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Black and Blue #3
Something Wicked
After powerful psychic Blue Billings fell in love with Levi Black, he believed their biggest challenges would arise from Blue’s ability to see and speak to the dead. So it’s rather alarming when he and Levi are confronted with a spate of new—and frightening—problems that have to do with the realm of the living.
A sadistic serial killer is stalking their beloved York, and Blue himself is in the killer’s crosshairs. Blue and Levi must race against time to catch the murderer as the deaths increase in ferocity. But when they’re forced from their home, and close acquaintances seemingly disappear like mist over the Minster’s spires, Blue finds that he is completely and terrifyingly on his own, and for the first time in his life, he’s without his powers.
This is the third book in the bestselling Black and Blue series. The books are meant to be read in order.
A sadistic serial killer is stalking their beloved York, and Blue himself is in the killer’s crosshairs. Blue and Levi must race against time to catch the murderer as the deaths increase in ferocity. But when they’re forced from their home, and close acquaintances seemingly disappear like mist over the Minster’s spires, Blue finds that he is completely and terrifyingly on his own, and for the first time in his life, he’s without his powers.
This is the third book in the bestselling Black and Blue series. The books are meant to be read in order.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2024
192 people are currently reading
513 people want to read
About the author
Lily Morton
79 books3,319 followersLily is a bestselling gay romance author.
She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven't had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.
She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?
Her latest release is Under Gorse and Stone, which is a magical Christmas story about a centuries-old dragon and his human mate.
https://getbook.at/UnderGorseAndStone
You can keep up with Lily's latest releases and read the exclusive short stories '3 Dates' and ‘Best Love’ by subscribing to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/LilyMorton-Newsletter
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She lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven't had a proper conversation with her since she got her Kindle.
She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams, and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing because how else would she get to spend her time with hot and funny men?
Her latest release is Under Gorse and Stone, which is a magical Christmas story about a centuries-old dragon and his human mate.
https://getbook.at/UnderGorseAndStone
You can keep up with Lily's latest releases and read the exclusive short stories '3 Dates' and ‘Best Love’ by subscribing to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/LilyMorton-Newsletter
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/SnarkSquad
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10000...
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@lilymortonauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lilymortonauthor
Pinterest: www.pinterest.co.uk/LilyAuthor
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/lily-morton
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
December 29, 2023
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
THE VIBES! THE VIBES! my gawd this was soooo good! This book was 100% more my thing ngl. it was a manageable level of creepy, still paranormal, and was distinctly serial killer spooky. The plot’s nothing new, but I thought it was still really well done! As compared to the first two books in the series, there's a sense of weight to this one. Deeper and more compact in narrative tone and quality, the camaraderie felt lived-in and well developed, and every sentence fed into the plot with purpose.
And while I was a bit frustrated with Blue and his thought process at times, the way his powers had grown but his emotional understanding of his relationship with Levi, after two years, still felt a bit fragile and a tentative, I do know that both of these characters have struggled across the series with their sense of worth (Blue) and being “useful” as a partner (Levi). but by the end of this book their bond did develop and was strengthened through adversity, the fruits of which adding texture and meaning to their love story. also, rosalind is such a sweet badass who takes care of the boys and i will love her ferociously till the end of time!
all in all this was a pretty fun and spooky series that I enjoyed from beginning to end! I’m very much looking forward to everything else Lily Morton has in store for this series, and of course anything released in the future featuring this whole lovable and wonderful found family of characters!
THE VIBES! THE VIBES! my gawd this was soooo good! This book was 100% more my thing ngl. it was a manageable level of creepy, still paranormal, and was distinctly serial killer spooky. The plot’s nothing new, but I thought it was still really well done! As compared to the first two books in the series, there's a sense of weight to this one. Deeper and more compact in narrative tone and quality, the camaraderie felt lived-in and well developed, and every sentence fed into the plot with purpose.
And while I was a bit frustrated with Blue and his thought process at times, the way his powers had grown but his emotional understanding of his relationship with Levi, after two years, still felt a bit fragile and a tentative, I do know that both of these characters have struggled across the series with their sense of worth (Blue) and being “useful” as a partner (Levi). but by the end of this book their bond did develop and was strengthened through adversity, the fruits of which adding texture and meaning to their love story. also, rosalind is such a sweet badass who takes care of the boys and i will love her ferociously till the end of time!
all in all this was a pretty fun and spooky series that I enjoyed from beginning to end! I’m very much looking forward to everything else Lily Morton has in store for this series, and of course anything released in the future featuring this whole lovable and wonderful found family of characters!
January 27, 2024
So, if you’re a scaredy cat like me, don’t read this at night! This story was spooky and surprisingly, quite bloody. A few parts grossed me out and I had to take a deep breath. Besides all that, I loved this one.
Blue and Levi, along with a few friends, are searching for a serial killer. Yes, there are plenty of ghosts and gore, especially with Blue’s abilities increasing. But what I loved most about this story is how the relationship between Blue and Levi has grown. The story is told in dual POV (more Blue than Levi), but I loved reading their inner thoughts and their love for each other. Blue has let his walls down and Levi is always there to support Blue.
I’m hoping there is more to come, at least I hope so. With a little surprise at the end, I want more of Blue and Levi.
Blue and Levi, along with a few friends, are searching for a serial killer. Yes, there are plenty of ghosts and gore, especially with Blue’s abilities increasing. But what I loved most about this story is how the relationship between Blue and Levi has grown. The story is told in dual POV (more Blue than Levi), but I loved reading their inner thoughts and their love for each other. Blue has let his walls down and Levi is always there to support Blue.
I’m hoping there is more to come, at least I hope so. With a little surprise at the end, I want more of Blue and Levi.
January 3, 2024
THINGS TAKE A TURN FOR THE MALEVOLENT IN THE LATEST BLUE INSTALMENT
Well that was a headrush and a half!
I absolutely love this series, it’s set in York, just down the road from me, a city I know like the back of my hand, so it’s always fun to visualise where Blue, Levi and the rest of the gang are hanging out.
Each one in this series has had a slightly different type of paranormal occurrence, all centring around the amazing Blue Billings, psychic extraordinaire and the love of Levi Black’s life.
I must admit, I wouldn’t have picked up these books if Lily hadn’t written them. I generally don’t like being creeped out or scared out of my wits!
This one though, this one was full of pure malicious evil and spite, as well as a seriously twisted mind that pulled Blue and Levi into the path of a serial killer with a strange fascination for the pair of them and an unhealthy obsession for the homeless living on York’s unforgiving streets.
It’s expanded on the gory which was found in book two, it’s no less adrenaline-packed than book one, but the team’s now expanded and Blue knows he can rely on Tom, Will and Jem, as well as Levi, when it comes to throwing himself into the path of danger.
There’s a lot of that here, leaving poor Levi frustrated and Tom hiding his fear behind his dry sarcasm and bluster, but Blue will be Blue and, for him, that means using his gift and no longer being willing to hide his abilities.
When the police come calling for help with a serial killer that’s been terrorising the city, it looks like validation, but things soon take a turn for the spoilers which I won’t be revealing!
Just know that it’s a twisty tale that goes deep into Blue’s powers and sees them hunting tight on the path of a murderer who seems to always be one step ahead and has them covering old haunting grounds through the city.
One thing is solid though, the love that Blue and Levi have found together. They’re ridiculously swoony, determined and committed to each other and protecting their happiness.
I love seeing how each supports the other, even through the dangerous parts of Blue’s gift, and I love seeing Blue snark his affection in a million different ways which Levi knows are his own version of a love language and we get some prime examples when an old friend of Levi turns up unexpectedly, which had me chuckling.
Overall this one is much more in the vein of a murder mystery, albeit with Blue’s psychic abilities providing him with clues for where to go next for some old-fashioned sleuthing, but I didn’t find it as scary as book one and it’s not as overly camp as book two.
It worked perfectly for me, even if I did guess who the ultimate bad person was before Blue got his final clue. I still raced through the pages to get to the end to make sure that all was going to be right in my world and both of them would make sure the baddie got their just deserts.
There’s a lovely little romantic bit which takes place in the most unexpected of places but it perfectly cements the unusual relationship these two men have. I adored it, and them, and I cannot wait for more in this series!
Well that was a headrush and a half!
I absolutely love this series, it’s set in York, just down the road from me, a city I know like the back of my hand, so it’s always fun to visualise where Blue, Levi and the rest of the gang are hanging out.
Each one in this series has had a slightly different type of paranormal occurrence, all centring around the amazing Blue Billings, psychic extraordinaire and the love of Levi Black’s life.
I must admit, I wouldn’t have picked up these books if Lily hadn’t written them. I generally don’t like being creeped out or scared out of my wits!
This one though, this one was full of pure malicious evil and spite, as well as a seriously twisted mind that pulled Blue and Levi into the path of a serial killer with a strange fascination for the pair of them and an unhealthy obsession for the homeless living on York’s unforgiving streets.
It’s expanded on the gory which was found in book two, it’s no less adrenaline-packed than book one, but the team’s now expanded and Blue knows he can rely on Tom, Will and Jem, as well as Levi, when it comes to throwing himself into the path of danger.
There’s a lot of that here, leaving poor Levi frustrated and Tom hiding his fear behind his dry sarcasm and bluster, but Blue will be Blue and, for him, that means using his gift and no longer being willing to hide his abilities.
When the police come calling for help with a serial killer that’s been terrorising the city, it looks like validation, but things soon take a turn for the spoilers which I won’t be revealing!
Just know that it’s a twisty tale that goes deep into Blue’s powers and sees them hunting tight on the path of a murderer who seems to always be one step ahead and has them covering old haunting grounds through the city.
One thing is solid though, the love that Blue and Levi have found together. They’re ridiculously swoony, determined and committed to each other and protecting their happiness.
I love seeing how each supports the other, even through the dangerous parts of Blue’s gift, and I love seeing Blue snark his affection in a million different ways which Levi knows are his own version of a love language and we get some prime examples when an old friend of Levi turns up unexpectedly, which had me chuckling.
Overall this one is much more in the vein of a murder mystery, albeit with Blue’s psychic abilities providing him with clues for where to go next for some old-fashioned sleuthing, but I didn’t find it as scary as book one and it’s not as overly camp as book two.
It worked perfectly for me, even if I did guess who the ultimate bad person was before Blue got his final clue. I still raced through the pages to get to the end to make sure that all was going to be right in my world and both of them would make sure the baddie got their just deserts.
There’s a lovely little romantic bit which takes place in the most unexpected of places but it perfectly cements the unusual relationship these two men have. I adored it, and them, and I cannot wait for more in this series!
January 16, 2024
TW: For a lot of gore and violence. Blue sees it through visions with his powers, how the murderer killed his victims, and it is...hard to read.
So, I actually finished this about three days ago, but because of being out of power because of a snow storm, I haven't been able to sit down and write this review, so sorry for the wait!
So, I kept seeing people saying in reviews that there wasn't much Blue and Levi in this, or there wasn't enough romance between them, and I have to disagree with that.
I was a little weary going into this because of that that this would focus too much on the ghost/murder stuff and not on these two.
While yes, the murder mystery was a big part of this, I felt Blue and Levi and their love was present at all times throughout this. Levi was almost always around, too - I was worried he and Blue would be separated for a good portion of this, and thankfully they were not - and these two were together all the time.
Not as much as sex as I maybe would have liked, but the two scenes I can remember were very good and really showed the lasting love between these two.
This was, overall, just so so good. This trilogy dropped off just a bit with the second book, in my opinion, but brought back everything I loved about the first book in this one.
The murder mystery was also very well done and suitably creepy. I was guessing about who the bad guy was the whole time, and only realized who it was very soon before it was revealed near the end in the story.
I love that Ms. Morton is able to usually give us such light hearted, humorous romance stories the majority of the time, but is also able to give us this, with scary ghost happenings and gory, gruesome and scary murderers afoot. It can't compute that all this happens in the same universe as all the other lovely lighthearted romances we know and love from Ms. Morton.
Now, while I don't think our main couple and their romance wasn't as pushed to the side as other reviews made it seem, the murder mystery is also a BIG part of this story and takes up a lot of the plot. Blue and Levi are put through the wringer with this murderer on the loose, who soon seems to be fixated on them for whatever reason.
I loved how just in love Blue and Levi were. We get some old friend of Levi's showing up in this one, and he obviously wants to be with Levi instead, and he's an asshole for a good part of this, but he was never even a worry, and I loved that. He was an annoyance, at most. But for Levi it's Blue and no one else. (Plus, near the end the guy kind of gets a redemption, so if he gets his own love story, I wouldn't be opposed 😉)
I highly, highly recommend this. I also hope that with that we might get a short about it, at the very least? That is, if we're not getting any more full length books about Blue and Levi, I at least want a short about it. I hope so 🤞
So dive into this if you've read the previous two and have a fun time with it. I loved returning to Blue and Levi after almost 3 years without them as the main focus and getting the progression of their relationship to the next level, through the tough time they go through in this one - with outside forces, not in their relationship. Their relationship is wonderfully solid throughout this whole book.
I just love these two, and I loved this book. I can't wait for more from Ms. Morton, whether it's a while new couple, or more Blue and Levi.
Can't wait! 😘
My Reviews for the Black and Blue series:
✨ The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings: 5 stars (my review)
✨ The Quiet House: 4 stars (my review)
✨ Something Wicked: 5 stars
So, I actually finished this about three days ago, but because of being out of power because of a snow storm, I haven't been able to sit down and write this review, so sorry for the wait!
So, I kept seeing people saying in reviews that there wasn't much Blue and Levi in this, or there wasn't enough romance between them, and I have to disagree with that.
I was a little weary going into this because of that that this would focus too much on the ghost/murder stuff and not on these two.
While yes, the murder mystery was a big part of this, I felt Blue and Levi and their love was present at all times throughout this. Levi was almost always around, too - I was worried he and Blue would be separated for a good portion of this, and thankfully they were not - and these two were together all the time.
Not as much as sex as I maybe would have liked, but the two scenes I can remember were very good and really showed the lasting love between these two.
This was, overall, just so so good. This trilogy dropped off just a bit with the second book, in my opinion, but brought back everything I loved about the first book in this one.
The murder mystery was also very well done and suitably creepy. I was guessing about who the bad guy was the whole time, and only realized who it was very soon before it was revealed near the end in the story.
I love that Ms. Morton is able to usually give us such light hearted, humorous romance stories the majority of the time, but is also able to give us this, with scary ghost happenings and gory, gruesome and scary murderers afoot. It can't compute that all this happens in the same universe as all the other lovely lighthearted romances we know and love from Ms. Morton.
Now, while I don't think our main couple and their romance wasn't as pushed to the side as other reviews made it seem, the murder mystery is also a BIG part of this story and takes up a lot of the plot. Blue and Levi are put through the wringer with this murderer on the loose, who soon seems to be fixated on them for whatever reason.
I loved how just in love Blue and Levi were. We get some old friend of Levi's showing up in this one, and he obviously wants to be with Levi instead, and he's an asshole for a good part of this, but he was never even a worry, and I loved that. He was an annoyance, at most. But for Levi it's Blue and no one else. (Plus, near the end the guy kind of gets a redemption, so if he gets his own love story, I wouldn't be opposed 😉)
I highly, highly recommend this. I also hope that with that we might get a short about it, at the very least? That is, if we're not getting any more full length books about Blue and Levi, I at least want a short about it. I hope so 🤞
So dive into this if you've read the previous two and have a fun time with it. I loved returning to Blue and Levi after almost 3 years without them as the main focus and getting the progression of their relationship to the next level, through the tough time they go through in this one - with outside forces, not in their relationship. Their relationship is wonderfully solid throughout this whole book.
I just love these two, and I loved this book. I can't wait for more from Ms. Morton, whether it's a while new couple, or more Blue and Levi.
Can't wait! 😘
My Reviews for the Black and Blue series:
✨ The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings: 5 stars (my review)
✨ The Quiet House: 4 stars (my review)
✨ Something Wicked: 5 stars
January 26, 2024
5 full ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Ms. Lily, you've outdone yourself!
Wouldn't change a word! 😁
Now, if you'll excuse me ...
I'mma gonna need a minute! 🥴
Ms. Lily, you've outdone yourself!
Wouldn't change a word! 😁
Now, if you'll excuse me ...
I'mma gonna need a minute! 🥴
January 24, 2024
Really enjoyable again! I like how the concept has moved more towards crime mysteries and helping to solve them, as I can see that being put to use in future books if there are more to come with Blue working alongside the police to solve missing people crimes, and murders etc.
I love how Blue and Levi's relationship has grown, but I would have liked to see a little bit more of their relationship in this one, as the mystery was very dominant, but it was nice to see Levi officially confirmed as Blue's tether.
Even the introduction of Rhys, Levi's old friend, and the potential conflict he would bring felt like it fell by the wayside. We all know nothing can touch Levi and Blue's bond, but it didn't really feel like Rhys tested it all that much and he ended up being a spare part to me. I didn't really see why he'd been introduced because he didn't add anything to the plot really and we found out basically nothing about his character, unless it's set up for a future book.
I still love Tom and his grumpiness, and Levi with his impeccable manners and need to drink tea is just so English, I love it! Every time I read a Lily Morton book, I have to drink tea at the same time - it just feels like a good combination after reading all of her MM books now.
I love how Blue and Levi's relationship has grown, but I would have liked to see a little bit more of their relationship in this one, as the mystery was very dominant, but it was nice to see Levi officially confirmed as Blue's tether.
Even the introduction of Rhys, Levi's old friend, and the potential conflict he would bring felt like it fell by the wayside. We all know nothing can touch Levi and Blue's bond, but it didn't really feel like Rhys tested it all that much and he ended up being a spare part to me. I didn't really see why he'd been introduced because he didn't add anything to the plot really and we found out basically nothing about his character, unless it's set up for a future book.
I still love Tom and his grumpiness, and Levi with his impeccable manners and need to drink tea is just so English, I love it! Every time I read a Lily Morton book, I have to drink tea at the same time - it just feels like a good combination after reading all of her MM books now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2024
3.5 Stars
The first instalment in the series will always be my favourite and by far the best of the bunch. However, I’m happy to report this was a lot better than book 2. I enjoyed it for the most part, Levi and Blue are as committed to one another as ever, Blue’s psychic abilities get more advanced by the hour, the mystery was disturbingly creepy (especially in the beginning) and I loved the York setting. However, I hate to be a negative Nancy, but I had a few issues:
Rhys’s sudden intro as a potential rival for Levi’s affections and the ensuing pissing contest was unnecessary. I couldn’t understand why Levi would even WANT to be friends with such a bellend. Thankfully, he takes up very little page time.
Mostly in Blue’s POV, the snark was a bit much at times, as were the constant affirmations.
Considering the sadistic nature in which the victims met their death (gladly off page), I wasn’t freaked out. I did feel sad though, that there had to be so many of them. I started to get frustrated when Blue would always end up incapacitated after a psychic episode, with very little to go on; especially, as the perp was obvious to me. Disappointingly, I found the ending predictable and anti climatic.
I found it hard to believe that in the two years Blue and Levi were together, Blue’s squat, in a not so desirable area, had become an old people’s home, which then apparently went bankrupt and ended up a squat again 🙄
The first instalment in the series will always be my favourite and by far the best of the bunch. However, I’m happy to report this was a lot better than book 2. I enjoyed it for the most part, Levi and Blue are as committed to one another as ever, Blue’s psychic abilities get more advanced by the hour, the mystery was disturbingly creepy (especially in the beginning) and I loved the York setting. However, I hate to be a negative Nancy, but I had a few issues:
Rhys’s sudden intro as a potential rival for Levi’s affections and the ensuing pissing contest was unnecessary. I couldn’t understand why Levi would even WANT to be friends with such a bellend. Thankfully, he takes up very little page time.
Mostly in Blue’s POV, the snark was a bit much at times, as were the constant affirmations.
Considering the sadistic nature in which the victims met their death (gladly off page), I wasn’t freaked out. I did feel sad though, that there had to be so many of them. I started to get frustrated when Blue would always end up incapacitated after a psychic episode, with very little to go on; especially, as the perp was obvious to me. Disappointingly, I found the ending predictable and anti climatic.
I found it hard to believe that in the two years Blue and Levi were together, Blue’s squat, in a not so desirable area, had become an old people’s home, which then apparently went bankrupt and ended up a squat again 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
Call me Scooby Doo because I want to be part of this little mystery gang! I LOVED this series and this last book was the icing on the cake. I was so invested in this mystery I was actually shocked when the bad guy was revealed. I had nooo idea! They got me gagged. I was just fully immersed in the experience with this one.
Lily Morton, girly pop. You did a great job with Blue and Levi. I love how time progresses between each book and it feels so natural. They’ve grown as a couple and are so strong now. I love their love. Levi is just perfection. I want to be more like him in my own life. Blue is wonderfully chaotic as always. We also get more of Will and Jem (I need to read their book!).
The plot itself was entertaining. You got cops. You got serial killers. You got spooky ghosts. You got sexy times. You got found family and loooooove.
This series just makes me happy, it feels complete and right in every way.
…but please let there be more coming, I need more Levi and Blue. xx
Lily Morton, girly pop. You did a great job with Blue and Levi. I love how time progresses between each book and it feels so natural. They’ve grown as a couple and are so strong now. I love their love. Levi is just perfection. I want to be more like him in my own life. Blue is wonderfully chaotic as always. We also get more of Will and Jem (I need to read their book!).
The plot itself was entertaining. You got cops. You got serial killers. You got spooky ghosts. You got sexy times. You got found family and loooooove.
This series just makes me happy, it feels complete and right in every way.
…but please let there be more coming, I need more Levi and Blue. xx
January 31, 2024
✰3.75 stars✰
This book was enjoyable, but I think I just loved the first book in this series so much that this latest installment fell off a little for me.
I love that Blue and Levi are so solid in this book, and I love that we get to see their love shine through, but it lacked something for me. Not their romance necessarily because all the moments we did see were amazing, but it just almost felt like there was no longer any focus on them as a couple. Which, yeah, we are pretty developed as a couple at this point so we don't need all that but I just was left wanting more.
Probably a personal preference thing, but I just wanted more Levi and Blue moments, either spending time together or going on a little date or something. Anything.
The mystery of the book was good, it wasn't exactly what I predicted, so that was fun.
A little graphic in terms of gore for some readers probably, but it didn't bother me too much but if that kind of thing does then maybe pass on this one.
I think it was nice to read another installment of Blue and Levi, because I loved them so much from the past books, but it wasn't quite all I hoped.
This book was enjoyable, but I think I just loved the first book in this series so much that this latest installment fell off a little for me.
I love that Blue and Levi are so solid in this book, and I love that we get to see their love shine through, but it lacked something for me. Not their romance necessarily because all the moments we did see were amazing, but it just almost felt like there was no longer any focus on them as a couple. Which, yeah, we are pretty developed as a couple at this point so we don't need all that but I just was left wanting more.
Probably a personal preference thing, but I just wanted more Levi and Blue moments, either spending time together or going on a little date or something. Anything.
The mystery of the book was good, it wasn't exactly what I predicted, so that was fun.
A little graphic in terms of gore for some readers probably, but it didn't bother me too much but if that kind of thing does then maybe pass on this one.
I think it was nice to read another installment of Blue and Levi, because I loved them so much from the past books, but it wasn't quite all I hoped.
January 7, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Enjoyable update to the series, though the mystery was fairly obvious and predictable from the start. I found the pacing to be a little odd at times, and couldn't always entirely follow what felt like decisions/plot progression without clear explanation. Though, full disclosure, my edible kicked in partway through reading to that could fully be at play (though I suspect not entirely...) I've been finding this author a bit repetitive and exhausting lately, so I was pleased that I enjoyed this one
Enjoyable update to the series, though the mystery was fairly obvious and predictable from the start. I found the pacing to be a little odd at times, and couldn't always entirely follow what felt like decisions/plot progression without clear explanation. Though, full disclosure, my edible kicked in partway through reading to that could fully be at play (though I suspect not entirely...) I've been finding this author a bit repetitive and exhausting lately, so I was pleased that I enjoyed this one
January 10, 2024
Wow, this was a great story.
The mystery is really well done and was well integrated.
But for me, the best part was the development of Blue and his total devotion to Levi.
Levi is also perfect for Blue, and I love that he is so patient with Blue.
I loved that we see Will and Jem again, who are both important for the story.
For me, this story is so powerful due to the characters and their relationships, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
The mystery is really well done and was well integrated.
But for me, the best part was the development of Blue and his total devotion to Levi.
Levi is also perfect for Blue, and I love that he is so patient with Blue.
I loved that we see Will and Jem again, who are both important for the story.
For me, this story is so powerful due to the characters and their relationships, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
January 8, 2024
This was excellent! I devoured this.
So much better than book two, far more along the lines of the first book plot-wise. The romance is strong and heartwarming and fulfilling as it has been the entire time. I love these two and I’m so glad we had another book with them. I really do hope for more.
As a warning, this story is quite gory. Some of the descriptions were moderately intense.
So much better than book two, far more along the lines of the first book plot-wise. The romance is strong and heartwarming and fulfilling as it has been the entire time. I love these two and I’m so glad we had another book with them. I really do hope for more.
As a warning, this story is quite gory. Some of the descriptions were moderately intense.
October 3, 2024
Excellent entry
in sexy, spooky series.
Psychic couple goals.
in sexy, spooky series.
Psychic couple goals.
January 15, 2024
I liked the serial killer story a lot.
March 19, 2024
This was creepy, haunting and just fantastic. I was scared but I did guess the murderer so I'm happy about it. Blue and Levi are happy in their house, with their jobs and their friends until Blue is asked to help with a murder investigation of a serial killer targeting homeless people, people that Blue and Will know from their past. Something wicked is going on, though; the house feels wrong, the killer is always one or two steps ahead of them and Blue's powers are getting stronger which means they're also getting more dangerous.
I loved going alongside them in the investigation, trying to get all the clues, going back and forth to see if I missed something vital. I was at some point screaming because the characters were told not to do one thing and obviously they did the thing. Typical. I was screaming a lot but they were in the middle of such chaos so I forgive them. The connection between Blue and Levi is stronger than ever, out of love, loyalty and devotion. They would do anything for each other. I adored seeing them communicate healthily; more characters should learn from them.
The murder mystery was beyond scary and I love that. Give me a mystery to solve and characters to love, and you'll make me the happiest!
The audiobook was great, I had no doubts it was going to be perfect because Joel Leslie is such an amazing narrator. He does each voice perfectly, giving each character their accent and personality. As an audiobook lover, I put my seal of approval!
I loved going alongside them in the investigation, trying to get all the clues, going back and forth to see if I missed something vital. I was at some point screaming because the characters were told not to do one thing and obviously they did the thing. Typical. I was screaming a lot but they were in the middle of such chaos so I forgive them. The connection between Blue and Levi is stronger than ever, out of love, loyalty and devotion. They would do anything for each other. I adored seeing them communicate healthily; more characters should learn from them.
The murder mystery was beyond scary and I love that. Give me a mystery to solve and characters to love, and you'll make me the happiest!
The audiobook was great, I had no doubts it was going to be perfect because Joel Leslie is such an amazing narrator. He does each voice perfectly, giving each character their accent and personality. As an audiobook lover, I put my seal of approval!
January 9, 2024
4.5 stars
February 10, 2024
I've given this a B+ at AAR, 4.5 stars.
Something Wicked is book three in Lily Morton’s Black and Blue series of paranormal romances set in York and featuring psychic Blue Billings, his boyfriend Levi Black, and their motley crew of friends and found family. I admit that I haven’t read a book by this author for a while – her regular brand of snarky contemporary romance has started to feel a bit stale and ‘phoned in’ to me – but as Something Wicked promised a real plot full of spookiness and danger, I decided to give it a go, and I’m glad I did, because it’s a cracking story that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. It’s also a lot darker than Lily Morton’s other books and has some genuinely sinister (and gory) moments, even more than the other books in the series, so consider yourselves warned!
Blue and Levi have been together for two years, and are as much in love as ever. Things have settled down a lot since the events of The Quiet House and although Blue is still sometimes called on to use his psychic talents – when Something Wicked begins, he’s just returning home after a few weeks away dealing with a poltergeist – it’s been quite a while since he’s had to deal with anything that has really challenged him. However, just as he reaches the house near the Minster he and Levi call home, he receives the first sign that his quiet life is about to be seriously disrupted when his ‘crow’ – a spirit who is a kind of early warning system for trouble – appears to him with blood oozing from its eyes.
That’s not the only clue that all is not well. When he and Levi are out that evening, Blue has the uncomfortable feeling he’s being watched and later that night, he’s woken up by by the sound of the front door banging – the front door which, upon inspection, is closed and locked. As he makes his way cautiously around the house, he recognises the signs of spirit presence – and sees all the pictures on the walls are upside down, and the hands on the antique clock in the hallway are spinning rapidly – backwards. Making his way back upstairs, he enters the bedroom to see Levi still asleep in bed, and a woman sitting in the armchair by the window, a woman Blue is stunned to realise is his mother. Or, his mother’s spirit, anyway. Urgently, she tells him to be careful, that something wicked is coming, and not to let Levi go – they’re going to need each other. Then she’s gone.
Next morning, after Blue has caught Levi up with the events of the night, Levi answers the door to discover two policemen outside, asking to speak to Blue. He recognises one of them as Morgan Archer, whom he and Blue had met at Ingram Hall – the other is older, a miserable bastard who clearly has a number of chips on his shoulder and is there only at the insistence of his younger partner. Like everyone else in the city, Blue and Levi are aware of the gruesome murders recently committed by the killer nicknamed “Jack in the Box” - because they box up the dismembered body-parts of their victims – and that the police are stumped. Archer asks for Blue’s help – he’s heard that if a “psychic touches an item of clothing or something connected with someone, they can find out things.” - and presents him with a jumper that belongs to the most recent victim. Further discussion reveals that the first three victims were all homeless people, but the killer has changed it up this time around, because the owner of the jumper comes from a wealthy background with police connections – hence the increased pressure to get some answers and the visit to Blue. Realising that he is probably the only way that any of these poor people will get justice, Blue agrees to help.
The story that follows is a tense and creepy paranormal with a touch of the psychological thriller as the killings escalate and Blue and Levi realise that the most recent victims – homeless people who have a connection to Blue – indicates the killer is specifically targeting him. The sudden loss of his psychic powers – something he’d once thought he’d welcome – leaves Blue feeling vulnerable and adrift, and when he and Levi are forced to leave the home they both love, it sets him even more on edge.
Lily Morton proved, in the earlier books in the series, that she really knows how to bring the spooky, and she does that here brilliantly, creating a pervasive atmosphere of eerie uncertainty throughout and adding some truly shocking moments that pack a real, visceral punch. She balances these with scenes of humour and togetherness and friendship between Blue and Levi, Tom, Blue’s crotchety mentor in all things psychic, and their friends, Will and Jem (The Sceptic), who all rally round to help whenever and however they can. But the heart of the story is, once again, Blue and Levi and their relationship, which continues to evolve as they grow together and which has come such a long way since we first met them. Blue still has his moments of insecurity when he wonders why a guy like Levi would stay with a guy like him, but now, those are fewer and farther between and he is able to squash them easily by reminding himself that Levi loves him and that he loves Levi and the life they’ve building together, and that they bring out the best in each other.
Blue has come a long way from the skittish loner we met in The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings , but he’s still headstrong and has a tendency to take more risks than he should. So I was pleased to see him reining himself in a bit and pausing to think about consequences more than he used to. It doesn’t always stop him from going off and doing his own thing, especially when he fears for the people he loves, but it shows how far he’s come that he’s prepared to accept help when it’s offered. And while waspish, smart-mouthed Blue is the star of the show – most of the story is related from his perspective – solid, warm Levi continues to be his anchor, his level-head and his devotion to Blue keeping his man tethered to reality in a way even more vital than before.
Something Wicked is filled with chills and thrills, warmth and humour, and friendship and love. A couple of loose plot-points and inconsistencies mean the book doesn’t quite make DIK status, but I nonetheless enjoyed it a lot – it’s a fast-paced, entertaining read and I’m happy to recommend it.
This review originally appeared at All About Romance.
Something Wicked is book three in Lily Morton’s Black and Blue series of paranormal romances set in York and featuring psychic Blue Billings, his boyfriend Levi Black, and their motley crew of friends and found family. I admit that I haven’t read a book by this author for a while – her regular brand of snarky contemporary romance has started to feel a bit stale and ‘phoned in’ to me – but as Something Wicked promised a real plot full of spookiness and danger, I decided to give it a go, and I’m glad I did, because it’s a cracking story that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. It’s also a lot darker than Lily Morton’s other books and has some genuinely sinister (and gory) moments, even more than the other books in the series, so consider yourselves warned!
Blue and Levi have been together for two years, and are as much in love as ever. Things have settled down a lot since the events of The Quiet House and although Blue is still sometimes called on to use his psychic talents – when Something Wicked begins, he’s just returning home after a few weeks away dealing with a poltergeist – it’s been quite a while since he’s had to deal with anything that has really challenged him. However, just as he reaches the house near the Minster he and Levi call home, he receives the first sign that his quiet life is about to be seriously disrupted when his ‘crow’ – a spirit who is a kind of early warning system for trouble – appears to him with blood oozing from its eyes.
That’s not the only clue that all is not well. When he and Levi are out that evening, Blue has the uncomfortable feeling he’s being watched and later that night, he’s woken up by by the sound of the front door banging – the front door which, upon inspection, is closed and locked. As he makes his way cautiously around the house, he recognises the signs of spirit presence – and sees all the pictures on the walls are upside down, and the hands on the antique clock in the hallway are spinning rapidly – backwards. Making his way back upstairs, he enters the bedroom to see Levi still asleep in bed, and a woman sitting in the armchair by the window, a woman Blue is stunned to realise is his mother. Or, his mother’s spirit, anyway. Urgently, she tells him to be careful, that something wicked is coming, and not to let Levi go – they’re going to need each other. Then she’s gone.
Next morning, after Blue has caught Levi up with the events of the night, Levi answers the door to discover two policemen outside, asking to speak to Blue. He recognises one of them as Morgan Archer, whom he and Blue had met at Ingram Hall – the other is older, a miserable bastard who clearly has a number of chips on his shoulder and is there only at the insistence of his younger partner. Like everyone else in the city, Blue and Levi are aware of the gruesome murders recently committed by the killer nicknamed “Jack in the Box” - because they box up the dismembered body-parts of their victims – and that the police are stumped. Archer asks for Blue’s help – he’s heard that if a “psychic touches an item of clothing or something connected with someone, they can find out things.” - and presents him with a jumper that belongs to the most recent victim. Further discussion reveals that the first three victims were all homeless people, but the killer has changed it up this time around, because the owner of the jumper comes from a wealthy background with police connections – hence the increased pressure to get some answers and the visit to Blue. Realising that he is probably the only way that any of these poor people will get justice, Blue agrees to help.
The story that follows is a tense and creepy paranormal with a touch of the psychological thriller as the killings escalate and Blue and Levi realise that the most recent victims – homeless people who have a connection to Blue – indicates the killer is specifically targeting him. The sudden loss of his psychic powers – something he’d once thought he’d welcome – leaves Blue feeling vulnerable and adrift, and when he and Levi are forced to leave the home they both love, it sets him even more on edge.
Lily Morton proved, in the earlier books in the series, that she really knows how to bring the spooky, and she does that here brilliantly, creating a pervasive atmosphere of eerie uncertainty throughout and adding some truly shocking moments that pack a real, visceral punch. She balances these with scenes of humour and togetherness and friendship between Blue and Levi, Tom, Blue’s crotchety mentor in all things psychic, and their friends, Will and Jem (The Sceptic), who all rally round to help whenever and however they can. But the heart of the story is, once again, Blue and Levi and their relationship, which continues to evolve as they grow together and which has come such a long way since we first met them. Blue still has his moments of insecurity when he wonders why a guy like Levi would stay with a guy like him, but now, those are fewer and farther between and he is able to squash them easily by reminding himself that Levi loves him and that he loves Levi and the life they’ve building together, and that they bring out the best in each other.
Blue has come a long way from the skittish loner we met in The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings , but he’s still headstrong and has a tendency to take more risks than he should. So I was pleased to see him reining himself in a bit and pausing to think about consequences more than he used to. It doesn’t always stop him from going off and doing his own thing, especially when he fears for the people he loves, but it shows how far he’s come that he’s prepared to accept help when it’s offered. And while waspish, smart-mouthed Blue is the star of the show – most of the story is related from his perspective – solid, warm Levi continues to be his anchor, his level-head and his devotion to Blue keeping his man tethered to reality in a way even more vital than before.
Something Wicked is filled with chills and thrills, warmth and humour, and friendship and love. A couple of loose plot-points and inconsistencies mean the book doesn’t quite make DIK status, but I nonetheless enjoyed it a lot – it’s a fast-paced, entertaining read and I’m happy to recommend it.
This review originally appeared at All About Romance.
May 5, 2024
Definitely way less malevolent haunting than in previous titles but no less engaging a read; I'm so looking forward to the next book now.
February 19, 2024
Spooky, disturbing, SCARY and very, very emotional.
I am so glad I did a full re-read of this series and the first book in the spin-off prior to starting this. I felt I was fully immersed in the world of Blue and Levi and it made this book so much better because of it.
This was an excellent addition to the series. Where sometimes the third book can go wrong, this one went completely right. Everyone was in the best place and together. Strong. Exactly where they all needed to be to face this new evil.
I loved the times with Blue and Levi but also loved getting Blue with Will. All of these men have come so far and have formed just the best family. And thank God they have because this one hit home and took them back to where they'd come from.
I was definitely creeped but even more so due to the emotional connections. Add to that the fact this was a big game and I was fully spooked! I was so freaking scared for Blue!
This just had so much and I felt so much. It was a great read and as I said up there, an excellent addition to the series.
I hope we are getting more!
I am so glad I did a full re-read of this series and the first book in the spin-off prior to starting this. I felt I was fully immersed in the world of Blue and Levi and it made this book so much better because of it.
This was an excellent addition to the series. Where sometimes the third book can go wrong, this one went completely right. Everyone was in the best place and together. Strong. Exactly where they all needed to be to face this new evil.
I loved the times with Blue and Levi but also loved getting Blue with Will. All of these men have come so far and have formed just the best family. And thank God they have because this one hit home and took them back to where they'd come from.
I was definitely creeped but even more so due to the emotional connections. Add to that the fact this was a big game and I was fully spooked! I was so freaking scared for Blue!
This just had so much and I felt so much. It was a great read and as I said up there, an excellent addition to the series.
I hope we are getting more!
January 6, 2024
This is a hard one to rate…I love the setting, beautiful York, where I once lived, made me go down memory lane and google many places. That is something LM does good here - the setting. The story though…feels a bit like a mashup of a Nick Cave song and The Addams Family with a twist of Beetle Juice. I’m not so keen on that, though at times it was quite entertaining and I could see the scenarios playing out.
I definitely don’t think this is a romance book, yes, Blue and Levi are a couple, but the one🔥scene felt very out of place I reckon.
I definitely don’t think this is a romance book, yes, Blue and Levi are a couple, but the one🔥scene felt very out of place I reckon.
January 30, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down
The first book in this series was my favorite by Morton, so I was primed for this one. Unfortunately, I had some problems with it.
The good:
The mystery was extremely creepy and sometimes scary, although I figured out the bad guy pretty quickly. Blue’s deepening powers made for very cool moments, and had me turning pages quickly, especially in the second half of the book.
The not so good:
All the character development and dialogue! This story highlighted what I had found disappointing during my series reread: the characters do not feel like they are appropriately reacting to the events in the book. Morton’s brand of quippy is applied liberally and it feels flippant and juvenile rather than an occasional balm during a dangerous time.
There’s a LOT of telling rather than showing, which is frustrating since we are supposed to know these characters by book 3. I kept mentally editing things as I was reading, which is not a good sign.
Blue and Levi have been together for 2 years now, but the way they interact never feels that way. Levi is unaware of how Tom has been training Blue (isn’t that something you’d share with your partner?), and the intro of Rhys so Blue can feel jealous is just unnecessary drama. And then that end scene in the hospital? Totally out of left field for me based on the rest of it.
I think if I hadn’t just read an incredible KJ Charles book right before this one I might have been able to ignore the undercooked character development/writing, but I just couldn’t. Have to round down to 3 ⭐️.
The first book in this series was my favorite by Morton, so I was primed for this one. Unfortunately, I had some problems with it.
The good:
The mystery was extremely creepy and sometimes scary, although I figured out the bad guy pretty quickly. Blue’s deepening powers made for very cool moments, and had me turning pages quickly, especially in the second half of the book.
The not so good:
All the character development and dialogue! This story highlighted what I had found disappointing during my series reread: the characters do not feel like they are appropriately reacting to the events in the book. Morton’s brand of quippy is applied liberally and it feels flippant and juvenile rather than an occasional balm during a dangerous time.
There’s a LOT of telling rather than showing, which is frustrating since we are supposed to know these characters by book 3. I kept mentally editing things as I was reading, which is not a good sign.
Blue and Levi have been together for 2 years now, but the way they interact never feels that way. Levi is unaware of how Tom has been training Blue (isn’t that something you’d share with your partner?), and the intro of Rhys so Blue can feel jealous is just unnecessary drama. And then that end scene in the hospital? Totally out of left field for me based on the rest of it.
I think if I hadn’t just read an incredible KJ Charles book right before this one I might have been able to ignore the undercooked character development/writing, but I just couldn’t. Have to round down to 3 ⭐️.
September 1, 2024
Verhalen over serial killers maken me bang omdat het bijna altijd normaal ogende mensen zijn in plaats van enge creeps waarvan je bij voorbaat weet dat ze niets goeds met je voorhebben. Dat is in dit boek uiteraard niet anders. Kippenvel.
Los daarvan; als ik een man was, van paranormaal hield, jong was en ook nog eens gay, dan zou ik een vriendje willen als Blue Billings. Maar ja.
Los daarvan; als ik een man was, van paranormaal hield, jong was en ook nog eens gay, dan zou ik een vriendje willen als Blue Billings. Maar ja.
January 5, 2024
Lily always delivers on the snark and the chemistry, but this series also has a serious creep factor! It had me laughing out loud one minute, and edge of the seat the next! I do wish there was a tiny bit more Levi, but it was great to get so much Blue as well. I love how these two love eachother, it jumps off the page. While the mystery is a tad predictable, it's still such an enjoyable story that I truly hope we get another one.
January 3, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
Something Wicked is the third book in Lily Morton’s fabulous Black and Blue series, and this installment was just excellent. The tone of these books is spot on, combining truly scary and sometimes horrifying mysteries with an intense and lovely romance between Blue and Levi. This story has a more traditional murder mystery type of plot than the other two books, but it is no less scary.
What gives the story so much balance is the wonderful relationship between Blue and Levi. By this third book, the men are solidly in love and adoring of one another. In the midst of all the chaos and horror, Blue and Levi are one another’s anchor, always supporting and loving each other.
This series is a bit different from Morton’s usual fare, which tends to the more humorous side, and I love seeing how well the author is able to take on this different genre. I love this series and found this to be a wonderful installment.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
Something Wicked is the third book in Lily Morton’s fabulous Black and Blue series, and this installment was just excellent. The tone of these books is spot on, combining truly scary and sometimes horrifying mysteries with an intense and lovely romance between Blue and Levi. This story has a more traditional murder mystery type of plot than the other two books, but it is no less scary.
What gives the story so much balance is the wonderful relationship between Blue and Levi. By this third book, the men are solidly in love and adoring of one another. In the midst of all the chaos and horror, Blue and Levi are one another’s anchor, always supporting and loving each other.
This series is a bit different from Morton’s usual fare, which tends to the more humorous side, and I love seeing how well the author is able to take on this different genre. I love this series and found this to be a wonderful installment.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
setting-book-down-for-now
January 13, 2024I hate to say this but I’m bored at only 15%. I think it’s not time yet for me to read this. Coming back for it though!
May 27, 2025
ETA: After reflecting overnight, I’ve decided this book deserves four stars instead of five. The jealousy subplot with Rhys felt unnecessary and out of place—it didn’t serve any real purpose and undermined what could have been a meaningful platonic connection for Levi outside of Blue and Blue’s circle.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (plus one honorary frying pan and half a tea towel)
I am unwell. Emotionally undone. My trust issues are thriving, and I’ve just added “DC with a charming smile” to my personal list of red flags.
This book? It starts with emotional damage, lulls you into banter-fuelled security, then body slams you with ghosts, serial killers, and the most aggressively English coping mechanisms imaginable. (Yes, I’m talking about the tea. And the pan. You’ll see.)
Blue is at his absolute best here—sharp, exhausted, emotionally feral, and deeply, unapologetically in love. Levi is… Levi. The human embodiment of home. Kind, steady, a little haunted, and apparently more than capable of defending his boyfriend with cookware. Blue proposes to him—in a hospital, half-broken and still managing to use the word macushla—and then pulls out a ring engraved with tiny tea towels. I hate them. I love them.
Also: Rosalind continues to be the real queen of the series. I would die for her. I would kill for her. I would absolutely let her ghost-parent me into spiritual shape. When she slammed back into that house like the haunted wrath of God and said Levi tethered her there? I ascended.
There’s a reveal. You’ll think you know it. You probably will.
Does that matter? No.
Because when it lands, it still feels like betrayal—because it’s not about the twist.
It’s about the violation. The intimacy of trust. The way Blue, who survives on instinct, gets played.
And then gets mad.
Also: the dialogue is as feral and perfect as ever. There is a line about Mary Berry I will never recover from.
This book wraps its hands around your throat, kisses your forehead, and then kicks your kneecaps out from under you while whispering something about macushla and chosen family.
I’m not okay.
I’m buying a frying pan.
⸻
BUT.
There were a few things that didn’t land for me.
The Rhys subplot felt completely unnecessary. It could’ve been a great moment for Levi to have a new platonic friend, someone outside of Blue’s orbit—but instead we got a condescending suitor who disrespected Blue and somehow got framed like Blue was the problem. And while Blue sets calm, sensible boundaries, the narrative (and even Will and Tom at times) treats him like he’s being jealous or dramatic. But he’s not. He’s just right.
Also: Levi not picking Blue up from the station after three weeks apart? No plan, no food, Rhys just… there? That was so unlike the Levi we’ve come to know. The man literally once made soup and cried in a doorway. He would’ve had candles lit and a blanket fluffed.
And I cannot let this go: Tom using a spirit box after mocking them—and not even recognising what one was—in The Quiet House? Sorry. With his history and skills, he wouldn’t need to believe in it to know what it was. That’s a continuity ghost I did notice.
Finally, I was quietly hoping Jem might become a friend for Levi, someone who didn’t enter via Blue. But instead, he’s mostly woven into the group through Will. Not bad, just a missed opportunity.
Still?
Even with those hiccups, this book is a love letter to survival, devotion, and rage. It’s about coming home—to people, to power, to the ghosts who guard you when no one else will.
And if someone doesn’t put “You made tea for the visiting serial killer?” on a mug, I swear to Rosalind, I will.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (plus one honorary frying pan and half a tea towel)
I am unwell. Emotionally undone. My trust issues are thriving, and I’ve just added “DC with a charming smile” to my personal list of red flags.
This book? It starts with emotional damage, lulls you into banter-fuelled security, then body slams you with ghosts, serial killers, and the most aggressively English coping mechanisms imaginable. (Yes, I’m talking about the tea. And the pan. You’ll see.)
Blue is at his absolute best here—sharp, exhausted, emotionally feral, and deeply, unapologetically in love. Levi is… Levi. The human embodiment of home. Kind, steady, a little haunted, and apparently more than capable of defending his boyfriend with cookware. Blue proposes to him—in a hospital, half-broken and still managing to use the word macushla—and then pulls out a ring engraved with tiny tea towels. I hate them. I love them.
Also: Rosalind continues to be the real queen of the series. I would die for her. I would kill for her. I would absolutely let her ghost-parent me into spiritual shape. When she slammed back into that house like the haunted wrath of God and said Levi tethered her there? I ascended.
There’s a reveal. You’ll think you know it. You probably will.
Does that matter? No.
Because when it lands, it still feels like betrayal—because it’s not about the twist.
It’s about the violation. The intimacy of trust. The way Blue, who survives on instinct, gets played.
And then gets mad.
Also: the dialogue is as feral and perfect as ever. There is a line about Mary Berry I will never recover from.
This book wraps its hands around your throat, kisses your forehead, and then kicks your kneecaps out from under you while whispering something about macushla and chosen family.
I’m not okay.
I’m buying a frying pan.
⸻
BUT.
There were a few things that didn’t land for me.
The Rhys subplot felt completely unnecessary. It could’ve been a great moment for Levi to have a new platonic friend, someone outside of Blue’s orbit—but instead we got a condescending suitor who disrespected Blue and somehow got framed like Blue was the problem. And while Blue sets calm, sensible boundaries, the narrative (and even Will and Tom at times) treats him like he’s being jealous or dramatic. But he’s not. He’s just right.
Also: Levi not picking Blue up from the station after three weeks apart? No plan, no food, Rhys just… there? That was so unlike the Levi we’ve come to know. The man literally once made soup and cried in a doorway. He would’ve had candles lit and a blanket fluffed.
And I cannot let this go: Tom using a spirit box after mocking them—and not even recognising what one was—in The Quiet House? Sorry. With his history and skills, he wouldn’t need to believe in it to know what it was. That’s a continuity ghost I did notice.
Finally, I was quietly hoping Jem might become a friend for Levi, someone who didn’t enter via Blue. But instead, he’s mostly woven into the group through Will. Not bad, just a missed opportunity.
Still?
Even with those hiccups, this book is a love letter to survival, devotion, and rage. It’s about coming home—to people, to power, to the ghosts who guard you when no one else will.
And if someone doesn’t put “You made tea for the visiting serial killer?” on a mug, I swear to Rosalind, I will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2024
I devoured this book in a day!
I’ve had this in my queue to read since it came out. I just had a reading challenge that required a book that was haunting or scary to me —- this totally fit the requirements!! It was very macabre, spooky, and down right scary at times. However, mixed in was the bright love Blue and Levi have for each other as well as the support from their friends. If you liked the first two books, you’d love this.
I’ve had this in my queue to read since it came out. I just had a reading challenge that required a book that was haunting or scary to me —- this totally fit the requirements!! It was very macabre, spooky, and down right scary at times. However, mixed in was the bright love Blue and Levi have for each other as well as the support from their friends. If you liked the first two books, you’d love this.
October 5, 2024
5 stare
Great end to this series. There is a lot of Blue and Will together in this book, which made me sad that we got less Levi, but I loved seeing the friendship between the two of them. The fact that they only had each other for years and had this solid friendship was great to see.
Great end to this series. There is a lot of Blue and Will together in this book, which made me sad that we got less Levi, but I loved seeing the friendship between the two of them. The fact that they only had each other for years and had this solid friendship was great to see.
September 5, 2025
I had almost forgotten about Blue and Levi. I read book 2 and 3 so far apart that it took me a fair while to remember how much I enjoyed the spooky goings-on in York. In this book we see an expansion of Blue's powers while a very creepy and grisly mystery unfolds in the lanes and thoroughfares of York. A serial killer seems to be targeting members of the homeless community, and somehow Blue ends up in the center of the drama. We get to spend lots of time with the oddball cast of characters Morton has created, and we get to experience more of the spirit world through Blue's growing abilities. The romance acts more as a solid foundation than a feature of this story, and though we get some of Levi's perspective, Blue is very much the focus. I had a blast with the horror/thriller aspect of this story, and although it kind of feels complete, I hope there's more to come for Blue and Levi.
January 6, 2024
Great addition to the Blue and Levi story. Terrific balance of sweet soppy moments and dark dangerous ones.
Happy to leave this pair here. Not sure if there will be more.
Happy to leave this pair here. Not sure if there will be more.
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