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Ben Ames Case Files #1
The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out
Can a disillusioned former cop track down a missing girl before it’s too late?
Seven years ago, criminologist Ben Ames thought he’d change a big city police force from the inside. He failed. Now he’s a private detective trailing insurance frauds and cheating spouses through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Like police work, the job would be easier if he didn’t have a conscience.
When university student Kimberly Moy goes missing, her sister begs Ben to take the case. But before Ben can follow up on any leads—What does the Fibonacci series have to do with Kim’s disappearance? What do her disaffected friends know? And where is her car?—chance and bad timing drop his unexpected ex, Jesse, into the mix.
Ben doesn’t have time to train Jesse into the junior PI he seems determined to become. Amateur sleuths are always trouble. Unfortunately, this is turning out to be the kind of case that requires backup, and his intuition is telling him Kim’s story may not have a happy ending....
The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out is the enthralling first book in the Ben Ames Case Files, a mystery series with a distinctly Canadian flavour. Author Gayleen Froese, winner of BookTelevision’s Three Day Novel Contest, delves deep into the flaws of humanity and delivers an immersive story fraught with twists and danger. If you like private detectives, bickering partners, and vividly drawn settings, you’ll love The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out.
Seven years ago, criminologist Ben Ames thought he’d change a big city police force from the inside. He failed. Now he’s a private detective trailing insurance frauds and cheating spouses through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Like police work, the job would be easier if he didn’t have a conscience.
When university student Kimberly Moy goes missing, her sister begs Ben to take the case. But before Ben can follow up on any leads—What does the Fibonacci series have to do with Kim’s disappearance? What do her disaffected friends know? And where is her car?—chance and bad timing drop his unexpected ex, Jesse, into the mix.
Ben doesn’t have time to train Jesse into the junior PI he seems determined to become. Amateur sleuths are always trouble. Unfortunately, this is turning out to be the kind of case that requires backup, and his intuition is telling him Kim’s story may not have a happy ending....
The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out is the enthralling first book in the Ben Ames Case Files, a mystery series with a distinctly Canadian flavour. Author Gayleen Froese, winner of BookTelevision’s Three Day Novel Contest, delves deep into the flaws of humanity and delivers an immersive story fraught with twists and danger. If you like private detectives, bickering partners, and vividly drawn settings, you’ll love The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2022
9 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Gayleen Froese
13 books23 followersGayleen Froese is an LGBTQ writer of detective fiction living in Edmonton, Canada. Her novels include the upcoming The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out as well as Touch, and Grayling Cross. Her chapter book for adults, What the Cat Dragged In, was short-listed in the International 3-Day Novel Contest and is published by The Asp, an authors’ collective based in western Canada.
Gayleen has appeared on Canadian Learning Television’s A Total Write-Off, won the second season of the Three Day Novel Contest on BookTelevision, and, as a singer-songwriter, showcased at festivals across Canada. She has worked as a radio writer and talk-show host, an advertising creative director, and a communications officer.
A past resident of Saskatoon, Toronto, and northern Saskatchewan, Gayleen now lives in Edmonton with novelist Laird Ryan States in a home that includes dogs, geckos, snakes, monitor
lizards, and Marlowe the tegu. When not writing, she can be found kayaking, photographing unsuspecting wildlife, and playing cooperative board games, viciously competitive card games, and tabletop RPGs.
Gayleen has appeared on Canadian Learning Television’s A Total Write-Off, won the second season of the Three Day Novel Contest on BookTelevision, and, as a singer-songwriter, showcased at festivals across Canada. She has worked as a radio writer and talk-show host, an advertising creative director, and a communications officer.
A past resident of Saskatoon, Toronto, and northern Saskatchewan, Gayleen now lives in Edmonton with novelist Laird Ryan States in a home that includes dogs, geckos, snakes, monitor
lizards, and Marlowe the tegu. When not writing, she can be found kayaking, photographing unsuspecting wildlife, and playing cooperative board games, viciously competitive card games, and tabletop RPGs.
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November 17, 2023
4⭐
Genre ~ LGBTQ+ Mystery
Series ~ Ben Ames Case Files, #1
Others in the series ~ The Man Who Lost His Pen
Setting ~ Canada
Publication date ~ June 14, 2022
Est page Count ~ 308 (16 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ private detective, mystery, slow burn
Ben is a former cop turned private investigator. He is hired to find a missing college student, Kimberly.
Jesse is a famous rock star. While in town for a concert he reached out to Ben to meet up. Ben immediately notices that Jesse doesn't look well and it turns out he has pneumonia. The concert is cancelled and Ben helps him recover while simultaneously working on his case. Jesse tags along and takes on the assistant role by making phone calls and googling in between naps.
I really liked the familiarity that these 2 had with each other even though it's been a while since they've been in contact. All the characters were likable, except for the ones that are not supposed to be.
Overall, this was an enjoyable MM, slow burn, second chance mystery. It was well written and flowed along at a nice pace. I was really invested in trying to find out what happened to Kimberly. Ben did such a thorough job investigating that if I ever need a PI I'd be sure to call him.
This is my first time with this author and I would be delighted to read her work again.
*Thanks to Gayleen Froese for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ LGBTQ+ Mystery
Series ~ Ben Ames Case Files, #1
Others in the series ~ The Man Who Lost His Pen
Setting ~ Canada
Publication date ~ June 14, 2022
Est page Count ~ 308 (16 chapters)
POV ~ single 1st
Featuring ~ private detective, mystery, slow burn
Ben is a former cop turned private investigator. He is hired to find a missing college student, Kimberly.
Jesse is a famous rock star. While in town for a concert he reached out to Ben to meet up. Ben immediately notices that Jesse doesn't look well and it turns out he has pneumonia. The concert is cancelled and Ben helps him recover while simultaneously working on his case. Jesse tags along and takes on the assistant role by making phone calls and googling in between naps.
I really liked the familiarity that these 2 had with each other even though it's been a while since they've been in contact. All the characters were likable, except for the ones that are not supposed to be.
Overall, this was an enjoyable MM, slow burn, second chance mystery. It was well written and flowed along at a nice pace. I was really invested in trying to find out what happened to Kimberly. Ben did such a thorough job investigating that if I ever need a PI I'd be sure to call him.
This is my first time with this author and I would be delighted to read her work again.
*Thanks to Gayleen Froese for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
June 25, 2022
Rep: gay mc, gay li with depression
CWs: past sexual harassment
CWs: past sexual harassment
March 10, 2023
3.5 stars
Good enough to keep my interest (and to keep my eyes on the next book)
The case is straightforward - meaning that it follows a linear line. Ben Ames, P.I., gets a case to find a missing girl who turns out to be dead. Ben asks people, backtrack the girl's activities, and find the killer. There's not much of twists and turns or red herrings. Not much butt-heading with cops either, since they all think the girl commits suicide (and no official homicide case is opened).
In between, Ben is also being "partnered" by his ex, Jesse, who is a huge superstar, and coming back to Ben's life because Jess needs to take a break from his tour to rest. It's going to be interesting to see how this relationship gets into the mix because well, having a celebrity as your boyfriend, while you are busy making ends meet by investigating people, may not be comfortable...
Good enough to keep my interest (and to keep my eyes on the next book)
The case is straightforward - meaning that it follows a linear line. Ben Ames, P.I., gets a case to find a missing girl who turns out to be dead. Ben asks people, backtrack the girl's activities, and find the killer. There's not much of twists and turns or red herrings. Not much butt-heading with cops either, since they all think the girl commits suicide (and no official homicide case is opened).
In between, Ben is also being "partnered" by his ex, Jesse, who is a huge superstar, and coming back to Ben's life because Jess needs to take a break from his tour to rest. It's going to be interesting to see how this relationship gets into the mix because well, having a celebrity as your boyfriend, while you are busy making ends meet by investigating people, may not be comfortable...
June 15, 2022
Absolutely adored this book! Ben Ames hooked me from the first page, instantly sweeping me up and making me root for him. I'm a sucker for a good whodunnit, and this book full of realistic and raw characters picked me up and didn't let me go. Loved the intimate Canadiana and the whole atmosphere and vibe. This author has made a lifelong fan out of me and I can't wait to read more books!
September 29, 2023
Imagine being a detective but having Justin Timberlake as your investigating associate/side-kick. A really decent (and sometimes amusing) procedural - great start to a new series. I cannot wait to get into the next book!
April 27, 2024
Well. That was really good. It's told all from the PI's point of view.
There is a certain... real-world... softness? to this author's prose. It's a little odd for the genre, but odd in the direction of different, not bad or jarring or peculiar. This is not your hard-hitting PI stereotype story, it seems more real than that.
And then there is this second-chance romance. Navigating hurt feelings and presumptions, illness and potential danger and the feelings that just will not stay away.
I will definitely give the next book a look.
There is a certain... real-world... softness? to this author's prose. It's a little odd for the genre, but odd in the direction of different, not bad or jarring or peculiar. This is not your hard-hitting PI stereotype story, it seems more real than that.
And then there is this second-chance romance. Navigating hurt feelings and presumptions, illness and potential danger and the feelings that just will not stay away.
I will definitely give the next book a look.
May 11, 2024
In spite of liking the two guys and the secondary characters, this dragged a bit because I wasn’t that interested in the case they worked. But overall a decent start to the series.
June 5, 2022
I really liked this book. Ben is a private detective, who was once a cop. He was blackmailed into quitting the force because of reasons (I won't spoil you, but I do think he was dumb to have put himself in that situation). But generally, he's a good guy. Jesse is his ex who is now a super star musician. And he's pretty good too. I like it when my characters aren't jerks.
Ben is asked to find a missing girl and Jesse joins in, (who is sick, so can't perform) helping where he can. Both of their past angst and issues come out through the story, a way to show the characters are slightly broken so they can heal each other. I wasn't as into that, but I loved the teamwork, Jesse's fun confident manner, and Ben's surety. The mystery plot and the romance plot both continued steadily throughout the book. Also, social media is evil.
They mystery is followed through naturally. I felt the steps made sense based on the clues he was given. There were a few red herrings and great secondary characters. I was worried for Kim and had my heart squeezed by the end of the story.
The title connection with the girl's reason for being missing I thought was great. Tricksy and lovely.
The attraction between the two exes was great and expected in this kind of story. I like that they had a past so it wasn't an instalove.
I was pushed out of the story on two occasions. Both, when the author's opinions/politics came to the forefront. I skimmed both politics discussion and anti-depressant discussion. Didn't even read those sections and found when the discussion ended and started again, because I was enjoying the story. But other readers might not even notice.
Definitely recommended for those who like to follow mysteries, enjoy engaging characters, and second chance romances.
Ben is asked to find a missing girl and Jesse joins in, (who is sick, so can't perform) helping where he can. Both of their past angst and issues come out through the story, a way to show the characters are slightly broken so they can heal each other. I wasn't as into that, but I loved the teamwork, Jesse's fun confident manner, and Ben's surety. The mystery plot and the romance plot both continued steadily throughout the book. Also, social media is evil.
They mystery is followed through naturally. I felt the steps made sense based on the clues he was given. There were a few red herrings and great secondary characters. I was worried for Kim and had my heart squeezed by the end of the story.
The title connection with the girl's reason for being missing I thought was great. Tricksy and lovely.
The attraction between the two exes was great and expected in this kind of story. I like that they had a past so it wasn't an instalove.
I was pushed out of the story on two occasions. Both, when the author's opinions/politics came to the forefront. I skimmed both politics discussion and anti-depressant discussion. Didn't even read those sections and found when the discussion ended and started again, because I was enjoying the story. But other readers might not even notice.
Definitely recommended for those who like to follow mysteries, enjoy engaging characters, and second chance romances.
dnf
April 26, 2024dnf @ 7% - the writing is overly detailed in a way that i don't enjoy. i don't understand the authors note. what the hell is going on and why do i hate all of these characters.
May 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this Canadian mystery which follows a private investigator as he looks for a missing college student, Kimberly, at the behest of her sister. It is told in first person from the point of view of Ben Ames, a former cop turned PI. Since Kim’s an adult, there’s a degree of dismissiveness from the cops and from other people in the young girl’s life as to whether she’s actually missing or not.
There’s also a bit of a second chance romance as the love of Ben’s life, now a famous rock star, has turned up in town for a stop on his concert tour and would like to meet. The romance definitely takes a backseat to the mystery and at times I often felt that Jesse’s presence was being used as a sounding board for Ben’s theories on the case and as a way to relay information to the reader. Don’t expect any heat here though the relationship had a satisfactory emotional feel for me by the end due to some touches on mental health and celebrity. I look forward to book 2 in the series. Recommended to mystery series readers that like a touch of MM romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamspinner Press for the free copy provided for an honest review.
There’s also a bit of a second chance romance as the love of Ben’s life, now a famous rock star, has turned up in town for a stop on his concert tour and would like to meet. The romance definitely takes a backseat to the mystery and at times I often felt that Jesse’s presence was being used as a sounding board for Ben’s theories on the case and as a way to relay information to the reader. Don’t expect any heat here though the relationship had a satisfactory emotional feel for me by the end due to some touches on mental health and celebrity. I look forward to book 2 in the series. Recommended to mystery series readers that like a touch of MM romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamspinner Press for the free copy provided for an honest review.
Read
June 19, 2022l'm not going to rate this one because it just wasn't my cuppa. l don't feel it would be fair to the writer. Why? Hmm. l am a romance reader. l read for emotion and love, and while that was in this story there wasn't as much of it as l would have liked. l felt the mystery took more of a front seat here and the romance was not featured as heavily as l want in my books. Does that make it a bad book? No. lt was well written, especially if mysteries are your thing. l wanted more of Ben & Jesse though. There was a chapter about 85% ish that was just them. No murder, no detective work, just them. And it was probably my favorite part of the book. That's what l wanted to read about. Their story. Not a girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That said, l did like the ending she was given.
And Frank. l loved Frank, but hes a dog so that was a given with me. ❤️🐾
lf you love mysteries, you should give this one a try.
A copy of this book was provided to me by the author. A positive review was not promised in return.
And Frank. l loved Frank, but hes a dog so that was a given with me. ❤️🐾
lf you love mysteries, you should give this one a try.
A copy of this book was provided to me by the author. A positive review was not promised in return.
March 13, 2024
Very enjoyable. This author is a bit of a find. Bouncing right on to the next one.
June 20, 2022
The thing that got my attention was that it was so in the times, with covid and all coming up in the plot so compelling.
The pairing was so fun a rock star and PI so cool, they were so opposite to the other, maybe that's why they worked so well.
Since the investigation was so focused on the PI side at points it did got a little hard since well investigations can be a drag, but as soon as you put Jesse in the scene it was so lively and cool.
The twist wasn't something I expected but it felt so organic and effortless really, but it's like always not everything is what it seems as first.
I do like that there's another one coming I want to know more about what happens with Ben and Jesse and what new investigation will be coming up.
The pairing was so fun a rock star and PI so cool, they were so opposite to the other, maybe that's why they worked so well.
Since the investigation was so focused on the PI side at points it did got a little hard since well investigations can be a drag, but as soon as you put Jesse in the scene it was so lively and cool.
The twist wasn't something I expected but it felt so organic and effortless really, but it's like always not everything is what it seems as first.
I do like that there's another one coming I want to know more about what happens with Ben and Jesse and what new investigation will be coming up.
May 14, 2025
The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out
follows Ben Ames, a conscientious private investigator, as he strives to untangle the mystery surrounding a missing university student. On the hunt, he’s joined by his superstar ex-boyfriend Jess — or Jack Lowe, as he’s known to the public. While retracing Kim’s steps, the two inevitably wind down the path that led to their own ruin seven years ago.
The focus of the narrative is made evident from the very first page, with its glare landing on a picture of Jess’ startling beauty; dominating magazine covers as much as Ben’s psyche. The injection of the central mystery, therefore, tries to blend with the unrest already present in his head, creating a dual source of unsteadiness.
And yet, while compelling in their own way, Jess’ perturbations about life in the spotlight serve to undermine the gravity of Ben’s case — mostly by steering us away from it. With the singer’s mental health and past traumas taking center stage, the story creates the impression of having compressed two narratives into one.
Sadly, this leaves little room for the exploration of either element, shaping both Jess’ struggles and Ben’s unease about Kim’s fate into something unshakably instrumental. Having said that, there’s no denying the magnetism of the connection that Ben and Jess share.
Humorous in places and acutely sensitive in others, their dynamic proves potent enough to carry the reader’s interest, layering tactile reality over the wound of their shared youth. The peripheral characters are equally well-defined, adding flow and ease to every string of dialogue.
What’s more, with the cumbersome themes of mental health, fame, and disillusionment — both in relation to careers and relationships — weighing down the novel’s atmosphere, the plot is proportionally light. Despite the threat that awaits the two men, and the force field of the mutual attraction that keeps reorienting them, there is very little tension for the reader to hold onto.
Instead, the story boasts a soothing, balm-like quality that seeks to heal what has been slivered. Though fairly fast-paced and entertaining, the probe into Kim’s disappearance takes a back seat, consequently stripping the climax of its expected pizzazz. What it succeeds in creating, however, is a powerful attachment to both Ben and Jess, making the prospect of a sequel irresistible.
The focus of the narrative is made evident from the very first page, with its glare landing on a picture of Jess’ startling beauty; dominating magazine covers as much as Ben’s psyche. The injection of the central mystery, therefore, tries to blend with the unrest already present in his head, creating a dual source of unsteadiness.
And yet, while compelling in their own way, Jess’ perturbations about life in the spotlight serve to undermine the gravity of Ben’s case — mostly by steering us away from it. With the singer’s mental health and past traumas taking center stage, the story creates the impression of having compressed two narratives into one.
Sadly, this leaves little room for the exploration of either element, shaping both Jess’ struggles and Ben’s unease about Kim’s fate into something unshakably instrumental. Having said that, there’s no denying the magnetism of the connection that Ben and Jess share.
Humorous in places and acutely sensitive in others, their dynamic proves potent enough to carry the reader’s interest, layering tactile reality over the wound of their shared youth. The peripheral characters are equally well-defined, adding flow and ease to every string of dialogue.
What’s more, with the cumbersome themes of mental health, fame, and disillusionment — both in relation to careers and relationships — weighing down the novel’s atmosphere, the plot is proportionally light. Despite the threat that awaits the two men, and the force field of the mutual attraction that keeps reorienting them, there is very little tension for the reader to hold onto.
Instead, the story boasts a soothing, balm-like quality that seeks to heal what has been slivered. Though fairly fast-paced and entertaining, the probe into Kim’s disappearance takes a back seat, consequently stripping the climax of its expected pizzazz. What it succeeds in creating, however, is a powerful attachment to both Ben and Jess, making the prospect of a sequel irresistible.
February 26, 2023
Ça aurait pu être une excellent romantique suspense MM (comme le titre et la couverture ne l’explicitent pas 🙄) : une enquête bien ficelée, des personnages intéressants, du suspense… mais la romance est clairement sous développée pour moi 😕
Ben a quitté la police et est devenu détective privé. Bien qu’il travaille principalement sur des enquêtes de mari volage, il est embauché pour retrouver une étudiante au look gothique qui a disparue sans laisser de trace. Jesse, son ex, revient dans la vie de Ben après être devenu une Rockstar 🎸 et essaye de renouer des liens en s’incrustant dans son enquête. Mais Ben a du mal à pardonner à Jesse d’être partit comme un voleur 7 ans plus tôt en lui brisant le cœur💔
Ça commençait vraiment super bien et j’aurais pu avoir un coup de cœur pour cette histoire tant les personnages et l’intrigue m’ont emballés mais j ai aussi noté plusieurs défauts 🫤
Déjà, concernant l’enquête, j’ai deviné le mobile dès le début. Ça ne m’a pas dérangé plus que ça pour apprécier l’histoire mais c’est toujours un peu embêtant quand même quand on aime être surprise.
Ensuite, la romance est clairement au second plan. Bien que Ben et Jesse passent beaucoup de temps ensemble, j’ai regretté qu’ils n’abordent pratiquement pas leur relation passée. Résultat, la romance n’avance pas puisqu’ils ne font pas table rase du passé et ne peuvent pas repartir sur des bases saines. Ils se tournent autour, se font un peu les yeux doux, mais ça reste très en surface.
J’ai vraiment aimé les personnalités des personnages mais Jesse met beaucoup de temps à s’ouvrir sur sa vie dans le show-business et ses expériences. Et Ben, bien que très protecteur envers Jesse, est super intransigeant et ne laisse pas facilement son ex se justifier.
Enfin, sacrilège suprême : il n’y a pas de scène de sexe 🤦🏻♀️ Bonjour la frustration !
Le manque d’équilibre entre romance et enquête m’a déçu mais j’ai quand même passé un super moment de lecture 👍
Ben a quitté la police et est devenu détective privé. Bien qu’il travaille principalement sur des enquêtes de mari volage, il est embauché pour retrouver une étudiante au look gothique qui a disparue sans laisser de trace. Jesse, son ex, revient dans la vie de Ben après être devenu une Rockstar 🎸 et essaye de renouer des liens en s’incrustant dans son enquête. Mais Ben a du mal à pardonner à Jesse d’être partit comme un voleur 7 ans plus tôt en lui brisant le cœur💔
Ça commençait vraiment super bien et j’aurais pu avoir un coup de cœur pour cette histoire tant les personnages et l’intrigue m’ont emballés mais j ai aussi noté plusieurs défauts 🫤
Déjà, concernant l’enquête, j’ai deviné le mobile dès le début. Ça ne m’a pas dérangé plus que ça pour apprécier l’histoire mais c’est toujours un peu embêtant quand même quand on aime être surprise.
Ensuite, la romance est clairement au second plan. Bien que Ben et Jesse passent beaucoup de temps ensemble, j’ai regretté qu’ils n’abordent pratiquement pas leur relation passée. Résultat, la romance n’avance pas puisqu’ils ne font pas table rase du passé et ne peuvent pas repartir sur des bases saines. Ils se tournent autour, se font un peu les yeux doux, mais ça reste très en surface.
J’ai vraiment aimé les personnalités des personnages mais Jesse met beaucoup de temps à s’ouvrir sur sa vie dans le show-business et ses expériences. Et Ben, bien que très protecteur envers Jesse, est super intransigeant et ne laisse pas facilement son ex se justifier.
Enfin, sacrilège suprême : il n’y a pas de scène de sexe 🤦🏻♀️ Bonjour la frustration !
Le manque d’équilibre entre romance et enquête m’a déçu mais j’ai quand même passé un super moment de lecture 👍
February 15, 2023
Si vous aimez suivre des enquêtes et que vous aimez la romance, ce livre sera peut-être fait pour vous !
Ben est devenu détective privée après s'être fait remercier de la police. Sa nouvelle enquête est la disparition inquiétante de Kim, une étudiante dont sa sœur n'a plus de nouvelles depuis 5 jours. Pendant son enquête, il va s'occuper de son ex, Jess, qui l'a quitté 7 ans plus tôt pour épouser une carrière de rock star et qui est maintenant terrassé par une pneumonie.
Je vais commencer par parler de l'enquête parce que la romance est vraiment au 4e plan. Je suis plus série policière que lecture mais je l'ai trouvé bien mené. Pas trop rapide, pas trop lente, elle m'a tenu en haleine pendant tout le long du roman. Vraiment, la petite n'a pas eu de chance, mais vous verrez bien.
Parlons de la romance, Ben a toujours été amoureux de son ex Jess, même si celui-ci lui a brisé le cœur en partant. Il l'a suivi sur les réseaux et quand il revient dans sa vie, il ne prend pas une minute pour le rencontrer. Sauf, qu'il va le retrouver très affaiblie par une dernière tournée qui le met malade.
Bon, en vrai c'est juste une excuse pour qu'il le retrouve et qu'ils pansent leurs plaies respectives. Pendant son enquête, Ben va le prendre à ses côtés, mais à chaque fois qu'il va voir un suspect, il le laisse dormir dans la voiture. Du coup, ça donne l'impression que la romance a été ajouté histoire de, sans vraiment le vouloir. C'est dommage que le mélange romance et enquête ne soit pas homogène.
Malgré tout j'ai passé un bon moment avec les deux personnages et j'ai pu suivre une super enquête !
Ben est devenu détective privée après s'être fait remercier de la police. Sa nouvelle enquête est la disparition inquiétante de Kim, une étudiante dont sa sœur n'a plus de nouvelles depuis 5 jours. Pendant son enquête, il va s'occuper de son ex, Jess, qui l'a quitté 7 ans plus tôt pour épouser une carrière de rock star et qui est maintenant terrassé par une pneumonie.
Je vais commencer par parler de l'enquête parce que la romance est vraiment au 4e plan. Je suis plus série policière que lecture mais je l'ai trouvé bien mené. Pas trop rapide, pas trop lente, elle m'a tenu en haleine pendant tout le long du roman. Vraiment, la petite n'a pas eu de chance, mais vous verrez bien.
Parlons de la romance, Ben a toujours été amoureux de son ex Jess, même si celui-ci lui a brisé le cœur en partant. Il l'a suivi sur les réseaux et quand il revient dans sa vie, il ne prend pas une minute pour le rencontrer. Sauf, qu'il va le retrouver très affaiblie par une dernière tournée qui le met malade.
Bon, en vrai c'est juste une excuse pour qu'il le retrouve et qu'ils pansent leurs plaies respectives. Pendant son enquête, Ben va le prendre à ses côtés, mais à chaque fois qu'il va voir un suspect, il le laisse dormir dans la voiture. Du coup, ça donne l'impression que la romance a été ajouté histoire de, sans vraiment le vouloir. C'est dommage que le mélange romance et enquête ne soit pas homogène.
Malgré tout j'ai passé un bon moment avec les deux personnages et j'ai pu suivre une super enquête !
February 13, 2023
A PI is helped to solve a crime by his ex, a famous singer who is in town but has had to cancel the last shows of his tour due to pneumonia.
As usual I didn't guess the killer and an interesting reason for the kill.
As usual I didn't guess the killer and an interesting reason for the kill.
March 6, 2024
Can a disillusioned former cop track down a missing girl before it’s too late?
Seven years ago, criminologist Ben Ames thought he’d change a big city police force from the inside. He failed. Now he’s a private detective trailing insurance frauds and cheating spouses through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Like police work, the job would be easier if he didn’t have a conscience.
When university student Kimberly Moy goes missing, her sister begs Ben to take the case. But before Ben can follow up on any leads—What does the Fibonacci series have to do with Kim’s disappearance? What do her disaffected friends know? And where is her car?—chance and bad timing drop his unexpected ex, Jesse, into the mix.
Ben doesn’t have time to train Jesse into the junior PI he seems determined to become. Amateur sleuths are always trouble. Unfortunately, this is turning out to be the kind of case that requires backup, and his intuition is telling him Kim’s story may not have a happy ending....
Review:
This one worked really well for me. Partially because I am the kind of m/m reader who prefers to read not *pure* romance. Oh I really like romance storyline if well done, but I can easily get bored if main characters spent all their time on page mooning over each other and they have no jobs and no other interests to spend their time doing.
Bottom line is , for me this book achieved a happy medium - mystery which is investigated by the main character who is PI and our narrator Ben Amos and second chance romance with his ex Jesse.
Of course I also think that this book was really well written, to me Ben and Jesse came alive on page and I found their second chance romance to be believable, because too often when two exes reunite after many years I roll my eyes when apparently all they were secretly doing for couple decades was to see each other again. Seven years in this book for me was I guess a shorter period of time to buy that their feelings for each other were still strong enough, and regardless it was just shown convincingly for me. I do wonder though what Jess being a rock star will do to their romance.
I also thought that Ben made a believable private investigator, although of course I don't have a first hand knowledge of what it means to be a PI, but going around talking to people sounds more real than constantly getting into trouble while chasing bad guys.
As blurb tells you in this book Ben is trying to find a missing young woman, I cannot tell you what came out of this search, but I liked how it was done, even if I thought the answer to who was the villain was both a straightforward and a little out of nowhere. Isn't it how it supposed to be though? If you keep trying to find the answer and investigating and putting aside the possibilities you will eventually run into the correct one.
I am looking forward to the next books in the series
Seven years ago, criminologist Ben Ames thought he’d change a big city police force from the inside. He failed. Now he’s a private detective trailing insurance frauds and cheating spouses through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Like police work, the job would be easier if he didn’t have a conscience.
When university student Kimberly Moy goes missing, her sister begs Ben to take the case. But before Ben can follow up on any leads—What does the Fibonacci series have to do with Kim’s disappearance? What do her disaffected friends know? And where is her car?—chance and bad timing drop his unexpected ex, Jesse, into the mix.
Ben doesn’t have time to train Jesse into the junior PI he seems determined to become. Amateur sleuths are always trouble. Unfortunately, this is turning out to be the kind of case that requires backup, and his intuition is telling him Kim’s story may not have a happy ending....
Review:
This one worked really well for me. Partially because I am the kind of m/m reader who prefers to read not *pure* romance. Oh I really like romance storyline if well done, but I can easily get bored if main characters spent all their time on page mooning over each other and they have no jobs and no other interests to spend their time doing.
Bottom line is , for me this book achieved a happy medium - mystery which is investigated by the main character who is PI and our narrator Ben Amos and second chance romance with his ex Jesse.
Of course I also think that this book was really well written, to me Ben and Jesse came alive on page and I found their second chance romance to be believable, because too often when two exes reunite after many years I roll my eyes when apparently all they were secretly doing for couple decades was to see each other again. Seven years in this book for me was I guess a shorter period of time to buy that their feelings for each other were still strong enough, and regardless it was just shown convincingly for me. I do wonder though what Jess being a rock star will do to their romance.
I also thought that Ben made a believable private investigator, although of course I don't have a first hand knowledge of what it means to be a PI, but going around talking to people sounds more real than constantly getting into trouble while chasing bad guys.
As blurb tells you in this book Ben is trying to find a missing young woman, I cannot tell you what came out of this search, but I liked how it was done, even if I thought the answer to who was the villain was both a straightforward and a little out of nowhere. Isn't it how it supposed to be though? If you keep trying to find the answer and investigating and putting aside the possibilities you will eventually run into the correct one.
I am looking forward to the next books in the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2022
Ben Ames, a former police officer, is now a private investigator living and working in Calgary. Kimberly Moy, a university student, has gone missing, and her sister Lauren hires him to find her. Just as Ben begins his investigation, Jesse, his ex, now a rising rock star known as Jack Lowe, comes back into his life and ends up helping Ben on the case.
There are two narratives, the missing person case and the relationship between Ben and Jesse. At times there is more focus on the latter; not only do the two men need to discuss their breakup, but Jesse also suffers from depression and struggles with the pressures of stardom. Unfortunately, this romance storyline takes attention away from the investigation.
For a mystery, there is not a great deal of tension or suspense. There is not a lot of action and, except for the predictable climax, Ben is never in any danger, though there are obvious attempts to suggest that a couple of visits with possible suspects could be dangerous. I dislike the overused trope of the incompetent/ reluctant police investigation which makes its appearance. It is not difficult to identify the villain of the piece since there are few suspects. Furthermore, the ending comes very quickly, and the confession is just too convenient.
Kimberly’s actions are not convincing. At the end, Ben dreams an alternate version of events, and it describes exactly how I would have expected someone in her situation to have behaved. Having Kimberly use Fibonacci sequencing and doodles just doesn’t seem authentic either. And Jesse can solve both so easily?
I appreciated that the book is unapologetically Canadian. The author is obviously very familiar with the setting, and there is no attempt to disguise it as a fictional American location.
Ben and Jesse are both appealing characters. They are not perfect, but they are decent human beings. I can certainly imagine the two of them working together on future cases. I especially loved their dialogue; sometimes it is witty and sometimes it is serious and poignant. The secondary characters, Luna and Kent, are clearly delineated, and they are obviously positioned to be helpful in this and future cases.
This is a light, easy read. Though flawed in some aspects, it is entertaining – a good choice to pack for a summer holiday.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
There are two narratives, the missing person case and the relationship between Ben and Jesse. At times there is more focus on the latter; not only do the two men need to discuss their breakup, but Jesse also suffers from depression and struggles with the pressures of stardom. Unfortunately, this romance storyline takes attention away from the investigation.
For a mystery, there is not a great deal of tension or suspense. There is not a lot of action and, except for the predictable climax, Ben is never in any danger, though there are obvious attempts to suggest that a couple of visits with possible suspects could be dangerous. I dislike the overused trope of the incompetent/ reluctant police investigation which makes its appearance. It is not difficult to identify the villain of the piece since there are few suspects. Furthermore, the ending comes very quickly, and the confession is just too convenient.
Kimberly’s actions are not convincing. At the end, Ben dreams an alternate version of events, and it describes exactly how I would have expected someone in her situation to have behaved. Having Kimberly use Fibonacci sequencing and doodles just doesn’t seem authentic either. And Jesse can solve both so easily?
I appreciated that the book is unapologetically Canadian. The author is obviously very familiar with the setting, and there is no attempt to disguise it as a fictional American location.
Ben and Jesse are both appealing characters. They are not perfect, but they are decent human beings. I can certainly imagine the two of them working together on future cases. I especially loved their dialogue; sometimes it is witty and sometimes it is serious and poignant. The secondary characters, Luna and Kent, are clearly delineated, and they are obviously positioned to be helpful in this and future cases.
This is a light, easy read. Though flawed in some aspects, it is entertaining – a good choice to pack for a summer holiday.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (@DCYakabuski).
August 7, 2022
— find more reviews like this on my blog 🎩
A former cop turned private investigator named Ben was hired to look for a missing person—a teenage woman named Kimberly—by her sister after the police seemed to not take the case seriously. Alongside the journey of him exploring the case, Ben also had to face a ghost from his past; with the ghost, I just mean his famous rockstar of an ex-boyfriend, Jesse, who was sick and to whom Jesse provided care and shelter as long as he needed it. Together, the two worked on the case, with both of them seemingly starting to be emotionally connected to it, all while reconnecting with each other in the process.
When I first started reading, I was slightly turned off by how these two stories (the missing person and Ben's past relationship) were introduced together. It seemed as though it was not clear which of the two was more important to know and to root for. Ben, by himself, is an alright character with almost no distinct personality that could separate him from others. He often makes pop culture references in his head and while I understand said references, they seem out of place especially when he thinks of them while solving a mystery. The other characters, while I think they were not very fleshed out, are very entertaining and provided interesting dynamics for Ben. If you're here for the plot anyway, then these criticisms should not be a problem.
As the story progressed, I started to appreciate the flow that kept me interested and invested throughout and how slowly I started to root for Ben, as well as how I managed to like Kim even though we only get to know her from stories told by other characters. At some point, some character actions did not align with how I expected them to behave or which roles I pictured them to play, which could be a good or a bad thing, or both simultaneously. As a detective story, I really can't say much without revealing anything, but there are twists in the end that impressed me. The title would make more sense once you read the twist. At first, I thought that the title was rather too generic, but oh, it was not for no reason that the author chose this title. Overall, this is an immersive small-town detective story with two gay men at its center. The queerness portrayed is normalized and executed perfectly. Not to mention, it's a really quick read and the only reason I struggled with getting into this is that I had a two-month-long slump. Without that, I believe this could be read in a sitting or two.
I'd like to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this book for reviewing purposes, and also apologize for sending this in after it's been published. The review copy did not warrant a positive review from me.
Actual rating: 3.75 stars.
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A former cop turned private investigator named Ben was hired to look for a missing person—a teenage woman named Kimberly—by her sister after the police seemed to not take the case seriously. Alongside the journey of him exploring the case, Ben also had to face a ghost from his past; with the ghost, I just mean his famous rockstar of an ex-boyfriend, Jesse, who was sick and to whom Jesse provided care and shelter as long as he needed it. Together, the two worked on the case, with both of them seemingly starting to be emotionally connected to it, all while reconnecting with each other in the process.
When I first started reading, I was slightly turned off by how these two stories (the missing person and Ben's past relationship) were introduced together. It seemed as though it was not clear which of the two was more important to know and to root for. Ben, by himself, is an alright character with almost no distinct personality that could separate him from others. He often makes pop culture references in his head and while I understand said references, they seem out of place especially when he thinks of them while solving a mystery. The other characters, while I think they were not very fleshed out, are very entertaining and provided interesting dynamics for Ben. If you're here for the plot anyway, then these criticisms should not be a problem.
As the story progressed, I started to appreciate the flow that kept me interested and invested throughout and how slowly I started to root for Ben, as well as how I managed to like Kim even though we only get to know her from stories told by other characters. At some point, some character actions did not align with how I expected them to behave or which roles I pictured them to play, which could be a good or a bad thing, or both simultaneously. As a detective story, I really can't say much without revealing anything, but there are twists in the end that impressed me. The title would make more sense once you read the twist. At first, I thought that the title was rather too generic, but oh, it was not for no reason that the author chose this title. Overall, this is an immersive small-town detective story with two gay men at its center. The queerness portrayed is normalized and executed perfectly. Not to mention, it's a really quick read and the only reason I struggled with getting into this is that I had a two-month-long slump. Without that, I believe this could be read in a sitting or two.
I'd like to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this book for reviewing purposes, and also apologize for sending this in after it's been published. The review copy did not warrant a positive review from me.
Actual rating: 3.75 stars.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Ko-fi | Carrd
March 24, 2025
I'm a Maple sap;
rounded up easy second
chance rock/crime romance.
This definitely got the "I used to live in Calgary and have been to Banff and Canmore" bounce. I know Mount Royal (and as a former prof at the University of Calgary, every thing they say about it is true); I remember Wednesday is Winsday, and Boston Pizza makes absolutely no sense (I don't think I ever ate there, but I have fond memories of Earl's).
The motive for Kimberly's disappearance was laughably obvious (holy foreshadowing, Batman--even the title gives it away) but I had no idea who did it or how, so following the investigation was fun. Of course, the second chance romance (a trope I can take or leave) was the real focus. Could Ben forgive his rock star ex for privileging his career over their relationship, especially when that career came with sex and drugs along with the rock and roll? Spoiler: yes, yes he can. Their connection honestly wasn't as clear as it needed to be. Ben has a very wry voice and hides from himself as well as his friends. The two never really talked in their first go round, and barely talk here. I'm not sure if we'll get more on the relationship in future installments (which I plan to read) or if this will be a problem that will have me noping out after book 2.
I liked Ben's voice and am curious and Jesse. Ben had 2 interesting friends, Kent and Luna, and the mystery characters were more than silhouettes. I hope that Jesse gets filled out in future books, and has some community of his own. And I hope we stay in Calgary--I'm not sure I'd be as eager to keep going if it didn't have that hometown appeal.
Oh, I should say that it starts with my least favorite conceit--the story is "true," as told to the author. Why? Why oh why? I don't understand why this is supposed to make things better or more interesting. Just tell the damn story. Fiction is a good thing.
rounded up easy second
chance rock/crime romance.
This definitely got the "I used to live in Calgary and have been to Banff and Canmore" bounce. I know Mount Royal (and as a former prof at the University of Calgary, every thing they say about it is true); I remember Wednesday is Winsday, and Boston Pizza makes absolutely no sense (I don't think I ever ate there, but I have fond memories of Earl's).
The motive for Kimberly's disappearance was laughably obvious (holy foreshadowing, Batman--even the title gives it away) but I had no idea who did it or how, so following the investigation was fun. Of course, the second chance romance (a trope I can take or leave) was the real focus. Could Ben forgive his rock star ex for privileging his career over their relationship, especially when that career came with sex and drugs along with the rock and roll? Spoiler: yes, yes he can. Their connection honestly wasn't as clear as it needed to be. Ben has a very wry voice and hides from himself as well as his friends. The two never really talked in their first go round, and barely talk here. I'm not sure if we'll get more on the relationship in future installments (which I plan to read) or if this will be a problem that will have me noping out after book 2.
I liked Ben's voice and am curious and Jesse. Ben had 2 interesting friends, Kent and Luna, and the mystery characters were more than silhouettes. I hope that Jesse gets filled out in future books, and has some community of his own. And I hope we stay in Calgary--I'm not sure I'd be as eager to keep going if it didn't have that hometown appeal.
Oh, I should say that it starts with my least favorite conceit--the story is "true," as told to the author. Why? Why oh why? I don't understand why this is supposed to make things better or more interesting. Just tell the damn story. Fiction is a good thing.
July 27, 2022
As much a sweetly immersive love-story as it is a cracking-good small(ish)-town detective story, this book got under my skin and into my heart in a way that was totally unexpected.
Ben Ames, our first-person POV narrator, is an ex-cop, now running a one-man PI agency in Calgary, Alberta. Ben is a wonderful mix of dark-humor, wronged and vulnerable school-of-hard-knocks survivor, and practical almost-stoic working man (with just the tiniest edges of his internal chaos showing).
Jesse Serik, Ben’s long-ago ex-boyfriend, (and the definitive breaker of his heart), is now Jack Lowe, a bad-boy-beautiful B-list rock star, whose fame, fortune and raucous lifestyle may or may not be everything it appears.
When Ben, hired to investigate the disappearance of Kimberly Moy, a nineteen-year-old more-rockabilly-than-goth college student, meets Jesse, in town for a concert, their individual stories - and that of the case to be solved - intertwine in interesting, heart-tugging and suspenseful ways.
With a mystery as intoxicatingly appealing as the best of “Jesse Stone”, (including the slobbery and oh-so-charming canine Frank), Ben and Jesse/Jack make for a magical and unusual team, - a duo that this reader, for one, was sad to leave, at the satisfying and very elegantly-crafted ending of this excellent story.
A delectable read, from start-to-finish, this book hit all the right notes, - humor, tenderness, a dark and twisted puzzle, and characters so emotively-relatable you will find yourself waiting for a chance to visit with them again (and soon).
A great big thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
Ben Ames, our first-person POV narrator, is an ex-cop, now running a one-man PI agency in Calgary, Alberta. Ben is a wonderful mix of dark-humor, wronged and vulnerable school-of-hard-knocks survivor, and practical almost-stoic working man (with just the tiniest edges of his internal chaos showing).
Jesse Serik, Ben’s long-ago ex-boyfriend, (and the definitive breaker of his heart), is now Jack Lowe, a bad-boy-beautiful B-list rock star, whose fame, fortune and raucous lifestyle may or may not be everything it appears.
When Ben, hired to investigate the disappearance of Kimberly Moy, a nineteen-year-old more-rockabilly-than-goth college student, meets Jesse, in town for a concert, their individual stories - and that of the case to be solved - intertwine in interesting, heart-tugging and suspenseful ways.
With a mystery as intoxicatingly appealing as the best of “Jesse Stone”, (including the slobbery and oh-so-charming canine Frank), Ben and Jesse/Jack make for a magical and unusual team, - a duo that this reader, for one, was sad to leave, at the satisfying and very elegantly-crafted ending of this excellent story.
A delectable read, from start-to-finish, this book hit all the right notes, - humor, tenderness, a dark and twisted puzzle, and characters so emotively-relatable you will find yourself waiting for a chance to visit with them again (and soon).
A great big thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
July 31, 2022
I could not put this book down! I read the whole thing in one day, I was transported so quickly into the world of the story.
We follow Ben, a former police officer turned private detective, who is asked to investigate a missing person. Assuming there will be an innocent explanation he begins his investigation before being forced into proximity with his college-boyfriend-turned-rockstar.
📚Find this and more reviews on my blog!📚
While I’m not always a thriller person, something about this book appealed to me, and the thriller and mystery aspect was balanced perfectly with the character-driven arc of the protagonist. That being said, I was still itching to find out what had happened to the missing woman, and everything fell into place so perfectly – it was brilliantly satisfying! Add in a slightly spooky, atmospheric small-town setting and I was sold. I can’t say much more without spoiling anything, but just know that this book keeps you gripped from the very start to the final page.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next to Ben and Jesse, and to delve further into Ben’s story!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
We follow Ben, a former police officer turned private detective, who is asked to investigate a missing person. Assuming there will be an innocent explanation he begins his investigation before being forced into proximity with his college-boyfriend-turned-rockstar.
📚Find this and more reviews on my blog!📚
While I’m not always a thriller person, something about this book appealed to me, and the thriller and mystery aspect was balanced perfectly with the character-driven arc of the protagonist. That being said, I was still itching to find out what had happened to the missing woman, and everything fell into place so perfectly – it was brilliantly satisfying! Add in a slightly spooky, atmospheric small-town setting and I was sold. I can’t say much more without spoiling anything, but just know that this book keeps you gripped from the very start to the final page.
I can’t wait to find out what happens next to Ben and Jesse, and to delve further into Ben’s story!
Thank you to the author for providing me with a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
August 6, 2022
The Girl Whose Luck Ran Out by Gayleen Froese is the first in the Ben Ames Case Files series.
I loved the murder/mystery aspect and was pleased that the romance between Ben and Jesse focused much more on the emotional bonds than physical ones. Don't get me wrong, the sexual sizzle between the two is intense, but I enjoyed all aspects of the book.
The second chance at love trope is uniquely portrayed throughout the story. The M/M romance is handled with care and love, never sensationalized, which is difficult when one of the partners is a rockstar.
While I felt like I had parts of the mystery figured out fairly early, the clues are there for you; the suspense was high all the way to the end.
Ben's thoughts are interspersed with the dialogue, making the reader feel like they are part of the story. There are a couple of moments where I wanted to shout at Ben for making dangerous mistakes in his investigation, but that simply proves how engrossed I was in the story.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I believe once more people hear about this book, Gayleen Froese will have a hit on her hands.
I received a digital ARC from the author/publisher. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
I loved the murder/mystery aspect and was pleased that the romance between Ben and Jesse focused much more on the emotional bonds than physical ones. Don't get me wrong, the sexual sizzle between the two is intense, but I enjoyed all aspects of the book.
The second chance at love trope is uniquely portrayed throughout the story. The M/M romance is handled with care and love, never sensationalized, which is difficult when one of the partners is a rockstar.
While I felt like I had parts of the mystery figured out fairly early, the clues are there for you; the suspense was high all the way to the end.
Ben's thoughts are interspersed with the dialogue, making the reader feel like they are part of the story. There are a couple of moments where I wanted to shout at Ben for making dangerous mistakes in his investigation, but that simply proves how engrossed I was in the story.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I believe once more people hear about this book, Gayleen Froese will have a hit on her hands.
I received a digital ARC from the author/publisher. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
March 23, 2025
This was a really enjoyable, easy-going read that I found quite relaxing.
However, I feel like the opening could have been completely omitted. The attempt to frame the story as if these were true events didn’t add much to the narrative for me.It didn’t really enhance the story PersonallyI didn't think it didn’t make a difference either way.
That said, I did enjoy the story overall. It struck a nice balance and didn’t feel like it went overboard, which was refreshing.
Ben repeatedly mentions how often Jesse has been to town without reaching out to him, but I couldn’t help but think it works both ways. Two years ago, Jesse paid off Ben’s student loans—a huge gesture that Ben never even acknowledged. He never called to thank him or even considered that this might have been a chance to reconnect and possibly rebuild a friendship.
Another thing I appreciated was how Jesse mostly stayed in the car when he promised he would. It’s a small thing, but usually, when a character makes a promise like that, they end up immediately breaking it and putting themselves in danger.
Overall, I liked the book. It was a solid, enjoyable read with likable characters and a plot that didn’t get too out of hand.
However, I feel like the opening could have been completely omitted. The attempt to frame the story as if these were true events didn’t add much to the narrative for me.It didn’t really enhance the story PersonallyI didn't think it didn’t make a difference either way.
That said, I did enjoy the story overall. It struck a nice balance and didn’t feel like it went overboard, which was refreshing.
Ben repeatedly mentions how often Jesse has been to town without reaching out to him, but I couldn’t help but think it works both ways. Two years ago, Jesse paid off Ben’s student loans—a huge gesture that Ben never even acknowledged. He never called to thank him or even considered that this might have been a chance to reconnect and possibly rebuild a friendship.
Another thing I appreciated was how Jesse mostly stayed in the car when he promised he would. It’s a small thing, but usually, when a character makes a promise like that, they end up immediately breaking it and putting themselves in danger.
Overall, I liked the book. It was a solid, enjoyable read with likable characters and a plot that didn’t get too out of hand.
June 20, 2022
3.75 Stars
I feel like the romance should have gotten a bigger mention in the synopsis, which makes it seem like a small sub-plot. When really, it's like half the book. And it's not a bad half at all. I liked the dynamic that Ben and Jesse had. We got to see what went wrong in their relationship and hints of things that were never right in the first place. And we saw them maybe start to build a better one. I'm looking forward to seeing more in future books.
As for the other half of the book, that was the missing girl case. I liked the investigation. Some of the scenes about the investigation were a little tedius though. The author put a few too many descriptions into scenes that needed to be quick and tense. The descriptions kinda killed the tension.
The reveal at the end was a two-parter. I really liked one part of it, and I can't believe I didn't see it coming. The other part I didn't like because it was too obvious. So much so that I wondered if the author was making it obvious to distract the reader. But she wasn't, and I was disapponted. Still a good read overall, and I'd recommend checking it out.
I feel like the romance should have gotten a bigger mention in the synopsis, which makes it seem like a small sub-plot. When really, it's like half the book. And it's not a bad half at all. I liked the dynamic that Ben and Jesse had. We got to see what went wrong in their relationship and hints of things that were never right in the first place. And we saw them maybe start to build a better one. I'm looking forward to seeing more in future books.
As for the other half of the book, that was the missing girl case. I liked the investigation. Some of the scenes about the investigation were a little tedius though. The author put a few too many descriptions into scenes that needed to be quick and tense. The descriptions kinda killed the tension.
The reveal at the end was a two-parter. I really liked one part of it, and I can't believe I didn't see it coming. The other part I didn't like because it was too obvious. So much so that I wondered if the author was making it obvious to distract the reader. But she wasn't, and I was disapponted. Still a good read overall, and I'd recommend checking it out.
October 22, 2025
I’ve read the three books in this series, so this is a review of my opinion of this series so far.
I’ve enjoyed the three books a lot. As a general rule, like the combination of romance and mystery, but I find certain things tiresome sometimes. These books are really easy to read, the mystery is compelling and the romance a sweet one. But I do like specially the fact that, both the relationship between Ben and Jesse, and the mystery give an impression of very down to earth. Ben is not a genius finding secret clues, in fact, he is quite lost during most of the investigations.. There is not big reveal at the end, it feels normal. And the romance is not a wonderful experience where everything is easy and oh-so-perfect… The have plenty of issues they are working throughout the three books, their relationship is a work-in-process where both seem a bit lost sometimes. But what I appreciate most is the lack of intercourse… I’m so bored of graphic scenes that provide nothing to the plot or the development of the characters, that books without smut become really enjoyable
Looking forward to the next book in the series
I’ve enjoyed the three books a lot. As a general rule, like the combination of romance and mystery, but I find certain things tiresome sometimes. These books are really easy to read, the mystery is compelling and the romance a sweet one. But I do like specially the fact that, both the relationship between Ben and Jesse, and the mystery give an impression of very down to earth. Ben is not a genius finding secret clues, in fact, he is quite lost during most of the investigations.. There is not big reveal at the end, it feels normal. And the romance is not a wonderful experience where everything is easy and oh-so-perfect… The have plenty of issues they are working throughout the three books, their relationship is a work-in-process where both seem a bit lost sometimes. But what I appreciate most is the lack of intercourse… I’m so bored of graphic scenes that provide nothing to the plot or the development of the characters, that books without smut become really enjoyable
Looking forward to the next book in the series
May 27, 2022
I received this book for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts here are my own.
I wanna start with the good stuff: I'm glad to see gay rep, as always. And the characters are loveable. I will say that. Ben and Jesse are great, Luna is spunky and clever. Frank the dog is prob my favorite though.
The plot kind of needs work. Seems like a lot of filler content was needed to flesh the story out. I won't comment on editing mistakes because it's an uncorrected copy, so I know that editing isn't finished. And that's okay. I do wanna say that I genuinely thought Jesse was the killer because of him showing up conveniently when Ben starts an investigation. I do think that would have made it more interesting, for sure. Also the intent behind why Kim died was kind of.. meh.
I'm a big fan of true crime and as I keep reading crime novels I realize that I like crime stories? But I don't like cops so it's weird 😅😅
I wanna start with the good stuff: I'm glad to see gay rep, as always. And the characters are loveable. I will say that. Ben and Jesse are great, Luna is spunky and clever. Frank the dog is prob my favorite though.
The plot kind of needs work. Seems like a lot of filler content was needed to flesh the story out. I won't comment on editing mistakes because it's an uncorrected copy, so I know that editing isn't finished. And that's okay. I do wanna say that I genuinely thought Jesse was the killer because of him showing up conveniently when Ben starts an investigation. I do think that would have made it more interesting, for sure. Also the intent behind why Kim died was kind of.. meh.
I'm a big fan of true crime and as I keep reading crime novels I realize that I like crime stories? But I don't like cops so it's weird 😅😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2022
***This unbiased review has been given in exchange for a copy of the eARC***
This is a quick and gripping crime investigation novel based in Calgary, Alberta. As we follow Ben’s investigations, we are lead to the back country of the Rocky Mountains and deep into tourist territory. It was quite refreshing to read a Canadian story that is written incredibly well.
Gayleen weaves an in depth narrative and her writing is descriptive, immersive, and well done. This book was easy to read, easy to understand, and the use of words drew me into the story, making it quite enjoyable.
I do like the way that she orchestrates the relationships in the novel. They are extremely believable in the way the characters interact with each other. The relationship between Jesse and Ben is highlighted the most, but you can tell when they are fighting with inner conflicts, or when they are just trying to coexist in their new reality.
The crime aspect of the book was very well done. A fun fact about me is that I used to work in Canadian criminal law for 5 years as a legal assistant, so much of the portrayal of Canadian law was pretty accurate. I can't speak to the dealings of the RCMP or city police in Alberta, but I know that the conduct, motivations and discussions with agencies are very similar to my experience here in BC. That being said, with Ben being on the outside of the police department as a private investigator, that lends to some creative storytelling as you can really bend it in a way that works for the story.
The setting of this book was well done, between the urban sprawl of Calgary (I've only passed through once, but it definitely reminded me of it!) and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. The ruggedness of the outdoors, as well as the scarcity of people was well reflected.
Some of the more difficult topics were handled tactfully. If you've read any of my reviews up to this point, you know that I appreciate gentle handling of mental health in characters, and this book met my expectations for dealing with tough subjects like drug abuse, homophobia, and isolation.
Overall, I felt that this was an engaging and enjoyable read. It's a mix of crime and romance, with a dollop of entertainment and mental health awareness. Most aspects of the book were tasteful, which would make it a good pick for a broad audience.
This is a quick and gripping crime investigation novel based in Calgary, Alberta. As we follow Ben’s investigations, we are lead to the back country of the Rocky Mountains and deep into tourist territory. It was quite refreshing to read a Canadian story that is written incredibly well.
Gayleen weaves an in depth narrative and her writing is descriptive, immersive, and well done. This book was easy to read, easy to understand, and the use of words drew me into the story, making it quite enjoyable.
I do like the way that she orchestrates the relationships in the novel. They are extremely believable in the way the characters interact with each other. The relationship between Jesse and Ben is highlighted the most, but you can tell when they are fighting with inner conflicts, or when they are just trying to coexist in their new reality.
The crime aspect of the book was very well done. A fun fact about me is that I used to work in Canadian criminal law for 5 years as a legal assistant, so much of the portrayal of Canadian law was pretty accurate. I can't speak to the dealings of the RCMP or city police in Alberta, but I know that the conduct, motivations and discussions with agencies are very similar to my experience here in BC. That being said, with Ben being on the outside of the police department as a private investigator, that lends to some creative storytelling as you can really bend it in a way that works for the story.
The setting of this book was well done, between the urban sprawl of Calgary (I've only passed through once, but it definitely reminded me of it!) and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. The ruggedness of the outdoors, as well as the scarcity of people was well reflected.
Some of the more difficult topics were handled tactfully. If you've read any of my reviews up to this point, you know that I appreciate gentle handling of mental health in characters, and this book met my expectations for dealing with tough subjects like drug abuse, homophobia, and isolation.
Overall, I felt that this was an engaging and enjoyable read. It's a mix of crime and romance, with a dollop of entertainment and mental health awareness. Most aspects of the book were tasteful, which would make it a good pick for a broad audience.
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