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Necessary Evils
Villains & Vigilantes: A Necessary Evils Anthology
Trick. Treat. Take out the trash.
Welcome to the most unhinged Mulvaney party yet. The costumes are couture, the littles are under lock and key, and the ultimate villain is about to get exactly what she deserves.
What starts as a Halloween gala turns into a house-wide hunt as the Mulvaneys, Jericho’s Boys, and the men of Elite close ranks to end a monster’s reign for good. One brother takes a hit but refuses to stay down. Asa proves why psychopaths deliver the sweetest revenge. Mac and Archer demonstrate exactly what they teach at the Watch. Jericho, Atticus, Lucas, and August bond over a little creative torture. And in the heart of Aiden’s workshop, a righteous invention guarantees permanent justice.
Between traps, taunts, and vigilante vows, this anthology serves dark humor, feral family, and heat—plus bonus stories from the night before the party and an exclusive masked hook-up that lights the fuse for a future Jericho’s Boys couple. Cameos abound, couples get spooky and spicy, and the Mulvaney littles prove the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Perfect for readers who crave found family with teeth, Villains & Vigilantes delivers a cathartic, high-octane coda to a long-running evil—and a reminder that when the Mulvaneys say they’ll keep you safe, they mean it.
Welcome to the most unhinged Mulvaney party yet. The costumes are couture, the littles are under lock and key, and the ultimate villain is about to get exactly what she deserves.
What starts as a Halloween gala turns into a house-wide hunt as the Mulvaneys, Jericho’s Boys, and the men of Elite close ranks to end a monster’s reign for good. One brother takes a hit but refuses to stay down. Asa proves why psychopaths deliver the sweetest revenge. Mac and Archer demonstrate exactly what they teach at the Watch. Jericho, Atticus, Lucas, and August bond over a little creative torture. And in the heart of Aiden’s workshop, a righteous invention guarantees permanent justice.
Between traps, taunts, and vigilante vows, this anthology serves dark humor, feral family, and heat—plus bonus stories from the night before the party and an exclusive masked hook-up that lights the fuse for a future Jericho’s Boys couple. Cameos abound, couples get spooky and spicy, and the Mulvaney littles prove the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Perfect for readers who crave found family with teeth, Villains & Vigilantes delivers a cathartic, high-octane coda to a long-running evil—and a reminder that when the Mulvaneys say they’ll keep you safe, they mean it.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
182 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Onley James
41 books3,878 followersOnley James lives in North Carolina with her daughter, her daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and a menagerie of animals, both good and evil. James splits her time between writing m/m romance and mainlining dangerous levels of caffeine and attempting to maintain her ever-slipping sanity.
When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do while avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television and doom scrolling on social media. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.
Stay up to date: www.onleyjames.com/newsletter
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onley...
Want more: linktr.ee/OnleyJames
When not at her desk you can find her whining about how much writing she has to do while avoiding said writing by binge-watching unhealthy amounts of television and doom scrolling on social media. She loves true crime documentaries, anti-heroes, and writing kinky, snarky books about morally gray men who fall in love with other men.
Stay up to date: www.onleyjames.com/newsletter
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Onley...
Want more: linktr.ee/OnleyJames
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 7, 2025
Villains & Vigilantes is the second anthology of Necessary Evils short stories Onley James has compiled and published since the series officially ended. These stories were only previously available to be read if you were a subscriber to her Patreon. While the first anthology, Families & Felonies, focused mainly on the events surrounding a family BBQ weekend at the Mulvaney compound, this anthology focuses on an extra-special Halloween party Thomas is hosting with the theme being (of course) villains and vigilantes. It’s such an on-the-nose dad joke from Thomas it makes me giggle.
My favorite story is definitely the second one, titled “The Exorcism”, in which August and Lucas’ daughters get into trouble with the nuns at St. Agnes’ for very accurate playacting, brilliant resourcefulness, and eating too many communion wafers. After that, the story that opens the anthology, “The Phone Call”, made me feel like being hugged with the Necessary Evils form of nostalgia. It pointed at both the past and the future of the Mulvaney clan, and I will never pass up a story told through Noah’s eyes because he’s a honey peach sugar plum.
After those first two stories each one moves sequentially toward the Halloween party, through the party, and to the end before hitting what could be considered four stories tangentially connected to the events of this anthology.
The thing I love the most about the Necessary Evils is how all of these men (even Thomas) were born to bad people or bad situations, so they clawed their way to the best people and made them their family with blood and loyalty. You know how the saying goes that the blood of the covenant is stronger than the water of the womb? That’s what it is about the Mulvaneys. Their covenant to one another is soaked in so much blood nothing could ever wash it away. The loyalty runs so deep that almost everyone they touch becomes a communal Mulvaney, even if just by association. Give a Mulvaney an inch and they’ll take ten miles and not even act like they’re sorry for showing you what their new supercar can do. 4⭐️
File Under: Romance Anthology/Dark Comedy/Disability Rep/Dark Romance/Gay Romance/LGBTQ Romance/MM Romance/Psychological Romance/Spice Level 3/Age Gap/Billionaire Romance/Forbidden Romance/Found Family/Kink Friendly/Morally Gray/Vigilantes
My favorite story is definitely the second one, titled “The Exorcism”, in which August and Lucas’ daughters get into trouble with the nuns at St. Agnes’ for very accurate playacting, brilliant resourcefulness, and eating too many communion wafers. After that, the story that opens the anthology, “The Phone Call”, made me feel like being hugged with the Necessary Evils form of nostalgia. It pointed at both the past and the future of the Mulvaney clan, and I will never pass up a story told through Noah’s eyes because he’s a honey peach sugar plum.
After those first two stories each one moves sequentially toward the Halloween party, through the party, and to the end before hitting what could be considered four stories tangentially connected to the events of this anthology.
The thing I love the most about the Necessary Evils is how all of these men (even Thomas) were born to bad people or bad situations, so they clawed their way to the best people and made them their family with blood and loyalty. You know how the saying goes that the blood of the covenant is stronger than the water of the womb? That’s what it is about the Mulvaneys. Their covenant to one another is soaked in so much blood nothing could ever wash it away. The loyalty runs so deep that almost everyone they touch becomes a communal Mulvaney, even if just by association. Give a Mulvaney an inch and they’ll take ten miles and not even act like they’re sorry for showing you what their new supercar can do. 4⭐️
File Under: Romance Anthology/Dark Comedy/Disability Rep/Dark Romance/Gay Romance/LGBTQ Romance/MM Romance/Psychological Romance/Spice Level 3/Age Gap/Billionaire Romance/Forbidden Romance/Found Family/Kink Friendly/Morally Gray/Vigilantes
December 7, 2025
Kocham rodzinę Mulvaney - zarówno tę oryginalną, ich partnerów i wszystkich, którzy dołączyli do niej na przestrzeni lat. Onley James stworzyła swoje uniwersum i mogę czytać jej książki w nieskończoność (co nie znaczy, że czasem też się nie rozczaruję, ekhem, Barbarian...). Ale największą miłością darzę "Necessary Evils", więc ogromnie się ucieszyłam z tej antologii, zwłaszcza że prawie wszystkie opowiadania składają się na wspólną fabułę (plus, możemy dowiedzieć się, czego możemy spodziewać się po dalszych tomach Jericho's Boys").
Cudownie było spotkać wszystkich, zobaczyć, co u nich słychać (i na szczęście nie było za dużo o dzieciach) i w końcu poznać rozwiązanie jednego z problemów. Uwielbiam relacje między bohaterami i i naprawdę mogłabym czytać, i czytać, i czytać o ich interakcjach do znudzenia.
Choć i tak najlepsze są czaty grupowe, popłakałam się ze śmiechu czytając ten zawarty w tym tomie :D (dobrze, dokładnie to jedno zdanie, ale i tak było warto).
Cudownie było spotkać wszystkich, zobaczyć, co u nich słychać (i na szczęście nie było za dużo o dzieciach) i w końcu poznać rozwiązanie jednego z problemów. Uwielbiam relacje między bohaterami i i naprawdę mogłabym czytać, i czytać, i czytać o ich interakcjach do znudzenia.
Choć i tak najlepsze są czaty grupowe, popłakałam się ze śmiechu czytając ten zawarty w tym tomie :D (dobrze, dokładnie to jedno zdanie, ale i tak było warto).
January 3, 2026
Halloween cash grab
from queen of broken promises.
Don't read; won't miss much.
from queen of broken promises.
Don't read; won't miss much.
January 4, 2026
This one was good. I liked the story as well as the switches between the povs.
December 7, 2025
Murdery revenge, Mulvaney-style. With all the snarky banter, spice, and surprisingly emotional psychopaths we’ve come to love from this chaotic family.
February 22, 2026
oh my GOD!! i had so much fun reading this one.
like… genuinely so satisfying to read. i don’t even know how to explain it properly. i was just having the best time the whole way through.
the kind of book where you don’t want anyone talking to you because you’re BUSY enjoying yourself.
should i be part of this psycho family?
i haven’t read Jericho’s Boys yet, so i’ll admit i skipped those chapters (i’ll come back later, i promise), but everything else i loved.
the different POVs, seeing how each of them acted and interacted.. it was just great. amazing.
like… genuinely so satisfying to read. i don’t even know how to explain it properly. i was just having the best time the whole way through.
the kind of book where you don’t want anyone talking to you because you’re BUSY enjoying yourself.
should i be part of this psycho family?
i haven’t read Jericho’s Boys yet, so i’ll admit i skipped those chapters (i’ll come back later, i promise), but everything else i loved.
the different POVs, seeing how each of them acted and interacted.. it was just great. amazing.
December 12, 2025
December 2025
Kindle edition
Nice to revisit the family. As always faves were Freckles and Jericho, could always do with more of them. Nice little pass of the baton. Avi felt a little background, the core four have become just that. What a way to go. Ouch. They really don't mess around when it comes to protecting their own. Group chat was fun. Curious about Jordan and Matty and what they've been up to. Interesting pairings.
Kindle edition
Nice to revisit the family. As always faves were Freckles and Jericho, could always do with more of them. Nice little pass of the baton. Avi felt a little background, the core four have become just that. What a way to go. Ouch. They really don't mess around when it comes to protecting their own. Group chat was fun. Curious about Jordan and Matty and what they've been up to. Interesting pairings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2025
Do it again
The Mulvany's are up to their misfits selves for their annual Halloween bash at the homestead and everyone's invited. From Jericho s boys, to a few new faces this one is gonna be epic and its about time for this person to pay the ultimate price.
The Mulvany's are up to their misfits selves for their annual Halloween bash at the homestead and everyone's invited. From Jericho s boys, to a few new faces this one is gonna be epic and its about time for this person to pay the ultimate price.
January 21, 2026
Halloween Hunt
It's Halloween night and there's a big party planned for the Mulvaney family and their connected families.
This is the one where we finally see what happens to Bev, Zane's mum. It's as dark and fun as you'd expect.
It's Halloween night and there's a big party planned for the Mulvaney family and their connected families.
This is the one where we finally see what happens to Bev, Zane's mum. It's as dark and fun as you'd expect.
March 28, 2026
(3.5) i am always going to like everything about this saga, but this one felt a little lacking… i guess since i have my favorite couples and at the end this was more about the new ones i was not completely feeling it but anyways, i missed my crazy family
December 16, 2025
It is always a delight to spend more time with the Mulvaneys and their sprawling found family of reprobates, but this collection is especially good for its Halloween theme and the core four action.
December 29, 2025
I can't tell if Cree's chapter broke my heart or healed it but either way I need his book IMMEDIATELY!!!! I'm in love.
December 26, 2025
FINALLY got around to reading the Halloween fun/murder that it "Villains & Vigilantes: A Necessary Evils Anthology." All by fabulous Onley James. It was originally published as a 13-day serial through Onley's newsletter leading up to Halloween.
["Trick. Treat. Take out the trash.
Welcome to the most unhinged Mulvaney party yet. The costumes are couture, the littles are under lock and key, and the ultimate villain is about to get exactly what she deserves.
What starts as a Halloween gala turns into a house-wide hunt as the Mulvaneys, Jericho’s Boys, and the men of Elite close ranks to end a monster’s reign for good. One brother takes a hit but refuses to stay down. Asa proves why psychopaths deliver the sweetest revenge. Mac and Archer demonstrate exactly what they teach at the Watch. Jericho, Atticus, Lucas, and August bond over a little creative torture. And in the heart of Aiden’s workshop, a righteous invention guarantees permanent justice.
Between traps, taunts, and vigilante vows, this anthology serves dark humor, feral family, and heat—plus bonus stories from the night before the party and an exclusive masked hook-up that lights the fuse for a future Jericho’s Boys couple. Cameos abound, couples get spooky and spicy, and the Mulvaney littles prove the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."]
Another set of short stories that takes place over the course of a day (well a day and a half). I’m obsessed. From the kiddos performing an exorcism in the name of K-Pop Demon Hunter true love to so much filthy spice to family murder time. All of the family, og, partners, big kids, Elite.
Plus some meet-cutes. Which, by the way, WHEN are we getting all of the official stories and HEAs of these Jericho’s boys?!?! Off to finally read Nico’s and Mal’s (then maybe The Watch #2).
Trigger Warnings: Yeah, there's quick a few. The list is rather extensive. If you can imagine it, it's probably rather likely included somewhere in this series.
#unhinged #psycho #moonstruck #damaged #headcase #madman #lunatic #maniac #necessaryevils #necessaryevilsseries #jerichosboys #jerichosboysseries #thewatch #thewatchseries #familyandfelonies #familyandfeloniesanecessaryevilsanthology #villainsandvigilantes #villainsandvigilantesanecessaryevilsanthology #murderandmistletoe #murderandmistletoeanecessaryevilsanthology #onleyjames #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
["Trick. Treat. Take out the trash.
Welcome to the most unhinged Mulvaney party yet. The costumes are couture, the littles are under lock and key, and the ultimate villain is about to get exactly what she deserves.
What starts as a Halloween gala turns into a house-wide hunt as the Mulvaneys, Jericho’s Boys, and the men of Elite close ranks to end a monster’s reign for good. One brother takes a hit but refuses to stay down. Asa proves why psychopaths deliver the sweetest revenge. Mac and Archer demonstrate exactly what they teach at the Watch. Jericho, Atticus, Lucas, and August bond over a little creative torture. And in the heart of Aiden’s workshop, a righteous invention guarantees permanent justice.
Between traps, taunts, and vigilante vows, this anthology serves dark humor, feral family, and heat—plus bonus stories from the night before the party and an exclusive masked hook-up that lights the fuse for a future Jericho’s Boys couple. Cameos abound, couples get spooky and spicy, and the Mulvaney littles prove the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."]
Another set of short stories that takes place over the course of a day (well a day and a half). I’m obsessed. From the kiddos performing an exorcism in the name of K-Pop Demon Hunter true love to so much filthy spice to family murder time. All of the family, og, partners, big kids, Elite.
Plus some meet-cutes. Which, by the way, WHEN are we getting all of the official stories and HEAs of these Jericho’s boys?!?! Off to finally read Nico’s and Mal’s (then maybe The Watch #2).
Trigger Warnings: Yeah, there's quick a few. The list is rather extensive. If you can imagine it, it's probably rather likely included somewhere in this series.
#unhinged #psycho #moonstruck #damaged #headcase #madman #lunatic #maniac #necessaryevils #necessaryevilsseries #jerichosboys #jerichosboysseries #thewatch #thewatchseries #familyandfelonies #familyandfeloniesanecessaryevilsanthology #villainsandvigilantes #villainsandvigilantesanecessaryevilsanthology #murderandmistletoe #murderandmistletoeanecessaryevilsanthology #onleyjames #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
February 12, 2026
02/11/2026 - 02/12/2026
5
there’s no amount of words i can use to describe how amazing this book was. i truly had no idea what i was getting into and it made everything so much better. i called the poly relationship and i knew they were gonna be freaky but damn, they’re helllllla freaky. i feel so bad for zane. like i knew his mom was a total pos but wow. she despised zane so much for hee own mistake. she’s the one who had an affair and she was never a mother to either of her boys. i loved how everyone had his back, especially lucas when he was digging around in her head to try and find out if she was lying (spoiler alert, she was!) that scene made him so hot and him and august are suchhhhh a power couple and dilf status. 4 kids!! that’s crazy. calliope and lola got married. charlie and cricket are gonna start something. everyone’s kids are so adorable. lucas is def the dad of their boy, with how he’s acting towards thomas now. he def has his abilities. beverly’s death scene was literally insane!! she died in a homemade brazen bull medieval torture device and august and mal were just there admiring it. i love august. aiden and thomas are so domestic now too which is so sweet. adam getting stabbed her beverly too is so crazy! he’s never gonna live that down and it’ll be so funny. i love how they care for zane, the twins and felix just understand him so well and it’s crazy. they’re so hot… i’m gonna be thinking about those scenes for a while… 👀 ugh and then aiden having a brother was something new. i’m assuming kendrick (their father died) also assuming kendrick is the one who passed down his psychopathy gene unto aiden and matty. matty and lake… they were literally so sweet and soft and loving and it was everything. such a juxtaposition compared to felix/zane/asa/avi even though theirs is filled with love as well. i also really liked how thomas admires his kids with their partners. he’s constantly thinking about how noah has tamed adam, lucas has made august more manageable with his outbursts, the twins actually caring for their partners, esp asa with zane. he’s so proud of his sons and it hurts my heart bc it makes me so happy. yeah the sex/smut scenes are good and hot and everything, but it’s the devotion and trust they have for their partners and their family that’s making me love them so much. even when they bicker and argue it’s from a place of love even if they can’t feel it.
5
there’s no amount of words i can use to describe how amazing this book was. i truly had no idea what i was getting into and it made everything so much better. i called the poly relationship and i knew they were gonna be freaky but damn, they’re helllllla freaky. i feel so bad for zane. like i knew his mom was a total pos but wow. she despised zane so much for hee own mistake. she’s the one who had an affair and she was never a mother to either of her boys. i loved how everyone had his back, especially lucas when he was digging around in her head to try and find out if she was lying (spoiler alert, she was!) that scene made him so hot and him and august are suchhhhh a power couple and dilf status. 4 kids!! that’s crazy. calliope and lola got married. charlie and cricket are gonna start something. everyone’s kids are so adorable. lucas is def the dad of their boy, with how he’s acting towards thomas now. he def has his abilities. beverly’s death scene was literally insane!! she died in a homemade brazen bull medieval torture device and august and mal were just there admiring it. i love august. aiden and thomas are so domestic now too which is so sweet. adam getting stabbed her beverly too is so crazy! he’s never gonna live that down and it’ll be so funny. i love how they care for zane, the twins and felix just understand him so well and it’s crazy. they’re so hot… i’m gonna be thinking about those scenes for a while… 👀 ugh and then aiden having a brother was something new. i’m assuming kendrick (their father died) also assuming kendrick is the one who passed down his psychopathy gene unto aiden and matty. matty and lake… they were literally so sweet and soft and loving and it was everything. such a juxtaposition compared to felix/zane/asa/avi even though theirs is filled with love as well. i also really liked how thomas admires his kids with their partners. he’s constantly thinking about how noah has tamed adam, lucas has made august more manageable with his outbursts, the twins actually caring for their partners, esp asa with zane. he’s so proud of his sons and it hurts my heart bc it makes me so happy. yeah the sex/smut scenes are good and hot and everything, but it’s the devotion and trust they have for their partners and their family that’s making me love them so much. even when they bicker and argue it’s from a place of love even if they can’t feel it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2025
Once again, another anthology for Necessary Evils and yet....I'm underwhelmed despite my eagerness to read it.
First issue: This one is probably a personal preference, but it's always weird for me to read about one holiday during another. In this instance, 'tis the Christmas season and yet we're pulled back to Halloween. Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween and it definitely fits with the Mulvaneys, but....maybe release it earlier? Or after Christmas? Like I said, it's probably a me thing.
Second: Again, this one may be me, but there were parts (don't want to say too much, I hate spoilers!!) where it felt like I was missing something. Maybe I am? I don't have a Patreon subscription for Onley James (or anyone, but that's besides the point) and so I don't get to read all the extra stuff released there. Also. Kids. If you're going to include them--hell, if you're going to include Jericho's Boys and people from The Elite and whatever else--maybe write a guide at the beginning so people (like myself) aren't driving themselves insane trying to figure out who goes where and how old they are and wow how long has it been since this couple had their first kid and so on? It was really getting to me.
Third: The last four chapters felt out of place. Aside from the first two "me issues", I really enjoyed the majority of this book. I was so happy to see justice finally served in this case. But, when we get to the last four chapters they didn't really fit. Again, happy to get a bit of background on some characters (again, not spoiling!), but, man oh man this was not the time! The bonus epilogue should've been in place of these. Having more support for after what happened (so hard not to spoil!) should've been discussed. These just felt like filler and I wasn't a fan.
Again, this was fun, but not great. Like I just said, it felt like the last four chapters were tossed in as filler or something, being used to foreshadow books for Jericho's Boys maybe? But, as this is listed under Necessary Evils, it would've been nice to stay on point with them a bit more. I enjoy the Jericho's Boys series, but, this was for Necessary Evils and, yes, I know, they all interconnect and they all work together, yes. BUT....this hunt was deeply personal for some members of the Mulvaneys and the sidetrack in those last chapters....yeah, as you can read, it kind of annoyed me.
First issue: This one is probably a personal preference, but it's always weird for me to read about one holiday during another. In this instance, 'tis the Christmas season and yet we're pulled back to Halloween. Don't get me wrong, I love Halloween and it definitely fits with the Mulvaneys, but....maybe release it earlier? Or after Christmas? Like I said, it's probably a me thing.
Second: Again, this one may be me, but there were parts (don't want to say too much, I hate spoilers!!) where it felt like I was missing something. Maybe I am? I don't have a Patreon subscription for Onley James (or anyone, but that's besides the point) and so I don't get to read all the extra stuff released there. Also. Kids. If you're going to include them--hell, if you're going to include Jericho's Boys and people from The Elite and whatever else--maybe write a guide at the beginning so people (like myself) aren't driving themselves insane trying to figure out who goes where and how old they are and wow how long has it been since this couple had their first kid and so on? It was really getting to me.
Third: The last four chapters felt out of place. Aside from the first two "me issues", I really enjoyed the majority of this book. I was so happy to see justice finally served in this case. But, when we get to the last four chapters they didn't really fit. Again, happy to get a bit of background on some characters (again, not spoiling!), but, man oh man this was not the time! The bonus epilogue should've been in place of these. Having more support for after what happened (so hard not to spoil!) should've been discussed. These just felt like filler and I wasn't a fan.
Again, this was fun, but not great. Like I just said, it felt like the last four chapters were tossed in as filler or something, being used to foreshadow books for Jericho's Boys maybe? But, as this is listed under Necessary Evils, it would've been nice to stay on point with them a bit more. I enjoy the Jericho's Boys series, but, this was for Necessary Evils and, yes, I know, they all interconnect and they all work together, yes. BUT....this hunt was deeply personal for some members of the Mulvaneys and the sidetrack in those last chapters....yeah, as you can read, it kind of annoyed me.
January 11, 2026
This is a combo anthology/novalla. There are a few stand-alone stories with one main story involving everyone:
First is Adam and Noah playing around with a masked costume. Um... knife play. Ack. Not my thing. Adam is insane.
Then a bit of Lucas and August going to the school because their kids caused trouble again.
Then a short with Atticus & Jericho but it's mostly dealing with the kids acting up at school with a bit of bed time fun after. They are not my fave couple and I don't really care about this hoard of little psycopaths they are all raising.
The main story switches around whose story, but it's primarly about Zane and the "core four" as they are apparently called and Thomas and Aiden along with everyone getting some profile. To be honest, this is probably something you should read after you have read ALL of the other books in the interconnecting universe. There were absolutely people I had NO IDEA who they were that you are supposed to know, from the Elite universe and I had read the first Jericho's Boys so I recognized the names but many of them are already paired up here so I was lost as to who was with who and why.
The best part of this was the whole point of the party.
There are then two shorts, one introducing who Maddy is and his hook-up with Lake which is mentioned in the main story (presume they have a book) and Jordan and Cree start having a flirtation, although probably another Boys book? Not sure but at least then I knew who Maddy and Jordan were and how they connected to the family.
So it was fine, but I felt a bit lost at time and there wasn't enough August and Lucas. LOL But they are my faves.
First is Adam and Noah playing around with a masked costume. Um... knife play. Ack. Not my thing. Adam is insane.
Then a bit of Lucas and August going to the school because their kids caused trouble again.
Then a short with Atticus & Jericho but it's mostly dealing with the kids acting up at school with a bit of bed time fun after. They are not my fave couple and I don't really care about this hoard of little psycopaths they are all raising.
The main story switches around whose story, but it's primarly about Zane and the "core four" as they are apparently called and Thomas and Aiden along with everyone getting some profile. To be honest, this is probably something you should read after you have read ALL of the other books in the interconnecting universe. There were absolutely people I had NO IDEA who they were that you are supposed to know, from the Elite universe and I had read the first Jericho's Boys so I recognized the names but many of them are already paired up here so I was lost as to who was with who and why.
The best part of this was the whole point of the party.
There are then two shorts, one introducing who Maddy is and his hook-up with Lake which is mentioned in the main story (presume they have a book) and Jordan and Cree start having a flirtation, although probably another Boys book? Not sure but at least then I knew who Maddy and Jordan were and how they connected to the family.
So it was fine, but I felt a bit lost at time and there wasn't enough August and Lucas. LOL But they are my faves.
February 11, 2026
Trick. Treat. Take out the trash.
Welcome to the most unhinged Mulvaney party yet. The costumes are couture, the littles are under lock and key, and the ultimate villain is about to get exactly what she deserves.
What starts as a Halloween gala turns into a house-wide hunt as the Mulvaneys, Jericho’s Boys, and the men of Elite close ranks to end a monster’s reign for good. One brother takes a hit but refuses to stay down. Asa proves why psychopaths deliver the sweetest revenge. Mac and Archer demonstrate exactly what they teach at the Watch. Jericho, Atticus, Lucas, and August bond over a little creative torture. And in the heart of Aiden’s workshop, a righteous invention guarantees permanent justice.
Between traps, taunts, and vigilante vows, this anthology serves dark humor, feral family, and heat—plus bonus stories from the night before the party and an exclusive masked hook-up that lights the fuse for a future Jericho’s Boys couple. Cameos abound, couples get spooky and spicy, and the Mulvaney littles prove the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Perfect for readers who crave found family with teeth, Villains & Vigilantes delivers a cathartic, high-octane coda to a long-running evil—and a reminder that when the Mulvaneys say they’ll keep you safe, they mean it.
Heather's Notes
I have read all of the Necessary Evils books, but I feel like I needed to read some of the other series. Since there were some cameos of people I didn't recognize. Still the overall story was enjoyable.
Welcome to the most unhinged Mulvaney party yet. The costumes are couture, the littles are under lock and key, and the ultimate villain is about to get exactly what she deserves.
What starts as a Halloween gala turns into a house-wide hunt as the Mulvaneys, Jericho’s Boys, and the men of Elite close ranks to end a monster’s reign for good. One brother takes a hit but refuses to stay down. Asa proves why psychopaths deliver the sweetest revenge. Mac and Archer demonstrate exactly what they teach at the Watch. Jericho, Atticus, Lucas, and August bond over a little creative torture. And in the heart of Aiden’s workshop, a righteous invention guarantees permanent justice.
Between traps, taunts, and vigilante vows, this anthology serves dark humor, feral family, and heat—plus bonus stories from the night before the party and an exclusive masked hook-up that lights the fuse for a future Jericho’s Boys couple. Cameos abound, couples get spooky and spicy, and the Mulvaney littles prove the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Perfect for readers who crave found family with teeth, Villains & Vigilantes delivers a cathartic, high-octane coda to a long-running evil—and a reminder that when the Mulvaneys say they’ll keep you safe, they mean it.
Heather's Notes
I have read all of the Necessary Evils books, but I feel like I needed to read some of the other series. Since there were some cameos of people I didn't recognize. Still the overall story was enjoyable.
March 7, 2026
Why does Avi and Felix’s relationship completely disappear in this book? Am I the only one who hates the quad relationship? It isn’t even at all. Avi could legit not exist and it wouldn’t change the relationship at all. Zane is at the centre, Asa is the sex, and Felix is the emotion. Avi is…there. We get so many scenes of Asa and Zane, showing us how even though they’re in a quad, they are husbands and it will always come first. But Avi and Felix don’t get that at all.
And honestly I don’t give a shit about Bev. I’m sorry! I like Zane and everything but I did not care about an entire book where the plot is her death. None of it was interesting.
I will say though that this book makes me love Asa and Zane. If you’ve read any of my reviews for their or Avi’s book, you’ll know that I had a deep hatred for Asa. He was honestly the worst character in all the books for me. But he’s redeemed a lot in this. You actually feel that he cares about Zane for more than just what they do in bed.
Finally, Thomas and Aiden just suck as a couple. I hated their stand alone book and I have hated every scene they had in this book. Every other couple (besides Avi and Felix) had at least one scene being cute to each other and acting in love but not them. They were the couple that had been teased in every single book!!! I expected the most from them this whole time. But their relationship is boring and dull. Do they even like each other????
And honestly I don’t give a shit about Bev. I’m sorry! I like Zane and everything but I did not care about an entire book where the plot is her death. None of it was interesting.
I will say though that this book makes me love Asa and Zane. If you’ve read any of my reviews for their or Avi’s book, you’ll know that I had a deep hatred for Asa. He was honestly the worst character in all the books for me. But he’s redeemed a lot in this. You actually feel that he cares about Zane for more than just what they do in bed.
Finally, Thomas and Aiden just suck as a couple. I hated their stand alone book and I have hated every scene they had in this book. Every other couple (besides Avi and Felix) had at least one scene being cute to each other and acting in love but not them. They were the couple that had been teased in every single book!!! I expected the most from them this whole time. But their relationship is boring and dull. Do they even like each other????
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2026
3.75⭐️
Villains & Vigilantes is fun and much more balanced than Family & Felonies: A Necessary Evils Anthology. Having a theme worked in its favor. I really enjoyed the Eve stories, particularly Jericho and Atticus’. I didn’t enjoy Atticus’ book except for Jericho, but the mellowed, less asshole instigator version of him that Jericho brings out is wonderful.
The Halloween night section is cathartic and bloody sentimental. I’m not sure if I’m still salty from Maniac, but I wasn’t a fan of Thomas’ POV sometimes. There is something off for me in some respects. Maybe this is in-line with his appearances in Jericho’s Boys books and/or him comfortably settled in his relationship.
While I appreciated the main event of the gala, it saddens me that Zane hasn’t grown much. After years together with Asa, he still questions his love apparently many times a year, and no matter that he is affirmed and cosseted by a trio of men, he is stuck in the mindset from his book. I understand its necessity for the story to a point.
Maybe there are other ficlets that show his growth and how this is just a setback, but that’s not the case here. Like I said, his healing journey makes sense, it just saddens me that I get to revisit with him, and he’s in the same amount of pain and despair.
Villains & Vigilantes is fun and much more balanced than Family & Felonies: A Necessary Evils Anthology. Having a theme worked in its favor. I really enjoyed the Eve stories, particularly Jericho and Atticus’. I didn’t enjoy Atticus’ book except for Jericho, but the mellowed, less asshole instigator version of him that Jericho brings out is wonderful.
The Halloween night section is cathartic and bloody sentimental. I’m not sure if I’m still salty from Maniac, but I wasn’t a fan of Thomas’ POV sometimes. There is something off for me in some respects. Maybe this is in-line with his appearances in Jericho’s Boys books and/or him comfortably settled in his relationship.
While I appreciated the main event of the gala, it saddens me that Zane hasn’t grown much. After years together with Asa, he still questions his love apparently many times a year, and no matter that he is affirmed and cosseted by a trio of men, he is stuck in the mindset from his book. I understand its necessity for the story to a point.
Maybe there are other ficlets that show his growth and how this is just a setback, but that’s not the case here. Like I said, his healing journey makes sense, it just saddens me that I get to revisit with him, and he’s in the same amount of pain and despair.
January 1, 2026
5/5⭐
This was so much fun, it's always nice to come back to the og series that started this obsession for me, the Mulvaney's and their extended family never dissapoints to make me feel warm and giddy. Noah is always going to have a special place in my heart, so naturally I loved reading his chapters. I would like to see more of him being in charge and planning missions, that would be so interesting to see. Also more Felix, because he is a badass bitch and I want to see him being the center of attention. Intrigued to see all the new possible couples that got hinted at in this book, I want it ALL. The message thread chapter was also a fun breather between all the torture happening. I hope these books will never stop coming, because this family has my heart and I need to hear all the new gossips and mundane things happening in their lives. Especially hilarious stories like the exorcism, never thought kids could be so funny but it's the Mulvaney's sooo.
This was so much fun, it's always nice to come back to the og series that started this obsession for me, the Mulvaney's and their extended family never dissapoints to make me feel warm and giddy. Noah is always going to have a special place in my heart, so naturally I loved reading his chapters. I would like to see more of him being in charge and planning missions, that would be so interesting to see. Also more Felix, because he is a badass bitch and I want to see him being the center of attention. Intrigued to see all the new possible couples that got hinted at in this book, I want it ALL. The message thread chapter was also a fun breather between all the torture happening. I hope these books will never stop coming, because this family has my heart and I need to hear all the new gossips and mundane things happening in their lives. Especially hilarious stories like the exorcism, never thought kids could be so funny but it's the Mulvaney's sooo.
December 31, 2025
I love the Mulvaney's, and that includes their extended family. They are my favorite group of psychopath killers.
I must admit that I even though I own the first book in the Jericho Boys' series, I have not read any of them yet. I will be reading them in the upcoming year though.
I was so happy to see that Bev finally gets what she deserves, I never liked her. The "Let's kill Bev game" had me dying. I read that part like a dozen times. Which bring me to the Core Four. I also own Families and Felonies, and I have yet to read it, but now I know that is mostly about the Core Four, I will be reading that ASAP. I am curious as to how they became one couple.
As always, I love reading about one of my favorite families.
I must admit that I even though I own the first book in the Jericho Boys' series, I have not read any of them yet. I will be reading them in the upcoming year though.
I was so happy to see that Bev finally gets what she deserves, I never liked her. The "Let's kill Bev game" had me dying. I read that part like a dozen times. Which bring me to the Core Four. I also own Families and Felonies, and I have yet to read it, but now I know that is mostly about the Core Four, I will be reading that ASAP. I am curious as to how they became one couple.
As always, I love reading about one of my favorite families.
January 19, 2026
I love the Mulvaneys so of course I adored this one!!
I was so excited for what this book is about. I was so Ready for a satisfying ending to a great evil and I was not disappointed. Onley once again shows that monsters come in all shapes and sizes and when they hurt others, they deserve to be destroyed.
Add in the tenderness of each couple caring for each other and the strong found family vibes, this hit me right where I live.
Oh, and of course I’m now obsessed with Latty and Cordon and can’t freaking wait for their books. Literally foaming at the mouth.
I was so excited for what this book is about. I was so Ready for a satisfying ending to a great evil and I was not disappointed. Onley once again shows that monsters come in all shapes and sizes and when they hurt others, they deserve to be destroyed.
Add in the tenderness of each couple caring for each other and the strong found family vibes, this hit me right where I live.
Oh, and of course I’m now obsessed with Latty and Cordon and can’t freaking wait for their books. Literally foaming at the mouth.
December 11, 2025
Villains & Vigilantes is A Necessary Evils Anthology. This was a fun story with all the Mulvaney's. It was great to see the family give Zane the end of his tormenter. I loved seeing the little Mulvaney's and the exorcism they did. I just love getting peeks at the family. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who loves this family that Onley James has created for us.
January 7, 2026
I just noticed I forgot to review this!
I got it as an ARC as part of Onley's patreon.
This was a collection of scenes from the POV's of the Mulvaney Clan set on Halloween a few years after the original Necessary Evils series. Such a satisfying conclusion to an ongoing issue that has been plaguing the family since book 4, Headcase.
I got it as an ARC as part of Onley's patreon.
This was a collection of scenes from the POV's of the Mulvaney Clan set on Halloween a few years after the original Necessary Evils series. Such a satisfying conclusion to an ongoing issue that has been plaguing the family since book 4, Headcase.
January 15, 2026
Not sure
There was a lot to like in this book. It was nice to catch up with the Mulvaney’s and Jericho’s boys but I hated the premise of the book. That was hunting torturing and horribly murdering a single woman who was guilty of psychological abuse. I thought it was completely over the top and horrible.
There was a lot to like in this book. It was nice to catch up with the Mulvaney’s and Jericho’s boys but I hated the premise of the book. That was hunting torturing and horribly murdering a single woman who was guilty of psychological abuse. I thought it was completely over the top and horrible.
January 26, 2026
This is another collection of short stories but I liked this one better than the last one. It has a central plot and we see different povs from different characters from the series. Definitely enjoyable and already intrigued by the new characters introductions. I haven’t read the Jericho’s boys yet so it was interesting seeing so many new characters. Definitely looking forward to the series now.
January 28, 2026
I ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED THIS ONE. Every book of Onley James has been a 5star for me, but this one will have a special place in my heart alwayyyyssss. Loved the way how every single person of the family (THE FAMILY BY CHOICE) loved Zane with such sincerity and wanted to take revenge for him.
WE ALL LOVE YOU ZANEY 🥹🤍🫶.
WE ALL LOVE YOU ZANEY 🥹🤍🫶.
December 10, 2025
God, this just reminds me how much I miss this world. This enormous, unhinged, completely nuts family. I hope Onley never stops coming back to this universe. I wish it was way longer so the stories never ended!! 🩷
December 11, 2025
perfection.
I don’t know what to say other than perfection. I loved seeing all of the characters interact from all of the series, and it was just hilarious at points. I highlighted so many lines.
I don’t know what to say other than perfection. I loved seeing all of the characters interact from all of the series, and it was just hilarious at points. I highlighted so many lines.
December 28, 2025
Poor Zaney😭😭😭
Villains & Vigilantes is absolutely brilliant but oh boy, I really felt sorry for Zane with his pos mother. I've got to admit the kids are absolutely terrifying but I'd love a book where they're all grown up!!
Villains & Vigilantes is absolutely brilliant but oh boy, I really felt sorry for Zane with his pos mother. I've got to admit the kids are absolutely terrifying but I'd love a book where they're all grown up!!
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