The Trees Beyond the Grass

Cole Mouzon #1

by Robert Reeves

Cole Mouzon exists to the outside world as a successful lawyer, loyal son and brother – all unaware of his private turmoil and the mental wall that holds him together. But, during a visit back home to Charleston, he receives a call from the FBI that a stranger has been found poisoned and mutilated. What Cole learns next threatens to bring down the wall and expose him to the sharp emotions behind it when he is told that there is more to his childhood nightmares than just dark places. Betrayed by his memory, the clue to his past and his ultimate survival rests in a stranger, Cash Calhoun, a man he has never met but has been tied to his entire life. Together, they embark on a hunt to find the truth held in the dark shadows of Cole’s mind and the marshy landscape of the Holy City before a hunter from Cole’s past destroys their newly discovered bond and their lives.

Steeped in southern drawl and suspense, THE TREES BEYOND THE GRASS, the first in the Cole Mouzon thriller series, is a riveting story about the amazing, but sometimes destructive, power of our minds to protect us from the evils of life, while undermining our ability to discover true happiness.

Look for book two of the Cole Mouzon series, WHEN ASPENS QUAKE, coming Spring 2014.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, LGBT, M M Romance, Suspense, Contemporary

402 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2013

About the author

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, I currently live in Denver where I practice law and am a single parent to my 8-year-old adopted son. Life in the Rockies provides ample road trips, fly-fishing excursions, and other adventures usually shared with my son, along with our silver labs, Cooper and Cassie.

Away from the courtroom or the pen, I can usually be found traveling rustic foreign locations (Africa, Amazon, Australia), camping/hiking, cooking or just enjoying a new book find with a drink.

Some of my favorite cities I frequent include:

Atlanta
Cape Town
Charleston
Chicago
Denver
JoBerg
LA
London
Melbourne
New York
Portland
Sydney

Have an event, club or just a request to hang? Let me know, I love to travel and if I don't have plans already, I will attempt to lock something in. As Uncle Jessie once said, "A stranger is just a friend you never met."

Reviews

[Giulio · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Attention: slow burning romance lovers, this book is for you! The two MCs meet at 64%!!

Kidding aside, this is not a proper MM romance. It’s a thriller with a gay (or bi?) main character.
Since this is the first of a three-book series, I suppose the proper romance will be exploited in the next installment. And I loved this: the author managed to write a book as good as James Pattersons’ or Patricia Cornwell’s ones with a Lgbt element in it and without giving in to the usual tropes of the MM genre.

The plot: Cole Mouzon is a successful thirty-something lawyer, who has raised a dense wall in order to protect himself from emotions.

He couldn't think of a time the wall wasn't there, at least since losing his mother. But he kept it hidden well

His life is going to change radically when he discovers to be a serial killer’s target. He’s going to learn that his past is not as untroubled as he used to believe.

Side characters are well portrayed (Cole’s family and friends and the Fbi agent in charge of the investigation).

Charleston is a central part of this book, too. Reeves openly loves his hometown and gives a detailed description of the people, the surroundings and the history of the town. At times it feels like reading a Lonely Planet Savannah Charleston & the Carolina Coast travel guide.. but still, it’s a well depicted setting (and a lovely town, it seems).

The conclusion is surprising and unforeseen (at least, it was for me).

Highly recommended to thriller fans.

[Lisa *-* GiViNg It To YoU * LoCk StOcK & TwO SmOkiNg BaRrELs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Cole Mouzon



This is the first installment in the Cole Mouzon thriller series.

The Trees grabbed my attention right from the beginning with the prologue.

The central plot is about our lead character Cole Mouzon a successful lawyer from Denver. Mouzon while on a visit back home to Charleston, is contacted by FBI Agent Leas who is racing against time to catch a serial killer who has their sights set on Cole.

Highly emotive and gritty, Reeves flirted with letting you know who the serial killer is, which only makes the plot more intense.

The knowledge and deep research required to write a good crime novel is evident in Reeves work. His descriptions of Charleston are evocative and lyrical, and the descriptions of the crime scenes are pretty gruesome which I loved.

The rest of the characters were vibrant with their regionally flavored dialogue. I loved Cash Calhoun and look forward to reading more about the growing relationship between Cole and Cash further in the series.

Mr Reeves you have done a marvelous job with your first novel and I look forward to reading so much more from you.

******4.5 AWESOME STARS*******



**ARC courtsey of Robert Reeves in exchange for an honest review**

[Elisa Rolle]

I decided to read this mystery/thriller as soon as I received it cause I plan to visit Charleston in less than one month, and the chance to read a novel set in the town was too good to let it pass. And I’m glad I did, cause Charleston is as much as a protagonist as Cole Mouzon. The Trees Beyond the Grass is a thriller with a subtheme of romance, and, at least in this novel, the love interest of Cole, Cash Calhoun, will appear well into the plot, even if he is related to Cole since the day he was born. As you can learn in the blurb, the author is planning a series, and I suppose Cole and Cash’s personal story will develop more in the next novels.

Truth be told, not Cole or Cash appear to be the typical thriller heroes, they are more “professor” like than “cop” (Cole is a civil defense counsel, Cash is an Assistant Professor of History), and even their love story is quiet and subdue, played more inside private homes than public venues; nothing is actually typical in this thriller, not even the killer, who the reader knows being a woman. Now, I don’t want to fall into stereotypes, but actually there is always this idea that the very bad ones are men, women tend to be this maternal figure who loves unconditionally; and indeed this figure is present in the novel, in the character of Cole’s older sister and a local police officer in the Town of Mount Pleasant, Jackie. Again a contraposition, a woman is the one with the fitting stereotype of a thriller novel main character.

Even if, until the last few pages, the reader knows the killer is a woman, but they don’t know who she is, knowing the name wasn’t really important; the author gives you plenty of opportunities to know her, her motives, and her actions. Plus, the weaving of the net that slowly entraps Cole is more interesting than knowing that name, more than the apex, what I enjoyed is the mounting of the anticipation.

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[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading the book because I agreed to do so and give it a review. The writing towards the beginning of the book was hard for me to read with its inline use of description. I am not quite sure how to classify it but in a nutshell it seemed forced..."His eyes still pinched closed, he shook off the residual fear like a wet dog and then instinctually slid his arm across the bed where only the cool underside of a pillow was found...Slowly, he opened his eyes, still damp from the piercing emotions. It was six-thirty a.m. and the sun was already beaming saffron through the narrow bedroom window when he finally brushed off the remaining hollowness and swept his long legs off the bed. His toes reached the chill of lacquered ponderosa pine floors, wishing to recoil to the warmth of the down duvet."

With that being said, a little before midway thru the book, the author dropped the descriptive writing style and settled down to tell a story. I use to live in Columbia SC and always have thought of Charleston as my favorite place. The author does a good job bringing the city to life in the book. All of the relationships were hard for me to follow. With the Cole Mouzon being single but having prior relationships, his going to Charleston to meet up with an old female friend convinced me he was going to end up in a relationship with her. I did not catch any clues in the book until near the end that Cole was gay and actually had feelings for one of the male characters. I don't normally miss clues this big, nor do I care the character is gay...but I do think this points to an issue with the clarity of the storyline.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole Mouzon is an accomplished lawyer living and practicing in Denver. On the surface he appears content with his life, when in reality that is so from the truth. Burdened with loss and a fear to love are just some of his issues.

Coles deepest fear of all is the constant unexplainable nightmare that runs on a loop night after night haunting his dreams.

Deciding to take a much needed vacation,he heads back to his hometown Charleston, to escape the rut of his everyday life. Connecting with old friends and family are just what he needs.

His vacation is however brought to an abrupt holt when he is contacted by the FBI , informing him that his life is in Grave danger and he is the next target of a serial killer looking to finish the job from over 30 years ago. What Cole fathoms to understand though is what he has to do with any of this.

This book takes you on a thrilling ride as murders are uncovered , friendships are rekindled and love is found, all the while the serial killer lurks closely in the background threatening to destroy everything.

I really enjoyed getting lost in this book and learning about Charleston and its rich culture and history. The suspense and intensity had me captivated and on the edge of my seat. The emotion and passion behind this story can be felt on every page.

[Frau Sorge (Yuki) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to say if it was a good book or not.
The average-intelligent reader will know whodunnit and why since the very beginning. The plot building is painfully slow, but I liked it in this case - the descriptions of Charleston, the history of the city - it was great, even though some may complain about so many details.

But I enjoyed it.

[Nathalie Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could NOT put this book down! It sucked me in and didn't let go the entire way through. Not only fascinating and bone-chilling in its presentation, but it also spoke so much of the history of the locations - all of which are real. I am planning a trip for later this fall and will definitely be visiting some of the places named.

My rating of the book: FANTASTIC. And I was even more surprised to learn that this is Reeves' first book. I can't wait to read his future work. My rating of the author: Marked for future reading!

[R.L. Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, I love a good mystery. I like to challenge myself to figure out the killer before I'm supposed to. The thing about this book, is that it's so much more than that. This book is about family, self-defense (in every sense) and the south. Charleston becomes a character in this book and I loved learning all the little bits of history. It was a very similar read to The Garden of Good and Evil. I loved it, a very different and refreshing read for me. Can't wait for the one!

[T.M. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is deeply rooted in the south with backdrops from Denver to Atlanta to South Carolina. Mystery, intrigue and suspense will grab you from the start and hold your attention throughout as you travel with Cole from his home in Denver to where he grew up in Charleston. The bits and pieces of scenery and history in this book all but become a secondary character, they are so detailed and precise.

Cole Mouzon is an accomplished attorney in Denver who is headed back home to visit his family and childhood friend, Ann. He is completely unaware that a serial killer has him in her sights until his sister calls him frantic after an FBI agent contacts her trying to find Cole. This only adds to his recent stress brought on by a resurgence of a recurring nightmare he thought was long since gone. As the story progresses the reader is slowly given more details about Cole’s past that even he wasn’t aware of, and his connection to the killer that stalks him.

Poinsett is sick, twisted and demented. She will stop at nothing to make the people she believes responsible for ruining her life pay, with theirs. Her murderous rampage spans over several years and state lines with meticulous preparation, always followed with the painful delivery. Her depravity knows no bounds, and Reeves description of what’s going on in this woman’s mind while she’s stalking Cole sent chills down my spine. I’m very much reminded of Charlize Theron in Monster.

This book was emotional and intense. Strong secondary characters like Cole’s sister the cop and the alcoholic FBI agent who is still grieving over the death of his wife round out this suspenseful story. I especially liked Cash Calhoun. The professor that Cole shares a past with that neither of them even realized they shared. A past that will shape and mold the possibility of a future, if they make it out of the marsh alive.

The story leaned toward the over descriptive a couple of times, but it was always gripping, I was always intrigued, so the latter was easily overlooked. I wanted something more to develop in this installment with Cole and Cash, but that budding romance is definitely there, biding its time. I cannot wait until the next book in this series.

No naughty bits this time around. Cole and Cash are positively gay and attracted to one another, but they don’t have any adult time yet. The ending hints toward Reeves exploring their relationship further with the next book, and I’m excited to see where he takes them. Anyone that likes murder mysteries and suspense stories will want to read this book.

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is from: The Trees Beyond the Grass (Paperback)
The author gifted me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review, which I promised to write, in my own time. Robert Reeves said he was in no hurry, but once I began reading, I was the one who was racing to finish the story. I resented all the tasks and chores that took me away from reading 'The Trees Beyond the Grass'.
Cole Muzon works in Denver and returns to Charleston, his hometown to visit his adopted parents, his grandmother, his sister and her son, to whom he is very attached. He is perplexed and on guard when he is warned that someone is out to kill him. He searches his mind to see if he has wronged anyone, but is unable to find a reason for someone wanting to murder him.
From a bunch of old computer files, he learns that he and Mark, (a boy a little older than him) were kidnapped as infants, when they were abducted from home together with his mother, and of her death provoked from violence while they were hiding under the trees. It was a few days before they were found, starving and crying over her body. Now he understands the reason for his recurrent nightmare.
Meanwhile, the FBI and local police are brain-racked over two murders, both involving the removal of a patch of skin on the rear hip, with a branding of a 'P'. The FBI and police hunt for the assassin before he or she can reach Cole Muzon, who is the next victim. Agent Leas, from Atlanta, is asked to collaborate in the search. He does all he can to protect Muzon and locate the murderer. The only clues are notes signed with a 'P', for Poinsett. But who is Poinsett? You will be left guessing and utterly surprised until it is revealed at the very end of the novel, which makes this book impossible to put down.
There are many interesting characters in the book, especially that of Cole Muzon, his sister and MeMe. His love for Charleston and descriptions of old haunts he frequented before moving to Denver, allow you an inside view of these places, to better connect with the story.
A few of the many things I appreciated in this book were, the short chapters for shift of scene, frequent, 'chatty' dialogue between friends and family, and some essential History into the past and present of Charleston and its inhabitants.
If you are looking for an engaging thriller, then this is the book for you.

[Kayla West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agent David Leas has just caused his latest case to go five steps backward, when an outburst against a suspected murderer of a woman and her two children makes his confession null and void. The judge who is presiding over the case has decided that because his outburst occurred minutes before the confession was made, the only logical thing to do it throw out the confession due to fear and intimidation brought on by Leas.
Leas is furious but knows he can catch this guy with the evidence already in custody. The question is, can he do it in the month before the trial?
While this conflict is going on inside his head, Leas is called in for a more recent murder. In the city of Dallas, a man by the name of Tony Patrick was just found dead in his living room. He seems to have been slashed multiple times by a knife and his hands have been cut off. The reason for Leas' presence at the scene, Patrick's murder is a possible link to another killing that took place in New York. A serial killer, perhaps? Or just pure coincidence.

Cole Mouzon is taking a much needed break away from the grind of life, heading back home to catch up with family and friends. However, when his sister is contacted by the FBI concerning a crazed killer on the loose who could want him dead, he begins to fear for his life and the lives of those he loves.

P, or Poinsett as she calls herself, has a past. An ugly past that has haunted her every day of her life since. And because of that past, she has become a killer. Taking away all those she believes should not deserve to live because of what happened to her. She has already taken two down, and her next unsuspecting target could be a goner as well.

These three characters are brought together in a thriller to beat all thrillers. It is a story of pain, retribution, and hauntings of the past.

I was hooked from the very beginning, and could not stop reading until the final page. In this story, the reader is able to experience the entire story. Cop, potential victim, and killer. We get to see how each of them tick, how their individual minds work. Most importantly, we get to know that pasts of each character, so we can better understand how they mesh into the story.
This was a truly enjoyable piece of work, and I cannot wait for more from this author.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tim Flemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trees Beyond the Grass is a fascinating, provocative thriller that follows Cole Mouzon as he embarks on an unforeseen journey to prevent his own murder from taking place. Suspiciously tied to a childhood nightmare, Cole’s killer follows him to his hometown of Charleston where he has travelled to visit family and friends. After learning that he is a target for murder, Cole’s relaxing visit quickly becomes a path of suspenseful, dramatic intrigue along which he enlists the help of Cash Calhoun, to whom he is unexpectedly linked. Together they unearth mysteries of the past to track the killer before there is another murder.

Reeves’ style is reminiscent of Dan Brown and Michael Crichton in his thoroughly-researched landscapes and concepts within. Trees is an incredibly well-written novel that is sure to keep you guessing at the turn of every page. Cole’s character is equally as intriguing as the main storyline. He’s a somewhat mysterious man that uses clues in his past to illuminate a journey of emotional self-discovery alongside the plot to stop his killer. Moments of humor between Cole and his friends in Charleston make for a fun addition to the thriller, while his budding connection with Cash is one with which we can all relate.

Trees is one of the favorites to hit my shelves in a long time! Every twist and turn drew me in from the beginning and truly allowed me to be a part of Cole’s world. Reeves has it all – adventure, history, humor, romance, suspense and intrigue! To me, the mark of an incredible novel is my desire to learn and discover more as I put it down – and we’re in luck! Reeves has Book 2 of the series planned for next year and I CANNOT WAIT to pick it up and continue Cole & Cash’s journey.

[D.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Robert Reeves has managed to get a lot of information in his well-written book, ‘The Trees Beyond The Grass’. The suspenseful story line keeps the reader intrigued until the end. It could stand alone as a fantastic novel, but Reeves puts so much more into his book. All I can say is ‘Wow!’
The book begins with the sick and twisted killer, performing and describing not one, but two, murders. The reader is given clues about Cole’s nightmares and his past, throughout the story. I was genuinely surprised when discovering that Cole was next on the sick and twisted killer’s list.
Like a spider spinning its web, author Robert Reeves spins the reader into a story of friendships, love, and murder.
The reader also gets a history lesson, facts, and knowledge of the historic city of Charleston, South Carolina. Reeves’ very detailed scenery makes the reader feel as though they are right there with the characters.
The book is emotional and intense, with strong characters, chilling insights into the killer’s mind, and the relationship of Cole and a Professor, he meets during the story.
‘The Trees Beyond The Grass’ is a must read for anyone who likes murder, mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.
I look forward to reading more from this author!

*I received a PDF copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

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[John Boettcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The Trees Beyond the Grass" Reeves crafts a tale of mystery and suspense ranging from the front range of Colorado to the marshes of the deep South.

This mystery-thriller keeps you going until the last page. Once you have it figured out, you don't. And once you finally know what happens, Reeves changes the story on you again.

Cole Mouzon is the protagonist in a story that is an emotionally driven piece of writing. There are parts in the book that appear like they may not necessarily need to be there, but we all do that as writers and get better at it over time. The fact is that Reeves, at times, did show his brilliance in what he was trying to achieve, even if he too a bit of time of coming around to it.

The characters were very enjoyable, although I believe that some of them could have been left out or given an even more minor role, but that is up to the author and the readers to decide, not just one reviewer. However, this does not significantly detract from the story line and leads up to a climax that I am sure nobody expects. Which is perfect for thy type of book.

This was a very enjoyable read. The author has flares of brilliance as he weaves the tale of Cole, reminiscences of Grisham and Patterson. Reeves has a big future ahead if this is any indication off the start of his works. He will be on my list of authors to watch in the future for sure!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a Romance genre junkie who needs a good Mystery/Thriller hit every once in a while. The Trees Beyond the Grass did not disappoint.

The story is so well rounded that I’m having a hard time pinpointing what stood out most.

The character development did grab me at first. I felt an instant connection with the main character, Cole Mouzon. He’s one of those fictional characters that you grow attached to, root for and stays with you well after you finish the book. I love Cole! Part of me wanted to hug him and another part of me wanted to lick him.

What I liked also is that the story is not only told from Cole's point of view but also from many of the other characters. We are allowed to get into the mind of the lead FBI agent and into the mind of the killer. There’s a particular scene that you are able to see from a victims point of view. Even though that scene is really intense it felt to me almost like a gift from the author.

What also can’t be ignored is the rich description of Charleston. As a New Yorker who has never been down South I found Mr. Reeve’s description of the area incredibly intriguing. I’m embarrassed to admit that due to my ignorance of all things Southern I did need to look up a few of Mr. Reeve’s references and some of the food descriptions made me cringe…the liver something or other over grits…ugh!

I’m beyond happy that this is going to be a series. I can’t wait until the next Cole Mouzon Thriller!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 actually.

This book was great. I loved the storyline and the suspense was off the charts, just waiting to see what would happen next. The beginning of romance between the two MCs is subtle, but there. I hope the author explores more of it in the next book, and we get to see how they cope with (spoiler alert) being together and raising Billy.

The reason for the 4.5 was, well, Charleston. I felt like the book conveyed the virtues of charleston more than it needed to. I get that I'm reading a book set in Charleston, but I don't generally need to know how friendly the people are, or how many accolades Charleston has won, or even how many years it has been featured in the world's most beautiful people list.

Also, I figured out who "Poinsett" was from the moment the character was introduced. I didn't trust that b*tch for a second since she arrived on page. I don't know if that was deliberate or if I just figured it out waaay too soon.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast paced thriller filled with southern charm! I really enjoyed the main character Cole. Focused, charming, driven, and damaged. All of the characters were as colorful as the back drop of Charleston. I liked the way the author led me to know and care for the characters. The sexuality of Cole was not a primary focus, or a blaring neon sign~ but I liked the spark between him and Cash. There was no real 'cliffhanger', but plenty of lead up to make you desire the next installment. This was smartly written. A classic thriller, in the aspect of killer meets prey. A few typos/editing errors, but nothing that takes away from the story line, or snags the mind.

I would recommend this to any mystery/thriller lover. Keep an eye out for Robert Reeves, this author is going places. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thriller. Interested in reading future books about these characters.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

I don't like to give bad reviews, so let's just go with a "wrong book-wrong time" scenario and wish you better luck than me, if you choose to give it a try.

[Mercedes Hightower · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is just my opinion because judging by all of the other reviews it's possible something was just lost in translation with me and this book. I really did want to like it but it just wasn't for me. My biggest issue is the ridiculous amount of unnecessary detail I felt like way more attention was paid to giving the reader a clear picture of Charleston than the actual plot and development of the story. I feel the story had the potential to be good but the minute things would start to get going there would be a page of what I felt was irrelevant details to read through. The most frustrating to me was the scene where Cole is out for lunch and there's like a page dedicated to explaining different kinds of BBQ or the explanation of rice beds. I'm not saying these things aren't interesting but were they really necessary? I just felt like a lot of this book was less the thriller/mystery it claims to be and more "The History of Charleston". The book is almost 400 pages but only about 200 of those pages is story to me. The characters weren't half bad they were complex and I could appreciate that but the story had a lot of little holes that just didn't make sense for me (after Cole is attacked the first time how is he just allowed to go back in the house and sleep? Why would he not have to go give a statement especially because a cop died?). Overall, I didn't hate it and I finished it but for once I wish there would have been less attention paid to details.

[Sussu · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all.

The only good thing was the promise the plot had. There just wasn't anything to like after that, and the only reason I kept on going was because I had the silly notion that I had to be missing something when the general consensus seemes to be that this is a decent, if not a great book.

Alas, I have myself to blame for trusting other people's judgement over my own.

What was so bad about this in my opinion?

For instance, the plot had no suspense (a severe lack for a thriller). The characters were flat, unrelatable and uninteresting. The dialogue was artificial and forced. The writing was chopped and overly explained. I don't understand why, for example, the author couldn't just say "'---,' Cole said and laughed." For some reason it had to be something like "'---,' Cole said. Cole and Ann laughed because that was their sense of humor." I mean, what? And don't get me started on "the relationship" between Cole and Cash. There was no relationship, yet there was huge emotional whiplash that came out of nowhere. Bah.

All in all, a painful read that I won't be recommending to anyone. Maybe as warning example of what happens when your editor either doesn't exist or simply doesn't have the heart to do their job.

[Sharon Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book today after starting it yesterday so I guess that you could say I really enjoyed it. The book is over 300 pages but I really didn't want to put it down. The story is slow moving - much like my idea of life in the southern States - but it kept me enthralled. I had my suspicions about who was the bad guy but I wan't sure about it until the end.The writing is very good and I liked all of the main characters.
There is one major unanswered question but I wont put it here because I am thinking that this could be addressed in book 2 which I am about to start.
This book is a thriller/mystery with a hint of a possible romance. I hope to see this relationship develop in the next book.
Definitely recommended.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a goodreads first reads giveaway. It was an entertaining read with a good pace. I was never bored. I'm hoping in the next books within the series, Cole's life in Denver has a bigger impact. I'm still wondering how his dog is doing. The ending is predictable, with a few surprises. It is sad, but still leaves you hopeful and smiling somehow. I would definitely read the rest of the series.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely in need of some editing and streamlining early on, but this was a really intriguing thriller with a group of really strong characters; I loved Cole and Cash and Jackie and Ann (even though she was entirely superfluous), and I'm definitely interested to see where the story goes. I'm not a huge fan of leaving at least half of the story unresolved, but I liked this enough to want to keep reading, so it doesn't bother me too much.

[Inken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overwritten and overwrought. The best parts are those describing the serial killer who seems to be the only truly realistic character in the entire story and that’s not saying much. The descriptions of Denver and Charleston, where the story takes place, are absorbing and you almost resent the action interrupting and getting in the way of what is otherwise a great travelogue!

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two thirds of the book is quite entertaining, especially the description of Charleston and Southern Culture. The ending is quite lacking given its interesting setup. Ok read but the resolution is a bit hurried.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting m/m romance and a bit of mystery.What i got was a really good mystery with a bit of m/m romance. Once I adjusted my expectations I really enjoyed the book and I understand there are more books to come so I hope the romance will grow in them.

[Tim Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - what a thriller. Each chapter makes you want to go on to the next. Loved the descriptions of Charleston and now want to visit there. Can't wait for his second book to be published!

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful thriller! kept me guessing and reading page after page

[Emilie]

DNF 70%