Review: Second in a series - the relationship thickens...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 7, 2013
You don't really think this series by Nicole Kimberling, set in Bellingham, Washington, is really about the mysteries, do you?Not that the mysteries aren't interesting, and that they don't form the architecture on which the IMPORTANT narrative is built - but these books are clearly about the developing relationship between Nick Olson and Peter Fontaine.And that's fine.If I'm seeing the pattern, each book moves ahead a year (book three, "Black Cat Ink" does that, at least).  Each book also seems to have a theme - or a theme word, at least.  The first is blood; this one is cold: snow, ice, shivering.But really, the point of these books is to watch the slow, graceful dance that Nick and Peter do around each other, as each man adjusts to the idea of being paired for good (and for the first time) with someone they not only admire, but who is their equal. There is a delicacy about the way Peter's blunt, outspoken character counterpoints Nick's more subtle one. And it's interesting that Peter is the less butch of the two, but is also the bolder more aggressive one. This contrasts with Nick's shyness, a pleasant surprise. But gay men don't automatically adjust in the normal way, because, well, men are men. Careers intrude; ambition sings its siren song. Kimberling gives us a gentle, authentic look at the dynamics of a male couple.Book three promises a new set of mysteries, and some new moves in this ongoing mating ritual. These books are not as slight as their novella length would suggest. Looking forward to book three...