie is haunted by ghostly dreams, and Declan is forced to confront some terrible truths from a hidden past.
Ultimately, the truth will be revealed, but at what cost? And will Declan and Charlie be able to solve the mystery of where they want to go next with their relationship before things at work take a terrible turn?
REVIEW:
Note: This is the third book in this series and really doesn’t work as a standalone. The first book sets the stage for Charlie and Declan, their relationship and the cases they are pursuing. Also I recommend them 😉
I really enjoyed this episode in this series. The intertwining of the mysteries was well done.
Declan and Charlie have their hands full. Declan has been dragged into a murder case that he has a special interest in because of the death of the victim’s son 10 years before. There isn’t a witness or a suspect. But there is a nosy neighbor who after some convincing, talks to Declan. He’s not the police so she trusts him a bit more. Declan’s old partner is on the case and he would like to solve the case, so he’s going to maybe be ok with sort of skirting the rules a bit.
Meanwhile a missing persons case comes across their desk and Declan decides Charlie is the perfect man for the job! He’s now ready to take on his own case. This case gets curiouser and curiouser 😉 And what are the chances that both cases have the name “Milo” involved? While Charlie is excited about it, he’s feeling overwhelmed. Declan says it’s time to hire someone to replace Charlie – as office manager 🙂
While Charlie is working on his case, Charlie’s grandma takes a fall and breaks her wrist. Declan doesn’t go with Charlie to the hospital because he still hasn’t told his parents that he is gay. Oh and that he’s dating his boss. Whoops!
As they are finding their way through the cases, they are still trying to find balance in their relationship. Declan is still working on this – he’s not used to putting someone else first. Kerry is still trying to get Charlie to have expectations 🙂
When things come to a head and Charlie and Declan solve more than a missing persons and murder case, both are happy to have it behind them. They are ready to move forward 🙂
I really like this series. Charlie and Declan are interesting characters. Each mystery is not only interesting, but they move the relationship along as well. Declan has a lot of baggage for sure. Charlie hasn’t been in a relationship before, so he’s figuring out his way too. I love the secondary characters – Mrs. B, Gwen, Kerry, and Charlie’s grandma. I foresee a long and fruitful relationship for these two. And hopefully a lot more mysteries to solve! Highly recommended.
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