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Metis Inquiries #1
Deacon and the Dead
Loyal ghost sidekick. Too many psychics. A bathtub full of blood.
They both want more, but should they risk their partnership?
Deacon Stone is a damn good Inquiry-Detective for the Metis Guild of Law. His methods may be a secret, but he gets the job done.
When a mayor’s son goes missing, all Deacon and his best friend and partner Kota have to go on is a bathtub full of blood, a psychic twin brother, and a ghost who’s hiding something.
With old friends in trouble, emotions run high and mistakes are made. What should have been a routine missing-person inquiry soon becomes shrouded in betrayal.
Deacon and the Dead is a friends-to-lovers, m/m romance, sc-fi/fantasy, police procedural. 71,000 words, HFN, small cliffhanger.
They both want more, but should they risk their partnership?
Deacon Stone is a damn good Inquiry-Detective for the Metis Guild of Law. His methods may be a secret, but he gets the job done.
When a mayor’s son goes missing, all Deacon and his best friend and partner Kota have to go on is a bathtub full of blood, a psychic twin brother, and a ghost who’s hiding something.
With old friends in trouble, emotions run high and mistakes are made. What should have been a routine missing-person inquiry soon becomes shrouded in betrayal.
Deacon and the Dead is a friends-to-lovers, m/m romance, sc-fi/fantasy, police procedural. 71,000 words, HFN, small cliffhanger.
327 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2019
9 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Este Holland
18 books43 followersEste Holland is a writer and reader of all things Romance. She's also a treasure hunter, a word wizard, a lover, and a fighter.
Like her Facebook and follow her on Instagram and tell her which is true and which is a lie.
webstite: www.esteholland.com; Instagram: @este.holland.writer; Facebook Page: Este Holland Author
Like her Facebook and follow her on Instagram and tell her which is true and which is a lie.
webstite: www.esteholland.com; Instagram: @este.holland.writer; Facebook Page: Este Holland Author
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 10, 2020
DNF at 36%. In the past two days I have read two books that featured a trope I now find that I dislike and will not read again. It's friends-to-lovers trope. I have this particular pet peeve, when MCs have anything that looks like intimacy with other people than them on and even off page, I just do not like it. I don't know if authors think that this will ratchet the tension or bring more sex appeal to the story, but when the chemistry between the MCs is already tepid, this just kills the relationship for me before it even began.
This particular book aside above mentioned pet peeve of mine had such abysmal world building that it made it impossible for me to get into the story. I kept getting distracted by these new items introduced and trying to figure them out. The MCs abilities where all over the place. It felt like the author started on one ability than suddenly decided to just add extra to the character's traits. Such poor background was provided for everything and everyone that I got tired of being in the dark and, frankly speaking, got bored.
I did read the snippets of last chapter to find out whodunit. I was pleasantly surprised, and I would have liked to read how they got there but I didn't like either MCs or the world this author had not sufficiently built. This weekend sucked. Gah
This particular book aside above mentioned pet peeve of mine had such abysmal world building that it made it impossible for me to get into the story. I kept getting distracted by these new items introduced and trying to figure them out. The MCs abilities where all over the place. It felt like the author started on one ability than suddenly decided to just add extra to the character's traits. Such poor background was provided for everything and everyone that I got tired of being in the dark and, frankly speaking, got bored.
I did read the snippets of last chapter to find out whodunit. I was pleasantly surprised, and I would have liked to read how they got there but I didn't like either MCs or the world this author had not sufficiently built. This weekend sucked. Gah
June 6, 2019
I received this book by the author and This is my honest opinion.
I really enjoy these types of book where you get the detectives, the mystery but that twist of the paranormal where one is a medium and can see ghosts. This story promises quite a bit for further books to come where we can get a bit more meat and substance from these characters and there developing relationship. I'm also curious what further powers are being formed, and Declan ghost sentinel amos. I enjoyed the characters who were personable and had distinct personalities and with the slow build up of friends to becoming more.
Now that I've got all my excitement over future books out of the way, this book entertained me. There's not much in the way of steamy scenes as declan and kota are just by the end of the book starting to materialise and confirm their feelings for one another. The book had me in its grip and I loved the mystery which let me tell you I didn't see it concluding out that way! There was sad moments but also uplifting ones. I must admit when I started reading this book, and the fact this was a new to me author so I wasn't aware if they had existing books which I had to check because the story dived right into this world without so much as a breath before your immersed into the world of metis and I-detective which at first I thought was a typo but is in fact a rank in the police force. There's new words for various things and though you can sort of guess what they are I felt like we needed more explanation and a deeper depth of world building so we could acquaint ourselve into this future set world.
So that's my little niggle over this book but once I got used to it, the mystery and intrigue carried it along. An interesting read and I look forward to the 2nd in the series.
I really enjoy these types of book where you get the detectives, the mystery but that twist of the paranormal where one is a medium and can see ghosts. This story promises quite a bit for further books to come where we can get a bit more meat and substance from these characters and there developing relationship. I'm also curious what further powers are being formed, and Declan ghost sentinel amos. I enjoyed the characters who were personable and had distinct personalities and with the slow build up of friends to becoming more.
Now that I've got all my excitement over future books out of the way, this book entertained me. There's not much in the way of steamy scenes as declan and kota are just by the end of the book starting to materialise and confirm their feelings for one another. The book had me in its grip and I loved the mystery which let me tell you I didn't see it concluding out that way! There was sad moments but also uplifting ones. I must admit when I started reading this book, and the fact this was a new to me author so I wasn't aware if they had existing books which I had to check because the story dived right into this world without so much as a breath before your immersed into the world of metis and I-detective which at first I thought was a typo but is in fact a rank in the police force. There's new words for various things and though you can sort of guess what they are I felt like we needed more explanation and a deeper depth of world building so we could acquaint ourselve into this future set world.
So that's my little niggle over this book but once I got used to it, the mystery and intrigue carried it along. An interesting read and I look forward to the 2nd in the series.
June 7, 2019
Good start to a new series
This was the first Este Holland book I've read, it appears to be the first in a series, and I have to say I will read the second offering. The plot was pretty good, based on a pschic cop and partner trying to find a missing guy.
It was well written - I liked Deacon, however, it took me a little longer to warm to his partner, and eventual romantic interest, Kota. I'm also unsure as to whether or not I liked it being set in the future, I couldn't really understand why. I personally would've preferred a more contemporary setting.
One thing I didn't get was the romance between the two MCs, all of a sudden it was there, bam! But I hadn't felt any build up, there was nothing really in the plot initially to indicate that it was going to happen, and, when it did I found myself puzzled where it had come from. I actually flicked back to see if I'd missed something.
Apart from that, it's a pretty good read. This first book is very plot driven, there's a fair bit going on and I was keen to discover whether or not I'd correctly guessed the baddie.
So, a pretty decent read. I shall read the second book, just to discover more about the dynamics between Deacon and his partner. I also love superntural mysteries, so I'll certainly give it a chance. 3 and a half stars.
This was the first Este Holland book I've read, it appears to be the first in a series, and I have to say I will read the second offering. The plot was pretty good, based on a pschic cop and partner trying to find a missing guy.
It was well written - I liked Deacon, however, it took me a little longer to warm to his partner, and eventual romantic interest, Kota. I'm also unsure as to whether or not I liked it being set in the future, I couldn't really understand why. I personally would've preferred a more contemporary setting.
One thing I didn't get was the romance between the two MCs, all of a sudden it was there, bam! But I hadn't felt any build up, there was nothing really in the plot initially to indicate that it was going to happen, and, when it did I found myself puzzled where it had come from. I actually flicked back to see if I'd missed something.
Apart from that, it's a pretty good read. This first book is very plot driven, there's a fair bit going on and I was keen to discover whether or not I'd correctly guessed the baddie.
So, a pretty decent read. I shall read the second book, just to discover more about the dynamics between Deacon and his partner. I also love superntural mysteries, so I'll certainly give it a chance. 3 and a half stars.
June 5, 2019
First impression, oh this is a good one, set in the future.
Deacon is a inquirer detective or I-dec (cop) who is also a medium. Kota is his partner who knows the missing person/ victim from when he was younger. The only clue they have to start is a bathtub filled with blood.
This is a story from a new to me author and I’m very excited, I want more, the pace of the story is good, it’s filled with action, shadowy characters, betrayal and has you guessing what was happening all the way through.
The characters are well written, well rounded, with flawed personalities that are recognisable as human traits, with a banter between the two main characters let add to the slow burning realisation that they both want more from their partnership. There isn’t much in the way of romance in this book but it sets things up for upcoming books.
I found this to be a enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one.
Deacon is a inquirer detective or I-dec (cop) who is also a medium. Kota is his partner who knows the missing person/ victim from when he was younger. The only clue they have to start is a bathtub filled with blood.
This is a story from a new to me author and I’m very excited, I want more, the pace of the story is good, it’s filled with action, shadowy characters, betrayal and has you guessing what was happening all the way through.
The characters are well written, well rounded, with flawed personalities that are recognisable as human traits, with a banter between the two main characters let add to the slow burning realisation that they both want more from their partnership. There isn’t much in the way of romance in this book but it sets things up for upcoming books.
I found this to be a enjoyable read and I look forward to the next one.
June 8, 2019
this was wonderful.. i think this is the first by this author ive read but wow.. i cant wait to see what happens next. it was a bit slow in spots... it seemed more of a beginner/build up book.. so i think book 2 will be quicker.. and more action packed.. i am very curious to see what is next. very good
June 5, 2019
The ex-girlfriend shows up really early in this "MM" romance. Heterosexual privilege is erasing homosexual fiction.
June 21, 2022
Felt flat. I felt nothing for the romance and I still don't understand the plot.
September 13, 2019
Tough start but really engaging once it got going
So here’s the thing with world building...you have to actually build it, not just dump people into it.
I started this book not really knowing what I was getting into. A more helpful blurb (like what year it takes place perhaps) would have been great. As I started the book I felt like I’d been pushed into the deep end. I was floundering and had no clue what was going on. I felt like there was a previous book I should have read or something so that I had a clue. But the premise was interesting so I stuck with it. I’m glad I did but just a really bad beginning.
As the book moved forward I became more comfortable. I still didn’t have a clue what was going on but I gradually began to acclimate. And after a while I just ignored the vocabulary that made no sense (not really a great thing to say about reading!) and concentrated on the characters and the mystery.
I really liked Deacon who actually gets the most play here. Kota isn’t as fleshed out so we don’t get to know him as well. He’s clearly got a backstory which we got no info on so I’m guessing a future book will fill that in. The mystery here is strange and even when it is ultimately resolved it feels kind of anticlimactic.
But Deacon and the ghosts and the hints at what’s to come grabbed me as did the start of the relationship with Kota. Several plates are left spinning in the air so I am looking forward to a second book.
So here’s the thing with world building...you have to actually build it, not just dump people into it.
I started this book not really knowing what I was getting into. A more helpful blurb (like what year it takes place perhaps) would have been great. As I started the book I felt like I’d been pushed into the deep end. I was floundering and had no clue what was going on. I felt like there was a previous book I should have read or something so that I had a clue. But the premise was interesting so I stuck with it. I’m glad I did but just a really bad beginning.
As the book moved forward I became more comfortable. I still didn’t have a clue what was going on but I gradually began to acclimate. And after a while I just ignored the vocabulary that made no sense (not really a great thing to say about reading!) and concentrated on the characters and the mystery.
I really liked Deacon who actually gets the most play here. Kota isn’t as fleshed out so we don’t get to know him as well. He’s clearly got a backstory which we got no info on so I’m guessing a future book will fill that in. The mystery here is strange and even when it is ultimately resolved it feels kind of anticlimactic.
But Deacon and the ghosts and the hints at what’s to come grabbed me as did the start of the relationship with Kota. Several plates are left spinning in the air so I am looking forward to a second book.
June 11, 2019
Engaging story with psychics, ghosts, mystery and so much more. This is a slow-burn connection with lots of twists and turns that create a intriguing mystery. I really liked Deacon and Kota and would love to read more about them as they continue to develop a intense and interesting relationship.
This book had lots of action, great characters and a solid mystery. I would have really liked more world-building. We were in a totally new world and sometimes i felt i wanted to know more about how everything worked. I am hoping that i don't have to wait long for the next book in this series. .
This is the first book of the Metis Inquiries, and i am so looking forward to the next story.
I was gifted this book from the LesCourt Author Services and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
This book had lots of action, great characters and a solid mystery. I would have really liked more world-building. We were in a totally new world and sometimes i felt i wanted to know more about how everything worked. I am hoping that i don't have to wait long for the next book in this series. .
This is the first book of the Metis Inquiries, and i am so looking forward to the next story.
I was gifted this book from the LesCourt Author Services and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
June 5, 2019
Deacon and the Dead by Este Holland is the first book in the Metis Inquiries series. This is a gay paranormal story set in the future, with elements of friends to lovers romance, police investigations into missing persons, aand talking to ghosts. It ends in a light cliffhanger that builds anticipation for follow up book.
The story is filled with the elements of a great book. Suspence, betrayal, revelations, banter, action, and paranormal aspects. I felt involved in the story and invested in how it would resolve the mysteries.
Deacon and Kota are the main characters who are interesting, well written and well developed. The have great interaction and throughout the story their relationship evolves in a slow burn from friends to more. There may not be much romance in this first book but it definitely is open to it for the books that follow this one.
The story is filled with the elements of a great book. Suspence, betrayal, revelations, banter, action, and paranormal aspects. I felt involved in the story and invested in how it would resolve the mysteries.
Deacon and Kota are the main characters who are interesting, well written and well developed. The have great interaction and throughout the story their relationship evolves in a slow burn from friends to more. There may not be much romance in this first book but it definitely is open to it for the books that follow this one.
June 7, 2019
I thought that the blurb sounded like it could be interesting, and I'm so glad that I took the chance on it, because it really was interesting.
Deacon is a really good inquirer, and I think he is before any of his specialties come into play. He's dogged, stubborn, and a good man. Kota is kind of fascinating to me We don't learn much about him in this book, so I'm hoping that there is going to be more books in the series coming soon so that we can learn more about Kota.
There's a lot of tension, the good kind, between Kota and Deacon. It's a slow burn to get them there, but it's a satisfying burn.
I really like Amos, and I hope that he's around more.
Deacon is a really good inquirer, and I think he is before any of his specialties come into play. He's dogged, stubborn, and a good man. Kota is kind of fascinating to me We don't learn much about him in this book, so I'm hoping that there is going to be more books in the series coming soon so that we can learn more about Kota.
There's a lot of tension, the good kind, between Kota and Deacon. It's a slow burn to get them there, but it's a satisfying burn.
I really like Amos, and I hope that he's around more.
July 15, 2019
This being a futurist (22nd century) paranormal whodunnit M-M romance, I was expecting a confused hot mess. Surprise surprise .... the diverse elements worked to bring about a rather good read. I enjoyed the subtly alternate sci-fi world setting e.g. skim (car), pad (phone) etc - the burgeoning dynamic between the MCs - Deacon and Kota was satisfying, the whodunnit was sufficiently action packed, I did not spot the identity of the bad guy until the reveal near the ending, and the paranormal / ghostly aspects make me want to find out what happens next - in the next book of the series. A solid 4 star read.
June 20, 2022
Paranormal. Detective that talks to ghosts.
This should have been my jam.
And there was a lot to like.
The futuristic aspect kinda killed some of my enjoyment.
That's not excactly right. The termology used threw me.
Why not self piloting car, instead of "skim"
Every time it would throw me out of the story.
I liked it, but I think I would have liked it more without that part.
I really enjoyed the ghosts.
I like that it looks like Deacon's powers are expanding. I'm currious how that will effect future strories.
This should have been my jam.
And there was a lot to like.
The futuristic aspect kinda killed some of my enjoyment.
That's not excactly right. The termology used threw me.
Why not self piloting car, instead of "skim"
Every time it would throw me out of the story.
I liked it, but I think I would have liked it more without that part.
I really enjoyed the ghosts.
I like that it looks like Deacon's powers are expanding. I'm currious how that will effect future strories.
Read
November 20, 2019DNF 37 % The start was good, this book was set into the future 22nd century. I couldn't get into this one as it's sci-fi which I wouldn't normally read but I gave it a shot anyway. I like this authors books but this wasn't for me.
Told in first person, with dwell pov's..
Deacon has a mystery to solve of Israel's disappearance but seeing ghosts is a bonus. His twin Ian is devostated with loss but a bath full of blood ain't good.
Told in first person, with dwell pov's..
Deacon has a mystery to solve of Israel's disappearance but seeing ghosts is a bonus. His twin Ian is devostated with loss but a bath full of blood ain't good.
June 15, 2022
Great world building in this post-Second Civil War story. I only wish there was a glossary of terms at first, but I caught on after the first 50 pages or so. Excellent mystery, blended with Deacon’s hidden psychic abilities and the ghosts. I really hope we see more of the ghost Amos in this series. As for the romance with Kota, his partner and best friend, it’s in the developing stages. Can’t wait to see where this goes. Overall, a great introduction to a new series!
August 22, 2022
i'm a sucker for the ghost/mystery/cop books lately. This one started off a bit rough for me but then really picked up. I love Deacon and Kota and i like that their relationship is a slow burn and still developing. The mystery was a bit weak but still enjoyable. I am eager to read more of this new to me author. There were several side characters that I really want to know more about and i wonder if the next books will develop them more. I can't wait to dig in and find out.
June 6, 2019
Great start to a new series. Deacon and Kota story is full of surprises, twist and turns that had me guessing the whole way through. Don't want to say too much because of spoilers but you won't be disappointed. Unique Universe that grabs you and leaves you wanting to read the next book. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
July 24, 2019
I wrote a review for it and swore I sent it to myself from my notepad on my reading device but it's gone missing. I loved this book and what I didn't like I just kind of ignored (Kota sleeping with his ex.). I enjoyed getting to know Deacon and seeing what made him so special. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 10, 2019
The blurb caught my interest as I am a fan of friends to lovers stories. I'm glad to have read this book. It's definately a slow burn romance that will continue as the series expands. They mystery kept my attention and also kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to the next book!
December 6, 2020
Excellent Book
I read several books by this author now that I thought were very good but this one is a step above. It really held my interest all the way through it was complex and well written. I am hoping that there is a follow up book
I read several books by this author now that I thought were very good but this one is a step above. It really held my interest all the way through it was complex and well written. I am hoping that there is a follow up book
January 17, 2020
Really liked this one and can’t wait for book 2. RTC
December 14, 2021
4.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews