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Stonewall Investigations #1
A Hard Call
Zane Holden hasn't had the easiest go of things. His childhood was rough, and adulthood hasn't been a walk in the park, either. The only good thing in his life would be Stonewall Investigations, an investigative company he found to work primarily with the LGBTQ community. Things were okay, and Zane was finally healing from a personal tragedy, but the reemergence of a serial killer turns his world upside down.
Lorenzo De Luca is a cocky defense attorney dripping in Italian charm. He's well known as one of the best lawyers in New York City, a title he worked hard to achieve. When he picks up a difficult case, he finds that he needs extra help. This leads him to Stonewall, where he meets Zane for the first time and instantly feels himself falling for the mysterious and stone-cut detective.
The two men have their own hangups to work through, but both men are having a hard time denying the connection between them, even though they're trying. When fate insists on pushing them together, Zane and Enzo give in and start exploring their feelings. They'll need to balance their budding relationship with the stress of Enzo's case, which takes them both on a twisting journey toward the truth, all while a bigger threat looms on the horizon.
Contains mature themes.
Listening Length: 7 hours and 5 minutes.
Lorenzo De Luca is a cocky defense attorney dripping in Italian charm. He's well known as one of the best lawyers in New York City, a title he worked hard to achieve. When he picks up a difficult case, he finds that he needs extra help. This leads him to Stonewall, where he meets Zane for the first time and instantly feels himself falling for the mysterious and stone-cut detective.
The two men have their own hangups to work through, but both men are having a hard time denying the connection between them, even though they're trying. When fate insists on pushing them together, Zane and Enzo give in and start exploring their feelings. They'll need to balance their budding relationship with the stress of Enzo's case, which takes them both on a twisting journey toward the truth, all while a bigger threat looms on the horizon.
Contains mature themes.
Listening Length: 7 hours and 5 minutes.
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 10, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
December 27, 2018
Barely *** 2 Stars***
First things first: the audiobook was great. Well, it's Greg Boudreaux, so of course it was great! The story, tho? That was rather worthy of a...
This was basically about two guys in their thirties maybe (I don't think their age was ever mentioned) who never got past puberty, pining after each other with their hormones on steroids and popping a boner left, right and center whenever they only so much as hear the other man's voice.
I'm sorry! Maybe I should have just said that it was not what I expected... The premise was more than promising, the beginning was good and I really liked Zane, but as soon as Enzo entered the picture it went downhill fast and got worse by the minute. The hunt for the serial killer fell to the wayside and the solving of the case was more like an afterthought.
My rating is for the story only, the narration definitely deserves more, and the second star is for Zane and Thunder, his cat. I really hope you will enjoy it more than I did!
First things first: the audiobook was great. Well, it's Greg Boudreaux, so of course it was great! The story, tho? That was rather worthy of a...
This was basically about two guys in their thirties maybe (I don't think their age was ever mentioned) who never got past puberty, pining after each other with their hormones on steroids and popping a boner left, right and center whenever they only so much as hear the other man's voice.
I'm sorry! Maybe I should have just said that it was not what I expected... The premise was more than promising, the beginning was good and I really liked Zane, but as soon as Enzo entered the picture it went downhill fast and got worse by the minute. The hunt for the serial killer fell to the wayside and the solving of the case was more like an afterthought.
My rating is for the story only, the narration definitely deserves more, and the second star is for Zane and Thunder, his cat. I really hope you will enjoy it more than I did!
September 10, 2022
A Hard Call by Max Walker
Stonewall Investigations series book 1. M-M murder mystery and romance.
Zane is a Private Investigator with Stonewall Investigations. His life has been difficult and rocky but working for the firm that handles lgbtq cases, is satisfying.
Lorenzo is a defense lawyer that goes to Stonewall for help with a case. Enzo and Zane team up to work together but the reemergence of a serial killer from Zane’s past rocks their world into chaos.
Each of the men have personal issues they need to deal with before they can commit to a relationship but their sexual attraction to each other cannot be ignored.
Steamy and seductive. Partial cliffhanger for the series.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Greg Boudreaux who brings his A game as usual to his performance. Drama and anxiety and danger are well presented and make this story breathtaking. In particular because of the Italian accent. I listened to this at 1.5 which is slightly faster than my usual.
Stonewall Investigations series book 1. M-M murder mystery and romance.
Zane is a Private Investigator with Stonewall Investigations. His life has been difficult and rocky but working for the firm that handles lgbtq cases, is satisfying.
Lorenzo is a defense lawyer that goes to Stonewall for help with a case. Enzo and Zane team up to work together but the reemergence of a serial killer from Zane’s past rocks their world into chaos.
Each of the men have personal issues they need to deal with before they can commit to a relationship but their sexual attraction to each other cannot be ignored.
Steamy and seductive. Partial cliffhanger for the series.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Greg Boudreaux who brings his A game as usual to his performance. Drama and anxiety and danger are well presented and make this story breathtaking. In particular because of the Italian accent. I listened to this at 1.5 which is slightly faster than my usual.
March 25, 2018
2.5 Stars!
The struggle was real with this one dolls. This was another NTMA and I'm not sure if I will be reading anything else by them. It wasn't a horrible read, but when you contemplate giving up on it for the majority of the book it is safe to say it's not working for you.
This was basically about two guys hooking up with the mystery falling to the side. They couldn't be in the same room or talk with one another without the other popping a boner. Now I am usually not too annoyed with an oversexed book, but the author had a great serial killer name that could have had a great mystery to go with it but focused more on them his character getting off instead of balancing it out with the mystery. It's barely touched upon and nothing really happens. Even the murder that brings Enzo and Zane together felt like an after thought to their sexing. It was wrapped up way too quickly and at the very end. It was all very anticlimactic. The whole book.
Happy reading dolls! xx
The struggle was real with this one dolls. This was another NTMA and I'm not sure if I will be reading anything else by them. It wasn't a horrible read, but when you contemplate giving up on it for the majority of the book it is safe to say it's not working for you.
This was basically about two guys hooking up with the mystery falling to the side. They couldn't be in the same room or talk with one another without the other popping a boner. Now I am usually not too annoyed with an oversexed book, but the author had a great serial killer name that could have had a great mystery to go with it but focused more on them his character getting off instead of balancing it out with the mystery. It's barely touched upon and nothing really happens. Even the murder that brings Enzo and Zane together felt like an after thought to their sexing. It was wrapped up way too quickly and at the very end. It was all very anticlimactic. The whole book.
Happy reading dolls! xx
May 26, 2018
This is the first book in this series and it starts off very good. The premise of private detectives solving crimes appeals to me because it has the thrill of the chase, the mystery that gets you thinking, adrenaline pumping in the moment of danger. I have a taste for books like this sometimes. This one has delivered what I wanted and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Zane Holden is a PI who owns his private investigations company. He is smart, dedicated and ruggedly handsome. He is suffering from a loss of his husband and is now married to his job. Here enters Enzo aka Lorenzo de Luca who is a successful and charming defense attorney. He is the kind of man who does not get no for an answer. He is confident and sex on a stick gorgeous. This looks like a recipe for a success. But Enzo has to work hard to mix THAT dish!
They both dance around each other trying to reconcile with their differences and put their demons to rest. When they finally do come together their chemistry is explosive. They are on fire for each other and I loved them together in bed, and on the couch and in other various places. *fanning my face* Totally hot!
Together they work on a case to acquit an innocent man. It takes some time and ingenuity but they get there. It was a mystery to me till the end. And add to that the fear of a serial killer who is terrorizing the gay community and you get an awesome action and steam packed read. I loved it all and highly recommend it!
Zane Holden is a PI who owns his private investigations company. He is smart, dedicated and ruggedly handsome. He is suffering from a loss of his husband and is now married to his job. Here enters Enzo aka Lorenzo de Luca who is a successful and charming defense attorney. He is the kind of man who does not get no for an answer. He is confident and sex on a stick gorgeous. This looks like a recipe for a success. But Enzo has to work hard to mix THAT dish!
They both dance around each other trying to reconcile with their differences and put their demons to rest. When they finally do come together their chemistry is explosive. They are on fire for each other and I loved them together in bed, and on the couch and in other various places. *fanning my face* Totally hot!
Together they work on a case to acquit an innocent man. It takes some time and ingenuity but they get there. It was a mystery to me till the end. And add to that the fear of a serial killer who is terrorizing the gay community and you get an awesome action and steam packed read. I loved it all and highly recommend it!
November 30, 2021
I read the “Stonewall Investigation” series that was set in Miami, Florida, first and was a bit surprised by the crossover from that series to this series with Zane’s lover having been murdered by someone that was never caught. The same thing happened to Oliver’s lover in the Miami series. Coincidence??? Maybe. Anyway...back to this one. Zane is still recovering from the love of his life being murdered by a serial killer several years before. The killer has apparently reemerged. Taking away the peace he has achieved. They meet again when Zanes brother saves Enzo from a crazy person bent on revenge. He has not been able to move on with his life, in fact has no interest in much these days when he hears some stunning news. On the same day, he has an appointment with a new client, a rather charismatic, newsworthy and photogenic attorney who has nothing in common with Zane as an individual. Enzo (Lorenzo) brings with him a positive approach to life, and an appreciation for beautiful things. This is not exactly a suspense story..., not exactly a crime or thriller...and not exactly a romance story despite enough electric passion to light an entire city. Max Walker has given us a story that could be called is a smorgasbord. The familiar theme that I mentioned before continues throughout this story. So maybe same story, different characters and cities. We’ll see where the next one goes
September 30, 2018
This was a case of the narrator making the story. I daresay I would have given this one a lower rating if I had read it instead of listening to it.
Read
October 6, 2018DNF @ around 35% (not sure, I'm doing it on audio)
I just don't care what happens with these guys so I'm giving it a toss.
I just don't care what happens with these guys so I'm giving it a toss.
March 31, 2018
DNF
Oh dear, this book will never be accused of being subtle.
There were many things that really didn’t do it for me here. I noticed a great amount of unnecessary similes, maybe in an effort to make the writing more… colorful? I don’t know. There were times when the writing was also super dramatic, for example:
“I grabbed my coat from the back of my chair and put it on, buttoning the front to shield my chest from the cold. I buried my hands in the deep pockets and followed Eric through the gate that led out onto the street, leaving the warm refuge provided by the huge heating lamps…” All that to say he put on his jacket and went outside…
But my main problem was the main characters, especially Enzo. He was like an animal in heat. He was supposed to be a successful lawyer, not to mention a grown up man, but his thoughts were at times those of a teenage girl on a sugar overdose. Did I mention he was like an animal in heat? One more thing, his answer when he was asked if he would defend someone accused of being the unicorn murderer left me cold.
Zane was not as bad, but the romance was so insta-lovy I just couldn’t get behind it.
And where is the mystery? The investigation is just not happening…
Well, too many eye-roll inducing moments, too little time for me to read, I decided to put this one down and pick up something I may actually enjoy.
Oh dear, this book will never be accused of being subtle.
There were many things that really didn’t do it for me here. I noticed a great amount of unnecessary similes, maybe in an effort to make the writing more… colorful? I don’t know. There were times when the writing was also super dramatic, for example:
“I grabbed my coat from the back of my chair and put it on, buttoning the front to shield my chest from the cold. I buried my hands in the deep pockets and followed Eric through the gate that led out onto the street, leaving the warm refuge provided by the huge heating lamps…” All that to say he put on his jacket and went outside…
But my main problem was the main characters, especially Enzo. He was like an animal in heat. He was supposed to be a successful lawyer, not to mention a grown up man, but his thoughts were at times those of a teenage girl on a sugar overdose. Did I mention he was like an animal in heat? One more thing, his answer when he was asked if he would defend someone accused of being the unicorn murderer left me cold.
Zane was not as bad, but the romance was so insta-lovy I just couldn’t get behind it.
And where is the mystery? The investigation is just not happening…
Well, too many eye-roll inducing moments, too little time for me to read, I decided to put this one down and pick up something I may actually enjoy.
probably-not-but-freebie
January 27, 2019Freebie at the zon.com right now: https://smile.amazon.com/Hard-Call-St...
April 18, 2019
The only reason I'm not giving this one star is because the narration was excellent - Greg Tremblay's talent merits better material than this.
The story... well, I had one thought in my head as I was listening:
One of the leads owns a PI firm, the other is a hot-shot lawyer and honestly, they talk and sprout boners like teenagers. The PI - Zane - lost his husband to a serial killer three years ago and in the first few chapters he's all "woe is me, I'll never love again, how can I even bear to sit on this sofa where we cuddled and talked so often?" and then a few chapters later, he's flat on his back on said sofa getting a BJ from the handsome lawyer, Enzo.
Zane is supposed to be investigating the murder of a married couple for which their neighbour has been arrested (which I suppose he kind of does, in between all the boners and the face-time-sex in the office) but it's ridiculously simplistic, and Enzo's reactions to Zane's "discoveries" are utterly laughable; he'd probably think Zane tying his shoe-laces properly was amazing.
Oh, and the serial killer plot is left hanging. Not that I'll be bothering with any more of the books in this series.
This is a rare return to Audible.
The story... well, I had one thought in my head as I was listening:
One of the leads owns a PI firm, the other is a hot-shot lawyer and honestly, they talk and sprout boners like teenagers. The PI - Zane - lost his husband to a serial killer three years ago and in the first few chapters he's all "woe is me, I'll never love again, how can I even bear to sit on this sofa where we cuddled and talked so often?" and then a few chapters later, he's flat on his back on said sofa getting a BJ from the handsome lawyer, Enzo.
Zane is supposed to be investigating the murder of a married couple for which their neighbour has been arrested (which I suppose he kind of does, in between all the boners and the face-time-sex in the office) but it's ridiculously simplistic, and Enzo's reactions to Zane's "discoveries" are utterly laughable; he'd probably think Zane tying his shoe-laces properly was amazing.
Oh, and the serial killer plot is left hanging. Not that I'll be bothering with any more of the books in this series.
This is a rare return to Audible.
November 15, 2022
This is my second book by this author and this was a lot better than my first experience, it wasn't great but it wasn't awful either. Storywise I think Walker has a good, possibly even great, concept. It's interesting and something that the reader or listener can really sink their teeth into. Sadly all that potential wasn't realised, there was always something that felt off, or not quite right. I can't put my finger on exactly what it was that made me feel that way, I just know that I wasn't as engrossed as I should have been with a story like this.
A major reason why this book ended up as a 3 star read for me was due to the fabulous narration by Greg Boudreaux. He can elevate any story he gets his hands on, this one included. But I don't think that even he can make me interested enough to continue with the series - even if I would like to know the solution to the major mystery - which I assume will play out over the entire series.
A major reason why this book ended up as a 3 star read for me was due to the fabulous narration by Greg Boudreaux. He can elevate any story he gets his hands on, this one included. But I don't think that even he can make me interested enough to continue with the series - even if I would like to know the solution to the major mystery - which I assume will play out over the entire series.
February 9, 2019
Oh. Good. God. No... Why did I even think about reading this? Got about 29% and just gave up. Zane, whose husband had been killed by the 'Unicorn' killer and the perpetually on heat Enzo who is just Slutty McSlut. Neither of these characters’ have a fleshed-out personality and both are deeply irritating. If you can't see why I would DNF please go ahead and read this book. Once again, I've read this, so you don't have to.
May 18, 2019
3.5 Stars
Greg's vocal performance really reeled me in, even if the mystery/investigation wasn't so interesting. I LOVED his subtle Italian accent.
I'm in for the rest of this series if he's narrating them...well, also because the barely touched-upon serial killer aspect is the true star of the arc (at least for me).
Greg's vocal performance really reeled me in, even if the mystery/investigation wasn't so interesting. I LOVED his subtle Italian accent.
I'm in for the rest of this series if he's narrating them...well, also because the barely touched-upon serial killer aspect is the true star of the arc (at least for me).
January 25, 2019
2 stars -- (DNF @ 49%) My reading New Year's Resolution was that 2019 would be the year where I wouldn't feel at all guilty for DNFing a book at any point during reading it. This book is the latest victim of that. I decided to give up on this book when I crawled into the bunk of my truck to start reading and realized that I simply didn't care about the couple, because the characters felt one-dimensional. The author spent time giving (one in particular) plenty of backstory elements (though some of them felt unimaginative... a private investigator who grew up in the foster system, like we haven't seen that a time or forty), but then never really used them as tools for making the characters' behaviors believable. Also, I was more interested in what was being set-up as the suspense element, but the author had spent so little time on it to this point, I just couldn't imagine it getting better.
Pet peeve: Sex scenes don't need to span more than two chapters (one POV chapter for each character)... not only does this make the sex less hot, it bores me to death. Seriously, I've been reading gay romances long enough now to where pretty much nothing in the sex scenes jumps off the page as being scorching unless the author has first completely hooked me on the characters. As little as I cared about these two, "they fucked" would have been a sufficient sex scene.
Pet peeve: Sex scenes don't need to span more than two chapters (one POV chapter for each character)... not only does this make the sex less hot, it bores me to death. Seriously, I've been reading gay romances long enough now to where pretty much nothing in the sex scenes jumps off the page as being scorching unless the author has first completely hooked me on the characters. As little as I cared about these two, "they fucked" would have been a sufficient sex scene.
June 8, 2018
I found this a bit hard going. I was expecting a great serial killer / detective story but got something a little watered down. I wasn’t a fan of the way the Italian language was used, it was supposed to be sexy I guess but I found it annoying. I didn’t dislike this book, but it ran a little too messy for me.
dnf
January 20, 2023DNF @ 82% - I think the combination of Greg Boudreaux and the fact that I genuinely liked the romance in this book carried me through so much of it, but in the end the underwhelming crime plot and absolutely-not-my-style humor made me give up.
April 23, 2023
I love watching detective stories on tv, but they are not my favorite genre to read. However, I always enjoy Max Walker’s detectives. He interweaves a detective and a romance like no one else.
not-for-me-dnf
January 31, 202223.0% "I give up when the super-successful NY city lawyer keeps on saying "cazzo" and "merda" just to stay in his Italian character, totally abandoning the businessman character, and the insta-love is dropping all over the place, and Zane is so heartbroken about his soul mate being murdered three years ago, and Enzo saying cazzo again. Nope."
March 12, 2018
I can’t begin to express how much I enjoyed this book. All the elements for a great book are found within these pages. The characters are strong, complex, and likable, the story is entertaining, and there is a rollercoaster of emotions that I found myself on along with the characters. The author does a great job of bringing the characters to life, as well as setting the scene - it was easy to feel I was right there with the characters. There is something for everyone in this book including mystery, suspense, and romance. I can’t wait to read what happens next.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
May 13, 2023
Inizio di una serie che promette bene!! Consigliato 😊
January 26, 2024
Greg Boudreaux is absolutely amazing.
March 29, 2022
Well developed characters and a layered plot makes this book really stand out. Great start to a series.
January 7, 2023
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Great story and great audio performance!
This is only the second book I’ve read by Max Walker and I loved it. Greg Boudreaux is a favorite audiobook performer and he did a wonderful job with this story.
A Hard Call is a great love story with some heart-pounding moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. Zane never thought he’d find love again but then a confident attorney walks into his office to hire his company. Lorenzo is taken with Zane the moment he meets him but he has to work hard to get Zane to agree to see him.
The case that Lorenzo brought to Stonewall was for his client who was accused of murder; Lorenzo believes him to be innocent. There were twists and turns in this story that kept me guessing whodunit until all was revealed.
There is a secondary serial killer plot that wasn’t concluded in this book but I didn’t feel like it was a cliffhanger. Lorenzo and Zane got their HEA.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Great story and great audio performance!
This is only the second book I’ve read by Max Walker and I loved it. Greg Boudreaux is a favorite audiobook performer and he did a wonderful job with this story.
A Hard Call is a great love story with some heart-pounding moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. Zane never thought he’d find love again but then a confident attorney walks into his office to hire his company. Lorenzo is taken with Zane the moment he meets him but he has to work hard to get Zane to agree to see him.
The case that Lorenzo brought to Stonewall was for his client who was accused of murder; Lorenzo believes him to be innocent. There were twists and turns in this story that kept me guessing whodunit until all was revealed.
There is a secondary serial killer plot that wasn’t concluded in this book but I didn’t feel like it was a cliffhanger. Lorenzo and Zane got their HEA.
September 16, 2019
Not a bad read; I quite enjoyed it. However it made me feel like a book of sex with a little bit of mystery added to it - these two were really hot for each other, in my opinion to the detriment of the supposed unresolved mystery that was hanging over Zane's head for much of the book and which won't be resolved until the fourth book. But hey, they had superb chemistry and really sets the tone for book four, which is when the series goes full circle and returns to Zane and Enzo (the second and third books have different MCs) and where the loose ends are tied.
I just wish we knew more about Zane's husband, other than he was killed, because it seemed to be the impetus for him to continue investigating the killer. I seriously wanted to know why he was killed.
I just wish we knew more about Zane's husband, other than he was killed, because it seemed to be the impetus for him to continue investigating the killer. I seriously wanted to know why he was killed.
October 31, 2018
DNF
Couldn't get into. Didn't like writing style .
Couldn't get into. Didn't like writing style .
Read
September 7, 2022Way too insta love for me
July 3, 2023
This was great! For roughly two hundred pages, I really enjoyed this. I liked the mystery element, and the way Zane and Enzo's relationship developed. Definitely will I be picking up book two hopefully soon, and continuing the series. While the serial killer wasn't solved, the other mystery was. The book had a happy ending, and I am giving this 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 ⭐
May 16, 2024
I got this one for free and was entertained. The characters are interchangeable and the relationship focuses on sex only. The most catching are the weird metaphors.
ETA: I just checked other reviews and decide to not finish this one.
ETA: I just checked other reviews and decide to not finish this one.
August 26, 2020
Title ⤵️
A Hard Call
Author ⤵️
Max Walker
Rating ⤵️
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thoughts ⤵️
A cool spin on the romance-suspense genre with an LGBT twist.
A Hard Call
Author ⤵️
Max Walker
Rating ⤵️
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thoughts ⤵️
A cool spin on the romance-suspense genre with an LGBT twist.
May 2, 2025
Voto 4+
Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews