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Manner of Death
Detective Sawyer Villeray has his hands full. He’s got a mercurial partner whose personal life is deteriorating, a semi-estranged family whose drama he can never fully escape… and now a series of murders whose only connection is their sheer weirdness.
A serious crush on the county medical examiner doesn’t exactly simplify things, but at least it’s fun.
Or, well, it would be if said M.E. didn’t adamantly refuse to date cops. Or if his assistant wasn’t quite so hostile to anyone who looked his way.
Dr. Bashir Ramin would very much like to catch a break. A date that isn’t interrupted by death. A fellow pathologist who isn’t a cranky jerk. A forensic assistant who doesn’t gnash her teeth any time Bashir is interested in someone. And maybe, if he’s lucky, an autopsy that isn’t such a baffling puzzle, it leaves him wondering if he’s as good at his job as he thought he was.
At this point, the annoying but cute detective is the one good thing in his world. Too bad Bashir doesn’t date cops. Right?
But there’s no time for romance. As the bizarre murders keep piling up, Sawyer and Bashir need to work together to stop a killer.
Ideally before one of them becomes the next target.
A serious crush on the county medical examiner doesn’t exactly simplify things, but at least it’s fun.
Or, well, it would be if said M.E. didn’t adamantly refuse to date cops. Or if his assistant wasn’t quite so hostile to anyone who looked his way.
Dr. Bashir Ramin would very much like to catch a break. A date that isn’t interrupted by death. A fellow pathologist who isn’t a cranky jerk. A forensic assistant who doesn’t gnash her teeth any time Bashir is interested in someone. And maybe, if he’s lucky, an autopsy that isn’t such a baffling puzzle, it leaves him wondering if he’s as good at his job as he thought he was.
At this point, the annoying but cute detective is the one good thing in his world. Too bad Bashir doesn’t date cops. Right?
But there’s no time for romance. As the bizarre murders keep piling up, Sawyer and Bashir need to work together to stop a killer.
Ideally before one of them becomes the next target.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2024
About the author
Cari Z.
138 books561 followersCari Z. is a Colorado girl who loves snow and sunshine. She has a wonderful relationship with her husband, a complex relationship with the characters in her head and a sadomasochistic relationship with her exercise routine. She feels like Halloween should happen every month, which is why you get this picture of her, and hopes that you enjoy reading what she's put out there as much as she enjoyed writing it in the first place.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 6, 2024
Manner of Death: Boredom via Police Procedural
My only DNF in August, which is a record. This was the worst, unless of course you want to know how to set up a crime scene, where the border for a crime scene should be, what blood smells like at least 10 times, and repetitive nonsense.
I may even write a review and add quotes for my lucky August DNF later! Time of Death: 64 very long pages.
My only DNF in August, which is a record. This was the worst, unless of course you want to know how to set up a crime scene, where the border for a crime scene should be, what blood smells like at least 10 times, and repetitive nonsense.
I may even write a review and add quotes for my lucky August DNF later! Time of Death: 64 very long pages.
August 15, 2025
Detective Sawyer Villeray has his hands full. He’s got a mercurial partner whose personal life is deteriorating, a semi-estranged family whose drama he can never fully escape… and now a series of murders whose only connection is their sheer weirdness. A serious crush on the county medical examiner doesn’t exactly simplify things, but at least it’s fun.
Dr Bashir Radim is called to the scene of a violent death. At first it appears to be a horrible accident, but the more he looks, the more he believes it’s murder. He just has to convince the detectives of that when they show up. One of them is Sawyer Villeray, a charming former child actor who has made no secret that he is attracted to Bashir. The doctor has sworn off dating cops for all sorts of reasons, but the detective is very hard to resist. As the bodies pile up, the two men need to work together to figure out who the murderer is before one or both of them ends up as victims.
This is a classic crime drama but combined with a little romance. The mystery is a series of murders where the cause of death is not what it appears to be. There are a lot of twists and turns as the bodies begin to pile up, but in the middle of all that, Sawyer and Bashir manage to steal a few moments to get to know each other a bit better...but even their relationship is not without its own twists and turns. The chapters and the "Point of View" alternates between Sawyer and Bashir.
Dr Bashir Radim is a man trying to do his best to bring peace and justice to the people who come to him. We also get to learn more about him with his back story and as he gets to know Sawyer Villeray much better. We get a very convincing, and well-rounded picture of a man whose hard work has earned him a top position in his profession.
Sawyer is a little more reserved about sharing his past, but we eventually learn enough to understand why he is like he is. Like Bashir, Sawyer has managed to be very good at his job. The two guys together make quite a team, even if they don’t appear on the surface to be that compatible. The question quickly becomes...will our medical examiner and our homicide detective ever be able to have a compete date...one that is not interrupted by yet another murder?
Overall, it was an excellent book with a really good mystery and interesting characters...but there were a lot of typos, and the ending seemed to be a bit too abrupt. I own and have read and reread almost every book this author has ever written, and I have never felt that an L.A. Witt book was anything less than a 5-star read...but there's a first time for everything. This one just didn't "feel" like the other shelf-full of her books that I own. I don't believe that most of that was her fault...it had nothing to do with the writing, or the story, but everything to do with whoever was in charge of editing the book before printing. I really love this author. She is the one that turned me on to M/M Romances a long, long time ago, and I will continue to look forward to new releases as well as owning and reading her books...so I will give it 5 well deserved stars.
Dr Bashir Radim is called to the scene of a violent death. At first it appears to be a horrible accident, but the more he looks, the more he believes it’s murder. He just has to convince the detectives of that when they show up. One of them is Sawyer Villeray, a charming former child actor who has made no secret that he is attracted to Bashir. The doctor has sworn off dating cops for all sorts of reasons, but the detective is very hard to resist. As the bodies pile up, the two men need to work together to figure out who the murderer is before one or both of them ends up as victims.
This is a classic crime drama but combined with a little romance. The mystery is a series of murders where the cause of death is not what it appears to be. There are a lot of twists and turns as the bodies begin to pile up, but in the middle of all that, Sawyer and Bashir manage to steal a few moments to get to know each other a bit better...but even their relationship is not without its own twists and turns. The chapters and the "Point of View" alternates between Sawyer and Bashir.
Dr Bashir Radim is a man trying to do his best to bring peace and justice to the people who come to him. We also get to learn more about him with his back story and as he gets to know Sawyer Villeray much better. We get a very convincing, and well-rounded picture of a man whose hard work has earned him a top position in his profession.
Sawyer is a little more reserved about sharing his past, but we eventually learn enough to understand why he is like he is. Like Bashir, Sawyer has managed to be very good at his job. The two guys together make quite a team, even if they don’t appear on the surface to be that compatible. The question quickly becomes...will our medical examiner and our homicide detective ever be able to have a compete date...one that is not interrupted by yet another murder?
Overall, it was an excellent book with a really good mystery and interesting characters...but there were a lot of typos, and the ending seemed to be a bit too abrupt. I own and have read and reread almost every book this author has ever written, and I have never felt that an L.A. Witt book was anything less than a 5-star read...but there's a first time for everything. This one just didn't "feel" like the other shelf-full of her books that I own. I don't believe that most of that was her fault...it had nothing to do with the writing, or the story, but everything to do with whoever was in charge of editing the book before printing. I really love this author. She is the one that turned me on to M/M Romances a long, long time ago, and I will continue to look forward to new releases as well as owning and reading her books...so I will give it 5 well deserved stars.
August 31, 2024
I love it when these two authors are collaborating. I enjoy MOST OF their books immensely (there are some books of theirs that I have yet read). This one is no different.
Yes, once you see there's so little suspects in this book and when Bashir figured out WHY the victims' manner of death were THAT confusing (and the motivation behind it) - you would probably know who the villain is. Still, I enjoyed the process getting there. I knew it took several dead bodies too but hey, this was a romantic suspense book, so of course there would be murders 😁
I especially liked it that Sawyer and Bashir really took time with the relationship. I mean, Sawyer did have a crush on Bashir, but at first Bashir was adamant that he wasn't going to date a cop. So they didn't immediately went doing horizontal tango. In fact, until the very end, the ending was having HFN feel to it. There was threats too, to their lives. So it was quite intense.
Yep, I enjoyed this.
Yes, once you see there's so little suspects in this book and when Bashir figured out WHY the victims' manner of death were THAT confusing (and the motivation behind it) - you would probably know who the villain is. Still, I enjoyed the process getting there. I knew it took several dead bodies too but hey, this was a romantic suspense book, so of course there would be murders 😁
I especially liked it that Sawyer and Bashir really took time with the relationship. I mean, Sawyer did have a crush on Bashir, but at first Bashir was adamant that he wasn't going to date a cop. So they didn't immediately went doing horizontal tango. In fact, until the very end, the ending was having HFN feel to it. There was threats too, to their lives. So it was quite intense.
Yep, I enjoyed this.
August 25, 2025
I loved it. I want more of an epilogue showing them happy and thriving together... but I had a great time. It was a bit gruesome and they are both workaholics... and I don't understand the murderer... but, it was fun and I was caught from page 1 to the end!
September 1, 2024
A romance between a cop and an ME.
Bashier the ME doesn't date cops although he does give in and date Sawyer a local homicide detective.
The 2 end of at a couple of crime scenes with gruesome murders. The autopsy of the first murder was a little detailed and the other deaths were imaginitive.
Its not to the end that the murdered is revealed and I didn't even give them a thought.
I am hoping we might have a few more adventures of these 2.
Bashier the ME doesn't date cops although he does give in and date Sawyer a local homicide detective.
The 2 end of at a couple of crime scenes with gruesome murders. The autopsy of the first murder was a little detailed and the other deaths were imaginitive.
Its not to the end that the murdered is revealed and I didn't even give them a thought.
I am hoping we might have a few more adventures of these 2.
August 30, 2024
The combination of suspense and a love story in this book made it a great read. The two MC's were well written, each with their own qualifications well fleshed out. It was also a slow burn, low heat which usually leaves me frustrated but the crimes were so well written that I didn't even notice for the most part. I would love to see this combination investigate some other crimes.
September 1, 2024
So sad
that’s it’s not a series however both authors said that about Hitman vs Hitman so i can only hope . As you may have guessed I loved it the twists and turns the push and pull between Sawyer and Bashir it all kept me reading and wanting more.
that’s it’s not a series however both authors said that about Hitman vs Hitman so i can only hope . As you may have guessed I loved it the twists and turns the push and pull between Sawyer and Bashir it all kept me reading and wanting more.
August 31, 2024
GAAHHHHHHH
I want to write like L.A. Witt and Cari Z. when I grow up!! Just when things can't get weirder, they ratchet things up. My blood pounded from the very first page, and didn't let up until the last. Definitely worth a reread!
I want to write like L.A. Witt and Cari Z. when I grow up!! Just when things can't get weirder, they ratchet things up. My blood pounded from the very first page, and didn't let up until the last. Definitely worth a reread!
Did Not Finish
November 19, 2024This is a sad moment for me because I love this duo writing together but I just couldn't continue to read what I found to be a laborious, tedious task with characters I had no fucks to give about. So it's been abandoned. :(
September 7, 2024
This was a good fun, easy read. A little bit longer than it needed to be at times but the characters were interesting. The mystery was fun and all in all a good book.
July 1, 2026
DNF @ 38%
I'm not sure I needed the very explicit autopsies here. We know the first murder was gruesome, there wasn't aneed to go into heavy detail about viscera hanging on branches, blood pooling in the victims belly 🤢. Subsequent ones were less traumatic, but still felt unnecessary considering how long this book was already.
Characterization was good for Sawyer in his first POV chapter. It showed his being good at reading people and explicit control over his emotions.
I called it quits at 38% thought because the romance in this was severely lacking. I wanted to read an MM romance that had romantic suspense elements, not a police procedural that happened to have two gay MCs. I maybe would've been able to trudge through if it didn't also have incredibly off-putting side characters in nearly every chapter. Officer Kurt, Bashir's coworkers Boyce and Tami, Sawyer's sister, the guy who was trying to produce a true crime TV series, that guy's laywer... Jesus. The book was already not delivering on the genre, but it also having incredibly annoying characters just made it not enjoyable.
TL;DR: Wasn't a fan of the gross murder descriptions, overly heavy focus on the police procedural part of the book, and the annoying characters. 2 stars.
I'm not sure I needed the very explicit autopsies here. We know the first murder was gruesome, there wasn't aneed to go into heavy detail about viscera hanging on branches, blood pooling in the victims belly 🤢. Subsequent ones were less traumatic, but still felt unnecessary considering how long this book was already.
Characterization was good for Sawyer in his first POV chapter. It showed his being good at reading people and explicit control over his emotions.
I called it quits at 38% thought because the romance in this was severely lacking. I wanted to read an MM romance that had romantic suspense elements, not a police procedural that happened to have two gay MCs. I maybe would've been able to trudge through if it didn't also have incredibly off-putting side characters in nearly every chapter. Officer Kurt, Bashir's coworkers Boyce and Tami, Sawyer's sister, the guy who was trying to produce a true crime TV series, that guy's laywer... Jesus. The book was already not delivering on the genre, but it also having incredibly annoying characters just made it not enjoyable.
TL;DR: Wasn't a fan of the gross murder descriptions, overly heavy focus on the police procedural part of the book, and the annoying characters. 2 stars.
August 23, 2025
Detective Sawyer Villeray is dealing with a lot at work and at home… He has his hands full just trying to get through his days and a crush on a medical examiner doesn’t help.
Dr. Bashir Ramin is also dealing with a lot at work… He’d like to have just one date that isn’t interrupted by death, and it would be nice if the people he works with would just be more easy going.
Neither one should want to date the other, & should try to just stay professional & separate at work, but they're just thrown together quite a bit because of bizarre murders that just seem to keep happening…
There’s just no time for romance or even quickies, right?
But… it could be so much fun… & a break from what they each have to deal with.
More info regarding Sawyer’s family would have made the story even more well rounded. An epilogue showing what happened to everyone concerned afterwards would have been a nice addition.
Still, this was a great story to read, and it included a lot of interesting info & some suspense, too.
Dr. Bashir Ramin is also dealing with a lot at work… He’d like to have just one date that isn’t interrupted by death, and it would be nice if the people he works with would just be more easy going.
Neither one should want to date the other, & should try to just stay professional & separate at work, but they're just thrown together quite a bit because of bizarre murders that just seem to keep happening…
There’s just no time for romance or even quickies, right?
But… it could be so much fun… & a break from what they each have to deal with.
More info regarding Sawyer’s family would have made the story even more well rounded. An epilogue showing what happened to everyone concerned afterwards would have been a nice addition.
Still, this was a great story to read, and it included a lot of interesting info & some suspense, too.
June 27, 2025
Overall, it's a bit above medium, but definitely not a four star read for me. The romance was good, and that's primarily why it rates three stars. That, and all the characters were good. That's important to me, and the reason I finished reading.
But the manuscript needed another edit pass to eliminate repetition, redo several odd sentences, eliminate that short but unnecessary omniscient narrator scene, redo the 'just communicate in one clear sentence' plot nonsense, and add in that there is actually some oversight in what the detective's doing. We don't see that until halfway through the book.
So, a lot less than great. But the important romance stuff and character stuff is here. I'm glad I read it.
But the manuscript needed another edit pass to eliminate repetition, redo several odd sentences, eliminate that short but unnecessary omniscient narrator scene, redo the 'just communicate in one clear sentence' plot nonsense, and add in that there is actually some oversight in what the detective's doing. We don't see that until halfway through the book.
So, a lot less than great. But the important romance stuff and character stuff is here. I'm glad I read it.
May 15, 2026
Interesting take on the murder mystery. Bashir is a top notch M.E. and immediately notices a murder isn't what it seems. He has issues with his morgue staff that he let get out of control and it was disappointing that he didn't rein it in. Sawyer is a homicide detective who has an interesting past career and a messed up family. He's taken with Bashir and doesn't give up with he's turned down. He also sees the inconsistencies in the murder scenes. He's also dealing with a work partner going off the deep end, a leak in the department and a family of losers and users. Nice chemistry between the two MCs. Good story with a nice twist. Satisfying outcome. Didn't like the way Sawyer's family treated him or the way Bashir was treated by two of his co-workers. Definitely recommend this book.
September 22, 2024
A cop and a ME sounded like the perfect pairing. It had several issues..
The romance between Sawyer and Bashir was tooooooooooo slowwwwwww to develop. Heck a simple friendship would have been great. They are dedicated and good at their jobs, but they both needed some down time. It never really happened.
Bashir let Tami and Boyce push too many buttons. The should have received formal written warnings. If they did not improve, they should have been fired.
The deaths were really strange. The book ended with one suspect touch and go in the hospital. The other is singing like a bird. I suspect they are far from innocent and hope they are prosecuted if there is a second book.
The romance between Sawyer and Bashir was tooooooooooo slowwwwwww to develop. Heck a simple friendship would have been great. They are dedicated and good at their jobs, but they both needed some down time. It never really happened.
Bashir let Tami and Boyce push too many buttons. The should have received formal written warnings. If they did not improve, they should have been fired.
The deaths were really strange. The book ended with one suspect touch and go in the hospital. The other is singing like a bird. I suspect they are far from innocent and hope they are prosecuted if there is a second book.
September 7, 2024
I was eagerly awaiting "Manner of Death", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. This romantic murder mystery had an intriguing premise, with Detective Sawyer and Dr. Bashir, the medical examiner, at its core. However, the execution fell flat for me.
Despite the promising setup, I struggled to connect with the characters and the story. The romance and mystery elements didn't quite mesh as seamlessly as I had hoped. Overall, "Manner of Death" was a disappointing read, failing to leave a lasting impression.
Despite the promising setup, I struggled to connect with the characters and the story. The romance and mystery elements didn't quite mesh as seamlessly as I had hoped. Overall, "Manner of Death" was a disappointing read, failing to leave a lasting impression.
April 16, 2025
The first half of the book is very much about the jobs both Bashir and Sawyer do, the dynamics between cops and ME office, the grisly and bizarre murders.
Just before half way i got my inkling (correct) of who the murderer was.
The second half, things got much more personal- both privately and professionally. With the inevitable clash between job and feelings, thought was quickly resolved.
Enjoyed
Just before half way i got my inkling (correct) of who the murderer was.
The second half, things got much more personal- both privately and professionally. With the inevitable clash between job and feelings, thought was quickly resolved.
Enjoyed
September 1, 2024
The two authors are not ones that I have read often. This book is wonderful, the combination of murder mystery, forensics, and romance made it one of the best books I have read in the last few weeks. It caught my attention from the very beginning, and I was so sorry to see the story end. An excellent story and the characters are so lifelike and likeable. Recommend reading.
September 17, 2024
Uhm. I don't know. I feel dissatisfied. I fell off with one of the main character at about 65% and just never got around to liking them again. Kind of felt bad for Sawyer for being surrounded by these people because he was the only decent person in this lot, even when he was taking too much onto himself. I finished it but I feel itchy, like this didn't satisfy me, which sucks.
September 25, 2024
it’s okay
It’s better than a lot of the KU stuff but it’s probably not worth what they charge. It’s kind of uneven and while it seems long depth seems lacking. The two main characters are alright but not spectacular and the ‘bad guy’ is totally obvious so there’s no mystery at all.
It’s better than a lot of the KU stuff but it’s probably not worth what they charge. It’s kind of uneven and while it seems long depth seems lacking. The two main characters are alright but not spectacular and the ‘bad guy’ is totally obvious so there’s no mystery at all.
October 3, 2024
I did enjoy this story very much. I suspected one of the people involved in the murders but I admit that I did discount another person who turned out to the murderer for all of the wrong reasons. I agree with others that the story did need an epilogue and hope that the authors might write another book about these two men that I really liked a lot.
October 4, 2024
I was absolutely gripped by this police procedural with a growing romance between a detective and an ME.
The central characters, Sawyer and Bashir, and their situations were very believable, as was the supporting cast. This careful characterisation and setup proved vital for the increasingly labyrinthine plot that gets closer and closer to home. Fantastic romantic suspense!
The central characters, Sawyer and Bashir, and their situations were very believable, as was the supporting cast. This careful characterisation and setup proved vital for the increasingly labyrinthine plot that gets closer and closer to home. Fantastic romantic suspense!
August 29, 2024
winning combination
Cari Z and LA Witt make a winning combination when they team up to write a book. Manner of Death was a book with a solid mystery and interesting characters.
Cari Z and LA Witt make a winning combination when they team up to write a book. Manner of Death was a book with a solid mystery and interesting characters.
August 29, 2024
8/28/24 - 3.25
August 29, 2024
Loved this one - the characters, the relationship and the mystery.
September 3, 2024
Enjoyable but not much happy MC coupledom. A few minutes here and there but overall not a lot. Book was good though.
September 7, 2024
Grab the tissues before you read this... it will sneak up on you and you need to be prepared.
September 12, 2024
great story
Great story but the ending needed more work.Too abrupt. The book had me on the edge of my seat but I could have used more together time between the characters.
Great story but the ending needed more work.Too abrupt. The book had me on the edge of my seat but I could have used more together time between the characters.
January 26, 2025
Loved it!
Is there more for these two??? I needs it! I couldn't put this book down! Lots of sexual tension and plenty of suspense!
Is there more for these two??? I needs it! I couldn't put this book down! Lots of sexual tension and plenty of suspense!
February 5, 2025
3.75 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews