McGinnis Investigations: Book OneThere are eight million stories in the City of Angels but only one man can stumble upon the body of a former client while being chased by a pair of Dobermans and a deranged psycho dressed as a sheep.That man is Cole McGinnis.Since his last life-threatening case years ago, McGinnis has married the love of his life, Jae-Min Kim, consulted for the LAPD, and … Jae-Min Kim, consulted for the LAPD, and investigated cases as a private detective for hire. Yet nothing could have prepared him for the shocking discovery of a dead, grandmotherly woman at his feet and the cascade of murders that follows, even if he should have been used to it by now.
Now he’s back in the dark world of murder and intrigue where every bullet appears to have his name on it and every answer he digs up seems to only create more questions. Hired by the dead woman’s husband, McGinnis has to figure out who is behind the crime spree. As if the twisted case of a murdered grandmother isn’t complicated enough, Death is knocking on his door, and each time it opens, Death is wearing a new face, leaving McGinnis to wonder who he can actually trust.
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I was so excited that Rhys Ford brought back Cole and Jae-Min and the story was funny and exciting. Hope she writes another one.
I really tried to read it slowly and savor it! It was sooooo good! Even though I read the original series quite recently, both Cole and Jae left a lasting impression on me. Set a couple of years later after the events in the book Dirty Heart, we see everyone settled into happy life. Cole and Jae are so sexy, sweet and romantic – I could feel their love spilling from the pages. I enjoyed getting back Cole and Jae, Bobby and Ichi and the rest of the motley crew that makes up the family Cole McGinnis collected through the years – they are all such characters. I had so much fun reading this. Cole always cracks me up – trouble finds him everywhere he goes, and this time it comes in the form of his old client who initially was the catalyst to him crossing paths with Kim Jae-Min, his husband. Told from single POV this is absolutely hilarious, snarky, passionate and suspenseful fast paced wild ride! Life is never boring with Cole at the wheel! And get this, it crosses over with Murder and Mayhem series featuring my other fave couple Dante Montoya and Rook Stevens! I was tickled PINK!!!! OMG, to read about Rook from someone else’s standpoint?! AWESOME!!!
The case was really good. So many threads leading everywhere and nowhere at the same time, no suspect and people dropping dead – it’s never dull in casa de McGinnis. Add to that Neko and Honey, the ultimate pets, and a complex Korean spitfire of a man – and perfect story is complete. I loved it! Ms Ford’s description of LA and its busy life was absolute wonder as well as all the spicy kimchee and delicious yummy goodness that graced Cole and Jae’s table – I could almost taste it! Wonderful story with my favorite people! I hope there is more to come! I highly recommend it!
I would rate this 3.75 stars.
This is really a continuation of the Cole McGinnis Mystery series, but takes place a few years after the previous books. Being thrown into the fray with Cole in first person POV as he takes a job checking a property’s security as a favor for a friend reestablishes his character’s long history of hijinks. He is not only shot at, but finds a dead body on accident because that is a very Cole thing to do. Said dead body is a former client so he can’t let it go, determined to find the killer. The recapping should allow the reader to start here if they haven’t read the first six books, but it’s a lot to throw at someone coming in fresh–it will sound crazy OTT. It’s also a lot of telling instead of showing, yet this is the style of these with humorous asides in that hardboiled detective novel way that sounds like a voice over. It’s completely self aware of that as it describes parts of Los Angeles: “there were entire blocks of stone and metal whose shadows held the ghosts of noir detectives and gum-snapping dames.”
I did experience frustration at all the recapping though; if it was taken out, there would be little story left. Having said that, the main enjoyment comes from the prose rather than the action. It’s like Dragnet on steroids crossed with a beginner’s guide to ethnic foods of L.A. wrapped up in the feelings of love and family that finally flavor Cole’s life. I enjoyed seeing all the characters again, slightly older and more settled in their lives, I just wish there had been more depth to the glimpses. The heat level is ratcheted down here as compared to the previous books, which I didn’t mind, but I did wish I felt more of the emotional connection between then in the moment rather than having to rely on past events to know it’s there. In other words, I wish they were making new memories instead of reliving the old ones as a way to tell the reader they love each other. The previous focus was on Cole and Jae establishing their relationship with the mysteries and past traumas as a backdrop. Here the focus is on Bobby and Cole establishing a more formal business arrangement between them moving forward as consultants for the LAPD with O’Byrne being their main point of contact. It’s a focus that will rely way more heavily on how interesting the cases are moving forward unless there is manufactured drama to disrupt the happiness of all the couples and that won’t make longtime fans happy. I’m willing to see where it goes.
There’s nothing better than getting a chance to revisit with beloved characters. Cole and Jae are back and I couldn’t be happier! Married and settled they are more in love than ever. I just love the dynamics between these two! Bobby and Ichi are also along for the ride.
The mystery will keep you page turning until the very end. The humor, snark and feelings will keep you happy and satisfied. All our favorites are back and I’m so glad for it. I can’t wait for the next installment in this new series!!!!
Firstly, I received this book in return for an honest review.
Wow, I was chuffed when Rhys told us she was writing more Cole and Jae books. I’ve loved this series from the get-go, and Rhys’s writing always captures the imagination and you fall absolutely in love with her characters. In this book, we get the usual Cole and Jae banter, as well as glimpses of old characters like Bobby and Ichi.
As always, Rhys writes a ripping good mystery and coupled with fabulous scenes which bring out the best -and the worst -in her characters – Back to Black is a triumphant return to this series of thrillers. I’d always advocate reading a series from the beginning and if you’ve read the series before and now have the new book to enjoy, well, read them again and experience the joy of Rhys’s writing all over again. Otherwise, dive into this one straight away and bring back the flood of feelings in meeting old characters once more, and loving them as much, if not more.
Cole McGinnis is back with another wacky murder to solve. When asked to check out security for a home, Cole comes across a dead body. Not just any dead body though. This is the wife of a previous client and she’s still wearing one of her black leather outfits. In the process of investigating her death, Cole is dodging bullets and murder attempts. No one is surprised as Cole always seems one step away from being murdered. This time a fake daughter attacks Cole’s best friend Bobby and causes problems between Cole and his brother Ichi. Every time someone comes to kill Cole they miss and somehow end up dead themselves.
This is a really good book with mystery, romance and lots more sarcasm from just about everyone in the book. The chemistry between the characters is excellent. This felt like catching up with old friends. As much as I wanted to get to the end to see how it ends; I really wanted it to last forever. Cole and Jae are a lot more smooth in their relationship and seem like the stereotypical married couple. Bobby’s still an ass but a loving ass that will always have Cole’s back. Mike is still trying to keep Cole out of trouble in his bossy way. You get more of Detective O’Byrne and a small peak at Detective Montoya and his boyfriend Rook. Claudia, Maddie, and baby Mad Dog are all mentioned and/or briefly met. I really wanted Scarlet to be seen and heard. I love her character. Her love for Jae and Cole as well is heart warming. This book would have been perfect (IMO) if Scarlet had be there. Already ready for more McGinnis Investigations.
Good things should last forever, so I couldn’t be happier when Rhys Ford announced that she’s planning a spin-off from original 6 book series Cole McGynis mysteries. I wasn’t disappointed. Most of the old friends are back, sarcastic as ever and the case Cole gets involved in this time is of course weird and complicated. We didn’t expect anything less. Cole and Jae are now established couple a few years into their relationship, but the heat is still there. I was sucked into the story from page one and was thinking about the book even when I wasn’t reading it. Great supporting characters are an added bonus and I was delighted when I found some “Easter eggs” from her other books. Although this book can be read as a standalone I recommend reading the previous series for the full enjoyment.
Back in Black by Rhys Ford was given in exchange for an honest review. The boys are back Cole, Jae, Ichi, Bobby and Mike are a little older, wiser and still snarky as ever. You have mystery, love, action and ingenuity on how to take a bad guy threatening your life down. Cole,known for anything that can go wrong will, McGinnis finds a former client dead and hence the task of finding her killer without getting himself killed too. I absolutely loved this book. I have been so excited about this book as soon as it was announced and it did not disappoint. It is a wonderful comeback series that I simply cannot wait for more.
I loved Back in Black. I mean what’s not to love, a revisit with Cole and Jae, humour, murder, mystery, a little romance. I loved going back. It was like being back in Cole’s investigating world, all the troubles that just seem to find him and his way of going in no matter what. Of course I loved all the little Easter eggs in the story, not telling any, but I liked finding them. It was fast-paced and interesting. I didn’t solve the mystery – I never do, but that’s okay, because it’s always solved at the end. I loved that there was lots of Ichi, Bobby, Mike and Mad Dog & Junior. I’ve had the book in my library waiting since October and it was worth the wait. Can’t wait to listen to it either, since that’s how I found out about the book. I totally recommend this book.
He. Is. Back.
I loved the Cold McGinnis series, I was sad when it was over. When I found out there would be a spin off, I was SUPER excited. And I had reason to be very excited. The story takes up with the lives of Cole and Jae-Min Kim and it actually starts a lot like the very first McGinnis book. I loved that.
The thing I love about these books is the investigation aspect. It build and builds. This spin off is no different and has a great set supporting characters. I can’t wait for more McGinnis Investigations!
You could read this book as a stand alone. I mean… you COULD, but I think you’d really love all the back story from the first series.