Connected

The Bureau #12

by Kim Fielding

Long-time Bureau agent Owen Clark has an assignment in Copper Springs, Wyoming. Although once he was excited about what he could offer the Bureau, Owen has become hardened over the years by his experiences, and he feels no joy in being sent to the town where he grew up—and then fled as a teen.

Keaton Gale was a promising child star who later crashed and burned due to addiction and a supernatural talent he never asked for. He has rebuilt his adult life in near solitude, rehabilitating an old house and occasionally renting a room to travelers.

The two men find an immediate connection. But something disturbing has been happening at the abandoned coal tipple outside of town—something that promises disaster for Owen and Keaton… and the world at large.

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Contemporary

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2024

About the author

Kim Fielding lives in Oregon and travels as often as she can manage. A professor by day, at night she rushes into a phone booth to change into her author costume (which involves comfy clothes instead of Spandex and is, sadly, lacking a cape). Her superpowers include the ability to write nearly anywhere, often while simultaneously doling out assistance to her family. Her favorite word to describe herself is "eclectic" and she finally got that seventh tattoo.

Reviews

[QuietlyKat · Rating 4 out of 5]

No spoons for a review except to say this is another solid addition to the series.

[Kim]

I'm always so happy to return to the Bureau world! In this book we have two men in their 40s--one a jaded agent, the other a burned-out former child star--and we're in a fictional town in Wyoming.

The town is based very loosely on Rock Springs, where I've spent the night a couple of times during cross-country road trips. The real cemetery is interesting to visit. And if you're in the area, I do recommend stopping by the Reliance Coal Tipple, a few miles outside of town. I'm pretty sure nothing malevolent really haunts the place.

If you're new to the series, you can read this one as a standalone. But if you've been following the series for a while, you might want to know that this is the penultimate book, and we have some ominous hints of what's to come in the finale.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite surprised to know that this is the penultimate title -- what do you mean there's only one story left, Ms. Fielding?!? I've enjoyed this universe so much, and it feels like a constant thing of always having at least one title released each year (and I've been reading this series since 2017).

As always, Fielding's writing is solid. So yes, this practically only happened in two days - there wasn't enough understanding about what Miller (the villain) is - sooo mysterious this person! And that connection between Owen and Keaton happened as fast as the speeding light!!

Although it probably helps that Owen has been harboring crush over Keaton when he was still a famous actor and Owen a teenager himself. Also, Keaton is an empath so he knows what Owen feels about him. AND there's this one meeting over twenty years prior between them and Chief Townsend. That conversation about connection between them felt real.

I still think that Chief Townsend is not really dead though! Despite that this being the most updated title, it's Grimes on the Chief seat (with Tanrael on his side). I don't know... maybe Chief Townsend will return as some corporeal form or something in the final book. Cannot wait for that!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It ain't over till it's over and it's not over.🤣 We bounce back to solid, good writing with this penultimate novella. One more to go and it's not out yet so the waiting game begins. But for the weird last chapter that did not fit the story I really enjoyed this.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, I loved it, but for me this one's solution felt particularly important given the 2024 USA Election Day, concluding today. It's another step closer to the 'something's coming' that has been building throughout the series, too. But most importantly, I liked the characters and the complexity of what's easy and what is not. Very good.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all of this series, I believe, but its been over a multi-year period so I have forgotten specifics. I never forgot, however, Grimes and Daemon, the first couple. They are featured prominently in this one and I still love them. Others I barely remember but this book had enough about them that I didn't feel lost at all.

There was one short chapter at the end that I felt didn't belong in this book at all which was a little of a downer. Overall, exciting, a little gruesome, and a hint that another book is coming with an explosive paranormal adventure.

[Carolyn Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is the penultimate Bureau book
I loved the old/new romance between the jaded agent - Owen, and the faded film star Keaton.
They met in the past somewhat disastrously and meet again in the present to investigate a ghost - or is it?
Owen had had a teenage crush on Keaton, but Keaton has gone the way of young film stars and become old and diminshed.
The atmospheric scene at the Tipple is really quite frightening and I had to have a little break as I was so wound up over it. The villain is just awful.
All was resolved and a HEA achieved. It was good to have other characters mentioned or met again, and although it isn't necessary to have read the other books, it is better for knowing them.
However, we are tantalised with hints dropped as to something awful going to happen in the future and I think that it is significant that the Bureau has agents spread all over the place - to maybe act in sync for the future? Plus there is a teaser of a mysterious character trapped by malign forces - I have a feeling that I know who this is, so bring on the last book please - like now.
Beautifully written and a lovely story

[Kassu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+⭐

I love the Bureau world and once again we meet a lovely tortured couple here. This was quite creepy but the villain was a bit too over-the-top. His speech might have been more tempting without the torture part. Who starts with torture? *SMH* He also called agent Clark 'Cook' half the time. At first I thought it a case of mistaken identity but apparently it was just poor editing.

So this one was just a little bit of a dud, but it paves the way to the finale and I liked the MCs so it's all good.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Meep · Rating 1 out of 5]

One book away from series end I thought I should read this. While the series is very simple with a clear formula, most are readable. This was a slog.

So many words to say so little. So, so many unnecessary words.

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the word 'penultimate' in a review, I know what that means, and, here, it means that the author needs to bring back Chief Townsend! He is the glue that has bound the series together and he still does in this one even though he is not present.

I forget how much I like these mysterious and often tortured characters until I am back in this world that Kim Fielding has created. It is almost like a comfort to read about Charles Grimes and his great love and partner, Tenrael, and to have some of the other characters referenced.

There is the usual supernatural case that Agent Owen Clark is investigating, this one was super scary. The setting is in his childhood small Western town which he has escaped, but the bad memories are still with him. He is almost shocked to be sent to this place for the case and here I saw the hand of Chief Townsend from beyond the grave, as he always had another motive to place his agents where he did. That when they solved a case, they had gained a life, a love. I really enjoyed the Chief and his moving his agents around a chessboard as he saw fit.

This story has a great prologue as Owen meets the man who will become the love of his life, years earlier and along with Chief Townsend and is thoroughly turned off by the young man's behavior. When Owen arrives back in his tiny hometown the place he is sent to stay is owned by the same young man, now twenty years older and hiding from life and a supernatural gift. Keaton was very well written, both men are. All of the author's characters are well written. I can look back and remember one character that brought me to tears. I will miss these books.

Please, let Chief Townsend come back for a final bow!

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong addition to the series, this title is evidently the penultimate book. As such, it sets up some intriguing hints to the "something coming" that's been hinted at in previous books.

I liked the main characters of Owen and Keaton, with their backstories being fairly solid. If anything, I wish we had gotten more detail about what had happened to them in the interim between the time of their first meeting and present day - I felt the book could have been a bit stronger with a bit more background. The villain of the piece, Miller, was quite interesting, and represented an intriguing threat. I'm curious to see if he (or others of his kind) make a return appearance.

With the themes of the series, I found it appropriate that the focus of this particular story was on connection, not just romantically but with other relationships as well including family and friends, and indeed, the world itself. A timely theme in today's world, and hopefully a way forward.

[William Kibler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

Too many words to tell such little story. Townsend is dead (really?), Grimes is the new Director, and a voice from the past emerges to shake up Owen's world. But not enough was divulged to warrant this book. Perhaps if another visit from the dragon were to have taken place and them becoming part of a potential love triangle, it might have offered more spark to this story.

[Rocken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat surprised that I liked this one. I only read the first book and dnfed another one, so I'm not sure what made me try this series again.

It was not long enough to be tedious, and although there's not much romance, I kinda liked the plot for a change. It was straightforward and oddly satisfying in the end.

[morten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bureau〉シリーズ12作目。前々作で衝撃的な事件があったのに、前作ではそれに触れられず、今作も過去のエピソードかなと思ってたら、ついに前々作のその後が描かれる。待ってました。お話自体も良くて、本作のCPは『Conned』の2人を彷彿とさせる。この作者様の書く孤独な人たちが出会う物語が私は好きだ。物語は悪魔Tenraelも登場するし、起きていることの片鱗も見えたりして、続きがますます楽しみだ。

[Kobie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Bureau story in a long time, which is to say it's terrific.  Plus, hope.  Maybe it'll get us through the next 4 years. 

[Queen I of Book Whore. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still love the series but this addition lacked depth while throwing in big words and conspiracies.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Not my favorite of the series.