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Paavo Wolfe #2
GingerDead Man
Paavo Wolfe sells horror, but he isn’t prepared for what he finds in the baker’s oven. A body burns at his feet, and his ex, Detective Joe DeCarlo, is on the case. Joe is getting unwanted help investigating the crime from Paavo and his best friend, Stacey. While Paavo and Joe’s relationship is getting better, going uncover in the bathhouse isn’t going to help Paavo mend their issues.
A steam room stranger, the new bakery owner, and his landlord reveal grudges against the dead baker. Lured back to the sauna, the heat is turned up as Paavo embarks on a dangerous relationship. When the homeless shelter blows up, Paavo knows he’s in trouble and has to keep Stacey and Joe out of the line of fire. Can Paavo find the killer before everything goes up in smoke?
A steam room stranger, the new bakery owner, and his landlord reveal grudges against the dead baker. Lured back to the sauna, the heat is turned up as Paavo embarks on a dangerous relationship. When the homeless shelter blows up, Paavo knows he’s in trouble and has to keep Stacey and Joe out of the line of fire. Can Paavo find the killer before everything goes up in smoke?
- GenresM M RomanceContemporary
186 pages, ebook
First published January 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 12, 2015
When a former lover is a policeman, there is always more crime cases to be around. For Paavo Wolfe, it seems to be the other way around. Paavo is still separated from his lover, Joe DeCarlo. Joe still cares for him and does everything he can to win Paavo back. In this second story in the series, Paavo comes across as a complete moron bent on getting his ass killed.
Paavo is still trying to be an amateur sleuth with his little Scooby Gang. Unfortunately for Paavo, he is completely inept at it and Joe needs to save him time and time again. This story is just confusing and a bit of a letdown after the previous one. From a character perspective, Paavo changed since the first book. Instead of the supportive friend and neglected lover, he's become more of a whiny brat getting into all sorts of mischief. I can't say that I liked Paavo in this story. Instead, I'm feeling really sorry for Joe. Joe comes across as the stable and sane one. He's the one doing his best to love and support Paavo. Joe is reasonable and the one who is being hurt by Paavo.
There are also a couple of odd threads in this story which don't make sense to me. Joe's sister and her thug boyfriend felt like a contrived plot device. The resolution for Joe and Paavo as a couple also felt forced and too easy a solution. The mystery part is okay by keeping my interesting and keeping me guessing. The overall writing is not as smooth as the first book. I felt as if some of the scenes were rushed or cut off. At the end of this story, I'm not sure if this is the end or if there is going to be another murder mystery a la "Murder She Wrote" style. Paavo is no Mrs. Fletcher. He's not quite a Maxwell Smart in Get Smart, but he's close. I am still a fan of Mr. Zachary and hope if he does continue this series, he works on his mystery writing. Hopefully the Paavo comes back again as a strong and compassionate friend with some common sense. This story is recommended for m/m suspense lovers.
*provided by NetGalley
Paavo is still trying to be an amateur sleuth with his little Scooby Gang. Unfortunately for Paavo, he is completely inept at it and Joe needs to save him time and time again. This story is just confusing and a bit of a letdown after the previous one. From a character perspective, Paavo changed since the first book. Instead of the supportive friend and neglected lover, he's become more of a whiny brat getting into all sorts of mischief. I can't say that I liked Paavo in this story. Instead, I'm feeling really sorry for Joe. Joe comes across as the stable and sane one. He's the one doing his best to love and support Paavo. Joe is reasonable and the one who is being hurt by Paavo.
There are also a couple of odd threads in this story which don't make sense to me. Joe's sister and her thug boyfriend felt like a contrived plot device. The resolution for Joe and Paavo as a couple also felt forced and too easy a solution. The mystery part is okay by keeping my interesting and keeping me guessing. The overall writing is not as smooth as the first book. I felt as if some of the scenes were rushed or cut off. At the end of this story, I'm not sure if this is the end or if there is going to be another murder mystery a la "Murder She Wrote" style. Paavo is no Mrs. Fletcher. He's not quite a Maxwell Smart in Get Smart, but he's close. I am still a fan of Mr. Zachary and hope if he does continue this series, he works on his mystery writing. Hopefully the Paavo comes back again as a strong and compassionate friend with some common sense. This story is recommended for m/m suspense lovers.
*provided by NetGalley
August 21, 2015
2.5 stars
Well, that was like being dropped in the middle of running track and forced to keep up with other runners. Not reading Big Bad Wolf, the first of Paavo Wolfe mystery, must be one of the reasons I was struggling with the story as I felt like missing some fact/detail from before. This was a decent if somewhat "eeeh!?!?" playing detective story for me. I couldn't quite follow the pace it ran wildly every which way. Added the random alternate POVs (not only of the MCs but anybody they had contact with) that sometimes got me confused who spoke which lines. I guess the writing style was just not working for me.
Not sure why it fell into Erotica category in NetGalley; probably due to all those boners Paavo easily got just from a mention of or looking at someone's anatomy, all those scenes in the bathhouse or something. Personally I put this into comedy. Let's see: the main character - Paavo Wolfe - was a nosy young Finnish who's snarky and mouthy, kind and loyal to his friends, a hugger/cuddler, kisser whose hobby was to butt in into police investigation. His ertswhile partner - Joe DeCarlo - on the other hand, was a real detective of Duluth police force. So they sort of team-up to solve the murder case ().
The highlight of this book for me, aside from the array of food mentioned and the cute dog, was unfortunately the incident close to the end of the story. As I read the house burning down with Paavo book collection inside, I got: NOOO! Not the books! Shelves and shelves of books in that house destroyed by fire! BOOKS! I'm weeping (I guess I'm crazy like that).
Note: ARC was kindly provided by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, that was like being dropped in the middle of running track and forced to keep up with other runners. Not reading Big Bad Wolf, the first of Paavo Wolfe mystery, must be one of the reasons I was struggling with the story as I felt like missing some fact/detail from before. This was a decent if somewhat "eeeh!?!?" playing detective story for me. I couldn't quite follow the pace it ran wildly every which way. Added the random alternate POVs (not only of the MCs but anybody they had contact with) that sometimes got me confused who spoke which lines. I guess the writing style was just not working for me.
Not sure why it fell into Erotica category in NetGalley; probably due to all those boners Paavo easily got just from a mention of or looking at someone's anatomy, all those scenes in the bathhouse or something. Personally I put this into comedy. Let's see: the main character - Paavo Wolfe - was a nosy young Finnish who's snarky and mouthy, kind and loyal to his friends, a hugger/cuddler, kisser whose hobby was to butt in into police investigation. His ertswhile partner - Joe DeCarlo - on the other hand, was a real detective of Duluth police force. So they sort of team-up to solve the murder case ().
The highlight of this book for me, aside from the array of food mentioned and the cute dog, was unfortunately the incident close to the end of the story. As I read the house burning down with Paavo book collection inside, I got: NOOO! Not the books! Shelves and shelves of books in that house destroyed by fire! BOOKS! I'm weeping (I guess I'm crazy like that).
Note: ARC was kindly provided by Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2015
Despite the "B-Horror Movie" cover and title, I had some hopes for this book. I was looking forward to a book that, while having a romantic story, didn't let the actual plot take a backseat. As far as I read, I did receive that.
However, I only truly read the first 1/3-2/3rds of the book. Starting off I could tell that the writing style was not for me. There is a very large problem of tell and not show in this book. Looking it up I see that GingerDead Man isn't the first adventure for Paavo. Maybe if I had read the first these details might not have been so distracting. But coming in to this story as a newbie, being told the characteristics of every character in their first few introductory paragraphs was not appealing.
Eventually I hit a point where I was just no longer interested in the story. So I finished the book by skimming through the remaining pages. Seeing who the villain was and the big "twist" at the end was incredibly anti-climactic. (which could have been, in part, due to the skimming). Either way it just didn't work from me.
The book, however, did get me interested in the author's other work. Maybe I'll have to check out Paavo's first adventure and see how I like it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
However, I only truly read the first 1/3-2/3rds of the book. Starting off I could tell that the writing style was not for me. There is a very large problem of tell and not show in this book. Looking it up I see that GingerDead Man isn't the first adventure for Paavo. Maybe if I had read the first these details might not have been so distracting. But coming in to this story as a newbie, being told the characteristics of every character in their first few introductory paragraphs was not appealing.
Eventually I hit a point where I was just no longer interested in the story. So I finished the book by skimming through the remaining pages. Seeing who the villain was and the big "twist" at the end was incredibly anti-climactic. (which could have been, in part, due to the skimming). Either way it just didn't work from me.
The book, however, did get me interested in the author's other work. Maybe I'll have to check out Paavo's first adventure and see how I like it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
June 16, 2018
Another story with sooo many plot holes and inappropriate boners. What's more unforgivable was the ending where
Another thing that really stuck in my craw was how Joe's sister threatened Paavo with her Mob connections. Yes, Joe was a police detective, and his sister knowingly dated a guy from the Mob.
ETA: what's with the enormous electricity bills?
Another thing that really stuck in my craw was how Joe's sister threatened Paavo with her Mob connections. Yes, Joe was a police detective, and his sister knowingly dated a guy from the Mob.
ETA: what's with the enormous electricity bills?
December 31, 2014
Everything is good. I liked all the characters. They are interesting and funny sometimes. And they kept the story okay. Plus the fact that there are just so many gay guys in here. I've counted seven, I think.
The story starts with a hideous crime scene. And I didn't like how it is executed. First thing in the list, some characters are obviously made look suspicious and guilty. I don't know if that's on purpose but it ruins the effectiveness of making this a crime story. Because you should let the readers think and guess. Especially if that certain character has nothing to do at all in the entire story. I'm talking about James McKenzie, his mysterious appearances are pointless. I just don't get it. He looks very intriguing and seems to have something to do big on the plot. He'll be seen sneaking up somewhere and eventually going to disappear, and occasionally the subject in someone's coversation, that he is missing, which made him more suspicious. But the story ends giving him NO significance at ALL.
And the most annoying part is when Paavo Wolfe investigating the crime and comes up with an idea or realization. He'll act like it is very unexpected. As if the readers didn't know that from the very beginning. Because it's freaking obvious.
There's also this redundancy in the writing. Like after the murder, different people ask Paavo what really happened. But his explanation doesn't need to be narrated in the story again and again.
The conclusion is quite cliche but because Joe's sweetness and the other characters's awesomeness plus the cute dog, the story is still recommended.
Review is also available at TheBookOgre
The story starts with a hideous crime scene. And I didn't like how it is executed. First thing in the list, some characters are obviously made look suspicious and guilty. I don't know if that's on purpose but it ruins the effectiveness of making this a crime story. Because you should let the readers think and guess. Especially if that certain character has nothing to do at all in the entire story. I'm talking about James McKenzie, his mysterious appearances are pointless. I just don't get it. He looks very intriguing and seems to have something to do big on the plot. He'll be seen sneaking up somewhere and eventually going to disappear, and occasionally the subject in someone's coversation, that he is missing, which made him more suspicious. But the story ends giving him NO significance at ALL.
And the most annoying part is when Paavo Wolfe investigating the crime and comes up with an idea or realization. He'll act like it is very unexpected. As if the readers didn't know that from the very beginning. Because it's freaking obvious.
There's also this redundancy in the writing. Like after the murder, different people ask Paavo what really happened. But his explanation doesn't need to be narrated in the story again and again.
The conclusion is quite cliche but because Joe's sweetness and the other characters's awesomeness plus the cute dog, the story is still recommended.
Review is also available at TheBookOgre
December 7, 2014
3.5 stars
I would call this a cosy crime story. I like 'feel good' stories, and I like crime stories. But the combination of both didn't entirely work for me.
The story starts with a murder and what should have been seen as a heinous crime. But it wasn't handled like a crime scene, in the way I would expect, so it back came background noise. More like an opening scene created to drive a much wider plot. A plot with numerous side characters, and bits and pieces going on.
The crime throws the two main characters together, who spend a good part of the book trying to reconnect. I never figured out what drove them apart, they didn't appear to harbour any hard feelings towards each other. Peter (I think his name was) was a great guy. The dog thrown in was cute, to a point. I smile when it was first mentioned, not so much by the end of the story.
Those things aside, this was a well written story. I would recommend it to readers who like very descriptive books, ones that describe every movement, sight, smell and sound, with a bunch of fun characters and a yappy little dog.
While this can probably be read as a standalone, it took me a while to figure out who was who, and soon became clear it must be a sequel, which it is. To fully enjoy this story I would suggest you read Big Bad Wolf first.
ARC received via NetGalley
I would call this a cosy crime story. I like 'feel good' stories, and I like crime stories. But the combination of both didn't entirely work for me.
The story starts with a murder and what should have been seen as a heinous crime. But it wasn't handled like a crime scene, in the way I would expect, so it back came background noise. More like an opening scene created to drive a much wider plot. A plot with numerous side characters, and bits and pieces going on.
The crime throws the two main characters together, who spend a good part of the book trying to reconnect. I never figured out what drove them apart, they didn't appear to harbour any hard feelings towards each other. Peter (I think his name was) was a great guy. The dog thrown in was cute, to a point. I smile when it was first mentioned, not so much by the end of the story.
Those things aside, this was a well written story. I would recommend it to readers who like very descriptive books, ones that describe every movement, sight, smell and sound, with a bunch of fun characters and a yappy little dog.
While this can probably be read as a standalone, it took me a while to figure out who was who, and soon became clear it must be a sequel, which it is. To fully enjoy this story I would suggest you read Big Bad Wolf first.
ARC received via NetGalley
December 22, 2014
I have mixed feelings about this book. First off, the publisher has this categorized as erotica, which it is not. One explicit sex scene does not erotica make. I've also seen it referred to as a "Cozy", which would be the case but for a bit of pretty hot and heavy sex. Now, I have never been able to get into the Cozy genre, the underplaying of sex and downplaying of deaths are things I found annoying. However, I was able to get passed that here. I think perhaps my issue with the Cozies I've read might have been the hetero-centric nature of them, but I digress. This story was fun, and the banter of the characters kept me entertained, as did the mystery end of it. I found some of the dialogue forced and unnatural, but the sentiment behind it all was good. The characters were fun to spend time with. I regret that I had not read the first book in this series, Big Bad Wolf, but now I have motivation to seek it out! I definitely will be reading more of Zachary's works.
January 19, 2015
The best I can say about this book is that it was cute. I did not dislike the book, but it did not grab me or keep my interest in any meaningful way. Perhaps it was because the holidays were hectic, but I would read a couple of chapters and set the book aside for a few days before returning to it. Perhaps it would have helped if I had read the first book in the series.
I did appreciate how the author worked in pieces of gay history. I recall reading a book one of his customers wanted, Steam by Jay B. Laws, many years ago.
My least favorite part of the book was the conclusion. I felt let down by such a cliche resolution to the driving mystery that was the focus of the story. While I liked some of the characters, I was annoyed by some them as well.
I would consider it a decent piece of light-hearted, comedic, fluff.
Note: ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
I did appreciate how the author worked in pieces of gay history. I recall reading a book one of his customers wanted, Steam by Jay B. Laws, many years ago.
My least favorite part of the book was the conclusion. I felt let down by such a cliche resolution to the driving mystery that was the focus of the story. While I liked some of the characters, I was annoyed by some them as well.
I would consider it a decent piece of light-hearted, comedic, fluff.
Note: ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2015
I loved this story of murder, mystery, and mayhem. The main characters were very real and likeable. I grew especially fond of Joe and Paavo, the sexy detective and horror shop owner who seem to be in love with each other but won't allow themselves to fully be together. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews