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Jon's Mysteries #6
Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case
Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili cordially invite you to their wedding.
They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.
Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.
Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.
They can probably get married this year. Probably.
Tags:
Jon has an apprentice, apprentice finds him an innocent man in prison, as usual it snowballs from there, frustrating cold cases, hinky bonds, wedding!, part time soul mates full time problem, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, allllllll the cameos, ALL, never play paintball with Eli, Solomon gets his comeuppance, so does Rodger, stalkers are not friends, -sniff- Jon’s little girl is all grown up, this book sponsored by PIZZA, HEA, last case do enjoy!
They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.
Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.
Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.
They can probably get married this year. Probably.
Tags:
Jon has an apprentice, apprentice finds him an innocent man in prison, as usual it snowballs from there, frustrating cold cases, hinky bonds, wedding!, part time soul mates full time problem, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, allllllll the cameos, ALL, never play paintball with Eli, Solomon gets his comeuppance, so does Rodger, stalkers are not friends, -sniff- Jon’s little girl is all grown up, this book sponsored by PIZZA, HEA, last case do enjoy!
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2024
163 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Sherwood
80 books1,996 followersAJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
She currently resides in Tennessee with aforementioned cats, dogs, and her editor/best friend/sister/partner in crime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
September 30, 2024
Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case is the 6th and final book in the Jon's Mysteries Case series. This series is best read in order as it follows the same main couple. I'm sad seeing the end of this outstanding series and it's harder to say goodbye to Jon and Donovan than can believe. I did enjoy the book and seeing more of Abby Jon's apprentice. I also loved seeing Solomon get what he deserves. This was definitely an unusual case but that's what we expect when Jon's involved. I can't wait to read whatever AJ Sherwood writes next as he makes all his stories so good. I would definitely recommend this book and series as 5 star reads.
October 6, 2024
.
Such an amazing book!
I truly love Donavan and Jon so much. I hate to see them go. I would read so many books that revolve around these two.
It was wonderful to see other characters we saw throughout the other books all coming together for this one case.
Solomon definitely got what he deserved. Loved how his character was dealt with.
Would love to see more of Grant & Alan though. One novella wasn’t enough of these two.
Though, I did enjoy the book, it felt kind of rushed to me. Almost like AJ just wanted this story to be over with.
I wish there was another bonding moment or two with Jon and Caleb with the wedding planning/at the wedding.
But overall, it was still a great story!
Such an amazing book!
I truly love Donavan and Jon so much. I hate to see them go. I would read so many books that revolve around these two.
It was wonderful to see other characters we saw throughout the other books all coming together for this one case.
Solomon definitely got what he deserved. Loved how his character was dealt with.
Would love to see more of Grant & Alan though. One novella wasn’t enough of these two.
Though, I did enjoy the book, it felt kind of rushed to me. Almost like AJ just wanted this story to be over with.
I wish there was another bonding moment or two with Jon and Caleb with the wedding planning/at the wedding.
But overall, it was still a great story!
October 20, 2024
It was good. A nice conclusion to a good series.
November 14, 2024
sad to see the end of the series
Everything is tied up with a neat bow, but getting there was a ride! Don’t look too closely at police procedure as this is highly fictional, but it was entertaining. I loved Jon and Donovan’s wedding!
Everything is tied up with a neat bow, but getting there was a ride! Don’t look too closely at police procedure as this is highly fictional, but it was entertaining. I loved Jon and Donovan’s wedding!
December 22, 2024
Eh...
I can't believe that it ended this way.
I'm a die hard fan of this series. I own all of them in ebook and audio.
Yet this one disappointed me greatly.
This really didn't have a case like the others and it was resolved within a few chapters. It was more of a Mary Sue version of Jon and Donovan.
You see, everyone in the country knows who they are and loves them. Even someone way down in GA that threw a birthday party knew who he was by sight.
The law people (outside of the big bad dude of the story) loves them.
The court does not follow the law, cause they love them too.
Oh and the apprentice is next level loved by all as well.
Also, the main "mystery" had to do with POC and lets just say some of the way they and any other POC were portrayed was not good. Especially women POC.
I dunno, maybe this was just a way to move away from this particular pen name but Jon deserved better than this.
I can't believe that it ended this way.
I'm a die hard fan of this series. I own all of them in ebook and audio.
Yet this one disappointed me greatly.
This really didn't have a case like the others and it was resolved within a few chapters. It was more of a Mary Sue version of Jon and Donovan.
You see, everyone in the country knows who they are and loves them. Even someone way down in GA that threw a birthday party knew who he was by sight.
The law people (outside of the big bad dude of the story) loves them.
The court does not follow the law, cause they love them too.
Oh and the apprentice is next level loved by all as well.
Also, the main "mystery" had to do with POC and lets just say some of the way they and any other POC were portrayed was not good. Especially women POC.
I dunno, maybe this was just a way to move away from this particular pen name but Jon deserved better than this.
August 26, 2025
I delayed starting this final book in the series because I just didn’t want it to be over.
This entire series sparks joy. Jon and Donovan are #couplegoals. Their relationship feels so authentic and the progression from book 1 to the finale came across as genuine.
Each book has its own unique mystery and this book did not disappoint. We got to see the overall storyline end beautifully with karma coming to a few recurring characters. I am really going to miss these characters.
This is a series with great storytelling, complex characters and a fascinating and unique magical component. I highly recommend reading this series and know that I will come back to this series again and again.
This entire series sparks joy. Jon and Donovan are #couplegoals. Their relationship feels so authentic and the progression from book 1 to the finale came across as genuine.
Each book has its own unique mystery and this book did not disappoint. We got to see the overall storyline end beautifully with karma coming to a few recurring characters. I am really going to miss these characters.
This is a series with great storytelling, complex characters and a fascinating and unique magical component. I highly recommend reading this series and know that I will come back to this series again and again.
October 8, 2024
4.5⭐️
As Jon’s last mystery, the series goes out with a bang. Almost everyone has a cameo or name drop, and overall, it’s nice to have a mystery with so many friends present. It’s also fun to see how much of an impact Jon has on so much of the justice system. Every case in this series is wild, and this one is no exception. The case has fewer clue trails to follow and is more linear, but the difficulty to understand and catch the culprit is pretty much the same.
I will say that this case has the most difficult buy-in at first. Its final-boss-on-legendary-mode amounts of incompetence is staggering. To get Dwayne in jail feels like everyone hated this man and was out to get him. Dwayne has a lucrative job so probably could afford a good lawyer, but even a decent one should have been able to prove his innocence based on certain evidence. However, more and more people are being exonerated because they were railroaded by the system despite evidence of their innocence, especially minorities, so after the initial wtf, it’s believable given societal context.
Dwayne was convicted of killing his sister and anchor Tyelesia, but no body was found, and she cannot be traced by any type of psychic with finding abilities. Their thwarted attempts at figuring out why she is invisible and what happened to her is the mystery, and I enjoyed how it plays out. It’s also nice to see the dream team impeded in a major way. Jon’s apprentice Abby is an intelligent, dedicated, and bubbly sweetheart. She’s a very talented reader already, and she and Jon work so well together as he helps refine her skills. She’s almost a little sister to Jon and Donovan, and her eventual attachment to the family is unexpectedly perfect and lovely.
Sherwood does a good job balancing the wedding planning with the time-sensitive case. I like that the planning isn’t front and center or stressful, and their wedding is perfectly them. And of course, the much-anticipated fall of the odious Solomon is the pièce de résistance. His take down is as epic as any Big Bad in the series, and his many, MANY failures as a decent human being and detective are on full display. That being said, all the cases move at breakneck speed, but this one feels a bit supercharged and a little uneven bc of all the moving pieces: proving Dwayne innocent and getting him out of jail, the mystery of Tyelesia, wedding plans, cameos, Solomon’s downfall and more. Also, while the cameos are great, there being so many people involved and establishing Abby as the next best thing by several stops for people to try to recruit her and gush over her take up a lot of space. However, nothing was actually unnecessary, and this last case is interesting and satisfying. This book is bittersweet bc it’s the last chapter for a couple I love, but it’s still an entertaining, gooey sweet, and pretty perfect ending for Donovan and Jon.
As Jon’s last mystery, the series goes out with a bang. Almost everyone has a cameo or name drop, and overall, it’s nice to have a mystery with so many friends present. It’s also fun to see how much of an impact Jon has on so much of the justice system. Every case in this series is wild, and this one is no exception. The case has fewer clue trails to follow and is more linear, but the difficulty to understand and catch the culprit is pretty much the same.
I will say that this case has the most difficult buy-in at first. Its final-boss-on-legendary-mode amounts of incompetence is staggering. To get Dwayne in jail feels like everyone hated this man and was out to get him. Dwayne has a lucrative job so probably could afford a good lawyer, but even a decent one should have been able to prove his innocence based on certain evidence. However, more and more people are being exonerated because they were railroaded by the system despite evidence of their innocence, especially minorities, so after the initial wtf, it’s believable given societal context.
Dwayne was convicted of killing his sister and anchor Tyelesia, but no body was found, and she cannot be traced by any type of psychic with finding abilities. Their thwarted attempts at figuring out why she is invisible and what happened to her is the mystery, and I enjoyed how it plays out. It’s also nice to see the dream team impeded in a major way. Jon’s apprentice Abby is an intelligent, dedicated, and bubbly sweetheart. She’s a very talented reader already, and she and Jon work so well together as he helps refine her skills. She’s almost a little sister to Jon and Donovan, and her eventual attachment to the family is unexpectedly perfect and lovely.
Sherwood does a good job balancing the wedding planning with the time-sensitive case. I like that the planning isn’t front and center or stressful, and their wedding is perfectly them. And of course, the much-anticipated fall of the odious Solomon is the pièce de résistance. His take down is as epic as any Big Bad in the series, and his many, MANY failures as a decent human being and detective are on full display. That being said, all the cases move at breakneck speed, but this one feels a bit supercharged and a little uneven bc of all the moving pieces: proving Dwayne innocent and getting him out of jail, the mystery of Tyelesia, wedding plans, cameos, Solomon’s downfall and more. Also, while the cameos are great, there being so many people involved and establishing Abby as the next best thing by several stops for people to try to recruit her and gush over her take up a lot of space. However, nothing was actually unnecessary, and this last case is interesting and satisfying. This book is bittersweet bc it’s the last chapter for a couple I love, but it’s still an entertaining, gooey sweet, and pretty perfect ending for Donovan and Jon.
October 21, 2024
Omg!!!! All over the place love it
My emotions are ripped since this one is the last from this series. I am devastated! I love these books, they are original, funny, hot, and really unique.
In this one, we are all over the place, the bad cop, the wrongfully prisonner, the broken anchor,all those twists, the side characters help was an AMAZING touch. Love them all. All the buckle were tied, and then it was the end. With a nice touch words from the author about this serie.
At first, I was sad that this serie were following the same couple but the author make me change my mind. I love it. And now I'm sad that it's all over. To the next series i guess. Wishing to love them as much as i loved this series.
My emotions are ripped since this one is the last from this series. I am devastated! I love these books, they are original, funny, hot, and really unique.
In this one, we are all over the place, the bad cop, the wrongfully prisonner, the broken anchor,all those twists, the side characters help was an AMAZING touch. Love them all. All the buckle were tied, and then it was the end. With a nice touch words from the author about this serie.
At first, I was sad that this serie were following the same couple but the author make me change my mind. I love it. And now I'm sad that it's all over. To the next series i guess. Wishing to love them as much as i loved this series.
November 3, 2024
A solid 3.25. Don't get me wrong. I liked it. Just not nearly as well as the other books in the series. This one felt a bit...rushed? Kinda thrown together. And they seemed to throw all the secondary characters in the mix which kinda confused things for me as I haven't read the series in awhile and also it didn't seem like the author focused on one couple, which I prefer. Overall decent read and interesting plot.
October 12, 2024
I loved this series.
I have loved this series since day one! I am so saddened that it is over with. But it will most definitely be one that I will revisit in the future.
I have loved this series since day one! I am so saddened that it is over with. But it will most definitely be one that I will revisit in the future.
February 17, 2025
The end. The end? Well, now I'm sad.
March 10, 2025
Fun and cute conclusion to the series
October 1, 2024
I adored this book! I love Jon and Donovan and their whole gang so much! I am so sad that this is the last book in the series! I know we have another Mack book to look forward to but I hope we’ll get some more companion novels/novellas in this world as well. I need a Garrett and Sho story. I need at least one of Abby and her anchor. I need an Eli and her husbands book or two. I could read another about Grant and Alan. I want a Marc and Javier book! I’m not ready to say goodbye yet!
October 29, 2024
The last in the Jon’s series, sad to see the end.
October 9, 2024
I didn’t hate this book, I read it knowing it was going to be an easy read while recovering from the flu. But. Even full of fluid with my head spinning if I moved too fast, the flaws in this one stood out a little too much for me. My biggest issue with this book (and series) is that all the characters have the same shiny happy personality. There isn’t a single thing aside from their unique powers that makes them stand out and that meant that I could never remember who was who unless it was specifically mentioned what they could do. And even then, with flu affecting my brain, it didn’t stick. Just one unhappy bitter character could have made a huge difference to this but absolutely everyone - even Dwayne in freaking prison! - was just shiny and happy all the time.
I hated that aspect. HATED it.
Anyway, also on the list of things that I couldn’t help picking at was that no one ever mentioned how in the span of, what, 4-6 hours, someone called 911, reported Tye missing, the police came out, interviewed everyone and their dog, concluded it was a potentially suspicious death, ran through evidence, checked some forensics and scooped up the brother and charged him with murder.
All in the span of a single morning? A single morning!!
Solomon the useless detective can’t even be blamed for all of that shoddy police work.
Anyway, I finished the book and that’s why I’ll claim not to have hated it and it’s many (so many) flaws.
I hated that aspect. HATED it.
Anyway, also on the list of things that I couldn’t help picking at was that no one ever mentioned how in the span of, what, 4-6 hours, someone called 911, reported Tye missing, the police came out, interviewed everyone and their dog, concluded it was a potentially suspicious death, ran through evidence, checked some forensics and scooped up the brother and charged him with murder.
All in the span of a single morning? A single morning!!
Solomon the useless detective can’t even be blamed for all of that shoddy police work.
Anyway, I finished the book and that’s why I’ll claim not to have hated it and it’s many (so many) flaws.
April 23, 2025
This was the most unsatisfying ending/last book I’ve read in a loooooong time. Like, just no. If this was how it was planned to end, and all the “THIS IS THE LAST BOOK YOU GET FOR THIS SERIES RAWRR” commentary I kept coming across seems to support that conclusion, then what a crying shame on every level.
And I’m so tired of seeing “I leave all my mistakes in to prove this wasn’t AI” because that really just hard-smacks of “editing is bullshit and I don’t wanna”, especially when some of the mistakes are actually common of AI creations. I am not saying this was, not even hinting, but you can’t leave shit like these whiffs and expect people to just take it and be grateful. Have some respect for your own work and your audience. I get most people are trash, but like, I doubt you see yourself as such, so maybe put some respect on your own name? One of them, at the very least.
2.75/5. I will admit to being overly exhausted and lacking my usual fucks that add a filter to my outside words and inside thoughts, but I refuse to act like I don’t mean what I say when I say it. This was grossly disappointing. The entire series was a fucking mess, and while I loved it because it was lacking in the dumb relationship angst I never have enjoyed and the characters shone, it was full of huge issues that made it very clear that maybe having someone to check your timelines and details wouldn’t make people think your writing was AI-driven, but rather make them feel like you cared? It’s not that deep until it’s insulting, and this was one big slappity-slap, with both powder and glove. I absolutely respect the grind of multiple simultaneous projects and pen names, but maybe when you cannot keep shit straight it’s time to reconsider the level of hustle, because I’m not trying to be hustled, ya feel me? Hustle the game, not the people supporting you. Just a thought…
And I’m so tired of seeing “I leave all my mistakes in to prove this wasn’t AI” because that really just hard-smacks of “editing is bullshit and I don’t wanna”, especially when some of the mistakes are actually common of AI creations. I am not saying this was, not even hinting, but you can’t leave shit like these whiffs and expect people to just take it and be grateful. Have some respect for your own work and your audience. I get most people are trash, but like, I doubt you see yourself as such, so maybe put some respect on your own name? One of them, at the very least.
2.75/5. I will admit to being overly exhausted and lacking my usual fucks that add a filter to my outside words and inside thoughts, but I refuse to act like I don’t mean what I say when I say it. This was grossly disappointing. The entire series was a fucking mess, and while I loved it because it was lacking in the dumb relationship angst I never have enjoyed and the characters shone, it was full of huge issues that made it very clear that maybe having someone to check your timelines and details wouldn’t make people think your writing was AI-driven, but rather make them feel like you cared? It’s not that deep until it’s insulting, and this was one big slappity-slap, with both powder and glove. I absolutely respect the grind of multiple simultaneous projects and pen names, but maybe when you cannot keep shit straight it’s time to reconsider the level of hustle, because I’m not trying to be hustled, ya feel me? Hustle the game, not the people supporting you. Just a thought…
December 21, 2024
A good Jon book ... but not my favourite
November 17, 2024
For a series finale, this was purely exquisite. From cameos of characters from previous books to assholes getting their comeuppance to Jon and Donovan planning their wedding, I can honestly say this entire book was the best way to end the adventures of Jon and Donovan and their friends and family. And of course, it wouldn't be a Jon mystery without one hell of a whackadoodle case.
It starts with Jon's apprentice, Abby, who is a sassy little delight, noticing a very innocent man sitting in the yard of a max security prison. And that opens up a can of worms the likes of which no one saw coming. It was just pure action from beginning to end, and the more Jon and his team work on proving that Dwayne was railroaded by the most inept of inept detectives, the more strangeness and weirdness seeps deep into the case.
The thing in, Dwayne was accused and falsely convicted of murdering his sister, who also happens to be his anchor. And it turns out, had the detective on the case (an inept, useless waste of space of a man that Jon and Co. have had the misfortune of dealing with before) done any kind of investigation or due diligence, Dwayne never would have been accused in the first place. And the sheer injustice sends Jon and his team into a rage which I've never seen from them before - and this is rage they channel into righting so many wrongs, it almost made my head spin while I was gleefully cheering them on.
(Look. I see the allegory here. I see it. I acknowledge it. I cannot spend energy on that fact right now for the sake of my own mental health in the midst of the shitstorm that's happening on a global scale right now. Never again they said. They fucking lied.)
Just about every colleague and friend that Jon and Donovan have made throughout their partnership is called in to assist with this case. An anchor has been separated from her psychic for over a year, and she needs to be found immediately. And finding her proves to be one hell of an adventure in and of itself.
With every psychic on board to help with the case and offering their expansive skillset, it's more and more obvious how bungled the original investigation (if you can even call it that) was. It doesn't take much to prove Dwayne's complete innocence. Then comes the fun part - finding his sister.
The deeper and deeper we dive into this case, the weirder and weirder it gets. Which is a pretty good example of the kind of whackadoo cases Jon encounters while on the job. Abby seems extremely eager to learn, but this is definitely one hell of an initiation into Jon's world.
Honestly, I couldn't imagine a better ending to this series. We have assholes who had karma bite them hard. We have the most intense case wrapped up neatly and tidily. And we have a wedding - yes, that's right, Jon and Donovan have finally tied the knot! And I couldn't be happier!
I love these characters intensely. I truly adore them all. I connect with books through their characters - I need to be emotionally invested in their stories. And I connected with Jon almost immediately. This is a universe I think I could revisit again and again for comfort reading. And knowing that I have Brandon and Mack's adventures to dive into, as well as a novella featuring Grant and Alan, brings me a lot of joy.
It starts with Jon's apprentice, Abby, who is a sassy little delight, noticing a very innocent man sitting in the yard of a max security prison. And that opens up a can of worms the likes of which no one saw coming. It was just pure action from beginning to end, and the more Jon and his team work on proving that Dwayne was railroaded by the most inept of inept detectives, the more strangeness and weirdness seeps deep into the case.
The thing in, Dwayne was accused and falsely convicted of murdering his sister, who also happens to be his anchor. And it turns out, had the detective on the case (an inept, useless waste of space of a man that Jon and Co. have had the misfortune of dealing with before) done any kind of investigation or due diligence, Dwayne never would have been accused in the first place. And the sheer injustice sends Jon and his team into a rage which I've never seen from them before - and this is rage they channel into righting so many wrongs, it almost made my head spin while I was gleefully cheering them on.
(Look. I see the allegory here. I see it. I acknowledge it. I cannot spend energy on that fact right now for the sake of my own mental health in the midst of the shitstorm that's happening on a global scale right now. Never again they said. They fucking lied.)
Just about every colleague and friend that Jon and Donovan have made throughout their partnership is called in to assist with this case. An anchor has been separated from her psychic for over a year, and she needs to be found immediately. And finding her proves to be one hell of an adventure in and of itself.
With every psychic on board to help with the case and offering their expansive skillset, it's more and more obvious how bungled the original investigation (if you can even call it that) was. It doesn't take much to prove Dwayne's complete innocence. Then comes the fun part - finding his sister.
The deeper and deeper we dive into this case, the weirder and weirder it gets. Which is a pretty good example of the kind of whackadoo cases Jon encounters while on the job. Abby seems extremely eager to learn, but this is definitely one hell of an initiation into Jon's world.
Honestly, I couldn't imagine a better ending to this series. We have assholes who had karma bite them hard. We have the most intense case wrapped up neatly and tidily. And we have a wedding - yes, that's right, Jon and Donovan have finally tied the knot! And I couldn't be happier!
I love these characters intensely. I truly adore them all. I connect with books through their characters - I need to be emotionally invested in their stories. And I connected with Jon almost immediately. This is a universe I think I could revisit again and again for comfort reading. And knowing that I have Brandon and Mack's adventures to dive into, as well as a novella featuring Grant and Alan, brings me a lot of joy.
March 25, 2025
Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili cordially invite you to their wedding.
They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.
Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.
Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.
They can probably get married this year. Probably.
Tags:
Jon has an apprentice, apprentice finds him an innocent man in prison, as usual it snowballs from there, frustrating cold cases, hinky bonds, wedding!, part time soul mates full time problem, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, allllllll the cameos, ALL, never play paintball with Eli, Solomon gets his comeuppance, so does Rodger, stalkers are not friends, -sniff- Jon’s little girl is all grown up, this book sponsored by PIZZA, HEA, last case do enjoy!
Heather's Notes
I am sad to see this series end. I really liked Jon and Donavan. I liked the story in this one too. I really liked that she said she will be doing a story on Lachlan, and Eli and her guys (I didn't really care that Mack was getting another story but I will probably read it). I hope we see more of Jon and Don in them.
They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.
Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.
Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.
They can probably get married this year. Probably.
Tags:
Jon has an apprentice, apprentice finds him an innocent man in prison, as usual it snowballs from there, frustrating cold cases, hinky bonds, wedding!, part time soul mates full time problem, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, allllllll the cameos, ALL, never play paintball with Eli, Solomon gets his comeuppance, so does Rodger, stalkers are not friends, -sniff- Jon’s little girl is all grown up, this book sponsored by PIZZA, HEA, last case do enjoy!
Heather's Notes
I am sad to see this series end. I really liked Jon and Donavan. I liked the story in this one too. I really liked that she said she will be doing a story on Lachlan, and Eli and her guys (I didn't really care that Mack was getting another story but I will probably read it). I hope we see more of Jon and Don in them.
October 6, 2024
I'm sad that this is the last book in this series. The physic aspects are fun and the cases that Jon gets pulled into are crazy!
The case that Jon and his crew worked on in this one started out by chance with Abby seeing something and bringing it to Jon's attention to make sure she was right. From there things quickly spun out of control as Jon brought in all of his friends after everyone kept hitting dead ends. While they were able to help the initial person fairly easy, it was the other person that kept them all hitting a wall. Yet once they worked around why they kept hitting the wall, they found the bad guy easily and saved the other person. All of this had the side effect of finally being able to do something about the thorn in their side and what special karma that was!
While working on the case, Jon and Donovan were able to deal with wedding things, picking date and even finally finding a venue. While unusual, it was perfect for them and made for a great ending for the book and the series!
The case that Jon and his crew worked on in this one started out by chance with Abby seeing something and bringing it to Jon's attention to make sure she was right. From there things quickly spun out of control as Jon brought in all of his friends after everyone kept hitting dead ends. While they were able to help the initial person fairly easy, it was the other person that kept them all hitting a wall. Yet once they worked around why they kept hitting the wall, they found the bad guy easily and saved the other person. All of this had the side effect of finally being able to do something about the thorn in their side and what special karma that was!
While working on the case, Jon and Donovan were able to deal with wedding things, picking date and even finally finding a venue. While unusual, it was perfect for them and made for a great ending for the book and the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2025
I think it was too long since I read one of these because I just could NOT keep all of the side characters straight. I couldn't remember who everyone was . Also the whole issue of WHY the cop stitched up the guy in question was never really addressed. Okay, he was a shitty cop but he was ignoring evidence or manufacturing it and it was never explained why. Was he just lazy? Did he have something out for certain people (beyond Jon)? It was also never explained how the bad guy blocked the missing ancho's signature since they appeared to be in just an old building in the middle of nowhere. They didn't mention any of the technical stuff that they discussed would be needed to do that. *shrug*
I mean it was nice to see Jon and Donovan still madly in love and Donovan's a sweetie. We finally see them arried although I'm not a big fan of Halloween weddings and at an arcade? Eh. I mean, hey, their wedding. LOL But I didn't feel very satisfied.
So I'm glad I finished the series but I was kind of underwhelmed.
I mean it was nice to see Jon and Donovan still madly in love and Donovan's a sweetie. We finally see them arried although I'm not a big fan of Halloween weddings and at an arcade? Eh. I mean, hey, their wedding. LOL But I didn't feel very satisfied.
So I'm glad I finished the series but I was kind of underwhelmed.
November 28, 2024
OMGoodness, the last book of the series?! Gasp. Fainting. Totally not happy to be released from my own brain!
Look, it's probably too late to point this out (again) here, but Sherwood is a great author as long as you like SuperSweet, mushy, fluffy, cuddly... hug fests. Everyone is too cute for words and I while I am definitely up for anything sweet IRL, I tend to cringe (or try not to cringe) when reading Sherwood.
I don't think I really understood the phrase "better the devil you know" until now - my tastes do not align with the author's writing style yet at this point, it's familiar, dependable to be exactly what it is and sometimes, when my brain gets tired and throws a fit when I want to start a new book from an unknown author, reading this helps. Is it healthy? Probably not. But I am not sure I am yet cured of my affliction and while this series is ending, I am sure I'll find myself doing this song and dance with another one, sooner or later.
Look, it's probably too late to point this out (again) here, but Sherwood is a great author as long as you like SuperSweet, mushy, fluffy, cuddly... hug fests. Everyone is too cute for words and I while I am definitely up for anything sweet IRL, I tend to cringe (or try not to cringe) when reading Sherwood.
I don't think I really understood the phrase "better the devil you know" until now - my tastes do not align with the author's writing style yet at this point, it's familiar, dependable to be exactly what it is and sometimes, when my brain gets tired and throws a fit when I want to start a new book from an unknown author, reading this helps. Is it healthy? Probably not. But I am not sure I am yet cured of my affliction and while this series is ending, I am sure I'll find myself doing this song and dance with another one, sooner or later.
January 21, 2025
That The End?
JonMysteries6
Well… at least we got a wedding! And, a very strange case. Now added to the roster of psychic phenomena - Materializer, one who with Will and intent, can materialize whatever they can conceptualize. In this case, it was to frame a man for murder.
And, because the detective on the case was Solomon, it was WYSIWYG (what you see, is what you get) since Solomon wasn’t known for looking past the obvious. But, Dwayne Evans had no guilt lines, none. He shone so brightly, that even in the prison yard of a maximum security prison, he was unique.
Unraveling the case took a multitude of experts, especially when it seemed the “murder victim” was hidden, not dead.
Nice plot twists and comfortable logic, including Pink Peg Leg Pete, a tiger ( I made up the name, not the appearance 😉).
The series arc ends here, but I hope there will be more stories. Thank you, AJ Sherwood for ten books in this universe, and making most everything pay off.
JonMysteries6
Well… at least we got a wedding! And, a very strange case. Now added to the roster of psychic phenomena - Materializer, one who with Will and intent, can materialize whatever they can conceptualize. In this case, it was to frame a man for murder.
And, because the detective on the case was Solomon, it was WYSIWYG (what you see, is what you get) since Solomon wasn’t known for looking past the obvious. But, Dwayne Evans had no guilt lines, none. He shone so brightly, that even in the prison yard of a maximum security prison, he was unique.
Unraveling the case took a multitude of experts, especially when it seemed the “murder victim” was hidden, not dead.
Nice plot twists and comfortable logic, including Pink Peg Leg Pete, a tiger ( I made up the name, not the appearance 😉).
The series arc ends here, but I hope there will be more stories. Thank you, AJ Sherwood for ten books in this universe, and making most everything pay off.
October 11, 2024
The last in the series about Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili and it was a rollicking ride! There were so many people in this story from other series – I wish I could remember them all, but the good thing is I get to re-read the ones I’ve forgotten!
AJ Sherwood has an engaging style that picks you up and swirls you in a tornado of fun, detecting, supernatural gifts and family – whether by blood or by family – and at the end you are left with a huge grin and good feeling in your heart. This story delivered this in spades and was a more than fitting end for this particular series. I love reading about Jon and all of the Havili family members and this took me back to some rather epic reading I’ve done in the past.
I highly recommend reading the books leading up to this – as well as the ones that link to it – if only to get a true feeling for all of the characters. Excellent read!
AJ Sherwood has an engaging style that picks you up and swirls you in a tornado of fun, detecting, supernatural gifts and family – whether by blood or by family – and at the end you are left with a huge grin and good feeling in your heart. This story delivered this in spades and was a more than fitting end for this particular series. I love reading about Jon and all of the Havili family members and this took me back to some rather epic reading I’ve done in the past.
I highly recommend reading the books leading up to this – as well as the ones that link to it – if only to get a true feeling for all of the characters. Excellent read!
April 21, 2025
2.5 stars, rounded up.
The book wasn’t awful, the author is a good writer and the book was entertaining and packed full of several different storylines. The issue was, it felt sloppy to me. There were plot holes and new “rules” coming from every direction, it was a mess. There was a fairytale quality to it, not in a good way, in a magic wand-good guy wins/bad guy loses- kind of way. The situations, the way the characters behaved, it felt completely unrealistic, rushed and chaotic. I got the impression the author was tired of the series and just wanted it to end and didn’t really care if the storyline made sense, just throwing stuff at the wall to see if it stuck. Alternating POV, was the same as previous books; which means very difficult to follow since the MCs sounded exactly alike. Overall I found thr series entertaining, but this was definitely my least favorite.
The book wasn’t awful, the author is a good writer and the book was entertaining and packed full of several different storylines. The issue was, it felt sloppy to me. There were plot holes and new “rules” coming from every direction, it was a mess. There was a fairytale quality to it, not in a good way, in a magic wand-good guy wins/bad guy loses- kind of way. The situations, the way the characters behaved, it felt completely unrealistic, rushed and chaotic. I got the impression the author was tired of the series and just wanted it to end and didn’t really care if the storyline made sense, just throwing stuff at the wall to see if it stuck. Alternating POV, was the same as previous books; which means very difficult to follow since the MCs sounded exactly alike. Overall I found thr series entertaining, but this was definitely my least favorite.
November 1, 2024
I'm in the minority among my friends but I did not like this story. It felt way too jammed full of info: updates on previous characters, current "bad guy" mystery, and a lot of negative thinking and wishes that said bad guy would die or rot in prison or be someone's bitch. Honestly, both Jon and Donovan were very vindictive toward Detective Solomon, apparently their arch-enemy. TBH, I don't even remember him from other books.
Also, they had help solving their mystery with every character they've ever worked with, or at least it seemed that way and it amounted to nothing more than an info-dump to me. Sorry friends.
The wedding was anti-climactic but sweet and a cute twist on weddings. Farewell, Jon and Donovan. I really enjoyed many of your adventures along the way.
Also, they had help solving their mystery with every character they've ever worked with, or at least it seemed that way and it amounted to nothing more than an info-dump to me. Sorry friends.
The wedding was anti-climactic but sweet and a cute twist on weddings. Farewell, Jon and Donovan. I really enjoyed many of your adventures along the way.
December 29, 2024
I am so very disappointed in this book. Did the same author actually write it who has written all the others? It was rushed, jam packed, but the thing I could not get past was how smug Jon seemed and the absolute butchering of the justice system. Recorded psychic statements where they bad mouth people and swear they're going to get them? That witness would be disqualified in court. Jon previously had been very demure about attention. He was modest. Not in this one. It was all Jon, Oh, he was so amazing, of COURSE people knew him. How could they not? After finding his dad and Neil they were an afterthought in this book. In fact Neil's name was not even MENTIONED at the wedding. Everything I loved about Jon and this series turned on its ear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2025
Pretty much perfect
What a great end to the series. It’s HEA on steroids. So much love and sweetness it’s almost too much. It’s a near thing, but the author managed to keep it so you are cheering on the HEA without complaining of a toothache.
The world building is great and the psychic powers are honestly one of the more balanced ‘magic’/ supernatural abilities types I’ve seen ever read.
My one teeny tiny qualm: Does literally every main and side character in the story have to be LGBTQ? Really, every coworker, friend, and family member is gay or queer, really? It got to be a bit repetitive and it took me out of the story a bit at times.
Could not recommend the series more. It’s truly well written.
What a great end to the series. It’s HEA on steroids. So much love and sweetness it’s almost too much. It’s a near thing, but the author managed to keep it so you are cheering on the HEA without complaining of a toothache.
The world building is great and the psychic powers are honestly one of the more balanced ‘magic’/ supernatural abilities types I’ve seen ever read.
My one teeny tiny qualm: Does literally every main and side character in the story have to be LGBTQ? Really, every coworker, friend, and family member is gay or queer, really? It got to be a bit repetitive and it took me out of the story a bit at times.
Could not recommend the series more. It’s truly well written.
October 12, 2024
4.5/5 I reread the series before starting this final one, wanting to get the full experience, and it did not disappoint. There’s quite the team amassed by this point in the series, and it was fun to have them all working together to solve the cold case—as well as to plan Jon and Donovan’s wedding. (And I really liked that we got the follow-through from the last book on Jon’s promise to train Abby.) We’ve still got some messed up criminals here, but I definitely appreciated how everything was resolved. The wedding was so very Jon and Donovan, and it made me grin the whole time. These two deserve the best HEA, and I’m delighted that this book sets them well on the way!
October 18, 2024
I always re-read the series when I want a good comfort read but I think I’ll skip this one from my roster. I love Jon and Donovan and the amazing array of characters that have been introduced and it was absolutely wonderful to see them again. There’s a part of this story that irks me to no end and left such a bad taste in my mouth that didn’t let me finish the book with the usual joy I’d experience from a good book (even though it was an all around good story). I desperately hope to see Jon and Donovan again in other series (like Mack’s) or maybe some short stories about them because these two fill me up with so much joy.
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