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Killian Kendall #4
The Truth of Yesterday
"We like to think of life as a story - complete with a nice, neat beginning, middle, and end. Real life is seldom that orderly. We often forget just how powerful the past can be. After all, it's over and done with, so how can the past affect the present? The truth is, while it may be over, it is seldom done. The past has a way of twisting our perception, our feelings, and even our reality. Things we thought long behind us can suddenly be very much before us." Killian is thrilled when his first real case takes him on a surveillance trip to Washington D.C. - and with his boyfriend Micah, no less. When Micah takes him out to celebrate the successful resolution of his case, Micah's past comes back to haunt them in a big way. Killian is stunned by what he learns, and even more shocked to hear about the murder of Micah's former lover, Paul. The truth threatens to tear them apart, but at the same time, Killian finds himself drawn to find Paul's killer. Meanwhile, Judy has asked him to investigate an old friend, Jake, whose behavior has changed radically over the last few months. She is worried he may be involved in something dangerous...and she has no idea how right she is. Entering into the perilous and often grim world of male escorts, Killian discovers that things are seldom what they seem and everyone has a past. The truth of yesterday becomes a lie tomorrow.
376 pages, Paperback
First published February 13, 2011
1 person is currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Josh Aterovis
9 books50 followersJosh Aterovis has been writing award-winning queer fiction for twenty years. He fell in love with mystery novels in the fourth grade when he discovered the Nancy Drew series in his school library. He soon moved on to Agatha Christie and other titans of the genre, which led to a lifelong love affair with whodunits. His books have won multiple awards from the StoneWall Society, and he is a former Lambda Literary Award finalist for Gay Mystery.
Aterovis lives in one of the quirkiest cities in America — Baltimore, Maryland — with his two birds, Edgar and Virginia Poe (Eddy and Ginny for short), where, besides writing, he is also a visual artist and immersive theater maker.
Aterovis lives in one of the quirkiest cities in America — Baltimore, Maryland — with his two birds, Edgar and Virginia Poe (Eddy and Ginny for short), where, besides writing, he is also a visual artist and immersive theater maker.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 7, 2011
Mystery novelist Josh Aterovis first introduced teen sleuth Killian Kendall in the award-winning "Bleeding Hearts." With "The Truth of Yesterday," the fourth and latest entry in the series, the author has created another engrossing page-turner that delves into the dark, hidden underworld of the male escort service industry.
Now a freshman in college on Maryland’s eastern shore, as well as a part-time private detective in-the-making, Killian is hired by Micah, his journalist boyfriend, to investigate the murder of Paul Flynn, a hustler from DC. In a former life, Micah shared the same profession and the same bed with Paul--two revelatory pieces of information that surface shortly after Killian agrees to commit to him exclusively.
In his short eighteen years on this planet, our protagonist has already lived a life worthy of its own soap opera. His corrupt father, now in jail, threw Killian out on the street when he came out. Seth, his gay best friend, was the fatal victim of a violent crime, and Seth’s father, Adam, who took in Killian off the street and has raised him since, is running a haunted bed-and-breakfast with his partner, Steve. Stranger yet, the young detective is either blessed or cursed with a supernatural gift that allows him to communicate with the dead.
With Killian, the author has crafted a character who manages to juggle (arguably too well) his education, a blossoming career and a budding relationship with the precision and discipline of someone more than twice his age. But much like any typical eighteen-year-old, Killian is devoted to Micah but has eyes for Noah from the gay/straight alliance on campus. Yet when he isn’t staking out philandering husbands or commuting to and from the DC crime scene with his partner, Christina, he pointedly makes time for his surrogate little brother, Kane.
The plot thickens when Judy, the mother of his friend, Seth, asks Killian to inquire about an abrupt change in her son’s behavior, and he learns this seemingly unrelated request may be connected to Paul’s murder. And if that weren’t enough, the gumshoe-turned-medium is forced to acknowledge his otherworldly ability and help rid Steve and Adam’s guesthouse of its previous owner’s ghost.
Despite the novel’s outlandish themes--and there are several--Killian makes for a gutsy, cagey young man whose dedication and determination will likely inspire readers of all ages. The whodunit alone is enough to keep the pages turning at lightning speed, but there is also so much more about his story to absorb, which is a glowing testament to the author. Luckily for us, because Killian is still so young, his adventures have only just begun.
Now a freshman in college on Maryland’s eastern shore, as well as a part-time private detective in-the-making, Killian is hired by Micah, his journalist boyfriend, to investigate the murder of Paul Flynn, a hustler from DC. In a former life, Micah shared the same profession and the same bed with Paul--two revelatory pieces of information that surface shortly after Killian agrees to commit to him exclusively.
In his short eighteen years on this planet, our protagonist has already lived a life worthy of its own soap opera. His corrupt father, now in jail, threw Killian out on the street when he came out. Seth, his gay best friend, was the fatal victim of a violent crime, and Seth’s father, Adam, who took in Killian off the street and has raised him since, is running a haunted bed-and-breakfast with his partner, Steve. Stranger yet, the young detective is either blessed or cursed with a supernatural gift that allows him to communicate with the dead.
With Killian, the author has crafted a character who manages to juggle (arguably too well) his education, a blossoming career and a budding relationship with the precision and discipline of someone more than twice his age. But much like any typical eighteen-year-old, Killian is devoted to Micah but has eyes for Noah from the gay/straight alliance on campus. Yet when he isn’t staking out philandering husbands or commuting to and from the DC crime scene with his partner, Christina, he pointedly makes time for his surrogate little brother, Kane.
The plot thickens when Judy, the mother of his friend, Seth, asks Killian to inquire about an abrupt change in her son’s behavior, and he learns this seemingly unrelated request may be connected to Paul’s murder. And if that weren’t enough, the gumshoe-turned-medium is forced to acknowledge his otherworldly ability and help rid Steve and Adam’s guesthouse of its previous owner’s ghost.
Despite the novel’s outlandish themes--and there are several--Killian makes for a gutsy, cagey young man whose dedication and determination will likely inspire readers of all ages. The whodunit alone is enough to keep the pages turning at lightning speed, but there is also so much more about his story to absorb, which is a glowing testament to the author. Luckily for us, because Killian is still so young, his adventures have only just begun.
October 8, 2011
I stayed up all night finishing this story, it was that good. There are so many aspects to this story: a romance, a paranormal (or is that horror1), a murder mystery, a coming of age... each interwoven in this book in a deft manner the reader never felt like one was set aside to address the other. The pacing was spot on, never too fast, but fast when needed, and not too slow, though it did slow during those solemn moments.
Killian is a very likable young man, coming into his own, not only with his job, but his family, his boyfriend and his gifts.
First his job; he is a private investigator in training and doing a damn good job at it. At 18, there are some situations he handles like an 18 year old would; some situations he's much older than 18. In this fourth book in the series, Killian has had a lot of experience in dealing with murder and killers, but even that doesn't quite prepare him for what he faces in The Truth of Yesterday.
Next, his family; Killian is part of a blended family and none a blood relation. His 'adopted' dad, Adam, and his partner, Steve play and have played an integral part in making Killian who he is. Adam's younger son, Kane, adds a layers to the family, making it more real. I'm sure a lot of Killian's backstory is told in the first book, but a reader isn't lost in this one. In essence, Killian is kicked out of his home when his father finds out he's gay, and his mother gives Adam parental rights to raise Killian. There is more to this than what I've said here, but even if it's not much of a spoiler for this fourth story in the series, it would be for the others.
Killian's Gifts are of the paranormal kind and continue to develop and get stronger the older he gets. He sees and interacts with some dead people, experiences the deaths, or violent situations others have had. These new enhancements to his Gifts frighten not only him, but everyone around him. A family friend who has a lower level Gift is attempting to find Killian a teacher to help train and use his Gifts (doesn't happen in this book).
And lastly, Killian's boyfriend. Micah is a fantastic boyfriend, a terrific person. I have to admit when I first read of the age difference between the two, I had some unease. What's a 23 yr old doing with an 18 yr old virgin? But, Micah has his own past that just about makes him the perfect person to be in Killian's life and his love, at this moment in time. There is so much love and realistic conflict and resolution between them, truly fantastic writing here.
All around, I cannot say enough good things about this book. It's not perfect. In fact, it triggered one of my biggest peeves about timing continuity. Killian does border on being too much, being too perfect a person to be real, but he does have some real flaws and does some pretty stupid stuff. It brings him down to a more human level.
Killian is a very likable young man, coming into his own, not only with his job, but his family, his boyfriend and his gifts.
First his job; he is a private investigator in training and doing a damn good job at it. At 18, there are some situations he handles like an 18 year old would; some situations he's much older than 18. In this fourth book in the series, Killian has had a lot of experience in dealing with murder and killers, but even that doesn't quite prepare him for what he faces in The Truth of Yesterday.
Next, his family; Killian is part of a blended family and none a blood relation. His 'adopted' dad, Adam, and his partner, Steve play and have played an integral part in making Killian who he is. Adam's younger son, Kane, adds a layers to the family, making it more real. I'm sure a lot of Killian's backstory is told in the first book, but a reader isn't lost in this one. In essence, Killian is kicked out of his home when his father finds out he's gay, and his mother gives Adam parental rights to raise Killian. There is more to this than what I've said here, but even if it's not much of a spoiler for this fourth story in the series, it would be for the others.
Killian's Gifts are of the paranormal kind and continue to develop and get stronger the older he gets. He sees and interacts with some dead people, experiences the deaths, or violent situations others have had. These new enhancements to his Gifts frighten not only him, but everyone around him. A family friend who has a lower level Gift is attempting to find Killian a teacher to help train and use his Gifts (doesn't happen in this book).
And lastly, Killian's boyfriend. Micah is a fantastic boyfriend, a terrific person. I have to admit when I first read of the age difference between the two, I had some unease. What's a 23 yr old doing with an 18 yr old virgin? But, Micah has his own past that just about makes him the perfect person to be in Killian's life and his love, at this moment in time. There is so much love and realistic conflict and resolution between them, truly fantastic writing here.
All around, I cannot say enough good things about this book. It's not perfect. In fact, it triggered one of my biggest peeves about timing continuity. Killian does border on being too much, being too perfect a person to be real, but he does have some real flaws and does some pretty stupid stuff. It brings him down to a more human level.
April 24, 2011
In the interest of full disclosure, Josh and I are friends*. (Although he may wish this isn't true, since I texted him probably at least 20 times while reading this book, badgering him about plot points.) While I enjoyed getting to chat with the author while reading the book, I enjoyed it on its own merits and not because the author is my friend.
This is the fourth book in his Killian Kendall series. It's probably best to start at the beginning, but I think backstory is explained well enough that you don't HAVE to.
Killian is training to be a private eye. In this book, his boyfriend, Micah, hires him to investigate a murder. (Micah's ex, Paul, to be specific. It looks like a robbery gone bad, but Micah's not convinced.) There's actually a lot going on in this novel. That investigation, plus another (a friend of Killian's is acting strangely and all of a sudden has a ton of money), PLUS a supernatural element. But what I enjoyed most (well, besides Micah and Killian's relationship) is the fact that this book raises some serious questions. How important is the past? Is it fair to judge someone based on choices they made, if they've become a completely different person now? And what are your own personal deal-breakers? (Because I'm not sure I would've made some of the choices Killian made.)
There are two levels to this book. The first is a fun, engrossing mystery. And the second is a more philosophical one, raising and answering the questions mentioned above.
Highly recommended.
* = There are several authors I make this disclaimer for, but since Josh is the one who got me my dog, Sam, I think we're friends by anyone's definition. :)
This is the fourth book in his Killian Kendall series. It's probably best to start at the beginning, but I think backstory is explained well enough that you don't HAVE to.
Killian is training to be a private eye. In this book, his boyfriend, Micah, hires him to investigate a murder. (Micah's ex, Paul, to be specific. It looks like a robbery gone bad, but Micah's not convinced.) There's actually a lot going on in this novel. That investigation, plus another (a friend of Killian's is acting strangely and all of a sudden has a ton of money), PLUS a supernatural element. But what I enjoyed most (well, besides Micah and Killian's relationship) is the fact that this book raises some serious questions. How important is the past? Is it fair to judge someone based on choices they made, if they've become a completely different person now? And what are your own personal deal-breakers? (Because I'm not sure I would've made some of the choices Killian made.)
There are two levels to this book. The first is a fun, engrossing mystery. And the second is a more philosophical one, raising and answering the questions mentioned above.
Highly recommended.
* = There are several authors I make this disclaimer for, but since Josh is the one who got me my dog, Sam, I think we're friends by anyone's definition. :)
July 11, 2014
Ah, the intrepid, insipid, weepy, angsty Killian. An 18 year old who manages to have 2 significant relationships without going beyond a kiss. The very thought of sexual relations causes him to have heart palpitations. Gifted with psychic abilities, he fights valiantly to even acknowledge their existence, let alone understand or utilize them.
Killian has all the charm of a sheltered 19th century Victorian schoolgirl. This has to be one of the more bizarre series on the gay romance shelf. There are characters idealized beyond any semblance of modern American life. Others brought in to try for an edgy, contemporary stew.
One saving grace of this series is the lack of explicit sex scenes. This alone would ordinarily be worth a full star, but in this case it simply leaves room for more morality lessons and dysfunction.
Finally, the book's overwritten. It's in dire need of a good editor. You'll practice your speed reading skills on this Dickens wannabe.
Killian has all the charm of a sheltered 19th century Victorian schoolgirl. This has to be one of the more bizarre series on the gay romance shelf. There are characters idealized beyond any semblance of modern American life. Others brought in to try for an edgy, contemporary stew.
One saving grace of this series is the lack of explicit sex scenes. This alone would ordinarily be worth a full star, but in this case it simply leaves room for more morality lessons and dysfunction.
Finally, the book's overwritten. It's in dire need of a good editor. You'll practice your speed reading skills on this Dickens wannabe.
June 27, 2011
This is another fabulous read within this series! Many recurring characters, besides Killian, find themselves in The Truth Of Yesterday again. They drew me in, warmed me with their feelings for one another but I also feared for them as dangers surround them once more! I love how Josh Aterovis can connect seperate story threads and make it a flowing and cohesive whole. Mystery, romantic development, a fantastic connected cameo of characters and an evil usurper turn The Truth Of Yesterday into a page-turner again!
October 28, 2011
His mysteries really pull you in and captivate your attention. I particularly love the layers that he builds within a novel, with multiple storylines and angles. He does tend to over write a bit, but it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of these mysteries. I hope the series continues for a long time!!!
October 7, 2011
Best one yet!
September 7, 2011
Still really enjoying Aterovis mysteries. Keep it up!!!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews