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Kevin Connor Mysteries #3
Third You Die
Finally settling down with his hunky cop boyfriend, former callboy Kevin Connor is giving up the "oldest profession" for a new producing his mom's TV talk show, "Sophie's Voice." But when their latest guest--gay porn sensation Brent Havens--ends up floating in the East River after vowing to blow the lid off the adult film industry, Kevin returns to the world of high-stakes sex to find Who killed the twink who had everything?Was it the X-rated director who exploited his star--for his own desires? The bartender boyfriend who hustled more than just cocktails? Or the eye-candy co-star who left the sweet actor for a sugar daddy?
Either way, Kevin is zooming in on one twisted plot with no shortage of drama queens. But is he ready for his close-up. . .with a killer?
"Scott Sherman has created a really fresh and original character in Kevin Connor, and I look forward to more from him." --Greg Herren
Praise for Second You Sin
"Following the adventures of hunky and lovable male hustler/amateur sleuth Kevin Connor around the streets of New York is like a thrill-a-minute roller coaster that is so full of hair raising turns and breathless moments of surprise that you don't even notice you're screaming with laughter the entire ride!"--Rick Copp
"There is fun sin and boring sin. Second You Sin is chock-full of the first kind." --David Stukas
Either way, Kevin is zooming in on one twisted plot with no shortage of drama queens. But is he ready for his close-up. . .with a killer?
"Scott Sherman has created a really fresh and original character in Kevin Connor, and I look forward to more from him." --Greg Herren
Praise for Second You Sin
"Following the adventures of hunky and lovable male hustler/amateur sleuth Kevin Connor around the streets of New York is like a thrill-a-minute roller coaster that is so full of hair raising turns and breathless moments of surprise that you don't even notice you're screaming with laughter the entire ride!"--Rick Copp
"There is fun sin and boring sin. Second You Sin is chock-full of the first kind." --David Stukas
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 16, 2013
2.5 stars
First 95% - repetitive, over-the-top, skimmed
Last 5% - happy, happy, joy, joy
I still love Kevin.
But, the book bored me to tears.
The ending is completely out-of-character.
But, I loved it...because I'm a sap.
Would I want another book in this series? Yes, if Sherman would focus more on the relationships and tighten up the mystery. Too much extraneous detail, too many characters, too much nonsense.
How about at least, an epilogue with Kevin & Tony?
May 16, 2022
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I really liked Kevin Connor and his somewhat inane entourage. I hope there is going to be more to follow this one. The reader's credulity might be stretched a little by Kevin's and his mother's investigative techniques or the necessity for them to have to have to investigate at all, but it is still a good story. The entire storyline might have been a bit more satisfying if we had learned a little more about what eventually happened to the various victims and culprits, but I guess we can accept that the good guys prevailed.
October 1, 2012
I'm a bit ambivalent regarding the rating, as overall I liked the book and think it's a fitting end to the series, or not? Anyway, on the other hand I'm not happy with Tony's about-turn. Yes, it was a nice gesture and a finally taking a stand, but again this was too out of the blue. I know that because of the writing style from Kevin's POV we couldn't get to know more about Tony's intentions, nevertheless I still think it doesn't fit his character. Overall it was a very well balanced book with the 'mystery' and the development of Kevin's private life. Speaking of the 'Mystery' - it was a tad aggravating the already in the blurb it was mentioned that Brent turned up dead, when in the book this wasn't a fact til about 80%? or so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2012
I'm ready now. This was more like a 3.5 stars for me. Over all, it was good. The first two in the series were great, though. The storyline about Kevin and his mother was too much for me. It was cute, but I found it unbelievable and skipped most of it because I knew it had no bearing on the main story.
There wasn't enough time spent with developing Tony and Kevin's relationship. There were moments here and there, but very little of the book was devoted to them. It seemed that mostly, they fought and Kevin stuffed down the feelings he had about how Tony disparaged sex workers (which hurt Kevin deeply). There were some really great scenes including Rafi with both Kevin and Tony. Rafi's teacher was a breath of fresh air.
The ending seemed rushed and impossible to me.
I would recommend this to anyone who read First You Fall and Second You Sin as it rounds out the series nicely. This could be the end or there could be more to come. I have mixed feelings about that. I would love to see more of Tony/Kevin/Rafi, but less of Sophie's hijinks. Yeah, I used hijinks in a sentence!
There wasn't enough time spent with developing Tony and Kevin's relationship. There were moments here and there, but very little of the book was devoted to them. It seemed that mostly, they fought and Kevin stuffed down the feelings he had about how Tony disparaged sex workers (which hurt Kevin deeply). There were some really great scenes including Rafi with both Kevin and Tony. Rafi's teacher was a breath of fresh air.
The ending seemed rushed and impossible to me.
I would recommend this to anyone who read First You Fall and Second You Sin as it rounds out the series nicely. This could be the end or there could be more to come. I have mixed feelings about that. I would love to see more of Tony/Kevin/Rafi, but less of Sophie's hijinks. Yeah, I used hijinks in a sentence!
April 1, 2018
I don’t know if it’s because I STILL don’t like Tony, or if it’s because I finally just got really fucking tired of Sherman’s incessant assholey fat people commentary, or if it was just too long and nowhere near as funny, but this one didn’t capture my attention the way the previous two did. I got bored and annoyed more than once, honestly.
It just seemed to lack the freshness of the first one, and the edge of the second one, and sort of…. plateaued and stagnated. Like a car that gained momentum and suddenly ran out of gas. In several instances, there was a LOT of exposition given through conversation (primarily with Freddy), as opposed to letting the action unfold within the scenes itself. I also figured out who the killer was almost immediately after the person was introduced because the foreshadowing was hilariously unsubtle.
And as for that ending… I am sure a lot of people will love it.
I also just missed the other characters – Marc, and Kevin’s hustler friends, and Vicki. Even Cody and Freddy weren’t in there the way they could have been. They were all MIA (apart from some very brief mentions). I also missed the funny, and often sweet, interactions Kevin had with his clients. The book was super bland without these things - much like Tony and Kevin’s relationship.
So yeah, a pretty disappointing last installment to an otherwise (mostly) enjoyable series.
It just seemed to lack the freshness of the first one, and the edge of the second one, and sort of…. plateaued and stagnated. Like a car that gained momentum and suddenly ran out of gas. In several instances, there was a LOT of exposition given through conversation (primarily with Freddy), as opposed to letting the action unfold within the scenes itself. I also figured out who the killer was almost immediately after the person was introduced because the foreshadowing was hilariously unsubtle.
And as for that ending… I am sure a lot of people will love it.
I also just missed the other characters – Marc, and Kevin’s hustler friends, and Vicki. Even Cody and Freddy weren’t in there the way they could have been. They were all MIA (apart from some very brief mentions). I also missed the funny, and often sweet, interactions Kevin had with his clients. The book was super bland without these things - much like Tony and Kevin’s relationship.
So yeah, a pretty disappointing last installment to an otherwise (mostly) enjoyable series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2013
Lost its luster. Monotonous storyline. Character frustration.
Unfortunately the third time was not a charm, at least not for me. I enjoyed the first two books a great deal, but it seems I should have stopped while I was ahead.
Kevin was the same Kevin, but his sweet adorable charming ways turned a bit too snobbish for my taste. His career change bored me to tears. But, more than anything I was bothered with his deteriorating self-respect and willingness to become the doormat he had always refused to be.
Sophie lost her flavor, and I could have cared less about her show.
Andrew was annoying and borderline harassing with his inappropriate behavior.
Freddy was still a manwhore and I was irked with his part-time relationship.
Tony’s ex-wife was a megabitch.
The murdered porn stars never really snagged my attention.
Most of all I was pissed, I am talking flat-out fuming steaming mad at Tony for most of the book.
I was a solid fan on Team Tony, but he disappointed me again and again this time around. His actions and words at the conclusion of book two did not meet my expectations of his behavior in book three. He made clear and rational decisions that defied his previous promises, and I (unlike Kevvy) held a grudge over them. Even though he pulled out the trump card at the end, it wasn’t enough. I am sorry, but I do not buy it.
I am a sucker for a happily-ever-after, but this was a fabricated-make-believe-dazzle-you-with-diamonds-and-everything-will-be-okay ending.
And I’ll be completely honest...
...nope. It didn’t fix it, and it is most definitely not okay.
Okay, enough is enough. For me this was an accelerating nose dive crash & burn of a great series. I am saddened with the hasty wrap up and character flaws that were polished in this last book.
*2.5 hrumph stars*
Unfortunately the third time was not a charm, at least not for me. I enjoyed the first two books a great deal, but it seems I should have stopped while I was ahead.
Kevin was the same Kevin, but his sweet adorable charming ways turned a bit too snobbish for my taste. His career change bored me to tears. But, more than anything I was bothered with his deteriorating self-respect and willingness to become the doormat he had always refused to be.
Sophie lost her flavor, and I could have cared less about her show.
Andrew was annoying and borderline harassing with his inappropriate behavior.
Freddy was still a manwhore and I was irked with his part-time relationship.
Tony’s ex-wife was a megabitch.
The murdered porn stars never really snagged my attention.
Most of all I was pissed, I am talking flat-out fuming steaming mad at Tony for most of the book.
I was a solid fan on Team Tony, but he disappointed me again and again this time around. His actions and words at the conclusion of book two did not meet my expectations of his behavior in book three. He made clear and rational decisions that defied his previous promises, and I (unlike Kevvy) held a grudge over them. Even though he pulled out the trump card at the end, it wasn’t enough. I am sorry, but I do not buy it.
I am a sucker for a happily-ever-after, but this was a fabricated-make-believe-dazzle-you-with-diamonds-and-everything-will-be-okay ending.
And I’ll be completely honest...
...nope. It didn’t fix it, and it is most definitely not okay.
Okay, enough is enough. For me this was an accelerating nose dive crash & burn of a great series. I am saddened with the hasty wrap up and character flaws that were polished in this last book.
*2.5 hrumph stars*
September 28, 2012
If you enjoyed book 1 and 2 in the series, you will enjoy this one, too!
Kevin was as adorable as in the other books, I totally loved him and want to read more about him.
Reading this book was totally entertaining, you won't find a boring page.
It should be a 5* read but I don't like Tony. I wished Kevin to leave him so badly throughout the story.
(although Tony redeemed himself at the end of the story)
And, the missing star was also because of its high price. Although I enjoyed the story very much, it still hurt to think about the price....... :-(
Kevin was as adorable as in the other books, I totally loved him and want to read more about him.
Reading this book was totally entertaining, you won't find a boring page.
It should be a 5* read but I don't like Tony. I wished Kevin to leave him so badly throughout the story.
(although Tony redeemed himself at the end of the story)
And, the missing star was also because of its high price. Although I enjoyed the story very much, it still hurt to think about the price....... :-(
November 6, 2012
I hope there will be more books about Kevin, because it's a character I really love. He's real, and he's kind.
Plus, in these books you can't help but get invested in all the other characters as well: Andrew, Cole, Freddy, Lucas and so on.
I'd like to read more about every single one of them.
Plus, in these books you can't help but get invested in all the other characters as well: Andrew, Cole, Freddy, Lucas and so on.
I'd like to read more about every single one of them.
December 4, 2014
Scott is an amazing writer and story teller. I enjoyed this book so much! There were 3 major plot lines in this book: The Brent Havens' disappearance mystery, Kevin and Tony's ongoing relationship and Kevin's mom's t.v. show. All three were nicely woven together.
Brent Havens' Mystery: I could not figure out what happened to Brent until it was revealed! I had my suspicions as to who was behind his disappearance but I couldn't figure out a motive. When it was finally revealed, I was very saddened because it was horrible. Then I was kicking myself for not figuring it out sooner. Freddy was also in this story. He is a never ending source of laughs. His flirting and sexual escapes were made legendary in the first two books. He's calmed down a bit in this one after starting his "open relationship' with Cody, whom Kevin set him up with in the 2nd book. He's a true best friend and was always there for Kevin when he called for help or backup. Love him!
Kevin's mom and her T.V. Show: I love Kevin's mom. She was a major character in this book and I found her not only endearing, but quite hysterical at times. One of my favorite scenes was when she and Kevin went undercover as a couple wanting to adopt a baby from a suspect agency. I found myself laughing but angry at the same time. Kevin's mom is a true hero and he's so lucky to have her as his mom.
Tony and Kevin's relationship: I took one star off because I would have liked a little bit more interaction between Tony and Kevin. As much as I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story, I found myself wanting to rush thru it to get back to Tony and Kevin, but that is the hopeless romantic in me and my desperate need for Tony to pull his head out of his cowardly ass before Kevin decided to kick it to the curb! I couldn't wait to find out how things would end up between them. There is a little bit of drama inducing angst at the end WHICH I KNEW WAS COMING that made my heart about stop. Oh god, I wanted to throw up! But the ending more than made up for it. It was AMAZING! I had tears rolling down my face.
Scott wrote in his "Acknowledgments" in the beginning of this book asking readers if we would want a 4th one. HELL YES! Please! Please! Please don't end this series!!! I adore all these characters. It saddens me to think this could be the end and there wouldn't be anymore written about them. :(
Brent Havens' Mystery: I could not figure out what happened to Brent until it was revealed! I had my suspicions as to who was behind his disappearance but I couldn't figure out a motive. When it was finally revealed, I was very saddened because it was horrible. Then I was kicking myself for not figuring it out sooner. Freddy was also in this story. He is a never ending source of laughs. His flirting and sexual escapes were made legendary in the first two books. He's calmed down a bit in this one after starting his "open relationship' with Cody, whom Kevin set him up with in the 2nd book. He's a true best friend and was always there for Kevin when he called for help or backup. Love him!
Kevin's mom and her T.V. Show: I love Kevin's mom. She was a major character in this book and I found her not only endearing, but quite hysterical at times. One of my favorite scenes was when she and Kevin went undercover as a couple wanting to adopt a baby from a suspect agency. I found myself laughing but angry at the same time. Kevin's mom is a true hero and he's so lucky to have her as his mom.
Tony and Kevin's relationship: I took one star off because I would have liked a little bit more interaction between Tony and Kevin. As much as I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this story, I found myself wanting to rush thru it to get back to Tony and Kevin, but that is the hopeless romantic in me and my desperate need for Tony to pull his head out of his cowardly ass before Kevin decided to kick it to the curb! I couldn't wait to find out how things would end up between them. There is a little bit of drama inducing angst at the end WHICH I KNEW WAS COMING that made my heart about stop. Oh god, I wanted to throw up! But the ending more than made up for it. It was AMAZING! I had tears rolling down my face.
Scott wrote in his "Acknowledgments" in the beginning of this book asking readers if we would want a 4th one. HELL YES! Please! Please! Please don't end this series!!! I adore all these characters. It saddens me to think this could be the end and there wouldn't be anymore written about them. :(
April 14, 2013
This was going along for me at a pretty steady 3 until the end. I actually enjoyed it more then the second one, and had kinda accepted the fact that Kevin was going to end up with Tony whether I wanted him to or not. The mystery was better than the second one and I was digging Kevin's narrative voice. Then came the last couple of chapters in the book which a) came out of nowhere and b) left be thinking, "What... the fuck... was that?" Commit to a genre, Mr. Sherman. Either these are mystery stories or they're romances. You ruined a perfectly good amateur sleuth plot line by throwing in a fairy tale ending just because.
September 2, 2016
All in all I enjoyed the series!
4 stars from me.
4 stars from me.
October 15, 2012
First a warning - DO NOT read the blurb for this book before you read the book itself as it contains a pretty big spoiler that you don't actually find out until you're about 80% through the story!
Kevin yet again finds himself in the middle of another mystery this time involving porn stars. He has a new job, working on his mother's chat show and he's now living with his closeted cop boyfriend, Tony. Kevin and Freddy still made me laugh and there were some interesting new characters introduced. Kevin and Tony's relationship is still less than perfect and has the added strain that
Kevin still seems to stumble through his investigation rather than using any real detective skills but that's part of what makes him so loveable! I can understand Tony's frustration at Kevin putting himself into dangerous situations too often, especially given the kinds of things Tony must see at work every day.
I really hope this is not the last we see of Kevin. I think he has a lot of stories left to tell!
Kevin yet again finds himself in the middle of another mystery this time involving porn stars. He has a new job, working on his mother's chat show and he's now living with his closeted cop boyfriend, Tony. Kevin and Freddy still made me laugh and there were some interesting new characters introduced. Kevin and Tony's relationship is still less than perfect and has the added strain that
Kevin still seems to stumble through his investigation rather than using any real detective skills but that's part of what makes him so loveable! I can understand Tony's frustration at Kevin putting himself into dangerous situations too often, especially given the kinds of things Tony must see at work every day.
I really hope this is not the last we see of Kevin. I think he has a lot of stories left to tell!
April 13, 2013
2.5
I'm a huge fan of Kevin, but this story was very flat for me. All the things I seem to love in this series were missing. I missed the rambunctious cast of characters and the love interest component didn't ring true of an HEA. My absolute favorite part of this story was Rafi, who could resist :D
I'm a huge fan of Kevin, but this story was very flat for me. All the things I seem to love in this series were missing. I missed the rambunctious cast of characters and the love interest component didn't ring true of an HEA. My absolute favorite part of this story was Rafi, who could resist :D
June 19, 2019
Gosh, I hope there's more!! Probably not as it had a big red bow but I love Kevin and his friends. He's an ex call boy in NYC with a great cast of characters: his Jewish mother, transgender 'pimp' who looks out for him like a son and all of his gay/lesbian friends. And through it all, his on-off-on 'relationship' with his hs crush, Police detective Tony "I'm not gay but suck my dick anyway" Rinaldi. This series had me laughing out loud! I'd definitely recommend this.
January 1, 2013
To pile on with all the other reviews, I definitely didn't enjoy this third book as much as the first two. Maybe I'm tired of the formula of the series by now? There's a murder mystery, there's friction between Kevin and Tony about their relationship, there's an outlandish subplot with Kevin's wacky mother, everyone that Kevin meets thinks he's the most perfect male specimen ever and wants to have sex with him, Kevin references his ADHD every other page and his two semesters of psychology that offers him huge insight into every situation. Also, during a conversation, there will be three paragraphs of Kevin's thoughts in between lines of dialogue. Damn, that's a whole lot of thinking. I started skimming to the important parts and skipping the constant commentary on the minutiae of being an escort/porn actor.
The murderer's identity and the reason for the murder didn't matter very much to me. There were only two or three possibilites so it wasn't a big surprise. It's never the obviously horrible person, so I thought it had to be one of the other two. Well, this time the other two were in on it together. Meh. The main reason I finished was to see what happened with Kevin and Tony. While I was happy for their happy ending, it seemed to come out of nowhere. Almost as if there was a limit to the number of pages for the book and all of a sudden, wait! I have to end this right now, so let's get 'em married. They weren't speaking for like a month or so, and then boom, Tony arranges this entire elaborate ruse to get Kevin to the ceremony, with both of their families, Kevin's best friend Freddy, etc. all there to cheer them on. I don't know, on the page it just came across very rushed, like watching an Oscar ceremony that's running way too long and they start rushing the speeches and the presentations to try and fit everything in.
One final thought. I hate reading a little kid's speech written in cloying baby talk. "Look what my daddy bwought me." "Time to get up sweepyhead." I get it already. He's cute and has a problem with his r's, l's and v's. Meh. I'm about to talk myself down to a 2-star review.
The murderer's identity and the reason for the murder didn't matter very much to me. There were only two or three possibilites so it wasn't a big surprise. It's never the obviously horrible person, so I thought it had to be one of the other two. Well, this time the other two were in on it together. Meh. The main reason I finished was to see what happened with Kevin and Tony. While I was happy for their happy ending, it seemed to come out of nowhere. Almost as if there was a limit to the number of pages for the book and all of a sudden, wait! I have to end this right now, so let's get 'em married. They weren't speaking for like a month or so, and then boom, Tony arranges this entire elaborate ruse to get Kevin to the ceremony, with both of their families, Kevin's best friend Freddy, etc. all there to cheer them on. I don't know, on the page it just came across very rushed, like watching an Oscar ceremony that's running way too long and they start rushing the speeches and the presentations to try and fit everything in.
One final thought. I hate reading a little kid's speech written in cloying baby talk. "Look what my daddy bwought me." "Time to get up sweepyhead." I get it already. He's cute and has a problem with his r's, l's and v's. Meh. I'm about to talk myself down to a 2-star review.
June 5, 2017
After exposing a vile talk show host the network has hired Kevin's mother to host the show. Kevin finds himself now working on the show arranging the guests to be interviewed. Following an episode featuring a collection of guests who provide sexual services Kevin meets his gay porn doppelganger, Brent Havens. Kevin, though flattered by the porn star, resists his advances as his relationship with the conflicted Tony has become more intense. Kevin is trying to arrange for a follow up show after remembering a comment from his conversation with Brent only to discover that the actor has gone missing. The action goes back and forth between Kevin's search into Brent's disappearance and his mother's foray into investigate journalism. Tony's investigation into a body that has surfaced in the Hudson River keeps him busy and brings Kevin into closer contact and responsibility for young Raffi. Kevin is about to pass on what he's found out about Brent to Tony when disaster strikes. The action keeps you turning the pages. Will Kevin survive yet another investigation, will his relationship with Tony survive his sleuthing and risk taking?
October 22, 2012
Hmmm.
I didn't like this one as much as the first two. The plot seemed too disjointed, there were too many obvious plot holes or logic failures (which were easier to accept in the first two books, but somehow less excusable here), the artificiality of the "here's a snarky moment" "here's an aw-shucks moment" "here's a heartwarming moment" "here's a political statement moment" writing technique grated on me more than in the first two, and I really really wanted to slap Kevin for being such a doormat with the execrable Tony. Ohhhh, and that ending went waaay over the top into gag-me sappyville.
Do I sound bitter?
I'm probably coming down on this too hard. It was still mostly pretty enjoyable -- thus the three stars instead of two -- but the problems of the whole series just seem more obvious and less forgiveable here. That may just be due to reading all three books back to back. If I had come fresh to this one with a long break between it and the others, I might not have minded so much.
I didn't like this one as much as the first two. The plot seemed too disjointed, there were too many obvious plot holes or logic failures (which were easier to accept in the first two books, but somehow less excusable here), the artificiality of the "here's a snarky moment" "here's an aw-shucks moment" "here's a heartwarming moment" "here's a political statement moment" writing technique grated on me more than in the first two, and I really really wanted to slap Kevin for being such a doormat with the execrable Tony. Ohhhh, and that ending went waaay over the top into gag-me sappyville.
Do I sound bitter?
I'm probably coming down on this too hard. It was still mostly pretty enjoyable -- thus the three stars instead of two -- but the problems of the whole series just seem more obvious and less forgiveable here. That may just be due to reading all three books back to back. If I had come fresh to this one with a long break between it and the others, I might not have minded so much.
May 14, 2013
Yup, loved this one.. Almost cried at the end..Maybe I got a bit teary.. who knows..
This series is of a very high calibre. I loved the lead's internal monologues, it was a great way to feel that you knew this guy, he was a part of you.
I just can't think of anything that struck me as being wrong with either the storyline or the characters. A very humorous walk through murder and intrigue.
I guess if I have to find something to whine about (and seriously it's so inconsequential I don't want anyone thinking it ruins the story!) There was one scene which for me sort of dragged a little bit. Never dull that's for sure, just went longer than I cared for, but then I didn't really have much fondness for the secondary character when I probably should have..
Thanks Scott for your creative brilliance, I'm now off to find something more by you.. :)
This series is of a very high calibre. I loved the lead's internal monologues, it was a great way to feel that you knew this guy, he was a part of you.
I just can't think of anything that struck me as being wrong with either the storyline or the characters. A very humorous walk through murder and intrigue.
I guess if I have to find something to whine about (and seriously it's so inconsequential I don't want anyone thinking it ruins the story!) There was one scene which for me sort of dragged a little bit. Never dull that's for sure, just went longer than I cared for, but then I didn't really have much fondness for the secondary character when I probably should have..
Thanks Scott for your creative brilliance, I'm now off to find something more by you.. :)
September 29, 2012
One of the first things I want know after reading Third You Die, is how to encourage another sequel from the author?!?!
Had several lol moments, and I considered the mystery well done.
Really didn't guess who it was until that person walked into the room!
As for a sequel, I really, really want to know what made Tony the Jerk do a 180 degree turnaround during the 3 weeks he was separated from Kevin.
Tony was a jerk throughout the story, some of those things he said to Kevin were like mental slaps to the face. So why the sudden change of heart?
There's a mystery lurking around that corner.
It has a 4.5 rating until that little tidbit is revealed!
Had several lol moments, and I considered the mystery well done.
Really didn't guess who it was until that person walked into the room!
As for a sequel, I really, really want to know what made Tony the Jerk do a 180 degree turnaround during the 3 weeks he was separated from Kevin.
Tony was a jerk throughout the story, some of those things he said to Kevin were like mental slaps to the face. So why the sudden change of heart?
There's a mystery lurking around that corner.
It has a 4.5 rating until that little tidbit is revealed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2012
I love Kevin Connor. He's just an adorable hero, and I love the way he interacts with everyone around him, from his closeted cop boyfriend, to his boyfriend's young son, to his mother and his co-workers and friends. In his charm, he reminds me a lot of Russell Quant, in Anthony Bidulka's series.
This book was a worthy sequel to the previous two-- Kevin continues to grow as a person and a sleuth, and the plot is clever and well-structured, with a believable and very satisfying conclusion. Scott Sherman does a great job integrating Kevin's ADHD diagnosis and the many skills he has developed in his previous profession.
Can't wait for whatever "Four" brings!
This book was a worthy sequel to the previous two-- Kevin continues to grow as a person and a sleuth, and the plot is clever and well-structured, with a believable and very satisfying conclusion. Scott Sherman does a great job integrating Kevin's ADHD diagnosis and the many skills he has developed in his previous profession.
Can't wait for whatever "Four" brings!
March 29, 2018
This ridiculous book is supposedly a crime mystery, but really it's just a gay author trying to push an agenda. The main character is a former "escort" who has no problem sleeping around for money but draws a moral line at cheating on his boyfriend emotionally with someone else. So it's okay to have sex with others for money, just not have emotional feelings for others. The boyfriend is a cop, so asides are made to the supposed bias in that profession. The main character's mother is a caricature daytime talk show host that is so over the top and the descriptions are so off base that nothing involved with her show is believable. And of course you need to throw in a few porn stars that hunger for the hot lead.
The main character is supposedly a TV producer (of his mother's show) that comes up with "brilliant" bizarre ideas like you'd see on the old Donahue show. It all seems very outdated and many of the references are to pop culture from 20 or 30 years ago (Norma Rae?), although some seem off base. Ricki Lake is dismissed as a short-term has-been, when in truth she was the #2 daytime talk show on TV and was on the air for a number of years.
The author thinks a sexual pun needs to be on just about every page, but most are eye-rolling bad. I haven't read the other books in the series, but someone must think this guy can write. Yet this is trite high school level plotting where virtually nothing happens in the first hundred pages other than a character disappears. Instead we get long, boring passages of people talking and talking. If you're looking for sex scenes you'll be disappointed too--the first one that appears is two platonic gay friends watching porn together but they don't touch each other, instead the video is described in detail, which does nothing to turn the reader on. And if you think snuff films make a clever plot device you might enjoy the ending, but as with the rest of the book it all seems unrealistic and a device created by a writer who isn't as clever as he thinks.
Other characters pop up throughout, all stereotypes. The worst is the little kid who talks like a cartoon version of a child. Not one realistic moment in the book. It's all used by the author to preach that men with same sex attraction should come out and disregard the feelings of family members or religious upbringing. The book comes across as anti-Christian and in some ways anti-traditional family, creating propaganda where the "hero" is the one who forces his progressive sex industry beliefs on others while the traditionalists are painted as regressive. It's all very tired, with way too little plotting to make it worth reading. Not sure why anyone would give this four or five stars because the whole thing is kind of a waste.
The main character is supposedly a TV producer (of his mother's show) that comes up with "brilliant" bizarre ideas like you'd see on the old Donahue show. It all seems very outdated and many of the references are to pop culture from 20 or 30 years ago (Norma Rae?), although some seem off base. Ricki Lake is dismissed as a short-term has-been, when in truth she was the #2 daytime talk show on TV and was on the air for a number of years.
The author thinks a sexual pun needs to be on just about every page, but most are eye-rolling bad. I haven't read the other books in the series, but someone must think this guy can write. Yet this is trite high school level plotting where virtually nothing happens in the first hundred pages other than a character disappears. Instead we get long, boring passages of people talking and talking. If you're looking for sex scenes you'll be disappointed too--the first one that appears is two platonic gay friends watching porn together but they don't touch each other, instead the video is described in detail, which does nothing to turn the reader on. And if you think snuff films make a clever plot device you might enjoy the ending, but as with the rest of the book it all seems unrealistic and a device created by a writer who isn't as clever as he thinks.
Other characters pop up throughout, all stereotypes. The worst is the little kid who talks like a cartoon version of a child. Not one realistic moment in the book. It's all used by the author to preach that men with same sex attraction should come out and disregard the feelings of family members or religious upbringing. The book comes across as anti-Christian and in some ways anti-traditional family, creating propaganda where the "hero" is the one who forces his progressive sex industry beliefs on others while the traditionalists are painted as regressive. It's all very tired, with way too little plotting to make it worth reading. Not sure why anyone would give this four or five stars because the whole thing is kind of a waste.
June 25, 2024
Author Scott Sherman, who introduced readers to amateur detective and professional escort Kevin Connor in his previous works, "First You Fall" and "Second You Sin," concludes his mischievous mystery series with "Third You Die," another fun, exciting and terribly clever whodunit that, like its predecessors, will keep you guessing until the end and smiling long after its bittersweet finale.
Newly domesticated, retired from hustling and now working as the co-producer of a television talk show, Kevin has undergone quite the transformation. It turns out he's not the only one, because his employer and the show's host is none other than his mom, Sophie, whose 'Sophie's Voice' ranks on the popularity scale with the likes of Oprah and Ellen.
Just when Kevin thinks the skin trade is behind him, Sophie invites a panel of sex workers as guests on her show, including a dominatrix and a renowned gay porn star. During the shoot, Kevin becomes acquainted with Brent Havens, the industry's newest and hottest young face (among other things), who mysteriously disappears shortly after the two share digits and more than a few suggestive glances.
While Kevin is legitimately concerned for Brent's safety, he's also thinking of how his mother's frivolous chatfest could benefit from a legitimate news story, if he were to uncover any criminal activity. In his search for clues, Kevin confronts the smarmy studio head, a salacious director and an infatuated costar. Meanwhile, Sophie enlists Kevin's help to take down a suspicious adoption agency connected to a grisly case of child abuse.
Despite the seriousness of a missing person's possible murder and violence against children, "Third You Die" is amusing, witty and ferociously entertaining. The remarkably fresh dialogue among this cast of characters, particularly between Kevin and fellow escort Freddy, his sassy best friend, is a combination of deliciously catty banter, sinister sarcasm, friendly flirtation and earnest affection.
Most importantly, Kevin and his closeted cop boyfriend, Tony, are at a crossroads. As he becomes more of a fixture in the life of Tony's son, Rafi, Kevin resents having to pretend they're just roommates and seriously begins to question whether they belong together. Luckily, Tony still manages to be there for Kevin, who has proven his affinity for being in the right place at the wrong time.
The author has hinted that this may not be the last we hear from Kevin, Tony, Rafi, Sophie and Freddy. While it's certainly plausible and I would more than welcome the invitation to take part in another one of their adventures, Sherman has done his characters justice and ended this superlative mystery series on the highest of notes.
Newly domesticated, retired from hustling and now working as the co-producer of a television talk show, Kevin has undergone quite the transformation. It turns out he's not the only one, because his employer and the show's host is none other than his mom, Sophie, whose 'Sophie's Voice' ranks on the popularity scale with the likes of Oprah and Ellen.
Just when Kevin thinks the skin trade is behind him, Sophie invites a panel of sex workers as guests on her show, including a dominatrix and a renowned gay porn star. During the shoot, Kevin becomes acquainted with Brent Havens, the industry's newest and hottest young face (among other things), who mysteriously disappears shortly after the two share digits and more than a few suggestive glances.
While Kevin is legitimately concerned for Brent's safety, he's also thinking of how his mother's frivolous chatfest could benefit from a legitimate news story, if he were to uncover any criminal activity. In his search for clues, Kevin confronts the smarmy studio head, a salacious director and an infatuated costar. Meanwhile, Sophie enlists Kevin's help to take down a suspicious adoption agency connected to a grisly case of child abuse.
Despite the seriousness of a missing person's possible murder and violence against children, "Third You Die" is amusing, witty and ferociously entertaining. The remarkably fresh dialogue among this cast of characters, particularly between Kevin and fellow escort Freddy, his sassy best friend, is a combination of deliciously catty banter, sinister sarcasm, friendly flirtation and earnest affection.
Most importantly, Kevin and his closeted cop boyfriend, Tony, are at a crossroads. As he becomes more of a fixture in the life of Tony's son, Rafi, Kevin resents having to pretend they're just roommates and seriously begins to question whether they belong together. Luckily, Tony still manages to be there for Kevin, who has proven his affinity for being in the right place at the wrong time.
The author has hinted that this may not be the last we hear from Kevin, Tony, Rafi, Sophie and Freddy. While it's certainly plausible and I would more than welcome the invitation to take part in another one of their adventures, Sherman has done his characters justice and ended this superlative mystery series on the highest of notes.
March 24, 2017
Kevin Connor is settling in with his cop boyfriend, Tony Rinaldi, and leaving the hustling profession to become a producer for his mom’s talk show. When one of his mother’s guests, gay porn star, Brent Haven, is found floating in the Hudson River, Kevin remembers their conversation after the show. Brent told Kevin he had some information which would blow the lid off the adult film industry. Kevin knows he cannot let this go. His investigation leads him to several suspects. First, we have the adult film director who exploits his stars. Then there his boyfriend bartender and let’s not forget a fellow actor who left him for a sugar daddy. Kevin has his hands full with suspects but is he ready to become up close and personal with the killer?
Kevin has left the oldest profession but he has not eft behind his sleuthing skills. With the death of a porn star, Kevin finds himself calling on his old contacts to help find the answers. As he digs deeper, he has no idea what he will find and the amount of danger he will be in. There are also some surprising and unexpected results. What is that? Again, you will need to pick up Third You Die. Rest assured that you will enjoy finding the answers. These is an incredibly engaging and intriguing story.
Kevin has left the oldest profession but he has not eft behind his sleuthing skills. With the death of a porn star, Kevin finds himself calling on his old contacts to help find the answers. As he digs deeper, he has no idea what he will find and the amount of danger he will be in. There are also some surprising and unexpected results. What is that? Again, you will need to pick up Third You Die. Rest assured that you will enjoy finding the answers. These is an incredibly engaging and intriguing story.
August 16, 2017
Well, Tony finally pulled his head out of his a**...about freaking time. As for our lovely Kevin he has once again found himself embroiled in a murder mystery; and once again almost runs afoul of the murder. I'm gonna miss him, but every series eventually, inevitably draws to a conclusion. *sad face* I do have to say that $9.99 was a bit much to pay for this book. I actually considered ordering the paperback version because, even with shipping, it was way more affordable. Of course, I know the author has overhead costs and still needs to make a buck and I have no problem with that...at least I know the money went to keeping this writer able to churn out more fantastic novels.
September 30, 2012
I wrote to Scott Sherman after I finished the previous book in the Kevin series and we had a great email series going for a while, but then I mentioned two points of advice, after which I never heard from him again.
I don't imagine my email had much impact on him, but the fact is with this new book, he did take both those points and action them.
The first was to put more of Kevin into the character of Kevin and less of himself. In the second book there was a reference to a quarter not being worth what it used to be, something no 21 year old would say. There were numerous references to Judy Garland and the old Hollywood musicals. The problem was that Kevin sounded like a 45 year old man. The author seemed to be writing himself rather than his character and I wanted more Kevin, otherwise just write a book about yourself.
The second point I made was the moralizing. It was too much. In the second book there were pages of point form notes defending gay marriage. Whoever those notes were for, they weren't being read by whoever was reading the book. People against gay marriage and gays in general do not read books about a gay prostitute who solves crimes in his spare time. I encouraged the author to give his audience a little credit, that the people reading these books were sexually mature informed adults and the endless justification of the gay lifestyle needn't be so prevalent. Add to the moralizing the fact that Kevin worked for an AIDS service organization as a volunteer and a daycare manager at a church and, I don't know, saved the whales or whatever else he did, it was too much.
So the good news is that in this book all that stuff is gone. References to Judy Garland have been replaced with references to Lady Gaga. The moralizing toned down, the volunteer work finished. More realism and believability reign.
But unfortunately the problems aren't over in this, the weakest of the three books.
Part of why you read a book about a sex worker who solves murders is to hear about the life of a sex worker and for the juicy murders. Well, Kevin is no longer a sex worker and the murder doesn't show up until about 60% of the book is finished.
The double-edged sword with Scott Sherman is his earnestness. His character`s are so earnest, they could be used as the dictionary definition of the word. They try hard, they are ALWAYS sincere and they want to be liked. But at the same time they`re unsure of themselves and generally inconsistent.
For example, Kevin hates when his partner Tony criticizes his sex work or the sex industry. But he himself is quick to point out that many of his clients he never had sex with, that he did "clean" sex work, with no insertion, which somehow in his mind, and in Sherman's, allows Kevin to be on a holy pedestal. Kevin may have been a common hooker, but in Sherman's fantasy world, this involves men paying him to smell his hair or do things that involve not only no insertion, but generally no nudity. It's a justification used by weak people. I may be a whore, but I'm not one of THOSE whores. Tell it to the judge, sweetheart. This is the same line used by gays for a generation as they were looking for acceptance. I may be gay, but I'm not one of THOSE gays. I don't have sex and do drugs all night, I sit at home with my husband. Which is an understandable plea for acceptance, but also throws the others under the bus.
Then there's Kevin's love life. Quentin Crisp wrote of the "Great Dark Man." The man who will be aloof and masculine and straight and have eyes only for you, the man of gay men's dreams. The problem was that after he showed his vulnerabilities he wouldn't be those things any more. He wouldn't be strong and masculine and aloof. This concept is alive and well in this book.
Part of what keeps Kevin's relationship with Tony working is that tension. Kevin is always hoping he'll change, lead the pride parade and tell his son he's gay. But the reason Kevin likes him is his aloofness. Kevin lives for that tension, the moment where Tony makes a small concession to him. He treasures those moments, and then is constantly frustrated with the one step forward two steps back reality. Frankly without that tension, there would be no relationship. It seems Crisp was right, that Kevin wants something he doesn't actually want. And especially as Sherman draws him, Tony only exists to provide that tension. His character is the absence of fleshed-out, almost a footnote in the books.
I enjoyed seeing these characters again. I enjoyed the scene at the adoption agency, even if it could have been drawn out longer and even though Sherman used it for a "Julia Sugarbaker" style speech from the pulpit.
The plot of the book was the Brent Corrigan story, with the name of Brent even left unchanged. I would have preferred something more original.
I felt like with the escorting out, Kevin had to fill his days. I have no idea what his actual job is on his mother's show, he seems to just go in to work to advance the plot.
The author talks about a fourth book which I see going one of two ways. Either the two leads skip down the yellow brick road to happiness land, yawn, or what I'm hoping is the series gets a reboot. Kevin goes back to hustling, and a new man comes in to his life that challenges him mentally, not just presses his buttons for his need for acceptance and to be liked. I'll be reading the back of book four to see which gets chosen before I commit to reading it.
I don't imagine my email had much impact on him, but the fact is with this new book, he did take both those points and action them.
The first was to put more of Kevin into the character of Kevin and less of himself. In the second book there was a reference to a quarter not being worth what it used to be, something no 21 year old would say. There were numerous references to Judy Garland and the old Hollywood musicals. The problem was that Kevin sounded like a 45 year old man. The author seemed to be writing himself rather than his character and I wanted more Kevin, otherwise just write a book about yourself.
The second point I made was the moralizing. It was too much. In the second book there were pages of point form notes defending gay marriage. Whoever those notes were for, they weren't being read by whoever was reading the book. People against gay marriage and gays in general do not read books about a gay prostitute who solves crimes in his spare time. I encouraged the author to give his audience a little credit, that the people reading these books were sexually mature informed adults and the endless justification of the gay lifestyle needn't be so prevalent. Add to the moralizing the fact that Kevin worked for an AIDS service organization as a volunteer and a daycare manager at a church and, I don't know, saved the whales or whatever else he did, it was too much.
So the good news is that in this book all that stuff is gone. References to Judy Garland have been replaced with references to Lady Gaga. The moralizing toned down, the volunteer work finished. More realism and believability reign.
But unfortunately the problems aren't over in this, the weakest of the three books.
Part of why you read a book about a sex worker who solves murders is to hear about the life of a sex worker and for the juicy murders. Well, Kevin is no longer a sex worker and the murder doesn't show up until about 60% of the book is finished.
The double-edged sword with Scott Sherman is his earnestness. His character`s are so earnest, they could be used as the dictionary definition of the word. They try hard, they are ALWAYS sincere and they want to be liked. But at the same time they`re unsure of themselves and generally inconsistent.
For example, Kevin hates when his partner Tony criticizes his sex work or the sex industry. But he himself is quick to point out that many of his clients he never had sex with, that he did "clean" sex work, with no insertion, which somehow in his mind, and in Sherman's, allows Kevin to be on a holy pedestal. Kevin may have been a common hooker, but in Sherman's fantasy world, this involves men paying him to smell his hair or do things that involve not only no insertion, but generally no nudity. It's a justification used by weak people. I may be a whore, but I'm not one of THOSE whores. Tell it to the judge, sweetheart. This is the same line used by gays for a generation as they were looking for acceptance. I may be gay, but I'm not one of THOSE gays. I don't have sex and do drugs all night, I sit at home with my husband. Which is an understandable plea for acceptance, but also throws the others under the bus.
Then there's Kevin's love life. Quentin Crisp wrote of the "Great Dark Man." The man who will be aloof and masculine and straight and have eyes only for you, the man of gay men's dreams. The problem was that after he showed his vulnerabilities he wouldn't be those things any more. He wouldn't be strong and masculine and aloof. This concept is alive and well in this book.
Part of what keeps Kevin's relationship with Tony working is that tension. Kevin is always hoping he'll change, lead the pride parade and tell his son he's gay. But the reason Kevin likes him is his aloofness. Kevin lives for that tension, the moment where Tony makes a small concession to him. He treasures those moments, and then is constantly frustrated with the one step forward two steps back reality. Frankly without that tension, there would be no relationship. It seems Crisp was right, that Kevin wants something he doesn't actually want. And especially as Sherman draws him, Tony only exists to provide that tension. His character is the absence of fleshed-out, almost a footnote in the books.
I enjoyed seeing these characters again. I enjoyed the scene at the adoption agency, even if it could have been drawn out longer and even though Sherman used it for a "Julia Sugarbaker" style speech from the pulpit.
The plot of the book was the Brent Corrigan story, with the name of Brent even left unchanged. I would have preferred something more original.
I felt like with the escorting out, Kevin had to fill his days. I have no idea what his actual job is on his mother's show, he seems to just go in to work to advance the plot.
The author talks about a fourth book which I see going one of two ways. Either the two leads skip down the yellow brick road to happiness land, yawn, or what I'm hoping is the series gets a reboot. Kevin goes back to hustling, and a new man comes in to his life that challenges him mentally, not just presses his buttons for his need for acceptance and to be liked. I'll be reading the back of book four to see which gets chosen before I commit to reading it.
June 28, 2018
Charming and Witty
While I did sorta see whodunit, I was surprised by the motive and means of the crime.
I also quite enjoyed the characters. It seems the author has kinda vanished and that's a real shame. I understand this was likely to be the final installment of Kevin's adventures solving crime, and his ending is quite satisfying for this queer reader, I would like to see more from these characters. How are they experiencing the post-Obergefell world? They'd all be in their 30s now - how are they navigating a new decade?
While I did sorta see whodunit, I was surprised by the motive and means of the crime.
I also quite enjoyed the characters. It seems the author has kinda vanished and that's a real shame. I understand this was likely to be the final installment of Kevin's adventures solving crime, and his ending is quite satisfying for this queer reader, I would like to see more from these characters. How are they experiencing the post-Obergefell world? They'd all be in their 30s now - how are they navigating a new decade?
August 28, 2018
Witty, well-written, believable and heart-warming Gay love-story!
Although I feel like I jumped into the story midway ( this is the 3rd in a series) the author did a good job of catching up readers late to the action. Sex scenes are erotic but don't overwhelm the plot, and are actually pretty well balanced with love scenes. The protagonist and his various family members are well drawn, especially the "Jewish mother" who comes off surprisingly warm as well as funny. And (spoiler alert) I am a sucker for a happy ending!
Although I feel like I jumped into the story midway ( this is the 3rd in a series) the author did a good job of catching up readers late to the action. Sex scenes are erotic but don't overwhelm the plot, and are actually pretty well balanced with love scenes. The protagonist and his various family members are well drawn, especially the "Jewish mother" who comes off surprisingly warm as well as funny. And (spoiler alert) I am a sucker for a happy ending!
January 25, 2022
I had this series in my tbr for MONTHS, I never thought I'd end up reading them, I completely forgot about them, but finally I made my way back here and I am so so glad I did. Oh they aren't perfect, there could've been more or less of things, but overall the book was amazing, everything has flaws after all. The ending is was truly sold me to five stars, this was amazing and I recommend reading even if its harder to get through than others.
January 13, 2018
I just loved all the books in this series. I read them some time ago. If I really love an author's first book, of course, I have to read the next and any subsequent after that. Unfortunately, I can't see new books from this author.
August 17, 2018
1.5 stars.....
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