Looking Grimm

Marionette #4

by Quinn Cameron

Murder got him into this mess, and only murder will get him out.

I used to thrive in the Bloody Hex, running jobs, spilling blood, doing whatever it took to survive. But times have changed, and so have I. After a loss that nearly broke me, I’ve made my choice. The gang has to go, and I’m starting at the top.

But walking away won’t be easy. Someone wants me out of the picture, framing me for crimes against the Capitol. Now I’m on the run, hunted by both the gang I betrayed and the government that wants my head.

Still, I won’t stop until the Bloody Hex is nothing but ashes. The only question is, when this is over, will I find redemption, settle for revenge, or finally pay for my sins?

Genres: M M Romance, LGBT

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Quinn Cameron writes queer romance stories packed with fantasy, paranormal intrigue, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

She thrives on damaged characters, tragic backstories, and the sweet, sweet agony of hurt/comfort—because what's love without a little emotional devastation first?

No matter how much angst she puts her characters through, she guarantees a happily ever after (or at least a very satisfying "about damn time").

When she's not torturing fictional souls, she can be found daydreaming, sipping iced lattes, and thinking up new ways to make her readers yell at their Kindles.

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book I thought to myself “Jesus Christ, how can things possibly get any worse?”. Well good news is, they totally got worse! 😂

This was an incredibly satisfying conclusion to what has been a fantastic and immersive reading experience and I have loved my time with these books immensely. The action and scope of these books felt massive to me in my little brain cinema and I could so clearly see the gritty dark world this was set in.

Poor traumatized and damaged Fitch, who has been conditioned into a murderer but still trying his best, just has my whole heart. I love morally grey characters and Fitch really takes that concept and runs with it. I enjoy his pragmatic practicality and that sometimes, murder really is just the best option to solving a problem.

Bless Nash for having the patience of a saint cause that poor man really had to put the yards in this book. Fitch does not make loving him an easy task. But I adore seeing characters like Fitch find their ‘safe harbor’ person so I’m glad he stuck it out.

Thank you to the author, Quinn Cameron, who provided me an ARC for this, when I came like an orphan begging for gruel, cause the brain worms were making the wait for this book unbearable. These thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

This series will be a highlight of the year for me and is such an amazing debut effort that makes me very excited for the future projects QC has planned.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is action packed and hard to put down. Fitch goes mega bad-ass. Be prepared for grief + suicidal ideation + a whole lotta violence. Nash is an absolute saint for putting up with everything Fitch puts him through. Ripley and Maggie make for interesting side characters, I can imagine there would be some great fan art for these two out there. I could definitely read a spin off set in this world. I need to see evidence of Fitch and Nash living in domestic bliss.

This has been a great series and I’m very appreciative to the author for sending me an arc of book 4, it was going to take me a lot of willpower to wait for October after the way book 3 left things. Definitely recommend.

[Marina Garnica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since I cried for a book. I am still a bit of loss of words, and while I know it is the moment to write the review, I'm not sure I will be able to phrase things in the right way.

I want to specify it has a HEA, and while the feelings I have are positive, I am equally devastated for the end of the series.

The action is so well described that made my heart race.

We finally got resolution between Nash and Fitch.

F**k you Holland.

Read it.

[PleaseGoAwayImReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So many emotions after finishing this one. After reading all four books in the series, I’m going to miss this world and some of these characters.

I was lucky enough to get an advance reader copy of this. The book picks up after the events of book 3 and finds Fitch deeply in mourning. His FWB Nash is trying to get him back into a routine — get out of bed, shower, eat, get some sun— but Fitch is spiraling.

I’m not going to give away the plot, but this book is intense. Fitch is in survival mode, trying to be good, struggling with self worth, and afraid of his growing feelings for Nash, all while Grimm and his evil cohorts are closing in.

I felt so sad for Fitch and all he has been through, and what he goes through — emotionally and physically— in this book. But it was exhilarating to watch things come together during that last quarter of the book and to see the resolution.

If you like urban fantasy, criminal MCs, magic, witches, a moderate dose of violence, and some MM romance then you will like not only this book but the whole series. This book comes out on October 11, 2024. If you start right now, you e got plenty of time to read books 1-3 before it arrives!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect conclusion to this series! Nash is honestly too good for Fitch, but they truly deserve the world together. Fitch’s journey, filled with self-loathing and constant betrayal from the Bloody Hex and the Capitol, was heartbreaking to watch unfold. It made the happy ending all the more satisfying, offering the closure I desperately needed. A fantastic wrap-up to an emotional rollercoaster of a series!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I receive a copy of this today? Yes. Did I stay up til 1am to read said copy? Also yes. Fitch Farrow has been living rent free in my mind and it was time to pay up! I loved this book. I knew where I wanted the ending to go and it went beautifully. Fitch, of course, being Fitch had to take his sweet time to get there but that's why I love him. This was an amazing ending to a series. I don't even have appropriate words for the joy this book brought me.

[evie is reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

have you ever read a series that was so masterfully crafted that you were just MAD when it was over? like, i don’t get to be a part of these characters lives anymore? not cool. yeah, well, i’m there now. and i need a support group for it, and its all quinn cameron’s fault. i can’t recall a character that has wiggled his way as deep into my heart and soul as quickly and irrevocably as fitch patrick farrow. this beautifully broken boy who is powerful enough to tear a city from its very foundations, but just needs someone to hug him and fucking mean it. the preceding three books have orchestrated this downward spiral for all of these characters that culminates beautifully in this final book. the author did her own marionette job weaving an impossible number of threads together to bring this story to life for its final explosive curtain call. the ending was everything i could have hoped for. fitch is a bit battened and bruised, but he’s stronger for it, and even though he lost so much, he gained everything. and that’s all you really want for your favorite characters once the smoke has cleared, am i right?

i’m a sappy reviewer, not a technical one, so here are a few of my favorite things (so, extra spoilery, okay?):

✨fitch. i love him your honor

💜 the way fitch’s allies were hell bent on making him see his worth

🖤 ripley’s tough, pulls-no-punches love that is most assuredly still very much love. from giving fitch a place to stay even though it goes against his own need to stay safe and hidden, to helping fitch see through all the programming and gaslighting grimm did to him over the years, so fitch could finally start to push aside all that ingrained loyalty and soldier mentality that grimm had instilled in him in the hopes that fitch would never realize how easy it’d be for him to snap grimm in half like a matchstick

💚 maggie. 🥺 omg maggie. for a character who says nothing, she says EVERYTHING. she’s always been so loving towards fitch, but the scene where she took his face in her hands and looked right into his soul, and fitch just felt *seen*… and he finally let go of some of the emotions he’d been holding onto… gods that was just so beautiful. maggie was one of my favorites, and i am so SO glad that she didn’t die when vinton did, and i didn’t even realize i was nervous about that until fitch ripped that big bitch’s spine out

❤️ nicholas lumber-snack nash. look. i’d read a book that was nothing but fitch and nick moving into their house. shopping for groceries. buying a new car for fitch that isn’t flashy OR a porsche, and nick good-naturedly dealing with several weeks of fitch pouting about putting groceries in the stupid BACK trunk of the car. fitch being very sure their neighbor is flirting with nick, and nick being very sure he isn’t, but fitch wanting to be very sure there’s no miscommunication, so he makes a point to drape himself over his boyfriend and gratuitously tongue kiss him in the front yard as often as possible, behavior nicholas will die before he ever discourages. the two of them (lovingly) bickering about paint colors for the kitchen (nick wants something woodsy like green, but fitch wants sunflower yellow because it doesn’t remind him of any of the scuzzy motels he grew up in. they compromise and go with sunflower yellow because it reminds nick of fitch’s hair). i just love how fiercely nick loves everything about fitch. even when fitch hates himself. even when fitch thinks he doesn’t deserve it. even when fitch maybe a little bit might not right now deserve it. nick never wavers. and, fuck if we don’t all deserve a love like that. and that’s exactly how i want to see fitch loved. every day. for the rest of their lives. forever

💛 when fitch finally owns and accepts the feelings he’s developed for nick. i hate how much the bloody hex and all his interactions at the blooming orchid had groomed him into thinking he was just a whore, and not good for anything more than murder and sex. it made it so hard for him to accept the love than nick offered and nearly impossible to wrangle together his own feelings. i actually gasped out loud when fitch uttered that first “i love you”

🥺 felix. excuse me he is the cutest okay

⚰️ grimm. fuck that guy. for everything. he had literally zero redeeming qualities. like you know how sometimes villains can be a little bit good so at the end you’re like, “aww he did blow up the city, but at least he saved the pygmy marmosets.” yeah. grimm ain’t do shit. zero redeeming qualities. i have never wanted a bad guy exploded, drawn and quartered, gutted, stabbed, shot, eviscerated, defenestrated, beheadded, drowned, eaten alive by wildlife, eaten alive by dead life, had his liver eaten with some fava beans and a nice chianti as this asshole. i’m glad he died. and i’m glad it he was alone, without his goon squad, and with no fanfare whatsoever. because grimm thrived on attention. so to have that taken from him was very fitting

[Mariva · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, a warning: TW for suicidal thoughts throughout the book.
4🌟, which makes this the book I rated lowest in the series.
Why why why? Because, though a satisfying conclusion to what I consider the series of the year, some things didn't make it perfect for me.
I'll get those out of the way, then focus on the positives.
☔ I generally prefer light world building, but I found this... A bit too light. More like a theater background, and to me it took a bit away from the story. I brushed questions aside in previous books, thinking: "Ah they will be explained at the end." Unfortunately, they weren't.
I am still confused about the Capitol's existence and politics, I would have loved to know more of its history to understand the "pro human" and "vs human" factions.
Similarly, I would have loved to know more about witch powers; why do they live so long? Are they ONLY born in Capitol City, or do they get "deported" there from the outside?
☔ I felt in this book the focus narrowed down on Fitch and Nash at the expense of other characters, who were lively and nuanced in previous books and now seemed to fall in the background. I wish we got more of Ripley, his role was quite small despite his incredible powers and his back story was never explained .
Perhaps my biggest disappointment was the titular of the book, Grimm. In the previous books, he was never a black&white villain to me, and I was dying to know more about his motives, and where did his hatred for humans came from, so profound it sent him onto a twisted crusade. What I saw in this book is him being flattened into a stereotyped villain who was evil "just because".
☔ I found the ending a bit rushed (the last 70-80%). The Capitol gets conquered off screen and in a matter of few sentences. More than shocking, I had a "oh, really?" reaction. It found it hard to believe events would move so quick, particularly with the execution the day next and the entire city brought to it. I wish more time was taken to build that up.

That said, onto the nice things!
🌞 The FEELS! This time the warm, fuzzy kind. The author destroyed my soul over the past books, but this one put a big band aid on it. Forgiven 😜 (joking, thanks for the amazing ride)! The bar set very high but it didn't drop an inch. Well done! 👏
🌞 The revenge/getting the bad guys was one hell of a plot and well delivered, I grabbed my pop corns and watched in cruel satisfaction as those @$#@ went down 😈
🌞 Some character interactions were beyond memorable and will stay with me for a long time. My absolute favourite was Fitch bursting into crying and Maggie comforting him.

As already said, this was THE series of the year for me. The crisp, snappy prose, the breath-taking pace, the emotional depth... It is one hell of a ride and I recommend it a thousand times! But do undertake it an an emotionally sound state, because it packs a punch 👊

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buckle up for a wild ride

First off I am so sad to see this end and I hope to see some a novella or two in the future. I'd love to see Fitch grow more.

This book starts in such a dark place. Fitch is drifting and not sure what to hold onto. Sadness? Fear? Anger? Unnamed feelings toward Nash?

Fitch's life changed dramatically when his parents were murdered and his powers lashed out forcing himself into a gang he never wanted a part of. He was threatened and groomed to be exactly who they wanted. The things he survived are terrible but here he is still trying to live his life.

With everything he has been through its not surprising how he is unable to deal with emotions and being an adult.

Nash is a freaking saint and I love him so much. The way he supports sometimes from the dark are absolutely beautiful.

So much has to happen in this book. Fitch is determined to take down Grimm. Jump in and buckle up because nothing about this is going to be easy.

I absolutely love Fitch and Nash. This will absolutely be a series I continue to recommend and reread.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking Grimm

Wow what an ending! This was such an explosive finale! From the very start I was on the edge of my seat and the high stakes, fast-paced thrill ride of a story never let up until the very end. And better still I loved every minute of it!

Fitch… oh man… that dude has been through so much and needless to say he goes through so much more until the very end of course.

I absolutely loved Nash in here as well! He is literally the sweet, steadfast, and most understanding and patient guy I’ve ever met.

Trust me this book is not to miss and if you haven’t read the series you’re going to want to if you love morally black characters, high stakes, urban fantasy, mm romance, action-packed, thrilling, and so much more!!

[Nightwings81 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then, I stumble upon a book that makes me question plot armor. I have a reasonable reason to assume that the main character is going to survive...they are the main character! Sometimes, though, I find a book that has me biting my nails from the tension, reading during my full work breaks and risking collisions in the halls by reading on the way back to my desk, and just feeling so downright worried for the safety of the main character.

After the heartache of the third book, I went into Looking Grimm feeling, well, rather grim. At this point, Fitch has lost almost everything, and the tenuous thread on his humanity is fraying. The final connection to his past is gone and, instead of pulling strings, he has to cut ties so he can finally break free of his ghosts and insecurities.

Stymied again and again, with both the Capital and the Bloody Hex closing in, he finally sees the lifeline that had been there all the time.

My only complaint? I feel that some *ahem* got off too easily, and deserved more than just a well placed F-bomb...

I want more of Felix.

Also, Fitch's scheme to get Ripley to open the door was laugh-out-loud brilliant.

[Christina Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was a fantastic end to the series but do not let that fool you because Quinn Cameron still absolutely pulls on all the heart strings and all your emotions to the point you will yell, throw things and cry! This was an absolutely 💯 ✨✨✨✨✨ read and I'm sad this series is done.

I have had a love and I'm mad at you Fitch for how he behaves. Nash will have my heart and I loved how he played so much more a role in this book! I adored how Nash literally is perfect for how he deals with Fitch! Maggie is just special and I love her.

This is an urban fantasy, that's action packed with criminal main characters. The plot is intense but it just makes the read so much more and it was honestly an intense action packed plot through the entire 4 books! Oh and magic!

💯 recommend reading this series as the series does have a HEA but I also want a novella seeing of Fitch actually living his HEA!

[River · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start? I found pulling strings on a Facebook arc groupchat. Obviously I signed up. Then I joined Quinn’s arc team. From then I was hooked on this series. Not only is Quinn a great writer she’s someone I am happy to call a friend. This book was a great finale to a great series. The angst and pain was so well done. Obviously Maggie was incredible. I loved how much Nash played a part in this last book. I was so stressed reading this. I was concerned about the pacing but found no issues *thanks kindle for saying 90% done and stressing me out*. I’m sad this is the last book but this series was amazing. I fully recommend reading it. I’m looking forward to any and all future books written by Quinn.

[Kiersten Bergeron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book to the Marionette Series. I have grown to love Fitch and I feel like we have been through everything together. He has been though so much and I’m happy he finally had a happy ending. I will sure miss him.

Thank you Quinn Cameron for writing these books. Fitch will always be a part of me and I will hope one day I see Nash ( Nick) and Fitch again.

[Andrew Brosset · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning ending, I think even with all the trauma and crap Fitch went through the end was absolutely fitting. Maybe not quite the happy ending we want but as good as it can be! Will be re reading the series!!

[Morgan Caivano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay it’s official all 4 books In this series individually sit at 5 stars for me!! The entire series 5 stars! Looking Grimm was a fantastic end to the marionette series I truly don’t have one bad thing to say. Cameron checked all the boxes for me likeable and unlikeable characters, fantastic character arcs, revenge, redemption, crime, spice, found family, heartbreak, grief, slow burn, morally complicated check check and check!! Fitch has and will always have my heart 🥹 something about a morally complicated bratty and sexy criminal that just gets to me 🤪 his story was beautifully written and although my heart was ripped to shreds I’m so fricken happy with how the series came to an end! Quinn Cameron you absolutely killed this series I cannot wait for more books from you🖤

[Ariana Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitch Farrow is king of the trauma boys club, hands down. I don't think I've ever read/met a character with so much baggage (and let me tell you, I live & breathe damaged antiheroes), yet they still manage to get their shit together enough to bring down the "bad guys" (Pretty much everyone is a bad guy in this series, excluding Nash, who is the best freakin' book boyfriend and an effing SAINT to put up with Fitch's many breakdowns).

This is a tough read, and it doesn't shy away from difficult subjects such as suicide. Having said that, it's so rewarding when Fitch gets his bad-ass on, and cleans house. You do not want to get on the wrong side of the Marionette when he's pissed and out for revenge.

A great series. A solid MM with a HEA (although, I'm a little unconvinced that Fitch will ever allow himself a HEA. He's going to be a handful forever. But at least he's in Nash's big, lumberjack hands). Highly recommended for those looking for something dark, action-packed, and different.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing conclusion to the series and I’m sad to see it end. I love that there was more with Nash in this book, I love him. He handles everything Fitch gives him with grace. This book will pull on your heart strings. Make sure you have some tissues on hand. I loved how it played out, Fitch wanting his revenge and not knowing how to handle his feelings. Definitely recommend this series.

[Natascha Limpt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a rollercoaster again! And such a shame that this amazing series has come to an end. The relationship between Nash and Fitch was incredibly well-developed, and I'm really going to miss these two guys. I did find Holland a bit naive after everything she had already been through, and that bothered me a little, but otherwise, this was a strong ending and I'm really happy that I had the chance to review these books. Quinn Cameron has become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait for more books <3

[Ana Georgieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect conclusion to the series! I’m so, so, so glad Fitch finally stop pretending he didn’t have feelings for Nash all along. The conflict resolution was satisfying as was the redemption arch. At times it felt like Fitch was fighting so hard NOT to be happy that I’m glad he got his HEA in the end.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I read a series as good as this one.
It's been a long time since I liked a protagonist as much as I liked Fitch I'll not forget him nor Nash
Thank you Quinn, really, you're a genius and please write more books I'll for sure read them I loved the way you write

[notachance]

DNF 18% - There’s nothing left to keep me interested. The romance is just a prop boyfriend, the brother no longer needs saving, there’s nothing really to aim for except Grimm’s death and I don’t care much about that.

[M]

this series felt like i was 14 on 2000s internet scrolling lj for the best of the best original slash webnovels people wrote and then i squeed about in the comments like the child i was

very nostalgic, very fun, lots of angst and emotions

[A.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful end to the series. Full of emotion and all the loose ends were tied up nicely.

[Anastasiia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks god for HEA, Fitch sooo deserved it.
All the warm and fuzzy feels to Nash, I mean that’s a book boyfriend we all need.