Review: First Rate story and great addition to an exciting series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 11, 2013
The tremendously satisfying third book of 'The Gaslight Mysteries' series brings our two willful leads, Michael McCree and Simon Hart, full circle in their torrid love affair, and weaves yet another stimulating mystery betwixt its romance. While I hope this is not the last I see of these two charismatic men, Erin O’Quinn has proven that she knows how to wrap a tidy ribbon on the exquisite gift of this engaging series.Beginning the morning after the endgame of the second book, Michael lies abed contemplating what the previous night's ferocious bout of lovemaking, initiated by his heretofore-reluctant partner Simon, will mean to the future of their relationship. Despite the uncharacteristic show of aggression by Simon, Michael knows that his partner’s absence means that the man is probably off recriminating himself for his blatant display of desire. Attempting to give Simon the space he needs makes peace with the true nature of his feelings toward his own sex, Michael puts his mind to finding out more about his elusive lover, like how he came about his skill of cane fighting, by which he saved Michael the prior evening.Well-ordered Simon on his part is in turmoil, struggling as Michael imagines, and conflicted about how he can be with Michael and yet maintain his individuality. Michael seems to suck all the air from him simply by entering the same room. And how can his new partner be so easygoing, smart, and sure of himself…and of Simon, when they only met eleven days earlier? Ever the investigator Simon carefully begins to search his soul for the truth of his feelings. When twenty-five paintings are reported missing from a wealthy townsman, the new case affords Simon a temporary respite from his soul search, but an old acquaintance enters the picture and throws the new lovers into a greater turmoil.The mysterious Moshe, a clever older man with sleuthing skills comparable to Michael’s, seems to have ferreted out the true nature of their fledgling relationship, and worse, appears to be a friend to their vanquished enemy, The Brown Man. What follows is a sublime journey deep into the hearts of Michael and Simon as they try to solve the case of the missing paintings and the mystery of Moshe’s past, while cementing their relationship under the suspended approval of a man Simon had hoped he’d never see again in his lifetime.This third book of the series sheds an incandescent light on masculine emotion and the uncertainties embraced by all who feel the sparks of love’s tender bite for the first time. The multiple storyline adventure is given additional charm by the witty turns of phrase strewn throughout its pages. It is this tantalizing language of prose which takes this top-notch episodic mystery to a place far beyond exceptional. Once again I found myself rereading phrases and entire passages simply for the thrilling images words like “bone-handled switchblade” and eyes like “sodding British sovereigns”, brought forth. No almost about it, Erin O’Quinn definitely has the Irish gift of the Blarney in her writing. The sublime subtly of the language used to express the two leads' desire to fornicate holds more heat than many actual sex scenes I’ve read in other books; the sentiment of passion bringing the familiar to mind exquisitely with an extra spark of delight by the author’s enchanting delivery.Poignant romance between two very diverse leads, dynamic emotional tension, scintillating sex scenes and not one, but several mysteries to solve, punctuated with exceptional prose, make for an outstanding and satisfying addition to the series. Oh I know I was supposed to say conclusion, but one can always hope, can’t one? Erin O’Quinn, you’ve done it again, and I heartily thank you for it.“Clever, Sparkling, Amorous”