Book: Hacked Up
Publisher: Stone Publishing
Publication date: February 6, 2017
Length: 264 pages
Reviewed by Meredith
Synopsis
Seattle
is being plagued by a string of gruesome murders. For Detective Peter Tao, it’s
a career-making case, but he’s struggling to find a lead. How is the killer
choosing his victims? What is he trying to prove?
With
a long list of suspects and nothing to connect them, Peter is more determined
than ever to apprehend the murderer. Then Peter gets the one vital piece of
evidence that ties everything together. Now he’ll have to look beyond the
obvious to identify the killer before anyone else is murdered.
Solve
the mystery in this fast-moving crime thriller by Ethan Stone.
Links
Review
Peter Tao is a detective and he's trying to figure out who's behind a slew of heinous murders. He reaches dead ends, deals with a lot of frustration, and has to handle the weighing guilt that with each day that this case goes unsolved means another life is lost.
As a side note I'd hate to be the first three victims of a serial killer. No agency or detective really thinks, "Oh my God we have a serial killer on our hands hurry let's stop them," until the number begins to rise and patterns are made. And the way this maniac kills? Yeah, no thank you!
Detective Tao is a really great character. It's a good thing too because the story is told in his POV. We really get into his head and we are trying to piece it all together with him. He and his partner have a great relationship. A bit annoying at times but for the most part it's fun. Seeing that his partner knows he's gay, unlike his family, really solidifies that partnership. There's a stoic feel to Tao's character so seeing him be light when with his partner- and the intensity of this case- was really refreshing.
Even though there were some slightly sloppy parts to the mystery it wasn't glaring. I think it showed the human error in all things and how this case was out of Tao's depth at times. The ending is crazy dramatic maybe a tad over the top but the insanity of these murders should not have met it's end quietly. It wouldn't have fit the feel of the entire book.
This is an amped up, fast paced, beat-the-clock, sort of story. Edge of your seat most of the time. I say give this book a go!
Excerpt
Even with my lovers, I’ve
never found anyone who truly challenges me. In the bedroom or out. I haven’t
been able to get you off my mind since meeting you. I’ve imagined what you’d be
like in bed. Neither one of us wanting to give an inch.”
I craned my head back so
I could look him in the eye. “You need to get that idea out of your head right
now.”
“What, like you haven’t
fantasized about fucking me?”
I had but that didn’t
mean it was going to happen. “That’s not the point.”
“I suspect you want me as
much as I want you. What would be wrong with going for it and having fun?”
Holding up a finger, I
said, “First of all, I have a rule against hookups and one-night stands.”
“It doesn’t have to be a one-off. I’d have no
problem with getting together again.”
I lifted a second digit.
“Secondly, you’re a witness in my current investigation. We shouldn’t even be
spending time together like this, but…”
“You’re drawn to me.” He
leaned down and put his lips to mine. I should’ve pushed him away immediately,
but it felt so outstanding I lost my train of thought for a moment. I came back
to my senses when his tongue traced my lips.
I put a hand on his
shoulder and he moved back.
“Third, and this is the
most important argument,” I said, “I do not sleep with married men.”
“Really? Never?”
That brought back
memories I’d rather forget. Goddamn Darren Finney. “Never again.”
“What’s the problem? If
you’ve done it once, you can do it again.”
He lowered for another
kiss, but I put a hand on his forehead and stopped him.
“I mean it, Bryce. It’s
not going to happen. Not if you’re married.”
He sat up and regarded me
with half-lidded eyes. “Something bad happened to you, didn’t it?”
I nodded.
“Want to talk about it?”
“Not even a little bit.”
He shrugged. “Okay. I can
wait. But as soon as I’m divorced, I’m going to seduce you. I want you in my
bed, Bae Peter Tao.”
“And you always get what
you want?”
His eyes gleamed and a
playful grin formed on his lips. “Usually.”
Cocky bastard. “I’m not
going to hold my breath on that divorce. I have a feeling your wife is going to
take you for everything she can.”
He huffed. “You’re right
there. Clementine was always in it for the money. I’ll get my divorce, but it
may take a while.”
“Don’t expect me to wait.
Just because I’m attracted to you doesn’t mean it’ll last.”
“The lure can’t fade if I
don’t let you forget me.”
“And how do you plan on
doing that?”
“Right now, I’m not sure,
but I’ll find a way. I always do.”
Damn, he was arrogant
and, God help me, I liked it. He was a man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t
afraid to go after it.
About Ethan Stone
Romance
on the Edge
Ethan
Stone doesn’t write your typical boy meets boy stories. With a combination of
love and suspense he makes his characters work hard for their HEAs. If they can
survive what he puts them through, then they can survive anything. He enjoys
Romance with an Edge.
Ethan
has been reading mysteries and thrillers since he was young. He’s had a thing
for guys in uniform for just as long. That may have influenced the stories he
writes.
He’s
a native Oregonian with two kids. One of whom has made him a grandfather three
times over; even though he is way too young.
Readers
can find Ethan online.
Giveaway
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Congratulations on your new release Ethan I have read and enjoyed the "Uniformity" series and I have book 1 of "Seaside Shifters" on my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book Ethan!! Hmm... Favorite book by Ethan Bartender, PI!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release! I haven't read many of Ethan's stories yet. My favorite so far is Subject 13 though.
ReplyDeletecongrats on the release
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new release Ethan. You are a new author to me, but your book sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the release! Although I have a couple of Ethan Stone's books in Mt TBR, he's still a new-to-me author.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new release, Ethan. This is the first time for me to read your book and I really enjoy it! I'll be sure to check out your backlist. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book! It sounds fantastic. I haven't read any of your books yet, but I am looking forward to changing that soon.
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