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The Full Nelson #1
Secrets
Full Book One
Detective Chris Nelson and his husband Ethan are about to go on a weekend getaway to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Instead, a case comes in for Chris. The brutally murdered body of a swim coach at the local military academy was found in the pool. Seventeen-year-old cadet Alex has already confessed. It looks like an open and shut case.
However, when Chris interviews Alex and reviews the forensics, he becomes convinced Alex is innocent. Searching for the truth behind the actual murderer and why Alex would take the fall, Chris follows a trail through a series of students. He discovers they all experienced sexual abuse at the hands of the murdered swim coach. Digging deep, Chris finds further links between the school administration and the district attorney's office covering up the allegations. When he finally solves the case, it will blow the conspiracy wide open.
Detective Chris Nelson and his husband Ethan are about to go on a weekend getaway to celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Instead, a case comes in for Chris. The brutally murdered body of a swim coach at the local military academy was found in the pool. Seventeen-year-old cadet Alex has already confessed. It looks like an open and shut case.
However, when Chris interviews Alex and reviews the forensics, he becomes convinced Alex is innocent. Searching for the truth behind the actual murderer and why Alex would take the fall, Chris follows a trail through a series of students. He discovers they all experienced sexual abuse at the hands of the murdered swim coach. Digging deep, Chris finds further links between the school administration and the district attorney's office covering up the allegations. When he finally solves the case, it will blow the conspiracy wide open.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2014
6 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Erno
71 books643 followersJeff Erno currently lives in southern Michigan. He holds a bachelor's degree in business management and human resources. Jeff began writing stories in the late 1990's and initially posted them to a free online amateur website. The positive feedback he received from readers encouraged him to continue, and this eventually led to the publication of his first novel, Dumb Jock. Erno has subsequently published several other novels.
His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.
His greatest passion in life is writing, and he hopes to be able to continue sharing his work with readers worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 15, 2014
A hot cop and his flamboyant husband? Sounds like a good time. Unfortunately it just didn't work for me.
I love books about cops but this novel felt like the author didn't do any research past reading other books about cops. Chris Nelson is the same bad boy detective we've seen many times. Although only a detective for a few months, he does what he wants, when he wants. His sergeant likes to yell and swear at him but he's supportive because he knows Chris will get the job done. Although a hot shot detective, Chris is a regular guy. He requests A-1 Steak sauce at a fancy French restaurant and occasionally throws around statements like "it don't" and "I ain't." He's married to Ethan, a flamboyant, loving and supportive high school teacher. While I don't expect a great deal of originality in this subgenre, this just didn't feel real to me. Every person in the novel felt like a paper cut out. I never felt absorbed by the characters or the book as a whole.
Which is really a crappy feeling given that the plot is one I usually find poignant. Chris is investigating the murder of a military academy's swim coach. A 17 year-old boy, Alex, confessed to the murder of the coach, supposedly his lover, but Chris soon realizes there's no way the boy could've committed the murder. However, Chris finds that Alex had an excellent reason to murder his coach -- who wasn't his lover but a child molester. Alex was just one of his many victims. This is just the start of Chris' investigation. The author clearly did his research into the grooming of children for sexual molestation. I can tell he sincerely wanted to portray the effects of molestation on victims. Usually such a plot would have me upset and crying, but I could not feel it. I wasn't engaged. It was just words on a page.
To add heat there are several sex scenes between Chris and Ethan. At one point Ethan dresses up in Chris's former uniform and handcuffs him to the bed. They then play cop and criminal for the second time in the novel. However, at the same time this is going on, they've got two victims of molestation sleeping in their living room. In what I assume is a one-bedroom apartment. It felt completely inappropriate and it's the only part of the novel that got a reaction out of me.
While not a truly bad novel, I just wasn't interested.
**Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
March 24, 2015
3.5
First and foremost this is a murder mystery. Chris and Ethan are a well established couple and while there are some fun scenes with them together (they do love their role playing) and they obviously love an support each other, their relationship is not the focus of the book.
The mystery story moved along well and kept me interested. Chris is having trouble adjusting to his new partner, which also affected his investigation. I would have liked a little more development of Chris's character as a detective. He seemed to have a lot of pull on the job, while still being a relatively young officer. Overall it was a quick, enjoyable read.
First and foremost this is a murder mystery. Chris and Ethan are a well established couple and while there are some fun scenes with them together (they do love their role playing) and they obviously love an support each other, their relationship is not the focus of the book.
The mystery story moved along well and kept me interested. Chris is having trouble adjusting to his new partner, which also affected his investigation. I would have liked a little more development of Chris's character as a detective. He seemed to have a lot of pull on the job, while still being a relatively young officer. Overall it was a quick, enjoyable read.
October 22, 2014
Secrets (Full Nelson, #1)
By Jeff Erno
Four stars
Detective Chris Nelson just wants to have a romantic weekend with his husband, Ethan. But his boss hands him a case that he knows he won’t be able to resist.
A high school senior at a military academy has confessed to killing his swim coach. The boy claims that the coach was his lover. Chris’s boss doesn’t believe the confession.
It’s a good thing Ethan is used to Chris’s obsessive work habits.
What a nice world in which an out gay cop can get the support he needs at his job and at home. What a sad world in which adolescent boys are abused by the very people who are supposed to mentor and protect them.
Jeff Erno’s “Secrets” is the first of what I hope will be a good long series of mysteries. The straightforward writing, compelling plot and likeable characters come together to make a quick, interesting read. The storyline is disturbing, particularly for a gay man with two kids (that would be me). But it is the counterpoint between Chris and Ethan’s life and the ugliness in which the students are caught up that gives the book its punch. This is a cop story for a changing world. It is not bleak; it is hopeful.
I wanted to get a better sense of Chris and Ethan, oddly enough. Their dynamic as a couple is very nicely portrayed, but I didn’t get a sense of what they look like or how they compare with each other. It’s odd, especially since the physical characteristics of the students is an important ongoing thread.
And, just to be annoying, I have to say that here is one of those contemporary m/m books in which the sex scenes are really not necessary. It’s not that I don’t want the characters to have a good sex life; it’s that I don’t need it described in detail (although Erno does a good job of it). Knowing that they are a successful couple and that they love each other is, really, enough for me. This is a book in which appropriate, loving gay sexual activity is contrasted to inappropriate, criminal sexual abuse. Erno gives us the emotions; we don’t need diagrams.
Can’t wait to see what Chris Nelson gets up to next.
By Jeff Erno
Four stars
Detective Chris Nelson just wants to have a romantic weekend with his husband, Ethan. But his boss hands him a case that he knows he won’t be able to resist.
A high school senior at a military academy has confessed to killing his swim coach. The boy claims that the coach was his lover. Chris’s boss doesn’t believe the confession.
It’s a good thing Ethan is used to Chris’s obsessive work habits.
What a nice world in which an out gay cop can get the support he needs at his job and at home. What a sad world in which adolescent boys are abused by the very people who are supposed to mentor and protect them.
Jeff Erno’s “Secrets” is the first of what I hope will be a good long series of mysteries. The straightforward writing, compelling plot and likeable characters come together to make a quick, interesting read. The storyline is disturbing, particularly for a gay man with two kids (that would be me). But it is the counterpoint between Chris and Ethan’s life and the ugliness in which the students are caught up that gives the book its punch. This is a cop story for a changing world. It is not bleak; it is hopeful.
I wanted to get a better sense of Chris and Ethan, oddly enough. Their dynamic as a couple is very nicely portrayed, but I didn’t get a sense of what they look like or how they compare with each other. It’s odd, especially since the physical characteristics of the students is an important ongoing thread.
And, just to be annoying, I have to say that here is one of those contemporary m/m books in which the sex scenes are really not necessary. It’s not that I don’t want the characters to have a good sex life; it’s that I don’t need it described in detail (although Erno does a good job of it). Knowing that they are a successful couple and that they love each other is, really, enough for me. This is a book in which appropriate, loving gay sexual activity is contrasted to inappropriate, criminal sexual abuse. Erno gives us the emotions; we don’t need diagrams.
Can’t wait to see what Chris Nelson gets up to next.
October 31, 2020
I have to confess this is the first time I've every done this, write a review for a book that I haven't fully finished but I'm 90% done and I'm not feeling like there's anything earthshaking that's going to change my mind and this is my last chance to do this before getting ready to go on vacation for a week so it's now or never...well not really never.
I've really been looking forward to this book. I thought it sounded good. I love a good mystery and this one felt like it would deliver which it did in a way. My problem was that the story I got fell short of the story I was expecting. The elements were all there we have a gay cop with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, married to an adorable school teacher, we have a murder, we have a killer who's confessed but has more holes in his story than swiss cheese and we have a raft of potential candidates and everybody has a secret they're keeping that gets in the way of Chris Nelson (our cop) solving the puzzle that is his latest assignment but also leads him to a motive that would fill any decent person with rage and a lack of guilt over our victims demise, I know I was. Also did I forget to mention that Chris"OH HELL NO I WORK ALONE" gets a new partner and this woman's got spine so she doesn't back down just because Chris growls a little. So many things there to make a good and interesting story and yet at times for want of a better description I was bored, my attention wandered.
So at the end, or nearly the end. It was an ok story and I have every intention of finishing it. I also have every intention of reading book #2 and #3. I'm hoping as is sometimes the case with a series that each successive book brings more life and detail to the characters and that just like a real relationship the authors comfort with the characters translates to a smoother more fluid relationship in the story and I start to feel the connection between the MCs that the author is trying to establish. So while this was not a great read for me, it's still one worth pursuing at least for a little longer.
I've really been looking forward to this book. I thought it sounded good. I love a good mystery and this one felt like it would deliver which it did in a way. My problem was that the story I got fell short of the story I was expecting. The elements were all there we have a gay cop with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, married to an adorable school teacher, we have a murder, we have a killer who's confessed but has more holes in his story than swiss cheese and we have a raft of potential candidates and everybody has a secret they're keeping that gets in the way of Chris Nelson (our cop) solving the puzzle that is his latest assignment but also leads him to a motive that would fill any decent person with rage and a lack of guilt over our victims demise, I know I was. Also did I forget to mention that Chris"OH HELL NO I WORK ALONE" gets a new partner and this woman's got spine so she doesn't back down just because Chris growls a little. So many things there to make a good and interesting story and yet at times for want of a better description I was bored, my attention wandered.
So at the end, or nearly the end. It was an ok story and I have every intention of finishing it. I also have every intention of reading book #2 and #3. I'm hoping as is sometimes the case with a series that each successive book brings more life and detail to the characters and that just like a real relationship the authors comfort with the characters translates to a smoother more fluid relationship in the story and I start to feel the connection between the MCs that the author is trying to establish. So while this was not a great read for me, it's still one worth pursuing at least for a little longer.
October 10, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is nothing like the other Jeff Erno books I have read, and although I have found Erno to address some pretty serious, deep, and perhaps controversial subjects in the past, this one was quite a switch. A murder mystery centered around a child molester, definitely a tough topic for anyone to stomach. There is some extremely well written dialogue and character interaction that actually had me laughing at all the right places, providing some levity, and not allowing the story to become too dark. This may sound a little heartless, but I assure you it was very well addressed and made the characters, all of them, that much more realistic.
The mystery part was extremely well done as I had no idea who the culprit was until the very end (and that, my friends is rare for me). In fact, I guessed two different people as the murderer and was wrong both times. The other thing that I found interesting is that there was a good deal of follow-up after the main conflict, leaving me a bit dumbfounded (in a good way) as the additional revelations unfolded. Erno did not just stop where it was easy, but rather added layers to the plot that enriched the reading experience for me.
Read Jason’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is nothing like the other Jeff Erno books I have read, and although I have found Erno to address some pretty serious, deep, and perhaps controversial subjects in the past, this one was quite a switch. A murder mystery centered around a child molester, definitely a tough topic for anyone to stomach. There is some extremely well written dialogue and character interaction that actually had me laughing at all the right places, providing some levity, and not allowing the story to become too dark. This may sound a little heartless, but I assure you it was very well addressed and made the characters, all of them, that much more realistic.
The mystery part was extremely well done as I had no idea who the culprit was until the very end (and that, my friends is rare for me). In fact, I guessed two different people as the murderer and was wrong both times. The other thing that I found interesting is that there was a good deal of follow-up after the main conflict, leaving me a bit dumbfounded (in a good way) as the additional revelations unfolded. Erno did not just stop where it was easy, but rather added layers to the plot that enriched the reading experience for me.
Read Jason’s review in its entirety here.
September 14, 2014
So Much More Than a Murder Mystery & Love Story
"Secrets" is hardly an overstatement as a title for this romp. Detective Chris Nelson and his husband Ethan seem like such an oddly matched couple that it hardly seems to matter that Chris is the dominant force, not only in the relationship but also in the book's narrative. Then all hell breaks loose and you see that this is not only a match made in heaven, but that sometimes partners don't realize how deeply they love each other until threatened with the loss of one or the other.
The plot here, ostensibly about the criminal abuse of young, blue eyed, blond cadets at a military academy by an unscrupulous lone wolf swimming coach, actually only begins with his murder and the solving of the crime. That will keep you turning the pages until all of a sudden you see that there's at least 25% of the book left.
What the heck else can happen?
Oh, you'd be surprised. One of the best all-around, deeply moving and straight-out "this is the way it's going to be" books from Jeff Erno, this one had me abandoning all others I was reading until I finished it. Chances are the same thing will happen to you. Go for it.
"Secrets" is hardly an overstatement as a title for this romp. Detective Chris Nelson and his husband Ethan seem like such an oddly matched couple that it hardly seems to matter that Chris is the dominant force, not only in the relationship but also in the book's narrative. Then all hell breaks loose and you see that this is not only a match made in heaven, but that sometimes partners don't realize how deeply they love each other until threatened with the loss of one or the other.
The plot here, ostensibly about the criminal abuse of young, blue eyed, blond cadets at a military academy by an unscrupulous lone wolf swimming coach, actually only begins with his murder and the solving of the crime. That will keep you turning the pages until all of a sudden you see that there's at least 25% of the book left.
What the heck else can happen?
Oh, you'd be surprised. One of the best all-around, deeply moving and straight-out "this is the way it's going to be" books from Jeff Erno, this one had me abandoning all others I was reading until I finished it. Chances are the same thing will happen to you. Go for it.
September 30, 2014
I quite enjoyed this tale.
I liked the mystery, it dealt with a terrible subject and explained the processes and the networks that paedophiles set up. I found the testemony of the victims interesting and saddening, and poor David, hopefully he can come back from where he is.
Chris as a police officer seemed a bit maverick and heading for a write up - he seemed almost out of control! But I liked him and I'm sure he and his new partner will have lots of drama in future!
Chris and Ethan were the icing - very sweet, cant have too much but great when you have it!
Won this book on Sinfully Sexy, will look out for book 2
I liked the mystery, it dealt with a terrible subject and explained the processes and the networks that paedophiles set up. I found the testemony of the victims interesting and saddening, and poor David, hopefully he can come back from where he is.
Chris as a police officer seemed a bit maverick and heading for a write up - he seemed almost out of control! But I liked him and I'm sure he and his new partner will have lots of drama in future!
Chris and Ethan were the icing - very sweet, cant have too much but great when you have it!
Won this book on Sinfully Sexy, will look out for book 2
July 30, 2017
As a crime novel this is possibly one of the worst I have read. Even the charaterisation is beyond poor. A plot so thin you can see through it and as for plot twists the best I can describe them as is a minor side step.
February 15, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
3.5 stars
Chris Nelson loves his job as a Detective with the police department, but sometimes his passion for his work overtakes his real life — much to his school teacher husband Ethan’s loving resignation and his boss Marcus’s delight. When he’s thrown an irresistible case as he’s walking out the door on a Friday afternoon, leaving for an anniversary get-a-way with Ethan, he knows he’s going to have it on his mind the whole time.
It involves a young cadet who’s confessed to murdering his coach/lover at a local military academy. The initial details are that in a fit of jealousy, 17-year old Alex Beauchamp used a bat to bash in the head of Coach James Stewart, a much larger, older man. Then, according to the evidence, he carried him from the locker room to the indoor pool area. He then dumped Stewart’s unconscious body into the pool and left him to drown. Alex’s finger prints were found on a bat at the scene of the crime.
Chris just doesn’t buy the logistics, and by Saturday he’s at the jail interviewing Alex. He fears that Alex is protecting someone by confessing to the crime… especially since he doesn’t even seem aware of all of the facts of the crime.
By the time Monday rolls around, Chris is not only up to his neck in the case, but he also gets another surprise: a new partner. He doesn’t do partners, ever. Plus, the new partner’s a women. A knockout redhead with an attitude to match, Geraldine “Geri” Spence doesn’t give Chris an inch of space to maneuver around her, so he’s stuck with her for the duration of the investigation. Will this Lone Ranger alpha detective learn to share on the job in time to solve the case?
As the investigation starts to build and the partners begin interviewing not only Alex but his classmates, a picture emerges of swim coach James Stewart that’s not as wholesome as he first appeared. Information obtained from a search of Alex’s room and laptop gives them more leads, especially a magazine they find as well as numerous emails between Alex and Shane, his former roommate and fellow victim. When alleged abuse of other boys begins to surface, an ugly pattern begins to appear that’s corroborated after an initial search of Stewart’s home uncovers explicit, damaging evidence.
Armed with more information, Chris and Geri return to the Academy only to be stonewalled by the headmaster. Major Greyson is extremely angered by the investigation and the unsavory attention it’s placing on the Academy. He continues to call Coach Stewart a leader at the school, the molestation allegations hogwash, and refuses to admit to any prior knowledge of the abuse. But is that the truth? Or as they assert, did the five boys in the Survivors Club really confront him? Will another witness at the school step forward and do the right thing? Does Curtis Edwards, former assistant to Coach Stewart and now Resident Assistant to the middle school boys, know anything? Or will the culture of “honor” keep everyone who could save an innocent 17-year-old boy silent?
I enjoyed the novel very much. The author made the lifestyle of a married gay couple become a very real, normal part of the story. I could feel their connection and enjoyed their easy banter. The plot was well thought out with a lot of suspense, action, and surprising twists that kept me guessing until the end.
However, with such an engrossing mystery, I would like to see the author try to use the background and surroundings more. In a lot of my absolutely favorite mystery novels, the setting is as much a character as the people are. Unfortunately, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t figure out where they were! And I’d love to know more about the office, their coworkers, their families, siblings, etc. It would help enrich the story and make me feel more involved. I’d like to feel like I could walk into their apartment and recognize it, or know some personal tick of the characters. And the subject matter really lent itself to some very gritty environmental descriptions, which I’d love to see in the next book in the series. Thanks for the suspenseful read!
3.5 stars
Chris Nelson loves his job as a Detective with the police department, but sometimes his passion for his work overtakes his real life — much to his school teacher husband Ethan’s loving resignation and his boss Marcus’s delight. When he’s thrown an irresistible case as he’s walking out the door on a Friday afternoon, leaving for an anniversary get-a-way with Ethan, he knows he’s going to have it on his mind the whole time.
It involves a young cadet who’s confessed to murdering his coach/lover at a local military academy. The initial details are that in a fit of jealousy, 17-year old Alex Beauchamp used a bat to bash in the head of Coach James Stewart, a much larger, older man. Then, according to the evidence, he carried him from the locker room to the indoor pool area. He then dumped Stewart’s unconscious body into the pool and left him to drown. Alex’s finger prints were found on a bat at the scene of the crime.
Chris just doesn’t buy the logistics, and by Saturday he’s at the jail interviewing Alex. He fears that Alex is protecting someone by confessing to the crime… especially since he doesn’t even seem aware of all of the facts of the crime.
By the time Monday rolls around, Chris is not only up to his neck in the case, but he also gets another surprise: a new partner. He doesn’t do partners, ever. Plus, the new partner’s a women. A knockout redhead with an attitude to match, Geraldine “Geri” Spence doesn’t give Chris an inch of space to maneuver around her, so he’s stuck with her for the duration of the investigation. Will this Lone Ranger alpha detective learn to share on the job in time to solve the case?
As the investigation starts to build and the partners begin interviewing not only Alex but his classmates, a picture emerges of swim coach James Stewart that’s not as wholesome as he first appeared. Information obtained from a search of Alex’s room and laptop gives them more leads, especially a magazine they find as well as numerous emails between Alex and Shane, his former roommate and fellow victim. When alleged abuse of other boys begins to surface, an ugly pattern begins to appear that’s corroborated after an initial search of Stewart’s home uncovers explicit, damaging evidence.
Armed with more information, Chris and Geri return to the Academy only to be stonewalled by the headmaster. Major Greyson is extremely angered by the investigation and the unsavory attention it’s placing on the Academy. He continues to call Coach Stewart a leader at the school, the molestation allegations hogwash, and refuses to admit to any prior knowledge of the abuse. But is that the truth? Or as they assert, did the five boys in the Survivors Club really confront him? Will another witness at the school step forward and do the right thing? Does Curtis Edwards, former assistant to Coach Stewart and now Resident Assistant to the middle school boys, know anything? Or will the culture of “honor” keep everyone who could save an innocent 17-year-old boy silent?
I enjoyed the novel very much. The author made the lifestyle of a married gay couple become a very real, normal part of the story. I could feel their connection and enjoyed their easy banter. The plot was well thought out with a lot of suspense, action, and surprising twists that kept me guessing until the end.
However, with such an engrossing mystery, I would like to see the author try to use the background and surroundings more. In a lot of my absolutely favorite mystery novels, the setting is as much a character as the people are. Unfortunately, as hard as I tried, I couldn’t figure out where they were! And I’d love to know more about the office, their coworkers, their families, siblings, etc. It would help enrich the story and make me feel more involved. I’d like to feel like I could walk into their apartment and recognize it, or know some personal tick of the characters. And the subject matter really lent itself to some very gritty environmental descriptions, which I’d love to see in the next book in the series. Thanks for the suspenseful read!
March 17, 2015
For the most part, I really liked Secrets. While the idea of a school teacher sexually abusing his students and ending up murdered is not new, I enjoyed the way in which Mr. Erno presented the story. I am not a reader who tries to figure out “who done it” before the reveal; rather I prefer to go with the flow of the story and watch events unfold. I might have my suspicions as to who is responsible, but I try to refrain from jumping to conclusions. That said, I have to say that for one of the people who was involved – I never saw it coming, he was not even on my radar. And as more and more of the facts surrounding the case were unveiled, the level of conspiracy involved was astounding, yet presented in such a way that it was a believable story.
I enjoyed Mr. Erno’s writing style and felt that he treated a sensitive subject carefully. He infused the right amount of suspense into the story as Chris worked to clear an innocent kid’s name, while trying to find the actual party responsible. Chris’s reaction to a new partner when he’d been assured that he could work alone was authentic as was his reaction when he thought she had betrayed him. His relationship with his husband Ethan was clearly loving and I enjoyed most of their interactions.
Oddly enough, the part of the book that didn’t work for me was the part I expected to enjoy the most. If you’ve read my reviews before you know I am a fan of m/m romance. Yet with the exception of the opening sex scene – which was freaking hot – the remaining sex scenes kind of fell flat for me. They just felt contrived, as if they were added to the story solely for the purpose of having m/m sex scenes in the book. But despite this minor issue, Secrets was a great romantic suspense and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Erno’s writing and this series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
I enjoyed Mr. Erno’s writing style and felt that he treated a sensitive subject carefully. He infused the right amount of suspense into the story as Chris worked to clear an innocent kid’s name, while trying to find the actual party responsible. Chris’s reaction to a new partner when he’d been assured that he could work alone was authentic as was his reaction when he thought she had betrayed him. His relationship with his husband Ethan was clearly loving and I enjoyed most of their interactions.
Oddly enough, the part of the book that didn’t work for me was the part I expected to enjoy the most. If you’ve read my reviews before you know I am a fan of m/m romance. Yet with the exception of the opening sex scene – which was freaking hot – the remaining sex scenes kind of fell flat for me. They just felt contrived, as if they were added to the story solely for the purpose of having m/m sex scenes in the book. But despite this minor issue, Secrets was a great romantic suspense and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Erno’s writing and this series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!
November 7, 2014
I finished this book this morning. It was a short read but it interested me enough that I went looking to see if there was or would be a sequel. I'm happy to say that the answer is yes. Glitter is on its way.
The premise is promising. The swim coach at a boys' academy is murdered and someone has confessed to the crime. Enter detective, Chris. Chris is openly gay and is living very happily with his husband, Ethan. Chris doesn't want the job, he wants to spend a romantic weekend with Ethan. Of course, this is not quite happens.
The confession does not ring true and Ethan investigates even though Alex is not going to help. There's a lot more to this murder.
I felt when reading the story that both Chris and Ethan were younger than they should have been. They are a devoted couple and they have a love of living which makes them nice to read about.
What I want to see in the next book is character development. This is one of the main reasons that I read series. I like watching the characters grow.
This story is a good one and I'm hoping that Glitter will prove to be a good sequel which will add to my understanding of Chris and Ethan.
Recommended.
The premise is promising. The swim coach at a boys' academy is murdered and someone has confessed to the crime. Enter detective, Chris. Chris is openly gay and is living very happily with his husband, Ethan. Chris doesn't want the job, he wants to spend a romantic weekend with Ethan. Of course, this is not quite happens.
The confession does not ring true and Ethan investigates even though Alex is not going to help. There's a lot more to this murder.
I felt when reading the story that both Chris and Ethan were younger than they should have been. They are a devoted couple and they have a love of living which makes them nice to read about.
What I want to see in the next book is character development. This is one of the main reasons that I read series. I like watching the characters grow.
This story is a good one and I'm hoping that Glitter will prove to be a good sequel which will add to my understanding of Chris and Ethan.
Recommended.
November 10, 2014
Secrets was a short, suspenseful and interesting read, and a book I ended up enjoying much more than I had expected from the start (not that I expected an uninteresting book, but still ... I began reading without preset expectations, but then often those are the best reads).
It is important to remember though that this is not a romance. Chris Nelson is already a married man, and his relationship plays a part in the story, but it is far from the main focus for this book - the mystery is. Or rather solving the murder case is. Then it turned out this is about so much more than a simple "who did it".
The mystery had me hooked almost immediately, it was interesting and I wasn't prepared for the final turn of event s toward the end; a happy surprise for me. I also liked (maybe the wrong word here, but I'll use it in lack of a better one) how Erno approach the subject of child molestation. The picture he made describing the pedophile's grooming of the victims feels realistic and made this both a really good read as well as an important and interesting one.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
It is important to remember though that this is not a romance. Chris Nelson is already a married man, and his relationship plays a part in the story, but it is far from the main focus for this book - the mystery is. Or rather solving the murder case is. Then it turned out this is about so much more than a simple "who did it".
The mystery had me hooked almost immediately, it was interesting and I wasn't prepared for the final turn of event s toward the end; a happy surprise for me. I also liked (maybe the wrong word here, but I'll use it in lack of a better one) how Erno approach the subject of child molestation. The picture he made describing the pedophile's grooming of the victims feels realistic and made this both a really good read as well as an important and interesting one.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
September 15, 2014
This is the first book I have read by this author ... And I am really happy I decided to get it ...
What I love about this book is that Chris and Ethan are an established couple ... That is really the fundamental part of the story.
Chris is a detective and Ethan is a school teacher. Also has a soup kitchen. As per Chris , Ethan is the perfect husband.
Chris has taken a case of a teacher found dead and the accused is one of the students , Alex ...
Chris thinks that Alex is innocent ... And will do all he can to prove his innocence.
Detective work ...a new partner and intrigue ...
This book has it all ... Also the love between Chris and Ethan is a beautiful thing to read ...
Bravo !
What I love about this book is that Chris and Ethan are an established couple ... That is really the fundamental part of the story.
Chris is a detective and Ethan is a school teacher. Also has a soup kitchen. As per Chris , Ethan is the perfect husband.
Chris has taken a case of a teacher found dead and the accused is one of the students , Alex ...
Chris thinks that Alex is innocent ... And will do all he can to prove his innocence.
Detective work ...a new partner and intrigue ...
This book has it all ... Also the love between Chris and Ethan is a beautiful thing to read ...
Bravo !
November 2, 2014
I literally loved this book.
It's not the usual m/m romance..nope...it's a crime and if you want a "light" story, this is not for you.
Chris is a Detective that has to find the real murderer of coach Stewart. He used to be the coach of the swim team in a military school but what Chris will find out about Stewart, will make you feel sick: he's an abuser and his fave victims are 12 years old kids with blond hair and blue eyes. The death of the coach brings relief to his victims and when Alex, an ex victim, confesses to be his murderer, everybody think that the case is solved.
WRONG!
Lies, secrets, revelations will keep you biting your nails from page one to the end.
Jeff Erno did a really good job with this book so I can't wait to read book two of this series.
It's not the usual m/m romance..nope...it's a crime and if you want a "light" story, this is not for you.
Chris is a Detective that has to find the real murderer of coach Stewart. He used to be the coach of the swim team in a military school but what Chris will find out about Stewart, will make you feel sick: he's an abuser and his fave victims are 12 years old kids with blond hair and blue eyes. The death of the coach brings relief to his victims and when Alex, an ex victim, confesses to be his murderer, everybody think that the case is solved.
WRONG!
Lies, secrets, revelations will keep you biting your nails from page one to the end.
Jeff Erno did a really good job with this book so I can't wait to read book two of this series.
March 14, 2015
Reviewed by Brandilyn for Prism Book Alliance. Some books blow me away. That could be a good thing or a WTF? thing. However, most books I read and review fall into the middle somewhere, neither epically good or horrendously bad. Those are the 3 and 4 star range books, and they are the hardest to review. Secrets by Jeff Erno falls into this category for me. Find the whole review at http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
September 18, 2014
2,5 stars
Short novel but at same time long,some time flat. Chris isn't the best cop character that I have read of. The issues portrait are important and very dramatic so overall it is a good story but I didn't feel enthralled completely.
Short novel but at same time long,some time flat. Chris isn't the best cop character that I have read of. The issues portrait are important and very dramatic so overall it is a good story but I didn't feel enthralled completely.
September 14, 2019
Good mystery with some decent plot twists towards the end of the story. Not much subtlety. Still, it's got an excellent relationship between the MC and his husband, so that's a little bit of a bonus. It's not going onto any top ten lists, but still a solidly written book.
November 13, 2014
3.5 stars
Overall I enjoyed reading this story despite the fact that it deals with the sad issue of childhood sexual abuse.
Overall I enjoyed reading this story despite the fact that it deals with the sad issue of childhood sexual abuse.
March 25, 2016
3.5 stars
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