Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: You Can Make Me
SERIES: Carnival of Mysteries #3 (Multi-author shared world)
AUTHOR: RL Merrill
PUBLISHER: Celie Bay Publications LLC
LENGTH: 307 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 13, 2025
BLURB:
Journalist Cooper Harris received a dire warning from a psychic early in his career as an investigative reporter: Your curiosity will lead you to death’s doorstep. That prediction came true when he ignored instructions from law enforcement friends, and showed up to a crime scene only to become the latest victim of a serial killer. He was rescued by the man he desperately loves but denies at every turn—Detective Dennis Hamilton—and left with gruesome and debilitating injuries.
Three months later, Denny is at his wit’s end. He’s done everything in his power to help Cooper heal, but the reporter is obsessed with finding a mythical carnival that is rumored to possess some “woo woo fountain of youth and vitality.” Denny desires Cooper just as he is, but the reporter has always gotten by on his looks and investigative skills. Cooper refuses to give up hunting for answers, even if it means making a deal with the very devil responsible for his scars.
With the help of his trusted friends, and two men not of this time, Denny will fight to stop a killer from finishing what he started with Cooper, the man he has come to cherish. Cooper will have to choose between exposing the secrets of the Carnival of Mysteries, and accepting that love is more important than the truth he seeks.
You Can Make Me is the third book R.L. Merrill has contributed to the Carnival of Mysteries shared world. It can be read as a standalone, but readers will more fully enjoy the story after reading You Can Do Magic and You Can Save Me. Each book in the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series stands alone and includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. Recommended for readers 18+
REVIEW:
Cooper is an investigative journalist. After nearly being disfigured and losing his life at the hands of a serial killer, he is obsessed with the Carnival of Mysteries, believing it can make him whole again. In truth, many other things are key to his survival.
You Can Make Me is the third and last book of a trilogy within the Carnival Of Mysteries framework, of which there are over twenty books written by various artists. From the first page, I was absorbed into the story. When reviewing, I usually make notes as I read, but I didn’t want to stop for a second. And by the end, I was a mess. My heart had gone on a rollercoaster, and I’d been truly entertained.
The story is told in the first person, from the viewpoint of Cooper and Denny. The overall worldbuilding spans all three books, covering, primarily, LA, Las Vegas and a lovely cottage by a lake. RL Merrill always provides enough description to transport me to her world without going into minute detail. This perfectly suits my reading tastes. I was too absorbed in the story to notice any technical aspects of the writing, but this author has traditionally produced a high standard of grammar.
Cooper embarks on a journey to reclaim his life, and in doing so, helps others as well. He must learn that his looks aren’t what make him a beautiful man, overcome depression and realize that being a survivor makes him even stronger. Also, he must accept that he isn’t on this journey alone.
Denny is ex-forces. When he left the Marines, he embarked on a life in law enforcement. He has a world of patience and a couple of divorces behind him. He’d also do anything for Cooper. He is a strong, protective man with a beautiful soul.
You Can Make Me is RL Merrill writing at its best. The story is more than reclaiming life after horrific trauma. It’s about helping others in the process, even if it means the distress is prolonged, with a far greater goal being attained.
As already mentioned, this is the third and final book in this embedded series. As such, there is a welcome return of other previous characters in an effort to protect the carnival and finally banish a nasty evil. Among other things, the story contains serial killers, kidnapping, fire, recovery, teamwork, camaraderie, friendship, an odd toy gifted by the carnival, and let’s not forget the magic of the carnival.
The story shows people at their best and worst – brilliant.
RATING: 
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