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Jake & Dean Investigations #2
The Charms of Death
February. The month of cold weather and hot romance. At least, that was the plan.
Despite the busy nature of their lives working as Paranormal Investigation Agents (PIAs), and being fathers, Jake and Dean are determined to have the soppiest of Valentine's Days. Romantic dinner, red roses, a stroll by the canal, then some snuggle time to cap it all off.
Too much to ask?
Hell yeah!
Complication #1: The mutilated body of a goblin turns up on their doorstep.
Complication #2: Some humans have been murdered by an unknown supernatural entity.
Complication #3: Those same murdered humans get back up again.
Looks like the romance will have to be put on hold.
Death is the end. Right?
The second instalment in Jake & Dean Investigations—a kick-ass Urban Fantasy tale with an established MM relationship.
Despite the busy nature of their lives working as Paranormal Investigation Agents (PIAs), and being fathers, Jake and Dean are determined to have the soppiest of Valentine's Days. Romantic dinner, red roses, a stroll by the canal, then some snuggle time to cap it all off.
Too much to ask?
Hell yeah!
Complication #1: The mutilated body of a goblin turns up on their doorstep.
Complication #2: Some humans have been murdered by an unknown supernatural entity.
Complication #3: Those same murdered humans get back up again.
Looks like the romance will have to be put on hold.
Death is the end. Right?
The second instalment in Jake & Dean Investigations—a kick-ass Urban Fantasy tale with an established MM relationship.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2020
14 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Richard Amos
67 books386 followersRichard Amos is an author from England who is constantly lost in the worlds he writes about, and the ones in the queue yet to be written. He also has more books in his house than anything else, and is never without a book (and chocolate) in his hands when he's not writing. He’s a proud nerd who loves to dance. Hard.
Richard writes M/M Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance, all with tons of kick-ass action, adventure, twisty plots, and yummy times.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/richardamosauthor
Richard writes M/M Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance, all with tons of kick-ass action, adventure, twisty plots, and yummy times.
🔗 https://linktr.ee/richardamosauthor
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 15, 2020
My one complaint: P-R-O-O-F-R-E-A-D-I-N-G... grrr
Everything else? WONDERFUL!!! *grin*
Now, we wait for book 3... :(
Everything else? WONDERFUL!!! *grin*
Now, we wait for book 3... :(
March 19, 2020
I have become a big fan of this author, and I quite enjoy his books. This is the second book of the Jake & Dean Investigations, and I really enjoyed the book. I adore the way the author shows us what’s going on through both Jake and Dean’s POV, giving the book more depth. I also was excited about the revelations in this book, which I am excited to see where they will take us. This is an urban fantasy novel, but it does have a lot of romance in it, too, so be prepared. It doesn’t take away from the mystery, though. I admit that the reveal at the end of the book made me really sad as opposed to the general feeling of relief of the end. Yes, I’m vague so I don’t spoil it. LOL! Great characters, action, and mystery equal a great book. Recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
April 1, 2020
I love this series, okay we are only 2 books in, but I love it! So we start off with the boys working a case about these little clay dolls attacking people, when one evening there is a bang at their wards at their home. What they find is a dead Goblin and a human who was killed by an invisible man. There just doesn't seem to be a connection. We then have the mystery of trying to figure out who the invisible man & why is he killing off people. We also have the dead rising & talking, thought they are really saying what were their last words over and over again. The head of the necromancers, Mr. Z who is so annoying, thinks that its a new necromancer who is really powerful, coming into his own. Along the way, Dean gets injured and we come face to face with Parker Smith/Elijah Hart, the head of the Conclave and I have no idea what he is. Possessed, split personalities, what?? Parker Smith is nasty, hateful and vicious side and Elijah Hart isn't, though he isn't an angel either. What the invisible man went through broke my heart and what he ultimately does is so very sad. Jake & Dean get into a huge fight and some really seriously nasty things are said on both sides. It was brutal, I'm just glad it didn't last very long. Also, something happens with Louise that blew my mind. And we have a mystery woman that popped up that I can't wait to find out who she is and what she did. I can't wait until the next book in the series.
ARC provided by LesCourt Services in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by LesCourt Services in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2020
Charms of Death by Richard Amos is the second book in the continuing Series, Jake and Dean Investigations. This is a paranormal Urban fantasy that gives us kick-@$$ action, but also sweet and sexy m/m romance. Fantastic world building - it's easy to envision the universe created here, intriguing and wonderful characters that pull you deeper into their world, and an entertaining and attention keeping story that makes you want more.
April 5, 2020
The Charms of Death is the second book in Richard Amos' Jake and Dean Investigations series, following the exploits of the Paranormal Investigation Agents as they try to unravel several strange occurrences that may or may not be connected...
OK, so I'll get my only gripe out of the way first. I requested an ARC of this book having checked out the blurb for the 1st book in the series: The Christmas Bones. It acknowledges that this is a sequel series to the Coldharbour Chronicles but says that the Jake and Dean books can be read as standalone. I read the Christmas Bones in preparation for The Charms of Death and both books make reference to things that happened in the Coldharbour Chronicles. It's great when author's slip 'easter eggs' into their books where there are overlapping worlds/characters, but there are overt references to plot arcs here that I feel either shouldn't have been mentioned or should have been more fully explained. For me, it feels like I was missing key information...I feel a little cheated. If you're OK with overlooking things like this, though, you'll be fine.
Ignoring those references to a different series, The Charms of Death is absolutely gripping. With animated clay dolls, a dead goblin and a dead human showing up on Jake and Dean's doorstep, as well as mysterious people (both visible and invisible) showing up and causing chaos, there are plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing how each is connected to the other...or not. I won't drop any spoilers but the ending is pretty emotional, too.
I think the world building is excellent - this version of Amsterdam is both real-world and fantasy in equal measures with some very recognisable landmarks sharing room on the page with vampire lairs and goblin cafés. I totally love the fae post office - it is both as mundane as a post office should be and magical at the same time.
I love the Tseng-Winter household (including their incredibly bright daughter, Louise). Dean (half-fae, methodical, logical) is a well-balanced foil for Jake (very human, led more by his emotions), and yet they both share the insecurity that they feel they are somehow not worthy of the other. It's a refreshing change to read about romance for an established couple, again this lends a very real-life feel to the book - there are sweet encounters like one cooking breakfast for the other and disagreements, as well as moments of great intimacy. This is a perfectly imperfect relationship and their love for Louise is heart-warming.
If not for my issue with references to the other series (I recommend reading the Coldharbour Chronicles and The Christmas Bones if you want to avoid any plot gaps), this would have been an easy 5*. For me, however, it's an engaging, fantastic 4.5* and I'm looking forward to the next time we see Jake and Dean.
An ARC was provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
OK, so I'll get my only gripe out of the way first. I requested an ARC of this book having checked out the blurb for the 1st book in the series: The Christmas Bones. It acknowledges that this is a sequel series to the Coldharbour Chronicles but says that the Jake and Dean books can be read as standalone. I read the Christmas Bones in preparation for The Charms of Death and both books make reference to things that happened in the Coldharbour Chronicles. It's great when author's slip 'easter eggs' into their books where there are overlapping worlds/characters, but there are overt references to plot arcs here that I feel either shouldn't have been mentioned or should have been more fully explained. For me, it feels like I was missing key information...I feel a little cheated. If you're OK with overlooking things like this, though, you'll be fine.
Ignoring those references to a different series, The Charms of Death is absolutely gripping. With animated clay dolls, a dead goblin and a dead human showing up on Jake and Dean's doorstep, as well as mysterious people (both visible and invisible) showing up and causing chaos, there are plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing how each is connected to the other...or not. I won't drop any spoilers but the ending is pretty emotional, too.
I think the world building is excellent - this version of Amsterdam is both real-world and fantasy in equal measures with some very recognisable landmarks sharing room on the page with vampire lairs and goblin cafés. I totally love the fae post office - it is both as mundane as a post office should be and magical at the same time.
I love the Tseng-Winter household (including their incredibly bright daughter, Louise). Dean (half-fae, methodical, logical) is a well-balanced foil for Jake (very human, led more by his emotions), and yet they both share the insecurity that they feel they are somehow not worthy of the other. It's a refreshing change to read about romance for an established couple, again this lends a very real-life feel to the book - there are sweet encounters like one cooking breakfast for the other and disagreements, as well as moments of great intimacy. This is a perfectly imperfect relationship and their love for Louise is heart-warming.
If not for my issue with references to the other series (I recommend reading the Coldharbour Chronicles and The Christmas Bones if you want to avoid any plot gaps), this would have been an easy 5*. For me, however, it's an engaging, fantastic 4.5* and I'm looking forward to the next time we see Jake and Dean.
An ARC was provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2020
I love this series and enjoyed this instalment as much as book 1. The opening scene is fabulous, and has a couple of visuals that will stay with me for a long time. Totally brilliant, and a wild start to the story.
I love the world building in this series. It’s well thought out, and the setting of the Netherlands adds a different flavour. I also like that this world is populated by different kinds of supernaturals as well as humans, and how they interact. The pods are creepy, and kept me guessing as to what effect each one was going to have.
I love Jake and Dean as characters, both as individuals and together. The family they’ve made with their daughter, Louise, is very sweet, and I like that it’s important to them to make their home a safe haven from the nasty things they fight as part of their job. I also like that they’re both flawed heroes, make mistakes, and are still trying to put their pasts behind them. They’re aware of each other’s flaws, they see each other at their worst, and although they argue at times, their love for each other doesn’t waver. Their relationship feels very real.
This story was quite creepy with the dead bodies not saying dead, but I thought the reason behind the necromancy was very bittersweet and I felt for those responsible. I liked the different take on how and why it had happened and the difficult decision that had to be made to move forward.
Although the story with the necromancy is tied up in this book, I liked that there are still loose ends going forward, and can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next.
I love the world building in this series. It’s well thought out, and the setting of the Netherlands adds a different flavour. I also like that this world is populated by different kinds of supernaturals as well as humans, and how they interact. The pods are creepy, and kept me guessing as to what effect each one was going to have.
I love Jake and Dean as characters, both as individuals and together. The family they’ve made with their daughter, Louise, is very sweet, and I like that it’s important to them to make their home a safe haven from the nasty things they fight as part of their job. I also like that they’re both flawed heroes, make mistakes, and are still trying to put their pasts behind them. They’re aware of each other’s flaws, they see each other at their worst, and although they argue at times, their love for each other doesn’t waver. Their relationship feels very real.
This story was quite creepy with the dead bodies not saying dead, but I thought the reason behind the necromancy was very bittersweet and I felt for those responsible. I liked the different take on how and why it had happened and the difficult decision that had to be made to move forward.
Although the story with the necromancy is tied up in this book, I liked that there are still loose ends going forward, and can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next.
April 13, 2020
I missed the first book in this series (not for long!) but that did not detract from my enjoyment of this book. I like the two main characters and their romance, both can be hot headed and say things they regret, but it is clear they love each other and any personal angst is short lived. I really love the world this author has created. I love movies and stories set in Amsterdam and when you add in mysteries with murderous, paranormal entities, walking and talking dead people and really, really nasty characters to duel with you have me hooked. The balance of world building, romance and mystery was very well done and I liked the fact that not everything was tied up happily at the end. I don't enjoy books where I am always certain everyone will get a happy ending, that means there isn't really anything at stake and so the tension never develops for me. That is not the case in this series. Our two MCs are together but not everything else is neatly fixed. I look forward to more in this series soon.
April 9, 2020
I really enjoy Jake and Dean, although I thought Jake went a little overboard with his anger at Dean breaking a promise. I mean, it isn't like Jake hasn't ever gone off half-cocked before. Getting off my soapbox, this is another wild ride full of adventure, danger, drama, surprises, and - of course - a healthy dose of gruesomeness (this is urban fantasy, after all). It left several questions open which I hope the author will answer in future books. I have to say I was really hoping for a better ending for the tragic lovers (read it and you'll know who I mean), but I guess I didn't really expect an HEA for them. Maybe in the next world. But - WHOA - about that murdering psychopath who enjoys watching Jake...that is seriously chilling and eerie. I loved this book and would have given it 5 stars except for a multitude of grammar and spelling errors that repeatedly pulled me out of the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
April 15, 2020
Jake and Dean!!! OMG I've been waiting for them to come back. The Christmas novella was only enough to whet my appetite for these two bad-assed boys!
As usual, Richard Amos has continued to expand his universe, and what a universe it is. A blend of the fantastical and practical. It's our world, just through a looking glass darkly. Throw in some magic, murder and mayhem and blend with a loving, committed couple trying to live their best lives and raise their daughter and you have a book that is... dare I say it? Pure magic!
As usual, Richard Amos has continued to expand his universe, and what a universe it is. A blend of the fantastical and practical. It's our world, just through a looking glass darkly. Throw in some magic, murder and mayhem and blend with a loving, committed couple trying to live their best lives and raise their daughter and you have a book that is... dare I say it? Pure magic!
April 13, 2020
Urban fantasy
I really enjoy this author's work.
The world building is amazingly complex, combining previous books.
Jake and Dean just can't seem to catch a break so of course their Valentine's Day plans have been waylaid by mysterious shenanigans.
There was death and destruction, fast paced action, mystery and intrigue.
There is rising tension and drama between Jake and Dean.
I loved seeing a realistic interpretation of a growing and evolving relationship.
I really enjoy this author's work.
The world building is amazingly complex, combining previous books.
Jake and Dean just can't seem to catch a break so of course their Valentine's Day plans have been waylaid by mysterious shenanigans.
There was death and destruction, fast paced action, mystery and intrigue.
There is rising tension and drama between Jake and Dean.
I loved seeing a realistic interpretation of a growing and evolving relationship.
July 9, 2022
Fun fantasy.
I really enjoyed reading more stories with Jake and Dean, but the misspelling of words and the wrong words used is so annoying! How is it that these errors get passed the author, beta readers, and editors? They're just simple words which makes it even more frustrating. If you can get passed those errors the story really is really fun and a tad violent. Looking forward to book #3.
I really enjoyed reading more stories with Jake and Dean, but the misspelling of words and the wrong words used is so annoying! How is it that these errors get passed the author, beta readers, and editors? They're just simple words which makes it even more frustrating. If you can get passed those errors the story really is really fun and a tad violent. Looking forward to book #3.
April 13, 2020
I was pulled into this fantastic, amazing, fascinating, fast paced, action packed, emotionally charged, intense, intriguing, exciting, smoking hot, and totally awesome story from the very first page. Filled with mystery, murder, madness, mayhem, magic, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, I would DEFINITELY recommend getting this book ASAP!!
December 20, 2020
Jake and Dean constantly find themselves surrounded by chaos and trouble. The amount of bad luck is just astounding. Through it all, though, they show an amazing amount of love for each other and their daughter. I think it's fun to follow established couples because I like seeing how their relationship has grown.
April 2, 2020
Great read
This was a good addition to the series. Good plot and always full of action and mystery. I have loved Jake and Dean's story from the beginning and still do but at the same time I'm getting a little bored with it.
This was a good addition to the series. Good plot and always full of action and mystery. I have loved Jake and Dean's story from the beginning and still do but at the same time I'm getting a little bored with it.
April 10, 2020
Good
Adventure, drama, murder, mayhem, and one cute little girl, kick off another good story for Jake and Dean's series. A lot of questions left unanswered, and this shows that not everyone gets an HEA.
Adventure, drama, murder, mayhem, and one cute little girl, kick off another good story for Jake and Dean's series. A lot of questions left unanswered, and this shows that not everyone gets an HEA.
April 13, 2020
In this new adventure in the Jake and Dean investigations series we can witness how they solved a mystery, involving magic and other paranormal elements, while showing us that their relationship is stronger than ever. A wonderful addition to the series. I can’t wait for book 3!!!
February 6, 2021
Such great adventures
I'm loving this series so much. There's a lot of murder and mayhem, but I absolutely love Jake and Dean's story. There were a few typos in this one, but nothing too distracting except for that one time Lou asked for "come milk" instead of "some milk," lol.
I'm loving this series so much. There's a lot of murder and mayhem, but I absolutely love Jake and Dean's story. There were a few typos in this one, but nothing too distracting except for that one time Lou asked for "come milk" instead of "some milk," lol.
Read
April 11, 2020Dnf'd.
This never grabbed me the way First Moon did.
Maybe it's my fault, I've not read any other books in the series and I was lost for much of the plot.
This never grabbed me the way First Moon did.
Maybe it's my fault, I've not read any other books in the series and I was lost for much of the plot.
August 29, 2020
Still weird. I am enjoying this series. I can't wait until the next book comes out.
April 8, 2021
Good read
Enjoyed this. Have read all the Coldharbour series as well. As with a lot of the books I've read the proof reading is a bit off.
Enjoyed this. Have read all the Coldharbour series as well. As with a lot of the books I've read the proof reading is a bit off.
October 7, 2025
2/5. Even more inconsistent and off than the last one. So, so bad.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews