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Bellingham Mysteries #1
Primal Red
Next Baby, It's Cold Outside
LGBT Mystery/Suspense
Peter Fontaine is a reporter writing for a free weekly newspaper in the quirky little town of Bellingham. Nick Olson is a reclusive painter with questionable past and a studio in the Vitamilk Building. Peter has a knack for choosing to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this case that place is the Vitamilk Building and the time is the moment that Shelley Vine, local art professor and rising star of the art world, is stabbed to death.
Determined to understand why Vine was killed, and convinced that breaking the story could jumpstart his career as an investigative journalist, Peter begins his own investigation into her death. As Peter uncovers more information about Vine, Olson, and the interconnected lives of the rest of the artists at the Vitamilk Building, he finds himself falling in love with Nick.
Peter wants a story but he also wants Nick, and it looks like he's going to have to make a choice before the two can paint the town Primal Red.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, violence.
LGBT Mystery/Suspense
Peter Fontaine is a reporter writing for a free weekly newspaper in the quirky little town of Bellingham. Nick Olson is a reclusive painter with questionable past and a studio in the Vitamilk Building. Peter has a knack for choosing to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this case that place is the Vitamilk Building and the time is the moment that Shelley Vine, local art professor and rising star of the art world, is stabbed to death.
Determined to understand why Vine was killed, and convinced that breaking the story could jumpstart his career as an investigative journalist, Peter begins his own investigation into her death. As Peter uncovers more information about Vine, Olson, and the interconnected lives of the rest of the artists at the Vitamilk Building, he finds himself falling in love with Nick.
Peter wants a story but he also wants Nick, and it looks like he's going to have to make a choice before the two can paint the town Primal Red.
Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find Anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, violence.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2009
6 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 30, 2017
4 Stars
I really liked the tone of this mystery; the MC was quite playful but determined to get his story...and if he managed to solve the crime along the way then yay! But that didn't always feel like the goal - it really was about investigative journalism. But still fun. Argh, it's hard to put it in words (which, ha! Peter absolutely NEVER had a problem with)!
I've only read a few of NK's books (usually as part of an anthology) but I really liked them. So, yeah, definitely reading more of this series.
I really liked the tone of this mystery; the MC was quite playful but determined to get his story...and if he managed to solve the crime along the way then yay! But that didn't always feel like the goal - it really was about investigative journalism. But still fun. Argh, it's hard to put it in words (which, ha! Peter absolutely NEVER had a problem with)!
I've only read a few of NK's books (usually as part of an anthology) but I really liked them. So, yeah, definitely reading more of this series.
January 29, 2009
Reporter Peter Fontaine dreams of Pulitzers and reclusive painter Nick Olson's hot body. When a murder brings Nick's past into question, Peter has to choose: betray Nick or follow his heart?
I found the story a little choppy to start with, but it smoothed out after a while as the story gained momentum and rhythm. It was a quick read that I almost wish was longer. I think, because it was short, I was left wanting to know more and to get a little more depth from the two main characters. Peter was cool. He was a smart arse, plucky and funny. I especially enjoyed his rather vivid imagination and forays off into day dreams about firemen in lifts. heh. I wanted more romance, more Nick (hot) and just more! The murder mystery, very Scooby Doo and had a few laughing out loud moments in the latter parts in which the humor was quick, clever and had me sniggering much. All in all a quick read from an author I am looking forward to seeing more of.
I found the story a little choppy to start with, but it smoothed out after a while as the story gained momentum and rhythm. It was a quick read that I almost wish was longer. I think, because it was short, I was left wanting to know more and to get a little more depth from the two main characters. Peter was cool. He was a smart arse, plucky and funny. I especially enjoyed his rather vivid imagination and forays off into day dreams about firemen in lifts. heh. I wanted more romance, more Nick (hot) and just more! The murder mystery, very Scooby Doo and had a few laughing out loud moments in the latter parts in which the humor was quick, clever and had me sniggering much. All in all a quick read from an author I am looking forward to seeing more of.
March 4, 2016
Practically perfect.
A good solid who dunnit, with clues and it's believable and I didn't guess who did dun it either. Maybe because I was tying to fathom out, like Peter, his relationship with Nick and how the Russians fit into everything.
Peter is terrific, drifting off into fantasy land occasionally, he has a bit of internal dialogue going on (not enough to be irritating though), usually about Nick, and Nick - is an enigma at this juncture.
I really liked the burgeoning relationship between Peter and Nick, but I think that the Spinnin Wimmin needed a little book all to themselves
Recommended
A good solid who dunnit, with clues and it's believable and I didn't guess who did dun it either. Maybe because I was tying to fathom out, like Peter, his relationship with Nick and how the Russians fit into everything.
Peter is terrific, drifting off into fantasy land occasionally, he has a bit of internal dialogue going on (not enough to be irritating though), usually about Nick, and Nick - is an enigma at this juncture.
I really liked the burgeoning relationship between Peter and Nick, but I think that the Spinnin Wimmin needed a little book all to themselves
Recommended
August 5, 2011
Peter, you're one of my new favorites!
First word that comes to my mind: comfortable. I like when I feel I am slipping into the mind of a character and I feel at ease there. It has happened to me a few blessed times with first-person narrators, like Adrien (English) or Vic (Psycops), but I think it's a first for me to experience this kind of involvement with a third-person narration. It was as if the barrier of the page didn't exist and I could get behind it and stand close to Peter, the main character.
Peter is a reporter. He is looking for pieces of information to write an investigative article, when he stumbles upon a murder. On the crime scene, next to the dying woman, there's Nick, a local artist, to whom Peter is very attracted.
The investigation doesn't carry a lot of angst or action, but it takes the reader close to artist community of the city of Bellingham, which is a protagonist of the story as much as the characters in flesh and bones. Even if Bellingham seemes a cozy place to live where nothing ever happens, there are shady businesses and love affairs going on, and they become entangled as the artistic threads spinned by three of the secondary characters.
Peter should investigate Nick too and to get closer to the recluded man, who doesn't want people to meddle with his life, he invites him on a date and it's here that I adored Peter and his attitude. He is younger than Nick, he is not as rich, he is smart, but probably not as sophisticated, but he is also open and outgoing in a way that his love interest is not. Peter is not bossy, but he takes charge, and I loved how he was able to reach out to Nick and build the bridge that brought them together.
Nick is not as fleshed out as Peter, but I think it depends on the fact that not even Peter knows him very much. Nick guards his life with fierceness, I would say, but it was sweet to read how he lets himself be conquered and seduced by the younger man.
The writing is awesome. In a paragraph the author can give you all the information you need to build an image of the surroundings, or of a person. Or a cat, like Tripod, the three-legged cat who rules the neighborhood with an iron paw. This story is not dark or troubled, so if you're looking for a heavier type of mystery it might not be the book for you, but it was true and pure high quality enjoyment.
First word that comes to my mind: comfortable. I like when I feel I am slipping into the mind of a character and I feel at ease there. It has happened to me a few blessed times with first-person narrators, like Adrien (English) or Vic (Psycops), but I think it's a first for me to experience this kind of involvement with a third-person narration. It was as if the barrier of the page didn't exist and I could get behind it and stand close to Peter, the main character.
Peter is a reporter. He is looking for pieces of information to write an investigative article, when he stumbles upon a murder. On the crime scene, next to the dying woman, there's Nick, a local artist, to whom Peter is very attracted.
The investigation doesn't carry a lot of angst or action, but it takes the reader close to artist community of the city of Bellingham, which is a protagonist of the story as much as the characters in flesh and bones. Even if Bellingham seemes a cozy place to live where nothing ever happens, there are shady businesses and love affairs going on, and they become entangled as the artistic threads spinned by three of the secondary characters.
Peter should investigate Nick too and to get closer to the recluded man, who doesn't want people to meddle with his life, he invites him on a date and it's here that I adored Peter and his attitude. He is younger than Nick, he is not as rich, he is smart, but probably not as sophisticated, but he is also open and outgoing in a way that his love interest is not. Peter is not bossy, but he takes charge, and I loved how he was able to reach out to Nick and build the bridge that brought them together.
Nick is not as fleshed out as Peter, but I think it depends on the fact that not even Peter knows him very much. Nick guards his life with fierceness, I would say, but it was sweet to read how he lets himself be conquered and seduced by the younger man.
The writing is awesome. In a paragraph the author can give you all the information you need to build an image of the surroundings, or of a person. Or a cat, like Tripod, the three-legged cat who rules the neighborhood with an iron paw. This story is not dark or troubled, so if you're looking for a heavier type of mystery it might not be the book for you, but it was true and pure high quality enjoyment.
July 8, 2013
Before this series I knew Nicole Kimberling first and foremost as the editor at Blind Eye Books (awesome little Indie press by the way!) - and, yeah sure, she's written a nice story for the incredible Irregulars anthology, but she still wasn't represented as an author in my mind.
Boy, has that changed. This little gem of North-Pacific based mystery really grabbed me by the metaphorical lapel, drew me in, and didn't let go. And the reason for that wasn't even the mystery itself. It was nice enough, no question, and I liked the fact that the romance didn't play the biggest part in this story. The main reason for my insta-love with this series, though, was Peter. Peter is... brilliant. He made me laugh out so much with his antics, with the way he writes in his head all the time, with his phrasings. I loved his balls (uh, that sounds kinda wrong, but you know what I mean, right?) - and while I'm sure that his constant curiosity and sticking his nose in other people's affairs might annoy the heck out of me sometimes if I knew him in real life - I just loved his energy, his mind, and his inability to not ask questions.
And then, there was the fact that I just recently fell in love with the North Pacific area myself, so the setting was just the icing on the cake.
Of course, I really liked Nick, too. He is quieter and less... accessible maybe. And that kind of makes him the perfect counterpart to Peter and he's no less intense, that's for sure. I was having so much fun with these two.
Definitely recommended!!
Boy, has that changed. This little gem of North-Pacific based mystery really grabbed me by the metaphorical lapel, drew me in, and didn't let go. And the reason for that wasn't even the mystery itself. It was nice enough, no question, and I liked the fact that the romance didn't play the biggest part in this story. The main reason for my insta-love with this series, though, was Peter. Peter is... brilliant. He made me laugh out so much with his antics, with the way he writes in his head all the time, with his phrasings. I loved his balls (uh, that sounds kinda wrong, but you know what I mean, right?) - and while I'm sure that his constant curiosity and sticking his nose in other people's affairs might annoy the heck out of me sometimes if I knew him in real life - I just loved his energy, his mind, and his inability to not ask questions.
And then, there was the fact that I just recently fell in love with the North Pacific area myself, so the setting was just the icing on the cake.
Of course, I really liked Nick, too. He is quieter and less... accessible maybe. And that kind of makes him the perfect counterpart to Peter and he's no less intense, that's for sure. I was having so much fun with these two.
Definitely recommended!!
April 28, 2012
A well-written mystery with the beginnings of a romance in it. The MC, investigative reported Peter, is appealing and his job gives him some excuse for poking his nose in where he really shouldn't. The book has light moments and the plot hangs together well.
January 31, 2010
Peter Fontaine is a newspaper reporter for the local free weekly The Hampster. He dreams of making a big splash in the journalistic world and thus finds himself hiding behind a dumpster outside a Russian teashop at 4am waiting for something sinister to happen. Peter finally gives up and wanders to the building of artists next door with the vague idea of seeing his artist roommate. Unfortunately for Peter, he stumbles across a dying woman and a mixture of artists all somehow involved the woman’s life or death. Thinking to make his big break, Peter decides to investigate the woman’s murder with the hopes of solving it before the police can.
Peter is a quirky but funny character with unexpected moments of charm and warmth. Thankfully not resembling the Clark Kent-esque figure of reporter mysteries, Peter offers a confidence and ambition that are surprising and interesting. His fantasies and erotic daydreams of Nick and firefighters are humorous and charming, as is his fumbling but forward pursuit of the object of his fantasies. Peter has his moments of awkwardness and bumbling but overall, he is unequivocally the star of this short piece. Here is an example of his quirky favor:
“’Why do you have that?’ Peter eyed Nick quizzically. Was he supplementing his income by stealing car stereos? He really needed to put his crushes through a better vetting process before he started dating them.”
Nick on the other hand is kept a mystery. Beyond being a reclusive painter with a checkered past and sexy body, his motivations and past are largely unexplored or shared and often doled out in small bites or off hand comments. Each comment of Nick’s past seems to contradict previous comments leaving Nick unexplained and somewhat one dimensional, which is unfortunate as he adds interest to the story. The additional supporting characters are only given a cursory glance by the author and thus mostly forgettable.
As this is marketed as a mystery, the actual mystery of who killed the artist Shelley Vine was rather weak. It failed to draw a lot of interest at its conception and seemed to slide along without direction for the most part other than the vague idea of the artists having some connection. The conclusion was resolved within a matter of connect the dot clues with sadly the most obvious explanation that only the plucky newspaper reporter and sidekick figure out. The resolution scene was over the top with a physical altercation that made little sense but was rather humorous to read.
The humorous but lost mystery seems to typify this story. Overall, this is a quick, fun read without much depth or weight. The author offers an easy read that has a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance and not enough of each to make the story well rounded or crafted. However, it garners a few laughs and a few smiles within the detailed scenery of the town.
Peter is a quirky but funny character with unexpected moments of charm and warmth. Thankfully not resembling the Clark Kent-esque figure of reporter mysteries, Peter offers a confidence and ambition that are surprising and interesting. His fantasies and erotic daydreams of Nick and firefighters are humorous and charming, as is his fumbling but forward pursuit of the object of his fantasies. Peter has his moments of awkwardness and bumbling but overall, he is unequivocally the star of this short piece. Here is an example of his quirky favor:
“’Why do you have that?’ Peter eyed Nick quizzically. Was he supplementing his income by stealing car stereos? He really needed to put his crushes through a better vetting process before he started dating them.”
Nick on the other hand is kept a mystery. Beyond being a reclusive painter with a checkered past and sexy body, his motivations and past are largely unexplored or shared and often doled out in small bites or off hand comments. Each comment of Nick’s past seems to contradict previous comments leaving Nick unexplained and somewhat one dimensional, which is unfortunate as he adds interest to the story. The additional supporting characters are only given a cursory glance by the author and thus mostly forgettable.
As this is marketed as a mystery, the actual mystery of who killed the artist Shelley Vine was rather weak. It failed to draw a lot of interest at its conception and seemed to slide along without direction for the most part other than the vague idea of the artists having some connection. The conclusion was resolved within a matter of connect the dot clues with sadly the most obvious explanation that only the plucky newspaper reporter and sidekick figure out. The resolution scene was over the top with a physical altercation that made little sense but was rather humorous to read.
The humorous but lost mystery seems to typify this story. Overall, this is a quick, fun read without much depth or weight. The author offers an easy read that has a little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance and not enough of each to make the story well rounded or crafted. However, it garners a few laughs and a few smiles within the detailed scenery of the town.
April 19, 2012
Primal Red is a really fun m/m mystery romance, and #1 in the Bellingham Mysteries series.
Kimberling is a good writer, and I've really enjoyed her novellas in the anthologies Hell Cop 1 & 2, and The Irregulars. Her characters were always interesting and compelling, and she has a sly humor that is fun to read. It was neat to see that she has this ongoing mystery series as well.
Set in Bellingham, WA (north of Seattle, near the border with Canada), Primal Red begins with our main character of Peter (intrepid reporter for the city's free, weekly newspaper) scoping out an alley in the middle of the night, trying to get the goods on the local Russian "tea shop," which he believes is a not-so-subtle cover for a brothel.
His investigation doesn't end with much, but walking back, he stumbles on another crime entirely-—murder! Specifically at the local artist loft building that is now home to a building full of creative and yarn-spinning suspects, including Peter's quiet, reclusive crush, Nick.
What's an intrepid reporter supposed to do except investigate all the angles? And if that means asking Nick out to see how much of a suspect he is, than so be it.
Peter is a fun character, and I loved the humor of him repeatedly writing copy in his head as he envisions different scenes, from murder to a potential romantic encounter. It's a hilarious method that allows for a quick peak into Peter's head.
The setting was also a lot of fun, but I'm super biased since I live in Seattle. There were a lot of neat Northwest touches that often made me laugh out loud. (e.g. Peter diligently biking everywhere.)
My only beef with the story is that I wish it were longer (it's about 100 pages), but that's mostly because I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind reading more. I do have the illusion of length though since there are (as of now) still three more mysteries to go, so might as well hit #2 next, Baby, it's Cold Outside.
Recommended for those looking for a m/m mystery romance-—short but good.
Kimberling is a good writer, and I've really enjoyed her novellas in the anthologies Hell Cop 1 & 2, and The Irregulars. Her characters were always interesting and compelling, and she has a sly humor that is fun to read. It was neat to see that she has this ongoing mystery series as well.
Set in Bellingham, WA (north of Seattle, near the border with Canada), Primal Red begins with our main character of Peter (intrepid reporter for the city's free, weekly newspaper) scoping out an alley in the middle of the night, trying to get the goods on the local Russian "tea shop," which he believes is a not-so-subtle cover for a brothel.
His investigation doesn't end with much, but walking back, he stumbles on another crime entirely-—murder! Specifically at the local artist loft building that is now home to a building full of creative and yarn-spinning suspects, including Peter's quiet, reclusive crush, Nick.
What's an intrepid reporter supposed to do except investigate all the angles? And if that means asking Nick out to see how much of a suspect he is, than so be it.
Peter is a fun character, and I loved the humor of him repeatedly writing copy in his head as he envisions different scenes, from murder to a potential romantic encounter. It's a hilarious method that allows for a quick peak into Peter's head.
The setting was also a lot of fun, but I'm super biased since I live in Seattle. There were a lot of neat Northwest touches that often made me laugh out loud. (e.g. Peter diligently biking everywhere.)
My only beef with the story is that I wish it were longer (it's about 100 pages), but that's mostly because I enjoyed it and wouldn't mind reading more. I do have the illusion of length though since there are (as of now) still three more mysteries to go, so might as well hit #2 next, Baby, it's Cold Outside.
Recommended for those looking for a m/m mystery romance-—short but good.
October 14, 2012
2.5 stars.
This novella was hard for me to rate. It wasn't terrible, but I wasn't impressed with it. I never found myself engaging with the characters or caring about the story line. The murder investigation was a bit dry, and the romance contained no spark. Actually, pretty much every aspect of the book was underdeveloped. The story needed to be expanded, with more twists and turns, and every character needed to be fleshed out more. I don't think I'll continue with the series.
This novella was hard for me to rate. It wasn't terrible, but I wasn't impressed with it. I never found myself engaging with the characters or caring about the story line. The murder investigation was a bit dry, and the romance contained no spark. Actually, pretty much every aspect of the book was underdeveloped. The story needed to be expanded, with more twists and turns, and every character needed to be fleshed out more. I don't think I'll continue with the series.
September 15, 2011
3.5
This was such a quick, short fun filled mystery. Peter is just one of those absolutely quirky likeable characters that is pure entertainment.
This was such a quick, short fun filled mystery. Peter is just one of those absolutely quirky likeable characters that is pure entertainment.
June 26, 2025
I love a good short, straightforward romantic mystery, and this one stands out as a very promising start to a series I want to continue. It flirts with the cozy mystery genre in its humor and nosy, sleuthing main character, but I found the fact that neither Peter nor Nick were cops/ex-cops/PIs to be a surprising breath of fresh air from what I usually read.
I got the feeling that, with that ending, Nicole Kimberling might not have been sure about making this a series when it was first published, but I'm glad she decided to. I want to know more about Nick's past and his ex-boyfriend, but I particularly want more of his relationship with Peter to be developed on the page — I feel like that was this book’s biggest flaw. Although I appreciate Peter's confidence and forward attitude, there wasn't really any tension between the two of them to get me truly invested.
I got the feeling that, with that ending, Nicole Kimberling might not have been sure about making this a series when it was first published, but I'm glad she decided to. I want to know more about Nick's past and his ex-boyfriend, but I particularly want more of his relationship with Peter to be developed on the page — I feel like that was this book’s biggest flaw. Although I appreciate Peter's confidence and forward attitude, there wasn't really any tension between the two of them to get me truly invested.
June 22, 2017
Last May I took part on "The Monet Murders" launch party over Facebook and Nicole Kimberling was one of the authors participating in it. I was the lucky reader that won her Bellinghan Mysteries, I hadn't read anything by her and this one has been a nice surprise.
I liked it a lot, is a fun and fast read. I like Peter character, he is nosy but in a good way, he doesn't irks me like other nosy characters do. And he is straightforward, and I find that refreshing. The mystery is also good, and despite I suspected who was the culprit right away, I enjoyed untangling the mystery along with Peter.
I liked it a lot, is a fun and fast read. I like Peter character, he is nosy but in a good way, he doesn't irks me like other nosy characters do. And he is straightforward, and I find that refreshing. The mystery is also good, and despite I suspected who was the culprit right away, I enjoyed untangling the mystery along with Peter.
Read
May 29, 2009Peter is an aggressive reporter... well, not exactly... he is a wanna-to-be aggressive reporter and in the meanwhile he is also a wanna-to-be porn screenwriter, means that he is really good in imagining himself involved in torrid relationship with men that he barely knows and that probably don't even remember his name.
And so Peter is outside a building after finishing his sleuthing "nightly" work to uncover the secret of an illegal russian brothel (sound pretty daring, isn't it?), fantasizing about Nick, a reclusive artist who has a studio beside the one of his best friend and roommate. Peter is trying to find the courage to ask Nick out on a date, when he hears screaming and entering the building finds Nick above the body of a dying artist, Shelley. Peter has no doubt that Nick is innocent, even if he is caught "red handed" (literally), and his past is not so "clean".
I like Peter, he is the classical example of unwilling hero; but he has also an "innocence" in him that is charming. When asked by the police, why he was outside the building he has no problem to say that he was daydreaming on the main suspect of the murder. When asked by that same man, Nick, why he is snooping around the building after the murder, he has no problem to admit that he was trying to find a way to ask him out: pay attention, actually Peter doesn't ask Nick out on a date, he says that he would like to find a way to ask him out... speaking of talking your mind.
Anyway Peter has some integrity on his work, but he is not the classic strong and pure reporter who would sell his mother for the truth: Peter has a crush on Nick, and so he is not willing to write something that can harm him. Yes, Peter is really convinced that Nick is innocent, so he is not hiding the true, but still, a "real" reporter would first publish the news and then ask to himself if he has done the right thing.
On the other hand, unfortunately the book is too short to give us a clear idea on Nick. He is an interesting character, very fascinating and mysterious, but not all his hidden secret are unveiled in the end... maybe this is a choice of the author, to preserve his mystery aurea, but still I wouldn't mind to know something more about him.
The love story between Nick and Peter is sweet and romantic, and really "easy"; I believe that the disarming behavior of Peter in a way draws Nick onto his trap: Peter is so open and without defense, that Nick couldn't believe him able to do any harm, and so Nick is more willing to let Peter near him than any other men in his past.
The mystery is good, there are a lot of possible suspects, all of them with a plausible reason, and so, till the end, everyone could be the one. Truth be told, I don't pay many attention to the mystery, since I was more interested in knowing if and when Peter's work would be clash with his relationship with Nick, or if, due to his inner innocence, Peter would escape without harm.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/54...
And so Peter is outside a building after finishing his sleuthing "nightly" work to uncover the secret of an illegal russian brothel (sound pretty daring, isn't it?), fantasizing about Nick, a reclusive artist who has a studio beside the one of his best friend and roommate. Peter is trying to find the courage to ask Nick out on a date, when he hears screaming and entering the building finds Nick above the body of a dying artist, Shelley. Peter has no doubt that Nick is innocent, even if he is caught "red handed" (literally), and his past is not so "clean".
I like Peter, he is the classical example of unwilling hero; but he has also an "innocence" in him that is charming. When asked by the police, why he was outside the building he has no problem to say that he was daydreaming on the main suspect of the murder. When asked by that same man, Nick, why he is snooping around the building after the murder, he has no problem to admit that he was trying to find a way to ask him out: pay attention, actually Peter doesn't ask Nick out on a date, he says that he would like to find a way to ask him out... speaking of talking your mind.
Anyway Peter has some integrity on his work, but he is not the classic strong and pure reporter who would sell his mother for the truth: Peter has a crush on Nick, and so he is not willing to write something that can harm him. Yes, Peter is really convinced that Nick is innocent, so he is not hiding the true, but still, a "real" reporter would first publish the news and then ask to himself if he has done the right thing.
On the other hand, unfortunately the book is too short to give us a clear idea on Nick. He is an interesting character, very fascinating and mysterious, but not all his hidden secret are unveiled in the end... maybe this is a choice of the author, to preserve his mystery aurea, but still I wouldn't mind to know something more about him.
The love story between Nick and Peter is sweet and romantic, and really "easy"; I believe that the disarming behavior of Peter in a way draws Nick onto his trap: Peter is so open and without defense, that Nick couldn't believe him able to do any harm, and so Nick is more willing to let Peter near him than any other men in his past.
The mystery is good, there are a lot of possible suspects, all of them with a plausible reason, and so, till the end, everyone could be the one. Truth be told, I don't pay many attention to the mystery, since I was more interested in knowing if and when Peter's work would be clash with his relationship with Nick, or if, due to his inner innocence, Peter would escape without harm.
http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/54...
August 7, 2013
Less fantastic than her "Sea Full of Stars" series, Nicole Kimberling's "Bellingham Mysteries" series offers a smartly written, likable group of novellas set in a charming small city in the Pacific Northwest. The chief charm in book one, "Primal Red," is its introduction of Peter,a wry, ambitious young journalist; and Nick, an unexpectedly shy ex-soldier artist with a notorious past. They both soon realize that stumbling across each other in the midst of a bloody murder is perhaps not the best way to launch a relationship.
Peter and Nick are not archetypes - although they do have the requisite good looks that are a sine qua non in the m/m romance genre. Both have their quirks, but in this series it is not their flaws that draw the guys together, but the ongoing discovery of how much they simply like being together. Not that sex doesn't figure into it, but Kimberling manages to telegraph a good deal of information, subtly building our picture of these two men as they discover that beyond physical attraction lurks - OMG! - liking. I know that sounds dumb, but it was a pleasurable note in this narrative. It's not all about nipples and treasure trails - it's about intelligence and shared interests and a willingness to be open to someone else's life.
The mysteries provide a crucial framework in which the romance happens - but they have their own interest, as Peter's journalistic nose and Nick's military courage draw them into situations that challenge their safety as well as their understanding of each other.
I've already started book two, "Baby It's Cold Outside," and it's looking good.
Peter and Nick are not archetypes - although they do have the requisite good looks that are a sine qua non in the m/m romance genre. Both have their quirks, but in this series it is not their flaws that draw the guys together, but the ongoing discovery of how much they simply like being together. Not that sex doesn't figure into it, but Kimberling manages to telegraph a good deal of information, subtly building our picture of these two men as they discover that beyond physical attraction lurks - OMG! - liking. I know that sounds dumb, but it was a pleasurable note in this narrative. It's not all about nipples and treasure trails - it's about intelligence and shared interests and a willingness to be open to someone else's life.
The mysteries provide a crucial framework in which the romance happens - but they have their own interest, as Peter's journalistic nose and Nick's military courage draw them into situations that challenge their safety as well as their understanding of each other.
I've already started book two, "Baby It's Cold Outside," and it's looking good.
June 24, 2015
This just didn't do it for me. The story felt very flat. Not enough mystery. Not enough romance. Not enough character development. Not enough excitement. Just not enough. It didn't help that I disliked Peter and didn't know anything about Nick .
I have the whole series and was really looking forward to it, but I am not sure I want to continue.
I have the whole series and was really looking forward to it, but I am not sure I want to continue.
May 10, 2012
I just finished “Primal Red” and really enjoyed it. Good solid, believable characters neither of whom is too perfect or too imperfect. Great premise, and the conclusion worked for me. I love mysteries and romance, this read was a great mix of both. I don't post spoilers or plot summaries so you'll just have to dive in and read it! I used to live in Bellingham I was worried that little details would bother me but no, Kimberling did a great job all around! Bought the second one immediately....also a great read!
June 8, 2013
5 Stars - KAPOW!
Nicole has this easy, clever wit in her storytelling – not in your face laugh a minute humour that leaves you feeling exhausted. I know some of her cleverness is probably wasted on me – but I see the catch phrase or punch line, even if I don’t fully understand the lead up. That counts for something, right? And in a way that only underlines her savvy skills!!
I am loving this series.....
Read Barb's full review at Live Your Life, Buy The Book
Nicole has this easy, clever wit in her storytelling – not in your face laugh a minute humour that leaves you feeling exhausted. I know some of her cleverness is probably wasted on me – but I see the catch phrase or punch line, even if I don’t fully understand the lead up. That counts for something, right? And in a way that only underlines her savvy skills!!
I am loving this series.....
Read Barb's full review at Live Your Life, Buy The Book
August 13, 2019
The characters and setting felt real, and I look forward to spending more time with this series.
Tom Otterness, "Feats of Strength"
Tom Otterness, "Feats of Strength"
January 3, 2011
Very good m/m romantic suspense about an investigative reporter for a free weekly paper who hears screaming, then sees a woman die in the arms of an artist that he'd very much like to date...
April 29, 2011
J'aime bien lire de la daube!
May 12, 2012
This is a mystery-lite and, for what it is, it's an easy, entertaining read. The star of the story is Peter. I loved his fantasy articles and quirky humor.
August 18, 2023
English and español
To be honest I was expecting a lot from this one but I was surprised that it was so bland, boring and fast. On the other hand, I'm curious to know what happens in the book, that's the only reason I'm going to read it.I hope something changes.
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Para ser sincera esperaba mucho de este pero me sorprendió que fuera tan soso, aburrido y rápido. Por otro lado, tengo curiosidad por saber qué pasa en el libro, es la única razón por la que voy a leerlo.Espero que algo cambie
To be honest I was expecting a lot from this one but I was surprised that it was so bland, boring and fast. On the other hand, I'm curious to know what happens in the book, that's the only reason I'm going to read it.I hope something changes.
-----------------------------
Para ser sincera esperaba mucho de este pero me sorprendió que fuera tan soso, aburrido y rápido. Por otro lado, tengo curiosidad por saber qué pasa en el libro, es la única razón por la que voy a leerlo.Espero que algo cambie
February 19, 2021
This was ok but it needed more. More editing (egregious lack of commas, some spelling errors, etc.), more plot and character development, more focus on the relationship. They knew each other so little when they had their first blow up that it just came across as shallow. Also, liberal use of derogatory terms (e.g. fag, bitch)
July 30, 2018
3.5 stars
I liked the mystery and the MCs. It is a good start to a mystery series.
Peter and Nick are very likable MCs. Peter goes about in bicycle around the town and the bicycle also plays a role in the book. Love the author's descriptions of the artist community.
I liked the mystery and the MCs. It is a good start to a mystery series.
Peter and Nick are very likable MCs. Peter goes about in bicycle around the town and the bicycle also plays a role in the book. Love the author's descriptions of the artist community.
August 23, 2020
3.5 stars
May 23, 2021
I am looking forward to the next book by Nicole Kimberling.
March 28, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed the series! They’re interesting, light hearted and fun!
February 20, 2017
Peter Fontaine is set on being an investigative journalist, even if working for The Hamster (short for Bellinghamster) does not provide with plenty of opportunities. Stumbling upon a murdered artist gives him the chance he needs, not only to pursue a real investigation but also to meet his current crush, local artist Nick Olson. If only Nick wasn't the main suspect in the investigation…
4.5-5 stars
The first story of the Bellingham mysteries introduces us to the main characters in this world, Peter and Nick. It is told from Peter's point of view, and his tendency to imagine the world in terms of the articles he would write for his newspaper gives it a refreshing and entertaining perspective. Both Peter and Nick are likeable characters, specially Nick, with his pensive and shy attitude which hides a lot of surprises. The mystery is nicely developed, and intriguing enough, even though the story is short. So I enjoyed characters, plot and execution, but what I liked most was the sense of humour which prevails in the narration. It kept me in a really good mood through a very gloomy and grey saturday.
I am not new to Nichole's writing, but it always amazes me her ability to convey a full character with a few choice of words or attitudes. We know more about Nick and Peter than we would have expected, given the length of the narration and the scarcity of descriptions. And it always makes you want to read more. Off to the second story!!!
4.5-5 stars
The first story of the Bellingham mysteries introduces us to the main characters in this world, Peter and Nick. It is told from Peter's point of view, and his tendency to imagine the world in terms of the articles he would write for his newspaper gives it a refreshing and entertaining perspective. Both Peter and Nick are likeable characters, specially Nick, with his pensive and shy attitude which hides a lot of surprises. The mystery is nicely developed, and intriguing enough, even though the story is short. So I enjoyed characters, plot and execution, but what I liked most was the sense of humour which prevails in the narration. It kept me in a really good mood through a very gloomy and grey saturday.
I am not new to Nichole's writing, but it always amazes me her ability to convey a full character with a few choice of words or attitudes. We know more about Nick and Peter than we would have expected, given the length of the narration and the scarcity of descriptions. And it always makes you want to read more. Off to the second story!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2017
Fun easy read
This is a good easy-to-read mystery, shorter than I expected. The primary MC (Peter) is an investigative journalist for the local weekly circulation paper in a relatively small arty town. I liked Peter and was particularly amused when he went off on creative side bits, mentally writing up newspaper stories for things he sees. Usually I give more points to a romance mystery that I liked...but this one seemed to lack somewhat on the romance side. The whole thing is from the journalist's POV, and we gain very little info about what type of person Nick is (the sexy artist). The author doesn't provide a lot of nonverbal cues, Nick and Peter don't have a lot of conversations, so he is an unknown (and not in a mysterious brooding way.) What we learn is basically from Peter's googling Nick, and some town gossip. I liked Peter, but his background is slim as well; I think only his housemate as a friend, some interaction with his boss...otherwise he is either investigating or working on hooking up with Nick. I like the mystery, the round of artist suspects, the town, the secondary characters (boss, housemate) and layer of the journalistic context. Short novella length is how it felt, so only so much room, so the real lack was some warmth and details to make me like Nick (Peter, on the other hand, had no problem liking Nick). A straightforward story. Recommend for a quick little mystery. Am hoping later books in the series give me some depth to the romance.
Some ratings on things of interest to me in mm romance:
Smexy scale 1-5: 2
Room for one explicit scene between MCs, but my favorite bit was Peter's elevator fantasy :D
Humor scale 1-5: 3
Peter is funny, his observations made me smile. "Peter briefly wished the heat wave would never end and that Nick, like Michelangelo's David, would be eternally spared the burden of upper-body garments."
Likable MCs scale 1-5: 2
I like Peter, but am looking for both MCs to be likable AND for the couple to be good together in a romance. I hope for more of a two way connection between them in the next book.
Angst 1-5:1
Its a murder mystery...but none of the main characters care much. No family drama (no family history at all that I can recall) . The developing relationship has few obstacles. It's not Teflon smooth, but it's close.
This is a good easy-to-read mystery, shorter than I expected. The primary MC (Peter) is an investigative journalist for the local weekly circulation paper in a relatively small arty town. I liked Peter and was particularly amused when he went off on creative side bits, mentally writing up newspaper stories for things he sees. Usually I give more points to a romance mystery that I liked...but this one seemed to lack somewhat on the romance side. The whole thing is from the journalist's POV, and we gain very little info about what type of person Nick is (the sexy artist). The author doesn't provide a lot of nonverbal cues, Nick and Peter don't have a lot of conversations, so he is an unknown (and not in a mysterious brooding way.) What we learn is basically from Peter's googling Nick, and some town gossip. I liked Peter, but his background is slim as well; I think only his housemate as a friend, some interaction with his boss...otherwise he is either investigating or working on hooking up with Nick. I like the mystery, the round of artist suspects, the town, the secondary characters (boss, housemate) and layer of the journalistic context. Short novella length is how it felt, so only so much room, so the real lack was some warmth and details to make me like Nick (Peter, on the other hand, had no problem liking Nick). A straightforward story. Recommend for a quick little mystery. Am hoping later books in the series give me some depth to the romance.
Some ratings on things of interest to me in mm romance:
Smexy scale 1-5: 2
Room for one explicit scene between MCs, but my favorite bit was Peter's elevator fantasy :D
Humor scale 1-5: 3
Peter is funny, his observations made me smile. "Peter briefly wished the heat wave would never end and that Nick, like Michelangelo's David, would be eternally spared the burden of upper-body garments."
Likable MCs scale 1-5: 2
I like Peter, but am looking for both MCs to be likable AND for the couple to be good together in a romance. I hope for more of a two way connection between them in the next book.
Angst 1-5:1
Its a murder mystery...but none of the main characters care much. No family drama (no family history at all that I can recall) . The developing relationship has few obstacles. It's not Teflon smooth, but it's close.
October 11, 2013
Reading LBGTQ fiction I'm at least past most of the discriminating comments on queers but you know how to throw readers off even in this "safer" genre? (stopped reading at begining of chapter 3)
With ignorant stuff like this:
"He opened his glove compartment and found a slightly smashed Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk.
Vegan?
Yeah, Robert had been a vegan, hadn't he? No wonder it hadn't worked out."
As a vegan myself, it's hard enough to read through books that feature large amounts of food decriptions or the cool though guys dressed in leather, so I really don't need a sidestab comment like this one.
Sure ex-lovers are not always fun and some things will never be right with them, but we never even got an explanation why his being vegan was a problem for them/the relationship or that maybe the protag was the problem and not the ex. There was no explanation that the protag is a meat-junky or whatsoever that would be ESPECIALLY problematic when being together with a vegan, so in the end it's just being vegan is wrong by default. And you can fuck that shit.
Even annoying people like the editor in chief of The Bellinghamster got more detailed description as to why he's annoying the protag than his ex.
So fuck this author. I'm not going to buy books by them in the future.
With ignorant stuff like this:
"He opened his glove compartment and found a slightly smashed Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk.
Vegan?
Yeah, Robert had been a vegan, hadn't he? No wonder it hadn't worked out."
As a vegan myself, it's hard enough to read through books that feature large amounts of food decriptions or the cool though guys dressed in leather, so I really don't need a sidestab comment like this one.
Sure ex-lovers are not always fun and some things will never be right with them, but we never even got an explanation why his being vegan was a problem for them/the relationship or that maybe the protag was the problem and not the ex. There was no explanation that the protag is a meat-junky or whatsoever that would be ESPECIALLY problematic when being together with a vegan, so in the end it's just being vegan is wrong by default. And you can fuck that shit.
Even annoying people like the editor in chief of The Bellinghamster got more detailed description as to why he's annoying the protag than his ex.
So fuck this author. I'm not going to buy books by them in the future.
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