When a body is found in the park, Paul Monroe knows two things: this isn’t a simple mugging, and the weekend he has planned with his boyfriend is officially over before it begins. With no murder weapon but a slew of suspects at the ready, Paul and his partner, Rob, begin the tedious task of piecing together the few clues they have.Happier than he’s ever been, Cliff knows there’s more to Paul than … to Paul than the tough exterior the man shows to the world, but Cliff is determined to take things slow. An unexpected phone call forces him to revisit the pain of his past, and now he needs Paul more than ever, but he’s hesitant to ask, unwilling to pressure Paul into a decision he might not be ready to make.
Paul’s investigation means more long nights away from Cliff, who is grappling with his unsettling news. Not being able to support Cliff isn’t sitting right with Paul, and for the first time his personal life is as important as his job. Knowing he has Paul to lean on gives Cliff the courage to speak and to heal old wounds as they navigate the minefield of building a relationship. Meanwhile, a killer walks the streets of Thornwood Park, and Paul won’t be satisfied until they are caught and justice served.
more
Diagnosis: Death is book two in the Paul Monroe Mystery series by A.P. Eisen. This is a pen name for Felice Stevens. I think I loved this book even more than the first one. Why? Because the relationship is already established between our two main characters and now, in this one, begins my favorite part, the swooning. And, yes, I did plenty of swooning. The three books in this series are an ongoing relationship between the same two characters but each book contains a different case to be solved.
It’s been about three months since the end of the previous book. Three months that Paul and Cliff have been a couple. They are still new, still learning each other, but they are together every night, both eeking out every minute they can with their busy lives, to spend together.
Paul has still only come out to his best friend and partner at the police department, Rob Gormley. I want to add here that we get to know Rob even better in this book and I love this guy. I adore the relationship he and Paul have. They are almost more like brothers than friends. Cliff is so patient. He is determined not to push Paul. He wants him to come out in his own way, at his own pace. Even though he knew from the beginning that when Paul was on a case, he would always be more unavailable. And he understood. But that still didn’t mean that it was easy for him when plans had to be canceled and he would be home alone. That was when old insecurities would come back to haunt him.
Paul was forty years old and had never been in a relationship. He’s always kept his sexual preferences hidden. Cliff was the only man that had ever made him want more. He knows he’s falling fast and hard for Cliff. And he wants to make him happy. On that particular weekend, he had big plans for the two of them, until that dreaded phone call happened. A murder in the park, and all his plans went out the window.
“He’d never had this compelling need to protect someone like he had with Cliff.”
While Paul and Rob are doing everything they can to move forward with their case, something in Cliff’s past reappears, causing him to revisit pain he had long attempted to bury. Even with everything on Paul’s plate, he wants to be there for Cliff, and he is. Let me just say that if I didn’t already love Paul, this did it. The little things that he did melted my heart.
Paul and Cliff have already begun to rely on one another, on bouncing ideas off each other, on unwinding after a busy day together sharing the events of their time apart. Feelings are getting deeper. Neither are ready to voice it yet, but it’s there, easy to see, waiting for them to acknowledge.
While the romantic side of this book keeps us smiling and so happy for these two, the mystery side keeps us on the edge of our seats, not letting up until the very end. This author most definitely knows how to tease us throughout the book, with just enough information to make us think we might be figuring things out, only to throw something else in to keep us guessing. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Paul and Cliff in the third book, Death Comes to Main Street.
No second-guesses
The mysteries keep coming and I’m all abuzz. Paul and Cliff’s relationship is strengthening as deepening and it’s fire, beautiful and heartwarming. “You can just call me yours, and I’ll be fine with that.” There are a lot of emotions in this book on both sides and I loved seeing all the sides, playful and serious, to our dynamic duo. I love the friendships, the who-dun-it and the ever-growing bond between our intrepid MCs. A fantastic mystery series that will keep you on your toes.
The story takes place about 3 months after the first book. Paul and Cliff are out running in the park when Paul get a phone call that there has been a murder in the park that he and Cliff are running in. The author goes into more depth with Cliff’s background and we learn more of his heartbreaking past. These two characters have so much depth to them! The story line was so well written, I felt so many feels and emotions; the continuation of Paul and Cliff growing closer and falling in love. I am voluntarily leaving a review from an advanced copy that I was gifted from the author. Thank you so much for letting me read your art. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
What a wonderful read,so full of suspense you can’t wait to see what happened next. I loved Paul and Cliff and seeing their relationship move forward was great and I didn’t want the book to end,but unfortunately did,I need more so hopefully there’s going to be a book 3!
I found really interesting how AP Eisen developed the characters in this series. In book 2, you can witness the evolution of Paul and Cliff’s relationship while both of them had work and personal issues to think about, (and a mysterious murder in the mix up). In other words, they are human beings like every one of us trying to keep a love life while going on with their life. I’m enjoying how real and palpable are the situations and dialogues in the story, there is not “insta-love” and not “love-solves-everything” so you can see amazing characters trying to balance life and work and also have a fulfilling love life. Wonderful book, wonderful characters and a wonderful detective work, in summary…. wonderful reading!!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
I loved the first book about Paul and Cliff, and this one is just as engrossing. I enjoyed learning more about Cliff and his job as hotel manager, as well as seeing him struggle over the decision of whether or not to reconnect with his estranged parents. Meanwhile, Paul and Rob have a new murder to solve, and it is surprisingly connected to the case from book one. There are multiple suspects, a missing weapon, and political ramifications that only make the job more difficult.
During all of this drama, Paul and Cliff make the most of every moment together, as their bond becomes stronger and their commitment to each other grows. I loved these men in the first installment, and I am so happy for the chance to revisit them here. This book is interesting and clever, with moments that are sexy and romantic. Paul and Cliff show over and over how much they care for each other, and I am hopeful that this will not be the last of their story. I’m not ready to let them go!