Police Brutality

Hazard and Somerset: A Union of Swords #2

by Gregory Ashe

For the first time in a long while, Emery Hazard’s life is good. His new business as a private detective is taking off. Things are good at home. He loves his boyfriend, John-Henry Somerset; he loves their daughter. He might even love the new friends they’ve found. There’s only one problem: Somers has been talking about marriage.

When a former colleague, Walter Hoffmeister, comes to Hazard and hires him to look into a series of anonymous death threats, Hazard eagerly jumps on the distraction. Hoffmeister might be a jerk, but he’s a paying jerk, and Hazard isn’t convinced the threats are serious.

Until, that is, Hoffmeister is almost gunned down on Hazard’s doorstep. As Hazard investigates more deeply, he learns that more than one person in Wahredua has a reason to wish Hoffmeister dead. His search takes him to the Ozark Volunteers, reincarnated as the Bright Lights movement, but it also leads him into a sanctuary of radical Christianity. Meanwhile, an antifa activist has arrived in town, calling for Hoffmeister’s death and threatening total war with the Bright Lights.

As Hazard continues to look for answers, he becomes a target too—and not just because he’s helping Hoffmeister. The Keeper of Bees is still at large, and the killer hasn’t lost interest in Emery Hazard. Not yet. Not, Hazard begins to suspect, until the Keeper has taken everything Hazard holds dear.

Genres: Mystery, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Crime, Audiobook, LGBT

422 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2020

About the author

I'm a long-time Midwesterner. I've lived in Chicago, Bloomington (IN), and Saint Louis, my current home. Aside from reading and writing (which take up a lot of my time), I'm an educator.

While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!

My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.

Reviews

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread - September 2021

Loooooved it hard. 😍 😍

This is so sweet and romantic. 😊😊
***********************************************

A1 Private Investigations Emery Hazard Cheap Discreet Homosexual.” Somers was vaguely aware that he had dropped the spoon again.
“And your logo is a magnifying glass over a penis.”

Only Hazard! Only freaking Hazard.



Story – 5+++++++ Loved it! stars

Audiobook- 4 stars

This keeps getting better.

Hazard made a list. Gaaah! I freaking love Hazard. I Love Somers too. These two make my heart all mushy and warm.

“ Sometimes. I don’t want a list dividing everything up.”
“A list is practical.”
“Right, but, see, I don’t think it’s really a list.”
“Yes, it is. I even used two columns.”

Lol! Hazard, of course it is a list.

Like book 1 I was hooked from the get go. The case was interesting and had me guessing all through, just the way I like it.

I love Ashe’s style of writing. Sometimes I feel like I am reading/ listening in 3D. I am always shown not told. Like when Dulac and Somers are arguing on one end and Hazard is looking at the evidence on the other end, I feel like I am there in the room with them. It keeps me coming back for more.

The banter and the humor in this story is great. Mini vacation provided courtesy of this book.

The thing that makes this series really interesting is the relationship between Hazard and Somers. Their relationship is everything. I love that they don’t try to be perfect, their flaws are understandable and relatable. That being said! There were a couple of times I wanted to shake them both. GAAAHH! These two are so stubborn and hurt each other really bad sometimes, and then love each other even more.

The hotness in this one was amplified. Steam level 10 out of 10. GAAAHHH!! The chemistry between Hazard and Somers is off the charts. The hate angry sex!!!! GAAAAAAHHH!!

Dulac! Dulac! Dulac! This guy! Ugh! I still don’t know, he is a funny guy okay. But sometimes I just want him to stop talking. If ‘foot meet mouth’ was a person that would be Dulac.

The story that is going on in the background, i.e The Keeper of Bees, is giving me some serious heebie jeebies, I can’t wait to see how it all goes down.

Ummmm! Kirby? I feel iffy about him.

That ending! Squeeee!

Tristan James is really improving, his voice is really good, or maybe i am blinded by my love for Hazard and Somers.

Overall it was an enjoyable emotional roller-coaster.

Disclaimer: A copy of the Audio book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[~Mindy Lynn~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars!

I finished this book earlier this morning but spent the day thinking on it trying to decide what one word would best express how this author leaves me after every book of his I read. I finally have settled on what that word is. Ready? The word is: GREEDY. GREEDY AF. Why? Because he draws me in with murder and chaos and then throws in this slow burn epic love story that he keeps me on edge waiting for any dribble of intimacy they have. I'm not complaining. Well... not really. Because when they do get intimate it is intense and full of feeling and sometimes, heartbreaking. They feel so deeply for one another that you can feel it coming off the pages. But the wait for them to have these moments is some kind of torture for me. I want more of these moments to happen. I'm greedy for it.

Now about the book:
This was another roller-coaster of emotions when it comes to Ree and Somer's relationship. Marriage is being slightly talked about and these men are just not seeing eye to eye on the subject and have very different feelings on what marriage means personally for them. It shakes their relationship up a bit and results in them having to have a very raw and honest conversation. That scene was very emotional and charged. Ashe has a way with words y'all. With all this personal stuff happening Hazard has his second case working for a former colleague who no one is fond of. But his life is being threatened and Hazard needs the money and the distraction so he takes the case. As usual with the cases these men take, nothing is as it seems. I was all over the place with who I thought it was. I didn't end up being right which made me extremely happy. Nothing worse then knowing the killer in the first few chapters of a book.
Somer's and Gray have a new case too and during this case we meet a new character. I don't wanna spoil anything, but let me just say I hope this man might get his own book with another certain man. Just saying/asking, lol. Anyways, just like in the previous book Gray brings quite the comedy relief. All his "dudes!" and "bros!" really works well with his character. He drives both Somer's and Ree crazy in the best of ways. He drove me a bit crazy too, but I couldn't help but like him. He grows on you.
I'm getting pretty used to screaming at end of every book I read of yours Ashe. You left me frustrated as usual, and of course, wanting more. You devilish man. You know what you did to your readers with that ending, lol.

I can't recommend this man's books more. Pick this series up dolls and come and be frustrated in the best kinds of ways with me, lol!

Happy reading! xx

**I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.**

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, let me just admit I was wrong.

So... remember that time *cough*when I reviewed The Rational Faculty and I said I felt like I knew these two knuckleheads and that they were evolving*cough* like a week ago?

No?

Awesome! We'll just pretend like I never said anything. K?

Yes?

*wipes egg off face* Thanks a lot, Mr. Ashe.

Yeah, so, turns out I spent roughly 75-80% of this book somewhere in this neighborhood:



Hazard is an even bigger grumpy jerk face than normal. I was honestly baffled by his behavior so many times I lost count.

Somers is no prince either. He did some things that had my mouth catching flies.

To be precise, they are at each other's throats 99% of the time. There was some angry sex though so... points for that. #shallow #owningit

I could've lead a clinic on head scratching 101 at Casa de Cupquarantine.



To be perfectly frank what kept me going was a compulsive desire to prove I wasn't wrong in my initial assessment a need to figure out why they were acting like they HATED the one person they have often and profusely professed to love with all their heart. Those questions were answered but in case you missed it, I'm a huge proponent of not being a dick treating others that you care about with respect. To put it bluntly, that was scarce on the ground and put a damper on my enjoyment.

They did use their words in the end and I like where they ended up but I don't know that the ends justified the means.

Also, as much as I enjoyed the case I was really invested in following the Keeper of Bees and that storyline was more of a footnote.



Also, that Jonny Moraes sighting was way too brief. I needed him to offset the extreme dude bro Dulac was dropping all over my story. If I had a stapler that worked on fictional characters he would've met it. Frequently.



I know. Now I'm just being pouty. Or is it petty?

Regardless, I'm clearly addicted to these two knuckleheads and their knuckleheadtry so like a glutton I'm going directly into Transactional Dynamics.

C'mon serial killer! Cupcake needs a good (fictional) sociopath in her life. It's a pandemic! We all have our crosses to bear.

I'll go with 3.5 and round up since the ending, even though its sap level was cranked WAY up, I still liked it. And, y'know, knuckleheads.

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

***3.75 rating***

“John-Henry Somerset,” Hazard said. He had never believed in God, not even as a boy, but suddenly he believed in this, in this feeling, and the way the words went through him like a gale ripping away his breath. “I love you more than anything else in the world. Will you marry me?” Somers smiled and said, “Yes.”

I am not crying you are.🤧😭💕

Summary:

The second book of the new arc follows our crazy duo and what took place in the aftermath of the Keeper of the Bees murders. I still cannot get over that, such vicious murders 😭.

In this book, the plot really begins after Hazard's former colleague Walt Hoffmeister seeks Hazard's expertise on the grounds that his life is in danger. Walt is Hazard's second client ever since he went and established his own private business. Like the good detective that he is, yes I am saying "is" because technically Ree still works with the police department as a consultant, Hazard is skeptical of Hoffmeister's story. The threats and the other things Hoffmeister mentions are just not serious enough in Hazard's perspective to take on this case and after his ordeal with Mitchell's case, Ree is reluctant. However, all that changes when Hoffmeister shows up at Hazard's house, where he is almost shot at.

Sensing the seriousness of the recent threats, Hazard takes on Walt's case and the story begins from there. Multiple suspects, tension of the serial killer (the Keeper of the Bees), Hoffmeister's past which involves instances of police brutality, are all relevant to the plot in this book.

Whilst all this is going on, Hazard and Somers have their own ongoing issues. Exhibit A: marriage.

Somers wants to take the next step in their relationship and Hazard seems allergic to the word marriage and basically lists everything there is against the institution that is marriage. This of course causes tension among our favorite idiots. Not only tension but also stupid fights, jealousy and angry sex.😏 They looked for ways to hurt one another smh but unlike the past, where Hazard would run away he actually communicated with Somers. Can we say growth? I was really proud of Ree I know how hard everything has been for him and being vulnerable and emotionally open is just not who he is, but John brings those qualities out of him.

Back to the issue of marriage, I was a bit frustrated with Hazard and wondered why he was so reluctant but when he talks to Cora about it I just wanted to hug him.😭 Emery, our grumpy teddy bear is just such a sweetheart even when he pisses you off. His actions eventually make sense but I just really want him to seek a therapist, my baby still is traumatized. First the Mikey Grames crap and the murders of Phil and Rory and poor Mitchell almost dying, has all taken a toll on my teddy bear. That scene where he runs into Mitchell and wants to run away was just heartbreaking.

This second book does have a fantastic ending but damn what a rollar-coaster 🤧. I mean what else is new lol. At this point, I am mentally prepared for whatever GA throws at me haha 🤣.


Overall Thoughts:

This story was great but the first book of the new arc is still my favorite. I loved the romantic scenes in that one, wish we had more of that in this book. However, I enjoyed this book nonetheless. The plot was never a dull moment and I am heavily invested on finding out who the heck is the Keeper of the Bees. I am just wondering why this serial killer is so obsessed with Hazard. I have a feeling it's someone we know. Idk.

Somers and Hazard as usual frustrated me in this book lol. One moment it's all 🌈 and 🌞, the next they are looking for ways to hurt one another and boom angry sex. I couldn't keep up haha. But the discussion of marriage and Hazard's objections to it make sense. I understood where he was coming from and I also understood why Somers wanted to get married. These idiots are adorable even when they are fighting. Hazard's moods were spiraling in this book and Somers's antics were somewhat annoying.

I did not enjoy the scenes with Dulac 🙄 I wanted to take a 🥃 everytime he said "bro". I found Dulac to be manipulative and annoying. His annoying attempts at flirting with Somers and looking for ways to get a rise out of Ree was enough to make me wanna throw hands at that douche. I know why Somers flirted with Dulac lol and we got our angry sex scene but still I didn't like that flirtation scene between them. I was so satisfied when Ree punched Dulac in the nose 😌. Yes, that was awesome to see haha. I was slightly annoyed at Somers for pissing Ree off intentionally and with Hazard's impulsiveness. These two really know how to test a reader's patience😤.

While, I found Dulac to be an annoying addition to the new arc, I have really enjoyed the introduction of Noah and his wife Rebecca (and their kids). The scenes with them are really enjoyable and cute. I also really loved how supportive Cora has been with our favorite duo. That scene toward the end with her and Hazard😭🤧, freaking adorable.

This book was overall a good read, I couldn't put it down. I am curious as to what takes place in the third book, I know Nico and Billy make an appearance 🤭. Wonder how that will go with Somers lol.

Until next time!😉

[Lisazj1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Intense. If I had to choose only one word to describe this series, it would be intense. It's everything. Every. Damn. Thing. Frustration, omg, the frustration. Love. Rage. Pain. Fear. Happiness.

After the last case, Hazard and Somers are attempting to settle into their new normal. Except, of course, normal doesn't exist for them. Hazard is given his next PI case, hired by none other than Hoffmeister, who claims that someone is trying to kill him, while he's being sued for police brutality. As most things in Wahredua seem to do, Hazard's case seems to have the newly named Bright Lights movement lurking in the background, and he ends up working with Somers *and Dulac* in his role as police consultant. For the first time ever, Somers and Hazard do not work well together.

Ree and John's personal issues get in the way of their professional relationship. But their personal relationship struggles too, mostly because they *coughcough* still have trouble talking to each other about their fears. And most of their fears have to do with one losing the other, in one way or another. All this comes out in the worst way, repeatedly. I wasn't sure who I wanted to smack upside the head the most this time, Emery or John. They both acted abominably, and at points I ground my teeth so hard it's a miracle I didn't crack one.

For all that frustration, the tenderness and heat that's always between them is still meltingly present, as well as the humor and snark that I so love. As angry as they get at each other, the fact that they want to be together is never in doubt. Their chemistry is off the charts and watching their evolution together is irresistible, I can't look away. And I don't want to.

Dulac. *glares* This little jerk didn't make it on my DIAF shelf but it was damn close and I'm pretty sure he's going to get there sooner than later. I only wish Emery had hit him harder. I'm not finding Dulac at all funny or good for anything other than taking up space. 😠 We'll see if that changes.

The crime/mystery was really well done here and kept me guessing, I had no idea where it was going. The specter of the last case is hanging over everything though, and I was on edge all through the story, just waiting for it to come back. And when is somebody going to get Hazard some help? He needs it, before all of this chews him up. 😕

Ashe's writing continues to be just phenomenal. I can't think of any other author who can spin me in so many different directions at once, make me screamingly *literally* angry at my book-people, and make me love it at the same time. I seriously love these messy, annoying, wonderful men, and I want to see them get to be happy. They deserve it, so much.

Bless Ree's nerdy heart. Did you know quarks and atomic spin can be romantic? 🥰 Thank God for Cora, LOL!

Tristan James did a great job with the narration here. I got so lost in the story I forgot that it wasn't Hazard and Somers talking and that's about the best compliment I can give him. I'm looking forward to the next, especially with that ending!

Disclaimer: A copy of the Audio book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ: 2023 H&S Rereadathon :･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ (spoilers littered throughout)

the installment of quarks, vampire stars, and scientifically proven ears of exquisite beauty.

[4.5] first and foremost, where can i request a custom Hazard “pan in the wall” interior decoration piece? i think it’d go quite nicely in my kitchen - very avant garde - and be the perfect segue to introduce a certain book series to guests 😉

the conflicts. i still remember my initial surprise upon realizing the chasm-forming topic of this book was marriage, especially with how rather enthusiastic and open to the idea Hazard seemed to be at the end of the previous book (and later learning that Hazard had already bought rings after the Haverford). but it actually makes perfect sense: since Criminal Past, they've taken many steps in reestablishing their lives, like moving into a new place together, starting a PI agency - logically marriage is the next step. however, Rational Faculty Hazard was obviously caught up in his beloved's wonderful surprise and the excitement of acquiring an actual physical space for his new business. given the months leading up to Police Brutality, he's had plenty of time to slip back into his old habits of overthinking and reconstructing protective walls in response to the Keeper’s appearance.

for someone who is very in tune with people, or perhaps because of this ability, Somers always manages to shock me into utter silence by the hurtful strings of words that slip out of his mouth. the massage scene with Dulac was skating on thin ice, but childishly tolerable with petty jabs being thrown in both directions and oblivious Dulac at the center of the chaos. that was nothing i couldn't handle. but when Somers deliberately targets Hazard’s sorest of sore spots, that he knows how his exes must’ve felt? it's no longer playing with fire when you straight up ignite yourself and everyone in a 5-meter radius.

Hazard is a hybrid vehicle that runs on two energy sources: guilt and self-hatred. (...ok and maybe the fudge cakes from Wahredua Family Bakery, but those two top players are the name of the game). his pov reveals so much about his current headspace, be it his pitiful attempts to avoid Mitchell or the topic of marriage and the future with Somers, his persistent feelings of inadequacy as Somers's partner but not wanting to walk away either, or his belief that he ruins everything and it's only a matter of time before Somers tires of picking up after him and finds someone better. that's why Somers targeting that specific insecurity of Hazard's and feeding into his false belief that he's always the problem ripped my heart out. even after that painful conversation, Hazard talks about how he stomped all over Somers’s heart, irrespective of the fact that he himself was hit with what's arguably the most painful line in the entire book. no one can even come close to his capacity for self-blame; his is limitless.

once again, i had the same desire as Rebeca to resort to violence with H&S, asking over and over again: when will they realize that they share the same base fear that their significant other will leave them on a hair trigger?

with the changing power dynamics between them, they’re also tackling their new professional relationship as detective and consultant. the boundaries remain unclear, and they continue to butt heads, but they're getting there. slowly.

despite the extremes their arguments tend to reach, Somers won with the business card he designed for Hazard's PI biz, name and all. even though their signals can get crossed and the words they wish to articulate often lost in translation, the name Astraea demonstrates the ways in which Somers understands Hazard more than even Hazard himself. naturally, i cried.

~~ miscellaneous ~~

- Hazard’s view on romance was incredibly fascinating, and i can't get over the cleverness of starting the book off with a round of modified pictionary to allow us to get that initial insight.

- Hazard’s own attempts at naming his PI agency: “A1 Private Investigations Emery Hazard Cheap Discreet Homosexual” with the magnifying glass over a penis logo - as if we couldn’t love the Neanderthal more!

- Hazard putting the knife through Dulac’s collar. and punching him the nose. how satisfying.

- the proposal scene. duh. give me all the quarks, even if i will never understand quantum physics.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ: updated 2023 rankings :･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The Rational Faculty - 4.7 ➜ 5⭐
Police Brutality - 4 ➜ 4.5⭐
Transactional Dynamics - 3.3 ➜ 4.4~4.5⭐
Wayward - 3.1 ➜ 3.6⭐
The Keeper of Bees - 4.75 ➜ 5⭐

-- original review --

“He needs to understand that people are like quarks.” He shook his head. “That we are like quarks.” “Like quarks. Right.” “Quantum entanglement. Two particles that are linked so that no matter how far apart they are, they have the same direction of spin. They could be on opposite sides of the universe and if one flips its direction of spin, the other does too. At the exact same time.” She was staring at him like he was crazy, and he fumbled for a way to explain. “Quarks. Spin. Even when we’re apart, we’re still together.”

For a good portion of the book, Gregory Ashe had me walking in circles thinking I was getting closer to my destination when it turns out I hadn’t even stepped more than two feet from my front door. But right when I was starting to get restless three quarters of the way in BAM the emotional floodgates broke and truths came spewing out and my heart was in aching pain.

Hazard is his usual prickly porcupine self but I’m at the point where I basically don’t flinch at the words that come out of his mouth or when he hulk smashes miscellaneous objects, etcetera. Hazard’s growls and grunts are now a jolly good time in my book. My new source of energy and delight.

I have to say, when the connection between H&S and the body posing from the last crime scene courtesy of the Keeper of the Bees clicked into place, I got literal chills . The oh moment fit so well with the whys behind Hazard’s attitude toward marriage and there was no containing the gush over their conversation about it.

As for Gray, well, bro needs a chill pill and I’m hoping his new teddy bear of a man can provide that anchor for him because fkboi needs it 😅

I do occasionally think Somers’s tendency to joke and rile Hazard up can go too far, and it bugs me to an extreme because it’s almost too reminiscent of my brother figuratively poking me with a stick when we were kids until I burst, so needless to say, I’m getting my own fair share of traumatic flashbacks that I’m trying my darndest to ignore 🤣

But oh my days, what is this?? Do I finally see another female character with a level head on her shoulders, a voice of reason in this town of lunatics besides Cora?? ’Twas about time! Relationship talks with Rebeca are now one of the main highlights of my reading experience, and it's heartwarming seeing Hazard's vulnerable side slip out in front of more people who aren’t judgmental or crass. I love how she spits out facts and gold nuggets of advice while also representing us readers to a T:

“Sometimes, I think you two are perfect for each other. Other times I imagine strapping you both into car seats and driving that minivan into a brick wall.”

☝️ My exact thoughts in a nutshell.

Mystery-wise, this installment felt more like a stepping stone to something larger in the future, like a semi-filler episode feel in terms of plot, but it was equally important in its revelations and steps toward mutual understanding between H&S. Progress is progress, and that’s all I’m looking for!

Next book, here I come 👀 (Can’t stop, won’t stop~)

[Annery · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Re-read 9/20/21 -- 9/23/21***
I said everything I wanted the first time around and the love has only redoubled. This reread has just been a chance to really savor the details, like how the Orpheus & Eurydice tale parallels with H&S. I also highlighted whole pages. As a New Yorker I'm bemused by Hazard's 'frugalness', complaining about pants that cost more than $30 and coffee more than $2.

On to the next ...

********************
***First Read 8/5/20 -- 8/6/20***

What to say? Come off like a broken record? (dating myself), a besotted fan girl? some kind of Gregory Ashe sycophant? I'll try not to. Try being the operative word.

Police Brutality continues the growing pains of an adult relationship. The adult part is probably the most important aspect. Emery and John-Henry are only ten (10) months into a relationship, living together, being homeowners, and sharing a daughter. Yes, they have a shared history, but they also have independent histories of past loves, successes, and failures. Did they really know each other in high school? They didn't. They had ideas, misconceived assumptions, preconceptions, and fantasies (more Emery than JH) about one another based on fragmentary and faulty information. Now they're adults. Actual adults. But also guys.

Emery, despite his controlled, put-together exterior, his championing of logic, is oft times tone deaf to the right thing to say and absolutely flummoxed by his love for John. He doesn't know how to act or react. What's too much? How to remain himself while utterly subsumed by reciprocated love? As a bonus he's still dealing with PTSD from the Haverford and a life-altering career change. It's not easy. John is on this journey with him, perhaps in the harder position of seeing his love struggle and having to let them figure it out on his own. How do our two lovebirds deal? Let Rebeca tell you:
"When you love someone, you know all the secret ways to hurt them. Sometimes you know without knowing you know, and then they come out in the heat of the moment and it's ... it's even more awful that way, I think."
Emery and John get down, dirty, and almost nasty with each other. The growing pains are harsh but the making up is sooo good and I feel like they actually learn and try to do better with each step. Sometimes they fail, but that's human, and these two are utterly human. Hazard contending with his feelings of no longer being police, the events of Criminal Past, feelings of having failed Mitchell, wanting, needing to keep Somers with him, in his life, happy but also safe ... all that tore me up inside. Luckily GA gave us some comic relief (I'm sure he'll have further purpose) in the form of Gray Dulac. I alternately wanted to smack him and had tears from laughing at his comments. He brought some much needed levity and I'm glad he got a prize/comeuppance Darnell Kirby in the end. Let's see how that plays out.
Yes, there was a case(s) which weren't particularly mysterious but serve to further develop characters in the town of Wahredua, ones I'm pretty sure will continue to play a significant part in the overarching case.

Perhaps what I like best about GA is that he doesn't do stock characters: I love Emery but he can be downright obtuse & hurtful, John has a drinking problem, some days I'd rather hang out with some of the less extreme members of the Ozark Volunteers than some of the 'left wing' academics from Wroxall, and then he gives us Wesley. If ever there was a character who could be fitted with a holy nimbus it would be Wesley and yet ... utterly human down to being an adulterous pastor & ungrateful liar. I love it.

Lastly a BIG CHEER for Cora for saving Emery from himself and confiscating that list, being an awesome human, and the best ex ever.

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Yes, I‘m still in love with these two idiots. 😍
And that ending? My heart was melting. 🫠
Also, Dulac? I laughed my ass off several times while reading (#frat boy #fuckboy). I guess, no, I hope GA is going to make me love this character.😂

“I want to figure this out too. I made a list: things we’re in charge of. So it doesn’t happen again. You’re in charge of date nights, breakfast foods, carpet and rug choices, light fixtures on the main floor, dry cleaning arrangements, my shoes, sex toys—”
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“—all future pet choices, naming of dogs and cats but not fish or birds, Evie’s high school attendance but not any disciplinary conferences, I’ll be handling those, alternating dinners, three out of five takeout decisions—”
“Go back to that one I liked.”
Hazard blinked the phone’s glare from his eyes. “Don’t be a pervert. And I’m not finished. You’re also in charge of—”
“Ree, Ree, Ree. Ok. Stop, sweetheart. I get the point.” 😂♥️

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emery Hazard, will you let me pay for your therapy? Please? Pretty please? 🙏🏻 I'm sure Somers could use some too, but I think we need to get your blood pressure down, Ree. It's so bad it's making mine shoot up 📈🤣

Seriously, wow did this book have me losing my mind a bit at every turn. As usual, I don't even know what to say. There's always so many moving parts in a Gregory Ashe novel that I'm usually just doing my best to survive 😂 Between keeping up with the mystery and the whirlwind of 1000 emotions, I'm barely hanging on by the end. Honestly, it's a lot to ask of me to put down a coherent thought after all is said and done. The best I can do for you this time is a few bullet points of random things ✌🏻

- I really enjoyed the mystery this time. I can't find it in myself to feel bad about Hoffmeister, but that was a pretty sucky way to go tbh 🫠

- I'm starting to like Dulac more than I probably should and that scares me a bit 😅 I can't help but feeling like he's a deeply lonely guy that's hiding behind the fuckboy persona to keep from feeling sad. I guess we'll see if I'm right or if Hazard finishes him off first 😂 I've got to say, their interactions give me life. Comedy gold 🤌🏻

- I'm honestly not sure how Noah and Rebeca are keeping it together, but kudos to them! They are managing a whole hoard of children and dealing with Hazard and Somers's crap too. Bless them.

- They may be a bit toxic and definitely need that therapy I mentioned above, but OUR BOYS ARE GETTING MARRIED 🥳 Emery and that proposal and getting the rings after the Haverford 😭 STOP I CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH 🤧

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do enjoy how realistically Emery and John's relationship is portrayed with bickering, arguing, hurting each other in the ways it hurts most, but also being there for each other, supporting each other and loving each other. John knowing exactly what to name Emery's PI agency was everything!

That said, I was actually pissed at John so much through this book! There's a lot of times where he's getting on Emery's case about not talking or opening up, but John is exactly the same and doesn't seem to realise it. He can't just tell Emery what he wants or what's bothering him, he has to pick a fight every single time! As much as it feels pretty realistic most of the time, can't they go more than one chapter without it?? I am finding it more frustrating than enjoyable the more books in to the series we get. I'm also fiercely on Emery's side in any argument, I just feel more connected to his character, and I really don't like how at times it feels like everyone and their dog is gaslighting him.

I did like the crime in this one, but I had my suspicions really fast because too much emphasis was made on certain things. The answers were all right there, so that was annoying. I'm also pretty sure I already figured out who the keeper of bees is too, so this series isn't gripping me or confusing me as much as the first round of Hazard and Somerset did.

I'm hoping after the way this book ended that things are better in the next one? I'm still interested enough to keep reading, but I am getting tired of feeling like I'm in Groundhog Day with their relationship 'progression'

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this an A- at AAR, so that's 4.5 stars rounded up.

I chose The Rational Faculty – the fabulous and compelling first book in Gregory Ashe's second series of novels featuring detectives Emery Hazard and John-Henry Somerset – as my favourite book of 2019.  I’ve become addicted to the author’s brand of gritty, complex mystery combined with angsty, equally complex romance, and have been eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the Union of Swords series. The events of Police Brutality take place a couple of months after those of the previous book, and as it opens, we find Hazard and Somers a little more settled than they were and enjoying a night in with friends.

In general, things are going well. Hazard and Somers are deeply in love and firmly committed to one another, and they seem to have got past at least some of the bumps that threatened to derail things between them when Hazard became unofficially involved in a case Somers was working, which resulted in a lot of complications for Somers and put a strain on their relationship.  Now, Hazard is getting to grips with opening his own PI firm and Somers is getting used to his new partner – but as is always the case with these two, nothing is plain sailing. Hazard is still struggling to deal with his depression and the PTSD that followed the attack on him and Somers some months earlier, and this, together with the guilt he feels over the recent, gruesome murders of the sheriff’s son and his husband, and his growing suspicion that the killer is – for some as yet unknown reason - targeting him and those around him, is weighing heavily on his mind.  And this being Emery Hazard, ‘weighing heavily’ means ‘obssessing and over-thinking’.

While Somers is assigned to work the case of a trio of young female college students who have been the victims of sexual assault, Hazard is surprised to receive a visit from a former colleague, Walter Hoffmeister, who wants to hire him to find out who is behind the weird and unpleasant things that have been happening to him lately.  Shit in the mail, someone messing around in his house and car, someone following him – and finally a threatening note; his boss, police chief Cravens, isn’t taking any of this seriously, and Hoffmeister is clearly pissed off and pretty freaked out.  Privately, Hazard isn’t sure he believes the threats are serious either - Hoffmeister is brusque, loud-mouthed and obnoxious, and has recently been suspended from duty pending an investigation into an accusation of assault and battery on a suspect, so it’s not surprising he has enemies – but a job is a job, and Hazard agrees to take it on and see what he can find out.

That same evening, Hoffmeister turns up at Hazard and Somers’ home, but before he can say anything, shots are fired from a passing truck; nobody is hit, but Hoffmeister then tells Hazard and Somers that whoever was shooting at him had been following him all day and then sneaking around outside his house. He’s adamant the right-wing Ozark Volunteers – one of whose members is the man he assaulted – is behind the threats, but they’re not the only people Hoffmeister has pissed off lately; and the more Hazard digs, the more he comes to realise that some things just aren’t adding up and that right from the start, there’s been something not right about any of it. Now he just has to work out what that something is.

While the mystery in this story might not be quite as high-stakes as the one in the previous book, it’s nonetheless fascinating and really well put together. Hazard has to make his way through a thick web of secrets, lies and betrayals in order to arrive at the truth, and is guilty of allowing his own preconceptions and prejudices to cloud his judgement, as well as of getting into serious hot water – again – with the police department when he oversteps and compromises a murder investigation, despite being warned – by Somers – to keep out of it. Once again the pair are at odds over Hazard’s struggle to adjust to the fact that he’s not with the police any more, and – wow – these guys really know how to push each other’s buttons and twist the knife when the gloves come off. Somers knows Hazard better than anyone and has realised that something’s eating away at him, but knowing full well that Hazard needs time to cogitate and process, has tried to give him the time and space to do that. But he can’t forget how Hazard had withdrawn into himself after their ordeal in the summer, and how he’d feared for him and their future together – and it’s killing Somers to know that Hazard is struggling and won’t open up to him.

Gah – these two are so bad for my blood pressure!

I’m in awe of Gregory Ashe’s insight and laser-sharp focus into the minds of both characters, and the relationship and character development in these books is phenomenal. The deep, intense love Hazard and Somers feel for each other is palpable, and even when they’re proving that old adage – you always hurt the one you love (they really do say some horrible things in the heat of anger in this book) – that love is still a visceral, pervading presence on the page. They’re getting better at communicating and have come a long way from the days when they talked and talked and said nothing important, yet clearly they still have work to do, and are prepared to do it. I love that we’re being shown a relationship in all its warts-and-all glory; it’s real and raw and ultimately, there’s never any doubt that as long as they have each other, they can face whatever life throws at them. (And the final chapter deserves the biggest “Awwww!” ever.)

As in the previous book, Somers’ new partner, a hip, young gay detective named Gray Dulac, has an important supporting role to play in the story. He can be infuriating at times, and seems bent on making trouble between Hazard and Somers, but he’s loyal, intelligent and genuinely looks up to them – although he hides that little bit of hero-worship beneath teasing and unsubtle innuendo. The town of Wahredua itself is so vividly depicted that it feels like a character in its own right, and many of the other secondary characters will be familiar from the previous books – which is also true of the creepy, far-right organisation Bright Lights (formerly known as the Ozark Volunteers), which continues to spew its own despicable brand of bigotry and hatred throughout the community.

Often in romantic suspense novels, one aspect of the story overshadows the other, but not so here, as Gregory Ashe achieves a perfect balance between the romantic elements and the mystery. Police Brutality is a terrific addition to the Hazard and Somerset series, and I’m sure fans of the author’s will need no urging from me to pick it up as soon as it’s released. If you’re intrigued by the sound of it but haven’t read the other books, then I’d recommend you start with book one, Pretty Pretty Boys, in order to get a full understanding of how Hazard and Somers have arrived at this point in their lives. While the mystery in each book is usually solved by the end (although it might also be part of the wider story arc) the relationship between the two leads is the driving force of the series and believe me, you’ll want to experience it from the very beginning.

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazard and Somers. Emery and John-Henry. Ree and John.
Dark vs. light. Introvert vs. outgoing. Antisocial vs. popular.
But is it as easy as that?

Not really.
Both men are highly complex characters: each has his own downfalls, makes mistakes and hurts the other with most awful words. But ultimately their bond is abyss deep and either man would die for the other. No doubt.

As always, I was blown away by both the ongoing relationship development and the plot.
As always, I adore Gregory Ashe’s writing.
As always, there is plenty to worry about, but and that’s what I particularly loved – there are quite a few hilarious moments. I genuinely laughed out loud a couple of times. The banter, the way Emery and John tease each other is very clever and very funny.

I was going to write about Emery in particular here … and deleted it all.
I realized it would be easy to write a whole psychological dissertation about the man.
About his social ineptness, his temper, his massive self-doubts, feelings of unworthiness and the trauma he’s been left with after the events in book 6 series 1 (Criminal Past),
I loved Somers for understanding him and understood how hard it was to live with him at times.
But please don’t believe that the epic fights they have are all on Hazard. They are both really good at riling each other up. And at make up sex. The intense pull between them to be with each other always wins out. I loved it and how the book ends.
That last scene was absolutely priceless! I reread it three times, or was it four?

Other haphazard thoughts:
- Dulac is funny sometimes, and the diversion was welcome. However, I also wanted to put a sock in his mouth on quite a few occasions. That guy can be damn annoying!
- I learnt a new word – do you know what the ferrule on a pencil is?
- Why isn’t Emery in some kind of therapy? He needs someone to help him!
- Omg, I adored the talk about ‘quarks and atomic spin’!
- When will Emery stop calling Evie 'Somers's daughter', to then add quickly ‘our daughter’?
- The Keeper of Bees wasn’t that present, but he is hovering in the background like a huge pitch black shadow.

As amazing as always!

[h o l l i s · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one has a bit less of those book one warm and fuzzies mostly because 1) Dulac needs to walk into traffic and 2) these jackasses were just way too good at hurting each other. The first issue might be tempered a bit depending on how long his fuckboyness takes a back seat but the second? Won't ever go away. It'll probably just happen in waves. Because they love each other so much, know each other so well, and thus know all the right spots to poke. We got to a good place in the end but the rough was rough, folks. And not always fun. It felt a little too much like the first series dynamics and I thought we had come leaps and bounds past some of that childishness. Oh well, guess we'll see.

There was a lot less bee-specific stuff to investigate, which makes sense as there's nothing new to go on, and I appreciated that frustration, and how that pushed Hazard into taking on a case he didn't want because.. what else can he do right now. I'm not sure I was all that gripped by the particular mystery of the week, mostly because I'm not mad about how it resolved (sorry, I know I'm terrible, but so was he), and the whole bit with the pastor? Just.. chaotic.

I am, however, very interested to see if there's anything further in store with the Chief and her behaviour towards Dulac. That was.. interesting.

That end scene? Sweet as pie. Sweeter still because of how Cora behaved throughout. Big fan.

Enough blather, time for book three.

[Evelyn220 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ Another banger. These two do not quit with the angst. I just want to scream at them to sit down and talk to each other. And then they do, and it’s so damn heartwarming and sweet. I can’t get enough of them.

The narrator of this series, Tristan James, is incredible. His deadpan delivery of his grumpy Hazard voice woven together with the flirty, witty playfulness of Somers is brilliant. Highly recommend the audiobooks.

[Cyndi (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might have to rethink my newly acquired reluctance to slap these characters because they were both more than deserving of being knocked around a little bit in this book. I'm tired and want to start the next book so here are a few thoughts:

1. Somers needs to stop pushing Hazard's buttons and let him finish his sentences. If Hazard wants to talk about stars, let that man talk about stars. And what was that crap with Dulac? No sir. Nope. I'm so surprised Hazard didn't blow a fuse. Both Hazard and Somers act like Sour Patch Kids and need to learn how to communicate without having to tear each other down first.

2. Dulac. Dude. Bro. Yes, this kid is annoying but he's also surprisingly insightful at times. He's also, apparently, a total diva. I spent the majority of this book wondering if I could trust him, but he's starting to win me over. I hope I don't regret that in the future.

3. Noah and Rebeca are the bestest friends ever! They're the perfect role models for our clueless MC's and impart the best words of wisdom. Well, Rebeca does anyway.

4. Mitchell's coffee order...🤣🤣🤣

5. The mystery - I had a sneaking suspicion and couldn't understand why they didn't question certain things a lot sooner. I still really enjoyed it, though.

6. The Keeper of Bees has me really worried. After the last story arc and seeing what this author is willing to put his characters through, my nerves are feeling a little frayed. With each incremental dose of conjecture about what this person is capable of and what their goals may be, I get a little more anxious about how this will play out. Is it someone we know? It has to be, right?

7. The ending ❤️. Oh Emery, thank goodness Cora intercepted that list. I'm so glad that I'm allowed to like her.

On to the next one!

[Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freaking love these two!

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

He needs to understand that people are like quarks.” He shook his head. “That we are like quarks.” “Like quarks. Right.” “Quantum entanglement. Two particles that are linked so that no matter how far apart they are, they have the same direction of spin. They could be on opposite sides of the universe and if one flips its direction of spin, the other does too. At the exact same time.” She was staring at him like he was crazy, and he fumbled for a way to explain. “Quarks. Spin. Even when we’re apart, we’re still together.” “Oh, Emery,” she said. “He understands.”

Emery Hazard and John-Henry Somerset/Somers, Ree and John to each other, are hands down one of my favorite couples. They are high on my list. Extremely high. The books aren’t perfect and their relationship certainly isn’t. Even after all of these books, the first series and now this follow up one. They have problems and issues. But I love them so much. They’ve come so far from book one. I’ll try and write a full review when I get on my computer later. It’s too hard to type all of my feelings for these guys on my phone.

[Nelly S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“I love you. I come home and see you sitting on the couch and you’ve got your socks balled up by your feet and I want to tell you, right then, I just want to tell you I love you until the world dries up and blows away like cosmic fucking dust. I roll over in bed at night and you’ve got the pillow halfway over your face and I want to shake you awake right then and tell you, shout it, how much I love you.”

Is it possible to love Ree and Somers any more? I don’t think so. What I most enjoyed in this instalment was their relationship. The mystery was good, but nowhere near as intricate as some of their previous ones. Our exasperating doofuses continue to be as lovable as ever. Somers relentlessly drives the perpetually grumpy and possessive Ree up the wall. Their fights are epic, but so is the makeup sex. They are still plagued by their usual insecurities—Ree is afraid Somers will leave him because he isn’t good enough. Meanwhile Somers wants to get married yet Ree freaks out as soon as the subject is brought up. By the way, can Somers’s partner, Gray, be a more annoying little twerp? He’s an unapologetic fuckboy. His dating woes, however, do provide endless entertainment.

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Claudie ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just leave me here in my puddle of feels. 💘

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.75 stars

Reading a Hazard and Somerset book is an event. The books are tightly written, the detail that links the series is intricately woven, and the world the characters live in is richly developed.

This book picks up shortly after the last book, The Rational Faculty, with Hazard becoming a private detective and Somers still on the force. They also have a home together and are more domesticated than Hazard thought was even possible for himself.

The book is intense as we are mostly in Hazard’s point of view. He still has a lot of rage inside of him from all the events, past and present, involving Mikey, and the last case, with the murderer known as the Keeper of the Bees, is unsolved and the murderer is still out there. It’s takes a lot for Hazard to admit out loud his fear of something happening to Somers and how this unsolved case is affecting his life and future with Somers. Hazard has so much rage and it doesn’t take much to set him off and he really needs something that will allow him to calm down some. Yet, Somers seems to take Hazard’s moods and outbursts in stride, as while Hazard comes across as a tough guy, he is really struggling, and if anyone can handle Hazard, it is John-Henry Somerset.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Debra ~~ seriously slacking on her reviews ~~]

3.5 frustrating stars

I had to double-check as I was reading this book to make sure I didn't pick up one of the books from the first H&S arc because WTF?? For a good part of the story I disliked Somers as much as I did at the start. The way he knows how to hurt Hazard and just goes for it? If my friend were in a relationship with that man I would tell them to run! As much as I love Hazard, he also doesn't always deal with things in the best way, but I thought they made so much progress and here it felt like it had been lost for most of the book. They really need to take my suggestion and seek some therapy. Eventually though, they both pull their heads out and finally, grudgingly, talk things through and the ending was, Wow!

I like the addition of their neighbors, Noah and Rebeca, to the story. Having people not on the force, and for Hazard, finding someone he can open up to and talk about things, could make all the difference. Dulac, on the other hand, I could say goodbye to right now. It was exhausting every time he was on the page. I can only assume Gregory Ashe has something up his sleeve for that character. There were a couple of little things I noticed here that have me thinking there has to be more to him than meets the eye. I mean, there can't be less can there?

The main investigation here deals with another dirty cop that we've all come to hate, but for the first time in these books, I was able to peg the killer from the start. While that part of the story was less than intriguing for me, there is a lot of build-up surrounding Wesley, the new pastor and where he may fit in with the overarching arc. While the Keeper of Bees mystery isn't really in the forefront, it is always simmering in the back of Hazard's mind and we do see a bit more of what has happened since the last book.

So did this book frustrate me and make me angry for the majority of the story? Yes it did. Will I be coming back for more? Yes I will.

[StayCalm81 · Rating 5 out of 5]

#4 read - 10/10/2025

I love these two idiots so much ❤️
They really hurt each other in this one! Somers in specific got on my nerves several times, I know Hazard is a lot to deal with but he just pushes and pushes knowing how it will end. The iconic frying pan episode, all the heavy arguments, they really go at each other’s throats (I secretly love it, I live for relationships angst and GA does it to perfection 👌)
But underneath all of this we can feel how much they love each other, like “crazy love” each other ❤️

”The truth was that Somers was beautiful the way mountains were beautiful, the way deserts were beautiful, the way the Indiangrass rolled toward the horizon under the dawn. Age just made everything better; that was part of it. And part of it was that he was so beautiful it was terrifying; a mountain is beautiful even when a plane flies into it, and that was how Hazard felt, that crashing obliteration, when he looked too long at this man he loved.”

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had all the things to make it a wonderful read for me. The suspense, the mystery, the angst and feels, and multitude of complex characters that I liked trying to figure out. While I enjoyed most of it, some of the situations between Emery and John made me question why I like them so much. Mr Ashe did give us all the warm and fuzzy feelings with Emery being his usual grumpy but vulnerable and John being the sunshine with teeth.

The case was good but I felt underwhelmed by the ending and how anticlimactic it was. I expected something major to happen and it was just such a quiet ending though cute and a bit romantic. I also tried really hard to like Gray Dulac and failed. He is such an infuriating character. I wondered about him throughout the book. He at times was such a big contrast to John.

The levels of angst were off the charts and made it hard sometimes to read but, thank goodness, were tempered by the love both men felt for each other. I am eager to start the next one.

[C.S. Poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

And we're back! Hazard and Somerset return in Book 2 of Union of Swords, and it continues to be such a thrilling and gut-wrenching series with some of the most gorgeous prose and in-depth character development to exist in the genre. Gregory Ashe is a very dear friend, but he's also an author I deeply admire and look up to. I cannot say it enough that if you've yet to dip your toes into his backlist, everyday is a good day to start! Just... maybe have a drink and some tissues standing by, because he will put you through the emotional ringer every time.

Life is starting to right itself after the struggles of The Rational Faculty. Hazard is settling into a more comfortable routine with Somers and Evie and his PI business is... well, he gets an unlikely client in the form of Hoffmeister, a former colleague with the Wahredua PD. Hoffmeister claims to be getting death threats and as Hazard begins to dig into the story, he realizes there's more than one reason someone could want the cop dead. To make it worse, the local Ozark Volunteers are being rebranded into the more palatable and dangerous Bright Lights, and the mysterious Keeper of Bees is still out there somewhere.

One element of this second arc that I really, really love is that there's some next level development happening with Somers. The books move back and forth evenly between Hazard and Somers' POV, but due to the arc of the first series, it naturally focused more on Hazard. He'd come back to Wahredua, disgraced by the St. Louis police, Somers was a former bully and forever love interest, he was searching for peace and justice for Jeff—but this time? Somers is grappling with a lot that's been building up for the last six books, just one of those elements being he wants to marry Hazard and Hazard seems to be digging his heels in hard. And it just gets better, but those are reviews for other books!

It's not easy to write a long-running series. You need to be able to reach deep into characters and pull out believable, organic growth, otherwise you'll lose readers. But that's not what's happening here. The pacing of the first and second arc has been fantastic—just enough time has progressed that Hazard and Somers are in the next level of their relationship and careers, but not so much so that there's nothing left to poke at and see what happens. And in true Ashe form, these guys have plenty of baggage to unearth. Another home run book!!

[BevS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite as outstanding for me as The Rational Faculty, but still a bl**dy good read. I did pick out the murderer [hopefully] after 55%, and was obviously waiting for Ree to do his thing, weighing up the pros and cons and coming up with the correct answer. 4.5 stars rounded up.

I absolutely LOVED the interactions between Ree, John and Bro-boy himself, Gray Dulac...the snark-o-meter was set from stun to kill in this one...some truly funny moments and Gray was up for all of it. He's still a f**k boy in John Henry's eyes, and I was a little sceptical about him turning up at the birthday party with his 'date'...but what do I know 😏? We also had some emotional meltdown moments from Hazard, and the advice he got from Rebeca was spot on.

There are some truly awful characters in this story...Foley's vile cousin Kelly being one of them [and do I detect a teeny, tiny softening in Foley's attitude towards Ree? Surely not 🤨]. Unfortunately, I'm no nearer guessing the identity of The Keeper of Bees, although I do know with absolute certainty that Ree and John will solve the mystery.

That ending?? Perfect.

[Lori¸¸¸.•*❀Ɍɛɑɗs̱LɪƙɛIʈs̱H̱ɛɍJɔɓ 유❤유 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so in love with this series! I know that Hazard and Somers annoy the everliving piss out of me sometimes but I just can't help but love them even if I don't always love them together. They were at each other's throats through a huge portion of the book and that's got to change at some point if they are going to stay together. Dulac is still not endearing himself to me at all even if Tristan James does him perfectly.

The mystery was amazing but I am a little concerned that none of the trans characters so far have been portrayed as anything other than angry and hysterical. I am not certain that has been the goal of the author's but so far that's how they have come across to me.

[ML · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending 😳🤯

Ugh…Dulac has got to go. Ugh ugh ugh
Somerset using Dulac to make Hazard jealous is a bit dangerous but we did get a hot sex scene out if it with H&S….so…. 🤔

As always, the mystery plays 2nd fiddle to the dynamic that is Hazard and Somerset.
The mystery to be honest was way too easy to solve if you remember a certain Brady Bunch episode involving a suitcase 🧳.


The bickering and arguments really grow on me. The angst is what makes their dynamic so intense and interesting. Even after so many books, I never tire of it. Who knew that could happen?!?!?

The ending was the best part too.
Whoa 🤯

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner. A gazillion stars.
I started reading Transactional Dynamics straight away and forgot to review Police Brutality here.
And now I'm too fucking distressed by Transactional Dynamics to have anything coherent to say about book 2. I can't believe I thought Gregory had put me through the wringer with book 2. That was child's play. I'm in so much PAIN right now. GA is killing me. Anyway I guess I'd better keep this for my review of book 3. If I ever survive it.

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Felt like the mystery lacked a bit of oomph, although I doubt we've seen the last of Wesley the pastor. Liked the relationship progression with H & S once they actually were honest with each other, but these two will never be smooth sailing. The little reminders dropped in the text that their romantic relationship is still very new -- indeed, that Hazard has only been back in Wahredua for little over a year -- is important, as we've spent so much time with these two that it feels like they should have sorted some of this shit out already.

My main concern now (given that we are on an unprecedented two-book streak of no massive head trauma, huzzah!) is that Hazard's temper and violent impulses are edging into red-flag territory. Hazard has always been written as Mr Logical, unfraid to use his bulk and manner to intimidate and defend others (and himself) but generally keeping his temper on a leash; the difference now (presumably connected to his undiagnosed PTSD and mental health struggles) is that the desire or use of violence seems to be his first, sometimes uncontrolled reaction to provocation or threat. I really hope this gets dealt with more thoroughly in future installments, not just shaken off as Hazard being Hazard. My kingdom for a take-no-shit therapist for this man.

Somers is such a good case study of someone who veers from being an irredeemable arsewipe to an incredibly sympathetic romantic hero in the space of about 2 paragraphs. Love this dum-dum.

Curious where we're heading next, although in typical me-fashion, I am way more invested in the relationship aspect than the crime aspect.