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Murder and Mayhem #2
Tramps and Thieves
Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
Whoever said blood was thicker than water never stood in a pool of it.
Retiring from stealing priceless treasures seemed like a surefire way for Rook Stevens to stay on the right side of the law. The only cop in his life should have been his probably-boyfriend, Los Angeles Detective Dante Montoya, but that’s not how life—his life—is turning out. Instead, Rook ends up not only standing in a puddle of his cousin Harold’s blood but also being accused of Harold’s murder…and sleeping with Harold’s wife.
For Dante, loving the former thief means his once-normal life is now a sea of chaos, especially since Rook seems incapable of staying out of trouble—or keeping trouble from following him home. When Rook is tagged as a murder suspect by a narrow-focused West L.A. detective, Dante steps in to pull his lover out of the quagmire Rook’s landed in.
When the complicated investigation twists around on them, the dead begin to stack up, forcing the lovers to work together. Time isn’t on their side, and if they don’t find the killer before another murder, Dante will be visiting Rook in his prison cell—or at his grave.
Whoever said blood was thicker than water never stood in a pool of it.
Retiring from stealing priceless treasures seemed like a surefire way for Rook Stevens to stay on the right side of the law. The only cop in his life should have been his probably-boyfriend, Los Angeles Detective Dante Montoya, but that’s not how life—his life—is turning out. Instead, Rook ends up not only standing in a puddle of his cousin Harold’s blood but also being accused of Harold’s murder…and sleeping with Harold’s wife.
For Dante, loving the former thief means his once-normal life is now a sea of chaos, especially since Rook seems incapable of staying out of trouble—or keeping trouble from following him home. When Rook is tagged as a murder suspect by a narrow-focused West L.A. detective, Dante steps in to pull his lover out of the quagmire Rook’s landed in.
When the complicated investigation twists around on them, the dead begin to stack up, forcing the lovers to work together. Time isn’t on their side, and if they don’t find the killer before another murder, Dante will be visiting Rook in his prison cell—or at his grave.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published September 18, 2017
71 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Ford
79 books1,891 followersRhys Ford is an award-winning author with several long-running LGBT+ mystery, thriller, paranormal, and urban fantasy series and is a two-time LAMBDA finalist and a multiple Gold and Silver Medalist by the Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Awards. She is published by Dreamspinner Press, DSP Publications and Rogue Firebird Press.
She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
She shares the house with Harley, a gray tuxedo with a flower on her face, Badger, a disgruntled former alley cat, and Gojira, a mercurial Tabico as well as a ginger cairn terrorist named Gus. Rhys is also enslaved to the upkeep of a 1979 Pontiac Firebird named Tengu and enjoys murdering make-believe people.
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August 17, 2018
Update August 2018: 5+++++ Stars for the audiobook... ❤️
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***5 Happy-to-have-two-of-my-favorite-guys-back stars***
Former cat burglar Rook Stevens gives in to the thrill of one last caper. Okay, maybe he was a bit driven by a teeny-weeny desire for revenge. Maybe he felt the need to prove himself that he is still one of the best. And yeah, maybe he should have known better...
Trouble seems to follow Rook everywhere he goes, so it should not surprise him when one small burglary -just to retrieve from his cousin what is legitimatively his, of course- ends up in a murder investigation with him as one of the prime suspects. The death of Rook's cousin Harold seems to be just the beginning, though, and with a detective hard on his heels who has it apparently in for Rook and more bodies piling up, he is glad to have his cop at his side to help him prove his innocence.
Dante Montoya, cop with heart and soul, never thought he would fall in love with a former criminal, a thief to be precise, who also shies away from any commitment and relationship -hell, everything where deeper feelings are involved- to protect himself from being hurt again. Dante is also somebody who won't give up easily, though, and who does everything in his power to protect the one person who stole his heart and convince him that he is in for the long haul.
It was a close call. A very close call. And I don't mean Rook and Dante surviving this sequel. Well, maybe that too, but for one second I was worried about my glasses. Said glasses namely almost fell from my nose in my haste to scramble for my phone and request an ARC when this book popped up on my update feed. Never, not in a million years, would I have thought that we would get to read more about Rook and Dante, although eventually it makes totally sense.
The ending of Murder & Mayhem left Rook and Dante in a somewhat undefined relationship with both finding themselves in uncharted territory, but determined to make it work. Old habits die hard, though, and especially Rook, abandoned by those who should have been there for him and therefore been on his own for the most part of his life, has to remind himself occasionally that he should suppress his inherent fight-or flight instinct and that there is someone in his life now who has his back.
I just loved the way he loosens up gradually, and not only in his relationship with Dante, but also with his grumpy old bastard of a grandfather, who I so wanted to shake some sense into at some point, but who made me snort with laughter for the most part.
Trust always has to work both ways, though, and Dante himself also needs a reminder now and then to open up to Rook. But the one thing that never wavers is his strong belief in Rook and I loved him for his patience to prove it to him.
As for me, I enjoyed this sequel to Murder & Mayhem immensely and found it as amazing as the first book. Rhys Ford always finds the perfect combination of suspense, relationship development, sweet and sometimes heart-wrenching moments and humor. Oh, how I love her humor...
"Alex, you're a blond twenty-ish guy in glasses who looks like he's one hieroglyph away from discovering where the Stargate is buried..."
And imagine my dreamy sighs over the references to her other series like Cole McGinnis and the Sinners. I was so proud of myself that I recognized Detective Dell O'Byrne as someone Cole McGinnis is pretty familiar with, even without looking it up. ;-)
What I forget sometimes is the author's penchant for grisly scenes and gory details and I really hope you have a strong stomach, at least stronger than mine. One scene in particular (and no, I won't give you any details, it is enough having them in the book) made me doubt my choice of eating lunch beforehand, although I had a sense of foreboding that something was about to happen I was not going to like. Yeah, it took me quite some efforts at persuasion for my lunch staying down right where it belonged...
The ending was simply sweet, but left an inkling that there could be more and greedy-me definitely wants more! Highly recommended!
--------------------------------------
***5 Happy-to-have-two-of-my-favorite-guys-back stars***
"Fuck, I missed this," Rook whispered, stroking the edge of the lock. "Why the hell did I give this up?"
Former cat burglar Rook Stevens gives in to the thrill of one last caper. Okay, maybe he was a bit driven by a teeny-weeny desire for revenge. Maybe he felt the need to prove himself that he is still one of the best. And yeah, maybe he should have known better...
Trouble seems to follow Rook everywhere he goes, so it should not surprise him when one small burglary -just to retrieve from his cousin what is legitimatively his, of course- ends up in a murder investigation with him as one of the prime suspects. The death of Rook's cousin Harold seems to be just the beginning, though, and with a detective hard on his heels who has it apparently in for Rook and more bodies piling up, he is glad to have his cop at his side to help him prove his innocence.
Dante Montoya, cop with heart and soul, never thought he would fall in love with a former criminal, a thief to be precise, who also shies away from any commitment and relationship -hell, everything where deeper feelings are involved- to protect himself from being hurt again. Dante is also somebody who won't give up easily, though, and who does everything in his power to protect the one person who stole his heart and convince him that he is in for the long haul.
It was a close call. A very close call. And I don't mean Rook and Dante surviving this sequel. Well, maybe that too, but for one second I was worried about my glasses. Said glasses namely almost fell from my nose in my haste to scramble for my phone and request an ARC when this book popped up on my update feed. Never, not in a million years, would I have thought that we would get to read more about Rook and Dante, although eventually it makes totally sense.
The ending of Murder & Mayhem left Rook and Dante in a somewhat undefined relationship with both finding themselves in uncharted territory, but determined to make it work. Old habits die hard, though, and especially Rook, abandoned by those who should have been there for him and therefore been on his own for the most part of his life, has to remind himself occasionally that he should suppress his inherent fight-or flight instinct and that there is someone in his life now who has his back.
Rook needed Dante's touch, longed for it. He needed a bit of home, and his heart skipped a beat when he realized home now meant Dante Montoya.
I just loved the way he loosens up gradually, and not only in his relationship with Dante, but also with his grumpy old bastard of a grandfather, who I so wanted to shake some sense into at some point, but who made me snort with laughter for the most part.
Trust always has to work both ways, though, and Dante himself also needs a reminder now and then to open up to Rook. But the one thing that never wavers is his strong belief in Rook and I loved him for his patience to prove it to him.
As for me, I enjoyed this sequel to Murder & Mayhem immensely and found it as amazing as the first book. Rhys Ford always finds the perfect combination of suspense, relationship development, sweet and sometimes heart-wrenching moments and humor. Oh, how I love her humor...
"Alex, you're a blond twenty-ish guy in glasses who looks like he's one hieroglyph away from discovering where the Stargate is buried..."
And imagine my dreamy sighs over the references to her other series like Cole McGinnis and the Sinners. I was so proud of myself that I recognized Detective Dell O'Byrne as someone Cole McGinnis is pretty familiar with, even without looking it up. ;-)
What I forget sometimes is the author's penchant for grisly scenes and gory details and I really hope you have a strong stomach, at least stronger than mine. One scene in particular (and no, I won't give you any details, it is enough having them in the book) made me doubt my choice of eating lunch beforehand, although I had a sense of foreboding that something was about to happen I was not going to like. Yeah, it took me quite some efforts at persuasion for my lunch staying down right where it belonged...
The ending was simply sweet, but left an inkling that there could be more and greedy-me definitely wants more! Highly recommended!
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession Dirty Books Obsession
January 18, 2018
Just as good the second time around... Sooooooo Rhys, when's the next one here?
OM-FREAKING-D! I won an ARC copy, I am so freaking excited!!! I have never won anything before, and then it is my favourite MM-couple ever<3 *sigh*
Greatest day ever.
***********************************************
How to do this book justice?!
It is no secret that Murder and Mayhem is my FAVOURITE Rhys Ford novel, since M&M hit all my notes, pet peeves and wishes for an MC, just right!
Also Rook and Dante is my favourite MM-couple, hands down, which is why it was with both glee and trepidation that I won this ARC.
I want to do them justice, I hoped that the book could live up to my extremely high expectations, and I know that I am probably biased, but I wanted this review to be believable.
So Rook and Dante are back. They might be the same = snark-galore *clapping my hands and jumping around gleefully*, but they are also decidedly different from the last time we hung out with them.
In this book they are a more established couple; yes, Rook is still insecure, but (done right) it takes more than a few months erasing YEARS of abandonment- and trust-issues. Montoya is making progress in the erasure department though, and Rook is definitely letting him.
”Still was having some of the best sex in his life, his brain whispered, because Montoya had no intention of leaving.”
”Pulling free of Dante took some doing. Not because the cop wouldn’t let him go, but rather Rook felt safe with the feel of his lover’s heat on him.”
I loved how far they’ve come. There was NO relationship-angst in this one, and even though Rook still has occasional freak-outs, he never ONCE turns his back on/loses his faith in Dante.
Which is great, since the bodies are piling up, and the ’regular’ police has their eyes set on Rook; not looking anywhere else.
Dante and his partner Hank are on the case though (unofficially).
Sidenote: Hank, I seriously LOVE that dude:
”Hey, I was a lit major for a year and a half before I decided I liked shooting people.”
He tries SO hard, and is a GREAT, clever partner and comic relief for brooding, SERIOUS Dante.
The mystery in this one was low-key in the sense that this story is half’n’half. Half mystery and half romance, which was a great balance for me.
I couldn’t figure out where the ’whodunit’ was leading, but there was a LOT of characters involved. For me, that just meant that I needed to keep my brain online.
In regards to the mystery: this is not a book that you can skim.
I loved this second instalment though, because the development of Rook and Dante’s relationship created a great balance for the mystery. And it was not an unnecessary angst-fest, making everything more complicated.
”His nerves screamed to shove Dante back when he got near, years-too many long fucking years-of keeping people away yanked at every rage-filled, agonizing need to pick up the pieces of his life and take it someplace else.
But not without Dante.
He couldn’t live without the damned cop. His damned cop.”
The language is pure Rhys Ford, but the sometimes overwhelming flowery descriptions that I do not always understand (*not an English native) was toned down a wee bit, which made the novel flow without being too convoluted, IMO.
The neighbourhoods, the food, the love and the people were woven tight –Rhys Ford-style-, making this a beautiful, gritty, sexy story.
The last thing I want to mention though, is family. Archie gets more page-time in this, and that worked for me, since I *kind* of like the old cantankerous bastard.
He tries so hard, but -beware- he is not always successful!
We did not see Manny that much, and that made me sad, but the STRONG HFN (in regards to Rook and Dante) as well as the surprise, makes me believe that we will see more of Manny in the next one. And I for one, CANNOT wait; with reservations though, that shit is sliding toward my pet-peeve-territory...
T&T was a fantastic novel though, and it might be more low-key/chill, but it dragged me in, and held my interest throughout.
Rook and Dante: you are still my favourite MM-couple!
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
OM-FREAKING-D! I won an ARC copy, I am so freaking excited!!! I have never won anything before, and then it is my favourite MM-couple ever<3 *sigh*
Greatest day ever.
***********************************************
How to do this book justice?!
It is no secret that Murder and Mayhem is my FAVOURITE Rhys Ford novel, since M&M hit all my notes, pet peeves and wishes for an MC, just right!
Also Rook and Dante is my favourite MM-couple, hands down, which is why it was with both glee and trepidation that I won this ARC.
I want to do them justice, I hoped that the book could live up to my extremely high expectations, and I know that I am probably biased, but I wanted this review to be believable.
So Rook and Dante are back. They might be the same = snark-galore *clapping my hands and jumping around gleefully*, but they are also decidedly different from the last time we hung out with them.
In this book they are a more established couple; yes, Rook is still insecure, but (done right) it takes more than a few months erasing YEARS of abandonment- and trust-issues. Montoya is making progress in the erasure department though, and Rook is definitely letting him.
”Still was having some of the best sex in his life, his brain whispered, because Montoya had no intention of leaving.”
”Pulling free of Dante took some doing. Not because the cop wouldn’t let him go, but rather Rook felt safe with the feel of his lover’s heat on him.”
I loved how far they’ve come. There was NO relationship-angst in this one, and even though Rook still has occasional freak-outs, he never ONCE turns his back on/loses his faith in Dante.
Which is great, since the bodies are piling up, and the ’regular’ police has their eyes set on Rook; not looking anywhere else.
Dante and his partner Hank are on the case though (unofficially).
Sidenote: Hank, I seriously LOVE that dude:
”Hey, I was a lit major for a year and a half before I decided I liked shooting people.”
He tries SO hard, and is a GREAT, clever partner and comic relief for brooding, SERIOUS Dante.
The mystery in this one was low-key in the sense that this story is half’n’half. Half mystery and half romance, which was a great balance for me.
I couldn’t figure out where the ’whodunit’ was leading, but there was a LOT of characters involved. For me, that just meant that I needed to keep my brain online.
In regards to the mystery: this is not a book that you can skim.
I loved this second instalment though, because the development of Rook and Dante’s relationship created a great balance for the mystery. And it was not an unnecessary angst-fest, making everything more complicated.
”His nerves screamed to shove Dante back when he got near, years-too many long fucking years-of keeping people away yanked at every rage-filled, agonizing need to pick up the pieces of his life and take it someplace else.
But not without Dante.
He couldn’t live without the damned cop. His damned cop.”
The language is pure Rhys Ford, but the sometimes overwhelming flowery descriptions that I do not always understand (*not an English native) was toned down a wee bit, which made the novel flow without being too convoluted, IMO.
The neighbourhoods, the food, the love and the people were woven tight –Rhys Ford-style-, making this a beautiful, gritty, sexy story.
The last thing I want to mention though, is family. Archie gets more page-time in this, and that worked for me, since I *kind* of like the old cantankerous bastard.
He tries so hard, but -beware- he is not always successful!
We did not see Manny that much, and that made me sad, but the STRONG HFN (in regards to Rook and Dante) as well as the surprise, makes me believe that we will see more of Manny in the next one. And I for one, CANNOT wait; with reservations though, that shit is sliding toward my pet-peeve-territory...
T&T was a fantastic novel though, and it might be more low-key/chill, but it dragged me in, and held my interest throughout.
Rook and Dante: you are still my favourite MM-couple!
*ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
December 21, 2017
5 stars for the audio and the book
I am too lazy to write a proper review.
I loved
-Dante and Rook fit together so well, the cop and the thief, their relationship growth was evident in this boo.
-The Mystery it was engaging.
- The chemistry between Dante and Rook was so believable., the sex was hot.
-Hank Dante's partner he is just the best.
-Grandpa Archie, i love the stubborn old man.
I loved Greg's narration and every time he said the name Dante and cuervo
I can't wait to read the next.
I am too lazy to write a proper review.
I loved
-Dante and Rook fit together so well, the cop and the thief, their relationship growth was evident in this boo.
-The Mystery it was engaging.
- The chemistry between Dante and Rook was so believable., the sex was hot.
-Hank Dante's partner he is just the best.
-Grandpa Archie, i love the stubborn old man.
I loved Greg's narration and every time he said the name Dante and cuervo
I can't wait to read the next.
December 31, 2019
4 Hearts
One should be happy to know that there’s no sophomore slump here!
A couple months have passed, and Rook is trying to adjust. Adjust to his honest living. Adjust to his loving supportive relationship with his once sworn adversary, homicide detective Dante Montoya. He’s determined to go the lawful path and maybe, just maybe, he can finally put down roots and live happily ever after. The thing is, Rook’s past just won’t let him go that easily.
This is probably one of the the least “insta” of Ford’s creations, and I appreciated how the feelings have evolved between Dante and Rook over time. Full of vulnerability, insecurity, want and need, there’s nothing lacking here in the love and smex department. I liked how these men take care of each other, that despite being opposites in all the ways, they still connect where it counts in and out of the bedroom. Such a strong foundation is going to be needed, especially due to Rook’s illegal past that keeps knocking on his door, not to mention the rapid piling of dead bodies that just won’t quit.
What this also excels at is character development. Of course it never hurts to have Tremblay narrate. He’s the master at subtlety and accents, and as always, is just plain fabulous. Overall, I definitely wouldn’t say no to more of these flawed, fierce and loyal men, as well as the vibrant cast that supports them. Thankfully, this ends on a note that strongly hints that Ford has more in store for these two!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review
One should be happy to know that there’s no sophomore slump here!
A couple months have passed, and Rook is trying to adjust. Adjust to his honest living. Adjust to his loving supportive relationship with his once sworn adversary, homicide detective Dante Montoya. He’s determined to go the lawful path and maybe, just maybe, he can finally put down roots and live happily ever after. The thing is, Rook’s past just won’t let him go that easily.
This is probably one of the the least “insta” of Ford’s creations, and I appreciated how the feelings have evolved between Dante and Rook over time. Full of vulnerability, insecurity, want and need, there’s nothing lacking here in the love and smex department. I liked how these men take care of each other, that despite being opposites in all the ways, they still connect where it counts in and out of the bedroom. Such a strong foundation is going to be needed, especially due to Rook’s illegal past that keeps knocking on his door, not to mention the rapid piling of dead bodies that just won’t quit.
What this also excels at is character development. Of course it never hurts to have Tremblay narrate. He’s the master at subtlety and accents, and as always, is just plain fabulous. Overall, I definitely wouldn’t say no to more of these flawed, fierce and loyal men, as well as the vibrant cast that supports them. Thankfully, this ends on a note that strongly hints that Ford has more in store for these two!
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review
September 17, 2017
I have been excited about this book ever since I found out that there was gonna be a sequel to "Murder and Mayhem". I absolutely loved that book and I had very high expectations for this second one. Thankfully my expectations were met ;)
Now let me start off by saying, that this book can not be read as a stand alone. It's a continuing storyline about the couple from book 1. Rook and Dante. I still love their names..... so freaking cool !!
Now I am gonna try and keep out any major spoilers, because I think mystery books like these, should be read spoilerfree.
After the shitstorm that happend in book 1, Dante and Rook are still together and very much in love. That however, doesn't mean that things are always easy. Rook is kind of missing his thieving ways.... and Dante knows that there are times, that Rook's flight response wants to kick in. He is worried that Rook might run one day....
Things get even more complicated for the two of them, when Rook finds himself in the middle of yet another crime-scene. A crime-scence involving his very dead, and very murdered cousin Harold.
The detective leading this murdercase, has set his sights on Rook and Harold's wife as suspects, and he is not willing to let go without a fight. Rook is gonna need all the help he can get... especially when things go from bad to worse.
Thankfully he has his amazing cop boyfriend Dante to lean on, and Dante and his awesome partner Camden, are not about to let go without a fight either... That's not all the support Rook has though. There is also Alex, his cousin, and Alex's boyfriend James And let's not forget about his very old, cranky and snarky grandfather Archie. They were all great sidecharacters, just like in the previous book !
It was wonderful seeing the relationship between Rook and Dante grow, and to see them get closer. These two were so sweet and hot together, and Rook slowly started to open up more.
The mystery part was captivating, and the twists kept coming. I didn't expect anything less from Rhys Ford though.
Now there is one thing I just need to get out, and that's the reference that was made, about the movie "Clerks". I am a huge fan of this movie and I just couldn't leave this review without a little wave to Dante from "Clerks" ;)
I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend this series to everyone who likes a romance/ mystery/suspence story.
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession Dirty Books Obsession
November 12, 2017
ETA for Audio Review
I would recommend you don't start this before you read/listen to Murder and Mayhem (book one). It's much better as part of the series than as a standalone.
Tramps and Thieves picks up some time after the events of Murder and Mayhem and Rook and Dante are now an established couple complementing each other really well. Told in an alternating POV, death and mystery follow former thief Rook Stevens around once again leaving his detective boyfriend, Dante Montoya, to help resolve the mystery and keep Rook from being killed. Tremblay, as expected, offers up great character voices, terrific pacing, and on point timing.
Rhys Ford is definitely hitting her stride in this series with a great plot, strong characters, and terrific pacing which is all impeccably captured audibly by Greg Tremblay.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Told in an alternating POV, death and mystery follow former thief Rook Stevens around once again leaving his detective boyfriend, Dante Montoya, to help resolve the mystery and keep Rook from being hurt.
Bodies are stacking up and it looks like someone is out for Rook personally. Luckily, Dante is determined to make sure nothing happens to the love of his life, or the family they've slowly been building.
It's been some time since Murder and Mayhem, and Rook and Dante are more of an established couple, strong in their love for one another, and completing each other perfectly.
Further, Rhys Ford is definitely hitting her stride in this series with a great plot, strong characters, and terrific pacing. This was a page turner I found difficult to put down. The only thing that could make this better is to hear Greg Tremblay narrate it.
I'm also really looking forward to the series continuing, Rhys Ford has definitely created another compelling cast of characters and I cannot wait to see what she does with them next.
I would absolutely recommend this story, but not before you read Murder and Mayhem (book one).
Advanced Review Galley copy of Tramps and Thieves (Murder and Mayhem #2) provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
4.5 Stars - Book
5 Stars - Audio
I would recommend you don't start this before you read/listen to Murder and Mayhem (book one). It's much better as part of the series than as a standalone.
Tramps and Thieves picks up some time after the events of Murder and Mayhem and Rook and Dante are now an established couple complementing each other really well. Told in an alternating POV, death and mystery follow former thief Rook Stevens around once again leaving his detective boyfriend, Dante Montoya, to help resolve the mystery and keep Rook from being killed. Tremblay, as expected, offers up great character voices, terrific pacing, and on point timing.
Rhys Ford is definitely hitting her stride in this series with a great plot, strong characters, and terrific pacing which is all impeccably captured audibly by Greg Tremblay.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Told in an alternating POV, death and mystery follow former thief Rook Stevens around once again leaving his detective boyfriend, Dante Montoya, to help resolve the mystery and keep Rook from being hurt.
Bodies are stacking up and it looks like someone is out for Rook personally. Luckily, Dante is determined to make sure nothing happens to the love of his life, or the family they've slowly been building.
It's been some time since Murder and Mayhem, and Rook and Dante are more of an established couple, strong in their love for one another, and completing each other perfectly.
Further, Rhys Ford is definitely hitting her stride in this series with a great plot, strong characters, and terrific pacing. This was a page turner I found difficult to put down. The only thing that could make this better is to hear Greg Tremblay narrate it.
I'm also really looking forward to the series continuing, Rhys Ford has definitely created another compelling cast of characters and I cannot wait to see what she does with them next.
I would absolutely recommend this story, but not before you read Murder and Mayhem (book one).
Advanced Review Galley copy of Tramps and Thieves (Murder and Mayhem #2) provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
4.5 Stars - Book
5 Stars - Audio
September 24, 2017
4.5 Stars!
LOVED this one. This one is a continuation of characters from book 1, different plot from what I recall. I'm not big on re-reading books so I didn't do a re-read prior to starting this one. Now I'm kind of wishing I had.
Rook and Dante are definitely one of my favorite couples and I hope we get more of them.
This really is the perfect mix of romance and suspense. I will say this series is low on the actual sex but the chemistry between Rook and Dante is perfection. Every time Dante called Rook "cuervo"
I would seriously melt in to a puddle of goo. You could feel how much they loved each other. And of course the suspense was engaging and entertaining and kept me guessing.
Great follow up and can't wait for more.
LOVED this one. This one is a continuation of characters from book 1, different plot from what I recall. I'm not big on re-reading books so I didn't do a re-read prior to starting this one. Now I'm kind of wishing I had.
Rook and Dante are definitely one of my favorite couples and I hope we get more of them.
This really is the perfect mix of romance and suspense. I will say this series is low on the actual sex but the chemistry between Rook and Dante is perfection. Every time Dante called Rook "cuervo"
I would seriously melt in to a puddle of goo. You could feel how much they loved each other. And of course the suspense was engaging and entertaining and kept me guessing.
Great follow up and can't wait for more.
September 17, 2017
When it comes to writing M/M romances, no one does it quite like Rhys Ford. From her beloved (and sadly concluded) Cole McGinnis series to this new literary adventure, everything she does is a guaranteed success, and with good reason. Ford’s romances are never superficial and her mysteries are never just glue for multiple steamy scenes. She builds her stories on a solid foundation and treats steamy scenes precisely as what they are – desserts, rare nuggets meant to make the story sweeter.
It’s a tried and true recipe: one vulnerable partner, brittle and breakable, but with a spine of steel, and one steady, dependable rock that never falters, never waivers and never doubts. Rook Stevens has been abandoned and told he’s worthless far too many times, but he finally realizes he’s worth everything to Dante Montoya.
Rhys never creates unnecessary rifts between her protagonists. She respects the love and trust they’ve built. If anything, their bond becomes stronger in the face of dangers and challenges. All the problems, all their discussions seem natural and organic. Not a single emotion is forced or ingenuine.
Between the two, Rook sometimes seems as the more interesting character with his carnie past and his ridiculously rich and newly found family. He is certainly the one we enjoy uncovering, one vulnerability at a time. But Dante kind of sneaks up on a person, seemingly simple, unfailingly honest. There are depths to uncover in him as well, nothing flashy, but interesting nevertheless.
The plot in Tramps and Thieves is clever and firm, a mystery that follows the rules of its genre. Ford easily avoids predictability and masterfully weaves threads that lead to our moment of dangers and revelations. Having done it many times, both in her Cole McGinnis and in her Sinners series, she builds the mystery side of her plot with a very sure hand.
I enjoyed the two or three nods to characters from Cole McGinnis books. If we’re lucky, Ichi and Bobby might just show up in one of the future books. Be that as it may, I hope we won’t have to wait long for the next one – these two have burrowed their way under my skin and I can’t wait to see where their love will take them next.
If you haven’t read this wonderful series, start with Murder and Mayhem and catch up quickly. And make room in your heart for an ex-cat burglar with different colored eyes and the cop who chased him until he fell in love with him.
It’s a tried and true recipe: one vulnerable partner, brittle and breakable, but with a spine of steel, and one steady, dependable rock that never falters, never waivers and never doubts. Rook Stevens has been abandoned and told he’s worthless far too many times, but he finally realizes he’s worth everything to Dante Montoya.
Rhys never creates unnecessary rifts between her protagonists. She respects the love and trust they’ve built. If anything, their bond becomes stronger in the face of dangers and challenges. All the problems, all their discussions seem natural and organic. Not a single emotion is forced or ingenuine.
Between the two, Rook sometimes seems as the more interesting character with his carnie past and his ridiculously rich and newly found family. He is certainly the one we enjoy uncovering, one vulnerability at a time. But Dante kind of sneaks up on a person, seemingly simple, unfailingly honest. There are depths to uncover in him as well, nothing flashy, but interesting nevertheless.
The plot in Tramps and Thieves is clever and firm, a mystery that follows the rules of its genre. Ford easily avoids predictability and masterfully weaves threads that lead to our moment of dangers and revelations. Having done it many times, both in her Cole McGinnis and in her Sinners series, she builds the mystery side of her plot with a very sure hand.
I enjoyed the two or three nods to characters from Cole McGinnis books. If we’re lucky, Ichi and Bobby might just show up in one of the future books. Be that as it may, I hope we won’t have to wait long for the next one – these two have burrowed their way under my skin and I can’t wait to see where their love will take them next.
If you haven’t read this wonderful series, start with Murder and Mayhem and catch up quickly. And make room in your heart for an ex-cat burglar with different colored eyes and the cop who chased him until he fell in love with him.
November 15, 2018
OMG, I love Rook Stevens and Dante Montoya! A cat burglar turned honest and honorable detective create such an unlikely couple that you can't help yourself but love them. Rook's sass to Dante's sweetness, Rook's fear to Dante's steadiness - together they are so beautiful.
Rook is as fidgety as an old maid when it comes to relationship, and his love for Dante scares him the most. He is ready to run but deep down he wants to stay but is worried that people will leave and he will be left in the dust. He struggles with his self worth but he is still ready to have faith in people. Dante keeps Rook in one piece with his love and sometimes by his sheer force of will. The support he gives Rook is one thing Rook never had, and Dante will do anything to show Rook how important he is to him, how much he cares and adores the stubborn man.
I loved the humor, the movie jokes and the banter between all the characters. I loved Manny and Hank - both staunch supporters and always there for both men. Archie even cantankerous and stubborn as he is still has a piece of my heart even though only Rook could soften him enough to unbend for everybody else. Ms Rhys creates such vivid and beautiful depictions of Los Angeles that it feels like I can almost touch the buildings, see the little shops and all the little knickknacks that are sold in them, taste all the delicious food and just breathe in the air. I love how she writes.
The murder Rook finds himself in the middle of THIS time because let's face it Rook is always in the middle of something, is centered around Martin family. Many secrets are revealed, past grudges are uncovered, old hurts surface to eventually blow up in Rook's face. The investigation kept me guessing (not that I didn't suspect anyone) till the end. I loved how Dante and Hank together with Rook solved the case, and how it all turned out in the end. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it.
Rook is as fidgety as an old maid when it comes to relationship, and his love for Dante scares him the most. He is ready to run but deep down he wants to stay but is worried that people will leave and he will be left in the dust. He struggles with his self worth but he is still ready to have faith in people. Dante keeps Rook in one piece with his love and sometimes by his sheer force of will. The support he gives Rook is one thing Rook never had, and Dante will do anything to show Rook how important he is to him, how much he cares and adores the stubborn man.
I loved the humor, the movie jokes and the banter between all the characters. I loved Manny and Hank - both staunch supporters and always there for both men. Archie even cantankerous and stubborn as he is still has a piece of my heart even though only Rook could soften him enough to unbend for everybody else. Ms Rhys creates such vivid and beautiful depictions of Los Angeles that it feels like I can almost touch the buildings, see the little shops and all the little knickknacks that are sold in them, taste all the delicious food and just breathe in the air. I love how she writes.
The murder Rook finds himself in the middle of THIS time because let's face it Rook is always in the middle of something, is centered around Martin family. Many secrets are revealed, past grudges are uncovered, old hurts surface to eventually blow up in Rook's face. The investigation kept me guessing (not that I didn't suspect anyone) till the end. I loved how Dante and Hank together with Rook solved the case, and how it all turned out in the end. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it.
January 11, 2018
4.5 stars
As always, Greg Tremblay delivered an excellent audiobook. The pacing was good, the voices were differentiated, and the overall narration was engaging. I really enjoyed listening to this book during my workouts!
Picking up not too long after the end of Murder and Mayhem, 'Tramps and Thieves' hits the ground running. Rook and Dante are madly in love, and Rook finally knows what it is to be loved and to have a real home. But Rook also can't seem to keep himself out of trouble.
This time around, he discovers the discovers the corpse of his less-than-pleasant cousin, which sets off a chain of events that threaten Rook's life.
Book 2 doesn't have as many explosions as I'd expect from Rhys Ford, but it definitely delivers on the blood and murderous events. It's classic Ford - quite gory, and so very entertaining.
I don't want to give too much away, so all I'll say about the mystery angle is that it kept me hooked. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next!
Likewise, the relationship between Dante and Rook kept me reading. These two have come a long way over two books. I may have swooned a couple of times, seeing how much they relied on each other, knowing that the other would be there no matter what.
Rook and Dante have completely won me over. I can't wait to see where they go next!
As always, Greg Tremblay delivered an excellent audiobook. The pacing was good, the voices were differentiated, and the overall narration was engaging. I really enjoyed listening to this book during my workouts!
Picking up not too long after the end of Murder and Mayhem, 'Tramps and Thieves' hits the ground running. Rook and Dante are madly in love, and Rook finally knows what it is to be loved and to have a real home. But Rook also can't seem to keep himself out of trouble.
This time around, he discovers the discovers the corpse of his less-than-pleasant cousin, which sets off a chain of events that threaten Rook's life.
Book 2 doesn't have as many explosions as I'd expect from Rhys Ford, but it definitely delivers on the blood and murderous events. It's classic Ford - quite gory, and so very entertaining.
I don't want to give too much away, so all I'll say about the mystery angle is that it kept me hooked. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next!
Likewise, the relationship between Dante and Rook kept me reading. These two have come a long way over two books. I may have swooned a couple of times, seeing how much they relied on each other, knowing that the other would be there no matter what.
Rook and Dante have completely won me over. I can't wait to see where they go next!
September 19, 2017
Really enjoyable book in what I hope will become a longer series ! Rook finds himself involved in murder and mayhem again and his hot cop Dante is out to solve the mystery and clear his man. This was cleverly written with some unexpected twists which I appreciated as it really held my interest. Camden is an awesome partner to Dante and Manny is the perfect uncle who loves both guys heart and soul. I do feel for Rook, he's a victim of his own vulnerability and seems to be perpetually in a state of fight or flight. Thank god Dante is balanced and level headed ! The fact that he understands Rooks nuances makes him a perfect partner. Book 3 will be great with more dramas no doubt !
September 18, 2017
Originally reviewed at Sinfully.
This is the second installment in the Murder and Mayhem series and I wouldn’t suggest reading this one without having read the first. While the story is self-contained and the mystery solved by the end, there is too much background between the main and secondary characters that affects their actions and words and you would really be missing out.
A cop in love with a thief is always a fun story. While that was pretty much put to bed in the first book and Rook may no longer be in that life, the urges are still there. He remembers the adrenaline rush, still has the instinct to run when he’s cornered, and he sometimes worries he no longer has the safety net he worked so hard to accumulate, but he doesn’t have regrets over leaving the life when the trade-off is having Dante by his side. When the opportunity arises to get some kicks one last time and get back something that belongs to him, Rook grabs it and winds up in a mess of epic proportions that just keeps getting messier for everyone around him.
Dante is there by Rook’s side through it all as both a cop and his lover. I liked seeing them solid even as they are still working through some things. They are sweet and sexy and have great chemistry. Rook has been toughened and wizened by a lifetime of neglect, abuse and stealing to survive, but believing that Dante loves him has opened up a whole other side of him. A side that includes family support, from both his and Dante’s sides like he’s never had before. That also brings with it some bumps that need smoothing, especially where Rook’s lord of the manor grandfather Archie is concerned. Rook’s vulnerable in those areas of his life where he wants nothing more than to trust and belong, but is still waiting for it all to crumble and leave him alone on the street. Dante is a rock for Rook, but he has his own family issues as well that he tries to keep from thinking about (some of which I expect we’ll have a ringside seat to in the next book).
The mystery had plenty of twists and kept me guessing up to the end. It seems as if someone is targeting everyone who comes into contact with the investigation and Rook is at the center of it all as bodies pile up and the danger mounts. I really had no idea who was involved until close to the final showdown.
The only real thing that was troublesome for me in the story was there were times where I found scenery and settings overly-described and certain words were overused to describe particular character traits. I’m fine with descriptions that set the scene for important locations, but there were too many times where I found myself skimming paragraphs of descriptions.
With a good blend of family drama, action, pop culture shout outs and sizzling romance, Tramps and Thieves is a worthy follow-up to Murder and Mayhem that will give fans plenty to enjoy in both the mystery and character development aspects of the story.
This is the second installment in the Murder and Mayhem series and I wouldn’t suggest reading this one without having read the first. While the story is self-contained and the mystery solved by the end, there is too much background between the main and secondary characters that affects their actions and words and you would really be missing out.
A cop in love with a thief is always a fun story. While that was pretty much put to bed in the first book and Rook may no longer be in that life, the urges are still there. He remembers the adrenaline rush, still has the instinct to run when he’s cornered, and he sometimes worries he no longer has the safety net he worked so hard to accumulate, but he doesn’t have regrets over leaving the life when the trade-off is having Dante by his side. When the opportunity arises to get some kicks one last time and get back something that belongs to him, Rook grabs it and winds up in a mess of epic proportions that just keeps getting messier for everyone around him.
Dante is there by Rook’s side through it all as both a cop and his lover. I liked seeing them solid even as they are still working through some things. They are sweet and sexy and have great chemistry. Rook has been toughened and wizened by a lifetime of neglect, abuse and stealing to survive, but believing that Dante loves him has opened up a whole other side of him. A side that includes family support, from both his and Dante’s sides like he’s never had before. That also brings with it some bumps that need smoothing, especially where Rook’s lord of the manor grandfather Archie is concerned. Rook’s vulnerable in those areas of his life where he wants nothing more than to trust and belong, but is still waiting for it all to crumble and leave him alone on the street. Dante is a rock for Rook, but he has his own family issues as well that he tries to keep from thinking about (some of which I expect we’ll have a ringside seat to in the next book).
The mystery had plenty of twists and kept me guessing up to the end. It seems as if someone is targeting everyone who comes into contact with the investigation and Rook is at the center of it all as bodies pile up and the danger mounts. I really had no idea who was involved until close to the final showdown.
The only real thing that was troublesome for me in the story was there were times where I found scenery and settings overly-described and certain words were overused to describe particular character traits. I’m fine with descriptions that set the scene for important locations, but there were too many times where I found myself skimming paragraphs of descriptions.
With a good blend of family drama, action, pop culture shout outs and sizzling romance, Tramps and Thieves is a worthy follow-up to Murder and Mayhem that will give fans plenty to enjoy in both the mystery and character development aspects of the story.
October 5, 2017
4.5 stars. Even better than the first book! Rook and Dante grow closer, their relationship deepens and when they are together I just melt. I love how hard Dante works to make sure Rook is emotionally comfortable enough to let go and trust him. *sigh*
So many awesome characters here, Camden, Manny and Archie are ever more present in the story and I really like that. LOL, even Rosa, Archie's housekeeper, was a little more vocal. To me, *crosses fingers* this means this might be a multi-book series where all these terrific people will be there for Rook & Dante, important pieces of the guys' lives with their own parts to play.
As usual, the fast, exciting plot and the excellent writing made the story hard to put down. I neglected all my other books to gobble it right up, and just like every greedy person ever, now I'm left with no more. *sad face*
And that little kinda-cliffhanger we got left with? I hate to turn into one of those *unreasonable* fans, but c'mon Rhys, write faster!
So many awesome characters here, Camden, Manny and Archie are ever more present in the story and I really like that. LOL, even Rosa, Archie's housekeeper, was a little more vocal. To me, *crosses fingers* this means this might be a multi-book series where all these terrific people will be there for Rook & Dante, important pieces of the guys' lives with their own parts to play.
As usual, the fast, exciting plot and the excellent writing made the story hard to put down. I neglected all my other books to gobble it right up, and just like every greedy person ever, now I'm left with no more. *sad face*
And that little kinda-cliffhanger we got left with? I hate to turn into one of those *unreasonable* fans, but c'mon Rhys, write faster!
November 23, 2018
I love this series so hard!
Like in Book 1, everything in this book hit the spot for me. The writing,the characters(even those I wanted to strangle),the murder/mystery component , EVERYTHING. I did this in audio and once again, Greg Tremblay nailed all the characters. He increased my enjoyment of this book exponentially.
Dante and Rook continued to grow in their relationship and even with all the deadly trouble that Rook seemed to always attract, their love for each other never waned. Dante was still Rook’s rock and Rook kept Dante’s life “interesting”. They certainly made for great reading.
When is the next book in this Rhys Ford? With THAT ENDING , I need it like yesterday!
*** Review Copy Was Graciously Provided By DreamSpinner Press In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased, Review ***
Like in Book 1, everything in this book hit the spot for me. The writing,the characters(even those I wanted to strangle),the murder/mystery component , EVERYTHING. I did this in audio and once again, Greg Tremblay nailed all the characters. He increased my enjoyment of this book exponentially.
Dante and Rook continued to grow in their relationship and even with all the deadly trouble that Rook seemed to always attract, their love for each other never waned. Dante was still Rook’s rock and Rook kept Dante’s life “interesting”. They certainly made for great reading.
When is the next book in this Rhys Ford? With THAT ENDING , I need it like yesterday!
*** Review Copy Was Graciously Provided By DreamSpinner Press In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased, Review ***
February 7, 2020
You know it's a good story when you love it every bit as much the second time around as you did the first and that was the case with this audio book. I actually reviewed this book back in September when it was released and I loved it, so when the audio book narrated by Greg Tremblay was released there was zero doubt in my mind that I'd be doing this again. Not only did I enjoy it just as much but I can honestly say I'm already looking forward to listening to it again...right after I re-play the first book 'Murder and Mayhem'.
One of the things that I commented on in my original review was how much I enjoyed Greg Tremblay's narration of 'Murder and Mayhem' and that when I started reading 'Tramps and Thieves' in my head it was Greg Tremblay reading it to me...so you can safely assume that I was squealing with delight to enjoy just that...Greg Tremblay reading 'Tramps and Thieves' to me giving voice to the characters and bringing this wonderful story to life and if you want to see more from that review, here's the link... Review: Tramps & Thieves
While I still adore the men of Sinners and it hasn't been that long since I revisited them on audio and Wow!!! That was just an awesome adventure and I'm definitely looking forward to having that same adventure with Cole and Jae when I listen to them on audio narrated by none other than the awesome Greg Tremblay...it's on my Christmas list. But without a doubt Rook and Dante have a solid hold on my heart and while I'm happy to revisit them again. What I'm really looking forward to is finding out what comes next for this pair.
If ever there were two men who are opposites it's Dante the cop and Rook the cat burglar...or more accurately retired cat burglar and I have to admit I wouldn't be adverse to finding out more about Rook's cousin Alex and his cop or maybe a story about the first time Rook met his grandfather and his cousin Alex. There's world of potential in this series and I'm I can't wait to see what Ms. Ford has planned for these unusual pairing and the people in their lives.
E-book or audio book this series is simply a must for me and highly recommended.
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An audiobook of 'Tramps and Thieves' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things that I commented on in my original review was how much I enjoyed Greg Tremblay's narration of 'Murder and Mayhem' and that when I started reading 'Tramps and Thieves' in my head it was Greg Tremblay reading it to me...so you can safely assume that I was squealing with delight to enjoy just that...Greg Tremblay reading 'Tramps and Thieves' to me giving voice to the characters and bringing this wonderful story to life and if you want to see more from that review, here's the link... Review: Tramps & Thieves
While I still adore the men of Sinners and it hasn't been that long since I revisited them on audio and Wow!!! That was just an awesome adventure and I'm definitely looking forward to having that same adventure with Cole and Jae when I listen to them on audio narrated by none other than the awesome Greg Tremblay...it's on my Christmas list. But without a doubt Rook and Dante have a solid hold on my heart and while I'm happy to revisit them again. What I'm really looking forward to is finding out what comes next for this pair.
If ever there were two men who are opposites it's Dante the cop and Rook the cat burglar...or more accurately retired cat burglar and I have to admit I wouldn't be adverse to finding out more about Rook's cousin Alex and his cop or maybe a story about the first time Rook met his grandfather and his cousin Alex. There's world of potential in this series and I'm I can't wait to see what Ms. Ford has planned for these unusual pairing and the people in their lives.
E-book or audio book this series is simply a must for me and highly recommended.
*************************
An audiobook of 'Tramps and Thieves' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2017
EEK! So this book showed up on my Kindle last night and I was still recovering from a massive hangover, so I decided to go to sleep instead of starting it. Good move on my part or else I would have been up for over 24 hours! Once I started this there was no way I was putting it down. Read it in one sitting and I'm not even sure I got up to pee. I'm still in a haze. GAH! MORE! I need more!
Rook and Dante won my heart, all over again. These two are seriously my favorite couple, which is crazy because I have MAD love for Deacon and Lang and Tristan and Wolf. Somehow, someway, Stevens and Montoya claimed the title.
Rook was so not in his element, but he KNEW he could trust/lean on Dante. Fuck, Dante would do ANYTHING for Rook. I have chills just thinking about it.
I loved the new addition of Camden. HA! He was great.
I cried. Rhys Ford made me cry and I loved every second of it. I had to read the scene 3 times to get it right, because I couldn't see through my tears. It gutted me, but it was still probably one of my favorites.
Then THEN we get to whodunit and at this point I wanted everyone dead. How dare people try to A. Blame Rook B. Hurt Rook C. Lash out at Rook.
Oh and the Clerks reference. 5 fucking stars just for that!
I NEED the 3rd book!
Now all I keep hearing is 37. HA!
Rook and Dante won my heart, all over again. These two are seriously my favorite couple, which is crazy because I have MAD love for Deacon and Lang and Tristan and Wolf. Somehow, someway, Stevens and Montoya claimed the title.
Rook was so not in his element, but he KNEW he could trust/lean on Dante. Fuck, Dante would do ANYTHING for Rook. I have chills just thinking about it.
I loved the new addition of Camden. HA! He was great.
I cried. Rhys Ford made me cry and I loved every second of it. I had to read the scene 3 times to get it right, because I couldn't see through my tears. It gutted me, but it was still probably one of my favorites.
Then THEN we get to whodunit and at this point I wanted everyone dead. How dare people try to A. Blame Rook B. Hurt Rook C. Lash out at Rook.
Oh and the Clerks reference. 5 fucking stars just for that!
I NEED the 3rd book!
Now all I keep hearing is 37. HA!
September 26, 2017
Poor Rook can not catch a break with people screwing him over and trying to kill him. It's possibly worth it though for the steadfast love from his new boyfriend, Dante, and the family that is developing around him.
This second book was as fast paced as the first and the mystery was twisty - I didn't see the bad guy coming.
Unexpectedly, the poignant moment in the book was with Rook and Archie. I was not expecting to fight tears with this book but I had to during that interaction. Words can wound so badly and people usually know right where to poke to do the most damage.
I complained during my review of M&M that I wanted more feels from Dante and Rook and I got them! Dante was everything during the scene with Archer. I loved his unwavering support for Rook's insecurities and emotional scars from his childhood. And Dante and Rook both moved from their original corners towards each other - Rook, as a former cat burglar, had obvious things that he had to leave behind both for himself and to be with Dante. But Dante, too, needed to change a bit to be with his cuervo and I loved that he recognized that.
One niggle is that the language gets a little flowery, almost pretentious in parts. Here's an example:
If poets dripped honey about the touch of a man’s seed on their tongue, they’d have wept until they turned to stone if ever Dante could describe how he felt with Rook wrapped around him.
I get what's happening there but had to read it a few times (not because I'm a dirty bird, tyvm) but because I legitimately couldn't follow what she was saying because it was so over the top.
So glad I picked up this series -- I love finding good books from other people's reviews. Can't wait for the next one. And I also realized that I have a ton of Cole McGinnis books I haven't read so that's exciting, too. Love finding a backlist. Anyway, I definitely recommend!
This second book was as fast paced as the first and the mystery was twisty - I didn't see the bad guy coming.
Unexpectedly, the poignant moment in the book was with Rook and Archie. I was not expecting to fight tears with this book but I had to during that interaction. Words can wound so badly and people usually know right where to poke to do the most damage.
I complained during my review of M&M that I wanted more feels from Dante and Rook and I got them! Dante was everything during the scene with Archer. I loved his unwavering support for Rook's insecurities and emotional scars from his childhood. And Dante and Rook both moved from their original corners towards each other - Rook, as a former cat burglar, had obvious things that he had to leave behind both for himself and to be with Dante. But Dante, too, needed to change a bit to be with his cuervo and I loved that he recognized that.
One niggle is that the language gets a little flowery, almost pretentious in parts. Here's an example:
If poets dripped honey about the touch of a man’s seed on their tongue, they’d have wept until they turned to stone if ever Dante could describe how he felt with Rook wrapped around him.
I get what's happening there but had to read it a few times (not because I'm a dirty bird, tyvm) but because I legitimately couldn't follow what she was saying because it was so over the top.
So glad I picked up this series -- I love finding good books from other people's reviews. Can't wait for the next one. And I also realized that I have a ton of Cole McGinnis books I haven't read so that's exciting, too. Love finding a backlist. Anyway, I definitely recommend!
June 25, 2024
Review from 2018
I've given this an A+ for narration and a B+ for content at AudioGals, so that's very nearly 5 stars!
I so enjoyed Murder and Mayhem, the first book in Rhys Ford’s series about the cop and the (ex) cat burglar, that I was tempted to move straight on to book two, Tramps and Thieves immediately it came out. But then I told myself to be a good little reviewer and listen to some of the other things that were – admittedly – ahead of it on my TBL. So I did. But now here I am to tell you that, in spite of some similarities in the plotline (someone is Out To Get Rook), Tramps and Thieves is every bit as entertaining as Murder and Mayhem; Dante and Rook are every bit as engaging as they were before and Greg Tremblay’s narration is every bit as awesome.
At the end of Murder and Mayhem, L.A. detective Dante Montoya and Rook Stevens, the ex-thief who’d haunted Dante’s thoughts for years, were an established couple – although it was clear that things weren’t going to be plain sailing for the rather mis-matched duo. Falling in love with someone who spent most of his life on the wrong side of the law is something Dante never expected, and loving the acerbic, vulnerable and complicated Rook has turned his life upside down. But in a good way.
Rook isn’t just surprised he’s fallen for a cop, he’s surprised he’s fallen for anybody. He’s never been one to put down roots and he’s a loner; abandoned by his mother as a child, he’s learned never to rely on anyone or let anyone get too close. He’s never had a relationship and never had close friends – until now – but while he sometimes finds the fact of being in love rather overwhelming (and, frankly, terrifying!) Rook is certain of one thing – he loves Dante enough to want to make things work between them.
Buuuuuut… the lure of one last job, that thrill of sneaking in, making the grab and getting out again… Rook has been on the straight and narrow for some time, but he can’t deny he misses certain aspects of his old life. When he’s offered the chance to steal back something that rightfully belongs to him, he can’t pass it up, especially as he’ll be “liberating” the item from his arsehole of a cousin, Harold Martin, who double-crossed him in order to obtain it. However, nothing is simple, and when Rook breaks into his cousin’s apartment, it’s to find Harold lying on the floor in a pool of blood, dead as a doornail with the broken statue of a falcon (a replica of the one used in the Bogart version of The Maltese Falcon) lying on his chest. Horrified and sick to the stomach, Rook is on the verge of getting the hell outta Dodge when he’s attacked by someone wearing a mask who makes a run for it just before the cops arrive.
Naturally, the old-skool detective assigned to the investigation is determined to prove Rook guilty of murder, in spite of Rook’s insistence that Harold had to have been dead long before he got there. Even divulging that Harold’s wife had chosen to help Rook retrieve his property by giving him the alarm codes for the apartment doesn’t change anything; to his mind, once a criminal, always a criminal, and the fact that Rook’s boyfriend is a cop just means that Rook has got himself a clever smoke screen to hide behind.
As this is a mystery I won’t go into plot details, other than to say that it’s well-constructed with plenty of twists and turns, and I didn’t work out who the bad guy was until shortly before Dante and Rook did – so that’s all good. But – and I said this about Murder and Mayhem – what makes this such a compelling listen are the characters the author has created and the relationships she is developing between them. The chemistry between Rook and Dante is scorching and they share some nicely steamy love scenes, but Ms. Ford also imbues the sexytimes with a real sense of the deep emotional connection they share and of the tenderness and affection that lie between them. They’re total opposites in many ways, and yet together, they just click. Rook is complicated and messed up; he’s smart-mouthed, devious and clever and is still struggling with that instinct to run which kicks in whenever he’s cornered, whether physically or emotionally. If he’s certain of anything, it’s that Dante loves him and that he wants to be with him, but it’s hard to set aside the conditioning of a lifetime that prods at his insecurities and tells him he’s not good enough – not just for a guy like Dante, but for anything or anyone.
I was also delighted to meet Rook’s cantankerous grandfather Archie again, and to hear progress in their rather awkward relationship. There’s a scene between them in the second half (which I won’t spoil) which is incredibly poignant and wonderfully cathartic; in the previous book, there was a sense that in spite of their many similarities of character, Archie didn’t quite know what to make of Rook, or how to handle him. That’s still the case to an extent, but the affection between them is starting to become apparent and we know that no matter how far they frustrate or annoy each other, there’s an unbreakable connection between them.
I think this is the third performance by Greg Tremblay I’ve reviewed, and I’m already running out of superlatives to describe his work because He’s Just That Good. He’s my latest narrator glom, and given his fairly extensive back catalogue, I’ve got quite a lot of excellent listens in my future! In Tramps and Thieves – as was the case in Murder and Mayhem – his pacing and comic timing are spot on, the characters are all expertly realised and clearly differentiated, his female voices are very good and he picks up on all the right emotional cues. The vocal characterisations of the recurring characters (Hank, Manny, Archie, etc.) are consistent with those in the previous book and he once again does a tremendous job in getting under the skin and into the heads of the two principals, expertly conveying Rook’s prickly vulnerability and stubbornness and Dante’s quiet strength. (That whole softly accented, velvety-melted-chocolate-thing he’s got going on to portray Dante is one of the best things about a truly excellent performance, and I admit that each time Dante called Rook “cuervo”, my knees may have weakened a little.)
As is obvious, Tramps and Thieves is another winner, and is an audiobook I’m recommending highly to fans of romantic suspense or mysteries. The plot is intriguing, the characters are complex and engaging, the dialogue sparkles and the romance is just the right amount of tender, sexy and adorable. Greg Tremblay acts his socks off yet again, and my only overall complaint is that book three isn’t out yet!
I've given this an A+ for narration and a B+ for content at AudioGals, so that's very nearly 5 stars!
I so enjoyed Murder and Mayhem, the first book in Rhys Ford’s series about the cop and the (ex) cat burglar, that I was tempted to move straight on to book two, Tramps and Thieves immediately it came out. But then I told myself to be a good little reviewer and listen to some of the other things that were – admittedly – ahead of it on my TBL. So I did. But now here I am to tell you that, in spite of some similarities in the plotline (someone is Out To Get Rook), Tramps and Thieves is every bit as entertaining as Murder and Mayhem; Dante and Rook are every bit as engaging as they were before and Greg Tremblay’s narration is every bit as awesome.
At the end of Murder and Mayhem, L.A. detective Dante Montoya and Rook Stevens, the ex-thief who’d haunted Dante’s thoughts for years, were an established couple – although it was clear that things weren’t going to be plain sailing for the rather mis-matched duo. Falling in love with someone who spent most of his life on the wrong side of the law is something Dante never expected, and loving the acerbic, vulnerable and complicated Rook has turned his life upside down. But in a good way.
Rook isn’t just surprised he’s fallen for a cop, he’s surprised he’s fallen for anybody. He’s never been one to put down roots and he’s a loner; abandoned by his mother as a child, he’s learned never to rely on anyone or let anyone get too close. He’s never had a relationship and never had close friends – until now – but while he sometimes finds the fact of being in love rather overwhelming (and, frankly, terrifying!) Rook is certain of one thing – he loves Dante enough to want to make things work between them.
Buuuuuut… the lure of one last job, that thrill of sneaking in, making the grab and getting out again… Rook has been on the straight and narrow for some time, but he can’t deny he misses certain aspects of his old life. When he’s offered the chance to steal back something that rightfully belongs to him, he can’t pass it up, especially as he’ll be “liberating” the item from his arsehole of a cousin, Harold Martin, who double-crossed him in order to obtain it. However, nothing is simple, and when Rook breaks into his cousin’s apartment, it’s to find Harold lying on the floor in a pool of blood, dead as a doornail with the broken statue of a falcon (a replica of the one used in the Bogart version of The Maltese Falcon) lying on his chest. Horrified and sick to the stomach, Rook is on the verge of getting the hell outta Dodge when he’s attacked by someone wearing a mask who makes a run for it just before the cops arrive.
Naturally, the old-skool detective assigned to the investigation is determined to prove Rook guilty of murder, in spite of Rook’s insistence that Harold had to have been dead long before he got there. Even divulging that Harold’s wife had chosen to help Rook retrieve his property by giving him the alarm codes for the apartment doesn’t change anything; to his mind, once a criminal, always a criminal, and the fact that Rook’s boyfriend is a cop just means that Rook has got himself a clever smoke screen to hide behind.
As this is a mystery I won’t go into plot details, other than to say that it’s well-constructed with plenty of twists and turns, and I didn’t work out who the bad guy was until shortly before Dante and Rook did – so that’s all good. But – and I said this about Murder and Mayhem – what makes this such a compelling listen are the characters the author has created and the relationships she is developing between them. The chemistry between Rook and Dante is scorching and they share some nicely steamy love scenes, but Ms. Ford also imbues the sexytimes with a real sense of the deep emotional connection they share and of the tenderness and affection that lie between them. They’re total opposites in many ways, and yet together, they just click. Rook is complicated and messed up; he’s smart-mouthed, devious and clever and is still struggling with that instinct to run which kicks in whenever he’s cornered, whether physically or emotionally. If he’s certain of anything, it’s that Dante loves him and that he wants to be with him, but it’s hard to set aside the conditioning of a lifetime that prods at his insecurities and tells him he’s not good enough – not just for a guy like Dante, but for anything or anyone.
I was also delighted to meet Rook’s cantankerous grandfather Archie again, and to hear progress in their rather awkward relationship. There’s a scene between them in the second half (which I won’t spoil) which is incredibly poignant and wonderfully cathartic; in the previous book, there was a sense that in spite of their many similarities of character, Archie didn’t quite know what to make of Rook, or how to handle him. That’s still the case to an extent, but the affection between them is starting to become apparent and we know that no matter how far they frustrate or annoy each other, there’s an unbreakable connection between them.
I think this is the third performance by Greg Tremblay I’ve reviewed, and I’m already running out of superlatives to describe his work because He’s Just That Good. He’s my latest narrator glom, and given his fairly extensive back catalogue, I’ve got quite a lot of excellent listens in my future! In Tramps and Thieves – as was the case in Murder and Mayhem – his pacing and comic timing are spot on, the characters are all expertly realised and clearly differentiated, his female voices are very good and he picks up on all the right emotional cues. The vocal characterisations of the recurring characters (Hank, Manny, Archie, etc.) are consistent with those in the previous book and he once again does a tremendous job in getting under the skin and into the heads of the two principals, expertly conveying Rook’s prickly vulnerability and stubbornness and Dante’s quiet strength. (That whole softly accented, velvety-melted-chocolate-thing he’s got going on to portray Dante is one of the best things about a truly excellent performance, and I admit that each time Dante called Rook “cuervo”, my knees may have weakened a little.)
As is obvious, Tramps and Thieves is another winner, and is an audiobook I’m recommending highly to fans of romantic suspense or mysteries. The plot is intriguing, the characters are complex and engaging, the dialogue sparkles and the romance is just the right amount of tender, sexy and adorable. Greg Tremblay acts his socks off yet again, and my only overall complaint is that book three isn’t out yet!
September 24, 2017
Ohhhh yay! I loved this!
This was on par with the first book for me. Exciting, fast paced, intriguing murder mystery, with Dante and Rook's romance spread throughout - and a few hot sex scenes to boot.
This was skillfully written, as I had nO idea who the killer or killers were, and I was left wonder whodunnit until the reveal at the end, even though I kept guessing throughout.
I have to say I was like "oh nooo" in the opening scene because it seems like Rook's gone back to his thieving ways and I was like "shit this is gonna cause some angst for him and Dante" but all was not as it seemed and that was a relief, until Rook stumbles across a dead body - and shit hits the fan from there.
Rook and Dante barely have a moment to breathe - we were lucky to get the two sex scenes that we did get (and boy I loved them. These two together are passionate and sexy and steamy) - as there is an asshole cop determined to take Rook down, then there's and then there's the killer going after Rook and bodies seem to be dropping left and right.
But through it all, there was Dante, and Rook is still a little prickly, still a little uneasy with letting go and letting someone in, even Dante, but he still lets him in regardless, he still leans on him sometimes too - even if he's bitching about it the whole time ;)
We get Dante and Rook to a firmer place in this one, even if they haven't quite gotten to their happy ending yet - the ending of this book definitely is telling us there is a third to come, for sure - but they said "I love you" in this when I don't remember them saying it in the first one, so they got to a place of "I love you"s in this one.
Also, I'm super interested in seeing one of those Martin family dinners, as they're mentioned but we don't get to see one - sounds tense but entertaining.
I can't say much more about the book without giving a crazy amount away - the mystery in this is fun and had me turning page after page as much as the romance (which is the way I love my mystery novels, with a compelling mystery with a good ol' heaping of romance) - but I loved getting to come back to Rook and Dante, and seeing Archie again, seeing Manny. I loved delving deeper into Rook and Dante's relationship as well as Archie and Rook's, and meeting some new faces as well -
Love this series, loved this book, can't wait to read the next! Definitely a must read :D
This was on par with the first book for me. Exciting, fast paced, intriguing murder mystery, with Dante and Rook's romance spread throughout - and a few hot sex scenes to boot.
This was skillfully written, as I had nO idea who the killer or killers were, and I was left wonder whodunnit until the reveal at the end, even though I kept guessing throughout.
I have to say I was like "oh nooo" in the opening scene because it seems like Rook's gone back to his thieving ways and I was like "shit this is gonna cause some angst for him and Dante" but all was not as it seemed and that was a relief, until Rook stumbles across a dead body - and shit hits the fan from there.
Rook and Dante barely have a moment to breathe - we were lucky to get the two sex scenes that we did get (and boy I loved them. These two together are passionate and sexy and steamy) - as there is an asshole cop determined to take Rook down, then there's and then there's the killer going after Rook and bodies seem to be dropping left and right.
But through it all, there was Dante, and Rook is still a little prickly, still a little uneasy with letting go and letting someone in, even Dante, but he still lets him in regardless, he still leans on him sometimes too - even if he's bitching about it the whole time ;)
We get Dante and Rook to a firmer place in this one, even if they haven't quite gotten to their happy ending yet - the ending of this book definitely is telling us there is a third to come, for sure - but they said "I love you" in this when I don't remember them saying it in the first one, so they got to a place of "I love you"s in this one.
Also, I'm super interested in seeing one of those Martin family dinners, as they're mentioned but we don't get to see one - sounds tense but entertaining.
I can't say much more about the book without giving a crazy amount away - the mystery in this is fun and had me turning page after page as much as the romance (which is the way I love my mystery novels, with a compelling mystery with a good ol' heaping of romance) - but I loved getting to come back to Rook and Dante, and seeing Archie again, seeing Manny. I loved delving deeper into Rook and Dante's relationship as well as Archie and Rook's, and meeting some new faces as well -
Love this series, loved this book, can't wait to read the next! Definitely a must read :D
August 16, 2019
First there was Cole McGinnis...then it was the men of Sinner's Gin and now...
Now we have Rook Stevens retired Cat Burglar extraordinaire and Dante Montoya the man who stole his heart and spends his days fighting to keep that same heart alive because Rook seems to have a penchant for trouble...the kind of trouble that can get a person dead.
When I first started reading this author's works I actually started with her 'Sinner's' series and by the time I was part way through that one I was wondering what was wrong with me that I'd been ignoring 'Cole McGinnis' for so long? I mean seriously, how could I have been so obtuse? Well never mind, that deficiency has long since been remedied.
So here we are several Rhys Ford books later and we have what has quickly become an absolute favorite couple for me with Rook and Dante...please understand I love Cole and Jai, I adore the men of 'Sinners' like seriously adore them...they are some of the hottest men going, but something about Rook and Dante just speaks directly to my heart. When these two men are together they just melt my heart. I want them to be together.
I'm not even sure how to explain these men. They're like to parts of the same puzzle. For me these men just click. I loved the first book and absolutely delighted in the story as I listened to the voice of Greg Tremblay...the man really is an audio narrator marvel and I have to say that for the first time ever when I started reading 'Tramps and Thieves' the voice in my head reading this story to me sounded suspiciously like his.
There was definitely a mystery here and I did enjoy it but more than that I love the relationship developing between Rook and Dante. Dante's definitely an alpha male and while it goes against his instincts at times and he struggles with it being what Rook needs and loving him is all Dante wants to do...well that and keep Rook alive.
Rook's not an easy man to love. He's not had anyone in his life like Dante and more than the thrill he gets from pulling off a job. He want's what having Dante in his life offers him and he's willing to give up his old ways to keep him but it seems like his old life isn't so willing to give him up.
Add in the mystery that was full of twist and turns and a surprise or two. Along with a whole lot of interesting characters like Dante's Uncle Manny and his partner Hank, Rooks Grandfather Archie and his cousin Alex and for me this was pure reading bliss.
I'm still more than happy to revisit the world of Cole McGinnis, the men of 'Sinners', 'Hellsinger', 'Half Moon Bay or anywhere else that Ms Ford would like to take me but please oh please let there be more 'Murder and Mayhem'!
********************
An ARC of 'Tramps and Thieves' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Now we have Rook Stevens retired Cat Burglar extraordinaire and Dante Montoya the man who stole his heart and spends his days fighting to keep that same heart alive because Rook seems to have a penchant for trouble...the kind of trouble that can get a person dead.
When I first started reading this author's works I actually started with her 'Sinner's' series and by the time I was part way through that one I was wondering what was wrong with me that I'd been ignoring 'Cole McGinnis' for so long? I mean seriously, how could I have been so obtuse? Well never mind, that deficiency has long since been remedied.
So here we are several Rhys Ford books later and we have what has quickly become an absolute favorite couple for me with Rook and Dante...please understand I love Cole and Jai, I adore the men of 'Sinners' like seriously adore them...they are some of the hottest men going, but something about Rook and Dante just speaks directly to my heart. When these two men are together they just melt my heart. I want them to be together.
I'm not even sure how to explain these men. They're like to parts of the same puzzle. For me these men just click. I loved the first book and absolutely delighted in the story as I listened to the voice of Greg Tremblay...the man really is an audio narrator marvel and I have to say that for the first time ever when I started reading 'Tramps and Thieves' the voice in my head reading this story to me sounded suspiciously like his.
There was definitely a mystery here and I did enjoy it but more than that I love the relationship developing between Rook and Dante. Dante's definitely an alpha male and while it goes against his instincts at times and he struggles with it being what Rook needs and loving him is all Dante wants to do...well that and keep Rook alive.
Rook's not an easy man to love. He's not had anyone in his life like Dante and more than the thrill he gets from pulling off a job. He want's what having Dante in his life offers him and he's willing to give up his old ways to keep him but it seems like his old life isn't so willing to give him up.
Add in the mystery that was full of twist and turns and a surprise or two. Along with a whole lot of interesting characters like Dante's Uncle Manny and his partner Hank, Rooks Grandfather Archie and his cousin Alex and for me this was pure reading bliss.
I'm still more than happy to revisit the world of Cole McGinnis, the men of 'Sinners', 'Hellsinger', 'Half Moon Bay or anywhere else that Ms Ford would like to take me but please oh please let there be more 'Murder and Mayhem'!
********************
An ARC of 'Tramps and Thieves' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2017
So murder-y. Much mayhem! I'm going to admit to some bias right up front; Rhys Ford is a huge favorite of mine, when it comes to mystery and suspense. I would be honest if she ever disappointed, but she certainly didn't this time! I fell in love with Rook and Dante in book one and my literary love affair continues with this follow up. The couple is still working on fully trusting in each other to stick around for the long term. Rook still struggles with his instincts to cut and run from trouble, and fending off feelings of inadequacy as a partner for Dante. Dante worries those instincts might win out and harbors concerns about Rook’s past biting him in the...badge. In the course of this story, we get to see their connection deepen and their trust become stronger.
As with all of Rhys’s mystery/suspense books, there's a wonderful, well paced balance of bloody murder, and action scenes with bodily injury, interspersed with humor, significant exchanges of dialogue, and sexy, yet tender moments. Returning characters, Archie, Manny, Alex and of course, Hank Camden, figure prominently in the plot line, adding snark and banter to the narrative. Archie and Rook also test their boundaries and bonds to the limit, focusing attention on family connections for Rook and Dante, created both by blood and by choice. The mystery plot is spectacular in providing misdirection and obfuscation, keeping me very uncertain about the exact identity of the perpetrator until the climactic scenes.
The ending is still HFN but leaning much farther towards HEA, when there's an unexpected appearance by a previously unseen character. No, I don't see it as a cliffhanger, just an indication of a future storyline. In theory, this could be read as a standalone, but why ever would you want to? I'm fairly certain Rhys has another book in mind for the series. It's become a strong contender for position beside her Cole McGinnis and Sinner's Gin novels, on my shelf of endless re-reads. Highly recommended, obviously!
*An ARC was provided by the author via Jessie G Books Reviews blog, in return for an honest opinion*
As with all of Rhys’s mystery/suspense books, there's a wonderful, well paced balance of bloody murder, and action scenes with bodily injury, interspersed with humor, significant exchanges of dialogue, and sexy, yet tender moments. Returning characters, Archie, Manny, Alex and of course, Hank Camden, figure prominently in the plot line, adding snark and banter to the narrative. Archie and Rook also test their boundaries and bonds to the limit, focusing attention on family connections for Rook and Dante, created both by blood and by choice. The mystery plot is spectacular in providing misdirection and obfuscation, keeping me very uncertain about the exact identity of the perpetrator until the climactic scenes.
The ending is still HFN but leaning much farther towards HEA, when there's an unexpected appearance by a previously unseen character. No, I don't see it as a cliffhanger, just an indication of a future storyline. In theory, this could be read as a standalone, but why ever would you want to? I'm fairly certain Rhys has another book in mind for the series. It's become a strong contender for position beside her Cole McGinnis and Sinner's Gin novels, on my shelf of endless re-reads. Highly recommended, obviously!
*An ARC was provided by the author via Jessie G Books Reviews blog, in return for an honest opinion*
October 22, 2018
Greg Tremblay truly outdid himself with this one! The narration was on point. I got teary at one point because of how intensely he was narrating the scenes. Oh and that last scene? God, I want my own Dante. *sigh* I'll definitely be checking other books by Rhys Ford. Loved it.
July 28, 2019
Enjoyed this and had my suspicions but got proved wrong till near the end. Love how Rhys is able to intertwine a growing relationship and a convoluted mystery. I do recommend reading these in order though.
October 26, 2018
5 Stars
Once again, I think there is no better combination of author/narrator. Greg is simply the best at bringing Rhys' words to life in a way that I'm not sure anyone else could do as well.
I loved this second installment to Murder and Mayhem. The case was sufficiently convoluted enough to keep me guessing (seriously, every time I had someone pegged as the culprit, they either got killed or eliminated a chapter later!) and the romance was even more dreamy. New relationships are fun to read/listen to but there is something about the quite comfort of an established couple that intrigues me; how they fit together not just in the bedroom but in their daily lives is just fascinating. Rook & Montoya, considering their backgrounds, don't seem like they would work...but they do. Oh, how they do.
And I adored just how vulnerable Rook let himself be this time around. He sacrificed basically everything he had to fall back on, trusting in his ability to go "straight" and on Montoya to have his back if things go south. That scene, near the end, where Rook is afraid of losing his man, but steels himself to the possibility...gawwwww. So endearing.
I'm not sure if Rhys has more planned for this duo, but I certainly hope so. That statement Montoya made to his mom? We need that to happen as a Coda or Novella, please?
Plus, I'm not so sure I want to say goodbye to Archie. He's a cantankerous old man, slightly offensive and set in his ways but trying so hard to hold onto the family he has left. I would love to have more of him with Rook & Alex (I really need to get my hands on that prequel). Hell, maybe a full-length novel involving both their cop boyfriends somehow working a case? That would be fun!
Ah hell, who am I kidding? I never want any of Rhys' series to end...
Once again, I think there is no better combination of author/narrator. Greg is simply the best at bringing Rhys' words to life in a way that I'm not sure anyone else could do as well.
I loved this second installment to Murder and Mayhem. The case was sufficiently convoluted enough to keep me guessing (seriously, every time I had someone pegged as the culprit, they either got killed or eliminated a chapter later!) and the romance was even more dreamy. New relationships are fun to read/listen to but there is something about the quite comfort of an established couple that intrigues me; how they fit together not just in the bedroom but in their daily lives is just fascinating. Rook & Montoya, considering their backgrounds, don't seem like they would work...but they do. Oh, how they do.
And I adored just how vulnerable Rook let himself be this time around. He sacrificed basically everything he had to fall back on, trusting in his ability to go "straight" and on Montoya to have his back if things go south. That scene, near the end, where Rook is afraid of losing his man, but steels himself to the possibility...gawwwww. So endearing.
I'm not sure if Rhys has more planned for this duo, but I certainly hope so. That statement Montoya made to his mom? We need that to happen as a Coda or Novella, please?
Plus, I'm not so sure I want to say goodbye to Archie. He's a cantankerous old man, slightly offensive and set in his ways but trying so hard to hold onto the family he has left. I would love to have more of him with Rook & Alex (I really need to get my hands on that prequel). Hell, maybe a full-length novel involving both their cop boyfriends somehow working a case? That would be fun!
Ah hell, who am I kidding? I never want any of Rhys' series to end...
December 27, 2024
True rating ... 4.5 stars rounded up :-)!! Adored this book!! Unputdownable!!
Thoughts to come ...
*********************
Too long to post in regular updates ... @ 49% ...
“Shadowed by a phalanx of serious-faced people in suits Dante assumed were lawyers, Archie marched into Potter’s Field with a gleam in his eye and all intentions of doing battle.
He met his match in Manny.
It was an interesting standoff. One despotic, overindulged head of industry crossing swords with a Latino former drag queen bearing breast cancer scars and a fierce protective streak where his loved ones were concerned.”
~ As wonderfully ferocious an adversary as Archie is, my money is on Manny ;-) :-P!! I’m bummed that Archie isn’t gay because I’d really have liked these two to get together :-D!
Thoughts to come ...
*********************
Too long to post in regular updates ... @ 49% ...
“Shadowed by a phalanx of serious-faced people in suits Dante assumed were lawyers, Archie marched into Potter’s Field with a gleam in his eye and all intentions of doing battle.
He met his match in Manny.
It was an interesting standoff. One despotic, overindulged head of industry crossing swords with a Latino former drag queen bearing breast cancer scars and a fierce protective streak where his loved ones were concerned.”
~ As wonderfully ferocious an adversary as Archie is, my money is on Manny ;-) :-P!! I’m bummed that Archie isn’t gay because I’d really have liked these two to get together :-D!
August 7, 2020
You pilled Rook like a cat?
I love this series and hope there will be a third book in the future, because that ending....!
I love this series and hope there will be a third book in the future, because that ending....!
September 19, 2017
4.5 stars
Tramps and Thieves picks up a few months after the conclusion of Murder and Mayhem, the first book in the series. This is definitely a book that will feel incomplete if read as a standalone as it’s a continuation of Dante and Rook’s romance. Once again, the imagery Miss Ford uses impressed me and I found myself more than happy to slip back into this romantic suspense set in Los Angeles, wherein a cop and reformed thief fall in love.
The second book had a bit of a different start for me. As in the first book, the story opens with Rook finding himself in the precarious position of having a dead body linked to him. Though the set-up was similar, it didn’t draw me in quite as quickly as the mystery in Murder and Mayhem. The suspense steadily built, just at a slower pace, but I again found myself surprised by some of the reveals.
While I wasn’t as intrigued with the mystery element at first, I immediately noticed a change in approach to the relationship. In the first book, Rook and Dante’s relationship was just beginning, and the minimal emotional development happening on page left me disappointed. Tramps and Thieves offered all I missed in the first book, and then some. The second book focuses on the relationship deepening, examining the men’s feelings for one another and their struggle over how to label what they’re building. I really liked how the author used the established personalities of Rook and Dante to explore their emotional chemistry. Though they waded through similar feelings of love and uncertainty, the concerns were framed uniquely to their experiences, staying true to their individual voices and adding more depth to the characters and romance. As in the first book, the physical chemistry between Rook and Dante was blistering and there were a fair number of scorching scenes; but I was incredibly happy to see that physical chemistry align with an emotional chemistry in the second book to deliver a wonderful love story.
I think fans of romantic suspense will enjoy both of these books which deliver on multiple fronts- excellent characters, humor, fantastic dialogue, lively action, intrigue, sexiness, and a really strong emotional connection that deepens over the course of the two novels. I’m not sure if this is the end of the series, but I certainly wouldn’t mind revisiting this colorful cast of characters in the future.
Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club
Tramps and Thieves picks up a few months after the conclusion of Murder and Mayhem, the first book in the series. This is definitely a book that will feel incomplete if read as a standalone as it’s a continuation of Dante and Rook’s romance. Once again, the imagery Miss Ford uses impressed me and I found myself more than happy to slip back into this romantic suspense set in Los Angeles, wherein a cop and reformed thief fall in love.
The second book had a bit of a different start for me. As in the first book, the story opens with Rook finding himself in the precarious position of having a dead body linked to him. Though the set-up was similar, it didn’t draw me in quite as quickly as the mystery in Murder and Mayhem. The suspense steadily built, just at a slower pace, but I again found myself surprised by some of the reveals.
While I wasn’t as intrigued with the mystery element at first, I immediately noticed a change in approach to the relationship. In the first book, Rook and Dante’s relationship was just beginning, and the minimal emotional development happening on page left me disappointed. Tramps and Thieves offered all I missed in the first book, and then some. The second book focuses on the relationship deepening, examining the men’s feelings for one another and their struggle over how to label what they’re building. I really liked how the author used the established personalities of Rook and Dante to explore their emotional chemistry. Though they waded through similar feelings of love and uncertainty, the concerns were framed uniquely to their experiences, staying true to their individual voices and adding more depth to the characters and romance. As in the first book, the physical chemistry between Rook and Dante was blistering and there were a fair number of scorching scenes; but I was incredibly happy to see that physical chemistry align with an emotional chemistry in the second book to deliver a wonderful love story.
I think fans of romantic suspense will enjoy both of these books which deliver on multiple fronts- excellent characters, humor, fantastic dialogue, lively action, intrigue, sexiness, and a really strong emotional connection that deepens over the course of the two novels. I’m not sure if this is the end of the series, but I certainly wouldn’t mind revisiting this colorful cast of characters in the future.
Reviewed by Annie from Alpha Book Club
September 18, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
Tramps and Thieves is the second book in Rhys Ford’s Murder and Mayhem series. I absolutely adored the first book so I was thrilled to see a follow up for Dante and Rook. As with the first story, this book is incredibly exciting with a captivating mystery and a wonderful relationship between Dante and Rook.
So first off, the mystery and thriller aspect here is fabulous. The case has twists and turns and each new finding leads into something else to discover. There are so many moving parts and Ford manages them all with ease, keeping things flowing but never too easy. I found it exciting and the suspense kept me captivated throughout. I’ll admit I had a teensy bit of trouble following the last bits of the reveal, but overall I found it incredibly well done. The investigation also gives us a chance to dig deeper into the Martin family dynamics, and we spend more time with Rook’s grandfather who I love despite often being a prickly asshole. I also enjoyed the furthering relationship between Dante and his partner Hank, and their friendship and mutual support was nice to see expanded upon.
Even with the mystery element taking center stage, the foundation of the story is Rook and Dante’s relationship. We saw over the first book how Rook slowly began to let down his guard with Dante and believe that he could really have the love and companionship he craved. At the same time, it isn’t always easy for Rook. He has to occasionally remind himself that he can trust in Dante, that what they have is real and solid. We see at times he starts to back away, only to have Dante reaffirm for Rook that he isn’t going anywhere and Rook doesn’t have to run. Ford does such a wonderful job with the nuances of this relationship, showing the little details that make up these characters. I really love these guys together and enjoyed seeing them further their connection here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
Tramps and Thieves is the second book in Rhys Ford’s Murder and Mayhem series. I absolutely adored the first book so I was thrilled to see a follow up for Dante and Rook. As with the first story, this book is incredibly exciting with a captivating mystery and a wonderful relationship between Dante and Rook.
So first off, the mystery and thriller aspect here is fabulous. The case has twists and turns and each new finding leads into something else to discover. There are so many moving parts and Ford manages them all with ease, keeping things flowing but never too easy. I found it exciting and the suspense kept me captivated throughout. I’ll admit I had a teensy bit of trouble following the last bits of the reveal, but overall I found it incredibly well done. The investigation also gives us a chance to dig deeper into the Martin family dynamics, and we spend more time with Rook’s grandfather who I love despite often being a prickly asshole. I also enjoyed the furthering relationship between Dante and his partner Hank, and their friendship and mutual support was nice to see expanded upon.
Even with the mystery element taking center stage, the foundation of the story is Rook and Dante’s relationship. We saw over the first book how Rook slowly began to let down his guard with Dante and believe that he could really have the love and companionship he craved. At the same time, it isn’t always easy for Rook. He has to occasionally remind himself that he can trust in Dante, that what they have is real and solid. We see at times he starts to back away, only to have Dante reaffirm for Rook that he isn’t going anywhere and Rook doesn’t have to run. Ford does such a wonderful job with the nuances of this relationship, showing the little details that make up these characters. I really love these guys together and enjoyed seeing them further their connection here.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
September 22, 2017
This book starts off with a bang and just keeps on going. Rook continues to attract murder victims and he seems to be a target once again. Dante has his work cut out to keep his boyfriend safe. Add in the rest of the Martins and another detective with a grudge and both our guys have their hands full. There are a number of players and as usual, this author is inventive with her murders :)
The star of this story though, is the building relationship between the guys. Their level of trust and honesty reach new heights in this second installment of this series. Also we get to see more of Dante's relationship with his partner, Hank. Archie continues to loom large in Rook's life as well - sometimes to Rook's dismay. But Rook is learning, slowly, to resist the urge to run with every new development.
As the culprits close in and Dante and Hank chase down the real motive for the murders, Rook once again is in peril. This mystery kept me guessing until the end and I can't wait to see what will happen next with Dante and Rook. Who will return and what will happen with Rook's family?
Love love love this. This book is a bit like a roller coaster ride (I love roller coasters). Just when we THINK we might have an idea of what is happening, we are thrown a curve and the story does a sharp 90 degree turn. It's non-stop from beginning to end. The the quiet times for Rook and Dante are a nice breather from all the action. That doesn't mean they are tame though. In fact they are kinda smokin' hot :-)
One of my favorite authors and another great story in this series. I can't wait to see what happens to Rook and Dante in the next book - especially after the last sentence!
The star of this story though, is the building relationship between the guys. Their level of trust and honesty reach new heights in this second installment of this series. Also we get to see more of Dante's relationship with his partner, Hank. Archie continues to loom large in Rook's life as well - sometimes to Rook's dismay. But Rook is learning, slowly, to resist the urge to run with every new development.
As the culprits close in and Dante and Hank chase down the real motive for the murders, Rook once again is in peril. This mystery kept me guessing until the end and I can't wait to see what will happen next with Dante and Rook. Who will return and what will happen with Rook's family?
Love love love this. This book is a bit like a roller coaster ride (I love roller coasters). Just when we THINK we might have an idea of what is happening, we are thrown a curve and the story does a sharp 90 degree turn. It's non-stop from beginning to end. The the quiet times for Rook and Dante are a nice breather from all the action. That doesn't mean they are tame though. In fact they are kinda smokin' hot :-)
One of my favorite authors and another great story in this series. I can't wait to see what happens to Rook and Dante in the next book - especially after the last sentence!
September 3, 2017
This story starts a bit down the road from the last book. Rook and Dante are still together and they’re a solid couple by the time this begins. Rook breaks in to his cousin’s home to pull a prank but instead finds a dead body and then finds himself neck deep in the middle of another investigation.
The investigation is fast paced and pretty entertaining. The who-done-it aspect keeps the reader guessing until the end.
The romance continues to develop and the guys are both sweet and steamy together. I like these two as a couple and I really enjoyed watching Rook drop his guard for Dante.
The reason my rating wasn’t higher though had to do with writing style. There were so many parts that were overly descriptive and completely unnecessary in my opinion. There were a bunch of places that danced on the edge of being purple prose and it just didn’t work for me. I found myself being annoyed and skimming a lot of passages. It was so prevalent that it took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. An example:
"Standing in a stream of milky morning sun, she looked more marble that flesh, a living, breathing Corradini reflecting on a pastoral, bucolic scene of long spotted hounds frolicking in the British countryside."
*insert me doing my best Scooby Doo "rah???" face*
This book could be read as a standalone but you might enjoy it more if you’ve read book one. There are a lot of side characters of importance and it helps to know who they are in relation to Rook and Dante. Also, if you’re a fan of this author’s Cole McGinnis series you will see quite a few Easter Eggs in this. (Which is something I personally love for authors to do.)
The investigation is fast paced and pretty entertaining. The who-done-it aspect keeps the reader guessing until the end.
The romance continues to develop and the guys are both sweet and steamy together. I like these two as a couple and I really enjoyed watching Rook drop his guard for Dante.
The reason my rating wasn’t higher though had to do with writing style. There were so many parts that were overly descriptive and completely unnecessary in my opinion. There were a bunch of places that danced on the edge of being purple prose and it just didn’t work for me. I found myself being annoyed and skimming a lot of passages. It was so prevalent that it took away from my overall enjoyment of the book. An example:
"Standing in a stream of milky morning sun, she looked more marble that flesh, a living, breathing Corradini reflecting on a pastoral, bucolic scene of long spotted hounds frolicking in the British countryside."
*insert me doing my best Scooby Doo "rah???" face*
This book could be read as a standalone but you might enjoy it more if you’ve read book one. There are a lot of side characters of importance and it helps to know who they are in relation to Rook and Dante. Also, if you’re a fan of this author’s Cole McGinnis series you will see quite a few Easter Eggs in this. (Which is something I personally love for authors to do.)
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