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The Delingpole Mysteries #2
The Deadly Lies
A man is murdered, and takes a deadly secret to his grave.
Is it true the murdered man is Dominic Delingpole’s former lover?
And were they still seeing each other just before his recent wedding to husband Jonathan?
Or are these simply lies?
This is more than a story of deceit between husbands. A man’s death plunges Dominic and Jonathan into a world of international espionage, which puts their lives at risk.
What is the ruthless Charter Ninety-Nine group, and why is it pursuing them across Europe and the United States?
Dominic and Jonathan are forced to test their relationship to its limit. What deadly lies must they both confront? And if they stay alive, will their relationship remain intact?
Is it true the murdered man is Dominic Delingpole’s former lover?
And were they still seeing each other just before his recent wedding to husband Jonathan?
Or are these simply lies?
This is more than a story of deceit between husbands. A man’s death plunges Dominic and Jonathan into a world of international espionage, which puts their lives at risk.
What is the ruthless Charter Ninety-Nine group, and why is it pursuing them across Europe and the United States?
Dominic and Jonathan are forced to test their relationship to its limit. What deadly lies must they both confront? And if they stay alive, will their relationship remain intact?
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2017
33 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
David C. Dawson
9 books71 followersMen in love, men in jeopardy.
David C. Dawson is an award-winning writer of page-turner thrillers with a gay theme and the occasional romance.
His latest novel A Death At His Majesty's was published inb April 2024. It's the third in the Simon Sampson Mysteries series. The second in the series, A Death in Berlin, was shortlisted for a Mystery and Thriller LAMMY.
His debut novel, The Necessary Deaths, won bronze for Best Mystery & Suspense in the FAPA chairman's award. It became the first in the Dominic Delingpole series. The other two books are The Deadly Lies and A Foreign Affair.
His first mystery romance For the Love of Luke was published in October 2018 followed by Heroes in Love.
David lives in London with his boyfriend and ageing motorbike.
You can read his blog here: http://bit.ly/DavidCDawsonblog
In his spare time, David tours Europe on his ageing Triumph motorbike and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.
David C. Dawson is an award-winning writer of page-turner thrillers with a gay theme and the occasional romance.
His latest novel A Death At His Majesty's was published inb April 2024. It's the third in the Simon Sampson Mysteries series. The second in the series, A Death in Berlin, was shortlisted for a Mystery and Thriller LAMMY.
His debut novel, The Necessary Deaths, won bronze for Best Mystery & Suspense in the FAPA chairman's award. It became the first in the Dominic Delingpole series. The other two books are The Deadly Lies and A Foreign Affair.
His first mystery romance For the Love of Luke was published in October 2018 followed by Heroes in Love.
David lives in London with his boyfriend and ageing motorbike.
You can read his blog here: http://bit.ly/DavidCDawsonblog
In his spare time, David tours Europe on his ageing Triumph motorbike and sings with the London Gay Men’s Chorus.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 11, 2020
I have to admit I am having a time of it with this series. While I like the level of suspense and plot line that interconnects so many characters, too many sometimes, the fast pace and mix of political, financial and criminal elements, I have a hard time liking the main couple of the story. I am not a fan of open relationships. I try to get past it with the MCs but it's so in my face that it's hard to ignore. Jonathan's behavior is absolutely atrocious and it makes him such an unlikable character. Dominic tries to stand up for himself but it never goes anywhere and he comes back to his meek demeanor and lets Jonathan get away with his shenanigans. Dominic needs to find his gumption and Jonathan needs to slow down and appreciate Dominic's patience and understanding IMO.
There are plenty likable characters besides the MCs. I liked Alfonso and Gabriel who played a major role in this book from savior and friend to close confidant in the end. I liked their gentle manner and honesty. The steam level is a bit higher than in the first book but it's fade to black. There are couple of revelations that I liked and want to see how they develop in the next book. Some characters made a cameo appearance, and I really liked the idea behind the project in a sense of how scary it was that it could really happen and how devastating the consequences of it would be. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
There are plenty likable characters besides the MCs. I liked Alfonso and Gabriel who played a major role in this book from savior and friend to close confidant in the end. I liked their gentle manner and honesty. The steam level is a bit higher than in the first book but it's fade to black. There are couple of revelations that I liked and want to see how they develop in the next book. Some characters made a cameo appearance, and I really liked the idea behind the project in a sense of how scary it was that it could really happen and how devastating the consequences of it would be. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
October 26, 2017
Hogwashery and Dick-Wrinkles
Ugh. So I'm not going to waste much more time on this book than I already have. Anything reviewers said about the first one, just take that and run with it and add more douchebaggery on top of it while you're at it. I hated one of the MCs and nothing ever made it better. It's over-the-top, unbelievable, the plot is harum-scarum ridiculous, it's unbelievable—did I say that already? Oops. Oh, yeah, and it's unbelievable. In oh-so-many ways I stopped counting. It was a total crock of shit from start to finish. Not one bit of this would make sense in the real world ... ever. There. I'm pretty much done. Oh wait! No, I'm not.
The whole thing was the ultimate in hogwashery. There's nothing redeemable about Jonathan. At. All. The book should have been named The Doormat and the Syphilitic, Hypocritical, Drama Queen. Let's face it, good ol' Jonathan was an unrepentant slut. And no I'm not slut-shaming, or judging 'open' relationships, or anything like that. I just hated Jonathan's character because he wanted to have his cake and eat it too while rubbing it in Dominic's face. Dominic, who was a genuinely good guy, totally in love with a useless pustule on the asshole of humanity. Yeah.
It's one thing to mutually negotiate relationship boundaries, it's another thing entirely to treat someone like crotch rot by manipulating the person you purportedly love until you get your way irrespective of their feelings and then use the slightest disagreement or misunderstanding to act on it whenever you get your undies in a twist. If it wasn't for a fall down the stairs, Jonathan, that crab-ridden dick-wrinkle, would have fucked half of Spain ... ON HIS HONEYMOON. Because, you know, undeserved revenge fucks are sooooo mature.
Yeah. Fuck this. I've got no more time to rant and better things to do. Do yourself a favor and pass this one by. It was godsawful. And unbelievable. And godsawful. Oh yeah, and unbelievable. Did I say that already? Oops, again. It bears repeating ... repetitively. You can always tell when someone's world view is shit. Now I'm done.
Galley copy of The Deadly Lies provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
Images (if present) may be subject to copyright
Ugh. So I'm not going to waste much more time on this book than I already have. Anything reviewers said about the first one, just take that and run with it and add more douchebaggery on top of it while you're at it. I hated one of the MCs and nothing ever made it better. It's over-the-top, unbelievable, the plot is harum-scarum ridiculous, it's unbelievable—did I say that already? Oops. Oh, yeah, and it's unbelievable. In oh-so-many ways I stopped counting. It was a total crock of shit from start to finish. Not one bit of this would make sense in the real world ... ever. There. I'm pretty much done. Oh wait! No, I'm not.
The whole thing was the ultimate in hogwashery. There's nothing redeemable about Jonathan. At. All. The book should have been named The Doormat and the Syphilitic, Hypocritical, Drama Queen. Let's face it, good ol' Jonathan was an unrepentant slut. And no I'm not slut-shaming, or judging 'open' relationships, or anything like that. I just hated Jonathan's character because he wanted to have his cake and eat it too while rubbing it in Dominic's face. Dominic, who was a genuinely good guy, totally in love with a useless pustule on the asshole of humanity. Yeah.
It's one thing to mutually negotiate relationship boundaries, it's another thing entirely to treat someone like crotch rot by manipulating the person you purportedly love until you get your way irrespective of their feelings and then use the slightest disagreement or misunderstanding to act on it whenever you get your undies in a twist. If it wasn't for a fall down the stairs, Jonathan, that crab-ridden dick-wrinkle, would have fucked half of Spain ... ON HIS HONEYMOON. Because, you know, undeserved revenge fucks are sooooo mature.
Yeah. Fuck this. I've got no more time to rant and better things to do. Do yourself a favor and pass this one by. It was godsawful. And unbelievable. And godsawful. Oh yeah, and unbelievable. Did I say that already? Oops, again. It bears repeating ... repetitively. You can always tell when someone's world view is shit. Now I'm done.
Galley copy of The Deadly Lies provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
Images (if present) may be subject to copyright
November 11, 2021
4.5 - Stars
Having first read Heroes in Love and now all three volumes of the Delingpole Myteries, I’ve become a big fan of David C. Dawson.
Dawson creates memorable characters, and, with his unique style of writing, seamlessly blends elements of romance, murder, mystery, and suspense in all three volumes of this particular series.
He also brings locations vividly to life with intimate knowledge (or research) of the exciting settings around the world in which he chooses to place his novels. In The Deadly Lies, most of the action takes place in the gay friendly Catalonian beach resort town of Sitges about 20 miles from Barcelona
and in San Francisco.
While it’s true that each of the three volumes in the Delingpole Mystery series can be read as a stand alone mystery, it’s far better to read them in order. Each book features Dominic Delingpole with a number of other recurring and newly introduced characters, but the events in Dominic’s personal life unfold sequentially throughout the entire series.
After having read all three, a fourth volume would be a most welcome addition.
Having first read Heroes in Love and now all three volumes of the Delingpole Myteries, I’ve become a big fan of David C. Dawson.
Dawson creates memorable characters, and, with his unique style of writing, seamlessly blends elements of romance, murder, mystery, and suspense in all three volumes of this particular series.
He also brings locations vividly to life with intimate knowledge (or research) of the exciting settings around the world in which he chooses to place his novels. In The Deadly Lies, most of the action takes place in the gay friendly Catalonian beach resort town of Sitges about 20 miles from Barcelona
and in San Francisco.While it’s true that each of the three volumes in the Delingpole Mystery series can be read as a stand alone mystery, it’s far better to read them in order. Each book features Dominic Delingpole with a number of other recurring and newly introduced characters, but the events in Dominic’s personal life unfold sequentially throughout the entire series.
After having read all three, a fourth volume would be a most welcome addition.
May 16, 2018
I swear if there is not a book 3 to this series, I may have to hurt somebody. Like for real lol. You authors and your cliffhangers. You're KILLING me. Another book that I'm soooooooooo into and all of a sudden BAM! and it's over. And I'm like whaaaaa? I need more. Don't leave me hanging! This book, this series is so good. Another mystery where bodies are piling up, the asshole bad guys from book 1 are back, and poor Dominic is in trouble again.
Life can't seem to get much better right now. He's married to Jonathan, they are on a beautiful honeymoon. But for them, it seems the honeymoon is over before it's barely started. Dominic is trying to abide by the open marriage rules, but it's hard. And not very fair if Jonathan gets jealous if he thinks there's another man in his life. And to make matters worse, his ex, Bernhardt, is on his way to see him and is leaving him messages and he doesn't know why. All of a sudden, they are involved in another mystery and lives are on the line. They get involved in a conspiracy that can ruin people all over the world. And has already ruined some. Secrets are coming to the light and Dominic and Jonathan's new marriage may not make it past the first week or two. They have to fight against the clock to save the world from hackers, illegal programs, politicians, and more before someone gets them.
Not being fond of the 'open relationship’ thing, I can kinda understand where Dominic is coming from. It puts a strain on the relationship when both sides are not in agreement or communicating or hiding secrets from each other. So things are already a little strained when Dominic's ex comes on the scene. But before any info can be explained, he's murdered. And then the crap hits the fan. I tell you, Mr. Dawson has a way with these characters. I will be honest, it took me a few minutes to kind of catch up with what was going on because there are so many people involved and in so many different ways. But it keeps you involved. It keeps you in the book. You can't put it down. You're trying to figure out who good or bad. Who belongs to whom and then he sneaks in these little stinkers who are double crossers. Very slick. And poor Dominic. Stuck in the middle yet again and he didn't ask to be in it. The poor guy is just trying to enjoy his honeymoon. And Jonathan...I don't know if he's making things better or worse. What a book.
Pick this book up. Pick this series up. It's one you can't put down. I love a good murder mystery. But be forewarned of cliffhangers!!! Grrrrr lol.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
Life can't seem to get much better right now. He's married to Jonathan, they are on a beautiful honeymoon. But for them, it seems the honeymoon is over before it's barely started. Dominic is trying to abide by the open marriage rules, but it's hard. And not very fair if Jonathan gets jealous if he thinks there's another man in his life. And to make matters worse, his ex, Bernhardt, is on his way to see him and is leaving him messages and he doesn't know why. All of a sudden, they are involved in another mystery and lives are on the line. They get involved in a conspiracy that can ruin people all over the world. And has already ruined some. Secrets are coming to the light and Dominic and Jonathan's new marriage may not make it past the first week or two. They have to fight against the clock to save the world from hackers, illegal programs, politicians, and more before someone gets them.
Not being fond of the 'open relationship’ thing, I can kinda understand where Dominic is coming from. It puts a strain on the relationship when both sides are not in agreement or communicating or hiding secrets from each other. So things are already a little strained when Dominic's ex comes on the scene. But before any info can be explained, he's murdered. And then the crap hits the fan. I tell you, Mr. Dawson has a way with these characters. I will be honest, it took me a few minutes to kind of catch up with what was going on because there are so many people involved and in so many different ways. But it keeps you involved. It keeps you in the book. You can't put it down. You're trying to figure out who good or bad. Who belongs to whom and then he sneaks in these little stinkers who are double crossers. Very slick. And poor Dominic. Stuck in the middle yet again and he didn't ask to be in it. The poor guy is just trying to enjoy his honeymoon. And Jonathan...I don't know if he's making things better or worse. What a book.
Pick this book up. Pick this series up. It's one you can't put down. I love a good murder mystery. But be forewarned of cliffhangers!!! Grrrrr lol.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
July 23, 2021
In rereading my review for the first book in this series - The Necessary Deaths - I found that most of those comments apply to "The Deadly Lies." This book is also a "wild mismash of suspense, political corruption, secret societies ..." with a very convoluted plot that is very difficult to fully explain and a huge cast of characters. The mysterious Charter Ninety-Nine group and its goal is very slowly developed and finally revealed around 65% of the book, but up to that point, there were numerous snippets of subplots and characters that didn't really make any sense. And the resolution of the mystery comes with much more of a whimper than a bang, IMHO.
In addition, I found Dominic and Jonathan's relationship very frustrating in that Jonathan desires an open relationship and open communication between the two, but storms away from their honeymoon because he believes Dominic has slept with an ex-boyfriend. Since both characters are so very lightly detailed, again it's difficult to become invested in their relationship. This story personally did not work for me and I give it 3 stars, realizing that other readers may really like the intrigue of the plot and rate it much higher.
I received an ARC from DSP Publications in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
In addition, I found Dominic and Jonathan's relationship very frustrating in that Jonathan desires an open relationship and open communication between the two, but storms away from their honeymoon because he believes Dominic has slept with an ex-boyfriend. Since both characters are so very lightly detailed, again it's difficult to become invested in their relationship. This story personally did not work for me and I give it 3 stars, realizing that other readers may really like the intrigue of the plot and rate it much higher.
I received an ARC from DSP Publications in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
November 15, 2017
Book – The Deadly Lies (The Delingpole Mysteries #2)
Author – David C. Dawson
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 210
Cover – Great!
POV – 3rd person, multi-POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Mystery, British
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
The Deadly Lies is a great follow-up to book 1 in the Delingpole Mysteries. As soon as I saw that it started with Bernhardt – the man who first popped Dominic's gay-cherry! – I swear I squeezed with excitement. I thought, for sure, that he would be the biggest surprise of the book, but I was wrong. So wrong.
There is one reason I didn't give this one 5 stars, like I did with book 1, and that is the fact that the first half of the book wasn't quite as captivating. It focused more on their relationship, with fewer hints and clues about the overall crime, so I found it interesting but not as intriguing and it didn't stir my 'mystery solving' tastebuds quite as much.
Saying that, the second half was gripping and thrilling. The story is a great mystery, with a lot of information provided. There are multiple POV's, because the author is smart enough to show the POV of the criminals, the enemies and the players who really had an impact on how the story progressed. I loved seeing the POV's for the new characters – Pete, Bernhardt, Alfonso and his husband Gabriel, as well as Karl Michael and Sinon – and learning how they fit into the overall story. It was a bit harder to figure out where Pete and Sinon came into it until around the halfway mark or just after it, because there was a subtle genius to the way they were linked to the rest of the plot and the characters. Once again, I found myself amazed at how well it all came together.
I'll admit, I read reviews after reading book 1 and couldn't understand the complaints about it being unrealistic – would you say the same thing about James Bond? – or the horrible slut-shaming of Jonathan. For me, the plot is a brilliant, well conceived and well written – not to mention thoroughly researched, which I can see from the immense attention to detail – while the characters are realistic and relatable.
I am still in love with Dominic and Jonathan. I still love their individual quirks and how they function together. Just as in book 1, their chemistry isn't off-the-charts, because they've been together a while and they don't have to prove their feelings for each other at every turn. Their chemistry is subtle and gentle, in ways that every long term couple can recognise. They have their struggles, more so in this book than in the previous one, but they find a way to work through it and, in the process, learn even more about each other and their relationship.
It's kind of sad, but also logical, that Jonathan would feel betrayed at the thought of Dominic having had an affair, because he's the adventurous one, the one who doesn't always admit to this 'open' relationship excursions, while Dominic has always been transparent about it. It makes sense that he'd feel especially hurt that Dominic hadn't told him about one of his 'adventures', which makes it sound shady, whereas Jonathan is also feeling the same jealousy that Dominic usually feels over his encounters. I loved that they faced this difficulty head-on, because it was something that the first book touched upon. To see the way Jonathan and Dominic dealt with it – the secrets, the talking, the silence, the hurt feelings etc – all showed that these are two men who really do love each other and they're willing to face any struggle head on, together. And, I love that Alfonso and Gabriel show Jonathan and Dominic that an open relationship can be both successful and honest. I'd love to see more of Alfonso and Gabriel in the future, because I hope that these two will become firm friends to Dominic and Jonathan. They need them, to keep them stable and remind them of what they have.
When it comes to the secondary characters, I really did love to see Steve again. I'm so glad that he was back. He has some excellent skills and they were really well utilised in this book. I kind of loved Sinon, too. I'm super intrigued to find out who will appear in the next book and what kind of part they'll have in it, not to mention the impact they'll have on Jonathan and Dominic.
Overall, this intriguing story took place partly in San Francisco and partly in Barcelona, full of conspiracy and subterfuge, while exploring Dominic and Jonathan's relationship in a whole new way. There are secret organisations, a bit more of the hot stuff than book 1 (mostly fade-to-black) and some serious drama. With the author leaving the story open for another book, I can't wait to see where it's going to go, but I know it's going to be one hell of a ride.
~
Favourite Quotes
““Good evening, my injured Englishman!” said Alfonso in a loud whisper. “Now, don’t you cause these nice people any trouble, or I will bring the full force of the law upon you.”
“Oh, I do hope so,” said Jonathan, his leg lifted in readiness to get into the bed. “I have nothing to protect me except this hospital gown, which, as you can see, has full rear ventilation and offers total access.” Jonathan gave the flimsy gown a flick, like a coquettish debutante at a dance, before settling himself into the bed.”
Author – David C. Dawson
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 210
Cover – Great!
POV – 3rd person, multi-POV
Would I read it again – Yes!
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Mystery, British
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
The Deadly Lies is a great follow-up to book 1 in the Delingpole Mysteries. As soon as I saw that it started with Bernhardt – the man who first popped Dominic's gay-cherry! – I swear I squeezed with excitement. I thought, for sure, that he would be the biggest surprise of the book, but I was wrong. So wrong.
There is one reason I didn't give this one 5 stars, like I did with book 1, and that is the fact that the first half of the book wasn't quite as captivating. It focused more on their relationship, with fewer hints and clues about the overall crime, so I found it interesting but not as intriguing and it didn't stir my 'mystery solving' tastebuds quite as much.
Saying that, the second half was gripping and thrilling. The story is a great mystery, with a lot of information provided. There are multiple POV's, because the author is smart enough to show the POV of the criminals, the enemies and the players who really had an impact on how the story progressed. I loved seeing the POV's for the new characters – Pete, Bernhardt, Alfonso and his husband Gabriel, as well as Karl Michael and Sinon – and learning how they fit into the overall story. It was a bit harder to figure out where Pete and Sinon came into it until around the halfway mark or just after it, because there was a subtle genius to the way they were linked to the rest of the plot and the characters. Once again, I found myself amazed at how well it all came together.
I'll admit, I read reviews after reading book 1 and couldn't understand the complaints about it being unrealistic – would you say the same thing about James Bond? – or the horrible slut-shaming of Jonathan. For me, the plot is a brilliant, well conceived and well written – not to mention thoroughly researched, which I can see from the immense attention to detail – while the characters are realistic and relatable.
I am still in love with Dominic and Jonathan. I still love their individual quirks and how they function together. Just as in book 1, their chemistry isn't off-the-charts, because they've been together a while and they don't have to prove their feelings for each other at every turn. Their chemistry is subtle and gentle, in ways that every long term couple can recognise. They have their struggles, more so in this book than in the previous one, but they find a way to work through it and, in the process, learn even more about each other and their relationship.
It's kind of sad, but also logical, that Jonathan would feel betrayed at the thought of Dominic having had an affair, because he's the adventurous one, the one who doesn't always admit to this 'open' relationship excursions, while Dominic has always been transparent about it. It makes sense that he'd feel especially hurt that Dominic hadn't told him about one of his 'adventures', which makes it sound shady, whereas Jonathan is also feeling the same jealousy that Dominic usually feels over his encounters. I loved that they faced this difficulty head-on, because it was something that the first book touched upon. To see the way Jonathan and Dominic dealt with it – the secrets, the talking, the silence, the hurt feelings etc – all showed that these are two men who really do love each other and they're willing to face any struggle head on, together. And, I love that Alfonso and Gabriel show Jonathan and Dominic that an open relationship can be both successful and honest. I'd love to see more of Alfonso and Gabriel in the future, because I hope that these two will become firm friends to Dominic and Jonathan. They need them, to keep them stable and remind them of what they have.
When it comes to the secondary characters, I really did love to see Steve again. I'm so glad that he was back. He has some excellent skills and they were really well utilised in this book. I kind of loved Sinon, too. I'm super intrigued to find out who will appear in the next book and what kind of part they'll have in it, not to mention the impact they'll have on Jonathan and Dominic.
Overall, this intriguing story took place partly in San Francisco and partly in Barcelona, full of conspiracy and subterfuge, while exploring Dominic and Jonathan's relationship in a whole new way. There are secret organisations, a bit more of the hot stuff than book 1 (mostly fade-to-black) and some serious drama. With the author leaving the story open for another book, I can't wait to see where it's going to go, but I know it's going to be one hell of a ride.
~
Favourite Quotes
““Good evening, my injured Englishman!” said Alfonso in a loud whisper. “Now, don’t you cause these nice people any trouble, or I will bring the full force of the law upon you.”
“Oh, I do hope so,” said Jonathan, his leg lifted in readiness to get into the bed. “I have nothing to protect me except this hospital gown, which, as you can see, has full rear ventilation and offers total access.” Jonathan gave the flimsy gown a flick, like a coquettish debutante at a dance, before settling himself into the bed.”
December 4, 2017
This was a sequel to book one. The is mystery, danger, betrayal, and even love. What more can a person ask for.
Jonathan and Dominic are back again and of course the pour soles cannot even enjoy their honeymoon without some kind of trouble coming there way. They are truly a magnet for that sort of hung. Jonathan is still the same ok person in his book that he is in book one. Though he loves Dominic with all that he is, being with one person will never be enough for him, hence the reason for an open relationship though they are now married.
The big difference in this book is, Jonathan actually shows bouts of jealousy where Dominic is concerned. He feels that with Dominic being the one to not really be the adventurous one when it comes to an open relationship that Dominic betrays him in his read though that may not be the case. Just depends on the point of view of he reader on if you think Dominic is betraying Jonathan or not.
I love how David C Dawson is able to make this book from so many different Point Of Views. That makes his book so much better in my opinion. It gives it a depth that most other books do not have when it comes to reading hem because you get so many different views for different situations. That makes this such an incredible read in my opinion.
David C Dawson definitely out did himself on this book in my opinion. I truly enjoyed every aspect of this book from the love story between Jonathan and Dominic to the mystery behind why Bernhardt was killed in the beginning of the book. This is definitely a recommended read.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
Jonathan and Dominic are back again and of course the pour soles cannot even enjoy their honeymoon without some kind of trouble coming there way. They are truly a magnet for that sort of hung. Jonathan is still the same ok person in his book that he is in book one. Though he loves Dominic with all that he is, being with one person will never be enough for him, hence the reason for an open relationship though they are now married.
The big difference in this book is, Jonathan actually shows bouts of jealousy where Dominic is concerned. He feels that with Dominic being the one to not really be the adventurous one when it comes to an open relationship that Dominic betrays him in his read though that may not be the case. Just depends on the point of view of he reader on if you think Dominic is betraying Jonathan or not.
I love how David C Dawson is able to make this book from so many different Point Of Views. That makes his book so much better in my opinion. It gives it a depth that most other books do not have when it comes to reading hem because you get so many different views for different situations. That makes this such an incredible read in my opinion.
David C Dawson definitely out did himself on this book in my opinion. I truly enjoyed every aspect of this book from the love story between Jonathan and Dominic to the mystery behind why Bernhardt was killed in the beginning of the book. This is definitely a recommended read.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
September 8, 2020
i love mysteries and this one made me happy.. it was fast paced and interesting.. kept me curious to know what would happen next.. characters made me smile and laugh... they were sexy and wow... i liked it a lot
November 14, 2017
Fantastic sequel to The Necessary Deaths! I've been waiting for this for a whole year. I was not disappointed. I'm liking Jonathan and Dominic more and more. The author explores their characters in more depth in this novel, and I like what he does. Some really interesting and entirely credible challenges to preconceptions about long-term gay relationships. Long overdue. At one point Jonathan says: "It’s true. We gays are leading the way to healthier, more honest, and above all, sexier marriages." Well said that man!
Can't wait for the next in the series, this is a real cliff-hanger of a novel!
Can't wait for the next in the series, this is a real cliff-hanger of a novel!
December 15, 2019
This is the second adventure of Dominic, a lawyer who is as good at solving mysteries as any PI, and Jonathan, his quirky lover and new husband. After the harrowing events they had to deal with in ‘The Necessary Lies’, and how close they became while dealing with all the political and international business conspiracies they uncovered, it was a relief to see them decide they were meant to stay together. Now that they are on their honeymoon, you might think that things would be more quiet – but nothing could be further from the truth. As the blurb alludes to, Dominic has kept a rather explosive secret from him and when it comes out, Jonathan is rather shocked – as was I. But this is not the worst of it, and before they know what hit them, both men are neck-deep in lies, internet crime, and a mysterious group out to destroy the world as we know it.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 3, 2020
There were a lot of people in this book! The first chapters just kept switching POV to new people. This should have been really confusing but for some reason it wasn’t; I had no problems keeping them apart since, at this point, they were all on separate storylines. It left me wondering who they all where and how they were going to merge into one storyline. The ‘worst’ part was that I didn’t even know which of them were good guys and which were the enemy.
Dominic and Jonathan were on their honeymoon and we were once again confronted with their version of an open relationship and the fact that, apparently, they themselves still need to work a bit on the ‘rules’ of said relationship. I even ended up temporarily hating Jonathan quite a bit. But hey, I’m not the one married to the guy, so whatever :).
They got past their differences for now and pretty soon the plot took over and completely sucked me in. Now I just hope Mr. Dawson doesn’t keep me waiting too long for the next book in the series.
Dominic and Jonathan were on their honeymoon and we were once again confronted with their version of an open relationship and the fact that, apparently, they themselves still need to work a bit on the ‘rules’ of said relationship. I even ended up temporarily hating Jonathan quite a bit. But hey, I’m not the one married to the guy, so whatever :).
They got past their differences for now and pretty soon the plot took over and completely sucked me in. Now I just hope Mr. Dawson doesn’t keep me waiting too long for the next book in the series.
September 2, 2020
David C. Dawson brings another re-edited mystery “The Deadly Lies” of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. Dawson creates a rollercoaster ride of a mystery from a vacation in Spain to California.
Dominic Delingpole and his husband, Jonathan McFadden are vacationing in the Sitges, Spain. But this marriage seems to be very fragile and filled with doubts and secrets.
Bernhardt Freude, Dominics first and ex lover, is on his way to meet with Dominic in Sitges. Bernhardt also has a few secrets that he’s keeping.
Officer Alfonso De la Torre has been put on Bernhardt Freude’s trail, word has come down from Europol that he has stolen documents that can cause great harm. Alfonso, at the crash site, takes an artifact that will open the door to devastation.
Steve Brown, is a control systems hacker. He’s always being looked at as a skin head and is not what he seems. After being selected to attend the Embarcadero Hackfest, he’s on his way from Brighton, England to San Francisco. While waiting on his flight, he calls his Mom who encourages him to try and contact his father. But with Steve’s expertise, he’s found that his father has vanished and his search is on. He also finds himself being subjected to some very mysterious happenings in connection with the Embarcadero Hackfest, especially a tracking device in a most unusual place.
Dominic Delingpole has connection to Bernhardt Freude, Steve Brown and eventually Alfonso De La Torre along with Jonathan. With a strange text from Bernhardt, an artifact and Steve’s dilemmas and many odd characters, it will lead them all into a very twisted game that turns into danger and tragedy.
David C. Dawson does not disappoint with this second installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I was really into the fast paced plot and suspenseful mystery just as much as the first time I read it. I found one aspect especially interesting: how the threads connected to an intriguing and dangerous outcome of making a persons identity vanish. Besides the mystery this is also a story of: a son searching for his father and a father searching for a son. There’s also a few characters that will emit the feeling of uneasiness and whether they are trustworthy. Dominic’s old nemesis’ Krasov and Downpatrick
are back again, along with a new plan of destruction with the Charter Ninety-nine Group.
I recommend reading or listening on audio “The Necessary Deaths” which is the first installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I’m hoping for “The Deadly Lies” to come out on audible also. I’m ready for the third installment “The Foreign Affair” to see what life is now like for Dominic Delingpole.
Dominic Delingpole and his husband, Jonathan McFadden are vacationing in the Sitges, Spain. But this marriage seems to be very fragile and filled with doubts and secrets.
Bernhardt Freude, Dominics first and ex lover, is on his way to meet with Dominic in Sitges. Bernhardt also has a few secrets that he’s keeping.
Officer Alfonso De la Torre has been put on Bernhardt Freude’s trail, word has come down from Europol that he has stolen documents that can cause great harm. Alfonso, at the crash site, takes an artifact that will open the door to devastation.
Steve Brown, is a control systems hacker. He’s always being looked at as a skin head and is not what he seems. After being selected to attend the Embarcadero Hackfest, he’s on his way from Brighton, England to San Francisco. While waiting on his flight, he calls his Mom who encourages him to try and contact his father. But with Steve’s expertise, he’s found that his father has vanished and his search is on. He also finds himself being subjected to some very mysterious happenings in connection with the Embarcadero Hackfest, especially a tracking device in a most unusual place.
Dominic Delingpole has connection to Bernhardt Freude, Steve Brown and eventually Alfonso De La Torre along with Jonathan. With a strange text from Bernhardt, an artifact and Steve’s dilemmas and many odd characters, it will lead them all into a very twisted game that turns into danger and tragedy.
David C. Dawson does not disappoint with this second installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I was really into the fast paced plot and suspenseful mystery just as much as the first time I read it. I found one aspect especially interesting: how the threads connected to an intriguing and dangerous outcome of making a persons identity vanish. Besides the mystery this is also a story of: a son searching for his father and a father searching for a son. There’s also a few characters that will emit the feeling of uneasiness and whether they are trustworthy. Dominic’s old nemesis’ Krasov and Downpatrick
are back again, along with a new plan of destruction with the Charter Ninety-nine Group.
I recommend reading or listening on audio “The Necessary Deaths” which is the first installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I’m hoping for “The Deadly Lies” to come out on audible also. I’m ready for the third installment “The Foreign Affair” to see what life is now like for Dominic Delingpole.
December 10, 2017
Steve Brown is a control systems hacker. After being selected to attend the Embarcadero Hackfest, he’s on his way from Brighton, England to San Francisco. While waiting on his flight, he calls his mom to let her know that he’s headed to America, and she talks Steve into contacting his dad while he’s there. So, he pulls out all his hacking expertise to find Pete, his father, who seems to have vanished. Steve also finds himself subjected to some mysterious happenings—and a tracking device in a most unusual place.
Dominic Delingpole has a connection to Bernhardt Freude, Steve Brown, and, eventually, to Officer Alfonso De la Torre, who’s been put on Freude’s trail after word came down from Europol that Freude stole documents which could cause great harm. With a strange text from Bernhardt, an artifact Alfonso has taken from a crash site that will open the door to devastation, Steve’s dilemmas, and many strange characters, it leads Dominic and his husband, Jonathan, into a twisted game of cat and mouse that turns into danger and tragedy.
The only thing I had a problem with in Deadly Lies was Jonathan’s need for an open marriage with Dominic, because it contradicts itself when Jonathan gets upset about a lie he hears about Dominic and Bernhardt. Jonathan, at times, tries to be funny and flirts a little too much, and he can be a drama queen, but I didn’t let the odd relationship between him and Dominic get in the way of the solid mystery. I do like Dominic. He’s a little more serious, being a lawyer, and he really tries to be honest and understanding. He has doubts about his relationship with Jonathan, but he seems dedicated to understanding Jonathan’s needs.
I really got into the plot of this fast paced, suspenseful mystery and the way all the threads connected to the interesting and dangerous outcome of making a person’s identity vanish. There’s also a few characters, including an old nemesis of Dominic’s, that will invoke feelings of uneasiness and questions about whether they are trustworthy. What really kept me intrigued, however, was Steve Brown’s storyline, his search for his father, the Hackfest and all the mysterious stumbling blocks along the way, never knowing who could or couldn’t be trusted.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
Dominic Delingpole has a connection to Bernhardt Freude, Steve Brown, and, eventually, to Officer Alfonso De la Torre, who’s been put on Freude’s trail after word came down from Europol that Freude stole documents which could cause great harm. With a strange text from Bernhardt, an artifact Alfonso has taken from a crash site that will open the door to devastation, Steve’s dilemmas, and many strange characters, it leads Dominic and his husband, Jonathan, into a twisted game of cat and mouse that turns into danger and tragedy.
The only thing I had a problem with in Deadly Lies was Jonathan’s need for an open marriage with Dominic, because it contradicts itself when Jonathan gets upset about a lie he hears about Dominic and Bernhardt. Jonathan, at times, tries to be funny and flirts a little too much, and he can be a drama queen, but I didn’t let the odd relationship between him and Dominic get in the way of the solid mystery. I do like Dominic. He’s a little more serious, being a lawyer, and he really tries to be honest and understanding. He has doubts about his relationship with Jonathan, but he seems dedicated to understanding Jonathan’s needs.
I really got into the plot of this fast paced, suspenseful mystery and the way all the threads connected to the interesting and dangerous outcome of making a person’s identity vanish. There’s also a few characters, including an old nemesis of Dominic’s, that will invoke feelings of uneasiness and questions about whether they are trustworthy. What really kept me intrigued, however, was Steve Brown’s storyline, his search for his father, the Hackfest and all the mysterious stumbling blocks along the way, never knowing who could or couldn’t be trusted.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
September 8, 2020
4.5 stars, rounded to 5.
Another fantastic read from Dawson featuring amateur sleuths Dominic Delingpole, British solicitor, and Jonathan McFadden, his outrageously charming partner. The second in the Delingpole Mysteries series, this can be read separately from Book 1 (caveat below), but bits of the storyline do refer back to events just enough that reading it first will make this even better.
What a ride. A first chapter in Germany featuring an old friend of Dominic’s starts the story with a bang, then multiple POVs move between Spain and the Bay Area as once again the partners, now married and navigating their honeymoon, find themselves immersed in an international conspiracy. A summary doesn’t do it all justice - like all the best mysteries, Dawson’s writing sucks you in so fully that you won’t even realize how much disbelief you are suspending.
As in the first one, witty banter and idiosyncratic characters keep the plot moving when the suspense quiets down, and once again, a few hot men - old friends and new - manage to provide just the skills for D&J to solve the case. These two have a talent.
The caveat of this as a stand-alone is what takes this down from a 5-star read for me - while the mystery is solved, the book ends at just enough of a cliffhanger that it’s a good thing book 3 is out now.
Another fantastic read from Dawson featuring amateur sleuths Dominic Delingpole, British solicitor, and Jonathan McFadden, his outrageously charming partner. The second in the Delingpole Mysteries series, this can be read separately from Book 1 (caveat below), but bits of the storyline do refer back to events just enough that reading it first will make this even better.
What a ride. A first chapter in Germany featuring an old friend of Dominic’s starts the story with a bang, then multiple POVs move between Spain and the Bay Area as once again the partners, now married and navigating their honeymoon, find themselves immersed in an international conspiracy. A summary doesn’t do it all justice - like all the best mysteries, Dawson’s writing sucks you in so fully that you won’t even realize how much disbelief you are suspending.
As in the first one, witty banter and idiosyncratic characters keep the plot moving when the suspense quiets down, and once again, a few hot men - old friends and new - manage to provide just the skills for D&J to solve the case. These two have a talent.
The caveat of this as a stand-alone is what takes this down from a 5-star read for me - while the mystery is solved, the book ends at just enough of a cliffhanger that it’s a good thing book 3 is out now.
September 26, 2020
I admit that after reading the blurb on this book, I read the third in the series before this one. I had enjoyed the first book but understood that both the main characters were quite complicated as was their relationship and I needed to see how that would play out before I tackled this one where there seemed to be a real chance they would not end up together for the long haul. If you don't worry about things like that and are willing to just go with the author's flow of a series, I would say read the books in order, but I'm glad I took this one last. This displays the author's familiarity with thrillers like 39 Steps, 3rd Man, etc. as he gets the atmosphere of the chase/mystery/espionage books and movies of earlier years just right. I thoroughly enjoyed this entry in the series and these main characters who aren't squeaky clean and always likeable.
March 4, 2021
I am struggling to finish the second installment. I get it open good, monogamy bad. We were introduced to two new couples to demonstrate how great open relationships are - Alfonso and Gabriel (good guys) and Jeff and Nick (bad guys), but in the end I just don't buy Dominic and Jonathan's relationship. In fact, Jonathan is really quite annoying. When he mistakenly believes Dominic had sex with an ex a week before they married he runs off and pleasures everyone in the darkroom of a sex club and then whines "please don't tell Dominic". The mystery has me a little intrigued and I wonder where they author is going with it, but he just spent to much time with the concept of open relationships for me to hook me in. For the record I don't care if you do monogamy, open, or polyamory, whatever makes you happy just be honest.
September 1, 2020
I received this book free from GRR in exchange for an honest review.
The second book in this series is just as intriguing as the first. Jonathan and Dominic are on honeymoon when they are caught up in another mystery. Dominic has arranged to meet his ex lover in Spain. As he almost reaches his destination Bernhardt is murdered but he sent a cryptic message to Dominic just before he dies.
As Dominic reveals more of his past to Jonathan it puts a strain on their relationship. But the pair have to pull together to try to figure out why two opposing groups want the information Dominic has. And it seems one group will stop at nothing to get it. Even murder.
This book, like the first answer some questions but leave a lot unanswered.
The second book in this series is just as intriguing as the first. Jonathan and Dominic are on honeymoon when they are caught up in another mystery. Dominic has arranged to meet his ex lover in Spain. As he almost reaches his destination Bernhardt is murdered but he sent a cryptic message to Dominic just before he dies.
As Dominic reveals more of his past to Jonathan it puts a strain on their relationship. But the pair have to pull together to try to figure out why two opposing groups want the information Dominic has. And it seems one group will stop at nothing to get it. Even murder.
This book, like the first answer some questions but leave a lot unanswered.
May 29, 2024
Three stars is probably more than this deserves, honestly. There are way too many POVs, way too much fixation on how hot and sexy everyone is, in a way that adds absolutely nothing to the story, and way too much absurd tech stuff that feels like it’s from a much hokier spy novel than this one. And I can’t figure out if I’m supposed to like Jonathan and think he has a point, or feel like he’s needlessly pressuring Dominic to be someone he isn’t, but Jonathan felt obnoxiously and pathetically sex-obsessed. Am I supposed to sympathize with the dude screwing around on his honeymoon when he promised not to? Why was this even a subplot? These books aren’t relationship-focused enough to go into the characters’ feelings about open relationships.
August 31, 2020
Intriguing Adventure
This series gets better and better. This is a different and interesting storyline. I loved the story It has so many interesting Characters and fascinating Events. I was excited to get to the end Of this mystery murder adventure and find out what happens to Dominic and Jonathan. I am worried about Jonathan and hope he gets better in the next installment.If you enjoy a good thriller with lots of body’s staking up, and that has a great storyline then this is a great adventure. Can’t wait for book three to come out.
This series gets better and better. This is a different and interesting storyline. I loved the story It has so many interesting Characters and fascinating Events. I was excited to get to the end Of this mystery murder adventure and find out what happens to Dominic and Jonathan. I am worried about Jonathan and hope he gets better in the next installment.If you enjoy a good thriller with lots of body’s staking up, and that has a great storyline then this is a great adventure. Can’t wait for book three to come out.
September 19, 2020
This was another action packed story in the eventful life of Dominic Delingpole. I enjoy how this author intertwines so many characters within his stories. It's great to see what's going on from so many different points of view. You get a lots of emotions with this one. Anger that the bad guy is back. Frustration of the problems between Dominic and Jonathan. Enjoyment from new characters like Alphonso and Gabriel. Looking forward to the next installment.
September 25, 2020
Dominic and Jonathan are on their honeymoon, but Dominic has plans to meet an ex to get a mysterious gift from him. The ex is in an accident, a suspicious accident! Once again Dominic is plunged into a thrilling mystery (which I love) and must work to solve. There is an amazing secondary cast of characters to the story line, very well written. I am voluntarily leaving a review from an advanced copy that I was gifted. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
April 22, 2020
Starting a series at number 2 wasn't the best idea. The characters appear in confusing profusion and it felt busy and crowded, even though the underlying plot and events seemed plausible and entertaining. Can't give an honest review beyond feeling you probably would find it more effective to start at the beginning to fully appreciate the writing.
September 13, 2020
This series just keeps getting better and better!
Our trusted MC are back and just as spontaneous as ever. Celebrating there honeymoon, intrigue finds them again. When the friend and old lover misses an appointment with one of our MC starts a mystery with death and rhythms
Never a dull moment.
Our trusted MC are back and just as spontaneous as ever. Celebrating there honeymoon, intrigue finds them again. When the friend and old lover misses an appointment with one of our MC starts a mystery with death and rhythms
Never a dull moment.
June 5, 2020
Dominic and Jonathan are newly married and find they both have a few secrets. Some of those secrets come with deadly consequences. I am really loving this series.
September 3, 2020
David C. Dawson brings another re-edited mystery “The Deadly Lies” of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. Dawson creates a rollercoaster ride of a mystery from a vacation in Spain to California.
Dominic Delingpole and his husband, Jonathan McFadden are vacationing in the Sitges, Spain. But this marriage seems to be very fragile and filled with doubts and secrets.
Bernhardt Freude, Dominics first and ex lover, is on his way to meet with Dominic in Sitges. Bernhardt also has a few secrets that he’s keeping.
Officer Alfonso De la Torre has been put on Bernhardt Freude’s trail, word has come down from Europol that he has stolen documents that can cause great harm. Alfonso, at the crash site, takes an artifact that will open the door to devastation.
Steve Brown, is a control systems hacker. He’s always being looked at as a skin head and is not what he seems. After being selected to attend the Embarcadero Hackfest, he’s on his way from Brighton, England to San Francisco. While waiting on his flight, he calls his Mom who encourages him to try and contact his father. But with Steve’s expertise, he’s found that his father has vanished and his search is on. He also finds himself being subjected to some very mysterious happenings in connection with the Embarcadero Hackfest, especially a tracking device in a most unusual place.
Dominic Delingpole has connection to Bernhardt Freude, Steve Brown and eventually Alfonso De La Torre along with Jonathan. With a strange text from Bernhardt, an artifact and Steve’s dilemmas and many odd characters, it will lead them all into a very twisted game that turns into danger and tragedy.
David C. Dawson does not disappoint with this second installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I was really into the fast paced plot and suspenseful mystery just as much as the first time I read it. I found one aspect especially interesting: how the threads connected to an intriguing and dangerous outcome of making a persons identity vanish. Besides the mystery this is also a story of: a son searching for his father and a father searching for a son. There’s also a few characters that will emit the feeling of uneasiness and whether they are trustworthy. Dominic’s old nemesis’ Krasov and Downpatrick
are back again, along with a new plan of destruction with the Charter Ninety-nine Group.
I recommend reading or listening on audio “The Necessary Deaths” which is the first installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I’m hoping for “The Deadly Lies” to come out on audible also. I’m ready for the third installment “The Foreign Affair” to see what life is now like for Dominic Delingpole.
Dominic Delingpole and his husband, Jonathan McFadden are vacationing in the Sitges, Spain. But this marriage seems to be very fragile and filled with doubts and secrets.
Bernhardt Freude, Dominics first and ex lover, is on his way to meet with Dominic in Sitges. Bernhardt also has a few secrets that he’s keeping.
Officer Alfonso De la Torre has been put on Bernhardt Freude’s trail, word has come down from Europol that he has stolen documents that can cause great harm. Alfonso, at the crash site, takes an artifact that will open the door to devastation.
Steve Brown, is a control systems hacker. He’s always being looked at as a skin head and is not what he seems. After being selected to attend the Embarcadero Hackfest, he’s on his way from Brighton, England to San Francisco. While waiting on his flight, he calls his Mom who encourages him to try and contact his father. But with Steve’s expertise, he’s found that his father has vanished and his search is on. He also finds himself being subjected to some very mysterious happenings in connection with the Embarcadero Hackfest, especially a tracking device in a most unusual place.
Dominic Delingpole has connection to Bernhardt Freude, Steve Brown and eventually Alfonso De La Torre along with Jonathan. With a strange text from Bernhardt, an artifact and Steve’s dilemmas and many odd characters, it will lead them all into a very twisted game that turns into danger and tragedy.
David C. Dawson does not disappoint with this second installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I was really into the fast paced plot and suspenseful mystery just as much as the first time I read it. I found one aspect especially interesting: how the threads connected to an intriguing and dangerous outcome of making a persons identity vanish. Besides the mystery this is also a story of: a son searching for his father and a father searching for a son. There’s also a few characters that will emit the feeling of uneasiness and whether they are trustworthy. Dominic’s old nemesis’ Krasov and Downpatrick
are back again, along with a new plan of destruction with the Charter Ninety-nine Group.
I recommend reading or listening on audio “The Necessary Deaths” which is the first installment of “A Delingpole Mystery” series. I’m hoping for “The Deadly Lies” to come out on audible also. I’m ready for the third installment “The Foreign Affair” to see what life is now like for Dominic Delingpole.
December 15, 2019
This is the second adventure of Dominic, a lawyer who is as good at solving mysteries as any PI, and Jonathan, his quirky lover and new husband. After the harrowing events they had to deal with in ‘The Necessary Lies’, and how close they became while dealing with all the political and international business conspiracies they uncovered, it was a relief to see them decide they were meant to stay together. Now that they are on their honeymoon, you might think that things would be more quiet – but nothing could be further from the truth. As the blurb alludes to, Dominic has kept a rather explosive secret from him and when it comes out, Jonathan is rather shocked – as was I. But this is not the worst of it, and before they know what hit them, both men are neck-deep in lies, internet crime, and a mysterious group out to destroy the world as we know it.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 18, 2020
I find myself conflicted as to how to review.
I enjoyed the story of the conspiracy, finding out where the hackers link to Bernhardt and Karl ichael and Jeff and etc etc. What the 99 meant and what they were wanti g to achieve.
I find the interpersonal relationships - Dominic and Jonathan, Alfonso and Gabriel, Jeff and Nick - a bit simplistic with very formal speech patterns. The messages being delivered - probably being preached to a converted audience - are quite preachy rather than evolving naturally (which probably makes the formality mentioned before) and not allowing the sort of shortened shorthand conversation you may expect from 2 people who are very close.
Dominic still seems to be the guy who trips over something going on and does rely on his trusty band of friends, which probably now include the Spaniards.
Need to be finding book 3 to see how poor Jonathan gets on.
I enjoyed the story of the conspiracy, finding out where the hackers link to Bernhardt and Karl ichael and Jeff and etc etc. What the 99 meant and what they were wanti g to achieve.
I find the interpersonal relationships - Dominic and Jonathan, Alfonso and Gabriel, Jeff and Nick - a bit simplistic with very formal speech patterns. The messages being delivered - probably being preached to a converted audience - are quite preachy rather than evolving naturally (which probably makes the formality mentioned before) and not allowing the sort of shortened shorthand conversation you may expect from 2 people who are very close.
Dominic still seems to be the guy who trips over something going on and does rely on his trusty band of friends, which probably now include the Spaniards.
Need to be finding book 3 to see how poor Jonathan gets on.
January 23, 2023
Country lawyer faces Bond level villains helped by his morally ambiguous friends.
Read
January 28, 2018David Dawson’s sequel to his debut crime novel, The Necessary Deaths, makes for another entertaining read.
Dominic Delingpole is on honeymoon with his beloved Jonathan, but neither in life nor in love are things allowed to go entirely smoothly. When a former lover sends a cryptic message to Dominic minutes before a fatal car crash, it puts both their lives and their barely-formed marriage in peril.
With the help of maverick student programmer, Steve, can they solve the riddle before anyone else is killed? And can Dominic and Jonathan's marriage survive its first big hurdle?
The theme of lies runs through the novel. The main plot concerns a chip that could allow the mysterious Charter 99 to rewrite online history – with little regard to the lives they would turn upside down. At the same time, as Dominic and Jonathan navigate the new territory of marriage, the impact of lies – even innocent lies - on relationships is thrown into relief.
The action moves between two long-established gay communities - Sitges in Spain and San Francisco in California. If Dawson’s first novel showed us his relatively conventional hero at home and at work, here he is on holiday, and like Dominic himself, the text has become a little more unbuttoned. There is more explicit (though still not graphic) sex than in the first book.
Last time I compared Dawson’s writing to Margery Allingham. This time, there is an echo or two of Dorothy Sayers’ Busman’s Honeymoon. But Dawson writes with a lighter touch than Sayers. There are no great intellectual challenges here. It remains, however, an affectionate portrait of the manners and mores of gay relationships, as well as fast-paced study in cyber-crime.
Dominic Delingpole is on honeymoon with his beloved Jonathan, but neither in life nor in love are things allowed to go entirely smoothly. When a former lover sends a cryptic message to Dominic minutes before a fatal car crash, it puts both their lives and their barely-formed marriage in peril.
With the help of maverick student programmer, Steve, can they solve the riddle before anyone else is killed? And can Dominic and Jonathan's marriage survive its first big hurdle?
The theme of lies runs through the novel. The main plot concerns a chip that could allow the mysterious Charter 99 to rewrite online history – with little regard to the lives they would turn upside down. At the same time, as Dominic and Jonathan navigate the new territory of marriage, the impact of lies – even innocent lies - on relationships is thrown into relief.
The action moves between two long-established gay communities - Sitges in Spain and San Francisco in California. If Dawson’s first novel showed us his relatively conventional hero at home and at work, here he is on holiday, and like Dominic himself, the text has become a little more unbuttoned. There is more explicit (though still not graphic) sex than in the first book.
Last time I compared Dawson’s writing to Margery Allingham. This time, there is an echo or two of Dorothy Sayers’ Busman’s Honeymoon. But Dawson writes with a lighter touch than Sayers. There are no great intellectual challenges here. It remains, however, an affectionate portrait of the manners and mores of gay relationships, as well as fast-paced study in cyber-crime.
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