Murder Husbands

by E.M. Denning

DARK MM Romance
Pounds of flesh repay debts in Pierce's world.
In a sea of nameless bodies, Henry Prince is sold to Pierce to settle a score and turns out to be the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

Pierce’s empire is crumbling around him and before Henry, he hadn’t cared to salvage it. Henry is full of secrets, and Pierce is desperate to learn them all, even if it means risking both their lives to protect him from the enemies closing in around them.

Together, Henry and Pierce are unstoppable. Their devotion is immeasurable until two men from Pierce’s past threaten their trust in each other when it’s needed most. Drew and Griffin are a painful reminder of how much Pierce will risk protecting the man he loves. Henry's attraction to Griffin might be the key to uniting his past and his future, but Pierce’s animosity and desire for Drew threaten the delicate balance the men have forged.

Good men can be bad and bad men can do good, but life isn't always black and white. Sometimes all you can do is fight to save yourself and those you love. Is there strength in numbers or will Pierce fail when it counts the most?



Please visit the author's website for a list of content warnings

Genres: M M Romance, Dark, BDSM, Polyamory, Dark Romance, M M M, Enemies To Lovers

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2020

About the author

EM Denning has more than twenty romance novels under her belt and has become an author you can rely on to bring you emotionally endearing, soft and fuzzy, stories. She is well known among her friends for her love of naps and sarcasm. She spends her free time reading as many romance novels as she can get her hands on.

Reviews

[⚣Michaelle⚣]

When I clicked the Amazon box/link the book didn't show up, so I typed "Murder Husband" in the search bar. (Missed the 's' at the end of the title when entering it.)

So, as much as the SigO has been ticking me off for the past 4 years, I don't want to off him - despite what my search history says! Just thought I'd mention that in case Big Brother is watching...

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love mafia couples, so I was really excited about this one. It didn't disappoint.
If you're looking for a morally correct ending, skip this one. These guys murder their enemies.
D/s Pierce finds the perfect, stabby, pet in Henry. Drew rescues Griffin from a situation his boy never should have been in. They have a loose m/m/m/m relationship, with a focus on the two main couples.

I love the idea of a poly family that takes out predators. I hope there's a second book.

4.5/5

Tags: Rough Sex, D/s, Dubcon, Manipulation, Stockholm, Punishments, Cuffs, Leashed
Non Mc Non-con, Cageing, Non-Mc abuse and gaslighting.

[Jenny (Nyxie) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not putting this on any shelves Bc I just can’t recommend this book to anyone. I really wanted to like it. The plot should have been exciting. But it was like it was trying to be too many books at once, with about 50% more text than was necessary. I honestly got bored and skimmed the last half just to see how it ended. Felt a bit like someone grabbed a handful of “dark” tropes and crammed them all into the same novel without any rhyme or reason.

TW: human trafficking, abuse, rape

[⭐Toonasa⭐ •Romance Book Lovers' Haven•]

Adding to my tbr! Already got it tho. I must say if it was a reverse Harem, Pierce would the FMC - all of the other 3 flock towards him ^_^. Kidding aside, the selling aspect of the book gives me complicated feelings but I think I'll like it! Love a polyamorous book :-)

[John Altman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder Husbands!

Total Rating: 2.5 Stars out of 5
Rating Review Rollout:
(1) Blurb vs Story matchup: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(2) Character Development: 2 🌟🌟
(3) Danger/Drama/Thrills/Chills: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(4) Editing/Proofreading: 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
(5) Entertainment Value: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(6) Feeling the Words: 2 🌟🌟
(7) Flow of the Story: 2 🌟🌟
(8) Keeps my Attention: 2 🌟🌟
(9) MC Appeal: 2 🌟🌟
(10) MC Backstory: 2 🌟🌟
(11) MC Chemistry: 2 🌟🌟
(12) MC Love Connection: 2 🌟🌟
(13) Plot Worthiness: 2 🌟🌟
(14) Sexy Sex Scenes: 3 🌟🌟🌟
(15) Wrap Up of Loose Ends: 3 🌟🌟🌟

[Abrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two words for this book: Holy. Shit.

I've been reading E.M. Denning since she started writing gay romance. I love her romance, it's kinky and fluffy and the characters are always so well-rounded and feel like real people. Now, it's time for Emo to let out her dark and twisted side and I am so here for it.

We meet Henry, poor Henry who has not had an easy time in life. He spent a lot of his life on the run with his mother, not that he knows what from. When he finally stays in one place it's with someone who doesn't care for him like they should. Which leads to the eventual where Henry is sold to Pierce.

Pierce is a criminal. He has built himself an empire and specializes in helping young men out from rock bottom and then selling them to the highest bidder. And then he meets Henry. Henry who needs him like no one ever has before. Pierce doesn't sell Henry like he does the others instead, he molds him into the boy he wants—needs—him to be.

There's more than one secret between this pair though. Henry isn't who he seems to be and Pierce doesn't have as good a grasp on his empire as he should. What follows is a book that had me glued to my kindle from start to finish.

When the plot takes off and bad guys come for Pierce and Henry, Henry proves that he's more than a boy who hides in the closet (it's a thing, read the book to learn more). He turns out to be a stabby twink and I love that so much. Especially since after said stabbing, messy, bloody kitchen sex happens.

As Pierce's empire crashes around them they're forced to reach out to someone that Pierce rather not.

Drew is an agent who's been fixated on catching Pierce, and at one point agreed to help him if he turned. When Pierce and Henry bring Drew in to help them cut ties with their old lives Drew swoops in and in exchange for help, drags them into deeper shit. I won't lie, I had hoped that Henry would stab Drew at least once. Just a little stab. The guy is arrogant and tries to play a game that he doesn't understand. One little stab wouldn't have hurt, but it would have taught him a lesson.

Drew isn't the only one from Pierce's past that reenters their life. The thing that Drew wanted in exchange for helping Pierce and Henry? It involves a previous boy that Pierce cared for and then sold.

Griffin is the perfect pet. He's the opposite of Henry in every way. He lives to serve and is lost unless he has a Master at his side caring for him. He's cute and I loved him immediately.

As Henry and Griffin bond, Pierce and Drew go head to head, which leads to Henry purposefully antagonizing Drew, because unlike Griffin, Henry is not a pretty little pet. Which makes it all the much more fun when the four of them come together. It's hot, it's dirty, and it's probably wrong on so many levels, but they make it work, once they stop wanting to kill each other.

A criminal, an agent who's learning that the world isn't so black and white, a pet, and a stabby twink. It shouldn't work, but it does. They not only find out how to be together, but they use their resources and twisted morals to take down their enemies and it is glorious.

This isn't your typical E.M. Denning book. Far from it. When I first started I had asked myself where the sweet little Emo went, but the more I read the more I fell in love with this new side of her. I wouldn't say no to more of these four if she wanted to write them. Or darker books period. What she normally writes is great, but sometimes you just need a little blood in your life.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book confused me. Just when Pierce and Henry started to look like a solid couple, Griffin and Drew came into the mix and just confused the hell out of me. Now I have no problem with poly relationships but there was no indication that's where we were headed, it's like it came out of nowhere. Threw me off and I felt like I lost the direction of the story. I finished it and it was fine but the curve ball kind of ruined things for me a little. If there is another book about them I will read it and probably enjoy it because I have history now but the poly aspect felt rushed and out of nowhere in this one.

[Natosha Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and Bad in most people’s point of view is black and white with no areas of gray in between, but there are times that good people will do bad things and bad people will do good things. In reading this book you will find that to be true – and maybe start to believe that there are gray areas as well.

Henry believes that most things in life are bad. He has lived a life on the run with his mom from something in his past when he was a boy. When his mom passed away, he was left with her most recent of a long string of men, James. Why James kept him around, Henry will never understand. James has never liked him and has always let Henry know just how worthless he found him. So when, out of the blue, James tells Henry to get ready because they have somewhere to be, Henry knows it cannot be good. As it turns out, James has decided to use Henry to pay off his debt to a man he owes money to. Henry is scared out of his mind. He has no clue what will become of him now. That is when a man named Pierce walks in and becomes his rescuer.

Pierce is not a nice man. He knows this about himself. He knows he has done many bad things in his life. He trains and sells boys who have a life on the streets. He has a lot of shady businesses and associates. So when he takes Henry home with the expectation of training a new pet for someone, he is blown away by the boy himself. There is something very special and needy about Henry that just grabs something inside of Pierce. So much so that he decides to keep Henry for himself. Especially after Henry shows signs of truly wanting and trusting Pierce even though he has warned him not to.

Once Henry starts to adjust to being in Pierce’s home, something inside of him changes and he realizes that for the first time ever in his life he has an opportunity to have someone in his life just for him. Pierce touches so many levels of Henry that he begins to trust and want so much more where Pierce is concerned. Yes, Pierce has told him he is not a good man. Yes, he has started to witness firsthand just how ruthless Pierce can be. And yes, Pierce has told him about selling other boys in the past. But none of that matters to Henry. All that matters to him is Pierce is good to him and would never hurt him.

When Pierce’s empire that he has built starts to crumble before his eyes, he has to make a choice to keep his new pet safe and out of the hands of whoever has been searching for Henry. In order to do that, Pierce has to call the one person that he never thought he would see or speak to again, Drew.

Drew is an FBI agent. Long ago he gave Pierce an easy out from the life that he has built for himself and he knew eventually he would use that lifeline. Now that the time has come, the question is will Pierce be able to do what is necessary to save himself and his pet in order to make a new life for themselves?

The out is simple, Pierce has to go undercover with one of his previously trained pets and sell him to a not so nice man. The pet in question is Griffin. Griffin has agreed to go undercover for the FBI to get information for them to take down a very bad king pin. Pierce is far from happy about what he has to do and only makes the deal with the condition that once Griffin is pulled out that he is returned to Pierce so he can make sure he is okay. Drew is starting to realize that just because he works for who is supposed to be the good guys, that does not mean what they are doing is not bad. When complications arise, Drew shows up with Griffin in tow at Pierce and Henry’s new location. This is a disaster in the making for sure.

How will four men with four different personalities and four different pasts that all revolve around Pierce handle the situation? Will tempers flare? Can they all come to some kind of understanding? What will happen when trouble finds them and all of them could be collateral damage?

This was such an incredible book. I read it in on sitting because I could not put it down. Every time I thought I had something figured out about the characters, something happened to throw me for a loop. I know this is not a series but if it were, I would definitely be reading it because I would love to have more of these four guys. Amazing Read!


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Qin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFd after 8% because the (more or less) solid backbones of this story did nothing to overcome the sheer drivel that Mrs Denning would have us believe is English style fit for commercial use. From the very beginning, there is an orogenesis of run-on sentences of the most commonplace variety, often whole strings of them ("James was built like a tank, even though he’d lost a lot of weight recently, he was still an imposing force. His shoulders were tense, his entire body rigid and he approached Henry, shoving his jacket at him" ~"fog rolled in off the bay and Henry imagined slipping away from James. The fog could hide him long enough to get away, but as the thought entered his mind, the car door wrenched open and James hauled Henry out", etc); otherwise the story is delivered through staccato writing in very short utterances, often of doubtful syntactic pedigree ("Zach asked, his footsteps approached Henry" being a typical example), which hardly bring any depth to the universe and character building. Moreover, hispid repetitions are pervasive, from word iterations that evince a lack of lexical variety ("Henry wiped the sweat from his brow and tucked his knives away under the bed. James didn’t like the knives and he’d beaten Henry the last time he’d caught him with them. Then he’d taken them away. It had taken Henry months to get new ones", and so on) down to thematic redundancies testifying to an obvious disinterest in articulate storytelling (two different characters in less than two pages are described as being "built like a tank"). I cried havoc when my quota of terrible prose unalloyed by a strong enough plot line and endearing characters was breached.

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, mostly

The first half was good, sort of dark/darkish because of Pierce’s character. Henry’s character seemed kind of inconsistent as the story went on. Skimmed most of the second half. Drew and Griffin’s appearance in the narrative would have been fine if it didn’t turn into an unappealing & awkward sex-a-thon with the less than satisfactory plot.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark stroll through the minds of psychos in love. Blood (lots of blood), sex (also lots), finding a family, and learning that even if you are a bad boy, life can still be good.

[Joanne Mccorkell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nnnoooooo

Ive just finished this story. Im peeved its over. I loved getting to know Henry and Pierce as a couple. Then with the introduction of Drew and Griffin. It brought another dimension to the story.

The cynical agent and weary criminal, with their Boy and Pet, made a good story

While the lead up took its time. I wish there was a little more of the blood thirsty Henry. I liked that Henry stood up for Griffin.

If you like a bit of guts and gore, definately give this a try. I hated having to put this story down.
I REALLY hate that I finished it. HOPEFULLY, we have second book!?

[Laina Gruver · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

First off, I have never read a book quite like this one and I’m not just referring to the events in the book. This book was …. Interestingly written. Going into this book I had so many ideas about how the story would go and I was sooooo wrong.

Henry is sold to Pierce to repay a debt owed by his step-father. Pierce is what I would consider a morally grey character (leaning more towards dark than light). Pierce takes broken young men and trains them to please other men and then sells them. While I had issues with the whole ‘human trafficking’ aspect, the one young man we meet that Pierce had previously sold was not unhappy or mistreated by his master, his master simply died.

I assumed that the two men from Pierce’s past were bad guys, on the contrary; one was an old ‘pet’ (the young man he’d trained whose master died), Griffin, and a man Pierce had once been close to until he discovered the man was a government agent, Drew.

Agent Drew arranged for some unseemly character to purchase Griffin because they needed inside information on the creep’s organization. Griffin is abused and instead of pulling him out, they were going to leave him to get as much information as possible. That did not sit well with Drew and he burned many bridges in order to rescue Griffin.

Turns out Pierce and Drew were hot for each other. After a LOT of fighting and jealousy and a few punishments, the book ends in a MMMM polyamorous relationship. The book title is confusing, nobody gets married.

I wasn’t a big fan of how the book was written. Part 1 is Pierce & Henry’s story with Drew and Griffin thrown in here and there. Part 2 is written chapter by chapter where each chapter is focused on one of the four men. I kind of felt like the title and the blurb/synopsis were misleading. I might have enjoyed the story a bit more if I hadn’t gone in with certain expectations.

I was happy that while there were some details, Griffin’s abuse wasn’t as detailed as I was dreading it to be. I was also pleasantly surprised by Henry and his abilities with knives.


Pierce has s3x with Henry
Drew has s3x with Griffin and Henry
Henry has s3x with Pierce, Drew, and Griffin
*****
POV… third person

Standalone or series… standalone

Hangover… no

Recommend… eh… maybe

Reread… ?

TW: human trafficking, non/dub-con, biting, cage usage (not c*ck cage), Stockholm syndrome.

[Szidi ☼ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5☆

I had so much hope for this one, and I loved every minute of it...until not.

My motto is: the darker the better. So I haven't blink an eye before I started to read it. And it was really good. I mean reeeealllly good! The characters were cute - in their own dark and twisted way, the storyline was interesting and exciting. The romance cute and the erotica HOT.
But.
I wanted more blood. More sex scenes in blood. More murder. More dark.
It was good, don't get me wrong, but I think it was a light dark. Only the top of the iceberg.

I really loved Henry and Pierce, they were soooo good together. All the need, just perfection. LOVED it so much! And I thought this book will be a 6star read. Then the story turned into something else.

I think this book would be better in 2 separated story. The first half of the book was about Henry and Pierce, and I can't say it enough how much I loved this first half. Then the next was about Drew and Griffin. And it wasn't enought that we got two other main characters with their own story, the time change in the story was there too! I hate to jump in different story lines with different times, then wait for the two to meet.

Griffin and Drew story was very different and so light, like to vanilla for this book. I wanted blood and slavery and needy and slutty subs lol. And wanted just more Henry and Pierce.
The relationship between Drew/Pierce, Drew/Griffin, Pierce/Griffin, Griffin/Henry, Drew/Henry were too much. Everyone hated everyone while they really loved each other, just couldn't get past their emotions and heartbroke. I get that everyone needed their happy ending and to get into "love" with each other, but it was just too much for this book. As I said, in 2 books it would be perfect, but not in one.

And the bad guys of the story... it just got boring to the end. And the ending was hurried too. Kill the bad ones and let live the good guys - there wasn't a surprise.

So after all i'm really sad about this book. I just want to forget the second half of this book and I 'll be happy. Henry and Pierce just perfect together. Perfectly dark and cute♥

[Smut Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually avoid dark books as they're not my thing but I have been intrigued by this book since Emo starting writing it and knew that eventually I would wind up reading it.
So glad I did. It's not dark in the way that normally disturbs me - yes, there's killing and gore, but they were the bad guys and deserved it (for the most part) and it all contributed to the story.
The main characters were not repulsive and I engaged with them and the storyline quite easily - thoroughly enjoying the journey they brought me on.
The book takes us on some very unexpected paths and I found myself having difficulty putting the book down and I may have neglected the housework for a few days while I was wrapped up in the plot.
The HEA is well worth the angst you wade through to get there and I really loved this read. Probably not for everyone but if you like the mob reads (which I normally don't) and you're ok with some blood and gore, killing and sickos who get their come-uppance - you might find yourself as wrapped up in this one as I was.

[E. Salvador · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow and Double Wow!

Denning hit it out of the park with Murder Husbands. A divergent from her usual schmoop, Denning masterfully told a powerful tale of survival, blood and love, written in two parts. But no fear, you still get all the feels in this story.

The complexities of writing four MCs are abundant and Denning really did an excellent job of weaving the characters together. While the dynamics between Pierce and Henry prevail upon my heart, equally as special are the relationships between each of the other pairings/the group. Denning creating a darkish, beautiful universe wherein these four men flourish. I just want to see more of them! Strong recommend.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! Bad guys never looked so good! Henry, Drew, Griffin and Pierce are the perfect mix together to make this a epic bloody story. I loved that each layer we discovered something new in this dark world and you find yourself cheering them alone. Kinky and sexy in all the right ways and had me guessing what could happen next, I don't want to say too much because I think it would spoil this but it is AWESOME!!! Great start from beginning to end! I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.

[Stfnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked both parts in this story well enough and it kept me interested enough to read to the end after many dnf’s in the past few weeks. While the book would’ve been too long as is if they’ve given the last ‘mission’ more attention, I think it would have been beneficial if the author had made it two books so they had a bit more room to write out the ending. Now it felt hurried.

SPOILERS
One thing I don’t really understand is the title ‘Murder husbands’ with this story. In none of the situations did the guys murder anyone together, but weirder is: they’re not husbands. They don’t even become husbands in the end of the story.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thriller, a romance, 4 men with baggage, broken and lost, but united and formed a family where they help each other heal, found love and joint as a team to right the wrongs in the end. Steamy hot, angst, fast pace, a lot of love and healing. Really exciting storyline. Hope there is more to come as sequel as the four men continue the journey to help rescue others. Really enjoyed reading it and love all 4 characters and their dynamics toward the end. There should be more coming out of them as they fully developed in their roles in the future stories.

[Cat LeFey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect in a really messed up way

This was everything I wanted! There were mixed reviews so I had this on the back burner but I'm glad I read it. If you're not into polyamory you could read the part one on it's own and it's still a really good book. Characters are amoral and there's some post-murder coitus and maybe a little dub con, it's all sexy twisty goodness. These are not healthy relationships, more like obsessive madness and dependency but that's what we all love about dark romances, amiright?

[Theresa Burrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book...love, lust, murder, more lust, coupling...Pierce is not a good man...he finds boys, trains them and sells them. But then he meets Henry...and finds that he wants to keep this boy.
Drew is an FBI agent fighting a losing case for more than a year. Then he gets an opportunity by taking one of Pierce's boys and selling him to a monster...but Drew finds that Griffin is more than a chess piece in this game. And things just become more dangerous and more complicated with swerves in the story line that I never saw coming.
I loved the characters. Being submissive does not mean being weak, as we learn when we meet Henry and Griffin, both frantically looking for love and a home.
This book was a quick read, but it sucks you in so quickly that you don't realize you've been reading for hours.
Excellent job...now one of my favorite books.

[Li Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

First I’d like to say thank you for not making this into two books that would have been cruel. I couldn’t put this down . It’s dark and disturbing, and yet it’s beautiful too . I loved Henry I think he’s one of my favourite fictional characters now Pierce , Drew and Griffin are very believable too. Well written and I really really hope there’s more from these guys. I think we need all the sold guys to have a story each . Here’s hoping. You absolutely must read this

[J.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely starts out dark, and stays pretty dark, but also completely unexpected. Denning does an excellent job with this collection of dark/anti-heroes, until all I wanted for them was a happily ever after, too. I have already informed the author that I would absolutely love a sequel, especially if it features more Feral Henry.

*4 stars instead of 5 because the current version desperately needs a pass by a proofreader.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

An interesting book, this author’s first venture into romance with darker characters. The four stars are for her trademark meticulous character development and for having the characters let you know their motives. The plot gets a little messy towards the end - it should perhaps have been two books to avoid the abrupt ending. But a good first effort at this genre

[Keeli Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected and Twisted

This book was completely unexpected from this author, but written like she has a dozen other thrillers under her belt. I loved it with all its darkness and murder and broken boys. I will be anxiously awaiting more from these four men especially blood thirsty little Henry.

[Nicole Prado-Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5

Wow. What a rollercoaster. This is so different than what EM has done before and I am HERE FOR IT. I absolutely love the tropes and how wonderfully written the characters were. The plot was intriguing and I’m glad it was longer than just the first half because the second half added so much more depth to the story and holy cow the plot twists.

[Courtney Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg so spicy

This book is crazy hot. Honestly I was worried about the violence but it’s so good you have to read it. I love all the characters and love how to relationships grow. You can’t call what will happen but just comes together in the best way!! I highly recommend this book!!

[Leci Forde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divinely Dark!

There aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful this book is. If you like dark and twisty with high heat and a splash of romance...this book is for you! I loved the story and the characters. No mention of a series but if I had one wish...

[Pamela Daake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanfreakingfantastic!!

I could not out it down!! The snark and intrigue made this a perfect read! Pierce, Henry, Drew, and Griffin have all had issues. They come together to take care of those issues! Definitely one I will read over and over!

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was deliciously dark and twisted.
Kinky, bloody, filled with drama and suspense.
Fast paced action that kept me turning the pages and wanting more.
Dangerous characters paired with sweet, needy boys who live to serve and enjoy being hurt and used.
Amazing world building with a core cast and believable plot that should absolutely continue to be built upon.
The ending was just ambiguous enough to keep me invested and desperately waiting to see if there's more coming from this world.