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Son of a Gun
Politics, drugs and secrets from the past collide in the town of Boerne Texas and end in a chase across the Devil's Backbone. Stefan Sanchez number one reason to leave Texas was closeted deputy Chet Blain. When Stefan returns for the funeral of his best friend, he is confronted by painful memories, Chet's recriminations, and a hunky Secret Service agent who seems determined to make Stefan's business his business.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2010
2 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Riley
19 books223 followersA.M. Riley is a film editor and amateur poet living in Los Angeles, California. She writes murder mystery, romance and urban paranormal with GLBT characters. In addition to writing, Riley enjoys politics, police blogs and ice hockey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 23, 2013
3,5 stars
Let’s get this over with : this book is not focusing on a central love story, so according to rules that the author is not following anyway, this is not a romance. What’s in there for you, then?
Love interests and maybe more if affinity. Note the plural but don’t hiss, there is no cheating, technically.
A decent, if not spectacular mystery that triggered memories of the Famous Five and a clan offering many potential suspects and accomplices.
A closeted cop.
The fleeting, teasing presence of a Special Agent.
The overshadowing presence of a best friend. Kudos to the author for making me like a character who was already dead when the story began! The victim is much more than a mystery plot device and this was the pinch salt that added to the story’s delicious bittersweet flavour.
Stefan, writing children books when the only kids he likes belong to the past, and preserving his bitter and precious memories of them forever. Stefan always, who is a stopped clock, who numbed his emotions when he fled to LA, who is a stubborn smartass, who fights funny and is kind of dysfunctional but still trusted when and by whom it counts the most.
A great narrative, not as much interrupted as fed by a child book manuscript that won’t let itself being written.
No traditional romance, no neatly tied up HEA either, but an open ending that makes sense.
The rush to the finish line in giant steps or easy shortcomings was a bit dissatisfying, too many things happened off scene and were told resolved but the author made up for it with an amusingly endearing ending.
I liked Son of a Gun very much and I cared. I cared that Stefan stubbornly followed the track leading to the murderer because Tommy O’Connor was a good man and someone killed him, dammit! I cared for the childhood brotherhood, for Stefan coming home to mourn and for his late-bloomer coming of age story. I liked Stefan’s muse playing difficult and how it came full circle. I smiled and chuckled, too.
There will be a sequel, right?
Let’s get this over with : this book is not focusing on a central love story, so according to rules that the author is not following anyway, this is not a romance. What’s in there for you, then?
Love interests and maybe more if affinity. Note the plural but don’t hiss, there is no cheating, technically.
A decent, if not spectacular mystery that triggered memories of the Famous Five and a clan offering many potential suspects and accomplices.
A closeted cop.
The fleeting, teasing presence of a Special Agent.
The overshadowing presence of a best friend. Kudos to the author for making me like a character who was already dead when the story began! The victim is much more than a mystery plot device and this was the pinch salt that added to the story’s delicious bittersweet flavour.
Stefan, writing children books when the only kids he likes belong to the past, and preserving his bitter and precious memories of them forever. Stefan always, who is a stopped clock, who numbed his emotions when he fled to LA, who is a stubborn smartass, who fights funny and is kind of dysfunctional but still trusted when and by whom it counts the most.
A great narrative, not as much interrupted as fed by a child book manuscript that won’t let itself being written.
No traditional romance, no neatly tied up HEA either, but an open ending that makes sense.
The rush to the finish line in giant steps or easy shortcomings was a bit dissatisfying, too many things happened off scene and were told resolved but the author made up for it with an amusingly endearing ending.
I liked Son of a Gun very much and I cared. I cared that Stefan stubbornly followed the track leading to the murderer because Tommy O’Connor was a good man and someone killed him, dammit! I cared for the childhood brotherhood, for Stefan coming home to mourn and for his late-bloomer coming of age story. I liked Stefan’s muse playing difficult and how it came full circle. I smiled and chuckled, too.
There will be a sequel, right?
May 5, 2010
Gosh, A.M. Riley's stories seem to always able to make me writhing in emotional turmoil. Here we have a GREAT story, a mystery to uncover, which involves drugs, snakes, closeted ex-boyfriend, a missing wife, a code writing, gorgeous agent, child's books -- with gay nuance -- and handful of wonderful characters apart from the main guy, Stefan Sanchez. However, Ms. Riley teases with the relationship part, and leave an open ending that feels so real in the end, I want to scream in frustration. I swear, if there isn't a sequel that deals with Stefan and Evans, this story is going to kill me slowly *sigh*. Despite all this, this is another great book from A.M. Riley. I really, really love her stories and she is now one of my favorite authors in this genre.
January 2, 2014
I'm pretty damn well pleased with my first book of 2014. This was everything I could of hoped for.
A M Riley manages to really pull me into the story. At times my stomach was in knots and as for figuring out who did it? I was so off base (as usual). But I loved how I was kept guessing.
I loved Stefan to pieces. A real character with plenty of depth.
As for the romance, that had me torn at first but by about half way I knew who I was rooting for.
The mystery in this book had me on the edge of my seat at times and by the end I was reading as fast as I could.
I loved the little snippets we got of the Backtree boys books too. I can certainly imagine they would be a hit with young children. Kind of reminded me of the Enid Blyton adventure books I craved as a child.
A perfect Mystery thriller with a touch of, if not romance, then certainly the cat and mouse game at the beginning of a relationship.
My first read of 2014 is worth more but sadly I can only give it 5 stars.
A M Riley manages to really pull me into the story. At times my stomach was in knots and as for figuring out who did it? I was so off base (as usual). But I loved how I was kept guessing.
I loved Stefan to pieces. A real character with plenty of depth.
As for the romance, that had me torn at first but by about half way I knew who I was rooting for.
The mystery in this book had me on the edge of my seat at times and by the end I was reading as fast as I could.
I loved the little snippets we got of the Backtree boys books too. I can certainly imagine they would be a hit with young children. Kind of reminded me of the Enid Blyton adventure books I craved as a child.
A perfect Mystery thriller with a touch of, if not romance, then certainly the cat and mouse game at the beginning of a relationship.
My first read of 2014 is worth more but sadly I can only give it 5 stars.
June 16, 2021
I actually really loved this book! I see a lot of reviewers who read the previous version comment on the lack of romance and HEA or even HFN. I guess it is because I read the re-edited version but I am happy with the level of romance and the end. I agree that this is mostly a murder mystery. But the romance was just right for me. Stefan is going through a lot settling his "relationship" with Chet. And in the end I like to think that he is on his way to getting his HEA with Dale.
It does look like there will be a sequel to this book which is great because Stefan is a great character and so was Dale. So I need more!
I am glad the cover was updated because the old one had put me off to reading this book (yes, I am a very shallow visual person, lol).
It does look like there will be a sequel to this book which is great because Stefan is a great character and so was Dale. So I need more!
I am glad the cover was updated because the old one had put me off to reading this book (yes, I am a very shallow visual person, lol).
May 20, 2021
3.75*
Difficult to rate this, the writing is really good and it's a decent story but I found it started too slow and dragged a bit. There's no lead up the reader is plopped into the story with no backstory which I quite liked while also feeling disconnected by not knowing who people were or what the situation was. Stefan being a writer means there's also excerpts of his children's book throughout as well as childhood memories.
The mystery held no suprises but is well told with a bit of adventure thrown in.
The romance is difficult, there's Chet a childhood phantom whose not very nice then Evans who says little. I liked Evans and his manner but couldn't understand what he saw in Stefan. Stefan being pov character made difficult to see past his sharp emotions and complexes. Riley shows what's shaped him, Stefan is clever, determined yet fragile. The sex scenes show a lot about him and it's clearly himself he needs to learn to love.
Slow warmup but then things started happening and by the end I was really liking the book. There was mention of a sequel before the author went AWOL and should it ever appear I'll definitely read it. Not my favourite by her yet but a good read.
Difficult to rate this, the writing is really good and it's a decent story but I found it started too slow and dragged a bit. There's no lead up the reader is plopped into the story with no backstory which I quite liked while also feeling disconnected by not knowing who people were or what the situation was. Stefan being a writer means there's also excerpts of his children's book throughout as well as childhood memories.
The mystery held no suprises but is well told with a bit of adventure thrown in.
The romance is difficult, there's Chet a childhood phantom whose not very nice then Evans who says little. I liked Evans and his manner but couldn't understand what he saw in Stefan. Stefan being pov character made difficult to see past his sharp emotions and complexes. Riley shows what's shaped him, Stefan is clever, determined yet fragile. The sex scenes show a lot about him and it's clearly himself he needs to learn to love.
Slow warmup but then things started happening and by the end I was really liking the book. There was mention of a sequel before the author went AWOL and should it ever appear I'll definitely read it. Not my favourite by her yet but a good read.
June 10, 2014
This was a fast-paced action-filled story about Stefan, an author of boys' adventure stories, who returns to his Texas home town for his foster brother Tommy's funeral. But when he gets there the house is full of law enforcement, everyone is tense and uncommunicative, the dead man's wife is missing, and there is a secret message from Tommy waiting for him to decipher. Tommy's death may not have been an accident. In a situation full of family history, politics, money, drugs, and old hurt feelings and secrets, Stefan can't know who to trust, or what he needs to do.
There are nice moments of humor, especially when Stefan edits his book and fantasizes about leaving the path of wholesomeness and writing what his two teenage MCs are really up to. There are emotions that catch the throat, as Stefan encounters the closeted deputy he still carries a torch for. And an action plot that held surprises for me, up to the end. This finishes with the beginning of an HFN, satisfying enough and not a cliffhanger. I enjoyed the writing style, the fast flow of the mystery, and the characters.
There are nice moments of humor, especially when Stefan edits his book and fantasizes about leaving the path of wholesomeness and writing what his two teenage MCs are really up to. There are emotions that catch the throat, as Stefan encounters the closeted deputy he still carries a torch for. And an action plot that held surprises for me, up to the end. This finishes with the beginning of an HFN, satisfying enough and not a cliffhanger. I enjoyed the writing style, the fast flow of the mystery, and the characters.
May 20, 2010
Very good book with lots of flawed characters with flawed relationships just as we have come to expect from AM Riley.
Just an FYI - there is no HEA or HFN in the ending to this story. It seems to be left for a second book to find closure for Stefan and, I assume, Dale but it's hard to say where things were headed when the end came.
Just an FYI - there is no HEA or HFN in the ending to this story. It seems to be left for a second book to find closure for Stefan and, I assume, Dale but it's hard to say where things were headed when the end came.
July 31, 2015
DNF @ 47%.
When it rains, it floods.
This book made me feel like reading was becoming a chore, something to be done. And at that point, I knew I had to quit. Basically, Stefan comes back after 12 years of leaving Boerne, Texas for his best friend's funeral. Of course, things aren't all as they seem, and Stefan figures that his best friend's death may perhaps be a murder.
I really did not enjoy how the story cuts off frequently to have these quick flashbacks of Stefan's childhood and adolescent years, along with excerpts of his children's story (he's an acclaimed author). I began skipping the snippets of the children's story and quickly skimmed the flashbacks.
Then there's the whole relationship aspect of it. Forty-seven percent into the story, and the only romance that happens is with a closeted-ex that is STILL in the closet (the book alludes to the hunky FBI agent, who probably had maybe a page of dialogue total up to this point). I don't see a relationship happening anywhere, and if it does, then it probably only happens for a small percentage of the story, which makes it NOT worth it for me.
And of course, Stefan just annoyed the heck out of me. Everything from his personality to the things he does. Just...NO.
When it rains, it floods.
This book made me feel like reading was becoming a chore, something to be done. And at that point, I knew I had to quit. Basically, Stefan comes back after 12 years of leaving Boerne, Texas for his best friend's funeral. Of course, things aren't all as they seem, and Stefan figures that his best friend's death may perhaps be a murder.
I really did not enjoy how the story cuts off frequently to have these quick flashbacks of Stefan's childhood and adolescent years, along with excerpts of his children's story (he's an acclaimed author). I began skipping the snippets of the children's story and quickly skimmed the flashbacks.
Then there's the whole relationship aspect of it. Forty-seven percent into the story, and the only romance that happens is with a closeted-ex that is STILL in the closet (the book alludes to the hunky FBI agent, who probably had maybe a page of dialogue total up to this point). I don't see a relationship happening anywhere, and if it does, then it probably only happens for a small percentage of the story, which makes it NOT worth it for me.
And of course, Stefan just annoyed the heck out of me. Everything from his personality to the things he does. Just...NO.
October 4, 2015
I really like this author's writing. A lot.
This book had an intriguing storyline, solid prose, gritty characters, and a couple of love stories. Nah, I'm not going to explain.
On to The Elegant Corpse.
This book had an intriguing storyline, solid prose, gritty characters, and a couple of love stories. Nah, I'm not going to explain.
On to The Elegant Corpse.
January 26, 2014
I really enjoyed the mystery here. We got the details one at a time, but when you get to the end and replay the whole crime, it's a tight, logical plot. The main character is not really sympathetic. I like the contrast between his personality--cold, emotionally detached, and wounded--and his job. He writes children's adventures based on an idealized memory of his youth. And now that one of his closest childhood friends has died, he's come home and landed in the less than ideal reality.
I don't think there's much of a developed romance here. However, that doesn't bother me. My imagination is up to the job of filling in the details, and I have faith these characters are going to make it. Well, most of them. This is a very real book with real people--some of whom are far too invested in their own self-destructive behaviors to save themselves. This book shines at making them all sound so very real.
I don't think there's much of a developed romance here. However, that doesn't bother me. My imagination is up to the job of filling in the details, and I have faith these characters are going to make it. Well, most of them. This is a very real book with real people--some of whom are far too invested in their own self-destructive behaviors to save themselves. This book shines at making them all sound so very real.
October 17, 2010
Very good m/m romantic suspense about a writer who returns to the small Texas town where he grew up. He's there for the funeral of his best friend, but why won't anyone give him a straight answer about what happened? Highly recommended.
June 3, 2013
Stefan Sanchez left Boerne Texas years ago, ostensibly to pursue a writing career, in reality to escape his mother, the gossips in his hometown, and his closeted boyfriend Chet.
As the story opens, Stefan arrives back home to attend the funeral of his best friend Tommy O’Connor and is not only inundated with memories of the past but also becomes aware of things that not only don’t add up, but lead him to believe that Tommy may have been murdered.
One such issue is that Tommy’s wife has disappeared. She was as much a part of his life as Tommy’s at one point and would never miss his funeral unless there was it was impossible for her to attend. They were a foursome, Tommy and Samantha (Sammy), he and Chet. Tommy’s brother Colin’s ex-wife has also disappeared. The fact that no one seems to care that the women are missing, and no one wants to acknowledge that Tommy’s death may not have been an accident, spurs Stefan’s imagination and he begins a fact finding hunt on his own.
Or at least he tries to do it on his own. Along the way he is stopped by Chet, who not only wants to stop his pursuit of the truth but also wants to pick up where they left off --- hiding in the bushes getting off on each other. He’s also shadowed by Evans, an agent assigned to protect the O’Connor family. Evans won’t reveal which agency he works for or why he’s there for protection and that prods Tommy’s curiosity even more.
There’s so much plot in this story it’s impossible to summarize it all. There’s arrests, escapes, intrigue, back-stabbing, secret codes, clueless ignorance, betrayal, denial, redemption, and more. And the sex is secretive, unexpected, explosive, erotic and sweet. Emotions run the gamut from grief to joy.
Throughout the book, Stefan continues to edit his overdue manuscript for the book he is currently working on with his editor. He’s a successful writer of a series of adolescent adventures in crime solving. The stories closely parallel his relationships with Tommy, Chet and Sammy, each of whom represents a character in his books. The flashbacks to their childhood adventures are revealed as Stef works on the manuscript and are closely interwoven with the present crime solving that Stef has undertaken.
This story was much better than I thought it would be when I read the blurb. The complexity of the mystery, the character development, the coinciding book being written by Stef, the sexual tension between he and Agent Evans, as well as Chet’s overt, yet secretive, sexual attraction, are all tightly woven together. It’s very difficult to solve this mystery. And the “reveals” after the mystery is solved are so much more than I could have imagined.
On the other hand, there’s not a lot of romance in this story. There’s sex and hookups, but not romance, at least not until the end. In fact, I couldn’t quite decide who the primary romantic couple would be until about 80% into the story. The potential is there from the beginning, but since the author needs to blindfold us, twist us, turn us, and spin us around so that we don’t solve the mystery, the potential romance gets swept up in that chaos for quite a while.
Also, I’m not a fan of an open ending. Although this ends as HFN, with a strong potential for HEA, I’m hoping for a sequel so I can get more involved in the romance that simply MUST blossom between this couple. No spoilers, I’m not revealing the couple in this review. You have to read this to find out who I mean.
Seriously, I highly recommend this to all mystery and action adventure fans. There’s so much plot intrigue here. And so many secondary characters that the author can start a series with this book and not worry about running out of characters for a long time.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
As the story opens, Stefan arrives back home to attend the funeral of his best friend Tommy O’Connor and is not only inundated with memories of the past but also becomes aware of things that not only don’t add up, but lead him to believe that Tommy may have been murdered.
One such issue is that Tommy’s wife has disappeared. She was as much a part of his life as Tommy’s at one point and would never miss his funeral unless there was it was impossible for her to attend. They were a foursome, Tommy and Samantha (Sammy), he and Chet. Tommy’s brother Colin’s ex-wife has also disappeared. The fact that no one seems to care that the women are missing, and no one wants to acknowledge that Tommy’s death may not have been an accident, spurs Stefan’s imagination and he begins a fact finding hunt on his own.
Or at least he tries to do it on his own. Along the way he is stopped by Chet, who not only wants to stop his pursuit of the truth but also wants to pick up where they left off --- hiding in the bushes getting off on each other. He’s also shadowed by Evans, an agent assigned to protect the O’Connor family. Evans won’t reveal which agency he works for or why he’s there for protection and that prods Tommy’s curiosity even more.
There’s so much plot in this story it’s impossible to summarize it all. There’s arrests, escapes, intrigue, back-stabbing, secret codes, clueless ignorance, betrayal, denial, redemption, and more. And the sex is secretive, unexpected, explosive, erotic and sweet. Emotions run the gamut from grief to joy.
Throughout the book, Stefan continues to edit his overdue manuscript for the book he is currently working on with his editor. He’s a successful writer of a series of adolescent adventures in crime solving. The stories closely parallel his relationships with Tommy, Chet and Sammy, each of whom represents a character in his books. The flashbacks to their childhood adventures are revealed as Stef works on the manuscript and are closely interwoven with the present crime solving that Stef has undertaken.
This story was much better than I thought it would be when I read the blurb. The complexity of the mystery, the character development, the coinciding book being written by Stef, the sexual tension between he and Agent Evans, as well as Chet’s overt, yet secretive, sexual attraction, are all tightly woven together. It’s very difficult to solve this mystery. And the “reveals” after the mystery is solved are so much more than I could have imagined.
On the other hand, there’s not a lot of romance in this story. There’s sex and hookups, but not romance, at least not until the end. In fact, I couldn’t quite decide who the primary romantic couple would be until about 80% into the story. The potential is there from the beginning, but since the author needs to blindfold us, twist us, turn us, and spin us around so that we don’t solve the mystery, the potential romance gets swept up in that chaos for quite a while.
Also, I’m not a fan of an open ending. Although this ends as HFN, with a strong potential for HEA, I’m hoping for a sequel so I can get more involved in the romance that simply MUST blossom between this couple. No spoilers, I’m not revealing the couple in this review. You have to read this to find out who I mean.
Seriously, I highly recommend this to all mystery and action adventure fans. There’s so much plot intrigue here. And so many secondary characters that the author can start a series with this book and not worry about running out of characters for a long time.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
October 18, 2012
Not a bad story, but I didn’t love it
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The plot is involved and kept me engaged from very early on.
- The complexity of Stefan’s relationships with the people he grew up with is very well depicted. I was particularly interested in his relationship with Chet, the lover from his youth. It’s not a pleasant relationship, but I thought it was nice to see a depiction of a relationship that’s truly dysfunctional--but not in the way that writers often depict such relationships, with abuse or unusual obstacles.
- Riley captures the Texas atmosphere well: not just the physical setting of Boerne / San Antonio / South Texas, but also the Texan characters. I laughed out loud at a passage in which one character makes cleaning his gun into a sexual tease. I have literally seen that happen in real life.
CONS:
- I found the story to be a bit of a bummer. It’s not really a romance, for one thing. That’ s fine, but Stefan is dealing with the painful emotions of a dysfunctional past love throughout the story, and a *new* love interest would have gone a long way toward alleviating that pain for me.
- There are several sex scenes, but there’s not much romantic or meaningful about them; they struck me as impersonal (especially the first, which is along the lines of come here, lie down, roll over, here we go).
- Because the story is fairly complex, it has a lot of characters. My only complaint about this is that too many of them are introduced in quick succession in the first few pages. It’s difficult to keep track of all of them.
Overall comments: This is the sort of book that could easily be converted into a movie: short scenes laden with meaningful conversations and hints at clues that all combine in a climax worthy of a Hollywood star or two. If you’re looking for romance, though, move along. This one has sex, but that’ s it.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 7/10
PROS:
- The plot is involved and kept me engaged from very early on.
- The complexity of Stefan’s relationships with the people he grew up with is very well depicted. I was particularly interested in his relationship with Chet, the lover from his youth. It’s not a pleasant relationship, but I thought it was nice to see a depiction of a relationship that’s truly dysfunctional--but not in the way that writers often depict such relationships, with abuse or unusual obstacles.
- Riley captures the Texas atmosphere well: not just the physical setting of Boerne / San Antonio / South Texas, but also the Texan characters. I laughed out loud at a passage in which one character makes cleaning his gun into a sexual tease. I have literally seen that happen in real life.
CONS:
- I found the story to be a bit of a bummer. It’s not really a romance, for one thing. That’ s fine, but Stefan is dealing with the painful emotions of a dysfunctional past love throughout the story, and a *new* love interest would have gone a long way toward alleviating that pain for me.
- There are several sex scenes, but there’s not much romantic or meaningful about them; they struck me as impersonal (especially the first, which is along the lines of come here, lie down, roll over, here we go).
- Because the story is fairly complex, it has a lot of characters. My only complaint about this is that too many of them are introduced in quick succession in the first few pages. It’s difficult to keep track of all of them.
Overall comments: This is the sort of book that could easily be converted into a movie: short scenes laden with meaningful conversations and hints at clues that all combine in a climax worthy of a Hollywood star or two. If you’re looking for romance, though, move along. This one has sex, but that’ s it.
December 16, 2012
When Stefan returns to his home town for a friend's funeral - a town he had fled from nor returned to for seven years - he finds things all a little "off."
Stefan arrives home in time for the funeral, and when he finally sees Tommy's body, his loss hits him hard, and questions start to surface - how did Tommy really die? Where is Tommy's wife? Why is there snippets of their childhood code appearing here and there? The more questions he asks, the more he finds himself being stonewalled, and he knows something is not right. But who does he trust when the ones who have always been there for him are not answering his questions?
This is a fascinating romantic suspense-come-thriller; it's well written and the slowly building suspense is neat and tight. Admittedly, when the truth emerges, it is not a great surprise, but I found that the journey to the reveal more than made up for the lack of surprise.
Riley's novel lands heavily on the side of suspense rather than romance, and from the romance point of view, it may be disappointing to readers (for more info, my tags/shelves may be useful). Yet I hope this lack won't put readers off this novel, as it is definitely one of the better M/M mystery stories around
Stefan arrives home in time for the funeral, and when he finally sees Tommy's body, his loss hits him hard, and questions start to surface - how did Tommy really die? Where is Tommy's wife? Why is there snippets of their childhood code appearing here and there? The more questions he asks, the more he finds himself being stonewalled, and he knows something is not right. But who does he trust when the ones who have always been there for him are not answering his questions?
This is a fascinating romantic suspense-come-thriller; it's well written and the slowly building suspense is neat and tight. Admittedly, when the truth emerges, it is not a great surprise, but I found that the journey to the reveal more than made up for the lack of surprise.
Riley's novel lands heavily on the side of suspense rather than romance, and from the romance point of view, it may be disappointing to readers (for more info, my tags/shelves may be useful). Yet I hope this lack won't put readers off this novel, as it is definitely one of the better M/M mystery stories around
May 22, 2013
3.5 - Just read this for the first time through the Loose re-release. I had a good time with this book!
Read
July 2, 2010Stefan is a children books author living in Los Angeles an apparently comfortable, and successful life; he is gay, and handsome, and so he has no problem to find a body when he wants, but he is not interested in the heart inside that body. Stefan is a bitter man whose only good feelings are in what he writes, not in his real life.
When the story starts, Stefan is coming back home in Texas for the funeral of his best friend Tommy; even if he left his hometown and all his friends years ago, Tommy was still his best friends, and the stories Stefan writes about two boys are the fictional translation of their own boyhood adventures. Even if he was miles distant from Tommy and his family, the same family who welcomed Stefan when he was a orphan boy, Tommy was always with him, in his books, and Stefan had at least the hope that adult Tommy was happy, married to his childhood sweetheart Samantha, and living in the paradise small town where Stefan was not able to live, since he was in love with Chet, and Chet was instead ashamed of Stefan.
When Stefan comes back, apparently everything is the same, but nothing is the same; Tommy is not there, Samantha is disappeared, and strange men, supposedly secret agents, are invading Tommy’s paternal home, the same mansion where Stefan is welcomed again as he was so many years ago. In the house there is agent Evans, big, bold and silent, the epitome of dangerous man, and an irresistible temptation for Stefan. But also Chet is there again, and he is still asking Stefan to be his little dirty secret, and Stefan is unable to resist, above all since it was not him that break up years ago, but it was Chet. And maybe, adult Stefan thinks but with the mind, and heart, of young Stefan, if he is good enough, if he always says yes, maybe Chet will change idea, maybe there is an happily ever after for them.
What apparently is preparing to be a good love story, with Stefan dribbling between Chet and Evans, one step here, one step there, is soon overwhelmed by the dangerous/adventurous plot: someone is out there and he wants Stefan out of town, in the best of cases, and death in the worst. When sex arrives it’s fast but good, and I will not say with whom.
I had my idea on Evans, he is a man you can trust and depend on, he is strong and safe, like an haven, and in his embrace Stefan will never be scared; but he is not Stefan’s first love, not the one Stefan has to come to pact with. Chet is still in Stefan’s heart, and I’m happy to say that I changed my idea on him: I was ready to dislike him, and to think the worst, but in the end Chet is a positive character, maybe even truer and realistic than Evans or Stefan. It will be hard for Stefan to choose (no pun intended), but in any case, it will be a good choice.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608201171/?...
When the story starts, Stefan is coming back home in Texas for the funeral of his best friend Tommy; even if he left his hometown and all his friends years ago, Tommy was still his best friends, and the stories Stefan writes about two boys are the fictional translation of their own boyhood adventures. Even if he was miles distant from Tommy and his family, the same family who welcomed Stefan when he was a orphan boy, Tommy was always with him, in his books, and Stefan had at least the hope that adult Tommy was happy, married to his childhood sweetheart Samantha, and living in the paradise small town where Stefan was not able to live, since he was in love with Chet, and Chet was instead ashamed of Stefan.
When Stefan comes back, apparently everything is the same, but nothing is the same; Tommy is not there, Samantha is disappeared, and strange men, supposedly secret agents, are invading Tommy’s paternal home, the same mansion where Stefan is welcomed again as he was so many years ago. In the house there is agent Evans, big, bold and silent, the epitome of dangerous man, and an irresistible temptation for Stefan. But also Chet is there again, and he is still asking Stefan to be his little dirty secret, and Stefan is unable to resist, above all since it was not him that break up years ago, but it was Chet. And maybe, adult Stefan thinks but with the mind, and heart, of young Stefan, if he is good enough, if he always says yes, maybe Chet will change idea, maybe there is an happily ever after for them.
What apparently is preparing to be a good love story, with Stefan dribbling between Chet and Evans, one step here, one step there, is soon overwhelmed by the dangerous/adventurous plot: someone is out there and he wants Stefan out of town, in the best of cases, and death in the worst. When sex arrives it’s fast but good, and I will not say with whom.
I had my idea on Evans, he is a man you can trust and depend on, he is strong and safe, like an haven, and in his embrace Stefan will never be scared; but he is not Stefan’s first love, not the one Stefan has to come to pact with. Chet is still in Stefan’s heart, and I’m happy to say that I changed my idea on him: I was ready to dislike him, and to think the worst, but in the end Chet is a positive character, maybe even truer and realistic than Evans or Stefan. It will be hard for Stefan to choose (no pun intended), but in any case, it will be a good choice.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608201171/?...
June 19, 2013
A.M. Riley is a relatively new author for me so I am excited to review this book. The blurb for “Son of a Gun” didn’t really give me an idea what the book was about other than the hero, Stefan, had a lot of angst.
In his youth, his father attempted to kill his best friend, Tommy’s, dad. Tommy’s family, regardless of that history, took him in when his mother turned to alcohol after the subsequent death of Stefan’s dad. Stefan, Tommy, and Chet were essentially the “three musketeers” while growing up.
Stefan eventually fell in love with Chet and they had a volatile relationship where Stefan was thinking of forever and Chet was deeply closeted and, in my opinion, only using Stefan for his own teenage, sexual gratification.
Stefan eventually moved away to LA after Chet ripped out his heart and Tommy pulled away to spend more time with his high school sweetheart, Sammy.
Then, Tommy was killed in a hunting accident and Stefan had to return to his hometown after a 12-year absence. There, in the house he grew up in, his adopted family is surrounded by government agents and Stefan meets Evans.
What follows is a jumble of secret messages, quickies with Chet, and a state-wide search for Tommy’s widow.
“Son of a Gun” was not one of my favorite reads. I did enjoy the snippets of Stefan’s kids’ book series (based on his experiences with Tommy and Chet when they were growing up). I think it was because I was confused by the mystery surrounding Tommy’s death.
I know, I know…it was a mystery, of sorts. I was supposed to be confused. Maybe if the unfolding events didn’t feel so rushed it would have been more to my liking.
Would I recommend the book? Of course I would. I’d never tell anyone to NOT read a book…what I don’t like, someone else may totally love.
This particular book just wasn’t my “thing”.
KymD's 3 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
In his youth, his father attempted to kill his best friend, Tommy’s, dad. Tommy’s family, regardless of that history, took him in when his mother turned to alcohol after the subsequent death of Stefan’s dad. Stefan, Tommy, and Chet were essentially the “three musketeers” while growing up.
Stefan eventually fell in love with Chet and they had a volatile relationship where Stefan was thinking of forever and Chet was deeply closeted and, in my opinion, only using Stefan for his own teenage, sexual gratification.
Stefan eventually moved away to LA after Chet ripped out his heart and Tommy pulled away to spend more time with his high school sweetheart, Sammy.
Then, Tommy was killed in a hunting accident and Stefan had to return to his hometown after a 12-year absence. There, in the house he grew up in, his adopted family is surrounded by government agents and Stefan meets Evans.
What follows is a jumble of secret messages, quickies with Chet, and a state-wide search for Tommy’s widow.
“Son of a Gun” was not one of my favorite reads. I did enjoy the snippets of Stefan’s kids’ book series (based on his experiences with Tommy and Chet when they were growing up). I think it was because I was confused by the mystery surrounding Tommy’s death.
I know, I know…it was a mystery, of sorts. I was supposed to be confused. Maybe if the unfolding events didn’t feel so rushed it would have been more to my liking.
Would I recommend the book? Of course I would. I’d never tell anyone to NOT read a book…what I don’t like, someone else may totally love.
This particular book just wasn’t my “thing”.
KymD's 3 sweet pea review appears at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
July 6, 2012
I liked the plot and characters, they were well rounded and felt real, I really liked the way the mc discovers not only the mystery of Tommy's death, but about himself and his beliefs.
Chet was an asshole, I don't even know how he musters the courage to bitch at Stefan after all he did AND is doing, I liked how in the end Stefan didn't even cared enough to be mad at him, it felt to me that that chapter of his life was finally close to him, i liked how he didn't really take the shit Chet was intending on dumping on him, Chet simply doesn't deserve Stefan at all, hell, he doesn't even love him, Chet only looks for himself specially when we learn that all the time he was telling Stefan how pleased he was of seeing him again and was fucking Stefan, he also had a girlfriend/fiancee which he conveniently didn't tell of to Stefan more than "A friend who had his books", really Chet is a cheating selfish asshole, not even getting shot can warm him to me.
The dynamics between Evans and Stefan in the other hand were fresh and engaging, this relationship of banter and flirt had me smiling quite a lot, and i loved it because it was healthy, totally opposed to Stefan's relationship with Chet, I loved the surprise in the end.
Overall aside from the mystery, I enjoyed the healing journey of Stefan, how he could lose his chapter with Chet, how he could forgive himself and how he could learn to love his face and be proud again of his hero.
If only I wasn't so fond of the open ending, but still liked the book a lot.
Now I really REALLY would enjoy a sequel, I totally believe there's enough room for another adventure of Stefan.
Chet was an asshole, I don't even know how he musters the courage to bitch at Stefan after all he did AND is doing, I liked how in the end Stefan didn't even cared enough to be mad at him, it felt to me that that chapter of his life was finally close to him, i liked how he didn't really take the shit Chet was intending on dumping on him, Chet simply doesn't deserve Stefan at all, hell, he doesn't even love him, Chet only looks for himself specially when we learn that all the time he was telling Stefan how pleased he was of seeing him again and was fucking Stefan, he also had a girlfriend/fiancee which he conveniently didn't tell of to Stefan more than "A friend who had his books", really Chet is a cheating selfish asshole, not even getting shot can warm him to me.
The dynamics between Evans and Stefan in the other hand were fresh and engaging, this relationship of banter and flirt had me smiling quite a lot, and i loved it because it was healthy, totally opposed to Stefan's relationship with Chet, I loved the surprise in the end.
Overall aside from the mystery, I enjoyed the healing journey of Stefan, how he could lose his chapter with Chet, how he could forgive himself and how he could learn to love his face and be proud again of his hero.
If only I wasn't so fond of the open ending, but still liked the book a lot.
Now I really REALLY would enjoy a sequel, I totally believe there's enough room for another adventure of Stefan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2016
Once again A.M.Riley has delivered a book which is not your standard m/m romance.
All the comments I made on "Elegant Corpse" hold true.
For a start her characters are not always black and white. In many writer's hands, the ex-boyfriend would have been a two-dimensional character but in A.M.Riley's hands you were never sure which way things would go.
If I have one tiny criticism it is that I never really got a handle on Evans and Agnes's relationship/connection. It came out of the blue and not developed enough in my humble opinion. In fact, the whole arc between Stefan and Agnes could have been expanded more.
Other than that the book was great.
Once again there was sex but sex with a purpose, not just to titillate the reader.
Stefan, the main character, is an author of children's adventure books. The little asides about editor's comments to what he had written and what the publisher expected made an amusing side-dish to the main story. Again you had to have your wits about you as you read as at times Stefan's WIP became part of the story, sometimes reflecting back on the past and sometimes a reflection of what was happening in the present.
All the comments I made on "Elegant Corpse" hold true.
For a start her characters are not always black and white. In many writer's hands, the ex-boyfriend would have been a two-dimensional character but in A.M.Riley's hands you were never sure which way things would go.
If I have one tiny criticism it is that I never really got a handle on Evans and Agnes's relationship/connection. It came out of the blue and not developed enough in my humble opinion. In fact, the whole arc between Stefan and Agnes could have been expanded more.
Other than that the book was great.
Once again there was sex but sex with a purpose, not just to titillate the reader.
Stefan, the main character, is an author of children's adventure books. The little asides about editor's comments to what he had written and what the publisher expected made an amusing side-dish to the main story. Again you had to have your wits about you as you read as at times Stefan's WIP became part of the story, sometimes reflecting back on the past and sometimes a reflection of what was happening in the present.
June 8, 2015
I haven't enjoyed an MM book like this in too damn long. Debating whether to give it 5 stars for pure enjoyment, despite the side plot taking center stage near the end.
dnf-not-4-me
October 11, 2014No interest in reading a no HEA book.
November 25, 2024
I really liked this, but the ending fell victim to a sudden desire to wrap every single detail up in a bow -- including the vague romance that suddenly got a little more prominent in a way I didn't need (and that's coming from a major Romance Reader) -- when I had really been enjoying the book's commitment to subtle realism.
It begins with our MC returning home to Texas for the first time in over a decade for the funeral of a deceased friend and almost feels a little like Jonathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You / The Book of Joe if they were murder mysteries with a sprinkling of M/M romance.
Stefan is a successful author of Boys' Own adventure novels that are in many ways based on his childhood with the deceased friend (Tommy), and the snippets we get here and there while he edits through insomnia and reads the notes from his agent really add to the story in several ways. I loved that. It was one of several devices the author used to make us feel like we knew Tommy by the end and really understood the kind of man Stefan was grieving.
So glad this author is finally re-releasing her books. I've already got two more lined up ready to go, and I hope there's more to come.
It begins with our MC returning home to Texas for the first time in over a decade for the funeral of a deceased friend and almost feels a little like Jonathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You / The Book of Joe if they were murder mysteries with a sprinkling of M/M romance.
Stefan is a successful author of Boys' Own adventure novels that are in many ways based on his childhood with the deceased friend (Tommy), and the snippets we get here and there while he edits through insomnia and reads the notes from his agent really add to the story in several ways. I loved that. It was one of several devices the author used to make us feel like we knew Tommy by the end and really understood the kind of man Stefan was grieving.
So glad this author is finally re-releasing her books. I've already got two more lined up ready to go, and I hope there's more to come.
August 17, 2013
4.5 stars. Stefan has several good reasons for being a prick. One, the love of his life is a closeted gay deputy who has no reason to come out since Stefan is willing to do anything for him at the drop of a hat. Two, his father apparently committed treason, drug-running, and money laundering, and was shot and killed when Stefan was just a kid, and he’s learned to hate his own face. Three, his best friend, Tommy O’Connor, has just died in what seems like a hunting accident, and Stefan has to return to his old stomping grounds for the funeral.
But then he begins to suspect foul play. When he’s arrested with the trunk of his rental car full of drugs, his suspicions become confirmed. But is there a conspiracy of treasonous proportions or is his paranoia making him see movement in the shadows when there is none? His old buddy Chet and a mysterious secret service agent Evans always seem to be there when Stefan is searching for answers. Tommy’s wife has disappeared, and no one seems concerned. The whole O’Connor clan seems to have something to hide, and no one is willing to answer Stefan’s questions. So, he goes off on his own, with Chet and Evans hot on his trail.
This story has a very realistic feel to it. The people have their faults and weaknesses. Stefan, for one, has a chink in his armor: Chet, the man who will never commit to him. Stefan knows this, but always falls for Chet’s advances. And then there’s Evans, the sexy agent who hovers behind every step Stefan takes. But can Evans be trusted? Can even Chet be trusted?
Stefan goes through a hard path of personal discovery throughout this story. He faces his past, struggles to free himself of the confines of secrets, and lies surrounding him. And the people who saved him from the mire of the aftermath of his father’s treason all begin to show their true selves after so many years.
This is first and foremost Stefan’s story. This is in the third person, but his is the only inner voice we hear. That seems like a good choice since it leaves the reader in the dark about who to trust and into whose arms Stefan should fall. Stefan is not the most likeable person. He’s snarky and cynical, he smokes way too much, and he’s nosy to the point of imminent danger. But when we learn about him, how much he dislikes himself, his own heritage, the mistakes he’s made, well, they make him sympathetic. And with his curiosity rising ours is peaked as well.
The erotic content is small on this one. We get opposite scenes of sex: Chet’s selfish need vs. Evans’s odd instinctive connection with Stefan. We’re left wondering who is really deserving of love here. Not that we hear that word spoken. Stefan has learned not to believe in things like that, burned too many times with his own expectations. But dealing with Chet and coming to know Evans gives Stefan an opportunity to show he can lay the past to rest and move on with his life, and perhaps even take a chance on another.
I liked this story quite a bit. The mystery is not particularly complex, but it’s the feelings these plot twists put Stefan through that matter in the end. Yes, I thought the discussions with Chet became a bit repetitive after a while, which made me remove half a star. Evans remained something of a mystery to the very end, but I liked him and his deep engrained sense of honor. And with Evans Stefan becomes a new man, maybe a bit more hopeful, which was a welcome change for the better.
Recommended for all those who like realistic murder mysteries, chases through the wilderness of Texas, and a chain-smoking man who always has a snarky comeback.
But then he begins to suspect foul play. When he’s arrested with the trunk of his rental car full of drugs, his suspicions become confirmed. But is there a conspiracy of treasonous proportions or is his paranoia making him see movement in the shadows when there is none? His old buddy Chet and a mysterious secret service agent Evans always seem to be there when Stefan is searching for answers. Tommy’s wife has disappeared, and no one seems concerned. The whole O’Connor clan seems to have something to hide, and no one is willing to answer Stefan’s questions. So, he goes off on his own, with Chet and Evans hot on his trail.
This story has a very realistic feel to it. The people have their faults and weaknesses. Stefan, for one, has a chink in his armor: Chet, the man who will never commit to him. Stefan knows this, but always falls for Chet’s advances. And then there’s Evans, the sexy agent who hovers behind every step Stefan takes. But can Evans be trusted? Can even Chet be trusted?
Stefan goes through a hard path of personal discovery throughout this story. He faces his past, struggles to free himself of the confines of secrets, and lies surrounding him. And the people who saved him from the mire of the aftermath of his father’s treason all begin to show their true selves after so many years.
This is first and foremost Stefan’s story. This is in the third person, but his is the only inner voice we hear. That seems like a good choice since it leaves the reader in the dark about who to trust and into whose arms Stefan should fall. Stefan is not the most likeable person. He’s snarky and cynical, he smokes way too much, and he’s nosy to the point of imminent danger. But when we learn about him, how much he dislikes himself, his own heritage, the mistakes he’s made, well, they make him sympathetic. And with his curiosity rising ours is peaked as well.
The erotic content is small on this one. We get opposite scenes of sex: Chet’s selfish need vs. Evans’s odd instinctive connection with Stefan. We’re left wondering who is really deserving of love here. Not that we hear that word spoken. Stefan has learned not to believe in things like that, burned too many times with his own expectations. But dealing with Chet and coming to know Evans gives Stefan an opportunity to show he can lay the past to rest and move on with his life, and perhaps even take a chance on another.
I liked this story quite a bit. The mystery is not particularly complex, but it’s the feelings these plot twists put Stefan through that matter in the end. Yes, I thought the discussions with Chet became a bit repetitive after a while, which made me remove half a star. Evans remained something of a mystery to the very end, but I liked him and his deep engrained sense of honor. And with Evans Stefan becomes a new man, maybe a bit more hopeful, which was a welcome change for the better.
Recommended for all those who like realistic murder mysteries, chases through the wilderness of Texas, and a chain-smoking man who always has a snarky comeback.
May 28, 2013
3.5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
You know what this story reminded me of? The Three Musketeers. Yeah it really did. There were the three guys here with Stef being the reckless one, the one who was sharp and witty and always the cynic. There was Tommy – the dead/murdered friend, who used to be the one to always pursuit justice, and there was Chet, the clean-up-the-mess guy. Ofc there was Tommy’s wife Sammy, the one to get em all together, the cool one, the one that never came between friends. And there was definitely the evil/smart villain, who of course is above suspicion and the obligatory conspiracy theory.
That was quite simple really. Stefan having left Texas for twelve years is forced back for his best friend’s funeral. It’s weird because all the way back he was hearing Tommy’s voice in his head, having quite a conversation, and at first I thought he was a bit crazy and had an imaginary friend you know. Only later on at the funeral did I realize that Stef is indeed a bit crazy and has whole conversations in his head.
Anyway, so there he is looking at his best friend’s dead body and it hits him that even as a corpse Tommy looks horrified. The cause of his death doesn’t satisfy Stefan – who always had some sort of an intuition – and he believes that his friend has been murdered. Of course it helps a bit the fact that he discovers bits and pieces of information written in their secret code language that only he and Tommy perfectly knew and a small portion Tommy’s wife Sammy.
Speaking of Sammy, she’s gone missing in a hurry leaving nothing behind, no trail, no way to get in touch, at least for the simple mortal, because Stefan finds bits of clues from her too and like this starts a kind of a treasure hunt for a runaway bride and truth at the end of the game.
I liked it, a lot. The story was quite engaging, the plot laid in such a way that had you wanting to follow it, wanting to see what’s next and at time making you feel like you figured the bad guy, then doubting yourself and then going back to what you originally thought and then doubting that thought… again. It was quite fun the way it sent you back and forth. The characters involved were numerous and quite literally filled the book.
In the middle of all this was the very weird, very dysfunctional relationship between Stefan and Chet, that started out as friends when they were kids, morphed into secret hooking/lovers later on and ended quite badly causing Stefan to leave Texas to escape the pain. But oddly enough there was no romance in their “thing”, for it wasn’t even a relationship. It was as if Stefan was a drug Chet couldn't resist and you have one hell of a nightmare between them. As for Stefan, gosh what a character. His entire personality was so very complex that I don’t know how to feel about it. His life was literally stolen from him and he’d been in a loveless situation his entire life, or that how he felt. Quite the dark emotional drama there, but so skillfully written, so flawed and hurt and stuck in limbo for so long that you can’t help care for this character.
So, concluding my thoughts on this book, it was a very nice story, with a very nice conspiracy, well developed characters and a good enough pace to keep you interested through the entire read. The romance was lacking there and the relationship between Stefan and Dale was hazy at best and left quite hanging, but overall a very decent read I don’t hesitate recommending those who like a good suspense/mystery story.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
You know what this story reminded me of? The Three Musketeers. Yeah it really did. There were the three guys here with Stef being the reckless one, the one who was sharp and witty and always the cynic. There was Tommy – the dead/murdered friend, who used to be the one to always pursuit justice, and there was Chet, the clean-up-the-mess guy. Ofc there was Tommy’s wife Sammy, the one to get em all together, the cool one, the one that never came between friends. And there was definitely the evil/smart villain, who of course is above suspicion and the obligatory conspiracy theory.
That was quite simple really. Stefan having left Texas for twelve years is forced back for his best friend’s funeral. It’s weird because all the way back he was hearing Tommy’s voice in his head, having quite a conversation, and at first I thought he was a bit crazy and had an imaginary friend you know. Only later on at the funeral did I realize that Stef is indeed a bit crazy and has whole conversations in his head.
Anyway, so there he is looking at his best friend’s dead body and it hits him that even as a corpse Tommy looks horrified. The cause of his death doesn’t satisfy Stefan – who always had some sort of an intuition – and he believes that his friend has been murdered. Of course it helps a bit the fact that he discovers bits and pieces of information written in their secret code language that only he and Tommy perfectly knew and a small portion Tommy’s wife Sammy.
Speaking of Sammy, she’s gone missing in a hurry leaving nothing behind, no trail, no way to get in touch, at least for the simple mortal, because Stefan finds bits of clues from her too and like this starts a kind of a treasure hunt for a runaway bride and truth at the end of the game.
I liked it, a lot. The story was quite engaging, the plot laid in such a way that had you wanting to follow it, wanting to see what’s next and at time making you feel like you figured the bad guy, then doubting yourself and then going back to what you originally thought and then doubting that thought… again. It was quite fun the way it sent you back and forth. The characters involved were numerous and quite literally filled the book.
In the middle of all this was the very weird, very dysfunctional relationship between Stefan and Chet, that started out as friends when they were kids, morphed into secret hooking/lovers later on and ended quite badly causing Stefan to leave Texas to escape the pain. But oddly enough there was no romance in their “thing”, for it wasn’t even a relationship. It was as if Stefan was a drug Chet couldn't resist and you have one hell of a nightmare between them. As for Stefan, gosh what a character. His entire personality was so very complex that I don’t know how to feel about it. His life was literally stolen from him and he’d been in a loveless situation his entire life, or that how he felt. Quite the dark emotional drama there, but so skillfully written, so flawed and hurt and stuck in limbo for so long that you can’t help care for this character.
So, concluding my thoughts on this book, it was a very nice story, with a very nice conspiracy, well developed characters and a good enough pace to keep you interested through the entire read. The romance was lacking there and the relationship between Stefan and Dale was hazy at best and left quite hanging, but overall a very decent read I don’t hesitate recommending those who like a good suspense/mystery story.
Thommie
May 12, 2010
4.5 stars.
The best AM Riley novel I've read so far. This is a riveting story about friendships and a well-plotted mystery about family, politics, drugs and greed.
Coming home is always difficult, especially for Stefan Sanchez, who left his home with a bruised and broken heart, leaving behind his best childhood friends and his unrequited love, then went on to become a famous young adult mystery writer. When his best friend, Tommy, died in a hunting accident, Stefan came home for the funeral and forced to face old wounds - his distant alcoholic mother and his ex, a closeted cop. On top of that, Tommy's parents house was surrounded by secret agents, one of them seemed particularly keen on following Stefan and soon Stefan started to find Tommy's death suspicious and he knew he had to find the truth...
There are many well-drawn characters in the story, even Tommy, who readers can only meet through Stefan's memory of him, comes alive. The main protagonist, Stefan Sanchez, just breaks my heart. A very vivid character, he's cynical, witty, vulnerable and lovely all rolled into one. Stefan's ex, Chet (the closeted cop), is another brilliant drawn character, this guy is so deep in denial, he has stuck in head in the sand not only about his sexuality but his whole world. The relationship between Stefan and Chet is as dysfunctional as you can get, they practically hurt each other with their love. Such pain is the exact contrast to the budding romance between Stefan and agent Evans, who is strong, protective and mysterious.
(SPOILER) I know some readers would find that there aren't enough pages for Stefan and Evans' romance and that the ending is kind of "open ended", but I don't see it this way. If we "know" Stefan at all, he should know that he's definitely going to be with Evans, despite his weak attempt to resist it. The ending is bemused, but very appropriate :)
My only complaint? How about a sequel with more agent Evans?
The best AM Riley novel I've read so far. This is a riveting story about friendships and a well-plotted mystery about family, politics, drugs and greed.
Coming home is always difficult, especially for Stefan Sanchez, who left his home with a bruised and broken heart, leaving behind his best childhood friends and his unrequited love, then went on to become a famous young adult mystery writer. When his best friend, Tommy, died in a hunting accident, Stefan came home for the funeral and forced to face old wounds - his distant alcoholic mother and his ex, a closeted cop. On top of that, Tommy's parents house was surrounded by secret agents, one of them seemed particularly keen on following Stefan and soon Stefan started to find Tommy's death suspicious and he knew he had to find the truth...
There are many well-drawn characters in the story, even Tommy, who readers can only meet through Stefan's memory of him, comes alive. The main protagonist, Stefan Sanchez, just breaks my heart. A very vivid character, he's cynical, witty, vulnerable and lovely all rolled into one. Stefan's ex, Chet (the closeted cop), is another brilliant drawn character, this guy is so deep in denial, he has stuck in head in the sand not only about his sexuality but his whole world. The relationship between Stefan and Chet is as dysfunctional as you can get, they practically hurt each other with their love. Such pain is the exact contrast to the budding romance between Stefan and agent Evans, who is strong, protective and mysterious.
(SPOILER) I know some readers would find that there aren't enough pages for Stefan and Evans' romance and that the ending is kind of "open ended", but I don't see it this way. If we "know" Stefan at all, he should know that he's definitely going to be with Evans, despite his weak attempt to resist it. The ending is bemused, but very appropriate :)
My only complaint? How about a sequel with more agent Evans?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2010
Son of a Gun by AM Riley was pretty cool. Stefan returns to his home town to attend the funeral of his best friend, only to find that his death is beginning to look more like murder. It was written in that very epic, old home town with prominent local family kind of feel, very gradual unfolding of the story and plenty of time to get to know that main characters. Lots of the story is dealing with Stefan’s feelings for his boyhood love and finding clues. Just like Scooby. I felt it was also left open ended and I really hope that author has more in store for these characters. I love the writing, AM Riley is definitely an auto buy for me.
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September 15, 2010Actually, this is pretty hard to rate, since I'd have given it 4 stars until the ending. The unfinished feeling of the ending (in regards to the romantic relationship, or the suggestion of a romantic relationship) reduced my enjoyment a great deal, so I'm tempted to give it two stars. I wish I'd read other people's review before reading this one. I really hate finishing a book without that feeling of completion. Up until then I'd have said it was very good, even though the solution to the mystery was pretty obvious to anyone who has read a bunch of mysteries ...
February 8, 2012
I've been a fan of Riley's work since I read The Elegant Corpse and have loved everything I've read by the author since then. Creative, funny, hot, emotional... I loved this book. Every character has depth and detail and you can feel the main character's conflicts, heartbreaks, and triumphs. My only complaint was wanting more. It ends with an opening for another installment or possibly a series and has side characters that could certainly have their own series. Great read.
May 23, 2010
4.5 stars. I have really liked AM Rileys writing and this one was no exception. I loved the ending actually, I thought it was very Stefan like to be thinking he'd never use that number, all the time being very careful to enter Dale's name beside it on his phone! It would be nice to read some more of Stefan and Agent Evans one day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2010
I have to say, what an excellent ride this was. Stefan Sanchez is a great character, and I loved being able to read what he was writing. Some really funny moments! All very interesting, plot, romance, heartache, mystery, thriller, not too much violence! It was just fun to read, trying to guess how it's going to come out. And there was hot sex too!
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