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Hunter #3
Partners
Tori Hunter always worked solo, but in Samantha Kennedy she found a partner, in more ways than one. Casey O’Connor isn’t thrilled to learn that she has a new partner on the way. It’s been hard enough to transition from working with live victims to dead ones. Now Leslie Turner is going to slow down the process. Professional duty trumps personal issues as the detectives focus on their latest case, a killer whose choice of victim is solitary women. The investigation raises a lot of questions around the killer’s means and opportunities. Leslie would be happy if the questions stopped there, but she’s also wondering why she’d rather spend time with these women—specifically Casey—than with her fiancé. Casey would also like to stick to business, but as the case intensifies she finds herself also watching Tori and Sam and wondering how they balance their public personas and private passions. Figuring it out is a pointless exercise, she tells herself, because that kind of lightning can’t possibly strike twice. Partners concludes the series that began with the chart-topping bestseller Hunter’s Way, and continued with the Lambda Literary and Golden Crown finalist In the Name of the Father — with the sizzling intensity that only Gerri Hill can deliver.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2008
61 people are currently reading
620 people want to read
About the author
Gerri Hill
53 books1,549 followersGerri began writing lesbian romance as a way to amuse herself while snowed in one winter in the mountains of Colorado, and hasn’t looked back. Her first published work came in 2000 with One Summer Night. Many more romances have followed, with the occasional murder mystery in the mix.
Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends.
Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise...
"I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
Gerri’s love of nature and of being outdoors usually makes its way into her stories as her characters often find themselves in beautiful natural settings. When she isn’t writing, Gerri and her longtime partner, Diane, can be found at their home in East Texas, where their vegetable garden, orchard, and five acres of woods keep them busy. They share their lives with an ever-changing cast of furry friends.
Her favorite pastimes include camping, hiking, birdwatching (though she insists she doesn’t wear funny hats yet!), photography, and cooking. She collects things nature offers, like an unusual pinecone, colorful rocks, or an abandoned bird feather. Dawn is her favorite time of day, the moment right before sunrise...
"I love the morning... the beginning of a brand new day. Because even things that we know are unattainable flutter within our grasp. In the early morning—at that cusp of a new day—everything is possible."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 8, 2014
Gerri Hill is a phenomenal author, her dialogue and characters are second to none. This is the third book in the Hunter series and while lacking some of the originality of the first two novels, is still any excellent read.
My only gripe is that the ending is so abrupt, I found myself desperate for some closure. Off to see if there are any more in this series and hopefully find the end of the cliff hanger.
My only gripe is that the ending is so abrupt, I found myself desperate for some closure. Off to see if there are any more in this series and hopefully find the end of the cliff hanger.
August 22, 2019
I was going to include a review when I finished the book but it seems I wasn't in a good position to do so. And now it has been somewhat too long.
Overall it was an interesting series. I rather loved the first book in the series. I was half ok with and half annoyed that the second book, In the Name of the Father, in the series moved off the two main characters from Hunter's Way. The second book in the series fell from the 5 stars 'Hunter's Way' achieved to 4 stars less to the switch in character focus, and more on a somewhat lessor mystery, and not much in the way of a romance plot. Casey O'Connor, the focus of 'Partners' was an interesting character in 'In the Name of The Father', but became somewhat less so in 'Partners'.
My main problem with this book can be boiled down to an accidental glance at one line of a review that I noticed before I read Partners. Don't recall exact wording, but it was something like 'Hunter's Way, again'. Straight woman with a boyfriend (fiance in this book), partnered up with a lesbian. Straight woman realizes, oh, shesh, it's actually women who turn me on (or, at least, one specific woman). Lesbian woman has issues that have to be broken through for events to unfold in a certain direction. Again.
Ah, and another problem. Every woman who is a police officer is depicted as a lesbian or a confused straight woman who is actually a lesbian. There are apparently no straight heterosexual female police officers. That kind of bugs me. Probably wouldn't if that story line didn't keep repeating.
So, didn't care for the romance part of the book. How about the mystery part? I found it a little too contrived and uninteresting. A let down from the prior works in the series.
Thinking about it a day after I finished the book, my 2 might be a little too harsh. A initial reaction to the repeat from the first book in the series, a reaction to the diminishment of my favorite character in the series, Samantha Kennedy, to almost no show in the second book, to more lines in the third book but still not really 'there'. And a reaction to that implication that all female police officers are actually lesbians, even if they do not immediately realize that they are. It might, just might, actually be a three star book. I'll have to think more about it.
Overall it was an interesting series. I rather loved the first book in the series. I was half ok with and half annoyed that the second book, In the Name of the Father, in the series moved off the two main characters from Hunter's Way. The second book in the series fell from the 5 stars 'Hunter's Way' achieved to 4 stars less to the switch in character focus, and more on a somewhat lessor mystery, and not much in the way of a romance plot. Casey O'Connor, the focus of 'Partners' was an interesting character in 'In the Name of The Father', but became somewhat less so in 'Partners'.
My main problem with this book can be boiled down to an accidental glance at one line of a review that I noticed before I read Partners. Don't recall exact wording, but it was something like 'Hunter's Way, again'. Straight woman with a boyfriend (fiance in this book), partnered up with a lesbian. Straight woman realizes, oh, shesh, it's actually women who turn me on (or, at least, one specific woman). Lesbian woman has issues that have to be broken through for events to unfold in a certain direction. Again.
Ah, and another problem. Every woman who is a police officer is depicted as a lesbian or a confused straight woman who is actually a lesbian. There are apparently no straight heterosexual female police officers. That kind of bugs me. Probably wouldn't if that story line didn't keep repeating.
So, didn't care for the romance part of the book. How about the mystery part? I found it a little too contrived and uninteresting. A let down from the prior works in the series.
Thinking about it a day after I finished the book, my 2 might be a little too harsh. A initial reaction to the repeat from the first book in the series, a reaction to the diminishment of my favorite character in the series, Samantha Kennedy, to almost no show in the second book, to more lines in the third book but still not really 'there'. And a reaction to that implication that all female police officers are actually lesbians, even if they do not immediately realize that they are. It might, just might, actually be a three star book. I'll have to think more about it.
October 11, 2019
Listened to this one, included in Scribd membership and it was pretty great. Also narrated by Craden in another great performance. Unfortunately didn’t realize this was the third book in the series. So now heading to Audible (hey, don’t judge!) for the first one. Straightforward romance with not so straightforward crime. Nice creepy ending to leave you looking out the window. Thanks Ms Hill!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
June 17, 2023
3.5⭐️ Leslie and Casey are great together. I like Leslie’s coming out story. And catching up on this Gerri Hill series
September 30, 2023
Wow! Tori and Sam are close to trumping Cam and Blair (Radclyffe Honor Series) as my favourite duo. Class act. Stupendous, if a little bloody….
June 2, 2025
This installment focuses more on Casey, but it's still a solid one.
June 25, 2023
I'm gearing up for reading Hunter's Revenge and wanted to read Partners beforehand. Tori Hunter has to be one of my favourite characters of all time, and it's always a pleasure to spend time with her. Partners also pairs up Casey, who we met within In the Name of the Father. Casey's romance with Leslie definitely felt familiar to Tori and Sam's origins within Hunter's Way, but regardless it was super sweet to read.
Once again, I loved this Gerri Hill novel and adored Abby Craden's narration of the audiobook. Now onto the next read by Gerri Hill ❤️
Once again, I loved this Gerri Hill novel and adored Abby Craden's narration of the audiobook. Now onto the next read by Gerri Hill ❤️
August 10, 2017
3.5 star
I don't like this book that there's something off or I can say boring easily guess what going to happen next...
I don't like this book that there's something off or I can say boring easily guess what going to happen next...
October 7, 2021
This book was much better than the last. It was an interesting investigation and kept me guessing. Casey, introduced in the last book, gets a new partner. They instantly click and it seems to be a great thing. However, their story is way to much like Sam and Tori’s. I’m surprised Hill wrote a book so similar in plot.
The area where the book references is Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. I actually live here so it’s interesting hearing them talk about towns and places I’ve been. However, Hill goes into great detail about streets and areas that people not from this area likely couldn’t care less about.
This book is left with a cliff hanger and that’s for sure different than her other books.
The area where the book references is Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. I actually live here so it’s interesting hearing them talk about towns and places I’ve been. However, Hill goes into great detail about streets and areas that people not from this area likely couldn’t care less about.
This book is left with a cliff hanger and that’s for sure different than her other books.
June 20, 2023
Yasss more Tori and Sam plus another murder mystery.
Not only do we get more Tori and Sam but there is a new romance, Casey and Leslie. They fight so hard against the mutual attraction they feel. I kept rooting for them to give in and admit what they feel for one another. I want Casey to find the love she Kong’s for and Leslie definitely fulfills that request.
I also love the interactions between Tori and Casey. Casey helps to fill the void Tori’s had since her family was murdered as a kid, and Tori is the older sibling Casey lost due to her family’s homophobia.
I can’t get enough of the family developing within the series, Tori, Sam, Casey, Leslie, and the guys on the squad. I love them.
Hill knows how to right murder. You’re right their with the MCs trying to solve the case and figure out who is behind the gruesome murders. I can’t get enough twist and turns in the cases that I never would have guessed would happen. Definitely keeps me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what’s going to happen next.
Not only do we get more Tori and Sam but there is a new romance, Casey and Leslie. They fight so hard against the mutual attraction they feel. I kept rooting for them to give in and admit what they feel for one another. I want Casey to find the love she Kong’s for and Leslie definitely fulfills that request.
I also love the interactions between Tori and Casey. Casey helps to fill the void Tori’s had since her family was murdered as a kid, and Tori is the older sibling Casey lost due to her family’s homophobia.
I can’t get enough of the family developing within the series, Tori, Sam, Casey, Leslie, and the guys on the squad. I love them.
Hill knows how to right murder. You’re right their with the MCs trying to solve the case and figure out who is behind the gruesome murders. I can’t get enough twist and turns in the cases that I never would have guessed would happen. Definitely keeps me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what’s going to happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2020
You've already read book 1 Hunter's way ? Well don't bother reading book 3 Partners.
This is the EXACT same book as the first one.
Same characters, same professional backgrounds, same sad stories, same habits, same reactions, same dialogue, same clothes, same behaviour... just same everything with a really poor mystery plot.
I wonder why Gerri Hill bothered to change the names if she was so fond of her first novel.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Hunters way. But would have re-read it instead of wasting my time with Partners.
And the mystery part. Are you kidding me ? 160 of nothing and 40 pages rushing the plot, just not to finished it. So disappointing.
This is the EXACT same book as the first one.
Same characters, same professional backgrounds, same sad stories, same habits, same reactions, same dialogue, same clothes, same behaviour... just same everything with a really poor mystery plot.
I wonder why Gerri Hill bothered to change the names if she was so fond of her first novel.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed Hunters way. But would have re-read it instead of wasting my time with Partners.
And the mystery part. Are you kidding me ? 160 of nothing and 40 pages rushing the plot, just not to finished it. So disappointing.
March 26, 2014
A worthy conclusion to the Hunter trilogy!
I personally liked part 3 better than part 2.
Through the love story of Casey and Leslie, Gerri Hill created the same quality of the original Hunter's Way book.
I had wished that it had been a little longer.
I wanted to know more about the relationship between Casey and Leslie.
Of all the couples I've read about.
the love story between Sam and Tori was definitely my favorite.
Their chemistry and their road to love will stay with me.
This book is the end of the Hunter series.
Thanks you Gerri Hill for creating these compelling characters.
No matter how many books I will read in the future, I will always remember Tori and Sam and their journey.
I personally liked part 3 better than part 2.
Through the love story of Casey and Leslie, Gerri Hill created the same quality of the original Hunter's Way book.
I had wished that it had been a little longer.
I wanted to know more about the relationship between Casey and Leslie.
Of all the couples I've read about.
the love story between Sam and Tori was definitely my favorite.
Their chemistry and their road to love will stay with me.
This book is the end of the Hunter series.
Thanks you Gerri Hill for creating these compelling characters.
No matter how many books I will read in the future, I will always remember Tori and Sam and their journey.
September 27, 2024
I am going to start removing half a star every time the author says “make love” like a conservative grandmother trying to explain sex to a teenager. It’s just awful and makes me cringe. She says it all the time.
January 6, 2017
Loved this book. It tells more about Tori and Sam from Hunter's Way. It also brings back Leslie from In the Name of the Father and hooks her up with Casey. Another great mystery love story by Gerri!
February 25, 2023
Books that are part of a series still need to feel somewhat self-contained, and this didn't. I did enjoy reading and do plan on reading Devil's Rock, but I can't deny that nothing really reached a satisfying enough conclusion.
January 15, 2025
this was the least problematic and the most interesting book for the series
June 30, 2023
i thought it would take me longer to finish this.
nope.
bring on book 4!!
nope.
bring on book 4!!
December 19, 2011
The third Hunter book, but Tori and Sam are relegated to secondary characters in this one.
Casey O'Connor (introduced in In the Name of the Father) is now in the Homicide department, where all really hot lesbian detectives seemed destined to end up. She's teamed up with a new detective who transfers in from Assault (formerly a Homicide detective in Fort Worth so it doesn't seem too odd to have to new homicide detectives partnered up). The new transfer, Leslie Tucker, is straight and engaged, but already harbouring doubts about the future of her relationship with her fiance.
So ... yes, there is a similarity in the basic romance plot to Hunter's Way. But I can name a few lesbian fiction series that feature carbon copies romances revolving around the multitude of lesbians who lie in the community. I'm not overly miffed by the similarity to Hunter's Way. The characters are different with different pasts/triggers/angst = Casey is not Hunter and Leslie isn't quite Sam (Casey is a bit better developed as she's had two books to grow in). Also, their developing relationship isn't being pushed along by bombs, druglords or other extraneous plotlines.
I actually liked the homicide case they worked on better in this one than the first two. Hunter's Way kept throwing all kinds of extraneous situations and the murders they were supposed to be investigating kept taking a back seat to all the other drama. This book keeps the focus on 1) the burgeoning relationship and 2) a series of murders that appear to perpetrated by a Peeping Tom.
The ending ... I'm actually going to have to get someone to verify that I didn't have a corrupted electronic version of this book as I can't fricking believe it ended the way it did.
Casey O'Connor (introduced in In the Name of the Father) is now in the Homicide department, where all really hot lesbian detectives seemed destined to end up. She's teamed up with a new detective who transfers in from Assault (formerly a Homicide detective in Fort Worth so it doesn't seem too odd to have to new homicide detectives partnered up). The new transfer, Leslie Tucker, is straight and engaged, but already harbouring doubts about the future of her relationship with her fiance.
So ... yes, there is a similarity in the basic romance plot to Hunter's Way. But I can name a few lesbian fiction series that feature carbon copies romances revolving around the multitude of lesbians who lie in the community. I'm not overly miffed by the similarity to Hunter's Way. The characters are different with different pasts/triggers/angst = Casey is not Hunter and Leslie isn't quite Sam (Casey is a bit better developed as she's had two books to grow in). Also, their developing relationship isn't being pushed along by bombs, druglords or other extraneous plotlines.
I actually liked the homicide case they worked on better in this one than the first two. Hunter's Way kept throwing all kinds of extraneous situations and the murders they were supposed to be investigating kept taking a back seat to all the other drama. This book keeps the focus on 1) the burgeoning relationship and 2) a series of murders that appear to perpetrated by a Peeping Tom.
The ending ... I'm actually going to have to get someone to verify that I didn't have a corrupted electronic version of this book as I can't fricking believe it ended the way it did.
January 13, 2018
I was disappointed that we didn’t see Sam as much in this book... as much as I enjoy Casey’s character. Although, I’m kind of bored of the whole “Straight woman falls for lesbian & realises she’s gay”
It seems to me that Dallas PD is made up of Lesbian detectives. HOWEVER I am a sucker for the troubled characters and enjoyed it anyway.
I did prefer hunters way.
It seems to me that Dallas PD is made up of Lesbian detectives. HOWEVER I am a sucker for the troubled characters and enjoyed it anyway.
I did prefer hunters way.
December 27, 2008
I'm really torn about this latest book by Gerri Hill.
It's the continuation/conclusion of the series started with Hunter's Way, so it's a return of beloved characters. The story focuses on Casey, the character introduced in the second book of this series, In the Name of the Father, in addition to the case the homicide detectives have to solve in this crime/romance novel.
I liked the case, trying to solve the murder of young women killed by a peeping tom and the connected murder of a homeless man, I liked how the detectives worked together and brainstormed and what not.
I did not like the romance part of the book, the blurb on the back cover already alludes that Casey will fall for her new partner, Leslie Tucker (not Turner as the blurb says ;)) in a manner that is similar to the romance of Tori and Sam in book one. And that's exactly what happens, basically a re-telling of the Tori/Sam plot with some alterations thrown in. I felt bored with it and ripped off at the same time.
I wonder if it's arrogance to write/sell something that basically you've done before, or pressure to publish something, or some genius stroke of writing I fail to recognize. If you can't think of anything new to write in a series it's maybe not a good thing to continue it?
The author's note says this is the last book in the series, which I guess is a good thing, on the other hand, the crime plot of the book would provide enough material to dive into that world again, but not if the characters don't have more to say.
It's too bad that the two components of this book just aren't on the same level.
It's the continuation/conclusion of the series started with Hunter's Way, so it's a return of beloved characters. The story focuses on Casey, the character introduced in the second book of this series, In the Name of the Father, in addition to the case the homicide detectives have to solve in this crime/romance novel.
I liked the case, trying to solve the murder of young women killed by a peeping tom and the connected murder of a homeless man, I liked how the detectives worked together and brainstormed and what not.
I did not like the romance part of the book, the blurb on the back cover already alludes that Casey will fall for her new partner, Leslie Tucker (not Turner as the blurb says ;)) in a manner that is similar to the romance of Tori and Sam in book one. And that's exactly what happens, basically a re-telling of the Tori/Sam plot with some alterations thrown in. I felt bored with it and ripped off at the same time.
I wonder if it's arrogance to write/sell something that basically you've done before, or pressure to publish something, or some genius stroke of writing I fail to recognize. If you can't think of anything new to write in a series it's maybe not a good thing to continue it?
The author's note says this is the last book in the series, which I guess is a good thing, on the other hand, the crime plot of the book would provide enough material to dive into that world again, but not if the characters don't have more to say.
It's too bad that the two components of this book just aren't on the same level.
June 20, 2023
I Don't Really Like Casey-Lesley Ship!! I Am All About Tori-Sam. So I Hate That Gerri Wrote That Casey Could Reach Tori In A Deep Meaning Than Sam Could. And This Whole Lesley - Michaele Thing Was Jus Something Else I Wasn't Interested In. And Robert, Hahahah, Bitter Bastard. And I Hate That The Book Was All About Casey and Lesley!!
*NEW*
I didn't mind them so much like the first time.
There Should Have Been More Confronting Moments Between Hunter and Robert. But I love Casey and Tori, They Had An Amazing Friendship. I Would Rather Casey Ended Up With Marisa Than Lesley, Woman Had So Much Drama And I Didn't Like Her.
*NEW*
Robert, that nasty man.
And My Sam, She Was Almost Unavailable For My Emotions. And Hunter Too, Winer There Was A Chapter With Hunter, I Got So Excited But They Were Little Pages In It.
*NEW*
Still felt the same.
But I still loved it, Hunter laughing, joking. Argh, those precious moments!!
Ps: I don't understand the capital letters.. the fuck was I on?
*NEW*
I didn't mind them so much like the first time.
There Should Have Been More Confronting Moments Between Hunter and Robert. But I love Casey and Tori, They Had An Amazing Friendship. I Would Rather Casey Ended Up With Marisa Than Lesley, Woman Had So Much Drama And I Didn't Like Her.
*NEW*
Robert, that nasty man.
And My Sam, She Was Almost Unavailable For My Emotions. And Hunter Too, Winer There Was A Chapter With Hunter, I Got So Excited But They Were Little Pages In It.
*NEW*
Still felt the same.
But I still loved it, Hunter laughing, joking. Argh, those precious moments!!
Ps: I don't understand the capital letters.. the fuck was I on?
January 7, 2015
Hunter's Way, a thoroughly engrossing read, hit all the right notes for me. The quality of writing is above average, as is the mystery / crime plotline, Which is handled well enough twists and turns giving us along the way and, happily, the book is populated by a cast of fairly believable characters who do not hover too close to the usual stereotypes.
The hole Hunters series is good and exciting entertainment.
The hole Hunters series is good and exciting entertainment.
December 8, 2020
Leslie and Casey's relationship is so similar to Tori and Sam. We have a straight girl who has a boyfriend / fiance and finds out one day that shes not so straight after all. Once works like a charm. But twice is just repetitive. Still giving it a five-star because I actually found Leslie and Casey lovable . And they make great bffs with Tori and Sam.
December 27, 2014
Excellent as always. Loved the interaction between Hunter and O'Connor. Loved the new lady in the group. I can't wait to meet the highway series lady and see them catch Patrick. And then read the crossover with these six kick ass women!!!! Very good story, as always with Gerri Hill
June 21, 2017
Enjoying the series and I thought I won't
May 31, 2019
Ok, this was a very random Hoopla borrow. Not that there's anything wrong with the book and it's even a type of book that I would pick up. But! It is Book #3 of a series, and I have not read any of the other titles.
The reason I had it at all was because Hoopla miscategorized this book as a title in the Mercedes Lackey 'Hunters' series. But I still needed a book to read and I was out of borrows due to the mishap... so I tried it out anyway, in hopes that it wouldn't be too jarring to jump into without the other books.
It kinda worked out, because it looks like the book had just skipped mostly to a new pairing, while who seemed to be the previous main characters/pair became more background characters.
It was a bit... soft in places, too soft for me. And tbh the male characterization seemed pretty contrived. I don't understand the types of people in the book. Lesbians who were 100% lesbian and trying to force themselves into a het relationship, and then being in a relationship when finding themselves (ie, realising their lesbian-ness).
I've always been bi (mostly gay) and never wanted to just settle with whatever society expected me to be, so I really don't get it. Especially not to the lengths that these characters were willing to go to shove themselves into a mold. I know that it happens, and that's messed up. But I don't get why people do it at all.
Also, it felt like bi erasure too. Like, ok, there isn't any possibility that they could have been into both? Not, oh, I was with a guy but actually that was wrong and I met the right woman and I suddenly became a lesbian? I dunno, there's just something about it that rubbed me the wrong way. I had higher hopes for it tbh.
The reason I had it at all was because Hoopla miscategorized this book as a title in the Mercedes Lackey 'Hunters' series. But I still needed a book to read and I was out of borrows due to the mishap... so I tried it out anyway, in hopes that it wouldn't be too jarring to jump into without the other books.
It kinda worked out, because it looks like the book had just skipped mostly to a new pairing, while who seemed to be the previous main characters/pair became more background characters.
It was a bit... soft in places, too soft for me. And tbh the male characterization seemed pretty contrived. I don't understand the types of people in the book. Lesbians who were 100% lesbian and trying to force themselves into a het relationship, and then being in a relationship when finding themselves (ie, realising their lesbian-ness).
I've always been bi (mostly gay) and never wanted to just settle with whatever society expected me to be, so I really don't get it. Especially not to the lengths that these characters were willing to go to shove themselves into a mold. I know that it happens, and that's messed up. But I don't get why people do it at all.
Also, it felt like bi erasure too. Like, ok, there isn't any possibility that they could have been into both? Not, oh, I was with a guy but actually that was wrong and I met the right woman and I suddenly became a lesbian? I dunno, there's just something about it that rubbed me the wrong way. I had higher hopes for it tbh.
July 21, 2022
I enjoyed this third installment of the Hunter series. We get to see our favorite characters from the previous books, and meet a new one, Leslie. Of course, I hoped to see more of Sam and Tori, but I came to terms that we wouldn't get that after the second book.
I liked that Casey became close friends with Tori and Sam, and we learned more about her. Both MCs were likable, in fact. Their interactions were fun and you couldn't help but root for them to be together.
In many ways the love story was similar to the first book, though. Including 'straight' with a boyfriend and past family issues tropes. I didn't mind it too much, but since I've just read the first book not so long ago, it was still too fresh in my mind. It feels like the author cheated and copied the first (most successful) book of the series.
The crime part of the book was interesting almost till the end. I wish we had one or more chapters to wrap everything up. Left as it is, it felt unfinished, especially for the supposedly last book in the trilogy. Now that I learned that the killer's story continues in 'Devil's rock', I feel better and I am glad that we'll see more of our four detectictives in the crossover 'Angel Fire'.
I'm still giving it 4 stars because I enjoyed reading about our favorite squad and had a hard time putting it down.
I liked that Casey became close friends with Tori and Sam, and we learned more about her. Both MCs were likable, in fact. Their interactions were fun and you couldn't help but root for them to be together.
In many ways the love story was similar to the first book, though. Including 'straight' with a boyfriend and past family issues tropes. I didn't mind it too much, but since I've just read the first book not so long ago, it was still too fresh in my mind. It feels like the author cheated and copied the first (most successful) book of the series.
The crime part of the book was interesting almost till the end. I wish we had one or more chapters to wrap everything up. Left as it is, it felt unfinished, especially for the supposedly last book in the trilogy. Now that I learned that the killer's story continues in 'Devil's rock', I feel better and I am glad that we'll see more of our four detectictives in the crossover 'Angel Fire'.
I'm still giving it 4 stars because I enjoyed reading about our favorite squad and had a hard time putting it down.
March 30, 2023
I love Gerri Hill. The book is so realistic in how every single book always has that one character that I would've beaten up had they existed anywhere near me irl 😂
I was on my wits end during the part when Lesbi- I mean, Leslie kept wanting to talk to Casey about whatever-feelings-they're-having-for-each-other. And Casey replied that there was nothing to talk about, since Leslie was engaged to be married. Which I could totally relate, and it made sense, but damn, that answer made Leslie snap.
I mean, what the fucc, Leslie? You won't deal with your misfit straight relationship nor your secretly-gay identity but you pushed others to talk about, what exactly!?
I know many people are this indecisive irl so that is not why I gave it a 4.
For some reason it just didn't hit me as hard as Hunter's Way. Maybe because it's too short so I don't have enough time to relate to the characters yet. Maybe because the book feels like it's more about the romance between Casey and Leslie and the case is more like an afterthought, whereas Hunter's Way feels more balanced.
I was on my wits end during the part when Lesbi- I mean, Leslie kept wanting to talk to Casey about whatever-feelings-they're-having-for-each-other. And Casey replied that there was nothing to talk about, since Leslie was engaged to be married. Which I could totally relate, and it made sense, but damn, that answer made Leslie snap.
I mean, what the fucc, Leslie? You won't deal with your misfit straight relationship nor your secretly-gay identity but you pushed others to talk about, what exactly!?
I know many people are this indecisive irl so that is not why I gave it a 4.
For some reason it just didn't hit me as hard as Hunter's Way. Maybe because it's too short so I don't have enough time to relate to the characters yet. Maybe because the book feels like it's more about the romance between Casey and Leslie and the case is more like an afterthought, whereas Hunter's Way feels more balanced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2022
2.5 rounded up
This was easily the weakest in the series so far. I was glad to see Casey get a love interest, however her relationship with Leslie felt like a thrifted, redundant Tori and Sam. I say thrifted because it wasn't anywhere near as good. I found it hard to buy into their chemistry whereas Tori and Sam had a pretty compelling reason to trust and eventually fall for each other.
As I've said in the past, I am impressed with Hill for being able to tie in romance and a murder mystery together, though both did fall flat for me in Partners . The unmarked POV and scene changes continue to be an issue for these books, and they always take me out of the story a bit. This book ended pretty abruptly but I'll be finishing the series so I'm curious to see where Hill goes with it.
In the end, I find it hard to be overly critical of these books because my gay criminal minds loving heart is so full when I read a sapphic thriller. It's my goddamn CATNIP
This was easily the weakest in the series so far. I was glad to see Casey get a love interest, however her relationship with Leslie felt like a thrifted, redundant Tori and Sam. I say thrifted because it wasn't anywhere near as good. I found it hard to buy into their chemistry whereas Tori and Sam had a pretty compelling reason to trust and eventually fall for each other.
As I've said in the past, I am impressed with Hill for being able to tie in romance and a murder mystery together, though both did fall flat for me in Partners . The unmarked POV and scene changes continue to be an issue for these books, and they always take me out of the story a bit. This book ended pretty abruptly but I'll be finishing the series so I'm curious to see where Hill goes with it.
In the end, I find it hard to be overly critical of these books because my gay criminal minds loving heart is so full when I read a sapphic thriller. It's my goddamn CATNIP
March 18, 2018
I decided to give Gerri Hill another chance after Hunter's Way, because I loved her writing, despite the hints at possible transphobia... And I still don't know what to think on that last point, because obviously she's doing a lot of equating crossdressing with being mentally ill and murderous, but it's always in this grey area in-between... The romance is still very interesting however, as is the investigation. And I really enjoyed the new characters and their own love story. Although, to be quite honest, having a bi woman or two in there would be nice and offer a change from the "I thought I loved men and then I realised I didn't at all" storyline. Still, quite intertaining, and I read it in one go (as I did the #2) although I have trouble reading recently, so it's well worth 3 stars.
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