Dead Reckoning

Cold Case Psychic #2

by Pandora Pine

When the spirit of a young male prostitute comes to psychic Tennyson Grimm asking him to find the john who brutally murdered him, Tennyson can’t say no. Only able to communicate through the use of images, rather than words, getting any information out of the young man is frustrating and slow going.

Cold Case Detective Ronan O’Mara has been on a roll solving cases since he and Tennyson last teamed up to solve the Michael Frye case. Unfortunately, the red-hot romance that had blossomed between them during that investigation is now off in a ditch, thanks to Ronan’s self-confessed pigheadedness.

Agreeing to work together despite the rift in their relationship, Tennyson and Ronan discover they are in for more than they bargained for when more victims start to reveal themselves to Tennyson.

Realizing they might have a serial killer on their hands, the two men work tirelessly to stop this madman from killing again, but when the killer targets the son of a prominent member of the Boston Police Department, can Ronan and Tennyson save him before it’s too late?

Genres: Paranormal, M M Romance, Mystery, Romance, Ghosts, Crime, Audiobook

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2018

About the author

Sick of the slogging rat-race of her 9-5 job, Pandora Pine put pen to paper (literally!) to make her ambition of becoming a romance novelist a reality. She cut her teeth in the dog-eat-dog world of fanfiction, still dreaming of the day when she would be a published author. She lives in Massachusetts with her blabbermouth muse who’ s a fan of middle of the night plot twists.

In her spare time, Pandora fancies herself an amateur nature photographer. She enjoys mucking around in swamps, hiking through the woods and crawling around on her hands and knees in her backyard seeking out the perfect shot. Pandora is a fan of roadside seafood shacks and always thinks Mexican food is a good idea at the time.

Some of Pandora’s favorite things are chocolate, writing longhand with purple pens and handsome men falling in love with each other.

Don't miss Pandora’s seductive new novel coming soon to an e-reader near you.

Reviews

[Elise ✘ a.k.a Ryder's Pet ✘ · Rating 2 out of 5]

⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Same Problem As The First Book*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱

We're back with Cold Case Detective Ronan ‘Ro’ O’Mara's (30) and his local psychic boyfriend, Tennyson ‘Ten’ Grimm (30). Ten has a visitor from a spirit who wants him to solve his murder, and who better to help him do that than his cop boyfriend? Even if they are having personal issues... They soon find out that there's more than one murder and they're looking at a serial killer who rapes and kills young, gay prostitutes, and it's hits closer than they had thought.

Now, am I the only one who finds it a little bit... stupid and unbelievable that Cap and Greeley are already calling each other ‘son’ and ‘dad’? I mean, they've known each other for only a few days. This made things for me... difficult to feel a connection or family bond between them, because they barely know each other, and the time they have known each other, Greeley has been in rehab being treated for a methamphetamine addiction... not really a good time to get to know each other.

This here, is the same problem I had with book one. It's like the author want to us readers to have a connection with the characters and the relationship they build, but not knowing how to write it in without taking a lot of time. She's pretty much short-cutting things. So yeah, I have a real problem with the way the timeline was written. It doesn't make sense nor does it feel right because either we're missing huge parts of bonding time and days going by, or the author skipped those... Oh and again, the book was predictable.

“Wow. Two weeks ago you didn’t think it affected you at all. I’m impressed.”
“Two weeks is a long time to be without you.” That was the God’s honest truth. It had felt like two years.
Tennyson rolled his eyes. “You mean two weeks is a long time to be without my mouth on your dick.”
“No. Two weeks is a long time to be without the way you laugh at my ridiculous jokes. It’s a long time to be without your hugs that last half an hour, and it’s too long to be without my best friend. I could go the rest of my life without your mouth anywhere near my dick so long as I could pick up the phone and hear the sound of your voice.”
“Damn…” Tennyson trailed off. “Guess I’m the dick now, huh?”
As a matter of fact, he was, but Ronan sure as shit wasn’t about to say that out loud.

Other Characters:
→ Anthony ‘Tony’ ‘Tone’ Francis Abruzzi, was Ronan's homicide detective partner and is his best friend. His wife, Carlotta ‘Carlie’ Abruzzi. After Tony had been accused of murder last year, he’d been reassigned to the vice squad. Their youngest son, Vinnie, had been accepted to UNH for the fall semester and was spending his time since graduation working at a summer camp up in the White Mountains. Tony and Carlie agreed to take in Keegan, Jefferson, Brody, and Mark as their legal guardians. With almost no argument. Their two conditions were that all four boys retire from selling themselves and no drugs. The boys had all agreed.
→ Josh Gatlin, a homicide detective and Ronan's ex-husband. Turns out he's a pedophile and is Michael's rapist and killer. Michael's not the only boy Josh had taken, but he was the only one who got killed? This was book one mystery.
→ Carson Craig, owner of the West Side Magick storefront and a fellow psychic and a friend of Tennyson (he works there too). Truman, his husband. Carson and Truman has just gotten their triplets, conceived via in-vitro fertilization; Stephanie, Bertha and Brian.
→ Cole Craig, brother of Carson, owner of the West Side Magick storefront and a fellow psychic and a friend of Tennyson. Tennyson had been mentoring both of the Craig brothers after their mothers death and both received psychic powers, and all three worked in the West Side Magick shop. Cole’s wife, Cassie, who owns a bakery next door to the shop. Their daughter, Laurel (1 month old). Cassie, is also Truman’s best friend and business partner.
→ Captain Kevin ‘Cap’ Fitzgibbon (nearly 50), Ronan's boss.
→ Michael Frye (5), the boy who went missing 7 years ago and found dead; Josh had raped and killed the boy. Jackie Frye, his mother.
→ Vann Hoffman, the best medical examiner in Suffolk County
→ Justin Wilson (17), the spirit who can't speak. A prostitute after being kicked out of his home by his parents for being gay when he was 16. Gloria Wilson, his mother. Cliff Wilson, his father.
→ Keegan Mills, Justin's best friend and the one who reported him missing. Mark, Ronan and Jefferson, prostitutes as Keegan and Justin. None of them were much older than seventeen at the most.
→ Broughan Beals, an energy healer.
→ Rod Jacobson, a reporter/a writer for the Boston Globe who won a Pulitzer for writing a piece on the street kids of Boston. The rapist and killer, all because Jace wouldn't go out with him; he's deep into the closest as a deal he had with his father.
→ Greeley Hanks, a victim, who cap takes under his wing.
→ Jace Lincoln, runs the Tremont Street Mission homeless shelter.
→ Bertha Craig, the Craig brothers dead mother.
→ Detective Mick O’Dwyer, works in the same unit as Ronan.
→ Lieutenant Louis (about 50), vice and knows cap.

He started walking toward the door intent on following Tennyson out to the car, but turned around at the last minute. “Oh, just so you know. It wasn’t a phase. Being gay is who Justin was always going to be. All you had to do was hug him and tell him it was going to get better. All you had to do was be his armor in this cruel world, but instead, you were the sword that struck him down.” Ronan turned around and walked out the door, feeling better than he’d felt in months.

Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal Romance (M/M).
Series: - Series, Book Two.
Love triangle? - No.
Cheating? - No.
HEA? - No.
Favorite character? - None.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Not really.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Not really.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2 stars.

[Len Evans Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow and wow! The books in this series just keep getting better and better. Though I will admit this one was just a tad bit hard to read because the whole serial killer thing was beyond intense and had me wound up like a clock. One of my very favorite things about this author is that she does such and amazing job of entwining emotion into the story and gets me teared up when she does. At this point in the series she has created such an amazing "chosen" family of people that just blows me away and makes me feel like I am a part of it. I am loving the ongoing story of that family as it grows and flourishes. This book was an intense and incredibly enjoyable read and I can't wait to get a start on book 3!!!!

[~Kristin~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
So...as much as I loved the first book in the series, I was put off by the second. I still really enjoy the psychic/detective aspect of series, but not so much the back and forth this couple seems to need. I just don't enjoy relationships that run on that particular brand of drama. So...I may be done here

[~Mindy Lynn~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!


I'm really enjoying this series so far. The cases have really been interesting and I am enjoying the psychic aspect in the stories.

Ronan and Tennyson aren't speaking to each other when the book starts. But when Tennyson is visited by a teenage spirit who has a hard time communicating but does get across that he needs Ten's help catching his killer, he knows he going to need Ronan's help and will have to just put his emotions aside to help this boy.
The case is pretty disturbing and heartbreaking. I was completely swept away with the mystery and wasn't sure how it was going to end or who the killer was. The ending was intense and edge of your seat worthy.

I really enjoyed the family dynamic in this book. They have no problems bringing new people into their family and making them feel wanted and loved. They have a strong sense of loyalty and fall over themselves to help one another. Loved that.

Tennyson and Ronan's relationship is rocky to start out with but as the book goes you can see how strong their connection is growing. They have great chemistry and are constantly having to work on their relationship which I thought was realistic. I liked that they just didn't get together and poof everything is wonderful. The author has them working for it.

Definitely happy I am trying out so many new to me authors and having luck with it. Pandora Pine is a keeper and one I will continue reading books by. I can't wait for the next one in this series.

Happy reading dolls! xx

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have quit at book 1...

Despite the great performance by Michael Pauley, I couldn't get past the barely better than last time procedural aspects. DNA results in 6 hours? *le sigh* And the detox symptoms for meth addiction were inaccurate.

I guessed the killer pretty early - but not the "why" of it...and that just left me feeling so "meh." Was it the romantic rejection that set him off or was it Dissociative Identity Disorder (called "Multiple Personality Disorder" here - a term that has been retired)? I'm still not sure.

Even that ending isn't enough to tempt me to read/listen to more...

Now I just have to check to see if any sequels are accidentally still on the Challenge shelf so that I don't have them picked for me again.

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aw man. First it was cheese and now it is sugar.

Here's the thing.

I wanted to binge read a series.

And I kind of am.

But I am older and wiser and I need a break.

My God. This was just. JUST.

I'll be back. I think I am avoiding something and needed something and I think it gave that to me but gave me too much and I need to face my fears and come back.

But yeah, I need a break from this easy perfection JUST!

[Kaity · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay... so the first i would say 80% was like a 3.5 star read, and then the last 20% were a 2 star read...

Jesus for a cop Ronan can really be an idiot... like honestly for being a cop with 12 years experience you would think he would know what to do for media, and how to talk to suspects, but no he would lose his temper and do what he wasn't suppose to do. that was really annoying. also the hot and cold with Ten and Ronan was a little annoying but not as annoying as Ronan's stupidity lol

Debating on continuing... we will see the reviews for book 3 and if they aren't good i might have to skip that book and move on to something else.

[Gustaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first book but I'm still intrigued by this series. So on we go.

[SoCalBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was freaking Awesome. Pandora Pine really does such a great job with the suspense and mystery aspects of these books. You really cannot determine and guess what will happen at the end and who the bad guys are until you actually get to that point of the story. That is when you know it is a great book, when you are completely taken by surprise at the end.

I really think Michael Pauley excels at narrating this type of book as well. He really gives us such a great and enthusiastic performance when it comes to stories like this. He knows exactly when to change the inflections of his voice to keep us on the edge of our seats, and when to give us extra needed emotion for different scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed his narration for this book (as well as the first one) and I am super excited knowing he will be finishing up the rest of these books. Ten and Ronan would not be the same without his voice.

This book starts shortly after the end of book one. The setting and start threw me just a little bit. Knowing that there was a time between Dead Speak and this book where Ten and Ronan needed a break from each other already, was surprising, since I thought they ended on a decent note. But once you get a bit into this one their relationship falls back into place. It basically happens once Ronan pulls his stupid, stubborn head out of his butt. The intense and intriguing storyline and plot for this book flows perfectly from beginning to end. The story of what each of the boys go through when they were killed is a hard one to hear. But the way Tennyson and Ronan treat this case is really amazing. I think that Ronan learned a lot from being partnered with Ten before and he really steps up his way of thinking and the way he normally would act and treats the victims in this case so much better, than he previously had done in the past. This book was seriously good, and I am looking forward to where the rest of this series takes us.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the concept of this series and I really like the MC's. I found the mystery entertaining and the secondary characters are likable as well. This was on it's way to a 5 star read until the end The whole does he/doesn't he have multiple personalities was just weird. It gets thrown out there to justify why Tennyson doesn't pick up on who the killer is but then the killer shows absolutely no signs of having a different personality - he acts/talks just like himself and has all the memories/experiences of himself. I just don't understand why the author went that way and then never followed up on it. I also thought the Captain and his son was way too quick and easy given the life his son had led up to that point. In a matter of days he's calling him dad and the Captain chucks all his training out the door and enters a situation that could have cost him his life but worse if his son was still there could have resulted in his son's death. Not buying it for a second.

However, overlooking the details that just didn't seem believable or make sense (spoiler stuff) I really liked this story. I enjoyed seeing Tennyson and Ronan get closer and work through some of their issues. The ending left you on a bit of a cliffhanger and I'm looking forward to seeing how they deal with the change (although probably very temporary).

[Daesy · Rating 3 out of 5]

**grm**

This series started so well, but now I'm getting bored. The author has the bad habit of pratically telling us who the killer is, in the first pages of the book. Is not that she tells us the name, but the bad man is always one of the first strangers we meet, then she makes the spirit describe the murderer and that always matches only one guy, the new one.... and I find this annoying as shi*, bcs if this is a mystery, I want a fu*king mystery. The author tells us too much, too soon, and then the story loses interest. I found myself wanting to end the book, skipping pages.

Another thing that really made me roll my eyes, was Tennyson always being a drama queen, that thought all revolved around him.
He is not a bad guy, but every time he hears a spirit's story (and btw all the spirits he has to help are always gay boy murdered....), he connects their sad past to his....Idk anymore what to think.....

The only thing I'm sure about, is that in this moment I'd really be happy to be on the last book of this series and not only on the 3rd, where btw Ten is being a drama queen again, thinking that losing his gift will make him become a prostitute....FOR GOD'S SAKE MAN, you are 30, if you can't use your gift, go become a cleaner or something like that, you don't need a title to work, at least not for all the jobs, and sure as hell prostitution isn't the only thing you can do, but that you think it is, tells me a lot about your personality, and sure as hell isn't a good impression....


Sigh, 3 stars bcs at least there is no cheat or well rape for the "living".

Ps= there were so many ridiculous scenes in this book, but I don't wanna spend my time talking about them.

[Skirmish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2020/04/10/...
Rating: 3.5 Stars – that place between like and love

[Caipi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suspenseful story!
I have two niggles, one just too unrealistic how quick and intense Captain Fitzgibbon and Greeley bond as father and son and one not really elaborated there was a thought that Tennyson couldn't read Jacobson correctly because of a multiple personality disorder but it didn't get clarified and Jacobson didn't show any behaviour caused by this disorder. Or did I miss something? These two points aside I greatly enjoyed reading/listening to this book!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten and Ronan are a great team

[F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loving this series. Like how the relationship between Ronan and Ten is not all plain sailing but has its ups and downs.
4.5 stars

[100sweet · Rating 1 out of 5]

I commend this author for trying to write about such an important subject, unfortunately, the execution was bad. Most of the events were straight out of TV crime shows and the twists were not surprising, just disappointing. Plus, the characters would go from discussing serious issues to flirting, teasing, and making jokes. I didn't like that at all and thought it was pretty inappropriate. Then there were multiple scenes with characters openly discussing or sharing intimate details about their sexual relationships while other characters were disgusted for hearing about it. In addition, I thought it was a bit OTT with so many characters revealing themselves to be gay and how total strangers were suddenly deciding to adopt the boys. I was especially puzzled by the captain who knew the kid for a second but was acting like he was his real son. Even kid was suddenly calling him dad and saying "I love you." Someone with a history of complex trauma cannot make such an immediate attachment. The ending wasn't satisfying and the brief glimpse of the next book was not enough for me to continue this series.

[Sali · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book could be good. But the police investigation is shit. They don't follow leads, they don't check the records of their suspect before interviewing them, they use a stolen can soda and a kiss for getting DNA of the suspects, he contacted the media when the captain told him not to, which it's ridiculous because he supposedly know so much about the mind of a serial killer..
And Ronan is a entitled selfcenter asshole. I don't like him. And I really don't like how Ten is written to always be the one responsable when they fight. It feels like the victim is the one to be blamed for. Ten is always apologizing to Ronan. But it's Ronan who's always yelling and being a ass.
I skipped the sex scene. And it's annoying when every scene between the two MC outside of their work end up in sex, especially in a on going series.

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not give five stars easily but Ms Pine nailed this one straight on. The plot was both interesting and easy to follow. Ronan and Tennyson were polished up and very likable. The haziness that I felt in Dead Speak was gone. I enjoyed the interplay between Fitzgibbon and the team on both a personal and professional level. He felt real. Dead Silence cannot come fast enough

[Janeylou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
Oh this is a sad one the ghosts that are coning to Ten for help are all teenage street boys that are victims to a serial killer . Ronan & Tenn are arguing ..again but the case brings then back , closer than ever

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook review

Dead Reckoning takes place a few months after Dead Speak. An ultimatum issued by Tennyson resulted in a break between him and Ronan. A break they both hope is temporary. Still the communication between them is sparse, if any. That all changes when the spirit of a teenage boy appears and begs Ten to solve his murder.

When they started looking into his murder, they couldn't have imagined what horrors they'd uncover. Over ten teenage boys had been tortured and brutally murdered, but no one had ever connected them to each other until now. As more and more secrets are uncovered, it gets more personal and more and more dangerous.

Again, I enjoyed the mystery as such. It was another easy one to solve, and man do I want to burn the killer on the stakes, along with a few other not so pleasant things...and I'm getting off track. As I said for the first book, this series should be read for the entertainment value only. Do not expect any procedural accuracy, because that's cringe worthy, to be honest. But as I don't expect it to be accurate, I really don't mind that. But happily follow along where the story takes me.

As for the relationship between Ten and Ronan goes, it feels a bit shallow. There were a lot of things that happened off page and between books that we weren't really there for. Things are resolved too easily, too quickly. They keep swinging back and forward, they are together - they are barely speaking - then they're together again. And everything inbetween feels like it's swept under the rug.

Michael Pauley is a good performer/narrator, but sadly there were a few times his performance of this didn't quite ring true. The emotion, emphasis he added didn't fit with the situation at times and made the narration sound a bit off. Other than those times I really enjoyed listening to this book. As always Pauley has a range of different voices and you never have to wonder who's speaking, so listening to his books is always effortless and relaxing.

I've enjoyed listening to this book and I'm looking forward to listening to the next book in the series.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

[Taid Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in Pine's series takes readers back to Ronan, a Boston cold case detective, and Tennyson, a younger psychic who lives in Salem, a young man who used his talent to help Ronan locate both the body of a boy missing for a half dozen years along with helping to identify the boy's killer. The second story has all the good qualities of the first novel with a more complex mystery plot with the two men looking for a serial killer of young gay prostitutes who--like Ten--have been disowned by their parents. Pine combines these complexities with additional personal conflicts between detective Ronan's and psychic Tennyson's growing love life and individual person problems. The novel ends with new problems growing for each, problems that work like a cliffhanger for the third book. It's clever. Enjoy.

[Danis ❤️ MM · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just can’t give this a 3. It’s more like a 2.5 ish.

Pros:
Could have been an interesting plot. Tennyson (the psychic) and Ronan (the Detective) are working together again to find the deranged serial killer of young male prostitutes.
I like most of the characters, even the ancillary ones.
There are some funny moments with memorable quotes like:
“Shit, piss and corruption!”
“I’m so deep in the fucking closet I can practically see Narnia.”

Cons:
The plot flamingly fell apart at the end where even my suspension of disbelief couldn’t pull it out of its grave.
The characters seem all over the place. One minute they’re sweet, nice, understanding. The next they’re raging. Over minor stuff. I was getting whiplash.
There are weird typos here and there.
It’s not a HEA or even an HFN, it’s very much a cliffhanger in terms of the main character’s relationship at the end which I personally dislike.

I’ll read the next, because I’m not a quitter. Hopefully it gets better.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the first book in this series and this was no different. I just don’t like when there are gaps between the books that affect the current book. Ronan is still as stubborn as ever but when he lets go and we see what is really bugging him it brings him and Tennyson even closer. Ten is affected by this case as the last and almost more when the victims’ past mirrors his own. It looks like the next one starts right after this so there is no gap.

I loved Ronan’s boss being brought into the fold and how they all support each other and make their own family.

Michael Pauley did a nice job narrating the story as usual. I easily kept track of the story and his voices for the characters worked well.

[♥️Victoria ♥️ ♥️love books♥️]

Was not in the right mind set for this one so will re-read at a later state for fare judgement

[Alreem · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Marianne Boutet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good second book in this series. A few grammatical errors here and there threw me off while reading; otherwise very entertaining.

[Jessica S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now a new favourite in the suspense/crime genre. I even liked this better than book 1. It's high intensity and high stakes which I love.

Tennyson is again visited by the ghost who wants him to solve their murder. This time it's a teen boy who was turning tricks after his parents kicked him out. We find out this ghost was actually victim 11 and so starts the hunt for a serial killer.

At the start of the book Ronan and Tennyson haven't spoken for 15 days due to a fight and an ultimatum given by Tennyson. This case bring them back together again and leaves them stronger.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is turning into one of my favorite series of the moment. Great pacing and good character development. It's also set in the area I live in , which is cool.

[Dantemich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its just so bad that it hurts((( At the end of the series there will be thousands of loving gay couples all with children . This is scary that the author is thinking there is no other traectory to happiness then the hetero cliche. Her heroes are the epithom of hetero cliche((( If you want to write about phychic heroes show some respect or some humor but not the sheer banality vision based on tv shows for housewifes. Writing of miss Pine is like the cake of bad pastry chef... she just cant find the balance... all sweets or all sour

[Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first.
Possibly because I didn't groan this time about the identity of the bad guy.
I like the relationship. They have ups and downs. Relationships take work and everything isn't going to be sunshine and rainbows all the time.
The ending has me wanting to read the next one right away. I need to know what is going on with Tennyson. The title of the next book makes it more worrisome.